The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1950-07-20
@-"
Colonel Custer
Breaks Ground
For New Museum
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Continued from Page u
the idea of having an historic
museum erected, to preserve
for all time, both military and
Indian relics and mementoeS
pertaining to this great battle"
Following the transfer of
Custer battlefield from the jur-
isdiction of the War Depart
ment to the National Park
Service in 1910, Luce said, i'm
mediate action was taken on
plans for a museum.
During the latter part of 1949
funds were provided for the
erection of the museum.
Also taking part in the cere-
mony was DR.. Lawrence A.
Frost, president of the Monroe
County (Mich.) Historical So
ciety, whom Luce introduced as
one of the many friends who
contributed much to bring
about the realization of a mu-
scum.
Of the many historic objects
on display at the Monroe mu-
scum, DR.. Frost said, those
dealing with General Custer
have the most universal ap-
peal.
Many are the questions con-
corning his boyhood in Monroe,
and his courtship with Libbie
Bacon there while on leave
during the Civil War;" he said.
Because of its pride in the
Custer name, Monroe looks on
with great interest in the con-
struction of this superb museum
which, when completed, will be
the mecca of all students of
Western history" DR.. Frost
said.
Preceding the ground break
ing, 1t. Col. Custer addressed
the audience as follows, in part:
I'm perpetuating the memory
of one of it's gallant leaders,
the United States Army owes a
deep debt of gratitude to all
those who are in any way re-
Sponsible for the materializa-
ton of this historic shrine
which will stand for all times
as a monument to the most
bloody and controversial battle
in the annals of this country.
1.-The family too is deeply
grateful that the cherished
memory of five of it's loved
ones who gave their lives on
that fateful day in rs will live
for generations to come on this
hallowed ground. How proud
Aunt Elizabeth, the Generals
widow, would be were she with
us today. She passed away on
Army Day, 1888, and is now
resting in the same grave with
the General at West Point.
1.-The National Park service,
which is well represented here
today, is to be commended for
it's increasing effort to make
this day possible. To Captain
Luce and his lovely and capable
wife, I wish to express my pro-
found thanks for your sincere
and untiring efforts in keeping
alive the traditions of the Unit
ed States Army, the 7th U. S.
Cavalry and the Custer family"
1t. Col. Custer has a record
of distinguished service in both
World Wars. During World War
II he served with the famous
And Rainbow division in
France, Germany and Austria,
winning American and French
decorations.
After the hostilities ceased in
Europe, he was ordered to the
Pacific Theatre of War, to
serve in Japan, and commanded
the famous 7th U. S. Cavalry:
the regiment which General
George Armstrong Custer COM
manded and died with IA years
ago last month.
Taking part in the ceremony
were members of James Louk
post No. 7481, VIEW, firing
squad and color guard, and
Hardin post No. 8, American
Legion, color guard.
Taps was sounded by Histori-
cal Aide Robert M. Utely, with
echo taps by Historical Aide
James E. leCamp, both OF the
National Park Service.
Representating the directors
office of the Park service at
Washington, D. C., was Paul W
Miller, and others included Will
lard P. Lindauer, regional oil
rector's office, Omaha, Nebr.
and Philip Wohlbrandt, repre-
senting Yellowstone Nationa.
park.
The ceremony was electrically
transcribed for broadcast over
KBMY, Billings.
nj pTTPTn