327

NOT FINISH

Chicago Post Aug 12/93

WORLD'S FAIR AND WAIFS.
_______
How the Children Had a Big Day in Spite of the Exposition's Stinginess.

CHICAGO, Aug. 12,--Editor of The Evening Post: Early in July Taylor E. Daniels, superintendent of the Waifs' Mission, conceived the idea of giving the children under his charge, as well as many other needy and helpless ones, a day's recreastion and picnic, and to that end began to seek the best location for such purpose. Many suggested to Mr. Daniels that of all places to take his waifs for a day's pleasure the world's fair was the best, as the little ones would see there that which would never come here to be seen again. Mr. Daniels, agreeing with these suggestions; at once opened correspondence with the world's fair management to secure for his charge and other poor and helpless little ones, free of expense, admittance to the fair grounds for one day, that they might see and learn things that they would remember during their lives.

Expecting, of course, a favorable reply to his request, he made all the necessary preparations for the day's enjoyment whenever the same should be designated. In the meantime the Illinois Central Railroad Company had proposed to carry the children to the fair and return free of charge. But judge of the surprise of Superintendent Daniels at receiving a letter from the president of the world's fair directory under date of July 22 declining to admit the Waifs' Mission to the grounds of the world's fair free of charge. This reply was a stunner to Mr. Daniels, and what to do then in order to carry out the object of the picnic for the little homeless ones was uppermost in the mind of the superintendent when one of his assistants suggested that he would at once see Colonel W. F. Cody, of the Wild West Show, in regard to the day off for the children, and to this end Colonel Cody was waited upon at the grounds of his show at Sixty-third street. This was on July 23, the date of the receipt of the letter, and when the colonel heard of the refusal of the world's fair to entertain the city's orphans and waifs he at once said: "Yes, my show is open for the entertainment of your mission. Let the little ones come to the extent of 20,000, the children shall have the best I have; bring them on, my show is free to them; they shall have every benefit within my power to bestow while they are under the canvas of my show." The day was then agreed upon and July 27 was the time. J. Irving Pearce, of the Sherman Honse, furnished the ground adjoining the Wild West Show for the picnic and Superintendent Daniels provided a splendid lunch, including nut, fruits, candies and indeed everyting necessary for a real feast for the children who were to partake of the pleasures of that day's picnic.

The day came and with it the children, the Illinois Central bringing them to the Sixty-third street depot, which is opposite the Wild West show. Who the children were and where they came from Mr. Daniels may tell in his own way. Here it is:

"From 7,000 to 8,000 children is a conservative estimate. They came from the following localities: River district, North Side--Larrabee street and the poor regions parallel on both sides of the north branch, Chicago avenue and the eight or ten streets north and south of that artery. Milwaukee avenue district--Including the cross streets from Chicago avenue north to North avenue. Sweat-shop district, West Side--Halsted, Desplaines, Indiana and Green streets and all the sweat-shop district of Twenty-second street, etc., and all that poor district between Twelfth street and Twenty-second street. South Side, the levee district--Archer avenue, etc. Nationalities--American, German, Italian, Greek, Swede, Polish, Russian, Jewish and a few French from Blue Island avenue."

Thus it is shown that from seven thousand to eight thousand children were accorded the happiness of one bright and shiny day's pleasure, where they saw that which it falls to the lot of but few children in this country to see, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. And while the world's fair management refused to admit free the city's waifs on that July 27, it did admit free to its grounds on that day 41,904, many of whom it is thought were abundantly able to have paid full admission fees and whose business did not call them there under a free-pass system. They entered the gates, however, free, while the poor and orphan children were denied that privilege, though they were the wards of the great City of Chicago, which had $5,000,000 invested inside the bounds of the white city, but inside the gates of which was denied them.

