MS6.3779 Jpgs

Journal Aug 17

CUSTER'S LAST CHARGE __________

Colonel Cody and Nate Salsbury presented to the public last night the addition they have long had under consideration and preparation to the interesting and attractive features of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World. It is a mimic representation of the "Battle of the Little Big Horn," or "Custer's Last Charge." There was nothing left undone in the presentation, and the large and representative audience in attendance was greatly gratified and highly entertained.

Many of the participants in last night's production were among the original actors in the campaign of 1876 against the Indians that resulted in the merciless massacre of Custer and his band. The white horse used by Sergeant Southmaid, who represented General Custer, is one that had been presented to Sitting Bull by Colonel Cody, and was bought by him from the heirs of the dead chief after the battle of Wounded Knee, when Sitting Bull was killed.

In the audience were General Merritt and Major Randall of the United States army, under whom Colonel Cody served as a scout on the plains just after the war of '61 and '65. Other army officers noticed in the boxes and in the audience were:

Captain F. James, Thirteenth Infantry. Lieutenant R. J. C. Irvine, Eleventh Infantry. Lieutenant R. F. Ames, Eighth Infantry. Lieutenant L. D. Green, Twenty-fourth Infantry. Lieutenant Baker, Twelfth Infantry. Captain F. A. Smith, Twelfth Infantry. Lieutenant Strother, First Infantry. Lieutenant Pickering, Second Infantry. Colonel E. Rice, Fifth Infantry. Lieutenant R. B. Paddock, Sixth Calvary. Lieutenant Foote, Fourth Artillery. Colonel Chase, Third Cavalry. Captain Hare, Seventh Cavalry. Dr. De Shorn, medical department United States army. Lieutenant Barnett, United States marines. Lieutenant Redford, United States Marines. Captain Murphy, United States Marines. Major Girard, Medical Department, United States Army. Colonel Irwin, Medical Department United States Army. Doctor Aped, Medical Department United States Army. Colonel Gilman, Subsistence Department. Captain Wheeler, Quartermaster's Department. Colonel Bryan, Illinois National Guard.

Mail Aug 19''

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To those who have before now witnessed the remarkably attractive performance given by Buffalo Bill's Wild West it would seem that the limit of exciting variety had already been surely reached. When public announcement was made that a new historic feature was to be added to the daily program by a vivid and realistic reproduction of the famous "Battle of the Little Big Horn," depicting the gallant Custer's last charge the public was fairly startled. Interest was aroused by the knowledge that among the actors engaged in the representation where many who were not only active participants in that great campaign, but who actually took part in the identical battle then being shown them. Half a dozen or more of the red warriors seen in the arena of the "Wild West" yesterday were lieutenants under the noted Chief Big Road and participants in the frightful massacre of the memorable 25th of June, 1876, and in the ranks of the United States cavalry could be seen men who were in service in the same campaign and were on duty in the immediate neighborhood of the valley of the Little Big Horn, and themselves saw the gory scene when the battle clouds had lifted and the Indian braves had taken their departure.

A more realistic performance than that now being given twice each day by the "Wild West" of the great, though sorrowful, event of "Custer's Last Charge" can not well be imagined, and should be seen by every body in Chicago and by all world's fair visitors.

Dispatch

Aug 19''

BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST.

On the 25th day of June, 1876, one of the most disastrous and sanguinary battles that has ever been recorded on history's page took place in the valley of the Little Big Horn. Led by the gallant and dashing hero, General George A. Custer, over 200 brave soldiers of the United States army rode calmly into the valley of death, and with their chivalrous leader laid down their lives. Among the members of the Wild West organization are Painted Horse, Plenty Horses, Red Elk, Shot-in-the-Eye-with-an-Arrow, Lone Wolf, Rocky Bear and Flat Iron, all of whom were active lieutenants of the great chief Big Road and all of whom were participants in the now famous battle. In the ranks of the detachment from the United States cavalry with the Wild West are Sergeant Hackett and others who were in that memorable campaign of 1876, and who at the time of the massacre were very close to it. These facts lend an additional attractiveness to the exhibition, and give it a human touch that no presentation of picture, however grandly given, can produce. From now on this feature will be prominent in the program at every performance, two of which are given every day at 3 and 8:30 p. m., rain or shine.

Evening Post

Aug 19

The stirring representation of Custer's last charge, just added to Buffalo Bill's Wild West programme, has created a decided sensation and is now the feature of the show. The participants include many troops and Indians who were really in the battle. The two daily performances continue to draw large crowds.

aug 19

The latest addition to the already attractive program at Buffalo Bill's Wild West was made last Wednesday night when, after apparently careful preparation, there was presented a faithful reproduction of the "Battle of the Little Big Horn," where the heroic Custer made his last charge. Col. Cody (Buffalo Bill) was an intimate friend and great admirer of Gen. Custer, and was Chief of Scouts of the United States Army during the campaign of 1876. In his company of riders Col. Cody numbers the noted Indian chiefs, Plenty Horses, Red Elk, Painted Horse, Flat Iron, Shot-In-The-Eye, Rocky Bear, Lone Wolf, and others, all of whome took prominent parts in the bloody massacre of June 25, 1876, when Custer and his followers fell. Among the soldiers of the United States Army now with the "Wild West" are Sergt Hackett and others who were active in that war, and were attached to the United States Army in the immediate vicinity of the Little Big Horn. The fact that so many of those who were actual participants in the scene, and others who were almost on the spot, lends an additional interest to the vivid picture. Special scenery has been painted, and careful effort has been made to depict faithfull the scene and incidents of the battle. The result is a pronounced success. The attendance at Buffalo Bill's has increased, if anything, in the last fortnight.