"The commissioner of Indian affairs, having found that the Pawnees with the Buffalo Bill combination are off their reservation without permission, issued an order that they should return immediately."
"THE INDIAN ACTORS" Washington Post, September 24, 1878
Buffalo Bill's Wild West and the Progressive Image of American Indians
Jason A. Heppler and Douglas Seefeldt
Concept Map
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Government Documents
Letters
Programs
Newspapers
Periodicals
Progressivism |
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| Indian Welfare |
"The commissioner then revoked his order, on condition that Mr. Cody enter into $5,000 bonds to return the Indians after a specified time (within which it is agreed the Indians shall be kept sober) to their agency at his own expense."
"THE INDIAN ACTORS" Washington Post, September 24, 1878 "In place of teaching them all to be farmers it would be better to make stockmen of them. Raising cattle, horses and sheep is more to their tastes and develops their instincts naturally in a useful channel. Ranching is but the civilization of the chase. Teach them to raise cattle to sell."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 "Their schools of instruction should be upon their reservations and not 500 miles away. Adjoining each school should be a large farm, where they could be practically taught farming and stock raising, and such trades as are useful in their own country. "
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 "he had been taught all this near his home, where his parents could see him growing in civilization and note his advancement, it sould make them proud of their child, stimulate them to improve, and they would grow at least partly civilized and in sympathy with their fully civilized child."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 "The Indians look to be well fed and contended, but few of them can talk more than a word or two of English, and hence cannot be interviewed. Major Burke went to Washington, where he will have a hearing tomorrow before the Secretary of the Interior regarding the charges."
"Arrival of Buffalo Bill's Indians" The Sun, November 14, 1890 "Commissioner Morgan flatly refused to permit a single red man to leave the reservation. He had been told that the Indians did not have proper surroundings abroad, and he considered it much better that they should remain on the reservation than be demoralized by foreign travel."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "I consider it a privilege to speak to an audience which I know can help the Indians. I almost forget at times that I am not an Indian. I have been with them so long and have been interested in their welfare so much"
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "The Government has greatly improved in the management of the Indians. The Government schools are good and are supplied with good, intelligent teachers. "
"Lo's Place is at Home" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "What is wanted for the graduates from the Indian schools is work, not money"
"Lo's Place is at Home" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "Buffalo Bill conducts a low show, teaches the Indians bad habits, and advertises fraudulently"
"What President Harrison Said" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "unequivocal refusals which have met all recent requests for loans of Indians for exhibition purposes"
"No More Wild West Shows" New York Times, December 23, 1899 "One hundred Sioux Indians, fresh from the reservation, are much easier to control than as many white men, under similar circumstances"
"Easy to Care for 100 Indians," Kansas City Star, November 27, 1906 |
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| Religious Reform |
"though he could not speak a word of English he was a Christian"
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "The pleadings of missionaries and the zeal of those engaged in teaching, are alike futile among all those Indians who, under government sanction, are taught that continued barbarism is perhaps after all the best thing for them"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" |
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| Reform |
"One of the curiosities of Indian history came to light when Blue Horse, one of the Indian chiefs with the Wild West, met his son, who has been a number of years at Carlisle. The son could not speak Sioux, and Blue horse could not speak English, so the aid of an interpreter was called in to enable them to converse."
"The Wild West Show" Philadelphia Inquirer, August 21, 1888 "in nearly every instance where Indians have been sent out with shows. I have noticed that they usually come back morally degraded."
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "we constantly urge upon them the value of saving habits and we exercise a constant vigilance that they have as good a knowledge of relative values"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "show conclusively that the effort of the government to educate and civilize these people is being made a triumphant success"
"Will Have No Wild West Show" Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1892 "It is claimed by these desiring to employ these Indians that the opportunities afforded them to see what white men have done and are doing, to realize the resources of the country, both in numbers and in wealth, would educate the Indian and deter them from outbreaks, and that seeing the manner in which whites live, would stimulate him to adopt civilized modes of living"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "It is in effect saying to the Indian: "If you retain purely Indian customs, remain a savage with all the grand of feathers, naked bodies, hideous dancing, and other evidence of savagery, we want you, and should you have or can procure a dress trimmed with scalps, we want you very much, and will pay you accordingly." The Indian is thus taught that savagery has a market value and is worth retaining. The boys in the day schools know it, and speak longingly of the time when they will no longer be required to attend school, but can let their hair grow long, dance Omaha, and go off with shows"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "The influence of this sort of thing is far reaching and seriously retards progress."
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "the Government should no longer permit these exhibitions of that which it is trying at so much expense to suppress"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "the moral effect upon those Indians who are taken to exhibitions of whatever sort, is far from good. in the greed for patronage and gain, all sorts of things are permitted and encouraged which ordinarily would be suppressed by the police"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "such spectacular engagements were 'not calculated to promote the best conditions of civilization among the Indians,'"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "'grant no further permission to take Indians for exhibition purposes.' The harmful practice, however, does not seem to have been seriously interfered with, a very lax interpretation being put upon that requirement of the department which stipulates that a person of good moral character and habits shall accompany the Indians so released, and look to their interests and welfare."
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "could be more senseless than that our Government, having taken up the work of civilizing the Indians, should at the same time cultivate barbarism by giving official approval and aid to Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show--turning our agencies into recruiting stations for him, where the young bloods grow long hair and divorce their wives, that they may be fitted to take part in this traveling orgy"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "This is the glorification of the old Indian, that we are trying so hard to get rid of"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "received Indian girls from the school into their homes, instructing them in domestic service and in other matters, in which he reminded them of the need of great care in the oversight of the temporarily assigned pupils, their correspondence, shopping, visiting, how they employ their time on the First-day of the week, &c"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "The like argument holds good for the indians in our homes, who must find it somewhat difficult to apprehend why they should not bedeck themselves with the feathers and plumes that were in common use among themselves not long ago, seeing that these things form the favorite hat ornamentation of those amongst whom they have now come"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "Such shows demoralize the Indians, many of whom would dress in citizen?s clothes and would otherwise conform to more civilized ways but for the money there is in continuing in their old customs"
"No More Wild West Shows" New York Times, December 23, 1899 "the experiences they meet with in their travels better fit them to adopt the manners and customs of the white men than does life on the reservation. He claims that the redskins are benefited rather than injured as members of traveling organizations, which portray life on the plains"
"Cody Combats Jones" Duluth News, December 25, 1899 "the experiences they meet with in their travels better fit them to adopt the manners and customs of the white man than does life on the reservation. He says that the redskins are benefited rather than injured as members of traveling organizations which portray life on the plains"
"Col. Cody Wants His Indians" The Sun, December 25, 1899 "the redskins are benefitted rather than injured as members of traveling organizations"
"Buffalo Bill Will Protest" Aberdeen American News, December 26, 1899 "earn an honest dollar the Indians are becoming restless cooped up on their reservations and if they are not allowed some liberty"
"Letter from William F. Cody to Mike Russell" "convinced the exhibitions have a demoralizing tendency and retard Indian progress. It is recognized, however, that, failing the government consent, Indians may be contracted with and withdrawn from the reservations and exhibited without the present formality of securing official sanction"
"Buffalo Bill Enters Protest" Washington Post, December 29, 1899 "All of our Indians are under contract with us. When we take them from the reservations they sign an agreement to obey orders, to refrain from all drinking, gambling, and fighting"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "We teach the Indians from the time we take them that a saloon is a very bad place for an Indian. We tell him that even if he doesn't drink it is a bad place to loaf. It is done with kindness, and we seek to persuade as much as possible"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 ""It has had an educating influence upon them, too," continued Major Burke. "They, of course, do not understand all that they see as they travel around the world, but they catch on to a lot of it. Their children are now going to school to palefaces on many of the reservations. When the teachers tell these papooses that there is an ocean, the children take their books to their fathers and ask about it."