CHARLES C. P. HOLDEN.
__________________________

[Word?] Aug 12

It has been supposed by the general public that nothing could be added to the interest and attractiveness of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, but Col. Cody and Mr. Salsbury have all along had a novelty "up their sleeves" ready to sprin gon the public at the most opportune moment, and they consider next Wednesday, Aug. 16, as the accepted time. On that day without in the least curtailing their presetn elegant programme they will add to it a feature that will be one worthy the closest attention, and one of distinctive attractiveness, with specially painted and accurately correct scenic and other surroundings, a representation of the "Battle of the Little Big Horn; or, Custer's Last Charge," will be given in the immense arena, and many of the actual participants in that bloody fight will take part in the mimic representation to be presented at the Wild West.

Col. Cody was chief of scouts in that campaign and his knowledge of the subject, aided by Chief Rocky Bear, Painted Horse and Plenty Horses, now at the Wild West, as well as other participants in that American Thermopylae, have succeeded during the past few weeks of constant rehearsals in perfecting a representation that should startle the ordinary amusement seeker and should prove one of the most educative exhibitions ever offered to the people of any country.

Chicago Mail

SEVENTY YEARS OF THE FRONTIER
_______
History of Alexander Majors, Originator of the Pony Express.
_______
STORIES OF EARLY DAYS
_______
Freighting and Empire Making--Aubery's Great Trip--Buffalo Bill's Book.
_______

Two books lately printed should find place on the shelves of every American, more especially of every western American. It is not that the works are of singular literary merit, although neither lacks claims to value. One of these books is entitled "Seventy Years on the Frontier," being the memoirs of Alexander Majors of Denver. The other, under the title of "Buffalo Bill," was written by John M. Burke, or, if he can not be recognized under that style, Maj. Jack Burke.

These works are valuable contributions to the history of the west. They tell of the incidents of the settling of an empire, the everyday details of the life of those who blaze the way of civilization. They speak of a class of men fast being removed; the paladins of the prairies who will never be replaced. The frontiersman will presently live only in the memory of gray old men and will be seen only in base imitations on the sensational stage.

Ingraham Has Heard Both Songs.

Mr. Majors' book was edited by Col. Prentiss Ingraham. It was a happy collbora-

(IMAGE)
ALEXANDER MAJORS.

tion. Col. Ingraham himself has heard the music of the Comauche's yell and can tell the difference betwen the impatient soprano of a bullet on the wing and the pleasing pipe of the lute. Col. Ingraham has helped make history himself, as well as write it.

Forty years ago no man west o fthe Mississippi was better known than Alexander Majors. From the Big Muddy to the sun-kissed shores of the Pacific he was rated a square man and a brave one. He was a Christian and a temperance man. These qualities alone would mark him. One might be either and excite ntohing more than adverse criticism possibly, but the man who neither cursed his fellow-man or mules when fretful, nor drank with his friends when joyous, was esteemed an uncommon person--so much so that it required much force of character in the early days to carry around such a load of good habits and goodly principles without exciting invidious comment.

A Remarkable Record.

Yet Mr. Majors, frontiersman and freighters, the orginator of the pony express, the employer in his day of more killers than Sherman took with him to the sea, was never known to swear or drink whisky. To eastern folk it may seem that undue stress is laid on the possession of these virtues. To the man who traveled the west prior to ten years ago it is unnecessary to apologize for dwelling upon Mr. Majors' abstention from cordials and cursing.

Alexander Majors was born in Kentucky, Oct. 4, 1814. When 5 years old he was brought by his father with the rest of the family to Missouri. Missouri was largely settled by Kentuckians, which affords some reason for the bluff integrity of the men of the common wealth and the good looks and virtue of the women.

The Majors family crossed the Mississippi at St. Louis. Then, as now, a monopoly on the transportation across the stream existed. The predecessors of the bridge company which now sandbags travelers on the threshold of a great state were three Frenchmen.

Original Monopolists.

These plutocrats owned a flatboat that would carry a four-horse wagon and it load. They carried all passengers sand freight that came. Today a fleet of monster ferryboats and 150 locomotives, with their attendant cars, are necessary to do the work.

The elder Majors built his cabin on the Big Snye Bear river--now corrupted into Sai-a-bar. Then followed a catch-as-catch-can struggle with fever and ague, cyclones, Indians, and other engaging features of pioneer life.

