Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-27
The Famous American Exhibitor.

Replying to compliment paid him By
Caleb Gushing. P. T. Barnum said
NO, Mr. Cushing, am not famous. YOU
are famous, while I am simply notorious y
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Barnum was ovel
modest in his distinction, but meant te
Indicate that of itself the show business
could confer no such thing as legitimate
Tame, and in that conclusion he was
right. Today Col. W. F. Cody, the origi-
nator 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 fame which Barnum
did not claim. This is not the result of
most extraordinary success in the show
business, but both antecedent and Incl
dent 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 listin-
guished men, with whom Col. Cody shared
the danger 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 win
| ming ways, made him splendid and re.
| spected figure in the army, winning both
| admiration and affection. He was hero
by right OF character, presence and
| achievement, wearing his laurels SO unos-
tentatiously that even envy saluted him.
When he conceived the novel project of
organizing show which would cpitomize
upon large and accurate scale the
romantic incidents, pecularities 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 the services of
representative aud noted frontiersmen, of
every class and calling, as we'll as that of
the real Indian warriors, because one and
all knew and trusted him. Even the
general government conceded him favors
no other has ever been ablo to obtain
Tho exhibition he perfected was an alb
phenomenal success in Europe and Amer
lea, and for months at the Worlds Fair
in Chicago. Himself a superb horseman
and dead shot, he was the central domi
nant figure in his grand arena, and rode
straight into the popular heart. The
world found out what manner of man Col
Cody really was and from throne to cot
tage he was recognized and welcomed
not as Snowman, but as a representative
American, with record to he honcred
This is not notoriety, it is fame
1t is not the purpose of this article to
detail the attractions of Buffalo Bits
Wild West, which is announced to exhibit
here on Friday. July 10, that may be left
to the advertisement. 1t may, however,
be remarked that the present season its
the introduction of the best representative
horsemen from the armies of Europe, the
desert of Arabia and the plains of South
America, contrasted with our own fam
GUS rough riders, and the savage and
reckless horsemen of various Indian
tribes. Hundreds of such equestrians,
splendidly mounted and costumed, and
simultaneously appearing in warlike
maneuvers and illustrations Of individual
skill, forms splendidiy 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 sue
cession of tremendous popular ovations,
It should be the same here, and should
also be remembered that if you would see
famous Buffalo Bill" and his stupendous
historic and romantic entertainment you
must do so now, as they will not return.
Remember, too, that you will see it all,
exactly as presented recently in Boston,
with Col. Cody present at each perform
ance