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 |
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| Morality |
"If they are guilty, let them be punished, and if not, send them back to the reservation. I appeal to you gentlemen here tonight whether you will let them be sent out as curiosities. These Indians are not under the control of the Department of the Interior, but the War Department, which says it is the only concern which shows how to deal properly with Indians.""
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "the moral effect upon those Indians who are taken to exhibitions of whatever sort, is far from good. in the greed for patronage and gain, all sorts of things are permitted and encouraged which ordinarily would be suppressed by the police"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "Not one of these Expositions is now complete without its "Midway", made up of scandalous, and suggestively immoral shows for the most part, and designedly pandering to the lowest passions. The moral atmosphere about these places is fetid and impure"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "his desire for change and excitement intensified, his all too faint aspirations for the benefits of civilization checked if not destroyed, and with a conviction that the boasted morality of the whites is nothing to be proud of or to copy"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "civilization is not a mere fashion. It is based upon principles of righteousness. We can believe in our social order, can defend and recommend it just so far as it has a moral basis, and no farther . . . Let us not fail to make use of every means open to us. Everything that intellectual enlightenment, industrial training and new conditions of life can bring us. But beyond that let us lay hold of the soul of the man, reinforce his conscience, open up for him obstacles to his ascent. That which answers the deep need of Indian nature, as all human nature, is the highest Word of Revelation, 'As many has received Him, to them gave He power to become children of God"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 |
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| "Indian Problem" |
"As they are from Pine Ridge, this action was fully expected. This chief has been consistently fighting the opening of the reservation for several years."
"Will Not Sign" San Jose Mercury News, August 4, 1889 "Several of the party had received letters from Pine Ridge, speaking of the Messiah, before they sailed from Europe. Through an interpreter Rock Bear said he thought his party could do more than any others to quiet their brothers at Pine Ridge. 'My people,' he said, 'may get crazed, as white people do, over religion. If so, I am sorry. We here know that the day for the red man to fight against the pale face is long past.'"
"The Buffalo Bill Chiefs" Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1890 "The topic for discussion was the 'Indian Problem.' Dr. Charles A. Eastman, an educated Sioux; Gen. T. J. Morgan, United States Indian Commissioner; and Miss Mary C. Collins were the speakers of the evening"
"Lo's Place Is At Home" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "There was the true American feeling about the inevitable problem of those Western States, inevitable in its desperate solutions, its all but inevitable extinction of the Indian."
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "It was the effect of the bad example set them by the white men. During the War of the Rebellion the Indians heard that the white men were killing each other off. They kept hearing about it for two years, until all the tribes were talking about the gradual extinction of the white man, who had wonderful guns and ammunition. At last they held a grand meeting, which led to a general uprising. "
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 |
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| Nostalgia |
"Mrs. Käsebier has had a great admiration for all Indians since the time, a good many years ago, when, with her mother, she crossed the plains in the big plains wagons at the time when all Indians were good Indians who loved the whites. They used to borrow the little white girl, who was not much more than a baby, take her to play with the Indian papooses and spend the day and then sent her back to her mother with her apron filled with buffalo meat"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 |
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Buffalo Bill's Wild West |
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| Attendance |
"Buffalo Bill and his combination delighted thousands at the Athletic Park yesterday afternoon and evening."
"The Wild West Combination" Washington Post, July 5, 1884 "The attendance yesterday excelled the opening day."
"The Wild West Show" Philadelphia Inquirer, August 21, 1888 "It seems as if the world will never tire of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and it seemed as if all the world was out there yesterday, when the attendance broke the record, for the performance in Omaha"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "Every inch of seating space was occupied, and all about the arena, between the seats and the separating ropes, was a sea of people, and hundreds could obtain accommodations of no kind. All about the grounds, the trees, telephone poles and housetops were specked with men and boys and one would have thought the wondrous mines of Jarubid were about to be opened to the eyes of an insane populace. The paid admissions to the afternoon performance exceeded 14,000 which means that 20,000 pair of eyes witnessed the spectacle"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "thousands of people yesterday"
"Buffalo Bill Is Here" Chicago Tribune, August 27, 1900 |
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| Immoral |
"General O'Beirne points out the violation of the contracts made by Cody and other managers, and suggests that an investigation be made by the United States authorities."
"Buffalo Bill's Wild West Indians" Washington Post, August 5, 1890 "They were permitted to have all the whiskey they wanted and when under its influence they often fought among themselves."
"Painted Horse" Aberdeen American News, November 11, 1890 "Commissioner Morgan flatly refused to permit a single red man to leave the reservation. He had been told that the Indians did not have proper surroundings abroad, and he considered it much better that they should remain on the reservation than be demoralized by foreign travel."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "Commissioner Morgan, who boasted that he never attended a theatre or a circus in his life, will have to give them up to the demoralizing and degrading influences of foreign travel and contact with the civilization of the white man."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "When Sitting Bull returned from Canada and was sent out as a curiosity with showmen and then came back to his people he had the big head and would take no part with the progressive Indians"
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "It was largely due, I think, to the influences which were brought to bear on him while he was on exhibition"
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "in nearly every instance where Indians have been sent out with shows. I have noticed that they usually come back morally degraded."
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "Miss Collins was strongly opposed to the Government officials permitting showmen to cart Indians around this country and Europe like wild beasts."
"Lo's Place is at Home" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "He said he had no sympathy with the Indian show business. He said he was especially opposed to making such use of the prisoners; that it was much like rewarding the bad boy. He then directed me to carry the resolutions to Secretary Noble and ask him to look into the matter and report to him (the President)."
"What President Harrison Said" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "Buffalo Bill conducts a low show, teaches the Indians bad habits, and advertises fraudulently"
"What President Harrison Said" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "lend no countenance to a "Wild West" show business in connection with the Indian exhibit at the World's Fair."
"Will Have No Wild West Show" Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1892 "make money by a display of the savage and repulsive features of Indian life"
"Will Have No Wild West Show" Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1892 "In point of fact Indians are not desired by the show people, for any purpose but as an attraction, something to stimulate attendance and lure more half dollars into the treasury"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "Now people will not be curious to see civilized Indians – those whom at great expense the Government has educated and to some extent civilized – none such are wanted, but only those who are yet distinctively barbarous, or who can pose as such"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "premium upon barbarism"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "It is in effect saying to the Indian: 'If you retain purely Indian customs, remain a savage with all the grand of feathers, naked bodies, hideous dancing, and other evidence of savagery, we want you, and should you have or can procure a dress trimmed with scalps, we want you very much, and will pay you accordingly.' The Indian is thus taught that savagery has a market value and is worth retaining. The boys in the day schools know it, and speak longingly of the time when they will no longer be required to attend school, but can let their hair grow long, dance Omaha, and go off with shows"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "These shows are not instructive or beneficial to the whites, conveying as they do wrong ideas and impressions regarding the Indians, and leading many of them to think that all Indians are such as they see brought out at shows. Such exhibitions have no higher effect than ministering to a morbid curiosity unworthy of civilized human beings. People go to see naked painted Indians from quite the same motives as they do to see freaks: a two headed girl, or a six legged calf – but I maintain that no good is subserved, whether the exhibition is labled an "Indian Congress", or a "Wild West Show", but that on the contrary, the result is harmful to both whites and Indians; to the latter because by such means their civilization is retarded, and the efforts made for their advancement become a mockery"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "his desire for change and excitement intensified, his all too faint aspirations for the benefits of civilization checked if not destroyed, and with a conviction that the boasted morality of the whites is nothing to be proud of or to copy"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "such spectacular engagements were 'not calculated to promote the best conditions of civilization among the Indians,'"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "no more Indians permitted to leave their reservations for Wild West Exhibitions purposes. The consent of the Indian Bureau for such exhibitions cannot be secured unless they are planned on lines showing the progress in Indian education. The day when the departments permitted Indians to be let for Wild West shows and such affairs is past. Such shows demoralize the Indians, many of whom would dress in citizen?s clothes and would otherwise conform to more civilized ways but for the money there is in continuing in their old customs"
"No More Wild West Shows" New York Times, December 23, 1899 |
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| Business |
"if the order was carried into effect, it would cause considerable pecuniary loss to him, as the combination had been advertised for appearance for twenty days ahead. He also assured the commissioner that the Indians were well treated."
