The Portland daily press., 1900-06-15
THE WILD w EST.
Bpiendid Exhibition by Col. Cod vs.
Rough Riders.

1t did not require an expert to tell that
yesterday was Wild West day. Every
one knew that and "a large crowd was
present as the result of the attraction.
Even the night before evidences OF an
unusual event began to appear. People
were out on the streets much later than
usual, and some did not close then eyes
for the night but walked and waited for
the show trains to appear. The nrst
signal was here Mt four O'Clock in the
morning. Then the first section OF the
train appeared and began to unload. by
five clock in the morning, several hun
bred people had gathered either at the
grounds or at the station to watch the
big company at work. By the time the
sun was fairly up the country roads be-
gan to show black specks and from that
time on the specks began to grow more
numerous as the out -of-town people began
to drive in.
BY 10 o clock the parade was fairly ON
the street. such a parade has not been
seen in the city for five years. 1t was IN
Itself work of art. There was nothing
glittering, snowy or unsubstantial but
of the whole substantial sentiment.
The afternoon performance began
about 2.l5 O'Clock. When the Cowboy
band struck up the strains of the star
Spangled Bann er" in the main tent,
most of the crowd had arrived, although
numbers of people continued to file in
for some time after. The first eve mt was
a grand review. Several squads Of
Indians in full war paint rode into the
arena with whoops and yells. These We're
followed by Mexicans, Arabs, Gauchos
Cossacks, Cowboys and cavalry from the
regular armies of America, Germany,
England and Russia, a color guard of the
Cuban veterans and o squad of Rough
Riders of Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines. The review was picture that
cannot be put into words.
Astonishing work with the shot gun
was executed by the celebrated marks
woman, Miss Annie Oakley, and race
between the different nationalities fol-
lowed. The artillery drill by veterans
of Battery ID, 9TH Reg U. S. Art, was
of intense interest and the quick, uni
form work of the men called for much
admiration. A group of Mexicans gave
an exhibition of their dexterity with the
lasso and then followed the battle of san
Juan Hill.
1t was splendid scene and was well
worthy of the applause called forth from
the spectators.
A group of Arab horsemen Illustrated
their style of Workmanship together with
their sports and pastimes, and Johnny
Baker, the famous young American
marksman, performed wonderful feats
with the rifle and shot gun. The Cos
sacks gave an exhibition of their daring
riding performing almost miraculous
feats as the horses tore around the course.
A large crowd of Indians in full war
paint, performed their war dances and
gave exhibitions of their games and mode
of fighting.
A detachment of Irish I.ancers gave a
military drill. They are splendid lot
of soldiers and went through many inter-
esting manoeuvres. Veterans from the
9th U. S. Cavalry went through military
exercises and showed great skill in horse
manship. Then q horde of bowling
Indians swooped down on q mail coach.
the occupants of which were putting up
n hard fight, when Buffalo Bill" and
his cowboys put in an appearance and the
redskins were quickly put to flight.
Col. Cody is a man now well advanced
In years, but it was not apparent to the
spectators as his stalwart form was seen
riding about, and that his eye is still
keen and his nerves steady was proved by
the wonderful shots he made with his
rihe.N Riding at full speed, he shattered
the balls thrown into the air in rapid