The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1961-05-18
a MINUTE
WITH Nj

Probably the darkest cloud OF
sorrow ever TO fall on the motion
picture industry and cinema-go
ers fell Saturday when the dealt
Of Gary Cooper WIS announced
The 60-year-0ld actor and IS year
top box office star played his
role in real life right TO the end
Just as well and just as non
chalantly as he did on the s-rea-
despite the knowledge that he
was losing his battle with can
Ger. r
Il his been said thst Gary was
the most beloved and most popu-
lar screen idol 20 ever have m-de
, picture His long list nf admir-
ers ran into many millions and
included every class Of person
from re7saut to Royalty and pres
iFe1ts. children to- grandparents
There was more better or more
deer To the hearts Of all the
world than Coop"
Gary was a real MOnta-ar a7f
spent his childhood in this state
rear Helena where h was born
lie returned to this state many
times after entering upon his
screen career. and had often
spoken Of his intention TO return
kere for good upon retirement
II was only in 1857 that he pur-
chased a large ranch, indicative
of his intentions.
II was also on September Is,
1887 that Gary was adopted into
the Blackfeet tribe at East Gla-
cier Lodge and given the name
of Chief Eagle Cloud by the late
Chief Last Star.
Showing their sincere desire to
have Gary become a member of
the tribe, he was especially hon
ored by being invited to partake
in the Peace Pipe Ceremony, an
honor rarely accorded even the
most highly respected dignitary.
II was also our privilege and
honor TO witness this ceremony.
as well as the adoption, and we
recall a couple of incidents so
typical of what made Gary the
great and natural actor he was:
During this highly solemn cere-
mOny. in preparing the peace
pipe. both Chief Last Star and
Gary were to have furnished to-
baccO for the pipe. but someone
had forgotten TO supply Gary
with the tobacco.
After Chief Last Star had plac
ed his tobacco in the pipe he
handed il TO Gary with q sign
that he should put tobacco in
the pipe. Gary looked up and
smiled as they began looking
around for the tobacco. then he
reached into his shirt pocket and
pulled out a cigarette which ne
tore open, and proceeded to fill
the pipe as IL nothing had hap
pened. He looked III. smiled
again. and addressed Last Star
Gotta mstch7"
On another occasion when he
WIS being photographed with
Governor Aronson and Chief
List Stars granddaughter, as the
child was handed to Cooper her
diaper slipped down around her
feet Gary grinned as usual
handed her back to the Chief
ard proceeded 10 correct the
loose diaper. remarking humor
ousIy that IL was a tough situs
ton, but that he doubted If the
young lady would ever be in .
worse one.
Another incident Of humor
comes 10 mind when during the
Sealing Kiss Ceremony with
Princess Many Victories CMse
williamson another photogra-
pher stepped in front Of our cam
era Just as we flashed the bulb |
We missed the shot and asked
Gary II he would mind doing II
again. @You bet I wouldn't mind.
he drawlad. "but maybe we bet
ter ask the princess II she
would"
Well. that was Gary Cooper
beloved BY millions and disliked
by none. We shall always remem-
Der him that way. smiling and
shaking hands with his new bro
theirs and sisters on September
Is. 1857.
According 10 Blackfeet legend,
he once more passed through the
reservation on his way TO
Going-To-The-Sun.