Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-14
sUFFAl0 GILL
(Continued from page 81

ing with Spanish soldiers. The Amer
ican troops appeared and drew up in
battle line. The fort became the scene
Of great activity as the Spaniards hur-
ried to and fro. The Americans pushed
forward and the firing began. There
was the sound Of artillery and the rat
tie of rifles. Men fell and were taken
away on stretchers attended by the
Red Cross nurses. The Americans
pushed on and the rapid-fire gun
doomed. They did not stop until,
through the smoke, the Stars and
Stripes were seen waving at the top
OF the battlements. 1t was splendid
scene and was well worthy Of the APP
pIatise called forth from the spectators.
A group Of Arab horsemen illustrat-
ed their style of horsemanship together
with their sports and pastimes. and
Johnny Baker. the famous young
American marksman, performed won
derful feats with the rifle and shot gun.
Johnny was able to hit the balls
tossed in the air whether he was
standing on his feet, lying on his back
or standing on his head. The Cossacks
gave an exhibition Of their daring rid
ing. performing almost miraculous
feats as the horses tore around the
course. In fearless equestrian feats the
Cossacks were enexcelled. A large
crowd Of Indians in full war paint,
performed their war dances and gave
exhibitions of their games and mode OF
fighting. Col. Cody has a large band
OF red skins. from the Sioux. Arrapa-
hoe, Brule and Cheyenne tribes, ana
they certainly presented fierce though
interesting Tin time OF peace) sight In
their hideous war paint and feathers.
A detachment of Irish Lancers gave
a military drill. They are splendid
lot of soldiers and went through many
interesting maneuvers. veterans from
the 9th u. S. Cavalry went through
military exercises and showed great
skill in horsemanship. Then horde OF
bowling Indians swooped down on a
mail coach the occupants OF whlcn
were putting up a hard fight, when
Buffalo Bill" and his cowboys put In
an appearance and the redskins were
quickly put to flight.
Col Cody is man now well adVanc-
ed in years, but it was not apparent
to the spectators as HIS stalWart form
was seen riding about, and that ms
eye Is still keen and his nerves steady
was proved by the wonderful shots he
made with his rifle. Riding at full
speed he shattered the balls thrown
into the air in rapid succession with
apparent ease. Time has used him
leniently and as he rode around the
arena one could almost imagine him
taking part in the historical rescue of
wild Bill from the Cheyennes, the
story Of which is familiar to every
American schColboy.
The buffalo hunt and the Indians
attack on the settlers cabin were the
last events before the final salute Of
the entire company, when all were
drawn up In picturesque mass cover
ing the entire arena.
Between 5000 and 5000 people witnessed
the afternoon performance. One Au-
gusta man said that it was the larg-
est crowd he had ever seen in Augusta
at an afternoon performance, and that
all We're highly pleased at the perform
ance was evident from the expression
on the faces of the people az they filed
out After the regular performance a
concert was given by the company,
which was well attended. 1t was COM
posed of witty repartee and songs that
called fOrth rOdrS OF lausTter. L ne en-
tire afternoon performance was carried
out with smoothncss and order. suiii
cient proof of the great executive abil-
ity Of the management
One of the Indians was thrown dur
ing race and suffered a broken wrist.
besides bad bruises. He was taken to
a physicians office, where the injury
was attended to.
Those who attended the evening per
Torrance had one advantage over those
present in the afternoon. The com
pany carries with it a large electric
lighting plant, so that the arena was
almost as light as day. The lighting
made the effect very striking, and the
lights We're not so fierce that the fire
from the rapidfire guns and the rifles
did not show up and a startling effect
was produced The attendance was
very large for an evening performance
and the final production made a fitting
wind up for the famous Wild West
show.
The Skowhegan special. run to ac-
commodate those up river who wished
to attend the Wild West show. arrived
in the city. at 725 last evening, and