Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 14, 1993 TAG: 9306140221
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DAYTON, OHIO LENGTH: Medium
Jim Custer, a fourth cousin of Gen. George Armstrong Custer, suggested the lunch last week to Guy Jones, the great-great-grandson of Pizi Gall, a Sioux war chief who helped engineer Custer's spectacular defeat at Little Bighorn River in Montana on June 25, 1876.
More than 200 soldiers, including Custer, died in the battle with Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.
"A lot of people died that day - Indians as well as 7th Cavalry," Custer said as he and Jones discussed their ancestors. "The whole thing was a fiasco in the first place."
Custer, 70, is a retired sales executive who arranges programs for a local Kiwanis club.
Jones, 37, is a community activist who heads the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans. Custer tracked down Jones after seeing his name on a speakers list.
"I called and said, `My name is Custer.' There was a little pause," he said.
"I thought he was kidding," Jones said with a smile.
Custer said he regrets that A lot of people died that day - Indians as well as 7th Cavalry. he whole thing was a fiasco in the first place. Jim Custer Descendant of Gen. George Armstrong Custer his famous ancestor is associated with the repression of Indians.
"To be very frank, I hope you give accolades where they belong - that is, to the Indians," he said.
"For many years in this country they've been beaten up, and we've all kind of overlooked that."
by CNB