In 1831 the Mormons settled at Independence, Jackson county, Mo., from which time until 1834, when Young and his followers headed for Salt Lake, the original settlers found much pleasant exercise killing off their new neighbors, and occasionally being killed themselves.

From 1848 to 1866 Mr. Majors was continuously in the freighting business. The outfitting point on the east was Independence, Mo., the western terminus of the line being Santa Fe, N. M. Along the old Santa Fe trail much of the history of the west was made. The gallant and venturesome--albeit somewhat spectacular--Fremont led his pathfinding band of soldiers down it.

August 12-93

Good Men These.

Old Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and thousand of other plainsmen have fought Indians and conveyed merchandise and settlers down the yellow path. Maj. Henry Inman, Alfred H. Lewis (Dan Quin), Prentiss Ingraham, and Noble Prentis have found material for some of their most interesting sketches on the highway which was marked by a line of tin cans and skeletons from the Blue to the Cimmaron.

Later a regular freighting line was established between the Missouri state line, St. Joseph, and Independence and Salt Lake, and still later it was extended to the Pacific. Russell Majors and Waddell were kings in those days, and Mr. Majors yet lives in Denver to tell about it--still a king among men.

One of the most interesting and valuable of the enterprises which Mr. Majors established, or assisted in establishing, was the pony express. It was away back in King Jimmy Buchanan's administration that the idea was first suggested. It was at the height of the gold excitement. Wall street then, as now, had a big pull in politics and the magnates did not care to wait for the uncertain and sluggish mail steamer to round the Horn, or the more infrequent overland courier with the latest news from the diggin's. News in New York was ancient history in 'Frisco, as many of the plungers had discovered to their great grief.

Subsidy for the Pony Line.

A lobby of brokers fixed the congress of '59 and the subsidy was forthcoming. Five hundred half-bred California mustangs were procured and 200 men were hired. These were true bordermen, those who there years later split out into Red LEgs or Jaykawkers, Yellow Legs or Border Ruffians, and carried on their respective parts of the war of the rebellion with much vivacity and enthusiastic bloodthirstiness. These men feared not Indian, human being, untamed broncho, post whisky, or the devil, the latter being, in local opinion, the least formidable of the many hindrances to a pure moral life along the border.

Nature of the Work.

The men and horses were contracted by their owners and employers, Russell, Majors & Waddell, to cover the distance between St. Joe, Mo., and San Francisco, a distance of 2,000, in ten days. Eighty of the men -- preferably the lighter weights -- were selected as riders. The others were station men, where relays were established. The distances between posts were determined by the character of the country.

As an evidence of the speed made Mr. Majors says that the news of Lincoln's election was carried from St. Joseph to Denver, 665 miles, in two days and twenty-one hours, the last ten miles being made in thirty-one minutes. "Pony Bob" Haslam, now a resident of Chicago, rode the last relay, with the election news. He rode from Smith's creek to Fort Churchill on the Carson river, Nevada, where the first telegraph station on the slope was situated, in eight hours and ten minutes. The distance is 120 miles. Another rider made a single stretch of 300 miles, being continuously in the saddle except for the two minutes allowed at each station for changing horses.

F. X. Aubery's Great Ride.

The most celebrated of long-distance and short-time riders was that made by F. X. Aubery in 1853. Aubery's record is frequently talked about among old-time Missourians and western men. The recent cowboy ride from Chadron, Neb., was an early morning canter for health compared with Aubery's trip. He made the distance from Santa Fe, N. M., to Independence, Mo., 800 miles, in 5 days and 13 hours.

The entire route was made without a stop-page for rest. Horses were changed but five times on the ride, although from every station Aubery took a lead horse to which he transferred his saddle when the horse he rode fell.

The great ride was the result of a $1,000 wager that the journey could be made in eight days.

The year before Aubery had ridden the distance on a wager that he could make it in ten days. He covered the ground in eight days then, so that his subsequent bet was something of the nature of a sure thing.

Story of Aubery's Death.

Aubery's death came upon him when he wasn't exactly looking for it, but as he made his journey into the hereafter with his war paint and boots on it is to be presumed that he was satisfied, such being esteemed the proper manner in those days.

