The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-25
MANY BRAVE THE DRIZZLE
Buffalo Bills Wild West Show
Given Under Difficulties.
The Arena Wet md SogGy-NO Hitch
in the Performances Over Five
Thousand Persons Attend - Battle
of Tientsin and other Features.

| or the dement, OF a crowd OF over 5tVHt
people, packed under dripping tents, Buff
falo Bills horsemen last night exhibited
themselves in their variegated costumes.
Rain made no difference, and though the
arena was covered with mud the entire
| programme was given without hitch
The Indictment weather did not seem to
have any appreciate effect upon the at
tendance, for nearly every available seat
had an occupant Society was quite well
represented. and several of the debutantes
of the season, with their escorts, who had
| braved the drizzle, the crowded cars, the
bad road, and the ankle-deep mud, were
to be seen in the boxes. The army was
also represented in the person of General
| Miles. who has from the first taken an
! interest in the show. Before the wagons
| were unpacked yesterday morning he was
out at the grounds in his little buggy
watching intently all that was being done.
The work of getting the grounds in
shape was a long one, because it included
the leveling of large sized mound which
rose in the middle of the central arena.
Last night none of this preliminary
work was evident, and as the spectators
looked out from their seats fair and
broad eXpanse of turf, partly covered
with straw, spread before them. Upon
each one of the hundred poles used in
supporting the canvas tent hung a bright
arc light. which gave sufficient bright
ness to illuminate the enclosure. These
were REINFORCED by a couple of search
lights al the main end of the arena, which
were kept trained upon the principal
actors in each turn.
The pageant of horsemen which Buffalo
Bill presented was brilliant notwithstand-
ing the fact that the color of their uni
forms and their equipment was hidden
in a great measure by the night, and by
the half fog of the drizzling rain 1t lost
none of the interest which attaches to it
because of its educational value. The
Arao- the Boer the Sikh. the United
States cavalryman, the Indian, and the
Japanese foot soldiers were all present,
and at various times during the perform
ance, in action. Each horseman, in ma
tional costume, showed the characteristic
methods of the horsemans art as prac-
ticed in his own country The American
Indian and cowboy had the centre
of the arena to themselves much more
than any other nationality os horsemen.
and the audience was content that this
should be so, judging from the applause
that greeted the heroes of the plains
whenever they appeared upon the scene.
Races, acrobatic feats and rifle shooting
filled up the programme, the final act be-
ing a most realistic reproduction of the
assault by the allied troops upon Tien-
tsin, in which nearly the entire company
was engaged, the scene lasting about half
an hour.
This years show presents two new fea-
lures, one of merely spectacular interest.
- 1f ao1
who take part in the general review and
parade, and the other an act which
smacks of the salt sea. This is repro
duction of the work of a nfe-saving crew.
using the breeches buoy and the life line,
shooting the latter from a cannon over an
improvised mast and yardarm.
Inc programme includes twenty-one
acts, beginning with the Star Spangled
Banner as an overture by the band, and
ending with the spectacular reproduction
OF the assault upon Tientsin. The second
event on the programme is the grand re-
view, which is impressive because of the
large number OF horsemen who are gath
cred together at one time and because of
the VarleSated eolors in the garments of
their riders. After the parade Miss Annie
Oakley comes on the scene TO astonish the
gaping multitude with her marvellous
shooting. She begins with winging CLAW
pigeons flying from trap, and concludes
with breaking eleven in succession. hit
ting the first with her rife upside down.
and using for the remaining ten live sepa
rate guns, the whole feat being performed
in about ten seconds.
Then follow race of races, between a
cowboy, Cossack, a Mexican an Arab a
Guacho. and an Indian, and a drill by vet
Grams from Battery d, Fifth 6nited States
Artillery.
An emigrant train crossing the prairie is
with vigor, and at the loss of a
good deal of gunpowder, but no lives by
the marauding Indians, who are eventual
nff
realistic way by the cowboys and scouts
VINO arrive at the proper moment. Johnny
Baker, the celebrated American marks
man, was as surprising in his way as was
Miss Oakley. The climax of his act was
reached when, standing ON his head. he
broke in rapid succession two clay pigeons
thrown from a trap.
The life saving drill aroused general in
terest The men were clad in sou west
ers and oil skin coats. A pole with a
yard squared had been erected in the
middle of the arena and the "shipwreck-
ed sailor perched himself upon it. The
life saving crew, with their gun, plowed
through the mud, placed the gun In posi-
ton, and fired the line across the yard
arm OF the mast. 1t was but the work of
a moment for the sailor to haul out a
heavier rope, make it fast on the mast,
and to slide to dry land and safety in the |
brooches buoy sent out to him.
The cowboy fun brought out the usual
bucking bronchos, which cavorted all over
the arena, to the great delight of the
assembled spectators. The cowboys stuck
bravely to their saddles and not a single
horse zane OFF victor. The best riding |
was al. exhibition given by the veterans
Of the Sixth United States Cavalry After |
riding in various fancy styles be reback |
the men began riding double and finally |
the most expert standing erect rode three |
and five horses at once.
The Battle of Tientsin' was truly real |
lstic, 1t opened with the assembling of |
the troops, the cavalry coming first and |
lnuOlElnE SDeCtacnlHr rhn
followed, and when all had been |
there was a general review. The |
second scene showed the storming of the |
forts, and the charge in which the Amer |
lean troops took the lead.
As Il spectacle, and one that would ap- |
peal especially to lovers of horseiiesh the |
Buffalo Bill Rough Riders attains a great |
OF success. 1t probably has it's |
charaDter of the exhibition and the sus-
taineC interest.
There will be no parade today, but two |
performances Will be given. at o clock in |
the Afternoon and at o'clock at night.
The Indian contingent ACCOMMODATING |
Buffalo Bill show, especially those of the /
Sioux nation, were a disgruntled lot as /
they stalked UP and down the muddy |
grounds with their long bodies enveloped /
IN brilliant blankets. The cause of their |
depression was that the tepee of one of |
heir great chiefs, "One Bear" which oc- |
cupied conspicuous position on the |
grounds was burned down about o'clock |
n the evening. A fire. it seems. had been
started in order to warm the interior of |
The tent, and, after piling wood upon it /
he two squaws in charge left to procure
more fagots. The flames soon reached the !
sides of the tepce. and in a few minutes /
he whole tent was afre. The sight of the
lanes caused no end of excitement among
The Indians, who tried to extinguish the
blaze, but without result. AS the fire
burned out a solemn crowd of Indians
and squaws gathered around the pole