"THE INDIAN ACTORS" Washington Post, September 24, 1878 "we have paid to Sioux Indians since 1885 the sum of $74,300. This sum does not include the wages we have also paid to Pawnee and Omaha Indians who have been in our employ. Nor does it include any part of the expense for their transportation and maintenance."
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "We both approve of it. And just what we have wanted the Indians to for years. But no their contracts was as of Meade and their way before. They wished their money as soon as the show closed. But this will be much better for them each and all will have a little money when they arrive at the Agency"
"Letter from William F. Cody to Charles Penney" "I presume you were informed by the Interior dept that I have permission for Indians"
"Letter from William F. Cody to Charles Penney" "I am having 500 of the contracts printed. I am going to try and come up and have a talk with you about the first of April. I will not take the Indians till about the 27th of April"
"Letter from William F. Cody to Charles Penney" "give the Indians time to fix up their own affairs before leaving home. Of course this is not final. As I will fix all bonds & contracts with you before taking them."
"Letter from William F. Cody to Charles Penney" "I heard about Buffalo Bill, He come to the agency for to get some good men. He take them for Wild West show. He shall come over on April 1, 1899"
"Limmings" Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1899 "Col. W. F. Cody has protested that the action will nearly ruin his business"
"Buffalo Bill Enters Protest" Washington Post, December 29, 1899 "necessary for Col. Cody to secure permission for the leave of absence of every redskin he employs. He must give bond, also, for the care of the Indians. He pays them from the day they leave their reservations until they return; and he pays all their railroad fare besides"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "Buffalo Bill is preparing to start in the spring on a four year's tour of America. His show is traveling with Bailey's circus. This is to be his farewell tour. He is to retire from the show business after the tour has been completed."
"Easy to Care for 100 Indians," Kansas City Star, November 27, 1906 |
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| Travel |
"If Secretary of the Interior Noble's instructions to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs are carried out there is an end of Wild West shows, so far as Indians are concerned, both in this country and in Europe"
"No More Indians for Wild West Show" Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1890 "instructions to prohibit and prevent any Indians from being taken from the reservations for the purposes mentioned."
"No More Indians for Wild West Shows" Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1890 "sailed from Europe"
"The Buffalo Bill Chiefs" Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1890 "They will go abroad to hobnob with the nobility of Europe"
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "from Fort Sheridan, and the aggregation later left for New York en route for Europe to join the Wild West show"
"Buffalo Bill's Injuns" Bismarck Tribune, March 31, 1891 "Indians now at Fort Sheridan and the party left for the East this afternoon"
"Indians for Buffalo Bill" Idaho Statesman, March 31, 1891 "Sioux Indians who went to Europe"
"Buffalo Bill Indians" New York Times, April 24, 1892 "We are all going home in October, and the Indians will reach Pine Ridge Agency about the 1st of November"
"Letter from William F. Cody to George LeRoy Brown" "members of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show now at Chicago and they are en route home for a short rest. They will join the show when it comes to Omaha. "
"Indians on the East Track" Omaha World Herald, August 29, 1899 "Sixty Indians travel with the Wild West Show"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 ""Buffalo Bill," Major John M. Burke, and fifty of the Indians of the Wild West Show returned to this country Saturday night on the Cunard liner Etruria. The show has been on tour in England since last Spring, and, with the exception of the returning members, is in Winter quarters, where it will remain until next Spring. Then a tour of Europe will be made."
"Indians in England," New York Times, November 2, 1903 "They have been with the Buffalo Bill's show in France, particularly in Paris."
"Iron Heart's Band Back," New York Times, November 30, 1905 "sail on the French liner La Gascogne this morning for Havre, and will be met at Versailles"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "came in on the Erie, crossed the city to the Grand Central Station, and left for Bridgeport, Conn."
"Buffalo Bill's Indians Here," New York Times, April 14, 1908 |
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| Instructive |
"they would be better off earning money than at home doing nothing or fighting the Government"
"What President Harrison Said" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "It is claimed by these desiring to employ these Indians that the opportunities afforded them to see what white men have done and are doing, to realize the resources of the country, both in numbers and in wealth, would educate the Indian and deter them from outbreaks, and that seeing the manner in which whites live, would stimulate him to adopt civilized modes of living"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" |
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| Genuine |
"the thrilling act ended in a blaze of Grecian fire from the interior of the vehicle in a realistic manner peculiar to the original genius of the West."
"Plenty of Wild West Enthusiasm" Washington Post, June 23, 1885 "vivid scenes of the soul-stirring days of the frontier were witnessed by the patrons."
"The Wild West Show" Philadelphia Inquirer, August 21, 1888 "There is but little of the old–time circus glamor surrounding Colonel Cody's show. It is distinctly original, such as man never essayed before, and which man cannot possibly consummate again for lack of material"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "The weather only gave the scenes from camp life and battlefield a more realistic appearance. The soldiers pitching their tents in rain and mud and kindling campfires under difficulties brought back to the veteran who watched it many scenes half forgotten."
"Buffalo Bill Is Here" Chicago Tribune, August 27, 1900 "Most of the Indian acts in the Wild West Show were devised by the redskins themselves. Their dances are their own absolutely. Their leaders realize that the purpose of Col. Cody and 'Nate' Salsbury is to present illustrative pictures of the real, historic life of these people, and the Indians enter fully into the spirit of the thing."
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "began the formation of that composite disposition which has made the American character the swiftest human machine mentally and physically in the world"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "it is not an exaggeration to state that he is a rare type of the national character in whom the best American qualities first found active form and voice in the days when the Far West was a law unto itself"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "it is an expression of Colonel Cody's eye for the picturesque, a miniature of his whole character and his wide experience."
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "I've followed a single horse file by watching the grass and seeing how it was broken. I could tell by the way the grass broke if the Indians were traveling fast or slow, horses packed heavy or light, ridden by Indians or running loose. The manner in which a moccasin shaped its read on the prairies would tell me what tribe our enemy belonged to, and by their camp embers whether it was a party on the warpath or peaceful Indians."
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 |
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Native Americans |
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| Members |
"Five red Americans of the Dakota tribe of Sioux, who have been assisting Buffalo Bill, got here yesterday on the steamship Saale"
"Don't Agree With Them" Wheeling Register, June 16, 1890 "'Sunk Owa,' or 'Painted Horse,' who is a nephew of Red Cloud; and 'Wambali-Pa,' or 'Eagle Head.'"
