The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1955-11-25
Local Boy Replies
ToIndiun'sS forv

ton in North Dakota, created
an unusual sensation in Great
Falls last week, resulting from
his participation in the Veterans
Day program in that city, and by
relating a story of heroism with
resultant recognition as a war
hero by receiving the congress
sional medal of honor, and then
later admitting the story was
purely fabrication of his imagi-
nation and entirely without
foundation.
At the Veterans Day cere-
monies, Towards story was &C
cepted at face value, and he was
showered with honors and pub
licity, including public appear
ances over radio and television.
A suspicious newspaper re-
porter, with a nose for digging
out facts, started an investiga-
ton that finally brought about
an admission by Howard that
the whole story of his heroism
and recognition by congress was
untrue. Embarrassment to the
Sponsors of the program ensued,
and a complete retraction of the
story was carried in Sundays
Il Great Falls Tribune.
The true story, as revealed by
Howard's later confession, was
in substance as follows: with two
companions, following a drink
ing session at his home in Da-
kota, the three started out on a
jaunt that ended in Great Falls.
The drinking program continued
there, but the two companions
left without Howard, and went
on to Billings. Howard, broke,
went to the Salvation Army,
where he obtained food and
lodging. and in exchange worked
several days as carpenter.
On the morning of Veterans
Day, he went to the meeting
honoring former service men,
/ and there told the fabricated
story of his achievements and
honors Admission of the un-
ruthfulness of his story was
later confirmed by the reporter
and police of Great Falls.
Browning Boy Takes Exception
Not liking some of the state
ments made by Howard as to the
latitude OF Indians generally,
Francis c. LaPlante, who was
raised and educated on the
Blackfeet reservation and in
Browning, addressed the follow
Ping letter to the Great Falls Trib-
pune and the Glacier Reporter,
before he had learned of the
true facts concerning Towards
story and publicity. LaPlant's
letter follows:
Editor Glacier Reporter,
Browning, Montana
Dear Sir:
l would like to correct a few
statements credite to Mr..
George Howard in Saturdays
Tribune.
Specifically, l would like to
point out statements about In
rlan citizenship: He said it
@fked Indians when they return
fo from military service to be
Fold they were not citizens but
merely wards of the United
plates government"
Know personally so Indian
Veterans in Browning, Montana,
Of which 10 are my relations),
thd have heard no complaints
rom them that they were
wards and not citizens" Be
hg ward has helped them i'm
neaSurably after military life.
ne backing of the Blackfeet
rloal Council has helped the
elerans in making use of their
eIerans benefits for farm and
amen development.
would like to correct the
.atement of Mr.. Howard to the
meet that being wards is not
ms citizens and that through
efforts of President Essen
V"er, I quote: The Indians
now accepted and regarded
GtlzenS." l think Mr.. Howard
: MS wars mixed up. Indians
ere made citizens in 1924. after
ord War l.
am from reservation and
S mas never hurt my patriot
M out has helped it. Brown
Mont, on the Blackfeet
Talon has the highest en-
,Hient record of any town in
ntana. wonder if Mr.. How
would say that in Dakota
iee-patent Indians have a
~ enlistment record than
wards. AS far as am con
neo, being a ward has moth
10 do with it.
an very proud to have in