71
THE SUNDAY CHRONICLE, FEBRUARY 19, 1888
DOINGS AT THE WILD WEST.
CHRISTENING THE PAPOOSE.
To the ordinary Briton the manners and customs of the Red Indian, as he is familiarly termed, are an unknown quantity. The uninitiated no doubt picture him as a fierce and untamable savage-one of those bloodthirsty creatures which the pen of Fenimore Cooper loved to depict with such a vivid realism. The visit of the Wild West Show to these shores, however, has done much to remove ideas at once exaggerated and fallacious, and those who have seen the denizens of the Far West "at home," as it were, within their camp, must be filled with wonderment at the marvellous changes which the march of civilisation has brought about in the social and mental condition of the Indian people. The race is gradually being shorn of all its old associations, and ere long it is not drawing too much upon the imagination to assume the "noble savage" contesting with the white man for the prizes or otherwise, which fall to the share of those who enter the lottery of a commercial or agricultural career. True it is that, outwardly, the Indian retains much of his old originality, and the figure cut by a full-blown chief, in all the glory of his war-paint and feathers, is both striking and unique. Those who live amongst the Indians, however, tell us that the red man is gifted with an extraordinary intelligence and sagacity, and so heartily has he entered into the various phases of civilised life that he is now a devout and sympathetic worshipper of the Deity. It was not surprising, therefore, that when "Little Chief," of the Ugawalla band of Sioux Indians became the happy father of a bouncing "papoose" the other week, he should be prevailed upon to have it baptised according to the rites of the English Church. Such, however, was the case, and no sooner was the suggestion mooted than preparations were made to carry it out. As "Little Chief's" daughter was the first Sioux Indian babe born in this country the occurrence was made the occasion of a general rejoicing, and as no performance of the Wild West Show was given on Ash Wednesday, an excellent opportunity was afforded of bringing the affair to an issue, as well as giving the Cowboys and others a much needed rest. St. Clement's Church, Salford, was the scene of the ceremony, and here, at the hour of six p.m., were assembled a crowd of anxious and curious persons, principally of the feminine persuasion, desirious of participating in proceedings the like of which they may be destined to never see again. The affair consequently was surrounded with a dash of romance as well as novelty, and the sight when all the Indian warriors, attired in their best blankets and other paraphernalia, were assembled in the various pews was a most remarkable and impressive one. The red men, straight as an arrow, and with the characteristic stolidity of their race, sat with immobile features and an apparently stoic indifference to the curious stare of the assembled congregation. Not even when the ceremony was taking place at the font behind them did they turn their heads or show that they were in the least interested. They, however, fully entered into the devotional proceedings, and the sight of all these strange people, with bowed heads and bended knees, paying tribute to the grace of the white man's God was a very striking one. "Nearer My God to Thee["?] was chanted by the young "braves" in a low, but not unmusical, tone of voice, which greatly added to the romantic nature of the proceedings. Miss "Frances Victoria Alexandra" Little Chief will no doubt be considered a very fortunate young lady by the members of her tribe, and when she grows old enough to understand the meaning of the remarkable necklace presented to her by Mr. A. H. Gardener, her godfather, she will, perhaps, reflect with wonderment upon the singularity of her birth and baptism. At the close the "papoose" was duly handed round for inspection by those present amidst many expressions of "Oh, the little dear," and certain attempts at osculatory exercise by the ladies present. In the evening the Indians kept up the celebration in camp in right royal fashion, and a privileged few, under the command of the genial Major Burke, assembled at "Alec" Mills's hostelry, the Trafford Arms, where a most enjoyable time was spent. After a substantial tea had been done full justice to, the "sparkling vintage" was passed round, and conviviality and good fellowship reigned supreme.
PRESENTATION TO THE "MOTHER OF THE CAMP."