"Show Indians Badly Abused" Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1890 "Two special coaches from Washington, containing forty–five of Buffalo Bill's Indians, passed through here to–today en route to Pine Ridge agency."
"The Buffalo Bill Chiefs" Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1890 "Rocky Bear, Black Heart, Little Wolf, Black Elk and other prominent chiefs are among them."
"The Buffalo Bill Chiefs" Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1890 "twenty–six Ogallala and Brule braves of the Sioux tribe and the three squaws"
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "Kicking Bear, Revenge, One Bull, Killed Close to Home, One Star, Wounded with Many Arrows, Brave, Standing Bear, Noah?s Horses Voice, Short Bull, and the rest of the tribe"
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "twenty Indians from Pine Ridge agency"
"Buffalo Bill's Injuns" Bismarck Tribune, March 31, 1891 "twenty Indians from Pine Ridge"
"Indians for Buffalo Bill" Idaho Statesman, March 31, 1891 "Short Bull and Kicking Bear"
"Buffalo Bill Indians" New York Times, April 24, 1892 "pleasant recollections of John Hollow Horn Bear. John is a stalwart Indian who has succumbed in a measure to the enervating influences of civilization."
"Limmings" Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1899 "John Hollow Horn Bear,
Charley High Scream Eagle,
Good Voice Eagle,
George Eagle Road,
Peter Uron Shallow,
Red Bird,
Good Voice Crow,
Own the Dog,
Louis on the Cow"
"Limmings" Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1899 "three Indians from the Wild West Show"
"Indians Guests of Honor" New York Times, April 15, 1899 "Mr. Sammy Lone Bear, Mr. Joe Black Fox, and Mr. Philip Standing Soldier"
"Indians Guests of Honor" New York Times, April 15, 1899 "Iron Tail"
"The Indian as a Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "Joe Black Fox"
"The Indian as a Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "Iron Tail was master of ceremonies for the Wild West Indians and Jack Red Cloud and Little Wound for the White City fellows"
"Rich Day for Exposition" Omaha World Herald, September 18, 1899 "there has been annother crank appointed Commissioner of Indian affairs. And he says I cant have any Indians for my show"
"Letter from William F. Cody to Mike Russell" "Man–Afraid–of–Hawk"
"A Buffalo Bill Indian Dead" New York Times, June 29, 1900 "Eagle Bear"
"A Buffalo Bill Indian Dead" New York Times, June 29, 1900 "He is the only Indian child ever born in England. His name is Alexander Pearl Olive Birmingham England Standing Bear. He was born in Birmingham on June 7."
"Indians in England," New York Times, November 2, 1903 "Dead:
KILLED HEAD, skull crushed PHILIP IRONTAIL JR., body crushed THOMAS COME LAST, body crushed The injured, Big Chief White Horse, body crushed and legs broken, will die Luther Standing Bear, crushed about body and head, will die Annie Gooseface, crushed about body; will die Mrs. Thomas Come Last, wife of one of the killed, cut about the head and shoulders. Tommie Come Last, 5 years old, son of the dead, head bumped and believed to have been made temporarily insane from fright. Sammy Lone Bear, head cut and body bruised. Abraham Good Crow, cut about head. Blind Eagle, cut about the head by flying glass. Little Elk, head cut and bruised. Charge the Enemy, head cut and body bruised. Head Chief High Bear, at the head of the delegation of Sioux, severely crushed about the body William Sitting Bull, son of Chief Sitting Bull, 27 years old, seriously injured" "Sioux Indians Die in the Railroad Wreck," Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1904 "Sitting Bull Jr. and Jonas Shicler"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," "Chief Iron Tail and a band of Sioux Indians"
"Buffalo Bill Returns," Washington Post, October 29, 1904 "forty–eight Sioux Indians"
"Iron Heart's Band Back," New York Times, November 30, 1905 "The Indians are bound for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota"
"Iron Heart's Band Back," New York Times, November 30, 1905 "Iron Heart, Chief of the band; Wounded Horse and Mrs. Wounded Horse, Jerome Wolfheart, White Rabbit, Parts–His–Hair, Ghost, Bear, Dull Knife, Red Shirt, Little Dog, Frank Red Fish"
"Iron Heart's Band Back," New York Times, November 30, 1905 "Chief Okiyap Sni, his little son Willie and Mrs. Okiyap Sni"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "forty–three braves, four squaws, one other papoose"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Iron Tail"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "The Sioux in the party are all from the Pine Ridge Reservation and are known as the Oglalla Sioux"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Chief Stinking Bear"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Edward Plenty Holes"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Mr. and Mrs. Henry Comes Out Holy"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Willie Children, Understanding Crow, John Long Bull, (of no family connection with Sitting Bull,) Jealous Of Them, Max Red Ear Horse, Jefferson Strikes Plenty, James White Bear Claws"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Pine Ridge Indian agency in South Dakota. There he selects 100 Sioux warriors, squaws, and pappooses to accompany the Wild West show during the season"
"Easy to Care for 100 Indians," Kansas City Star, November 27, 1906 "Lone Bear"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," June 20, 1907 "Chief Iron Tail for the singular and especial honor of standing with him in the centre of the group arranged for the camera men. Among the others in the front row were Acy Ghost–Dog, Mrs. Ghost–Dog, and a number of papooses."
"Buffalo Bill's Indians Here," New York Times, April 14, 1908 "Chiefs Iron Tail, Lone Bear, Rocky Bear, and one or two other red men"
"Wild West Chiefs Initiated," New York Times, April 18, 1908 "Tom Whirlwind Horse"
"Big Chief Sees Buffalo Bill," New York Times, April 29, 1908 "Ghost Dog"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," September 3, 1908 "These Brules haven't the snap and get up that the Oglallas have but they do fairly well. And they work for about half the wages. We paid the Ogalallas which amounts to a big lot of money on the seasons."
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," June 18, 1909 "Iron Tail"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," June 18, 1909 |
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| Descriptions |
"When this fact became known to the Indians they executed a terrific war dance, held an excited pow-wow, and finally concluded not to go. "
"THE INDIAN ACTORS" Washington Post, September 24, 1878 "indulge in deeds of daring and blood-curdling horror upon the stage, instead of living on Government rations at their agency."
"THE INDIAN ACTOR" Washington Post, September 24, 1878 "Suddenly a piercing yell was heard, and a party of mounted Indians galloped from behind a canvas sheet, where they had been lying in ambush, and pursued the coach."
"Plenty of Wild West Enthusiasm" Washington Post, June 23, 1885 "Nearer and nearer came the Indians, yelling like mad and exchanging rapid shots with the passengers. As the coach turned the curve by the stand again the foremost Indians came up with it, pouring shot after shot into the driver, whose capacity for holding lead seemed unlimited."
"Plenty of Wild West Enthusiasm" Washington Post, June 23, 1885 "Their faces were embellished with red and yellow paint, on their heads they wore immense [unclear] feathers. Sitting Bull's head was adorned by a number of feathers of large size."
"Wild West Visits War Department in War Paint" Wheeling Register, June 28, 1885 "Sitting Bull gave an occasional grunt when spoken to by an Indian companion. He paid but little attention his surroundings. The other Indians were interested in pictures of Indian life that adorned the walls. They paid especial attention to a buffalo scene, calling the attention of each other to see, talked and laughed among themselves."
"Wild West Visits War Department in War Paint" Wheeling Register, June 28, 1885 "Sitting Bull said, however, that he was delighted with his trip East and wished he had seen all this when he was a boy."
