|
Post by elisabeth on Jan 14, 2007 12:12:43 GMT -6
That's an astounding figure. And he'd already spent all of Libbie's inheritance from her father ... You're right re the cashing in. Bully for Libbie!
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Jan 14, 2007 12:33:25 GMT -6
Philly:
Custer was not demoted.
All:
As for Libbie "cashing in" on her husband's death and fame, why not? And why not perpetuate his reputation as a shining knight of the Army? People nowadays cash in on their childrens' illnesses, or abduction, or even murder, and go so far as to invent same if it suits their purposes.
Libbie Custer, as it transpired, had some small talent for writing for the popular taste [and not just her lionization of her dead hubby], and did well from her writings. I don't know how much she left as an estate, but it was not a pittance.
Today, she probably would have gone on Larry King and/or Oprah, lamenting the fact that her no-good husband had gone off and got himself killed leaving her not just penniless, but deeply in debt, and we'd all be lining up to contribute to a widow's fund, which would wind up making her a millionaire.
Actually, I believe that there was a widows' fund set up not long after the fights, but I'll leave it to those who are more interested in the money stuff than I to research it.
Gordie
|
|
|
Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 14, 2007 15:34:42 GMT -6
I think we all agree on the "why not?" for Libbie.
Gordie, "demoted" was not the right word. The Civil War "promoted" many who would not maintain those ranks afterward. Custer was one of them, and you're right, it's not technically a demotion. But the pay cut was real, nonetheless.
|
|
|
Post by Realbird on Jan 14, 2007 17:37:43 GMT -6
What we do know is that there is not a single book, report, note, scroll, news article, nor E-mail to confirm that she "interacted" with anyone other than her husband.
|
|
|
Post by Tricia on Jan 14, 2007 17:53:30 GMT -6
Whatever the exact financial dollar amount, it became necessary for Libbie to find employment during a period when a woman working in the *outside* world (other than as seamstresses or in domestic service) was still a rarity. Granted, she found a position in a polite "society" club. However, I doubt this was the kind of future Daniel Bacon imagined his daughter would ever face. You've got to hand it to her, though. Many other women left in similar circumstances would have become burdens on their families and churches.
|
|
|
Post by Rabble on Jan 14, 2007 18:38:11 GMT -6
What happened to the life insurance policy that Custer took out for Libbie? Did it all go to pay the debt, or was it a small policy? I recall reading about it, but don't know any details. Try this URL - some kind person has listed all the information for us! pages.prodigy.com/custer/ins.htmRon
|
|
|
Post by harpskiddie on Jan 14, 2007 18:57:08 GMT -6
Some years ago, New York Life issued a sort of commemorative copy of Custer's life insurance policy, or at least the covering page of it. These come up for auction on EBay every now and then at modest prices. I bid 5 bucks for one and just got beat out. It would look interesting framed.
Gordie
|
|
|
Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 14, 2007 19:25:19 GMT -6
Rabble -- thanks! I knew I had seen that somewhere before.
|
|
|
Post by elisabeth on Jan 15, 2007 6:23:44 GMT -6
Re other employment opportunities: I believe she was offered a Postmistress job, which was one of the respectable openings available to military widows & orphans -- but she turned it down because it would have meant accepting a favour from Grant, No. 1 on her enemies list.
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Jan 15, 2007 10:11:45 GMT -6
Whatever you think of Libbie Custer you must give her credit for having the ability to run with the ball when she had the chance. How many other wives would have had no clue what to do in her situation. She had remarkable P R sensibilites and might have had more to do with GAC's rise than has been given credit to her. A lot of famous men in history got to where they were by a 'silent partner' in the background.
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Jan 15, 2007 10:33:56 GMT -6
I ran across this interesting little tidbit in the May 2002 LBHA Newsletter about the California Butterfield Auction of that year.
"Original copy of General Sheridan's telegram letter of condolence to Libbie Custer-copies of this telegram were apparently sent to each of the officers widows-closed at $8,500.'' ref: 'Custer comes to California' by Anita Donofrio
Sheridan sent her a form letter? No personlized message meant for just her? Sheridan really shows a real lack of any character here. Don't get me started on him...
|
|
|
Post by AZ Ranger on Jan 15, 2007 12:51:37 GMT -6
Maybe he followed it up with a letter.
|
|
|
Post by Tricia on Jan 15, 2007 13:14:28 GMT -6
Scout--
I've always felt if anyone is interested in penning a script, there is a helluva story in Libbie's long widowhood and perseverance. And I'd cast Mary Steenburgen as the Wounded Thing.
I'll explore LBC's post-Autie period during the second half of the second book, but she's not the primary focus of my narrative.
|
|
|
Post by PhillyBlair on Jan 15, 2007 13:48:08 GMT -6
I have seen Libbie hailed as a pioneer of the feminist movement, and frankly, she was. She was light years ahead of her time, and an amazing person all the way around. I wonder why no one has done a movie somewhere along the way as well. It's an incredible story. You'd think that at least the Lifetime network would have picked it up by now.
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Jan 15, 2007 15:19:49 GMT -6
No one can pick it up...forget about it...Custer is poltically incorrect in this century and Hollywood is as pc as it gets and if they did do it I can only imagine what she would be presented as.
|
|