Title: Vic. and Red Shirt | Parley at the Wild West Show in Merry England

Periodical: The Wheeling Register

Date: May 13, 1887

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English

 

Vic. and Red Shirt

Parley at the Wild West Show in Merry England

The Queen Much Pleased—She Pats the Cheeks of the Papooses—Gladstone's Extraordinary Speech—His Defense of League Methods—Butterly Assailed

LONDON, MAY 12.—The Queen having commanded a private performance of the Wild West Show, yesterday, there was no afternoon exhibition, and the grand stand and camp were closed all day.

At a few minutes after five o'clock the royal carriage drove into the grounds at the Earl's Court entrance form the Warwick road, and, passing through the roadway between the stables, drove around the arena and stopped in front of the royal box.

The Queen was accompanied by Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenberg. She was attended by the Dowager Duchess of Athole, Lady in Waiting, and Miss Cadogan, Main of Honor. Gen.Gardiner and Sir Henry Ewart were in attendance on horseback. [1] The party were received by the Marquis of Lorne, [2] who presented Col. Henry S. Russell, President of the American Exhibition, J.R. Whitley [3] and Vincent Alpin to her Majesty.

Lord Ronald Gower, Col. Hughes Hallett, Mrs. John Priestman, Sir John Maxwell Herron, Mr. Lee Thornton, Col. Griffin, Mr. J. G. Speed, Mr. C. F. Eganfield, Mr. Townsend Percy, Mr. R. M. Smith, Mr. Alfred Packard, Mr. John Sartan, Mr. William Goldring, Florence O'Driscoll, Dr. J. D. Badlack, of the Executive Reception Committee. On the stand were Mrs. Whitley, Mrs Packard, Mrs. Priestman, Mrs. Salsbury, Lady Archibald Campbell, Miss Applin, Mrs. H. S. Russell and the Misses Russell.

BUFFALO BILL PRESENTED.

The Queen entered the royal box, which was heavily canopied with crimson velvet and seated herself in the centre, with Princess Beatrice on her right and Prince Henry, of Battenberg, who remained standing, on her left. The Marquis of Lorne was on the right of the Princess and the Dowager Duchess, of Athole, was behind the Queen. The front of the box was filled with a mass of rare orchids.

About two-thirds of the usual performance was gone through with, beginning with the usual grand entree. The two young girls, Annie Oakley and Lillian Smith, [4] were sent for by the Queen, who spoke a few words of praise to each.

At the conclusion of the performance Col. Cody (Buffalo Bill) had the honor of being presented to Her Majesty, who expressed herself as greatly pleases with the exhibition she had witnessed. Col. Cody asked her if it was too long, to which she replied, "Not at all" She only regretted that her time was so limited and said she would like to come again.

RED SHIRT TALKS TO THE QUEEN.

Red Shirt (Ogalasa), a Chief of the Sioux, was then presented, and the Queen expressed her pleasure at seeing him. Red Shirt replied that it made him glad to hear her. He had come a long way to see Her Majesty. From his great chief, Sitting Bull, he had heard of the Great Mother, but had never expected to see her. He was glad to the squaw who was more powerful than any man.

The Queen expressed a desire to see the Indian babies or papoosses. Two of these were presented for Her Majesty's inspection, and she was pleased to shake their little hands and pat their chubby, painted cheeks.

Note 1: In attendance to Queen Victoria were Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg and Henry Maurice, Prince of Battenberg; Lady in Waiting, Anne Murray, Dowager Duchess of Atholl (Athole); Maid of Honour, The Honourable Ethel Henrietta Cadogan. On horseback: Lieutenant-General and Honorary General Henry Lynedoch Gardiner, Royal Artillery, Equerry to The Queen; and General Sir John Alexander Ewart, Knight Commander. [back]

Note 2: Marquis of Lorne was John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll, who held the title Marquess of Lorne from 1847 to 1900. [back]

Note 3: The American Exhibition was represented by Colonel Henry S. Russell (president), John Robinson Whitley (director-general), and Vincent Applin (secretary); the three Americans together managed to ensure a place for Buffalo Bill's Wild West to perform at Earl's Court. [back]

Note 4: Lillian Frances Smith (1871-1930), known as "The California Girl" and "the champion California huntress," was a trick rider and sharp shooter who joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West in 1886 when she was only fifteen. [back]