The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-06
BUFFALO BILLS RIDERS
THEY FURNISH HEIR USUAL
THRILLING EXHIBITION.
stormfng of San Juan Hill an Added
Feature-Big Crowds In
Attendance.

Col. W. F. Cody buffalo BID, with his
Wild West and Congress of Rugh Riders,
entertained large crowds yesterday after
noon and last night at the show grounds.
west OF the river. In the morning, at 10
O'Clock. the aggregation gave a street pa
rade which was witnessed by thousands Of
people and which alone gave an idea of
what the famous scout and frontiersman
has been able to accomplish in the way of a
unique and entertaining exhibition.
Since Buffalo Bill visited this city last
new attractions have been added to the
show. not the least Of which is the Battle
OF San Juan HILL one of the chief events
in the history of the Spanish merican war.
At the performances yesterday afternoon
and last night between 1900 and 1900 peo-
pie applauded the battle" and the other
interesting events on the programme. One
of the features of the show was the cowboy
band. a musical organization, excellently
trained and under the leadership of William
Sweeney. The opening overture OF the band
was The -Star-spangled Banner" which ex-
cited the applause of the crowds. The per-
Torrance opened with a grand review, in
which the Rough Riders of the World-In-
dams, cowboys. Coccasks, Arabs and de-
m of soldiers representing different
armies Of the world-took part. BIZ falo Bill
still has Annie Oakley and Johnnie Baker.
both celebrated shots. with his show, and
they gave their usual clever exhibition.
Baker is a protege of Buffalo Bill. He was
brought up on Cody's ranch and was by him
taught to use firearms. 1t makes little diff
ference to Baker how he shoots. Standing
on his feet, on his head or lying on his back.
he is equally dexterous in his craftsmanship.
Miss Oakley is an illustration of what a
woman may do with a shotgun and a basket
of glass balls. She shoots with unerring
aim.
The spectators were particularly well
pleased wit the drill in which Captain
Thorne's Battery d, Fifth Regiment, United
States Artillery, took part. The men are
exceptionally well trained. The exhibition
was given with two large field pieces, drawn
by horses trained to the work. People wait
ed with a good deal OF curiosity for the
Battle of San Juan HILL" which had been
specially featured by the press agent.
attachments from Roosevelt's Rough Riders,
Twenty-fourth Infantry. Ninth and Tenth
cia's Cuban scouts. The battle was given in
two scenes. The first was "A Halt on the
Road to San Juan, The United States
from a long march. They lay down to rest.
and during the wait of a few minutes sang
America" The familiar air. as it foated
across the field, touched a responsive chord
in the hearts Of the spectators. and a great
clapping of hards interrupted the song. To
the south Of the men, stretched across the
field, was a great canvas showing the rich
passed from the field and the programme
said that several hours were supposed TO
scene, the "Storming of the HILL" In this
scene. the hill was shown, with the Spanish
~biockhouse at tie top. From the top OF the
house .foated the Spanish c%olors, and the
Spanish forces were there, waiting for the
attack to begin. Suddenly a cannon shot
was heard and the clear notes OF a bugle
and stormed the hill. The battle was brief,
but thrilling. Before the spectators had time
TO pick out the different heroes of the his
torical event the battle was over and the
American flag floating over the Spanish fort.
The band played THE Star-spangled Ban
ner. as the American colors We're planted
on the hill, and it seemed that every man,
woman and child recognized it and ap-
plauded.
The Buffalo Bill show has its comic fea-
lures, and these were furnished by the cow
boys In lassoing wild horses and riding buck
Ing. bronchos. There was also a musical
military drill by detachments from the Six
teenth Lancers, British army, and the Garde
Kiirassiers of the Germany army. A fine
exhibition OF Craftsmanship was given by
veterans from Colonel Summers regiment al
Fort Meyer, Va. A group of Riffian Araf
horsemen cave their native sports and pas
times, and the Cossacks performed some
astounding feats of horsemanship. A grouI
Of Mexicans ca me out and showed how the
iasso may be used by those skillful in throw
ing IL. The rescue of an emigrant trair
crossing the plains, by Buffalo Bill, scout:
and cowboys. who attacked and repulsed Q
band of Indians, thrilled the hearts of the
old-timers who had been West and re
called the days of '49. The old DeadwooC
mail coach had its usual narrow escape from
the Indians, when Buffalo BIZ came to the
rescue. with his cowboys. The Indian fea
ture of the show was unusually good. Brave.
from the Brule Sioux tribe gave an il
lustration of the Indian mode of fghtins
and had their war dances and games.
Colonel Cody gave an exhibition of sharp
shooting which demonstrated that his ain
does not grow less true as he advances in
years. He shoots entirely with a rifle anC
rarely ever misses the glass balls thrown
in the air in front of him as he rides acros:
the field. The buffalo hunt was one of tn,
unique features Of the performances. Col
Il GnIr- hna Ha.t ~ I.-+- -