"Wild West Visits War Department in War Paint" Wheeling Register, June 28, 1885 "One of the curiosities of Indian history came to light when Blue Horse, one of the Indian chiefs with the Wild West, met his son, who has been a number of years at Carlisle. The son could not speak Sioux, and Blue horse could not speak English, so the aid of an interpreter was called in to enable them to converse."
"The Wild West Show" Philadelphia Inquirer, August 21, 1888 "a tall, little-limbed buck"
"Don't Agree With Them" Wheeling Register, June 16, 1890 "There was a picturesque scene in the office of Assistant Indian Commissioner Smith to–day, when about seventy–five Ogallalla and Brule Sioux of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show called to have a powwow in regard to affairs affecting their interests"
"Indians Make Their Complaints" New York Times, October 4, 1895 "fine specimens of physical manhood, and were bedecked with feathered headdress, and their features were decorated with variegated colors of paint"
"Indians Make Their Complaints" New York Times, October 4, 1895 "three Indians from the Wild West Show, in their most elaborate attire, feather headdresses, bead jackets, beaded blankets, and beautiful armlets"
"Indians Guests of Honor" New York Times, April 15, 1899 "To have seen Iron Tail, the Chief, ride past a certain place in the big arena, his face wreathed with smiles, waving the long feathered pole he carried in his hand to a party in the seats, and to have seen Joe Black Fox's shining countenance beaming above a big bunch of spangled violets would dispel all doubts"
"The Indian as a Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "Mrs. Käsebier's pictures of the Indians had shown them in all the beauty of strong brown faces, feather head dresses and bead jackets, but Sammy's picture was a marvel of civilized beauty. It might even have been taken on the Bowery in New York, and it showed Sammy in practical if not really artistic, civilized attire"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "This was a business suit, with a sack coat, a slouch hat, and a handkerchief brought around under Sammy's long hair, which hung over his shoulders, and tied in a big bow in front. Then on a chair beside him hung a nice new overcoat, neatly folded. In fact, all but the long hair, Sammy might have been a gentleman from the Bowery and a very neat, trim looking gentleman, too. The picture had an Indian frame, all of beads and pointed at the top, and the recipient was more pleased than even Sammy could have imagined."
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "There were some wonderful Egyptian-like pictures that they drew—men and women with small heads and stiffly outlined bodies. The sentiments of some of the pictures were, however, quite modern and up-to-date"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "In came a six-foot Indian clad in leather trousers and wrapped in a scarlet blanket. He wore a headdress of tall, waving feathers and carried his bow in his hand"
"Buffalo Bill's Surprise" The Sun, August 3, 1899 "One by one, silent and noiseless but smiling, six splendid warriors followed the first. The visitors had evidently been well trained, and had received explicit directions as to their actions"
"Buffalo Bill's Surprise" The Sun, August 3, 1899 "Gifts were made of ponies, money, beadwork, blankets and clothing, after which a great camp dinner was served, at which fully 200 braves partook. They had a big time fighting their battles over and discussing old times on the frontier. Then the Wild West Indians visited the exposition grounds with the White City Indians and after a great supper all painted and rigged out in the most gorgeous manner possible, a warm war dance and general pow–wow was indulged in, witnessed by a very large audience"
"Rich Day for Exposition" Omaha World Herald, September 18, 1899 "Such another assemblage of North American Indians cannot be brought together and it is boldly asserted here that the Indians are the biggest drawing power, aside from the immortal name of the old buffalo killer himself that the Wild West possesses. Apropos, the three mighty bursts of thunderous applause which shook earth and atmosphere yesterday afternoon during the performance were occasioned, first, by the on rails of the scarlet warriors, on the gadfly caparisoned little rats of steeds, which opened that grand picture, the Congress of Nations"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "the entire aggregation of Sioux Indians now on exhibition at the Greater America exhibition. It seems that the Sioux tribes are at present in council at Pine Ridge agency, pow–powing over one of their periodical difficulties with the government, and they have come to their old friend, Colonel Cody, to intercede for them"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "Col. Cody's Indians are mild–mannered, harmless, and as gentle as Mohicans, notwithstanding the fact that they are for the most part of the famous Sioux tribe, and that Iron Tail, the chief of Buffalo Bill?s aggregation, was one of the participants in the Custer massacre"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "It was a long time, according to Major Burke, after Col. Cody began taking Indians around with him before these redmen could understand why it was that when they—only 100 strong—were placed in the centre of say 10,000 spectators the redmen were not massacred"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "That's how I learned to know the Indian, by going with traders who trade with 'em for furs. When I was along in my teens I was perfectly familiar with all the country from the Canadian River in the south to the Yellowstone of the north, and the lands between the Rocky Mountains and the Missouri River, I became thoroughly acquainted with the Indians, knew their favorite haunts, their camps and their bad lands.""
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "Their long straight black hair was the chief cause for wonder, and people frequently would feel of it, and ask if it were real. Their robes excited admiration, and one tall lean Indian showed a frock coat and a high hat which he had bought with the proceeds of the sale of his robes."
"Indians in England," New York Times, November 2, 1903 "After the bodies of the dead had been removed from the wreckage and placed in a row on the prairie beside the tracks an incident probably unparalleled in railway records took place. The uninjured among the Indians gathered about and led by Chief Iron Tail solemnly chanted the Indian 'death song.'"
"Sioux Indians Die in the Railroad Wreck," Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1904 |
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| Character |
"There are two occupations which the North American Indian has abilities for, and which he will follow willingly and with energy—war and the hunt."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 "smiling stoicism"
"Don't Agree With Them" Wheeling Register, June 16, 1890 "They always change their minds several times before finally deciding what to do. Maj. Burke has the thing in charge now and is able to make an Indian do just as he wants him to.""
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "an Indian has to be given several days in which to change his mind three or four times"
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "we find that an Indian knows the value of a dollar quite as well as a white man"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "They are honorable to a degree in paying their debts and equally"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "Some of them going so far as to enquire the rate of exchange between a foreign coin and the American dollar. I assume that any man who can exercise such judgment is quite capable of choosing his occupation and profiting by it"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "Many questions were propounded by Rock Bear which afforded additional proof of the willy characteristics of the Sioux"
"Red Man's Troubles Aired" Omaha World Herald, October 5, 1895 "It is possible that Joe Black Fox has a pretty fiancee at home, in Indian land, which would account for his interest in affairs of the heart, even those of other people"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "showing the state of Iron Tail's feelings, and also that to hoard money in a stocking is one of the first principles of civilization which appeals to the aboriginal"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "The Indians were disgusted with the mud and performed their part rather fastidiously, choosing dry spots between the mud holes to do their dance in. 'There is nothing that hates mud and water like an Indian with his war paint on,' explained one of the employes. 'He is as bad as a house cat, he doesn't even want to get his feet wet.'"
"Buffalo Bill is Here" Chicago Tribune, August 27, 1900 "he is a dangerous beast when he does drink, and we have to exercise the greatest care"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "He is a silent and dignified man, with the hauteur that his prowess on the field of battle and the proper realization of his splendid American family tree should give him and with the majestic carriage becoming his superb raiment of beads, feathers, and paint."
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 |
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| Value |
"we must not forget that we owe the Indians something."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 |
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| Treatment |
"He also assured the commissioner that the Indians were well treated."
