Postcard: Last of the 5000" by C.M. Russell
Reprinted from "The Montana Stockgrower, Centennial Edition"
Who hasn't seen the small painting of the almost dead cow surrounded by wolves? That tiny painting made Charles Russell famous around Montana and the whole west. Here is a story in "the Montana Stockgrower" about that painting.
"A little over four decades ago, the great Montana stockman, Wallis Huidekoper, presented to the Association a small postcard sized watercolor by Charles M. Russell which was to become one of its most highly prized historical objects and one which did much to propel "Kid" Russell into lasting international fame as the American West's most honored artist.
The original painting, one of the most often reproduced of all Russell works, is still owned by the Association but is on permanent rotating loan for exhibit in the Montana Historical Society Galleries in Helena and the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls.
At the time of its acquisition in 1943 "The Montana Stockgrower" published fully Major Huidekoper's letter of presentation. In this 100th anniversary publication it is appropriate to reprint his words.
'During the hard winter of 1886 and 1887, Jesse Phelps was range foreman for Stadler and Kaufman in the Judith Basin near the present site of the little town of Utica. They were extensive cattle owners but had their homes in Helena. Late in the winter, Mr. Kaufman wrote to Phelps inquiring as to the condition of the cattle. The night the letter was received; Phelps and Charlie Russell (who was the horse wrangler for the outfit) were discussing the answer that should be made.
The next day Russell removed the pasteboard cover of a collar box and drew and colored the picture which has since become so famous. He showed it to Phelps who said, 'Hell, that picture tells them the story better than I can write it.' and the picture was sent to Stadler and Kaufman at Helena.
At that time those men conducted a butcher shop on Edwards Street on the site of the present Eddy Bakery. Directly across where the Marlow Theatre now stands, Ben Roberts had a harness shop. Mr. Kaufman took the picture over to show it to Mr. Roberts because Roberts was a close friend of Russell. Russell afterward was married in Robert's home in Cascade. Roberts wanted the picture very badly and Kaufman considered it of no particular value so presented it to him in 1888. It lay around Roberts harness shop and at times was exhibited in the window. It became fly blown and bent and dirty.
It was purchased by Wallis Huidekoper for a small sum in 1913 and was taken to an expert who cleaned and framed it. After acquiring the picture Mr. Huidekoper took it to Great Falls and showed it to Russell who remarked, "Well, you have the old picture and I am glad." He then wrote this wording on it and signed his name. The writing said, This is the real thing painted in the winter of 1886 at the O H Ranch. It was then taken to Helena and the signature of Kaufman was placed on it which made it historically perfect.
Jesse Phelps died in Helena about 1930 and Louis Kaufman passed away in Helena on March 12, 1933. Louis Stadler died in Helena on August 28, 1941 at the age of 92 years old.
Mr. Kaufman personally told me the following concerning the picture. He had visited the ranch in the Judith Basin during the middle of the winter when things were beginning to tighten up. This particular animal was a brindle Texas cow that used to come around the ranch and hang behind the horse barn for protection. Phelps said to Kaufman, "Do you think you will see that cow next spring?" to which Kaufman answered, "You bet I will and she will raise me a big bull calf and this is the cow that Charlie Russell painted."
