The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-07-10
The Famous American Exhibitor.

Replying to a compliment paid him by
Caleb Cushing P. T. Barnum said: "No,
Mr.. Gushing, 1 am not famous. You are
famous, while / am simply notorious" I"
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Barnum was overmodest
in his distinction, but meant to indicate that
of itself the show business could confer no
such thing as legitimate fame, and in that
conclusion he was right. To-day Colonel
w. f. Cody, the originator of the Wild
West Show, is fully as widely known and
as popular as was the mighty manager of
song and circus, while fairly entitled to a
fame which Barnum did not claim This is
not the result of most extraordinary success
in the show business, but both antecedent
and incident thereto, the publicity gained
as an exhibitor at home and abroad having
served to direct general attention to a
career and character, the knowledge Of
which modesty would have limited within
the smaller circle of brave and distinguished
men, with whom Colonel Cody shared the
dangers and hard-won triumphs Of border
warfare. His splendid physique, classic
features, keen intelligence, iron resolution
and chivalric courage, coupled with the
most gentle courtesy and winning ways,
made him splendid and respected figure
in the army, winning both admiration and
affection. He was hero by right of char
acter, presence and achievement, wearing
his laurels 80 unostentatously that even
envy sauted him. When he conceived the
novel project of organizing show which
would epitomize upon large and accurate
scale the romantic incidents, peculiarities
and unique pastimes of border life, not only
was he Cordially seconded by his hundreds
of influential friends in the army, but was
enabled to command tn services OF repre-
sentative and noted frontiersmen, of every
class and calling, as well as that of the real
Indian warriors, because one and all knew
and trusted him. Even the general govern
ment conceded him fayors no other has ever
been alb o to obtain. The exhibition he per-
fected was an absolute revelation to civil
ization and a phenomenal success in Eu-
rope and America, and for months at the
Worlds Fair in Chicago. Himself SUI
perb horseman and dead shot, he was the
central dominant figure in his grand arena
and rode straight into the popular heart
The world found out what manner of man
Colonel Cody really was, and from throne
to cottage he was recognized and welcomed /;
not as a Snowman, but as representative
American, with record to be honored.
This is not notoriety, it is fame.
1t is not the purpose Of this article to de-
tail the attractions of Buffalo Bill's Wild
West, which is announced to exhibit in
Montpelier on Wednesday, July "a That
may be left to the advertisement, which will
be found on page seven. 1t may, however,
be remarked that the prescott season its scope
has been vastly enlarged, to admit the in
PRODUCTION of the best representative horse,
men from the armies of Europe the desert
of Arabia and the plains Of South America,
contrasted with our own famous rough rid
ers, and the savage and reckless horsemen
of various Indian tribes Hundreds of such
equestrians, splendidly mounted and Co.'S
tuned, and simultaneously appearing in
warlike maneuvers and illustrations of in
dividual skill, forms a splendidly thrilling
and picturesque innovation, impossible to
describe, and compared with which all the
combined features of the common circus are
but stalest burlesque. The show is meeting
with an unbroken succession of tremendous
here, and should also be remembered that
II you would see famous "Buffafo Bill" and
his stupendous historic and romantic enter,
tiinment you must do 30 now, as they will
not return.