On Sunday last Mrs. Whittaker, the "Mother of the Camp" at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, was presented on behalf of a few friends with a silver-mounted horse-shoe as a token of esteem and as a slight memento of her visit to the city. The presentation was made by Mr. John Allen (engineer, of Manchester), and Mrs. Whittaker replied in a few well chosen words. Prior to leaving Mrs. Whittaker gave each of the ladies and gentlemen present an autograph copy of her photo.
72
THE UMPIRE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1888
Tremendous jubilation agitated the Wild West camp at Salford, on Ash Wednesday. There was no performance, owing to a wise and beneficent law passed by the illustrious senators of Salford. So they had "a day off." This day they devoted to the christening of the Indian baby.
The ceremony took place at St. Clement's Church, and a crowd of spectators assembled, all the notabilities of the Show being well to the fore.
It would have brought tears of joy to a Wild Western editor's eyes to have heard Broncho Bill-of the Smith and Western persuasion-making the responses for Little Chief. But the nicest thing of all was to see Major Burke assisting to take the collection. There are few things the genial Major has not taken in his career, from scalps downwards, but this is the first occasion, I should imagine, on which he has ever assisted in a "show" of this kind.
73
THE UMPIRE
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1888
THE WILD WEST.-The termination of this vast show is approaching. They have engaged to sail from Hull in the Persian Monarch on the 3rd of May, and an item of interest may be suggested by the sale of a considerable number of the effects. As will be seen by our advertisement, the curiosities which are to be offered for sale are remarkable, and have an intrinsic interest of their own. Foremost amongst them are 9 stuffed buffalos of different ages and size. These are remarkably handsome. Visitors to the Show in London will remmeber they adorned the entrance to the American Exhibition. They are probably the only specimens of the kind in this country, and as the animal is rapidly becoming extinct, it will be difficlut to procure them after a lapse of a few years. It would be a distinct gain to some public institution to purchase these things, as even the Smithsonian Exhibition in Washington failed in securing specimens last year when sending out an expedition for the purpose. The animals have been mounted by Professor Ward, of Rochester, and are in the best of preservation. There is also a fine live buffalo, and several live elk deer, 18 ponies, and other articles of rare value. The sale will take place on Wednesday, May 2nd, and are only disposed of on account of the exhibition requiring elaborate ship room.
74
EVENING MAIL.
MANCHESTER, TUESDAY, APRIL 17.
AN ADMIRER OF "BUFFALO BILL."
Cecil James Eugene Harvey, 14 years of age, was charged at the Mansion House, yesterday, with embezzling [British pound]5, the property of his master, Mr. C. R. Bonney, 41, Eastcheap. The prisoner had been an office-boy in Mr. Bonney's employ, and was sent to the City Bank in Aldgate to cash a cheque for [British pound]5. He absconded, and was found by Detective Harding at Manchester on Friday night, and brought to town. On the warrant being read to him, he said he had spent all the money, and added, "Some time ago I went to see Buffalo Bill at the Wild West Show, in South Kensington. I was very much struck with the life, and from that moment I made up my mind to go to America, and as soon as I got the cheque cashed I made off, but, not having enough to get to America, I followed Buffalo Bill to Manchester, and have been at the show every day. I still intend to go to America, and even if I should get 10 years for this offence I shall go afterwards."-The Lord Mayor remanded the prisoner, who declined to ask any questions.
75
THE UMPIRE
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 1888.
The challenge we published last week, in which a gentleman named Goodall wished to contest ten miles on the racecourse with English horses against Buffalo Bill's ponies, has met with a response. We have received the following from Buffalo Bill:-
Wild West Camp, Manchester, April 21, 1888.
Mr. B. Goodall.
Dear Sir,-Having succeeded, through the kindness of Mr. Mark Price and the racecourse authorities, in securing the grounds for the proposed race between your English-bred horses and my American ponies, I accept your proposition. The terms the same as you suggested-namely, for [British pound]200, the same number of horses for a ten mile contest-riders to to change every half-mile. While my ponies are the ordinary cattle ponies of the Far West, I think the experiment will be one of great interest.-I am, respectfully yours,
W. F. CODY (Buffalo Bill),