In June 1904 Col. W. F. Cody, aka ‘Buffalo Bill’ and his Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders Show appeared in Dorchester for one day only. In a previous blog, we looked at the build-up to the event, and this time, we have taken a look at how the day of Buffalo Bill’s arrival unfolded, as reported in the Dorset County Chronicle, on the 9 June 1904 (please note that this is a transcript of what was reported at the time, and some spellings or terms may not be ones we would use today).
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West: Performance at Dorchester
“This huge show arrived in Dorchester from Taunton on Sunday morning. The first train arrived at 3.45, the second at 4.45, and the third at 5.45. A large number of people had assembled at the South-Western station, as all three trains were drawn down the Great Western line and shunted back on to the South-Western line. Then the work of unloading began in downright earnest. The show was being held in Mr Marvin Lock’s spacious field below the Recreation Ground. The organisation was wonderfully perfect. The large area was 130 feet by 350 feet. Every man had his own particular work to perform and set about it with the utmost diligence and without the least friction. Notwithstanding the distance from the station to the ground the waggons, conveyances, and horses were transferred in marvellously quick time, everything being on the field soon after six. The horses, which were in the peak of condition, were accommodated in spacious tents.
Cooking tents were also pitched and a large tent to accommodate upwards of 600, served as a commissariat. There are 594 horses – 245 draft and 349 arena horses, embracing almost every specimen of the breed, from the wild bucking broncho to the well trained cavalry mount, with riders of various nationalities. With the gigantic show itself there are 560 men, which includes Indians, cowboys, Cossacks, Arabs, Japs, Mexicans, English soldiers, American soldiers, business staff, stablemen, canvas men, drivers, ostlers, cooks, waiters &c. In addition to the 560 men there are 45 men who travel in advance, including pressmen, billposters &c and bringing the total up to 605.
By 6.30 the men had so far completed their work as to be able to sit down to breakfast admirably served by the cooks. This must have proved an agreeable break to the men after the hard work of the previous two or three hours. At nine o’clock everything, with the exception of putting up the side canvas for the main show, was finished, and many of the men whose duties for the time were at an end, took advantage of a siesta under the bright rays of the morning sun.
As the morning wore on, a large number of people visited the showground and watched with keen interest the men who were busy grooming horses and cleaning the harnesses, carriages, wagons &c. Great interest was manifested in the Indians and Cossacks, as they perambulated to and fro. Particularly amongst the party were the Japanese, and many watched with interest the Cossacks as they strided about the field. Many hand cameras were at work through the day and many of the Indians, whether consciously or unconsciously, had the honour of being “snapped”. Some showed their appreciation by gracious smiles.
During the afternoon and evening large numbers of people paid a visit of inspection to the ground. It may be of interest to inform our readers that from the time the first waggon is put upon the ground the whole show could be ready for a performance in two hours. This is due to the fact that the men are thoroughly well trained and drilled. Each man knows what his work is and interferes with no other mans work; and therefore, as he is not over-worked, his wages good, his food good, and his sleeping accommodation good, he performs that work without being told twice what to do. This is the system upon which Colonel Cody has always acted. With regard to wages the cheapest paid man in the whole show receives a salary of £7 a month, besides his food and lodgings. Good wholesome food, and as much of it as they require is served to all the men and that is is good food is proved by the fact that Colonel Cody himself sits down twice a day with the men and partakes of the same menu.
This gigantic show, although travelling about from place to place, week in and week out, is not without religious equipment for it can boast of having its own chaplain, by whom, when occasion requires it, services are held, and other duties pertaining to the ministry performed. While the show was at Penzance last Sunday week a service was held on the ground and attended by about 6,000 people. It was a matter for congratulation that, with such a large body of people and so large a number of horses, everything passed off with orderliness and without any accident.
The first performance of the main show took place at two o’clock. The opening number represented the Grand Review when Colonel W. F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill” introduced to the audience the congress of rough riders of the world. Another interesting feature of the show was the Battle of the “little Big Horn” in which General Custer, the most famous of all Indian fighters, met his death. Colonel Cody and Johnny Baker gave some marvellously clever feats of shooting the former on horseback. The pony express riding showed how the mails were carried from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast prior to the building of the trans-continental railroad and telegraph lines.
