Even at the Point of Dying

The release of the Elizabeth Custer book is a month away. I’ve been rereading her journal entries and have grown to like her even more than I already had. She was fearless, but she did worry that after she died no one would be able to answer malignant tongues who would defame her husband, George. Living, she could confront them with documentary vindication. After George’s death in 1876, Elizabeth was in high demand to speak at women’s clubs, historical society meetings, etc… She never passed up a chance to defend her husband’s actions and motives in precipitating the last major Indian battle on the frontier. Elizabeth stood up for George for 56 years. After all his critics were either imprisoned or had died off, Elizabeth was still there as his champion. I think her travels and speaking engagements were a sophisticated version of Wyatt Earp’s vendetta ride. Seventy-eight years after Elizabeth’s passing her voice can still be heard telling the world that George was wronged and falsely accused. Good for you, Elizabeth. Justice does come. It may take awhile, but it comes. As the Roman philosopher, Seneca once said, “Injustice never rules forever.” Like Elizabeth, I’m counting on that.