Lot 53
Custer Elizabeth
Approximately 87 pages of various letters and drafts by Elizabeth Custer. Most are undated and written from her apartment at 71 Park Avenue, New York City, and a few were written from Daytona Beach, Florida, ca. 1927-1932. Several notebooks, as well as a buggy whip, are included with this lot. Since generally men were the individuals driving buggies at the time, it is assumed that the buggy whip belonged to General Custer. The existence of a whip is also noted in one of the notebooks. Letters are in very good to near fine condition, with expected paper folds, toning, and isolated foxing. Cover of one of notebooks is missing; another is detached. Buggy whip has repaired handle appearing to be made of ribbed ivory, the whole measuring approximately 27" long.
Much of the popular legend surrounding the dashing figure of George Armstrong Custer came from the pen of his devoted wife, Elizabeth. Married to the young army officer for only a dozen years, Elizabeth Bacon Custer traveled with her husband to his frontier army assignments and later wrote three books on her experiences. She also gave speeches and wrote numerous articles for newspapers and magazines and carefully nurtured his image in popular culture.She kept in touch with his relatives in their hometown of Monroe, Michigan, and was instrumental in the erection of an equestrian statue of General Custer there in 1910, dedicated by President William Howard Taft.
This archive, covering the last years of her life, reveals a woman in her 80s still promoting her husband's legacy and writing hundreds of letters annually to a host of correspondents from her apartment on Park Avenue in New York and from her winter retreat in Daytona Beach, Florida.This archive consists of six bound volumes and dozens of drafts of letters from the years 1918 to 1932. Approximately 605 pages of text.
Items include the following:
Elizabeth B. Custer, 2pp ALS to Margaret Flood, November 20, ca. 1927, Daytona Beach, Florida. 8.5" x 10.75".
In part:
“Today I am in great haste to get this letter to you asking if you will send me my purple wadded wrapper, by parcel post .... If you do not find it do not bother. I ought to have remembered that I would need it here, as the mornings and nights are cold and I like it when I camp down on the bed for a daytime nap".
Margaret Flood (1889-1968) was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in 1911. She began as a servant for Elizabeth Custer in 1914. In 1920, she married Patrick Flood (1888-1973) who immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1908 and served in the army in World War I. In 1930, both she and her husband Patrick lived with Elizabeth Custer as servants at 71 Park Avenue.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 2pp autograph letter initialed to Margaret Flood, [November] 24, ca. 1927, [Daytona, Florida]. 8.5" x 10.75".
“In my wrapper on the back porch where no one but the gardener sees me”.
“Miss Elizabeth has learned to manage her car so well that I am not as afraid to go with her as I was last year. You will soon see the tenants for I know that you will stay and welcome them in. ‘Keep your ear to the ground’ and learn if there is any thing that they seem to need. For you and I are in the business now of renting and I want to satisfy any tenant that comes. I keep thinking of you, going around to hunt a place to live and I am sorry that you have to do it. Perhaps something may turn up next year that may be able to walk right into comfortable quarters for the four months”
“There is a big theatre building across the river that the people built themselves and there excellent one night companies come and there will be a week of opera after the holidays, so we are not entirely without amusement”.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 2pp autograph letter initialed to Margaret Flood, December 31, ca. 1927, [Daytona, Florida].8.5" x 11".
“I like this boarding house very much. I had been here before and Mrs Purdy is most kind to me.... Jno Wellington & Elizabeth I see daily and I am to begin reading for Mrs Guthrie who has a home near with three old & poor ladies as guests. She brings them from St Paul, Minn. I envy her such a chance to do good for poverty stricken gentel [sic] women.... The beach the finest in the world, is about three miles from here with races and bathers from all over the country”.
“Tell me about your flat when you write. I hope you will be contented but if you don’t why not give it up & store when I get back & begin again at 71. Next time you might have better luck. I think it so bad that the builders put up nothing for the working people”.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 1p autograph letter initialed to Margaret Flood, February 14, ca. 1928, [Daytona, Florida]. 5.75" x 8.5".
“I am sorry enough about the difficulty in getting a job. Dont you think the whole country seems so sort of turned upside down. But one reason I believe that there are so few jobs is, that new mass labor saving machines are depriving the laborer looking for work”.
In the 1920s, Elizabeth Custer bought an apartment on the ninth floor of a red stone building at 71 Park Avenue in New York City.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 2pp autograph letter draft to [Benjamin?] Dansard, ca. 1926-27, New York, NY. 5.75" x 8.5".
