1902 - For the love that is Buffalo Bill
Homer Davenport, a cartoonist who drew cartoons depicting American life, which includes Native Americans, he drew from specimens presented by Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition. He said that he traveled all across the United States, never seeing a real Indian, except for those presented in shows.
The article written about his travels said: "So it will soon be with the people of America, for the real red warriors of the Western plains is rapidly disappearing. Now is the time to study these types of a race of fighters whose systems and methods of warfare have to a certain extent been lately adopted by his conquerors; warriors who fought not for two, three or four years, but for 400 years, bravely, bitterly, pitilessly, persistently and gamely, resisting the advance of the white invaders into their chosen territory and preserves.
"For more than twenty years Messrs. Cody and Salsbury have presented him with dignity and familiarized us with him and he with us, and so have contributed considerably to the elimination of mutual prejudice. In a few years the painted warriors will belong to the past, and with them will disappear the great riders of the plains, the scouts, the herder and the cowboy. Then there will be no Buffalo Bill's Wild West, for its present charm and value lies in its integrity and faithful adherence to accuracy....."
- Source: 1902, June 29.. Democrat and Chronicle.
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It is the first, the only, and must be the last of its kind because the class to which Col W F Cody (Buffalo Bill) belongs consists of ONE. He has never had a double. Then, who can take his place? His great exhibition is absolutely original and true to nature. It is the most intensely interesting and strangest entertainment ever organized or dreamed of. It is the only real object teacher history has ever had or recreation furnished. It is a veritable mirror of heroic manhood and the camp of the makers of a nation's history. It is an academy of equestrianism where Rough Riders graduate, and those schooled in hardships participate in the hazardous sports and pastimes of which the great plains and deserts are the natural playground. It is here that one sees the reality of imperishable deeds and feats of fearless skill, fashioned by necessity. The one presentment of grim-visaged war given under the banner of pleasure in the smiling face of peace. It is here that bravest men depict the deeds that have made them famous in warfare, life saving and humanitarian acts. Men who have faced death in all its forms and successfully contended with opposing forces and fearful odds. Of such elements is the Wild West composed. It's carried features embrace, realistic battle scenes, martial pageants, dazzling reviews, savage displays of frightful war and foray.
All the latest episodes of national and international events are here depicted. The allied powers of the world are faithfully represented. Indians, Germans, Cubans, Cowboys, Mexicans, US Cavalry and Artillery, Western Girls, Britons, Cozzacks and Bedouins ride side by side.
Can you beat it? No, the world will never see its like again! And, best of all, everything it presents is realism itself. No made-up mummies or crafty subterfuge. Every horseman is the hero he represents. The art he employs is the lesson of a life. The garb he wears is the uniform of the nation or tribe which he represents. The very bridle that curbs the neck of a prancing steed is of regulation make and pattern, and will stand the closest scrutiny. And at the head of this mighty host rides the originator upon fame's warpath, the last of the greater scouts to whom our army's safety was entrusted, Col. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill).
The article written about his travels said: "So it will soon be with the people of America, for the real red warriors of the Western plains is rapidly disappearing. Now is the time to study these types of a race of fighters whose systems and methods of warfare have to a certain extent been lately adopted by his conquerors; warriors who fought not for two, three or four years, but for 400 years, bravely, bitterly, pitilessly, persistently and gamely, resisting the advance of the white invaders into their chosen territory and preserves.
"For more than twenty years Messrs. Cody and Salsbury have presented him with dignity and familiarized us with him and he with us, and so have contributed considerably to the elimination of mutual prejudice. In a few years the painted warriors will belong to the past, and with them will disappear the great riders of the plains, the scouts, the herder and the cowboy. Then there will be no Buffalo Bill's Wild West, for its present charm and value lies in its integrity and faithful adherence to accuracy....."
- Source: 1902, June 29.. Democrat and Chronicle.
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An 1902 advertisement for Buffalo Bill's Wild West show says:
A little editorial matter on an international subject. A few facts worthy of consideration. In the first place Buffalo Bill's Wild West is not a "show" in the general acceptance of that term, but an exhibition of world-wide resource and universal interest.It is the first, the only, and must be the last of its kind because the class to which Col W F Cody (Buffalo Bill) belongs consists of ONE. He has never had a double. Then, who can take his place? His great exhibition is absolutely original and true to nature. It is the most intensely interesting and strangest entertainment ever organized or dreamed of. It is the only real object teacher history has ever had or recreation furnished. It is a veritable mirror of heroic manhood and the camp of the makers of a nation's history. It is an academy of equestrianism where Rough Riders graduate, and those schooled in hardships participate in the hazardous sports and pastimes of which the great plains and deserts are the natural playground. It is here that one sees the reality of imperishable deeds and feats of fearless skill, fashioned by necessity. The one presentment of grim-visaged war given under the banner of pleasure in the smiling face of peace. It is here that bravest men depict the deeds that have made them famous in warfare, life saving and humanitarian acts. Men who have faced death in all its forms and successfully contended with opposing forces and fearful odds. Of such elements is the Wild West composed. It's carried features embrace, realistic battle scenes, martial pageants, dazzling reviews, savage displays of frightful war and foray.
All the latest episodes of national and international events are here depicted. The allied powers of the world are faithfully represented. Indians, Germans, Cubans, Cowboys, Mexicans, US Cavalry and Artillery, Western Girls, Britons, Cozzacks and Bedouins ride side by side.
Can you beat it? No, the world will never see its like again! And, best of all, everything it presents is realism itself. No made-up mummies or crafty subterfuge. Every horseman is the hero he represents. The art he employs is the lesson of a life. The garb he wears is the uniform of the nation or tribe which he represents. The very bridle that curbs the neck of a prancing steed is of regulation make and pattern, and will stand the closest scrutiny. And at the head of this mighty host rides the originator upon fame's warpath, the last of the greater scouts to whom our army's safety was entrusted, Col. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill).
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| 1902, Aug 31 Arizona Republic |
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| 1902, June 29.. Democrat and Chronicle. |