Aubery had taken a lot of sheep to California and immediately upon his return to Santa Fe met his old-time friend and good gossip Maj. Weightman of the regular army,

In addition to protecting the frontier, Weightman who was a man of versatile genius molded public opinion by means of the Santa Fe Herald, which he owned and edited.

Aubery dropped off his horse in front of the Plaza hotel, where Maj. Weightman was standing. Acting upon the good western custom they entered the bar-room and as they stood with glasses in hand Aubery inquired:

"Whatever did you print those damned lies about my trip to California in your shoe-string of a paper for?"

Instead of taking his drink Weightman threw the whisky in the freighter's face as a complete answer to the question. Aubery reached for his six-shooter, but before his fingers clasped the butt the soldier's ready bowie knife had gone through buckskin and bone to Aubery's heart.

Mr. Majors in detailing the killing draws therefrom a social lesson and uses the oc-

(IMAGE)
"BUFFALO BILL" CODY.

currence to point out the propriety of observing the amenities of life.

"This tragedy," he says, "was the result of rash words hastily spoken, and proves that friends as well as enemies should be careful and considerate in the language they use toward others."

Col. Cody's Book.

The book of Buffalo Bill deals more with the personal history of Col. W. F. Cody--whose rank, be it noted, is brigade general of the Nebraska National guards--and with the war history of the west, than with the material development of the country. It takes the great plainsman from the age of 10 years, when ihe death of his pioneer father threw the burden of the family's support upon the boy,d own to thte present time, when Col. Cody, the friend of generals and princes, and the man whose bands of cattle blacken the Platte valley, retains his natural, open-hearted, vigorous, western manhood.

Social and financial triumphs are carried as easily and modestly as those which gave him his name as the most daring Indian fighter and intelligent and intrepid scout of the west. WILLIAM EUGENE LEWIS.

Mail Aug. 12.

Looking over the list of stirring incidents of the history of warfare in the western frontier, none arouses more pathetic emtions than the famous "battle of the Little Big Horn," where was made Custer's last charge. The news of that terrible massacre of the gallant soldiers of the United States army rang like a knell throughout the country and the nation's sorrow was a requiem over their graves. The sad story has been told by the writers of history and fiction most graphically until it has become thoroughly familiar, but now arrangements have been completed to show visitors to the world's fair an exact reproduction of the very scenery in which the sad tragedy was enacted, and to illustrate it by a large company of skilled performers, among whom may be seen some of the men who actually particpated in the occurrence.

Messrs. Cody and Salsbury of the great "Wild West" have perfected all arrangements to picture the combat in their arena, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 16.

Among those who will take part in the scene will be Chiefs Painted Horse, Little Wolf, Last Horse, Black Bear, and Red Elk, who were lieutenants of Big Road on that memorable June 15, 1876, when Custer and his heroes laid down their lives in that now historic valley of the Little Big Horn. In the detachment of the Seventh United States cavalry now with the Wild West are Private Hackett and several other soldiers who were at that time under Maj. Reno in very close priximity to the scene, and who narrowly escaped the fate of their comrades under Gen. Custer. This great spectacle will be given in addition to the regular daily performance by Col. Cody and his associatese.

Buffalo Bill was himself at that time chief of scouts of the United States army and was an active participant in that campaign. This great production will, beginning next Wednesday, close each performance.

* * *

Dispatch Aug 12.

BUFFALO BIILL'S WILD WEST.

Of all the events that transpired in these days of bitter and bloody warfare between the red man on one side and the settler on the other, none has been of more sad interest than the famous battle of the Little Big Horn, where on the 25th day of June, 1876, the dashing and gallant Custer made his last charge. The story of Custer's last charge has been a familiar topic in almost every household, and teh news that iti is to be reproduced here in Chicago and illustrated by many of the most prominent participants in the actual occurrence will unquestionably be hailed with glad appreciation by all visitors to the great world's fair. Col. W. F. Cody has among the members of the great Wild West combination serveral of the noted Indian chiefs who were in that famous battle, among them being the noted chiefs Rocky Bear, Plenty Horses and Painted Horse. With them are many braves, who were also on the ground. Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill) was at that time chief of scouts of the United States army, and was in that celebrated campaign. In order to give the public of the east a thorough knowledge of the event Messrs. Cody and Salsbury have concluded to present in the great arena of the "Wild West" a realistic picture of Custer's last charge, and to that end have had a vast amount of accurate scenery painted for the great representation, and the entire force of the great exhibition will be utilized in the production. For weeks preparations have been going on, and next Wednesday, Aug.16, the great production will be given to the public.

