The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-03-13
Indians See the Pope

A special caDie dispatch from Rome TO
the New York Herald says that one of
the strangest spectacles ever seen within
the venerable walls of the Vatican was
the dramatic entry of Buffalo Biz at
the head of Indians and cowboys, when
the ecclesiastical, secular, and military
Court of the Papacy assembled to wit
ness the twelfth. annual thanksgiving of
Leo XIII for his coronation,
In the midst of the scana of supreme
splendor, crowded with old Roman aris-
tocracy and surrounded with the walls
immortalized by Machael Angelo and
Raffaelo, there suddenly appeared host
of ssgages in paint, feathers, and blan-
kets, carrying tomahaWks and knives.
A vast multitude surged into the great
square before st. Peters early in the
morning to witness the arrival of the
Americans Before ha,fpast 8 o'clock
the Ducai Hall, Royal Hall, and Sistine
Chapel were packed. Through the mid
die of the three audiences was path
way bordered with the brilliant uni
forms of the Swiss guards, the Palatine
guards, the Papal gendarmes, and pri-
yate chamberlains. The sunlight fell
upon lines of glittering steel, nodding
plumes, golden chains, and shimmering
robes of silk, and all the brilliant EN-
blems Of Pontifcal power and glory.
Suddenly tall, chiyalrous figure APP
peared at the entrance and all eyes were
turned towards him. 1t was Buffalo
Bill" With sweep OF his great sombrero
he saluted the ehaMberlaing and then
strobe between the guards with his part
ner, Nate Salisbury. Next came Buck
Taylor, who lowered hugely above the
tallest man in the palace, his long hair
tied back on his shoulders then came
'Broncho Bil'' in buckskin, and after
him tfooped the cowboys, splashed with
mud and picturesque beyond descrip-
ton.
Rocky Bear lead the Sioux warriors
in the rear. They were painted in every
color that Indian imagination could de-
wise, and every man carried something
to present to the Medicine Man sent by
the Great Spirit. Rocky Bear" rolled
his eyes and folded his hands on his
breast as he stepped on tiptoe through
the glowing sea of color. His braves
furtively eyed the halberds and two
handled swords of the Swiss Guards.
The Indians and cowboys were ranged
in the south corners of the Dueal Hall.
Buffalo Bill and Salisbury were escorted
into the Sistine Chapel by the chamber
lains, and were greeted by General Sher-
mans daughter. A Princess invited
Colonel Cody to place in the tribune of
the Roman MOBILES He stood facing the
gorgeous diplomatic corps, surrounded
by Prince and Princess Borghese, Mar
quis Serlupi, Princess Bandina, Duchess
Grazioli, Prince and Princess Massino,
Prince and Princess Ruspoli, and all the
ancient families of the city.
When the Pope appeared carried
above the heads of his guards. preceded
by the Knights Of Malta and process
sion of Cardinals and Archbishops, the
cowboys bowed, and so did the Indians
''Rocky Bear" knelt and made the sigr
of the cross. The Pontiff leaned yearn
ingly towards the rude groups and bless
ed them. He seemed to be touched bS
the sight.
AS the train swept on the Indians be
came excited, and as squaw tainted
though they had been warned not to ut
ter a sound, they were with difficulty re
strained from whooping The Pope
looked intently at Col. Cody as he pass
ed, and the great scout bent low as he
received the benediction. After the
Thanksgiving Mass, with it's good chora
accompaniment, with now and then the
Popes powerful voice heard ringing
through the Sistine Chapel, the grea
audience poured out of the Vatican.
/ Buffalo Bill expressed his delight a
/ the way in which the company has beer
received. He said: ''You see the Wilt
West is filling its mission of making his
tory for the Indian and the Western MAJ
for the Columbus Centennial of 1899, il
showing the completion Of his great eff