The Washington herald., 1908-05-19

All roads in Washington seemed to lead
to Fifteenth and H streets northeast yes
terday, and the magnet which drew the
people was Buffalo Bits" Wild West
show.
Col. Cody. with his aggregation Of cow
boys. Indians. Cossacks. soldiers. Japa-
nese. and, In fact, a sprinkling OF prac-
tically every nation in the world, reached
this city on Sunday, and when day
dawned yesterday the big vacant lot at
Fifteenth and H streets had been trans
formed.
Tents arose on every side. and a queer
conglomeradon of people were inter
mingled
The Indians. cowboys. and Cossacks all
had their favorite places, where they
gathered IN groups. and each group was
surrounded by the inevitable small boy,
who stood with open eyes and ears drink
ing in the awe-inspiring sights and sounds
attendant upon the preparation for the
show.
About the Ticket Wagon.
Long before the hour set for the after
noon performance thousands Of persons
were clustered before the ticket wagon
buying seats. and this continued until
long after the performance had opened.
so dense was the crowd.
Every seat in the big tent. and it has
a capacity Of 1900 was taken at the aft
.ernoon performance. while at night it was
necessary 10 place more than 1000 addi-
uonal reserved seats in order TO accOmmo-
date the people.
The show this year is larger, better and
bigger than ever before, and many new
features are introduced. One Of the most
pleasing features Is the cowboy band-an
organization composed OF cowboys. This
is under the direction OF William Sweeney.
and the music Is equal to that Of any
many, despite the fact that the members
playing instruments.
Give a Grand Review.
The show opens with a grand review, IN
which rough riders, Indians. Cossaoks.
scouts, cowboys. guides, soldiers. girl
rough riders, and detachments represent
A4AS tsAE ttlA&TS "a <aAA4Ei
many Japan. Russia, and Mexico. take
part, and it is an imposing spectacle.
This is followed by race Of races, in
which all Of the different people repre-
sented take part. and some daring and
marvellous horsemanship Is shown A
United States artillery drill is next, and
then comes the Pony Express" This
shows how mail was hurried through in
pioneer days OF the west by relays OF
riders on mustangs. and Il aroused the
applause OF the audience. Acrobatlc work
by japanese and Arabs also elected much
applause. The attack by Indians on an
emigrant train was the next feature,
which sent 8 thrill through the audience,
and Il was realistic.
IN this Ray Thompson introduced his
educated horses, among them being Joe
Bailey, the most wonderfully trained
equine in the world. and the feats they
performed and the sagacity displayed
was little less than marvellous
Next on the list was the battle OF Sum
nit Spring and an exact reproduction
of that famous fight, IN which Col Cody
participated and shot and killed Tall
Bull. chief Of the tribe, was given.
D0HUAAA On EFOENEuGEk,
Devlin's Zouaves gave a drilling exhi-
bition. and the latest thing in equestrian
sports. football on horseback. was intro
duced. Il Is Just a trifle more dangerous
than the game on terra firma, and some
Of :he plays executed were Of the hair
raising order. Johnny Baker, the marks
man, gave an exhibition Of his skill,
which was applauded. after which there
was a drill by former members Of the
Sixth Cavalry.
Col. Cody gave an exhibition Of shoot
ing. in which he rode around the arena
breaking glass balls thrown into the air
He broke thirty balls without a miss, and
his skill evoked the widest applause.
Col Cody does not grow one whit older
and he shows the same animation and Vi
vacity that has always characterized him,
A reproduction Of train hold-up Indian
race. Cossacks riding. and the final salute
brought the show TO 3 close There was
a concert after the regular performance
A Fine Spectacle.
The grand review at the opening Of the
show is the finest spectacle in the whole
thing, but many Of those holding reserv-
ed seats missed II. on account OF coming
late
Two performances will be given to-day,
one ia the afternoon and another IN the
evening. There viii be no curtailmeni
Of the evening performance. as Col CodI
I r.