Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-12-02
HE WAS A FAKE SCOUT.
But He Had Long Hair and Made a Big
Hit.

But He Had Long Hair and Made a Big
Hit.
The late Adam Forepaugh was a
unique, original and interesting charac-
ter. He was conspicuous above all things
for his eminent practical business
methods. A story that effectively illus
trates the famous Snowman s ever-pres-
ent commercial instinct is told by Chas.
A. Davis, one of the exploiters of the
popular farcical play of 'The Hustler, ;"
and who was connected with the Fore
paugh circus in business capacity for a
number Of years.
Several seasons ago one of Manager
Forepaugh's principal attractions was a
representation Of Clusters battle with
the Sioux on Little Big Horn River. A
large contigent of "sure enough" In
dams and cowboys was employed in the
sham fight, and it was given with
thrillingly realistic effects. One of the
most striking and picturesque figures in
the mimic encounter was Sergt. Wag-
ner-picked up by the management in
an Ohio town-who claimed to be the
sole survivor of Clusters forces In the
memorable and saguinary conflict with
Sitting Bulls cohorts. The gallant Ser
geant accounted for his escape by the
statement that he had carried Gen.
Clusters dispatches to Maj. Reno on the
day of the massacre, starting upon
his hazardous ride of seventy miles sew
eral hours before the hostilities be-
gan, and consequently was not present
when the slaughter of Custer and his
troops took place. 1T was on this peri
lous ride to Reno's camp, as the Ser
geant solemnlv averred, that he en-
gagged in running fight with band of
redskins for distance of ten miles,
and, Notwithstanding the fact that his
deadly Winchester sent round dozen
of his pursuers to the happy hunting
grounds, he was fortunate enough to
collide with a poisoned arrow that hur-
riedly and unceremoniously left bow
in the hands of the copper colored chill
dren of the plains. The arrow struck
the Sergeant in his good right leg, and
later the wound proved so dangerous
that amputation of the limb became
necessary.
In Forepaugn's "Custer's Battle"
the Sergeant appeared in his old role of
the generals scout. He played the
part superblv. Mounted on magnii-
cent thoroughbred, his bronzed, resolute
face all aglow with animation, and with
his long coal-black hair swaying to and
fro, he looked the time-tried veteran
soldier to the life as he dashed around
the track, amid the wild applause of
the spectators, under the big hippo
drome tent. The Sergeant was the hit
of the performance, and was over
whelmed with attentions by Grand
Army men in every town the circus
visited.
One day an employe of the show quar-
ro1od Wifi h RrOtbnr Wounar anA tbon
proceeded to make an investigation of
the latter's record with tie hope of
getting the more or less valiant soldier
''fired." He went to Mr.. Forepaugh
and charged the Sergeant with being an
impostor, presenting some evidence that
in court of law would have convicted
the so-called "hero of the Little Big
Horn of masquerading as the genuine
Simon-pure Wagner, who long since
departed this life. 1t was alleged that
Forepaugh's Sergt, Wagner had lost his
leg in threshing machine, that he had
never seen a redskin until he Joined
the circus.
Quick as q flash the alert and "practi-
caP' Snowman, in his most sarcastic and
defiant tones, retorted:
"What do | care whether this duck,
Wagner, is fake or not He's got
long hair, d wooden leg, and is the finest
blankety blank liar l ever met. He
pleases the guys better than the real
Wagner would"