The New York herald., 1879-08-06
CUSTER'S HOME
His Private Study Kept as
He Left 1t.
TROPHIES AND RELICS.
The Progress Made with the Monument
to His Memory

superintendent
the United States Military Academy at West Point.
in relation to the ceremonies of unveing the monu-
ment to General Custer been received by Mr.. J.
M Bulkley of Monroe. Mich. the Secretary OF the
Custer Monument Association. General Schoheld
SAYS that the work upon the pedestal is progres
and that all will be in readiness in time for the
mony Of unveiling on Saturday, August 80 the day
selected by the committee. The details Of the ar
rangements are in charge of NJ. Mcdonald. the
artist and printed programmes and invitations
ting forth the order of exercises will be issued
In this connection the letter given below. descrp.
tive OF the former home of General Custer at Mon,
roe. Mich will be of peculiar interest to the many
millions who watched his career and lamented his
unlimely fall.
THE HOME OF GENERAL CUsrER-HIs STUDY
JUST AS HE LEFT IT-pEEcIous RELICS OF
HERO AND HISTORICAL MEMENToEs.
MONROE Mich, July 81. 1879.
To this quiet looking little place special interest at
taches the former home of the gallant but ILL
fated Custer, where reside his venerable parents
and only sister, who widowed by the terrible
tragedy at the Little Big Horn which extinguished
the light in many bright home that terrible
June day in 1876. Here the visitor may find repro
duced with the most minute fidelity Of detail
the Generals study private office exactly it ap-
peared at his headquarters at Fort Abraham Lincoln
when he left it for the last time to engage in the
fatal expedition. 1t is peculiar and interesting
room, strikingly characteristic of him who once
took such delight in gratifying his inclination for
literary pursuits. 1t IS filed with relics and me-
mentoes of the events which have made his name
famous. At the end Of the room. opposite the en-
from the hail. is the desk secretary Of the
General, with paper. pens, inkstands and other
cessores just as they last used and they
might have been dropped but an hour before by the
hand now stiled forever Upon the top Of the desk
bric-a-brac, vases, one or two statuettes and
number of books. Among the latter Decisive
Battles of the War;" personal "reminiscences of
Lee" Operations of War;" Memoirs General
Scott" personal and Military History of Kearney.
"Birds Of the Northwest" by Cones, and these are
interspersed with volumes OF poems by favorte au-
thors-Lonsf nsfellow, Bryant. Tennyson, &c. Above
the desk and secured to the wall is hne pair Of
stag's horns and between the antlers is perched
either side photographs of an immense elk and
huge grizzly both trophies Of the chase killed by tho
General year before his DEATH At tho right OF the
desk is suspended large portrait OF Lawrence
Barret. the tragedan, and one OF Clusters warmest
friends admirers. Over this is head of black
tailed deer little further along on the wall the head
Of bison. very perfect and lfelike Upon the wall.
beneath the bsons head. is picture OF the meeting
matox. April 9. 1865. 1t copy Of
painting by an artist whose name have
30 anS On bpts sdes Of This ars
stuffed birds of all kinds found on the plain which
taken by Custer in his hunting expeditions.
In corner of the room Is q stand of arms. con-
tanning military and sporting rifles, shot guns.
muzzlo and breech leaders. and two or three pairs
of revolvcrs. one of which Is very elaborate. with
pearl handles and gold mountings.
Trophies OF WAR;
His headquarters flags, with captured colOrS and
other trophies hang upon the walls while the floor
is strewn with rare and sumptuous peltries OF the
valuable animals making M & an interior f
counterparts. Perhaps tho most interesting article
in tho room or the one with the most interesting
associations, is which have omitted to men,
ton. 1t little oval table, and other than tho
upon which signed the articles Of capitula-
tox Court House. This most interesting his
torical relic was presented by General
of Lee. accompanied by very appropriate note. in
which the genuineness Of tho piece OF furniture was
fully authenticated.
such as might be found in any rural cottage.
with an oval top about thirty inches in
is pine. stained to resemble walnut. The
drawer has been removed and deposited in place OF
greater security that if fire should destroy the
house and the table. portion at least OF this highly
priced memento OF the great event OF the should
truce used on the occasion of the surrender. which
consisted simply OF white linen towel, OF modest
dimensions. attached to staff. and borne to the
federal lines by staff officer the first overture OF
the peace which followed.
SCHOOL DESK.
These relics. of course, most highly valued by
Mrs. Custer, and the room Is held almost sacred by
the family In this CITY, also found in the possess
sion of Mr. j. NJ. Bulkley. another and attached
friend of custer, the desk at which they both sat
while attending tho Young Mems Academy IN 1854.
the school where Custer was prepared for West
Point 1t is ordinary double school desk, but
bears the marks OF that school boys graver- the
jack knife-as all boys school desks probably do.
Monroe In the favorite summer resort of many who
attracted here by the pleasant homes Of friends,
by the facilities which the proximity to the river
and lake affords for sailing and fishing, and by the
numberlcss features which contribute to the pleas.
ure OF a summer residence 1t Is forty miles from
| Detroit. with which communication Is had by two
railroads and by occasional steamers. Excursions
of frequent occurrence to Put In Bay and the
islands of Lake Erie to Lake st. Clair. Crosse lie
and other places of interest Tho fishing IL
| cellcnt, and Just summer woodcock shooting
affords tho kccnest enjoyment to sportsmen, OF
whom there scores already here.
| THE ARBITRAMENT OF BLOWS.