Spread A — DAM On View

Charles M. Russell, Percy Raban, Edward C. "Teddy Blue" Abbott, and George Calvert. photographer unknown, late 19th century-early 20th century. Gilcrease Museum/The University of Tulsa, TU2009.39.262.195. © Gilcrease Museum

Walter J. “Walt” Coburn

“When I was a kid back up in Great Falls, I used to watch for Charlie to come riding past the house on Monte. To a button off the old Circle C Ranch where I tried to learn the way of the pony and the steer, Charlie Russell was purty [sic] much a hero. When he crossed the Big Divide he sure left a big lump in the heart of the Montana cowboys that called him Friend.”—Walt Coburn

Coburn was raised in Montana on his family’s ranch, the Circle C, and in Great Falls, where he met the Russells. Beginning in the 1920s, he became a celebrated author of western stories, ultimately publishing more than 1,000 stories and 40 books.

Joseph Franklin De Yong. Unknown photographer, about 1930, photographic print. Joe De Yong Papers (Care of Richard J. Flood), Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy &Western Heritage Museum. 1980.18.571.100.

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H. P. “Percy” Raban

“No other artist or writer knew the Old West as Charlie did.”—H. P. Raban

Raban was a reporter for the Great Falls Tribune and one of Russell’s Montana friends. Raban helped publish western history stories that appeared in the Tribune and other newspapers, and he played a role in publishing Russell’s Rawhide Rawlins books.

Joe De Yong

“I saw 39 of these letters put together (A Road Runner in an Eagles Nest!) Writing was slow work, and every word came mighty hard, but I’ll leave it to you if he didnt [sic] make every word count double.”—Joe De Yong

De Yong, Russell’s only student, grew up in Oklahoma before moving to Choteau, Montana, in 1914. In 1916, he started working with Russell and became part of the family. An artist of the Old West, he also worked on movies alongside famous actors including Tom Mix after moving to California in 1926

Will James

“Charley [sic] went too soon.”—Will James, ’31

Born in Quebec, Will James rode broncs in Canada, Montana, and Nevada as a young man. At some point, he met Russell in Great Falls. James ultimately became a famous artist and author of western subjects in the 1920s and 1930s.

Charles M. Russell and Ed Borein, photographer unknown, about 1920. Gilcrease Museum/The University of Tulsa, TU2009.39.5888. © Gilcrease Museum

William S. Hart

“To try and say something in appreciation of Charlie Russell would be to compare with him in excellence, and no man could ever do that. All this poor westerner can say is—I loved him:”—William S. Hart, 1931

Actor, screenwriter, director, and producer William S. Hart was a western movie idol during the 1910s and 1920s. He first met Russell in 1902 when on tour with a theater group to Great Falls, Montana. A few years later, Hart facilitated the Russells’ first visit to New York City, and they maintained a close friendship over the years. He remained close to Nancy after her husband’s death.

Charles M. Russell and William S. Hart, photographer unknown, late19th century - early 20th century. Gilcrease Museum/The University of Tulsa, TU2009.39.275.7. © Gilcrease Museum

Ed Borein

“The other side is a lot better place than it WAS.”—Ed Borein

Born in California, Borein worked as a vaquero before becoming a staff artist for the San Francisco Call. In 1907, he moved to New York City, where he eventually crossed paths with Russell during one of the Montana artist’s trips there. Borein returned to California in 1919, becoming best known for his western-themed etchings, and he remained close friends of the Russells. Borein played a critical role in helping Nancy source many of the letters illustrated in Good Medicine.

Will Rogers

“We just dont [sic] raise no more of his kind of men.”—Will Rogers

Born in Oklahoma and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Rogers became famous as a performer, actor, and social commentator. He began his career as a trick roper and rider in South Africa and Australia before returning to the United States in 1904 to perform the role of heroic cowboy in vaudeville theaters across New York. He ultimately took up acting, published regular newspaper columns, delivered lectures and interviews in person and over the radio (then a new medium), and authored books. Russell and Rogers probably met in New York in the first decade of the 1900s and remained lifelong friends, so much so that Rogers wrote the introduction to Good Medicine.

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