"THE INDIAN ACTOR" Washington Post, September 24, 1878 "One of them, a tall, little-limbed buck of IS, was so ill that General O'Beirne, who is an old plainsman and understands the Sioux language, had him sent to Bellevue Hospital. t gave the young Indian great pain, which he bore with smiling stoicism. Besides this ailment he has consumption. His right arm from the wrist to the elbow is badly ulcerated. The arm, according to the hospital surgeon who examined it, looks as if it had been broken and not properly attended to."
"Don't Agree With Them" Wheeling Register, June 16, 1890 "None of the Indians looked as if they had had an altogether Pleasant time abroad. All but Kill His Pony, who probably will never come out of Bellevue alive, start tomorrow to join their tribe at Pine Ridge Agency."
"Don't Agree With Them" Wheeling Register, June 16, 1890 "The condition and complaints of ill–treatment made by the Indians who have recently returned from Buffalo Bill's and other Wild West shows now in Europe has been set forth in a letter sent by Gen. James O'Beirne to Thomas J. Morgan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, at Washington."
"Buffalo Bill's Wild West Indians" Washington Post, August 5, 1890 "Today in the presence of General O'Bierne he made a long statement in which he charged both Carver and Buffalo Bill with great cruelty toward the Indians under their charge. Painted Horse said he was repeatedly tied up until he could endure no further suffering. He was fed upon "stinking meat" and other things wholly unfit for food; his money was taken from him and when he asked its return he received only $5. He said other Indians were also shamefully treated and were repeatedly fired upon with both blank and ball cartridges and badly wounded."
"Painted Horse" Aberdeen American News, November 11, 1890 "during our travels over Europe we were beaten, kicked and shot at. Dr. Carver shot at Black Bear, but failed to hit him, though he intended to kill him."
"Show Indians Badly Abused" Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1890 "Dr. Carver fired at me with a revolver in Berlin fifteen days ago, but missed me. After we were locked up by the German police Carver took all our money away, about $25 each, and did not return it. Our money was not paid regularly, and the whites in both shows tried to corrupt the red men. The Indians got liquor whenever they desired."
"Show Indians Badly Abused" Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1890 "Three braves were in a dying condition when we left--Bear Necklace, Brave Elk and another. The squaw was also ill and the papoose died as we were leaving. We received only five dollars besides our tickets, and now we have nothing. I was in Buffalo Bill's show before I went to Carver's. I saw him knock down two braves. Both died on their return to Pine Ridge. The food Buffalo Bill supplied was bad and the braves who ate it were sick, Buffalo Bill was brutal."
"Show Indians Badly Abused" Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1890 "investigate by authority of the government the charge that they, though wards of the nation, were abused by the managers of the show."
"Arrival of Buffalo Bill's Indians" The Sun, November 14, 1890 "Major John M. Burke had charge of the Indians. He denied emphatically the charges of ill–treatment, and wanted an examination of the Indians made in public, but to this Mr. Welsh objected."
"Arrival of Buffalo Bill's Indians" The Sun, November 14, 1890 "Mr. Belt said that the Indians had told him that they had no complaints to make. Their contracts had been faithfully carried out; they were paid regularly and promptly, and they were furnished good, wholesome food in abundance. One Indian spoke of Gen. O'Beirne, the Assistant Immigration Commissioner of New York, and said that he 'should not be listened to.' He had already made them much trouble."
"Indians Well Treated" New York Times, November 16, 1890 "Somebody started the story last Fall that the Indians who had been taken abroad by Col. William F. Cody to take part in the "Wild West" had been badly treated and were surrounded by degrading influences."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "As soon as Col. Cody, better known as "Buffalo Bill," heard of this talk he rounded up his Indians, who were in Winter quarters at Strasburg, and brought them to Washington to give Commissioner Morgan an ocular demonstration of the falsity of the report."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "we have paid to Sioux Indians since 1885 the sum of $74,300. This sum does not include the wages we have also paid to Pawnee and Omaha Indians who have been in our employ. Nor does it include any part of the expense for their transportation and maintenance."
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "which is entirely outside of our contract with them"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "give the clothes as a sort of premium for good conduct and saving habits"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "each man is a free agent in his personal affairs we have no means of knowing what sums they send without direct inquiry of them. This inquiry we will not make as it would be a direct violation of our rule to treat them with the same personal consideration as we do our white employees"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" "sent two Indians home who were not sick, but who complained a little of lung complaint"
"Letter from William F. Cody to George LeRoy Brown" "one old warrior, who spoke at some length, stated that if he told of the unfulfilled promises of the Government to the Indians, the show would have to be postponed, as it would take him two days to do it"
"Indians Make Their Complaints" New York Times, October 4, 1895 "died at the Danbury Hospital to–night after a brief illness from inflammation of the stomach. Eagle Bear, another member of the show, is also in a critical condition"
"A Buffalo Bill Indian Dead" New York Times, June 29, 1900 "There was the true American feeling about the inevitable problem of those Western States, inevitable in its desperate solutions, its all but inevitable extinction of the Indian."
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "Three Indians were killed, three fatally injured and nine more or less seriously hurt."
"Sioux Indians Die in the Railroad Wreck," Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1904 "am sending two Indians home who have lung trouble. And the only care for return is dry air which they can't have here"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," "Last season we made a remarkable record. Not a single Indian had to be returned to the reservation because of misconduct"
"Easy to Care for 100 Indians," Kansas City Star, November 27, 1906 "But four of them are not fit for duty, and two of them claim their families are sick. These men all wanted to go home so I let them go. I hope it will be satisfactory to you."
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," July 7, 1908 "Ghost Dog has been a good man while in my employ and I am glad to recommend him to all as such. I had John Long Bull examined by a very able physician in Omaha and am sorry to say he is suffering from consumption. I had him sent home where I hope the air will be more agreeable to his complaint."
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," September 3, 1908 "Bad Cob with his wife and boy, also Alfred Black Bear and Takes Away From Them left us at Sioux City Iowa on August 27th with out my consent or knowledge, and that the Red Bear deserted at Omaha, thereby breaking their contract with me."
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," September 3, 1908 |
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| Performances |
"the Indian pony races, the attack on the stage–coach and the settler's cabin were all loudly applauded. The latter is especially relished, and is a fixed climax to the exhibition."
"The Wild West Combination" Washington Post, July 5, 1884 "Suddenly a piercing yell was heard, and a party of mounted Indians galloped from behind a canvas sheet, where they had been lying in ambush, and pursued the coach."
"Plenty of Wild West Enthusiasm" Washington Post, June 23, 1885 "Suddenly another body of horsemen appeared, headed by "Buffalo Bill" and charged on the yelling savages. A desperate encounter ensued which resulted in the flight of the Indians and the rescue of the coach, and the thrilling act ended in a blaze of Grecian fire from the interior of the vehicle in a realistic manner peculiar to the original genius of the West."
"Plenty of Wild West Enthusiasm" Washington Post, June 23, 1885 "The Indians ranged themselves in the narrow space between the cots, laid aside their gay blankets, placed their bows upon the floor, and, waving their arms to and fro, executed a quiet war dance. A sham battle was fought, followed by a song of victory. After this the blankets were again donned, the kindly red men went away, still smiling as benignly as their war paint would allow them to do"
"Buffalo Bill's Surprise" The Sun, August 3, 1899 "There is more mourning in the Indian camp on account of news from the Rushville reservation that the little child of Chief White Face is very sick and not expected to live. The father left for his home in the northwest last night. He will not return."
