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Herald Aug 17"

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA

WILD WEST CHANGE OF BILL.

Last evening Buffalo Bill, that perennial
hero of the arena, made the first change in
programme since the opening of his entertainment
four months ago. This fact speaks
volumes in behalf of the admirable and
satisfactory quality of the exhibition
which unquestionably has been
one of the most remarkable
successes of the world's fair season. It
breathes the wild free atmosphere of the
frontier, sets the blood tingling in the very
presence of the arch hero of western
romance and brings into bodily realization
the figures that have peopled the story
books ever since the march of civilization
passed by the great lakes, crossed
the Mississippi and picked its way
over the almost boundless plains of the
greater west. There is no more chivalrous
figure in all these annals than that of Buffalo
Bill and it is small wonder that all
whose pulse is quickened by tales of border
daring hastened to the "Wild West" to see
the man who has been not inappropriately
designated "the last of the pioneers."

The new act which was added yesterday
to an already absorbingly interesting array
of border and equestrian feats represents
one of the most tragic episodes of all the
wild and solemn tragedy that grew up in
connection with the conquering of the
wilderness and the overthrow of the
savages. The scene represented is the
battle of the "Little Big Horn," or Custer's
last charge, an incident in Indian warfare
so memorable and thrilling that more than
one generation must die out before the
horror of it is forgotten.

By the aid of new scenery the encampment
of the Indians upon the Big Horn
river is represented in an exceedingly
life-like manner. The savages are engaged
in a realistic war dance; scouting
parties are sent out and finally the bugle
sounds and Custer's band is hurled to destruction
against terrific odds. The second
scene of this mournful tragedy shows the
deserted battlefield, with only the dead
lying as they were left by their brutal
murderers. It adds a tinge of special
interest to this mimic enactment when it is
known that several of the Indians now with
Buffalo Bill participated in the Custer massacre,
and are here only imitating a scene
in which they were original actors way out
there among the hills.

This tragic and thrilling drama is a
fitting conclusion for programme which
in kind stands quite alone in the history of
amusements.