“If I could tell you how the General’s memory is cherished over the country, of the hundreds that I have answered this year regarding the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of the Little Big Horn, you who are working out the scheme for the removal of the statue would be more than ever convinced that it should be on a thoroughfare. I am surprised at the general interest over the Country after over 50 years in anything that pertains to the General. But I realize more than ever from your letter that much thought must be given to any site proposed”.
Benjamin Dansard III (1883-1928) was a financier in Monroe, Michigan.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 2pp autograph letter draft to [Benjamin?] Dansard, ca. 1926-27, New York, NY. 5.75" x 8.5".
“I appreciate especially the part of your letter regarding the caution necessary in the selection of the site. The mistake made when it was moved to a portion of the town where no signs of progress were visible will be remembered I feel sure. When it was moved there was such surety on the part of numbers that the town would grow up directly around the statue. In our many campaigns it was in General Custers duty to guard the builders of railroads thro’ the western wilderness when the Indians protested as an invasion of their Country. It was so often the flash in the pan the beginnings of towns and our hearts were touched with the deserted groups of half formed chimneys & parts of buildings. But as I look at the plans and realize that the necessity of further enlargement of the town, I feel less anxiety that the statue if moved will be followed up with substantial buildings”.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 2pp autograph letter draft to Claribel “Clara” Custer Vivian, ca. 1929-1932, New York, NY. 5.75" x 8.5"
“My job trying to give away to charities philanthropies schools relatives &c &c. sometimes lays me flat on my back, but I am trying to go slow. Thank you for your promptness. I will not attempt to give to the town churches since they are prosperous but will be so glad to give to any on the river above the farms. Should I address ‘the Rural Church,’ care of an Elder or of one of you Custer’s[?]”
Claribel Custer Vivian (1863-1950) was born in Ohio, the daughter of Nevin J. Custer, (1842-1915), George A. Custer’s younger brother. She married Andrew Vivian (1851-1916) in 1865, and they lived in Monroe, Michigan.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 3pp autograph letter initialed to Agnes Bates Wellington, ca. 1930-1931, New York, NY. 5.5" x 8.5".
“I counted up my letter book three hundred mostly in reply to those who wrote me of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of the Little Big Horne, where Custer fell. A great many of the letters were a few lines but I could not help sending a reply”.
“Oh, Agnes it seems years instead of months since I saw you. I have missed you so. If I had gone to Daytona for a little time the separation would not seem so long now. I cannot plan to do anything much for neuralgia has my neck and rheumatism, my knee! ... I am disciplining myself to the loss of the Cosmopolitan Club .... P.S. I would be very lonely Im afraid but May and Charles Elmer live in Brooklyn & I see them often”.
Agnes Bates Wellington (1850-1937) was born in Monroe, Michigan, and was a childhood friend of Elizabeth Bacon. She spent nearly a year with George and Elizabeth Custer on the frontier in the early 1870s. In 1878, Agnes Bates married Arthur M. Wellington, a railroad engineer and later editor of an engineering periodical.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 4pp autograph letter to Agnes Bates Wellington, ca. 1932, New York, NY. 8" x 10".
“I cannot tell you how I appreciate my home and Margaret & Patrick and May Elmer (who is near) and she coming to stay with me a week or so. But the club which is always such a pleasure is in the new beautiful club house in the Sixties (usually not dreaded) but now getting in & out taxies is to be dreaded and the crossings are lived over in my dreams at night. I am so afraid of them. But oh how little I have to trouble me compared to so many in the nineties!”
>
“I am again interested in the hope of the statue being removed. I hardly think that there is enough energy in me to take any prominent part but May and Charles have enough to carry the movement, and they are laying in weight for the Mayor. I believe that if he is vulnerable May can persuade him to start the scheme”.
Elizabeth B. Custer, 3pp autograph letter signed to Ms. Frazer, ca. 1932, New York, NY. 5" x 8".
“I dont know how to begin my letter for I want to tell you how much I appreciate your constant remembrance of me (and you, so busy a woman) I feel every kindness this year for I am not quite ‘up to the mark’ and a good deal of a ‘shut in,’ all because I overdo and neglect to go slow, now that I am ninety years old.... It is such a trial to want to do things and find that, for the time being, one is a good for nothing”.