NOT FINISH

Chicago Post Aug 12/93

WORLD'S FAIR AND WAIFS.
_______
How the Children Had a Big Day in Spite of the Exposition's Stinginess.

CHICAGO, Aug. 12,--Editor of The Evening Post: Early in July Taylor E. Daniels, superintendent of the Waifs' Mission, conceived the idea of giving the children under his charge, as well as many other needy and helpless ones, a day's recreastion and picnic, and to that end began to seek the best location for such purpose. Many suggested to Mr. Daniels that of all places to take his waifs for a day's pleasure the world's fair was the best, as the little ones would see there that which would never come here to be seen again. Mr. Daniels, agreeing with these suggestions; at once opened correspondence with the world's fair management to secure for his charge and other poor and helpless little ones, free of expense, admittance to the fair grounds for one day, that they might see and learn things that they would remember during their lives.

Expecting, of course, a favorable reply to his request, he made all the necessary preparations for the day's enjoyment whenever the same should be designated. In the meantime the Illinois Central Railroad Company had proposed to carry the children to the fair and return free of charge. But judge of the surprise of Superintendent Daniels at receiving a letter from the president of the world's fair directory under date of July 22 declining to admit the Waifs' Mission to the grounds of the world's fair free of charge. This reply was a stunner to Mr. Daniels, and what to do then in order to carry out the object of the picnic for the little homeless ones was uppermost in the mind of the superintendent when one of his assistants suggested that he would at once see Colonel W. F. Cody, of the Wild West Show, in regard to the day off for the children, and to this end Colonel Cody was waited upon at the grounds of his show at Sixty-third street. This was on July 23, the date of the receipt of the letter, and when the colonel heard of the refusal of the world's fair to entertain the city's orphans and waifs he at once said: "Yes, my show is open for the entertainment of your mission. Let the little ones come to the extent of 20,000, the children shall have the best I have; bring them on, my show is free to them; they shall have every benefit within my power to bestow while they are under the canvas of my show." The day was then agreed upon and July 27 was the time. J. Irving Pearce, of the Sherman Honse, furnished the ground adjoining the Wild West Show for the picnic and Superintendent Daniels provided a splendid lunch, including nut, fruits, candies and indeed everyting necessary for a real feast for the children who were to partake of the pleasures of that day's picnic.

The day came and with it the children, the Illinois Central bringing them to the Sixty-third street depot, which is opposite the Wild West show. Who the children were and where they came from Mr. Daniels may tell in his own way. Here it is:

"From 7,000 to 8,000 children is a conservative estimate. They came from the following localities: River district, North Side--Larrabee street and the poor regions parallel on both sides of the north branch, Chicago avenue and the eight or ten streets north and south of that artery. Milwaukee avenue district--Including the cross streets from Chicago avenue north to North avenue. Sweat-shop district, West Side--Halsted, Desplaines, Indiana and Green streets and all the sweat-shop district of Twenty-second street, etc., and all that poor district between Twelfth street and Twenty-second street. South Side, the levee district--Archer avenue, etc. Nationalities--American, German, Italian, Greek, Swede, Polish, Russian, Jewish and a few French from Blue Island avenue."

Thus it is shown that from seven thousand to eight thousand children were accorded the happiness of one bright and shiny day's pleasure, where they saw that which it falls to the lot of but few children in this country to see, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. And while the world's fair management refused to admit free the city's waifs on that July 27, it did admit free to its grounds on that day 41,904, many of whom it is thought were abundantly able to have paid full admission fees and whose business did not call them there under a free-pass system. They entered the gates, however, free, while the poor and orphan children were denied that privilege, though they were the wards of the great City of Chicago, which had $5,000,000 invested inside the bounds of the white city, but inside the gates of which was denied them.

