Letter from William F. Cody to Charles G. Penney, January 5, 1894 Cody, William Frederick, 1846-1917 Johnston, Jeremy Christianson, Frank Seefeldt, Douglas, 1964- 2011 William F. Cody Archive University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Digital Research in the Humanities
319 Love Library University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588-4100 cdrh@unlnotes.unl.edu
Lincoln, Nebraska
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588-4100
bbww.letter.codytopenney.1894.01.05 wfc.css00015

Charles G. Penney held the rank of Captain in the U. S. 6th Infantry and was Acting U. S. Indian Agent at Pine Ridge. Cody, William Frederick, 1846-1917 Letter from William F. Cody to Charles G. Penney January 5, 1894 1 page NARA, Central Plains, Fairs & Expositions Folder 047, Box 162

1 hand-written page

 1 page

Media: black ink

Texts Correspondence Lakota Performers Frontier and pioneer life Penney, Charles G., 1844- Salsbury, Nathan, 1846-1902 Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (S.D.) Weakly, Laura K. Added annotations Christianson, Frank Approval Witte, Stephen Annotation Clark, Linda Proofing Adams, Deb Trancription Boyce, Gary Transcription Weakly, Laura K. Conversion to P5 Heppler, Jason A. Initial encoding Heppler, Jason A. Original Transcription North Platte Neb Jan. 5th 94
Capt. Chas. G. Penney Agt. Pine Ridge S. Dak
Dear Capt.

Mr. Salsbury has just sent me the Form of Agreement for the Indians drawn by yourself.1 we both approve of it. And Just what we have wanted the Indians to for years. But as their contract was up or made out this way before they wished their money as soon as the show closed. but this will be much better for them each and all will have a little money when they arrive at the Agency. 2 this way

Accept our sincere thanks for your kindly interest

Wishing you a happily New Year.

Very truly yours W. F. Cody Note 1: The Wild West's employment contracts with Indian performers had to be approved by the agent in charge of the reservation where the Indians resided. In this case, it appears that Agent Penney took an active role in drafting the contracts himself. Note 2: Cody refers to the practice of withholding a portion of an Indian performer's salary until the individual returned to the reservation at the end of the show season. This was a common element in Wild West Indian contracts for the remainder of Cody's show career.