Lewistown, Montana, March 8/29 Dear Mrs. Russell: I should have written to you from time to time to tell you of the progress we made in inducing the Montana Legislative Assembly to name Charlie as one our great State’s representative’s[sic] in Statuary Hall, but writing a letter on the typewriter, or any other way, is an ordeal for me these times. I seem to have loss rhe [sic] art. However, I talked over the phone with the Governor three days ago, and he told me that he had signed the bill and it was now a law. Also, he said it was one of the truly pleasant things he did during this session of the Legislature. The Governor is for a fact a splendid man. We talked one day about Charlie and he said he would be so please to sign a bill giving to Charlie such splendid recognition as this memorial does. I never truly knew how much it means for one to be named to such a tremendous honor; but I feel, as do so many other Montanans, that in this case it is most worthily bestowed. Sid Willis introduced the bill and looked after it. I made two trips ---one to get Sid started with the bill, and the other when I ad- dressed the joint session – and I found so many who were in such hearty sympathy with it all. Amongst these, were Mr. and Mrs. Ben Roberts, who were delighted with the fact that their long time friend was to come into his own. Governor Erickson will appoint three members of a committee to have charge of securing funds for the construction and erection of the statue, which we think should be of bronze, as the materials for this are all mined in Montana, except possibly the tin. I have not heard who he will name, and would like for you to suggest some persons that you would want. It doesn’t make much difference who they are, just so that they will give it the interest it deserves and help in its fulfillment. It might be, though, that the Governor has fixed upon such persons as he thinks will do the work well. I will write you further about this when I hear from the Governor. It would be a graceful act for you to acknowledge the service of Mr. Willis, also, that of Senator Tom O. Larson, of Chouteau – I think that is his address – and Senator John Survant , of Malta. They all did much toward it and all of them were so pleased when it passed the State Senate that Sid called me by phone to tell me, and Senators Larson and Survant wired me right away. We haven’t heard of you for so long that we wonder how it goes with you, and how Jackie boy is, and so many other things. We are all so frightfully busy with our affairs and we rush through life so frantically that we don’t have time to even take care of our own friends. There are so few friends anyway that one sometimes kind of thinks he hasn’t any. I have hot grown into a pessimist, but am trying to be just sensible. We hear from Myrtle twice a week. She has a boy of her own now; two years old, and she is very happy. Her man works for a salary, but he’s good to her, -- and what more could she have than happiness and a kindly man? -2- I didn’t intend to write anything but a sort of formal letter, and here it has grown into almost a turn of gossip. Mamma and John boy are pretty well, but Mamma had a most severe illness a year ago, -- sciatic neuritis. John is in his first year of high school and he’s very much interested. A fine student and we think a fine boy. He sure is a good looker. Had a letter from Frank Linder- man just the other day. He’s writing away at lone Goose Bay, but he did not say how he is making it. We enclose a clipping from the Helena Independent about my little talk to the joint session. Also, a copy of my Chrsitmas[sic] poem LOVE SOUTH OF THE HALF-MOON. If you don’t like the poem you can send it back. It was the best I could do at that time. Mr. Campbell, of the Helena Inde- pendent, saw it, asked me for correct copy of it, and had it printed in the very neat form in which you see it --- all as a present to me –which seemed to me to be very fine. Mamma and John boy join me in all good wishes to you and Jackie boy, with the very cordial hope that all is well with you both. Yours very truly, [signed] John B. Ritch To Mrs. Charles M. Russell, Pasadena, California [Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-05-07]