BIRTH AT THE WILD WEST CAMP.—Yesterday, in the Indian camp at the Wild West Show, the squaw of Little Chief, (who ranks next to Red Shirt) gave birth in the morning to a female child. This is the first birth which has taken place during the sojourn of the Indians in this country. A council was held in camp during the day, and the name quickly decided upon—Frances Victoria Alexandra—in honour of Mrs. Cleveland, [1] Queen Victoria, and the Princess of Wales. [2] The Indians celebrated the event with the rejoicings usual on such an occasion, and Major Burke telegraphed the news to Red Cloud, the great chief of the Sioux Indians at Pine Ridge Agency. A child of Little Chief died last summer in London, and was buried at West Brompton Cemetery. The papoose and mother are doing well.
Note 1: Frances Folsom Cleveland (1864-1947) was married in the White House to President Grover Cleveland during his first presidential term in 1886 to become, at the age of 21, the 23rd First Lady of the United States and remains the youngest First Lady in history. [back]
Note 2: The Princess of Wales was Alexandra of Denmark (Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia; 1844-1925) and later Queen Alexandra, consort to Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1844-1925. [back]
Title: Birth at the Wild West Camp
Periodical: Evening News
Source: McCracken Research Library, Buffalo Bill Center of the West , MS6.3679.23.10 (Stroebel scrapbook)
Date: February 9, 1888
Topics: Lakota Performers
Keywords: American Indians Childbirth Indian children Indian women Sioux Nation
People: Alexandra, Queen, consort of Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1844-1925 Cleveland, Frances Folsom, 1864-1947 Burke, John M., 1842-1917 Little Chief, b. 1851 Red Cloud, 1822-1909 Red Shirt, 1845?-1925
Places: London (England) Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (S.D.)
Sponsor: This project is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Geraldine W. & Robert J. Dellenback Foundation.
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