Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-02-01
Personal Traits of General Custer.

oped "a strong taste for military pursuits
and, upon hearing the beat OF drums
aud the blare of trumpets, he would, in.
stead of exhibiting fear as most children
do, clap his little hands and shout with
JOY. When two and half years old
his father bought, unknown to his
mother, materials for military suit for
the child, and had it made with long
striped trousers, a "swallowtailed" coat
with brass buttons, and a vest. These,
with a jaunty little cap and toy gun,
gave the little fellow quite the air of a
soldier, and hewould strut up and down
the road, perfectly happy and manifest
ing all the dignity of a grown up Gen.
eral. Every day his father took him
out upon the green lawn and put him
through regular drill, and in short
time the child had learned to handle
his gun and sword with all the ease and
grace of an experienced soldier. As the
years went by his love of soldering"
grew with his growth, until by the time
he had attained manhood it had become
the passion of mis- life.
as his military ones. He was exceed
iDgly witty and entertaining, and his
beauty of person and great kindness of
heart, combined with his bravery in
battle and in the hunt, made him gen.
eral favorite in whatever society he was
thrown. The picture, however, that
arises in the mird of every one who
knew him, upon the mention of his
name, is always as he looked when
firmly seated upon his brown horse
"Dixey," his yellow hair clustered
around his neck, and his blue eyes look
ing straight ahead. Like Napoleon, he
appeared to greatest advantage upon
horseback. and there was that in his
bearing when on his favorite Dixey
which was calculated to rouse the wild
est enthusiasm among an army of fol-
lowers
They kept an illustrated journal of
daily happenings at the fort, in the quiet
the Rosebud. In this journal the Cen
eral would write some bright, cutting
article, and illustrate it, and a certain
very bright lady, the wife of an officer
who fell with Custer, would reply, often
getting the better of the General, both
as to wit and Illustrations. She was an
intrepid hunteras we'll as writer, and at
different times had killed six buffalOes
with her own hand. These papers were
read and handed around, adding much
to the entertainment and amusement of
the occupants of the fort. They are
still in possession of the lady, and re-
garded as among her choicest treasures.
Gen. Custer was peculiarly devoted
son, and settled beautiful home upon
his aged parents. This home was in
Monroe, Mich, an antique and aristO-
cratic little city. as Western cities go,
and containing about 5000 inhabitants.
The Custer house stands on the main
street of the town. 1t is large gray
mansion, with, long porclies and low
windows, ssfed WITH creeping vines
and shaded with poplar trees. After
the death of Gen. Custer one room was
furnished as his room had been at Fort
Lincoln. Nailed on the walls were the
shaggy heads of bears, buffaloes, wild
cats and coons, and the antlers of deer.
Over the doors were the crossed swords
of the Custer boys and their brother-in-
law. Lieut.. Calhoun, and in one corner
stood their stacked firearms. In another
corner stood an escritoire with writing
materials, and two exquisite china vases,
with the heads of the General and his
wife painted upon them. On one side
of the desk hung the picture of Law
renee Barrett, Gen. Clusters favOrite
actor, and above it, one of the Duke
Alexis. A scarlet covered lohnge stood
on one side of the room, and, scattered
here and there, were many relics of the
brave dead. In the parlor hung large
bronze medallion head of the General,
also an oil painting of himself and his
wife taken together on the porch pertly
watching every passerby lay "Frisky,"
Gen. Clusters pet Spitz dog.
The arms have all been donated to a
society in New York by Gen. Clusters
widow. The mt ther, who never recov-
cred from the shock of losing her three
sons, her son-in-law, Lieut.. Calhoun, and
her grandson, Arty Reid, is dead. She
Was tall. fine looking old lady, with a
clear cut face, sweet, firm mouth, and
steady, bright eyes. After her death,
the home was broken up. Mrs. Calhoun
went to New York with Mrs. Custer, and
the father retired to the home of his re-
manning son. On almost any fair day
he can be seen on the streets riding
"Dixey." He is tall. and but little bent
with age, though his hair and beard are
snowy white. 1t is almost impossible
for him to speak of his sons. His lips
Quiver, his eyes fill with tears, and his
head sinks low with a weight of grief
too deep for words.-!Good Cheer.