"Indians on East Track" Omaha World Herald, August 29, 1899 "The program for today calls for races, in which the Indians and others will take part"
"Indians on the East Track" Omaha World Herald, August 29, 1899 "an Indian dance and pow-wow on the East Tract"
"Rich Day for Exposition" Omaha World Herald, September 18, 1899 "At an entertainment on the steamer Wednesday a feature of the programme was a war dance"
"Buffalo Bill Returns," Washington Post, October 29, 1904 "He had come all the way from the Pine Ridge Agency just because he had heard the call of Col. Cody's exhibition and wished to see the representation of the Battle of Summit Springs, in which he was with the hostile braves that fought Buffalo Bill."
"Big Chief Sees Buffalo Bill," New York Times, April 29, 1908 |
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Image |
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| Noble Savage |
"fine specimens of physical manhood, and were bedecked with feathered headdress, and their features were decorated with variegated colors of paint"
"Indians Make Their Complaints" New York Times, October 4, 1895 "In came a six-foot Indian clad in leather trousers and wrapped in a scarlet blanket. He wore a headdress of tall, waving feathers and carried his bow in his hand"
"Buffalo Bill's Surprise" The Sun, August 3, 1899 "It was a great day for the noble Americans. They are all from the same agency and this was their first meeting for many months."
"Rich Day for Exposition" Omaha World Herald, September 18, 1899 "The Indians want the good Pa–has–Ra—Buffalo Bill's Sioux cognemen, and which means the man–with–the–long–hair—to accompany them for Washington in November and plead for them with the Great White Father, and living and able to travel in November. Colonel Cody will probably make the trip with his red worshippers and endeavor to compass their desires with the president"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "he lives in wigwams, brought from his native heath, just like those quickly made ones displayed in the show. He always wears the same costume he exhibits in the show, and off the stage he revels in the same fantastic painting of his face and body"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "The Indian was the first human expression of the savage melancholy of the West. His pride as high as the mountains, his silence as stolid as the rocks, his melancholy as deep as the overshadowed canyons; his god the sun, his philosophy a poetry as mysterious as the face of the earth about him."
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "He knew all about that Western country, where he had been driven from the sea coast"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "One hundred Indians, in war paint and with their war whoops all in working order, arrived yesterday from the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations to join the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show"
"Buffalo Bill's Indians Here," New York Times, April 4, 1908 |
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| Moral |
"give the clothes as a sort of premium for good conduct and saving habits"
"Letter from Nate Salsbury to Charles Penney" |
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| Immoral |
"Commissioner Morgan flatly refused to permit a single red man to leave the reservation. He had been told that the Indians did not have proper surroundings abroad, and he considered it much better that they should remain on the reservation than be demoralized by foreign travel."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "Commissioner Morgan, who boasted that he never attended a theatre or a circus in his life, will have to give them up to the demoralizing and degrading influences of foreign travel and contact with the civilization of the white man."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "When Sitting Bull returned from Canada and was sent out as a curiosity with showmen and then came back to his people he had the big head and would take no part with the progressive Indians"
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "in nearly every instance where Indians have been sent out with shows. I have noticed that they usually come back morally degraded."
"Miss Collins Attacks Col. Cody" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "Buffalo Bill conducts a low show, teaches the Indians bad habits, and advertises fraudulently"
"What President Harrison Said" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "could be more senseless than that our Government, having taken up the work of civilizing the Indians, should at the same time cultivate barbarism by giving official approval and aid to Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show--turning our agencies into recruiting stations for him, where the young bloods grow long hair and divorce their wives, that they may be fitted to take part in this traveling orgy"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "The Indians who get drunk or become disturbers are fined $5. The money comes out of their pay. If the offense is repeated they are fined $10. The Indian police report the cases to the managers of the show through the chief. At the end of the season the fine money is divided equally among the chief and the police"
"Easy to Care for 100 Indians," Kansas City Star, November 27, 1906 |
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| Savagery |
"indulge in deeds of daring and blood-curdling horror upon the stage, instead of living on Government rations at their agency."
"THE INDIAN ACTORS" Washington Post, September 24, 1878 "Nearer and nearer came the Indians, yelling like mad and exchanging rapid shots with the passengers. As the coach turned the curve by the stand again the foremost Indians came up with it, pouring shot after shot into the driver, whose capacity for holding lead seemed unlimited."
"Plenty of Wild West Enthusiasm" Washington Post, June 23, 1885 "They are very like children, they need looking after."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 "There are two occupations which the North American Indian has abilities for, and which he will follow willingly and with energy—war and the hunt."
"Buffalo Bill on the Indian" Washington Post, July 25, 1888 "One of the curiosities of Indian history came to light when Blue Horse, one of the Indian chiefs with the Wild West, met his son, who has been a number of years at Carlisle. The son could not speak Sioux, and Blue horse could not speak English, so the aid of an interpreter was called in to enable them to converse."
"The Wild West Show" Philadelphia Inquirer, August 21, 1888 "make money by a display of the savage and repulsive features of Indian life"
"Will Have No Wild West Show" Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1892 "Now people will not be curious to see civilized Indians – those whom at great expense the Government has educated and to some extent civilized – none such are wanted, but only those who are yet distinctively barbarous, or who can pose as such"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "premium upon barbarism"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "It is in effect saying to the Indian: "If you retain purely Indian customs, remain a savage with all the grand of feathers, naked bodies, hideous dancing, and other evidence of savagery, we want you, and should you have or can procure a dress trimmed with scalps, we want you very much, and will pay you accordingly." The Indian is thus taught that savagery has a market value and is worth retaining. The boys in the day schools know it, and speak longingly of the time when they will no longer be required to attend school, but can let their hair grow long, dance Omaha, and go off with shows"
"Letter from Indian Agent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs" "such spectacular engagements were 'not calculated to promote the best conditions of civilization among the Indians,'"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "could be more senseless than that our Government, having taken up the work of civilizing the Indians, should at the same time cultivate barbarism by giving official approval and aid to Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show--turning our agencies into recruiting stations for him, where the young bloods grow long hair and divorce their wives, that they may be fitted to take part in this traveling orgy"
"Indians and Our Civilization" Friends Review, November 4, 1899 "The Indian of the story book and of history is a fierce visage, vindictive, untamable human being"
"Indians in the Wild West Show" New York Times, February 21, 1901 "he is a dangerous beast when he does drink, and we have to exercise the greatest care"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 |
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| Civilization |
"In place of teaching them all to be farmers it would be better to make stockmen of them. Raising cattle, horses and sheep is more to their tastes and develops their instincts naturally in a useful channel. Ranching is but the civilization of the chase. Teach them to raise cattle to sell."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 2, 1888 "he had been taught all this near his home, where his parents could see him growing in civilization and note his advancement, it should make them proud of their child, stimulate them to improve, and they would grow at least partly civilized and in sympathy with their fully civilized child."
"Success at Erastina" New York Times, February 20, 1888 "One of the curiosities of Indian history came to light when Blue Horse, one of the Indian chiefs with the Wild West, met his son, who has been a number of years at Carlisle. The son could not speak Sioux, and Blue horse could not speak English, so the aid of an interpreter was called in to enable them to converse."
"The Wild West Show" Philadelphia Inquirer, August 21, 1888 "They will go abroad to hobnob with the nobility of Europe"
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "The rapid progress of civilization will do away with this mode of treatment before many years."
"Lo's Place is at Home" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "show conclusively that the effort of the government to educate and civilize these people is being made a triumphant success"
"Will Have No Wild West Show" Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1892 "pleasant recollections of John Hollow Horn Bear. John is a stalwart Indian who has succumbed in a measure to the enervating influences of civilization."
