Manuscripts

Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman)

1926 - 1950

archives (groupings)

Britzman Collection

businessmen

committees

correspondence

Dan Conway

Ed Borein

Great Falls

memorials

money

Santa Barbara

Letter

Author

Dan R. Conway

Subject

Edward Borein

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From Dan R. Conway to Ed. Borein, April 7, 1928

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[1]                                                                                                 April Seventh,                                                                                                               1928.   Mr. Ed. Borein, “The Patio,” 29 E. de la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, Calif.    Dear Mr. Borein:--                           I have just concluded a short con- ference with Mr. George Calvert of this city who a few days ago returned from Pasadena and other southern California cities.                            It was a surprise and a severe jolt to me as well as to the Charles M. Russell Memorial Committee to learn from Mr.  Calvert that you claim to have reliable  source for some very defamous information  re this Memorial program and the Memorial  Committee which has it in hand. Mr. Calvert cited for me your attitude toward this  Russell Memorial Committee, as expressed to  him one evening at Trail’s End, the home of  Mrs. Russell. I gather from Mr. Calvert that you claim to have a letter from Great  Falls or some other Montana point, setting forth that the local committee plans diverting all or  a portion of the Charles M. Russell Memorial  Fund for the exploitation of the North Montana Fair now being promoted in Great Falls.                            Naturally, in justice to the business  and professional men who are members of the  local Charles M. Russell Memorial Committee, you should disclose the person of your informant.  If someone from Great Falls is circulating such defamatory statements in your part of  the country, I think this committee is  entitled to know who that “someone” is.                            To state that the information you  seem to have received is libelous is putting  the facts very mild. There never has been any  thought or suggestion of diverting one single  cent of this Memorial Fund for any purpose  other than that which was set forth in letters  written to you some several weeks ago, when I [hand drawn doodle in pencil] solicited your support of this program.  [2] Borein #2 This work of solicitation of funds has been entirely in my hands  from the start and I have been directly representing the Charles  M. Russell Memorial Committee which comprises some of the very  finest and most honorable business and professional men in this  city and Montana. In every letter, I have set forth in explicit  terms that the plan is to establish upon the Russell property in  Great Falls a National shrine for lovers of the Old West. To  divert any portion of the funds thus raised to any other channel would be nothing other than using the mails to defraud.                            Naturally, we were amazed when Mr. Calvert took us  squarely to task upon the strength of your statements made to him.  Naturally, now, we seek an explanation. We are entitled to one.                            For your information, Mr. Borein, I would like to set forth  that from the start, this Memorial campaign has been almost entirely in my hands, as executive secretary for the committee. I have, ever since I came to Montana many years ago, been an ardent lover and  admirer of Charley Russell and his works. Only last week, during the  annual art exhibit, I made as high as five lengthy talks daily  setting forth Charley’s marvelous talent. I have invested more than $1,000 of my own time and money in this work, of which I  will never receive a cent in return, other than the inestimable satisfaction of having accomplished the very thing that Charley’s  memory deserves. I have fought prejudice against Mrs. Russell, and misunderstanding, all unnecessary; and in face of the fact that all others said that it could not be done, I have won out. We now have more than $23,000 in hand. The Memorial is assured;  nothing can stop it now, not even the petty attitude of those  who should be heartily in support of the undertaking.                            As for Great Falls, this city has nobly done her share  at a time when the citizens were and are least able to give. Many  of our leading citizens were and are least able to give. Many  of our leading citizens have contributed in amounts running as  high as $500 and $1,000. In New York City and its environs I  have realized about $7,800; while in California, where Charley’s  friends seemed most numerous, and where we should be receiving the heartiest co-operation, I have received thirty-five dollars ($35.) in addition to the $500 from Will Rogers and the $250 from Bill Hart, contributed before the campaign started.                            Finally, Mr. Borein, this committee desires to assure  you that there is not the slightest vestige of truth in the  statement that this committee has in mind anything other than the carrying out the Memorial plans which were set forth to  Mr. Russell and by Mrs. Russell before she left this city for  California last Fall. There is no truth in the statement that this committee h^a^s ever had any other plans in mind. And, it  hardly becomes a man of your position in life to ruthless^ly^ upbraid a committee of the finest most representative business men of  Montana, merely upon the strength of idle petty gossip. It would  seem much more dignified that you first ascertain the truth before you say those things which would hinder Charley’s friends in  Montana, in New York, in Missouri, in Minnesota, in Canada and  other parts of this continent from creating a suitable and  practical Memorial to the great man who was such a good and true friend of yours. [3] Borein. #3                           For your information, the personnel of the Charles M.  Russell Memorial Committee of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce is as follows:                          Mr. Fred A. Fligman, President of the Paris Dry Goods  Company and Director of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce;                          Mr. J.W. Sherwood, President of the Royal Milling Com- pany, and vice-president of the Washburn Crosby Company.  Mr. O.S. Warden, President of the Great Falls Daily Tribune Publishing Company, and Director of the Great Falls  Chamber of Commerce;                         Mr. S.A. (Sid) Willis, Proprietor of the Mint Cigar Store and one of Charley’s closest personal friends;                          Dr. A.F. Longeway,                         Mr. H.B. Mitchell, President of the Ayrshire Dairy and  Mayor of the City of Great Falls;                          Mr. J.D. Watson, President Knowles Watson Cattle Company;                         Mr. Russell Strain, President Strain Brothers Department Store;                         Mr. H.O. Chowen; retired business man;                         Mr. S.D. Largent, city superintendent of schools;                         Mr. A. E. Wiggin, General Manager the Anaconda Copper  Mining Company’s Great Falls plant;                          Dr. E. M. Larson, President the Great Falls Clinic, and  Director of Great Falls Chamber of Commerce;                         Mr. Lee M. Ford, President the Great Falls National Bank;                          Mr. J.W. Freeman, attorney;                          Mr. Dan Tracy; President Tracy Coal Mining Company and  of the Park Hotel Company; (President country club);                         Mr.A.E. Schwingel, President the Conrad Banking Company, and President Great Falls Chamber of Commerce;                          Dan R. Conway, Assistant Secretary the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, and newspaperman and author.                            In the face of these facts Mr. Borein, which it seems necessary at this time to enumerate, we feel that we are not  at all unreasonable in asking that the people of California to  whom Charley looked as friends, should try to be fair with Charley’s  Montana friends. The local committee’s “cards are face up on the  table” and the ideals are just as high as any of Charley’s friends would  want them to be.                            Since there is no reason why we do not deserve it, we covet your moral support and the moral support of all of Charley’s  California friends.                                                                            Very truly yours,                                                                         [signed] Dan R. Conway                                                                         Secretary for the                                                                          CHARLES M.RUSSELL MEMORIAL COMMITTEE P.S. – The above-listed Great Falls business men would appreciate an answer to this letter.    [3 verso]   [handwritten]                                                                The model saw  The [modeling?]                                                           his head unwrapped class got you                                                                  awhile ago just down.                                                                                 as he was going  this they [illegible]                                                    into the other room  yell for more                                                                  and he said                                                                                                 oh who made                                                                                                 the funny                                                                                                 looking head-

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-10-25]

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From Dan R. Conway to Ed. Borein / Dan R. Conway

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