“Will you come and see me soon. I want to have you see a rocking chair that my ancestors brought to Michigan before I was born. The Pages did not wait for the railroad that was talked of but not built until sometime after. one of the third generation has just given the rocker to me. I can see the chair in its infancy tied on the end of the covered wagon. They crossed Lake Erie in a schooner and the Grand Rapids river was the end of the long trail to them”.
>Elizabeth B. Custer, autograph fragments, ca. 1929-1932:
“I am in deep trouble about the unexpected wealth that has taken me so suddenly. It may be that I had not kept returns from the sale of Boots & Saddles, which has been constant so long. I have to make a will since I have so much more now than I dreamed. Mr Wheaton at the bank has no time and less interest. I see no way out except to make a list of those I value more and put a figure against each!”
“I will try to think of little else but studying where the fortune had best be distributed. Your suggestion of retaining the present will [persistently?] and asking Mrs Elmer niece of the Genl’s to help me in my bequests. She has learned to be an excellent business woman and both she & Charles will fall in with any plans or make new ones”.
“I account for the large sales of my first book that I was almost the only one writing of the country and of military life on the frontier at the time. our regiment the 7th Cav. was guarding the builders of the first railroad from the Missouri River to Denver Colorado. I wrote two other books later of our unusual life and I have returns even now all but one are still in print. For a long time when I was alone after I came here to New York to live I wrote regularly ....”
“Surrender Table–now in Washington? Terms of Surrender of General Lee (Confederate) to General Grant signed on table. General Sheridan gave the table to EBC with letter—'No one has done more to bring about this glorious day than your very gallant husband”.
Memorandum book contains a variety of items including inventories, excerpts from articles and books, and other notes, 1926-1932. 234 pp. (117 with text), 6.5" x 8.25" in.
“Romance is not dead. ‘No woman has lived her life in vain who has filled the horizon of one soul’. N.Y. Times. William Bingham Newcastle Wyoming”.
“A’s book, to Agnes B. Wellington September 3rd 1926”.
“‘Now for more than half a century this highly accomplished and charming gentlewoman has devoted herself to the memory of General Custer in ways to merit the admiration of all who are privileged to know about it’ Robert Bruce in article on Little Big Horn by Charles F. Roe, U.S.A.... 1927”.
“Breast pin, pearl ring ret. to safe Deposit July 19th 1927. No papers of importance in box”.
“Mr Culver (real estate) thinks the apt. 71 $18200 (at cost) about 1923 ought to bring $22000 now”.
“Cousin Rebecca Richmonds bequest--$10,000 left with Mech. Trust Company Grand Rapids in trust. Net income to be paid to EBC by company. After my death the fund to be disposed of as further provided in the will--$504 Year ended April 1st 1928”.
“Wrote asking Armstrong to get a list of the churches without regard to creed. Aug 6”.
“Dear Mr Wheaton. I am taking a check book which belonged to Charles Francis Bates containing a deposit of $300 that I gave him toward the expenses of removing the Equestrian statue of General Custer now in Monroe Michigan to a more desirable position on the opposite side the river Raisin where a new city is being formed and where several of the larger buildings are named for have already the name of Custer. I have as yet done nothing for the present scheme but I feel if the plans are carried out it will be quite the best site in town for the statue”.
[Note in margin:] “later 1931 changed my mind EBC”.
“1929 Aug Fearing that I might pass on before making a new will I made a temporary one with Mrs. Agnes B. Welling[ton] & May Custer Elmer”.
“The list opposite may aid in making a list of articles I wish to give away in my will or a memorandum as a suggestion".
“Executors May & Agnes, money set aside at once for their expenses. Possibly Margaret would be of much service to Executors".
“Custer Hall, Hays Kansas
Custer Battlefield Highway Mitchel South Dakota
Custer Battlefield National Cemetery, Crow Agency, Montana Eugene Wessmyer Supt.
Cosmopolitan Club
Court House Monroe My fathers portrait, where he served so long as Judge of Probate
Cemetery, care of Custer and Bacon graves
Little church near the river near Custer farms
Where all the Custers on the farm work
Little church on the main road H5N on the river, opposite bank”.
“‘Garry Owen’-&th Cavalry regimental tune, so selected & named by the General
‘Our hearts so stout has got us fame,
For since ’tis known from whence we came
Where’er we go they dread the name
Of Garry Owen in glory!’”
“‘On the Plains with Custer’ J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia
Dedication
The Western Life and deeds of the Chief with the yellow hair, under whom served boy buglar Ned Fletcher when in the troublous years, 1866-1876, the fighting Seventh Cavalry helped to win pioneer Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota for white civilization and todays peace.’”
