National Soldiers Hospital, Danville, Illinois. July 2nd-1928. To: Mrs. Nancy C. Russell, and Ray I. Moon. Dear, dear friends: The package of charley’s[sic] pictures came to my hand this morning----and unblushingly I bawled over them; they took me back so far into the atmosphere of God’s own land that I could smell sweet sage, and wood-smoke of a cow-camp, fire. I was in the Soldiers Hospital in Milwaukee Wisconsin, the Fall Charley passed on, and when I read the account, it hit me so hard that I put a sheet of paper in the machine, and wrote: IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLEY RUSSELL. Cowboy Artist of Great Falls Montana. Well old pal yuh’ve tuk th’ [sic] one-way trail; An’ I know yuh tuk it with a smile: ‘Cause th’ trail yuh leave behind yuh boy, Rays sunshine---every mile. Yuh always give th’ best yuh had-- An yuh give it with a will, An’ as yuh ride this last long trail-- I know yuh’ll give it still. Yuh always was a pal our’n In shunshine[sic] er in rain---- An’ when th’ Last Big Round-up comes— I hope we meet again. ------Bill Meyers, [next] -2- I sent it out to several magazines and they did me the honor of printing it; and to the original wish may I add: God bless you both, my dear friends---and when the Last big circle comes---may we all ride it together. Most sincerely yours. [signed] Bill Meyers [Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-11-10]