Mail Aug 17"
CUSTER'S LAST RALLY.
Both entertainments the Wild West
arena yesterday concluded with a representation
of Custer's last rally. The
act is short. The Indians first come
in and make their camp. Then
Custer's scout rides in to count the
lodges and secure a mental photograph of
the situation. He rides back to the command
and returns with Custer and the Seventh
cavalry. Then comes the charge, and, to
quote a wide-hatted, interested spectator,
"Hell begins to pop." Riderless horses dash
out of the smoke and burning lodges light
up the dead and wounded.
The representation, from the nature of the
situation, is confined to the actual charge of
the United States troops and their slaughter.
The scenery is an exact reproduction of the
point where the engagement took place.
Slight alterations in the charge have been
suggested and will be made. A different
place on the program will be given the Little
Big Horn pleasure, as the final tableau is impaired
by the departure of the spectators
who wish to avoid the rush.
To those acquainted with the Little Big
Horn and the make-up of the Wild West
show, as is Gen. Merritt and many other
army officers who were present at last night's
production, there is an interest attendant beyond
the natural excitement such a portrayal
would produce. There is considerable of the
realistic about the performance. Many o
the Indians and several soldiers of the Wild
West show took active parts in the fight
in which Custer lost his life.
Red Elk, Pawnee-Shot-in-the-Eye-with- an-Arow,
Lone Wolf, Flat Iron, and four or
five other chiefs are among the Indians who
live again the pleasant days of their youth in
the mimic killing of the soldiers, The color
sergeant who personates Custer rides Sitting 's
white war horse in the charge and is
one of the survivors of the fight.
"I decided to give this representation for
several reasons," said Col. Cody last night.
There is a sort of a connection between the
Columbian exposition and the Little Big
Horn fight in my mind. It was at the time
of the Philadelphia exposition In 1876 that
the trouble occurred, and here at the next
great international fair is the proper time
and place to tell the story. It is a practical
lesson in history and one, I think, that will
not readily be forgotten. It will serve also
to perpetuate Custer's name.
"Mrs. Custer took much this view of the
situation when I consulted her as to the production
of the charge, Before definitely arranging
for making the charge a part of the
program I talked with her about It to ascertain
if she had any objections to it. She had
none, viewing it, as I say, in the way I have
suggested."
