Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-14


Burke is the only American man in ex-
istence who ever stood up to an American
bar and took drink with the woman who
is now queen of England. When this story
was first heard it's reliability was doubted,
but he acknowledges its truth.
He never speaks of the incident unless
asked about it, and then is rather uncom-
nnunicative.
Major Burke has been connected with
Buffalo Bits wild west ever since 1t was
established by Colonel Cody and Nate
Salisbury, and an acquaintance with more
people connected with the show business
and the press all over the world probably
than is possessed by any other man living.
He has come in personal contact with
every royal family, and enjoys friendli-
ness of pretty nearly every monarch now
reigning in Europe
1t was in the summer of the late Queen
Victoria's jubilee year that the wild west
reached London, and her majesty hearing
much about it, decided to see 1t for her
self. This was the first time she emerged
from her retirement to honor any exhibit
ton by her presence since the death Of the
prince consort, twenty-five years previous
ly. and special performance was given
expressly for her.
Colonel Cody marshaled his forces In the
field and Nate Salisbury explained to her
majesty the features of the exhibition.
One incident of the royal visit will proba-
bly, never be forgotten by any who wit
messed 1t. When, after various detach-
ments of Indians, cowboys and other
horsemen had ridden into line, Sergeant
Bate came dashing across the arena car
rying the American flag, the queen arose
from her seat in the royal box and bowed
profoundly to the stars and stripes.
What cheer the assembled forces sent
upon seeing this graceful and really un-
premeditated act' Five years later, while
the court was still in mourning for the
Duke of Clarence, her majesty sent for
the wild west to go down to the Windsor
and again gave evidence Of her enjoyment
Of the performance.
AS mementoes of these occasions Colonel
Cody possesses a magnificent signet ring
and Salisbury and Burke each scarf pin,
representing the imperial crown in the
miniature set with diamonds, the gift of
the late queen.
King Edward--then Prince of Wales
accompanied by the present queen, then
the princess, and their three daughters,
and having as guests four kings, half
dozen crown princes and numerous other
members of royal families, who had come
to London to attend the jubilee celebra-
tions, visited a special performance of
the wild west previously to the first given
to Queen Victoria. 1t was on this occa-
sion that Colonel Cody personally drove
the old Deadwood coach with royalty as
passengers.
The King of Greece. the King of Den
mark, the King Of Belgium and King Al
bert, of Saxony whose death occurred last
Thursday. rode in the old Deadwood coach
of Buffalo Bill's show during the queens
jubilee in 1897. The Prince of Wales-the
present King of England-remarked that
It was probably the first time Buffalo Bill
had ever played to four kings. No" in
-
the first time have had four kings, but
1t is the first time l have had four kings
and a royal joker too"
All the royal ladies, by the direction
of the Prince of Wales. who took personal
charge of the kings and other gentlemen,
were put in charge Of Major Burke and
most weighty responsibility 1t was, for the
group comprised four queens, number of
crowned princesses, and. in fact, members
Of all reigning families in Europe.
What struck me most" the major will
say, whenever he can be Influenced to
talk of them, was their simple, unassum-
ing, democratic ways. A party of six COM
mon councilmen's wives would have put
on more airs than all these royal ladies'
together. Knowing their exalted rank.
was at first embarrassed, being a COM
mon, everyday sort of an American citi-
zen, unused to the ways Of court, but they
were so charmingly natural and unaffect-
ed that in five minutes 1 had forgotten
that they wore crowns upon occasions.
They talked delightfully."- about the per-
Torrance and asked no end Of questions
concerning the Indians and the cowboys
and many other things that were complete
novelties to them. Then / took them
through the camp and the stables and
they expressed great interest in the way
the outfit lived. There was one thing.
curiously enough. about which they didn't
need to be told-they all knew a good
horse when they saw it, and they could
appreciate good horsemanship."
Major Burke lived in a little two-room
log cabin on the .earl's court grounds that
summer. 1t was fitted up in regular from
tier style, with rude but comfortable fur
niture made of natural wood. This
shack" received many royal visitors, and
all were requested. before leaving, to take
seat upon certain chair. fashioned out
of a big log and covered with buffalo hide.
That piece of furniture before the summer
ended had held more royalty than any
throne in the world, and the major pro-
posed to bring it back to this country as
souvenir, but, alas! one night during his
absence from camp some chilly cowboys
split the log into firewOod, and when he
returned there was only a heap of ashes
in the big fireplace to remind him of his
loss
The Princess of Wales liked the wild
WCSN ~ well LAAeAh pau IL SCNCA al NASANSs
and then one night came, accompanied by
the crown Prince Of Denmark, Colonel
Montague and Mrs. Clarke, wife of the
princes equerry. Previously Colonel Mon
tague sought out Major Burke, explained
that the princess wanted to enjoy herself
without the bother of ceremony that pub
licity would entail and ask him to take
charge of the party. The major caught
the idea at once and placed them in an or
binary box a long distance from the state
box devoted to royal visitors. Harry L.,
''the grandstandchief," came along and