Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-07
GENERAL CUsTER's sTATUEI
UNVEILED; TAFT SPEAKS
Widow of the General UnCov-
ers Splendid Equestrian Stat
ue Before Great Throng

MONROE, Mich, June with Presi-
cent Taft in attendance as the orator of
the occasion, the nation, state, city and
adjacent farming district united here to-
day in paying tribute to the memory OF
Gen. George Armstrong; Custer, VINO,
with 254 of his cavalrymen, was slain by
Sitting Bulls band of Sioux Indians at
the battle of the Little Big Horn In the
Bad Lands" of Montana, June %, 1876.
A magnificent equestrian statue of Gen.
eral Custer. for which the legislature OF
Michigan appropriated S25, 900. was I'M
yelled by the generals widow, Mrs. Eliza
beth b. Custer, of New York, and among
the other guests of honor was Nevin j.
Custer, the cavalry leaders only surviv-
ing brother, who still resides on a farm
near here in the neighborhood where
the farmer and his military brothers
passed their boyhood.
Two other brothers, Thomas w. and
Boston C. Custer. persisted with the gen.
eral on the fatal 18th of June, as did also
Lieut.. James Calhoun, the husband of
their sister Margaret.
ESCORT OF HONOR.
Governor Fred NJ Warner came today
10 give the state of Michigan official rep
rcacntation at the dedication, and vet
Grams of the four Michigan cavalry regi-
ments that comprised the Custer brigade
in the civil war acted as escort of honor
TO the president in the parade.
One of the most interesting participants
in today's celebration was Curly" the
Indian scout who at the time of the bat
tie was a young boy and mas the only
member of Clusters command to escape
slaughter.
The statue unveiled today in front of
the Monroe county courthouse is the
work of Edward C. Potter, of Green
witch, Conn. The sculptor submitted his
n odel to General Clusters widow before
completing 1t and received several sug-
gestions from her. the result, it is said,
being a remarkably lifelike representa-
ton of the dashing cavalry leader. The
statue represents an incident of General
Clusters career in the civil war. Riding
anead of his troops to survey the posi-
ton of the enemy, Custer suddenly
found himself almost upon the Confeder-
ate lines.
NOT A SHOT FIRED.
Refining his mount up quickly, horse
and rider stood a moment a bold target
for the enemy while the officer exam
ined the position of his opponents. So
Impressed were the Confederates by the
bravery of the rider and the beauty of
his steed that not a shot was fired, and
Custer returned unframed to his COM
mand.
The statue shows the general with his
left hand lifted high as he reins up his
mount while his characteristic SLOUGH
hat is snatched from his curly hair to
avoid all obstruction to his vision and
hangs at arms length in his right hand
at his saddle.
Thousands of visitors came to Monroe
today from near and distant towns to
witness the dedication and listen to the
address of President Taft, and there
were many distinguished guests, includ-
ing Mrs. John A. Logan, who is friend
of Mrs. Custer; United States Senator
William Alden Smith. and number OF
General Clusters army comrades of the
civil war 49,. sa.....- --a-.
After the exercises here President Taft
and his party went to Jackson, Mich...
to participate in the dedication of the
Republican party Under the Oaks" at
Jackson in June. 1854