For a party of twenty-four Indians, including Kicking Bear, Short Bull, and Charging Thunder, the end of Glasgow’s Wild West trail came when, on Friday, 4th March 1892, they boarded the S. S. Corean at Mavisbank Quay, whose central point is still marked by the Southern Rotunda. No sooner had the ship berthed at Brooklyn Harbour on Friday, 18th, a corporal and three troupers marched on board and re-arrested the hostages, among them Kicking Bear and Short Bull. On arrival in Chicago, eleven were sent for a further period of imprisonment at Fort Sheridan, while the remaining thirteen, one of whom was Charging Thunder, were promptly sent home to Pine Ridge Reservation. Which of these was the worse fate is open to question. Kicking Bear Back in Scotland, one of the strangest concert parties ever seen anywhere undertook a brief tour of selected towns in Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. It consisted of the Cowboy Band, which provided the music at the Wild West show, and the Alberger Troupe of Tyrolean Vocalists, which had been added to the cast in Glasgow. There were also a dozen or so Indians, who performed war dances and also (what was billed as) the Ghost Dance which had brought such tragedy to Wounded Knee only the previous winter. Paisley Daily Express, 5th March 1892 The dates & venues were: Monday, 29th February Greenock Town Hall, Clyde Square Wednesday, 2nd March Coatbridge Temperance Hall, Sunnyside Road Thursday, 3rd March Hamilton Victoria Hall, Quarry Street Friday, 4th March Govan Govan Hall, Robert Street Saturday, 5th March Paisley Theatre Royal, Moss Street Annie Oakley left town bound for Shrewsbury on Thursday, 10th March 1892, but not before succumbing to the then current cycling fad. She learned to ride a bicycle during her final days in Glasgow and placed an order for a ladies’ safety with the Premier Cycle Company of Coventry. The fourteen or so Indians remaining in Glasgow pending the London 1892 season had time on their hands and were a more visible presence than ever on the streets of city. They ventured far and wide, as often as not the worse for drink. The “Wild West” End. You bet we reckon Colonel Cody By this time quite a Glasgow body, His term of fourteen weeks, or so, In Duke Street he with plucky “go” Has undergone, and so is free Straight westward to go to tea. To keen-eyed shots - no joke if foes! - Buck-jumpers working hard for “throws,” Swart Indians, Cowboys, buffaloes, And “Bill” brave captain of the crew We raise our hat, and wave “Adieu.” The Bailie for Wednesday, March 2nd, 1891 Glasgow, 1891-92 Dennistoun Village, 2006

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in Scotland