Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-07-01
THOUSANDS VIEW
CUSTER CEREMONY
GREATEST CROWD ~ MONTANA
HISTORY At BATTLEFIELD
EARLY DAY WARRIORS ATTEND
Seventh Cavalry Journey 1900 Miles.
Veteran indian Fighters From
Afar. Reds Of Many Points

Grow Agency, Mont.-Last Saturday
afternoon brought to a close the three
days OF impressive ceremonies mark
ing the fiftieth anniversary OF the
Custer battle. which proved to be the
greatest gathering in Montana's his
tory.
Throughout the entire time, extend
ing from Thursday morning until Sat.
urday evening, this little Indian agency
village and for miles around was TEEN
ing with humanity. Thousands came
by automobiles and thousands by train,
People were here from all sections OF
the country to pay tribute to the mem
DRY OF General George Armstrong Gus
ter and his five troops OF Americas
bravest soldiers, 212 in all, who just
90 years ago were slain In combat with
warning Sioux and Cheyenne Indians
along the banks OF the Little Big Horn
river a few miles south of here. II Is
cOnservatlvely estimated that during
the three days no less than 100000
people visited the famous battlefield.
Flag Raising Opens Program
The program was ushered in Thurs
day afternoon by the raising OF the
American colors on a huge staff at the
national cemetery. directly partici-
pated in by veterans Of the old Sew
enth cavalry, when It was commanded
by Custer, and aged Sioux and Chey-
enne Indians who took part In the
deadly war fifty years ago.
The veterans, after the flag raising.
Joined Gen. E. s. Godfrey, who. during
the battle Of the Little Big Horn, as
first lieutenant, commanded Company
K under Major Benteen, in a review Of
the new Seventh, consisting Of II Of
fieeEs and 2S5 men under Col FItz.
hugh Lee, detailed here for the cere-
mony by order OF the War department,
from Fl. Bliss, Texas. 800 miles away.
the reviewing stand in full
war regala stood long fine Of Indian
survivors OF the battle, including four
and seyen Sioux, who were
engaged against Custer Following
the troopers came long line OF Grows.
trailed by their women, gaily bedecked |
horses. and all in their finery.
In. General Godfrey's party on the
reviewing stand were Mrs. Godfrey;
heir grandson, Edward s. Godfrey III; |
col. Herbert ]. Slocum, Col Charles F. |
Bates, Col. ]. NJ. r. Portfolio. retired,
md Commanders Luther Barker and
John H. Brandt OF the Indian war vet
rams organizations.
Thursday evening the veterans paid
formal visit to Colonel Lees camp /
md were greeted by the commander
Who took much pleasure in contrast
ng their facilities with those at their
disposal so years ago. They heard the
and OF the Seventh play The Blnck
ILLS March," written by John BurrI OF
dandan, N d, a trnmpeter OF the old
seventh, who was on hand for the re-
MON.
$1,000 View Friday Spectacle
Officials of the Custer Memorial as
collation., sponsors OF the historical
vent, estimate that 10000 people
iewed the ceremonies at the battle
round Friday. Some conception may
e had OF the crowd by the fact that
eople stood 200 feet deep in the i'm
iedIate vicinity OF the monument
hitch marks the last stand or Gen
raj Custer and his troops. The null
tude was so Immense that thousands
rere unable to witness the services
nd had to be content to remain IN
heir automobiles.
The climax to the memorable peag-
Mt came when the great crowd wit
essed the marching Of the Seventh
avalry over the same ridge to the
Duth Of the battle ground. whence
ulster is believed 10 have come. In
We troops they came-the same troops
lat Custer led, but a new generation
Z men, dropping over the brow Of the
IN under guidons to which were at
lched streamers bearing the names
7 Clusters commanders. Accompany
x them was Gen. Godfrey. With him
anne seven troopers who were engaged
the battle under Reno and Benteen.
hey were Peter Thompson, Alzada,
Iont.: Dan Newell, Sturgis. s. D.;
heodore w Coldin. Dansman, Wis.
y. @. Slaper, Los Angeles; John G.
Washington D. c.; Ere
Iont Kipp, Washington. p. @.
March TO Dinpe
Slowly they marched toward the Ma
onal cemetery to the strains Of a fun
raj iirge played by the band OF the
eventh concealed In a nearby ravine.
rom the other side came y far 5
ung column the hundreds OF Indians, |
d by the nearly so Sioux and Grow
1rvivors Of the battle headed By
ThIte Bun. who as youth of 20 led
band OF Sioux fighters under Rain
l-the-Face. Near the monument the
70 parties met. White Bull held up
Is hand making the sign OF peace
eneraI Godfrey replied by dropping
Il unsheathed sword Into it's scabbard
J he rode forward TO meet the Ind