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Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull, and the Tragedy of Show Business

Nathan Reed

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Published in Sorrow Of The Earth: Buffalo Bill Sitting Bull And The Tragedy Of Show Business

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In the late 19th century, the Wild West show was a popular form of entertainment. These shows featured cowboys, Indians, and other characters from the American frontier. Two of the most famous Wild West showmen were Buffalo Bill Cody and Sitting Bull.

Sorrow of the Earth: Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull and the Tragedy of Show Business

by Ann Jefferson

4 out of 5

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Buffalo Bill was a former buffalo hunter and Pony Express rider. Sitting Bull was a Lakota Sioux chief who had led his people in the Battle of Little Bighorn. Both men were larger-than-life figures, and their Wild West shows were hugely successful.

In 1885, Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull agreed to join forces and create a new Wild West show. The show was a huge success, and it toured the United States and Europe for several years.

However, the partnership between Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull was not without its problems. Sitting Bull was unhappy with the way he was being portrayed in the show. He felt that he was being exploited, and he resented the fact that he was not being paid as much as Buffalo Bill.

In 1890, Sitting Bull left the Wild West show and returned to his people. He was killed by Indian police a year later.

The death of Sitting Bull was a tragedy. He was a great warrior and leader, and he deserved to be treated with respect. His death was a reminder of the sad fate of many Native Americans who were exploited by white settlers.

Buffalo Bill continued to tour with his Wild West show for several years after Sitting Bull's death. However, the show never regained its former glory. Buffalo Bill died in 1917, and the Wild West show era came to an end.

Buffalo Bill

William Frederick Cody (February 26, 1846 – January 10, 1917),known as Buffalo Bill, was an American bison hunter, showman, and soldier. He became famous for his role in the Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which toured the United States and Europe for 30 years. Cody also appeared in several films and wrote several books about his experiences on the frontier.

Cody was born in Le Claire, Iowa, and grew up in Kansas. He began working as a buffalo hunter at the age of 15. In 1863, he joined the Union Army and served as a scout during the American Civil War. After the war, Cody returned to buffalo hunting and became one of the most successful hunters in the West. He killed over 4,000 buffalo during his career.

In 1872, Cody began performing in a Wild West show called "The Scouts of the Plains." The show was a huge success, and Cody soon became one of the most popular entertainers in the United States. In 1883, he founded Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which toured the United States and Europe for 30 years. The show featured cowboys, Indians, and other characters from the American frontier. Cody also appeared in several films and wrote several books about his experiences on the frontier.

Cody died in Denver, Colorado, in 1917. He was buried in Lookout Mountain Park, overlooking Denver. Cody was a complex and controversial figure. He was a skilled showman and a brave soldier, but he was also a ruthless buffalo hunter and a self-promoter. Cody's legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most famous and influential figures in American history.

Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull (December 15, 1831 – December 15, 1890) was a Lakota Sioux chief who led his people in the Battle of Little Bighorn. He was one of the most famous and respected leaders of the Native American resistance movement. Sitting Bull was born in South Dakota and grew up on the Great Plains. He became a warrior at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become a chief. In 1876, Sitting Bull led his people in the Battle of Little Bighorn, which was a major victory for the Sioux. After the battle, Sitting Bull and his people fled to Canada. They returned to the United States in 1881 and surrendered to the U.S. Army. Sitting Bull was imprisoned for two years and then lived on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. In 1885, he joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show and toured the United States and Europe for several years. However, Sitting Bull was unhappy with the way he was being portrayed in the show and left in 1890. He returned to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where he was killed by Indian police a year later.

Sitting Bull was a great warrior and leader. He was also a complex and controversial figure. He was a strong advocate for Native American rights, but he was also willing to use violence to achieve his goals. Sitting Bull's legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most important figures in Native American history.

The Tragedy of Show Business

The story of Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull is a reminder of the power and tragedy of show business. It is a story of two men who were both legends in their own time, but who were ultimately victims of the harsh realities of the entertainment industry. Buffalo Bill was a successful showman, but he was also a ruthless businessman. Sitting Bull was a great warrior and leader, but he was also a proud and independent man. Both men were ill-suited for the world of show business, and their partnership was doomed to failure.

The tragedy of show business is that it often exploits the talents and vulnerabilities of its performers. Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull were both used by show business, and they both paid a heavy price. Buffalo Bill's legacy is tarnished by his exploitation of Native Americans, and Sitting Bull's death is a reminder of the dangers of fame.

The story of Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull is a cautionary tale about the dangers of show business. It is a story that should be remembered by anyone who is considering a career in the entertainment industry.

Sorrow of the Earth: Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull and the Tragedy of Show Business

by Ann Jefferson

4 out of 5