“Will—1931 If statue G.A.C Leave means for moving & to meet part of expense for upkeep of statue. Leave means for bed in St Marys hospital in Monroe in Auties name. Leave sum at interest for upkeep of Custer Church near Custer farm.”
“Articles of papers pertaining to GAC 1931. Two parchments signed by Pres. Lincoln. Fram[e] one for West Point Armory, one for Monroe Armory”.
“Safe (from Wanamakers[)] Now in Guest Room Vault Iron (small safe) 53529 (Style 3½ Turn to the left 3 times to 3 Right, 2 turns Right 41 Left twice to 41, once to 17, Right, open”.
“Autie after he had captured in battle Genl Rossers personal luggage sending him a message, left with the last Confederate ? as the Division was marching to camp for the night. Genl Rossers compliments & would he direct the tailor to cut the tails of his coat shorter next time. At Genl Rosser saluting before a charge Both sides drawn up for the advance”.
“Motto on Spanish sword Do not draw me without cause. Do not sheath me without honor”.
Memorandum Book contains lists of names of correspondents, often with dates of writing, 1924-1926. 146 pp. (142 with text), 4" x 6".
Even in her eighties, Custer was a prodigious letter-writer. She responded to more than three hundred requests for information around the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1926. Correspondents include banks, publishers, historical societies, the War Department, and many other institutions and individuals. Entries occasionally have a brief note of the purpose.
“Feb 13 U.S.P.O. with card for 12 cent postage due on parcel”.
“Mrs Ramsdale $15 for Xmas at Cos Club”.
Memorandum Book contains list of correspondents, 1927-1932. 148 pp. (135 filled), 4" x 6".
On the first page, Custer included her telephone number, “Caledonia 4456” and address in New York, “71 Park Ave.” and her address in Daytona Beach, “211 South St., Mrs. Purdy” to ensure that anyone who found the memorandum book could return it. She also included a note that she wrote 225 letters in four months from December 1927 to March 1928.
[March 26, 1928:] “Mr Wheaton telling him May would meet & take me home if tenants were not out”.
“R. H. McPherdon, Columbus, Ohio Reqt photo of A mounted-p. card”.
“Margaret with us 15 years June 1929 / 1932 April ‘going on 17 years’”.
“‘I am convinced with weather so perfect vegetation so profuse that we might find the trail of Adam and Eve in these Florida glades.’ EBC Feb. 1927”.
Two bound volumes, perhaps related to Custer’s move from her home in Bronxville to her apartment in New York City:
Inventory of household furnishings, ca. 1920. 26 pp. (11 with text), 6" x 8".
Inventory of household furnishings and perhaps purchases, including some book titles, 1918-1923. 72 pp. (57 with text), 6.75" x 8.5".
Another bound volume, containing two alphabetical lists with one letter on each page. The first contains names. The second seems to be individuals and institutions to whom Custer sent pamphlets in 1921. Another list of “Heads of animals shot by the General” includes the notation “heads of animals shot in Nebraska and Dakota—Buffalo—Grisley bear—Antelope head.” A February 1923 list includes 46 individuals and historical societies across the country to whom she sent pamphlets. 118 pp. (56 with text), 6.75" x 8.25".
Elizabeth Clift Bacon Custer (1842-1933) was born in Michigan as the daughter of an influential and wealthy judge. She graduated from a girls’ seminary at the head of her class in June 1862. She first met George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876) in the autumn of 1862, but her father thought Custer was beneath her, and he wanted her to have a better life than that of an army wife. After Custer received promotion to brevet brigadier general in 1863, Judge Bacon was more approving and allowed Elizabeth to marry Custer on February 9, 1864, in Michigan. Both George and Elizabeth Custer were ambitious and stubborn, and their dozen years of marriage were tumultuous. She followed her husband to every assignment, refusing to be left behind in comfort. After the war, Brevet Major General Custer reverted to his Regular Army rank of lieutenant colonel and held a series of frontier assignments in Texas, Kansas, and the Dakota Territory. In 1876, he left his wife at Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory to pursue Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other Sioux and Cheyenne. After Custer’s death at the Battle of Little Big Horn, President Ulysses S. Grant publicly blamed him for blundering into a massacre. Elizabeth Custer quickly defended her husband’s image, aiding his first biographer and writing articles and books of her own praising Custer. Her version prevailed in popular culture for decades. She never remarried and was a widow for more than a half-century before her death in New York City. She was buried next to her husband in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point.
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