In an effort to help students understand a variety of viewpoints concerning the westward expansion of the 19th century, a mock trial of General George Armstrong Custer was conducted. About a week and a half of class time was provided for research and preparation as students took on roles of attorneys, investigators, military personnel, Native Americans, news reporters, map makers, and mining experts, etc. The classroom was rearranged into a courtroom format and for 3 days testimony was presented.
Excerpts follow from press releases created and published in the daily school bulletin.
Grizzly Bear taken by General Custer Photo from U.S. Gov't Archives via Internet Defense attorney Karen F. and Assistant Prosecuter Lori S. got into heated arguements several times during witness questioning at the Custer Trial in Madrid yesterday. It was all the Honorable Mike M. could do to keep order in the court, as he repeatedly had to bang the gavel. Finally calling both attorneys to the bench, he reprimanded them and reminded them he would slap contempt charges on them both if they continued to argue with each other. The Defense started out the day by interviewing several key people. Impressive testimony came from Chris L., an army scout who was at the Little Bighorn site, and Bill T., who had surveyed the site.