Letter by Erwin E. Smith to Nancy C. Russell; asks for a reproduction of "Jerked Down". Typed on the front of two pages.

April 10, 1928 Mrs. C.M. Russell, Great Falls, Mont. My dear Mrs. Russell: Carrie J. Crouch a feature writer well known to the Southeast has written a splendid article dealing with the work of four Western artists for the “Mentor Magazine”. As I belong to a long line of native Texas cow people she interviewed me principally to obtain a cowpunchers viewpoint of Mr. Russell’s wonderful paintings and illustrations and also requested me to obtain from you a reproduction of his painting entitled “Jerked Down,” and one other subject of your own selection. To lovers of the old west Mr. Russell’s memory is one that will always be cherished. I shall always regret that I did not avail myself of the opportunity of meeting him when you so kindly invited the writer George Pattulo and myself to New York, shortly after Mr. Russell had made the McClure Magazine illustrations for Pattullo’s stories “Corazon” and “Neutria”. The pen and ink sketch of “Corazon” is one of the finest action studies of a bronc I ever saw, with possibly one exception, “A Bad Horse”, made while Mr. Russel was in New York and published by Scribner’s. George Pattullo obtained the original from McClures and the sketch will be used in the coming article. (next) [2] The writer of the article expects to pay for the reproductions, so send the bill direct to me. Texas greatest industry is still the cattle business and for many years we will have fairly large outfits – and once every year in some selected large city like Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, you see the cattlemen from over the entire Southwest gather to attend the annual meeting of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Ass’n. To-gether with other co-workers in the interest of art I would like to work out a plan with you by which Texas can have the honor of an exhibit of Mr. Russell’s work – such as you had recently in Calif. If you will kindly let me know the requirements necessary I assure you all provisions will be taken care of. Awaiting your reply, I am, Sincerely, [signed] Erwin E. Smith

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2011-11-02]

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