Home Links Contact |
1887-88 1891-92 1892 1902-03 1904 |
|
Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West”
AND CONGRESS OF ROUGH RIDERS OF THE WORLD.OFFICIAL PROGRAMME.
(NOTE).- AN exhibition, the intention of which is to educate the spectator, through the medium
of animated pictures, in the picturesque life on the Western American Plains in the days just past,
showing primitive horsemen who have attained fame ; spiced with their counterparts of modern
military horsemanship, all combined in an evening’s entertainment, rendering the reading of books
or the viewing the works of the sculptors and artists on these subjects more easily comprehended and
enjoyed in years to come. It is especially instructive to the untravelled and to the rising generation
to see authenticated, genuine people of different nations and races in their characteristic costumes
before they have passed away and are left as legacies to the future only through art and history.
The principal incidents and episodes have additional interest from having been identified with the life
of Colonel W. F. Cody.No. 1. Overture, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Cowboy Band. Wm. Sweeney, Director.
2. Grand Review, led by Col. W. F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill,” introducing to the audience
the Congress of Rough Riders of the World.3. Exhibition of the Various Methods of Riding. Illustrated by a
Cowboy, a Cossack, a Mexican, an Arab, and a North American Indian.4. Artillery Drill. Presenting veterans of the U.S. Artillery, showing the muzzle-loading
cannon formerly in use in contradistinction to the modern rapid-fire guns.No. 5. Life Saving, and the demonstration of the use of the mortar, carrying the life line,
followed by the breeches-buoy. Illustrated with United States Government apparatus,
loaned for the purpose. This number is introduced as a purely instructive one to the
younger generation, that they may know the methods they can hope for and rely on if the
emergency arises.
6. Col. W. F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill,” in feats of shooting from on horseback.7. Pony Express Riding, showing how letters and telegrams were distributed
from the Mississippi River to the Pacific prior to the building of the trans-continental
railroad and telegraph lines.8. A Prairie Emigrant Train Crossing the Plains ; Camping for the
night ; a quadrille on horseback. Attack by Indians, who are driven off by scouts and
cowboys.9. Military Exercises by Veteran English Cavalry. Men from the firing line, who
have seen service in all parts of the British Empire, and a detachment of the 10th U.S.
Coloured Cavalry.10. Exhibition of Riding by American Girls from the Frontier.
11. The Horse Thief, showing how Justice was dealt out in early days on the Frontier.
12. Mexicans, from the Land of the Montezumas, will exhibit their skill with the lasso.
13. Johnny Baker, Celebrated Young American Marksman.
14. Custer’s Last Fight, or the Battle of the “Little Big Horn,” an historic episode
of the final Indian Wars, which occurred in Montana, June 25th, 1876. In this
engagement the Sioux Indians annihilated the entire command of 300 men, not one man
being left to tell the story. Preceding the battle the Indians are seen in camp, waiting for
reinforcements who arrive ; war dances ensue ; look-outs announce the approach of the
U.S. Cavalry ; ambush is arranged ; troops are surrounded and overwhelmed by superior
numbers. With no hope of support, they die fighting to the last man.15. A Group of Arabs and Japanese horsemen in native sports and pastimes.
16. Cowboy Fun. Picking objects from the ground, lassoing wild horses and riding the
Bucking Broncho. This is the most severe test of horsemanship known in equestrianism;
the spectator must understand that the animals are untamed and the rider is contesting
with an unknown quantity.17. Cossacks, from the Caucasus of Russia, in feats of horsemanship.
18. Veterans from the 6th U.S. Cavalry, in Military Exercises and Practice Exhibition.
NOTE.- The men wear the uniforms adopted by the U.S. Army on the frontier.
The horses are from the Western range, and were used for the first time
by the Buffalo Bill Wild West, thus bringing their availability to the attention
of the Military Market. Previously, the English and U. S. Army adhered to
the English and American horse, in distinction to the Spanish-American
horse. Their adaptability for this work is apparent to all.No. 19. Attack on the Deadwood Mail Coach by Indians; Repulse of the
Indians by Scouts and Cowboys.
20. Racing by Indian Boys on Bareback Horses, showing the basic
seat of all perfect riding.21. George C. Davis, the Cowboy Cyclist, in his Wonderful Bicycle-Leap
through space, or Cycling through the air, in which he jumps on his bicycle across a
chasm of 56ft, covering a distance, in the plunge, of 171ft. Owing to the highly
dangerous character of this act, the management cannot guarantee that Mr. George
C. Davis will make the jump in very high wind, or heavy rain.22. Ranch Life in the West. A Settler’s Cabin attacked by Indians, followed by
23. A Parting Salute by the Entire Congress of Rough Riders,
led by Col. W. F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill.”
FINIS.