The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-21

of unusual intelligence, and his real life
has been a romance as thrilling as novelist
ever portrayed, for he acquired some Of his
"cutest" tricks of horsemanship while a
captive among the Indians.
He isn't very old, either-only 73-for his
fame was great in his early manhood. He
lives at Franklin. Essex county, y. j.,
where he owns comfortable, old fashioned
house and eighteen acres of land. He is in
easy circumstances and good health, fond
of a chat, and has a whole trunkful OF
medals, testimonials, presents, mementoes
and the like from all sorts and conditions
of men, from Prince Albert and the lord
mayer of London TO Artemus Ward and
George ID. Prentice. 1t was in 1851, when
all the world was crowding 10 see the first
Crystal Palace, that Mr.. Stone rode at
Drury Lane, and Queen Victoria and her
husband first saw genuine bareback riding.
Eaton Stone was born in Burlington,
Vt, Jan. s, 1878. At the age Of 10 he ran
off with Buckley s, Wick's circus, which
advertised as the greatest in America, -
and had canvas capable of seating 1000
people No other show in the country
could hold half so many. The musicians
put up and took down the tent, the riders
lOI tuctB own llbEESN. tAGtpN lAc OLc
equestrienne. and the clown had to serve
as hostler for her. The manager records
as an extraordinary proof OF his success
that he occasionally cleared SIS by a single
performance AT the end of the year Eat
on's father found and took him home, but
he soon ran away again and joined Purdy,
Welch & Co S circus, with which he be
came an equestrian.
Then came a strange episode His err
ratio disposition took him to the Cherokee
Indians, among whom he remain ed several
years. He was then captured by the Pot
tawatomies, and in year among them
quite won their hearts by his skill as q
rider. He escaped after some desperate
adventures, and in 1s40 joined Raymond's
circus, with which he first took rank as the
champion bareback rider In 1876 he eN-
hibited his so called Indian bareback
feats" in New York city. exciting an inter
est like that created in Europe by Buffalo
Bill. and in 1851 he went 70 England. He
SAYS that in some of the remote towns the
English bullies would try TO crowd into
the ring, in which cases be would les his
horse loose and utter wild Indian wells and
war whoops, which would scatter them
His English experience ended in disas-
ter. An American combination failed, his
partners ran off with what they could
grab, and Mr. Stone paid so. 900 debts out
Of his own pocket. The English applauded
his honesty, and 300 gentlemen joined in a
banquet and testimonial 20 him at Bir-
minghsm- For the next fifteen years be
was the champion OF America; then his
suppleuess began 20 fail, and in 1858 be re-
tired from the ring. Den. Stone remained
clown till lSS6. and now lives IN Flan-
ders, y. J. He has q daughter, but Eaton
and wife have had no children.
Some OF Mr.. Stones memsntoes are ex-
tremely interesting. One. presented 20
ann By p. l. BarpuLn, i = curiozsly ca ased
gold watch and gold chain Containing
5000 minute links The whole weighs
two pounds and three ouncsS Another IL
medal Presented by sixty ysutlsraen in
Nsw HOrs- Ii l. Of solid gold, s1rroa1ded
ey wrath and ses With thirteen diar
E0n2s representing the original state
i've times IN his career Ar- Stone suffered
o. iS4is, being borne from tn riaE insen-
s4ole on two Oocaslons- One of his famous
ie'ts ~Hs always supposed 5v the s1dse7ce
10 - AZ scclaeot ana r@-overy ThIs Wa
- - o@eAsaEa sAa KzaS sae nocss -