The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-01
THE WIFE OF CUSTER.
A Woman OF Genius and Remarkable
Experiences


Experiences.
Spokane Falls Review.
Among the travellers who arrived in this
city on the west-bound train Monday even
ing was q most distinguished woman
whose name is known all over this land,
not only from the gallant record made by
her soldier husband during the war and in
the Indian campaigns following its close,
but also because Mrs. Elizabeth B. Custer
has made for herself record which places
her in the ranks of the foremost women of
America.
Intellectually strong. she is yet of re-
firing nature and shrinks from publicity,
and the gentle, dark-eyed. sweet-faced, low
voiced woman now visiting this city is q
living proof of the fact that woman of
intellect may be one of the most NomAnly
of women.
Mrs. Custer has been visiting Fort Sher-
man for the past six weeks as the guest of
General Carlin, and was accompanied to
this city by Mrs. Captain Bubb, whose
husband is now stationed at that point.
While at Fort Sherman Mrs. Custer
gathered all the information possible con-
corning the early history of this country,
and is much interested in the Indians,
their traditions, the missions established
among them, and, in fact, all that pertains
to the great Northwest and its primitive IN
habitants, as well as to those who sue
ceeded them.
Her remarks led her to seek Information
from priests, pioneers, miners, packers and
all from whom she might gather news per-
tinent to the subject, and she has, in conse-
quence, gathered valuable fund of ma
terial.
She was much interested in the Indians
OF the CGur d'Alene reservation, and
thinks the progress they have made toward
civilization wonderful.
Her visit to this city is in furtherance of
her desire. 10 learn more Of the pioneer his
tory of this section.
From here she will go to the Fiathead
agency in Montana, where she hopes to
learn more concerning the early inhsbit-
ants oil this country and their mode of life.
In speaking of herself Mrs. Custer says
it seems TO her as though she had three
separate and distinct exstences-the first
when girl at her home in Michigan, the
second during her married life, which be-
gan in the last year of the war, and during
which she accompanied her husband in
all his campaigns, not only while the re-
bellion lasted, but afterward when he was
fighting the Indians on the frontier; and
the third began fourteen years ago. after
the fatal battle of the Little Big Horn,
when she returned to New York city,
where her home now is, and where she
spenuS ner winters.
In the summer she retires to a little
place in the mountains of Pennsylvania,
where her literary work is mostly done,
and where last summer she wrote her latest
books, Following the Guidon," which is
now in the publishers hands.
This book, like her first Boots and
Saddles deals with the time when Mrs.
Custer accompanied her brave husband up
and down upon the face of the earth in his
campaigns against the savage Arrapahoes
and again the terrible Sioux.
The guidon is small flag carried in adj
vance of regiment. and marks the place
selected for the camp at night On the
pialns 1t can be seen from afar, and is
watched with interest by the weary troops,
as until 1t stops they also go on, be the dis
lance covered fva miles or forty.
The book was to be issued on the LIST of
tins month. but owing to press of matter
the publishers were obliged to defer it until
the 23d inst
Concerning the material now being gath
cred. Mrs. Custer does not know Just what
disposition will be made of it, but it will be
submitted TO her publishers, and what they
choose will be put in readable form and
published.
Boots and Saddles" has attained the
sale OF 5000 volumes, which shows the
popularity of her literary work.
Mrs. Custer spends much of her time in
philanthropic work among the working
women OF New York, and speaAs in the
highest terms OF the dignity and reserve
shown BY them in their various vacations.
she and Mrs. Bubb will remain in this
city until Friday. On her wav East Mrs.
custer intends TO visit the Yellowstone
Park, and viii spend some days in that
wonderland.