"Limmings" Omaha World Herald, April 8, 1899 "the manners of the three were unexceptional. They ate with their forks at the table and carried themselves during the two hours' of their stay with dignified freedom."
"Indians Guests of Honor" New York Times, April 15, 1899 "If there is any one who cherishes an idea that a Wild West Indian is not a gallant and chivalrous gentleman such an iconoclast should have been at the Wild West Show last Wednesday night"
"The Indian as a Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "Her guests were so much pleased with their reception that they spent the greater part of the time after it as long as the Wild West was in town in making party calls and becoming acquainted with Mrs. Käsebier's various friends. When they left they did not forget, but sent back letters from time to time to inform their friends of their whereabouts and incidentally to remark that if there were any silk handkerchiefs in New York for which there was no demand they would find them very acceptable"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "Mrs. Käsebier's pictures of the Indians had shown them in all the beauty of strong brown faces, feather head dresses and bead jackets, but Sammy's picture was a marvel of civilized beauty. It might even have been taken on the Bowery in New York, and it showed Sammy in practical if not really artistic, civilized attire"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "This was a business suit, with a sack coat, a slouch hat, and a handkerchief brought around under Sammy's long hair, which hung over his shoulders, and tied in a big bow in front. Then on a chair beside him hung a nice new overcoat, neatly folded. In fact, all but the long hair, Sammy might have been a gentleman from the Bowery and a very neat, trim looking gentleman, too. The picture had an Indian frame, all of beads and pointed at the top, and the recipient was more pleased than even Sammy could have imagined."
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "showing the state of Iron Tail's feelings, and also that to hoard money in a stocking is one of the first principles of civilization which appeals to the aboriginal"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "Philip Standing Soldier who exhibited the true and spontaneous feelings of a gentleman"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "the Wild West Indian is not only instinctively a gallant, but a most appreciative gentleman"
"The Indian as Gentleman" New York Times, April 23, 1899 "The redskin of the Wild West Show is an entirely different person, yet there is in him all the latent energy, all the ungovernableness of his kin of the story book. In him, however, it is repressed. How all that is done is an interesting story. Buffalo Bill was many years in mastering the art."
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "Mr. Plenty Holes was sore in his soul after a general view of the situation here, and said that he liked the pale faces too much to see them acting so unwisely"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "Lone Bear is a good reliable man. Any favor you can show him will be appreciated"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," June 20, 1907 "They have been saving and bought a great many useful things to take home"
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," October 28, 1907 "They would like to have $10 each the $25 a month men. The Chiefs $15 each. This to be taken favor their last month and back pay. That is to be paid them in your presence."
"Letter from William F. Cody to John Brennan," October 28, 1907 "these friarly red men have been placed in charge of all the others. Interpreters have also joined the cult, and it is said that there will be a great brotherly feeling among the Indians of the Wild West, and when the fifty–seven Japs come to the show the chiefs will try to convert them, too."
"Wild West Chief's Initiated," New York Times, April 18, 1908 |
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| Indian Wars |
"Several of the party had received letters from Pine Ridge, speaking of the Messiah, before they sailed from Europe. Through an interpreter Rock Bear said he thought his party could do more than any others to quiet their brothers at Pine Ridge. 'My people,' he said, 'may get crazed, as white people do, over religion. If so, I am sorry. We here know that the day for the red man to fight against the pale face is long past.'"
"The Buffalo Bill Chiefs" Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1890 "speaking of the Messiah, before they sailed from Europe."
"The Buffalo Bill Chiefs" Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1890 "Then the Indian troubles broke out in the West, and, at the solicitation of the authorities, Cody and his friendly Indians went to Pine Ridge and did good service for the Government."
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "recommendations of Indian agents and Gen. Miles and Col. Forsythe that it would be the best way to prevent a renewal of troubles in the Spring to let Cody take a hundred of the Sioux out of the country"
"Col. Cody Gets His Indians" New York Times, March 4, 1891 "will not return to their reservations to stir up another bloody war, as has been predicted"
"Will Accompany Buffalo Bill" Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1891 "Since the late outbreak in the Northwest there has been much talk about the young men and women who were educated at the Government schools having joined the rebels"
"Lo's Place is at Home" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "they would be better off earning money than at home doing nothing or fighting the Government"
"What President Harrison Said" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1891 "the Sioux tribes are at present in council at Pine Ridge agency, pow–powing over one of their periodical difficulties with the government"
"Buffalo Bill's Show Draws" Omaha World Herald, September 19, 1899 "This same man came near bringing on an Indian War last fall by taking the beef hides away from the Indians. Now he wants to keep the Indians prisoners on their reservations. And not allow them to earn an honest dollar the Indians are becoming restless cooped up on their reservations and if they are not allowed some liberty they will sooner or later give our frontier people trouble — And our frontier is no longer protected by our soldiers"
"Letter from William F. Cody to Mike Russell" "They went home and told their tribesmen of this wonderful mercy, and the Major thinks the contact these men have had with civilization has had a remarkably pacifying influence upon the whole Indian race in America"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 |
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| Custer Massacre |
"Iron Tail, the chief of Buffalo Bill's aggregation, was one of the participants in the Custer massacre"
"Indians in the Wild West Show," New York Times, February 21, 1901 "The chief is none other than Iron Tail, one of the most famous of the then young braves who participated in the Custer massacre"
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 "The Sioux in the party are all from the Pine Ridge Reservation and are known as the Oglalla Sioux, that part of the tribe every man of which was in the death circle around Custer and his troops. The variety of his is shown in the instant clamping of jaws and cunning glances the braves show when the name of Custer is mentioned."
"WH-O-O-OP! Iron Tail and His Braves Come Home," New York Times, February 8, 1906 |
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| Westward Expansion |
"The Indian Bureau has information that the Sioux now in Europe with the Wild West combination refuse to sign the agreement selling their reservation. As they are from Pine Ridge, this action was fully expected."
"Will Not Sign" San Jose Mercury News, August 4, 1889 "the rise and fall of that romantic period in the arid States of the West which gave birth to these border dramas that still remain in the minds of half the civilized world to–day pre–eminent authority on Western life"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "truer glimpses of its civilization, its great universities, its modern cities, has not superseded the romance of Bret Harte or the story of 'The Danites.'"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "The buffalo hunter learned his business from the Indian. He learned so quick that the Almighty couldn't make buffaloes as fast as he could kill them and he lost his occupation, as the buffalo was lost to him"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "The cowboy came along. He began to take up existence in the arid States soon after the buffalo disappeared. The grass where the buffaloes had lived was richer than ever, and the Texas and Mexican cattle owners began to drive their cattle north, onto the plains where the buffalo had lived and died. The cowboy owed his occupation to the cattle. At first they mostly all were Texans, a fine, free–hearted set of ramblers, faithful to their work, true to their employers. Then as cattle came in from other States to graze over the plains once known only to the buffalo, the boys came from Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. They were trusty ones, all of them, and it was a roaming business they liked"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "It took four years for the United States Army to place the Indians back on the reservation; but it would have taken very much longer had it not been for the ingenuity and pluck of General Sheridan, who organized the first winter campaign"
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 "the Indians began calling for treaties and asking for peace; many of them surrendered, but, as in all wars, some still remained on the warpath, until General Miles took command of the Indian Territory and succeeded in rounding up and corralling every hostile in the country. He was the man who afterward went to Arizona, subdued the Apaches, captured their chief, Geronimo, and landed them in Florida."
"Colonel William F. Cody --- Buffalo Bill," Dallas Morning News, July 20, 1901 |
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