The Detroit times., 1910-06-04
BIG CROWD sees
CUSTER STATUE
UNVEILED
President Taft and Other Dis
tinguished Persons Take Fart IN
Exercises in Honor Of Michigan's
Daring Soldier.
Mrs. Custer Unveils Memorial In
Shadow Of Church Where shs
Was Married in 1854
RY E. r. sARTWELL.
(staff Correspondents United Press and
Detroit Times.)

Detroit Tlmes.)
MONROE. Mich. June Ain the
presence of President Taft and many
other distinguished persons. the
Statue Of Gen. Geo. A. Custer, Michi-
gan's daring soldier, who was killed
In the battle OF the Little Big Horn.
was unveiled here this morning. Mrs.
Custer. the widow, unveiled the !.
equestrian memorial II faces the
Presbyterian church in which she was
married 10 young Custer, then taking
part in the Civil War, In 1864. She
was Elizabeth Bacon before her mar
riage
The statue Is located at Washing
ton and First-sts.. In the heart Of
Monroe. Here young Custer used TO
plny marbles with his schoolmates.
One OF these was Frederick A. Minis.
who took part in the exercises today.
A great throng saw the statue unr
yelled. Visitors had been arriving
here for several days and when
the exercises took place every avail
able spot Tor several blocks was oc-
cupied by surgiEg mass Of people.
1t Was the greatest day that Monroe
has ever witnessed, the presence OF
President Taft adding to the impress
siveness of the event.
Senator William Alden Smith, az
orator of the day delivered lengthy
eulogy OF Custer. He traced the career
of the Michigan cavalry leader through
the civil war and UP to his last fight
at the Little Big Horn. He likewise
eulogized Mrs. Custer.
The president opened his brief
speech with glowing tribute to Gus
ter and to his ability as cavalry COM
nander. He referred particularly to
the service Of Custer In the regular
army after the civil war.
I'VE do not appreciate" he said. ''Ds
fully as I wish we did the work done
In the west by that little body OF 20.
| 600 men. In the face of great odds
they opened up the country to settle
ment and made the present greatness
OF the west possible"
Senator Burrows followed the presi-
dent with brief eulogy.
Gov. Warner of Michigan delivered
a speech presenting the statue, and
VIII Carleton read an original poem
on Custer.
Following is Gov. Warmers address:
The loyal and hospitable citizens
OF Michigan welcome you all at this
time and beg. to assure you that they
| are fully mindful and keenly appro-
ciative of the honor you have done
them In gathering with them here to
do honor to the memory of an intrepid
soldier and to share with them the
pleasure of dedicating this day .
statue which shall have a sanctifying
influence upon those now living and
be sacred inspiration to generations
| yet unborn.
"It Is well that we erect statues and
monuments and that the deeds OF these
heroes of ours are recounted In story
and In song, for thus are our youths
made to know that the people are NOT
ungrateful, but rather hold In fond
and lasting remembrance and rever~
ence those who strive and sacrifice
for the betterment of humanity ana
the preservation OF the nation. Thus
are our youths inspired TO lives OF
rectitude and honorable service TO
mankind
| The distinguished statesmen and
soldiers who have come here today
TO, honor the gallant Custer do full
Justice TO his most enviable career as
citizen and a soldier and TO his SER
vices In behalf of his country and hts
ifelloymen.
| 1T remains for me merely to pre-
sent this imposing statue as the gift
OF the grateful people, of Michigan
THE state of Michigan, Mr.. Mayor,
leaves this statue in this beautiful and
historic city--a city which has given
much to the world in the shape or
great men and noble women-know-
ing that its patriotic and grateful .peo-
pie will guard and keep 1t with jealous
love and care throughout all the years
that are to come, and II also presents
Il TO the world and all mankind In the
confident nope and belief that who
ever looks upon IT. whether he comes
| from the homes of this city or from
the uttermost habitations Of the earth,
(Continued ON Page Seven.D