Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-05
Tribute to the Memory of the Great
Indian Fighter.
SIOUX SCOUT ONE OF FEATURES
Nation, State and Countryside Joir
in the Exercises.
WIDOW IS THE GUEST OF HoNOI
She Draws Cord which Allows Vel
to FAN from statue which Was
Erected by the state of
Michlgan.

MONROE, Mich, June 4-wth President
TAFT in attendance as tho orator Of the
occasion, the nation. state, city and ad-
jaccnt farming district united here today
in paying tribute TO the memory Of General
George Armstrong Custer. who, with 254
Of his cavalrymen. was slain by Sitting
Bulis band OF Siorx Indians at the battle
of the Little Big Horn In the bad lands
OF Montana, June 25. 1876.
A magnificent equestrian statue of Cen
eral Custer, for which the legislature OF
Michigan appropriated S25,OOO was unveiled
by the generals widow, Mrs. Elizabeth B.
Custer of New York. and among the other
guests OF honor was Nevin ]. Custer. the
cavalry leaders only surviving brother,
who sti resides on a farm near here in
the neighborhood where the farmer and
his military bro, her passed their boyhood.
The two other brothers, Thomas w. and
Boston G. Custer, pershed with the general
on the fatal 25th OF June, as did also Lieu
tenant James Calhoun, the husband of their
sister Margaret.
Governor Fred NJ Warner came today to
give the state Of Michigan official repre-
senta.ion at the dedication and veterans
OF the four Michigan cavalry regiments
that comprised the Custer ,brlgade in the
civil war aCleu as escort OF HOnOf TO the
president In tile parade.
Senator w. A. Smith who tended a
tribute to President Taft. saying: "Our
president of today is character in breath
of fitness in determination. imp atriotsm
and love of country is the peer of them
ALL" he said. When Mr., Roosevelt g
name was mentioned there was a ripple
OF applause as the senates tribute to MIR
TAFT was concluded
MIR. Tarts Address.
President Taft spoke extemporaneously
he declared that Custer took rank WITH
the greatest cavarly commanders of the
field
Erpm.- Bull Run to Appomattox. Ia
every bloody battle of the army of Potto-
mac, he was the right arm of the com
mander of the forces as the leader of the
cavalry brigade
The president declared the phase OF
Clusters career. however. which appealed
most deeply to him was his share in tn,
Indian wars. The president said
He was one of the 5000 men com
posing the regular army whose work W,
do not fully appreciate as much as
wish we could, The army then and tn,
army of today is one of which the United
states may well be proud. / say thi
merely TO note the indebtness of the coun
to the army during the opening of tn
west and to testify to the effectiveness
4 and herolsm of George Armstrong Gus
ter In that great battle which continue,
for decade, that great war for civil
cation OF which he the most conspiciua
and shining parlors.
Indian scout Present.
one of The interesting participants in to
days celebration was Curly" the Indlar
scout, who at the time of the battle wa,
q young boy and was the only member oi
Clusters command to escape slaughter.
This statue unveiled today in front OF
the Monroe county court house Is the worl
of Edward {. Potter OF Greenwich, Conn
Tine sculptor submitted his model to Gen
cral Clusters widow before completing /
and received several suggestions from her
ithe result, II is said. being 4 remarkabl,
i -flife-lke representation of the dashlng cav
airy leader. The statue represents an in
cident of General Clusters careers in Tn,
civil war. Riding ahead of his troops t,
survey the position OF the enemy, Custe
\ suddenly found himself almost upon TN
confederate lines.
RciniEg his mount up quickly. horse an,
rider stood a rlomept a bold target 10
the enemy, While the officer examined tn
position Of his opponents SO impresse,
were the confederates by the bravery o
the rider and the beauty Of the rider an,
the beauty of his steed tnat not a sho
was fired and Custer returned unharme,
TO his command.
Description OF statue.
The statue shows the general with hi
left hand lifted high, as he geins up hi
mount, while his characteristic slouch Ina
is snatched from his curly hair TO avo
all obstruction to his vision and hangs a
arms length In his right hand at hi
saddle.
Thousands Of visitors came TO Monro
today from near and distant towns t
witness the dedication and listen to ia
address OF President Taft and there wer
many distinguished guests, including MIR.
John a. Logon who ~ friend OF Mr.
Custer; United States Senator WniiaI
Alden smith and number OF Genera
Clusters army comrades Of the civil wa
After the exercises here President Tai
and mis-. party went to jackson, Mich. I
participate IN the dedication OF table
eommemoratng the organization OF "a
republican party under the oaks
Jackson IN June 1854.
lIIHRnMAM CllHHEEnC HOl ME