Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Did you realize the first memorial erected in Montana to honor Montana artist Charles M. Russell, is along Highway 2 in Saco? The monument consists of a 10-ton stone from Snake Butte, south of Harlem, resting on a rock base. It was dedicated on June 24, 1956. The project was spearheaded by William J. Nankeman with the assistance of area people. Nankeman chose Saco as the site for the monument since Russell’s painting “Loops and Swift Horses Are Surer Than Lead” took place in the Larb Hills south of Saco in 1904. The painting shows cowboys roping a grizzly bear during the Square Ranch and DHS roundup. A bronze plaque on the monument lists some of the cowboys involved in the incident.

Check out the displays and information at the Phillips County Museum. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.