Happy Birthday, Charles M Russell

I am a graduate of C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, class of '81, and today is his birthday.

I also attended Russell Elementary for one year. Growing up in Great Falls, all students took the trip to the C.M Russell Museum and the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

He produced over 4,000 pieces of artwork in his 62 years on this earth that included oil paintings, water colors, drawings and sculptures. He had a ship named after him during WW II, and even had a song written about him called  "Laugh Kills Lonesome" by one of the Monkees, Micheal Nesmith.

The Russell Art Auction is  a huge social occasion every year. I just wonder if he had any idea how big he would be after he left this world.