The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-04-30

lynched him to a tree nearby the opera
house, and then returned to their seats
to see the remainder Of the show, which
had stopped during the excitement
when the audience left for what seemed
to be q greater attraction, but which,
as an annoyance which was interfering
with their pleasure.
In 1879 when Roberts company was
playing in Trinidad, Colo, a fellow
named Bill Whooten, one Of the towns
bad men, became smitten with n of
the women performers and was jeal-
ous. One night he came in and shot
talking to the girl. The bullet went
through the victims body, killing him,
and struck another man. Whooten was
arrested and tried before a justice of
the peace named BuStor. The magiS-
trate said that he wanted to discour-
age the carrying Of concealed weapons"
and he fined Whooten $40 and costs.
Bustor was later lynched by the cit
liens because of the brand of justice
he dispensed.
Walter Moss, another advance man
who used to make" Montana told a
thrilling story Of his introduction to
Cheyenne in 1872. The town had many
negro residents, mostly ex-soldiers from
the fort near there, among them num-
putting on frequent entertainments at
the opera house, east Lynne and
Camille" being among their favorite
productions. A big, black negro named
Jim Wolcott usually played the lead
ing parts.
'Wild Bull Of Tartary"
Will Vischer, a theatrical nan who
was in town, day told Wolcott he
had a scheme for 2 realistic, perform
pie, and Wolcottt jumped at the idea.
After the rehearsals began, Wolcott
suggested the use of a wild bull instead
of the wild horse of Tartary" upon
the back of which the hero was lashed
for his famous and involuntary ride.
It took patient training to get the
1ssbef to u9 stang liz fG %ac hav ang t Inc negFe
the I'll up the mountain path" which
was constructed leading away from the
stage. In time, however, Wolcott was
satisfied with the results, and the per-
Torrance was advertised. The house
was packed for the show, which moved
along all right until it was time to
bring on the bull. There was a wait,
broken by muttered curses and x
carnations of whoa" from the wings.
Finally the bull bounded onto the
stage with Wolcott tied on its back.
The audience let out a yell, and the
DULL stopped and bLnked at the foot
lights, with much pushing and pulling
the actors got the animal headed for
the u up the stage, but it beloved
and snorted and stood stock still.
Sweat was pouring from Wolcott, who
by now was scared stiff and was beg
ging the actors to unite him. They,
however, kept prodding the bull. The
audience cheered. Then someone from
the baldheaded row threw a bunch of
lighted firecrackers under the bull and
he was off like a shot. But instead of
running up the mountain path he
whirled and went out through the
rear door of the opera house like a
flash, with Wolcott, strapped to his
back, yelling stop the bull"
The actors followed the bull, and the
audience piled over the footlights and
streamed through the back door after
Mazeppa and the wild bull Of Tartary."
Once in the street., the frightened ami
NAL started for the open country with
the mob after him. He distanced them
in the darkness and escaped.
The people, except for a few negroes,
soon gave up the chase. Next morning
soldiers coming from the fort found
the bull grazing by the roadside, the
black Mazeppa, bruised and uncon-
scious. still dashed to his back. Wolcott
was rescued, his most severe injury q
broken arm.
II guess I made a hit, all right" he
said OF his performance afterwards.