Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-04
EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF cAVAL.
RY HERO DEDICATED AT
MONROE, MICH.
PRESIDENT TAFT THERE;
OLD ARMY COMRADES TOO
Taft Delivers Principal Address-old
Indian Scout, "curIy," an Interesting
Participant-Custer's Brother. Mrs.
Logan and Others Among tho Guests
Michigan Honors Her Son.

Monroe, Mich. June 4.-With Presi-
dent Taft in attendance as the orator
OF the occasion, the nation, state. city
and adjacent farming district united
here today in paying tribute to the
memory Of General George Armstrong
Custer. who, with e54 of his cavalry
men, 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.
Clusters Widow Unveils Statue.
A magnificent equestrian statue Of
General Custer for which the legisla-
ture of Michigan appropriated $4,000,
was unveiled by the generals widow.
Mrs. Elizabeth b. Custer, OF New York.
and among the other guests of honor
was Nevin j. Custer. the cavalry leader.
only surviving brother who still re-
sides on a farm near here in the neigh
borhood where the farmer and his
military brother passed their boyhood.
The two brothers, Thomas w. and
Boston C. Custer. perished with the
general on the fatal 25th of June as
did also Lieutenant James Ca N,
the husband of their sister Margare..
. Governor Fred NJ. Warner came to-day
to give the state Of Michigan official
representation at the dedication and
veteran MS Of the four Michigan cavalry
regiments that comprised the Custer
brigade in the civil war acted as escort
Of honor to the president In the parade.
Indian Scout Present.
One, of the most interesting partic-
ipaHts in today's celebration was
Curly" the Indian scout who. at the
time of the battle was young boy and
was the only member of Clusters COM
mand to escape slaughter.
The statue unveiled today In front OF
the Monroe county court house IS the
work Of Edward C. Potter, of Green
wich, Conn. The sculptor submitted ms
model to General Clusters widow be-
fore completing 1t and received several
suggestions from her. the result. 1t Is
said. being a remarkably life-llke rep
resentation OF the dashing cavalry
leader. The statute represents an I'm
cident OF General Clusters career In the
civil war. Riding ahead of his troops
to survey the position of the enemy
upon the confederate lines.
Refining his mount up quickly. horse
and rider stood a moment bold tar
get for the enemy while the officer ex-
amined the position of his opponents.
SO impressed were the confederates by
the bravery of the rider and the beauty
Of the rider and the beauty OF his steed
that not a shot was fired and Custer
returned unharmed to his command.
Thousands Of Visitors There.
The statue shows the general with
his left hand lifted high as he reins up
his mount while his characteristic
slouch hat is snatched from his curly
hair to avoid all obstruction 10 his Wis
ion and hang at arms length in his
right hand at his saddle
Thousands of visitors came to Mon
roe today from near and distant towns
to witness the dedication and listen to
the address of President Taft and there
were many distinguished guests in
Guiding Mrs. John A. Logan. who is a
friend of Mrs. Custer, United States
Senator William Alden Smith and a
number of General Clusters army COM
rades of the civil war.
After the exercises here President
Taft and his party went to Jackson,
Mich, to participate in the dedication
of tablet commemorating the organ:
iZation of the republican party Under
the oaks" at Jackson in June, 1854.
President Taft stood beside Mrs.
Elizabeth B. Custer. widow of tho
martyr af the Little Big Horn, as she
unveiled the bronze equestrian statue.
Afterward the president made n brief
address. in which he gave Custer high
credit for his valor and deeds in war.
The orator of the occasion was Sena-
tor William Alden Smith. Veterans Of
the Custer brigade were given the po-
sitio nof honor In the parade. which
Taft reviewed.
Senator Smith, who spoke just be-
fore the president added a striking
tribute to Taft TO his eulogy of Custer.
The senator declared the present occu-
pant OF the White House would take
rank with the most illustrous of our
presidents.
Prior to the Custer ceremonies the
president visited ST Mary's college and
academy where he made talk to tho
girl students. The president left at
12:15 for Jackson.