CHARLES C. P. HOLDEN.
__________________________

[Word?] Aug 12

It has been supposed by the general public that nothing could be added to the interest and attractiveness of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, but Col. Cody and Mr. Salsbury have all along had a novelty "up their sleeves" ready to sprin gon the public at the most opportune moment, and they consider next Wednesday, Aug. 16, as the accepted time. On that day without in the least curtailing their presetn elegant programme they will add to it a feature that will be one worthy the closest attention, and one of distinctive attractiveness, with specially painted and accurately correct scenic and other surroundings, a representation of the "Battle of the Little Big Horn; or, Custer's Last Charge," will be given in the immense arena, and many of the actual participants in that bloody fight will take part in the mimic representation to be presented at the Wild West.

Col. Cody was chief of scouts in that campaign and his knowledge of the subject, aided by Chief Rocky Bear, Painted Horse and Plenty Horses, now at the Wild West, as well as other participants in that American Thermopylae, have succeeded during the past few weeks of constant rehearsals in perfecting a representation that should startle the ordinary amusement seeker and should prove one of the most educative exhibitions ever offered to the people of any country.

Chicago Mail

SEVENTY YEARS OF THE FRONTIER
_______
History of Alexander Majors, Originator of the Pony Express.
_______
STORIES OF EARLY DAYS
_______
Freighting and Empire Making--Aubery's Great Trip--Buffalo Bill's Book.
_______

Two books lately printed should find place on the shelves of every American, more especially of every western American. It is not that the works are of singular literary merit, although neither lacks claims to value. One of these books is entitled "Seventy Years on the Frontier," being the memoirs of Alexander Majors of Denver. The other, under the title of "Buffalo Bill," was written by John M. Burke, or, if he can not be recognized under that style, Maj. Jack Burke.

These works are valuable contributions to the history of the west. They tell of the incidents of the settling of an empire, the everyday details of the life of those who blaze the way of civilization. They speak of a class of men fast being removed; the paladins of the prairies who will never be replaced. The frontiersman will presently live only in the memory of gray old men and will be seen only in base imitations on the sensational stage.

Ingraham Has Heard Both Songs.

Mr. Majors' book was edited by Col. Prentiss Ingraham. It was a happy collbora-

(IMAGE)
ALEXANDER MAJORS.

tion. Col. Ingraham himself has heard the music of the Comauche's yell and can tell the difference betwen the impatient soprano of a bullet on the wing and the pleasing pipe of the lute. Col. Ingraham has helped make history himself, as well as write it.

Forty years ago no man west o fthe Mississippi was better known than Alexander Majors. From the Big Muddy to the sun-kissed shores of the Pacific he was rated a square man and a brave one. He was a Christian and a temperance man. These qualities alone would mark him. One might be either and excite ntohing more than adverse criticism possibly, but the man who neither cursed his fellow-man or mules when fretful, nor drank with his friends when joyous, was esteemed an uncommon person--so much so that it required much force of character in the early days to carry around such a load of good habits and goodly principles without exciting invidious comment.

A Remarkable Record.

Yet Mr. Majors, frontiersman and freighters, the orginator of the pony express, the employer in his day of more killers than Sherman took with him to the sea, was never known to swear or drink whisky. To eastern folk it may seem that undue stress is laid on the possession of these virtues. To the man who traveled the west prior to ten years ago it is unnecessary to apologize for dwelling upon Mr. Majors' abstention from cordials and cursing.

Alexander Majors was born in Kentucky, Oct. 4, 1814. When 5 years old he was brought by his father with the rest of the family to Missouri. Missouri was largely settled by Kentuckians, which affords some reason for the bluff integrity of the men of the common wealth and the good looks and virtue of the women.

The Majors family crossed the Mississippi at St. Louis. Then, as now, a monopoly on the transportation across the stream existed. The predecessors of the bridge company which now sandbags travelers on the threshold of a great state were three Frenchmen.