A thrilling number was the attack by Indians on a prairie emigrant train crossing the plains. Other interesting performances were military exercises by veteran English cavalrymen, exhibition of riding by American girls from the Frontier, military exercises and practice, exhibition by veterans from the 6th United States Cavalry, feats of horsemanship by the Cossacks from the Caucasus of Russia, sports and pastimes by a group of Arabs and Japanese horsemen racing by Indian boys on bareback horses and an Indian attack on a settler’s cabin. Cowboy fun revealed some clever performances by three excellent riders, including the picking up of objects from the ground when going at high speed, lassoing wild horses and riding the bucking broncho.
Another thrilling number was the attack by Indians on the Deadwood mailcoach and the repulse of the Indians by scouts and cowboys. One of the cleverest performances – and the most hazardous – in the show was the wonderful bicycle leap through space by Carter, the cowboy cyclist. He jumps on his bicycle across a chasm of 56ft, covering in the plunge a distance of 171 feet. The performance was most successful, and as Carer re-enters the arena after his amazing feat he was loudly applauded. The whole performance concluded as it began with a salute from the congress of rough riders led by Colonel Cody.
At the evening performance there were again a large number present. The programme was practically the same as that in the afternoon. The arena was lighted with electric light and two bright search lights and the two bright beams from the latter which were thrown upon the horses and their riders greatly enhanced the effect. The acrobatic performances by the Arabs were exceedingly clever. At the termination of the program Colonel W.F. Cody’s minstrel and variety company, composed of American star artists presented a grand concert and Vaudeville entertainment. The cast included Major Sitherland; champion baton and gun spinner; Clark and Gold, banjoists, dancers, and singers; Charles Whalen, eccentric comedian and dancer; Charles Diamond, original harp, song and dance artist; Mdlle. Beatrice, saxophone soloist; Boyd and Lovely, American negro comedians. The entertainment was of a first-class character and greatly enjoyed. The whole performance was concluded at 10.10.
During the bareback horse race by Indians two of the red-skinned riders had the misfortune to fall from their horses. They were taken to the County Hospital where it was discovered both had fractured their collar bones. A woman, from among the audience, had also to be conveyed to the hospital on a stretcher, having fallen down in the field in an epileptic fit through excitement.
Besides the great show itself there was an excellent sideshow which attracted a fair number of people. Those who patronised this show witnessed some interesting exhibitions. Among the most prominent was Mdlle. Octavia, Buffalo Bill’s Snake Charmer. Another feature of interest was the Blue Man, who is an Englishman and blue from head to foot. His story is as follows: He fought for his country in one of the English regiments. He was for a time in hospital, and some time after his discharge he noticed a blue spot over his heart, and which grew gradually until he is today blue from head to foot. Even his eyelids, tongue and lips are blue. But, although blue, the audience were reminded he never had “the blues”.
Next to this exhibition attention was drawn to the strong man, a pupil of Eugen Sandow, who gave a clever exhibition of the Sandow developer. Then across the opposite of the tent upon a table sat Aaron Moore, the coloured giant, 42 years of age. His height is 7ft 3½inches and he weighs over 15 stone. At another platform was Charles Eldridge Griffin, the original Illuventrilomimicist, where a clever exhibition of slight-of-hand was given. The champion knife throwers of the world (Mons and Madame Diamond) gave a thrilling performance with the knives. Madame Diamond acting as the human target. Princess Nouma Hawa aged 22, quite a drawf, weighing 15lb, was an exceptional object of interest. This Lilliputian has appeared before the King and Queen and has had the honour of being presented to almost all the reigning monarchs. Several other minor establishments went to make up an excellent show.
No sooner was the performance over than all the canvas was taken down, rolled up, placed on wagons, and conveyed to the South-Western Station and loaded on the tracks. Here a large refreshment tent was erected on the piece of gree[n]sward where the men were able to partake of supper before retiring to bed. Crowds of people lined the road outside the station to see the last of the “Wild West” The first train, thanks to the admirable arrangements made under the personal direction of Mr. G. Hart (station master) and a staff of capable officials left at 11.30, the second at one o’clock and the last at 1.30.
Superintendent Burden made the necessary arrangements for police duty, the duties being discharged efficiently and well by the men. On Sunday there were on duty in the field four constables under Sergt. Toop, and on Monday nine constables under Sergt. Best.
After visiting Poole on Tuesday, whither the show went from Dorchester they visit in turn Southampton, Winchester, High Wycombe and next month they visit Windsor. After leaving England the show goes to the Continent spending the winter probably in Vienna.
It is stated that Colonel Cody positively announces that after the present season he will never appear in England again in a professional capacity.”
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In part 3 of this small series of blogs, we will take a little bit more of a look at the story that started this whole Wild West adventure – namely the three people who ended up in hospital as a result of the show…