X>iHG University of California Berkeley ; a ! COL. FRED CUMMINS "Chief La-Ko-Ta" IN THE SADDLE The only man with whom the Goverment intrusted all the famous Indian Chiefs, including Chief Geronimo and his band of Apaches, prisoners of war TOLD BY RICHMOND C. HILL PRICE TEN CENTS m GERONIMO COL. CUMMINS GEN. MILES ROCKY BEAR FOUR CELEBRITIES Geronimo, the Apache Chief. General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., Rocky Bear, Sioux Chief, and Colonel Fred. Cummins GERONIMO An idea of the ferocity of this noted Indian can be gained from the statements of General Crook and General Miles regarding him. General Crook says: "Geronimo is a great General;" while General Miles describes him as "The Tiger of the human race." CHIEF ROCKY BEAR Chief Rocky Bear had the reputa tion of being a great fighter when his people were on the war path, but at present he is a great leader in council as well as in the "Omaha Dance, "which is a favorite pastime with the Indians. He was 78 years of age when this picture was taken in 1901 . THRILLING AND ROMANTIC STORY OF THE Remarkable Career, Extraordinary Experiences Hunting, Scouting and Indian Adventures of COL. FRED CUMMINS "Chief La-Ko-Ta" TOLD BY RICHMOND C. HILL International Author, Editor and Originator of the Marvelous "Pan-American Exposition" of 1901 COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY COL. FRED T. CUMMINS COL. FRED T. CUMMINS ">w P Col. Fred Cummins Chief La-Ko-Ta A Man Among Men" PIONEER DAYS "A ruddy drop of -manly Wood the surylny se<( outweighs." EMERSON. SINCE the earliest days of recorded history the human race has paid homage to heroism. Men never tire hearing recounted deeds of valor and acts of daring, for courage and prowess are the foundation of the lifeblood and energy of nations. Of those nations which have become dominant in the affairs of the world, none have been more strenuous in its efforts, more virile in its expansion, or more jealous of its national honor than the United States of America, whose history teems with the recital of deeds of the highest type of heroism, marvelous intre pidity and personal sacrifice. Future historians may tell of other Nathan Hales, whose creeds will be the same that inspired the historic school teacher to exclaim, the hangman's noose around his neck while he spoke: "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." The patriotism sounded from the bridge at Concord, which reverberated in gun and cannon shot around the world, was generated in the breasts of the men who followed the patriots of 1776, and who became the undaunted "pathfinders" of this great country, blazing across its trackless and hostile Indian-possessed prairies, through dreary wildernesses and primeval forest, across the rugged and snow capped Rockies, along what are now the pathways of commerce from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It \vas such sturdy yeomen and fearless pioneers as Carson, Houston, Fremont, Bridger, the first Cummins, and later Ouster, Cody, Hickok, Omahundra, Crawford and other fearless frontiersmen who set along the long line- across the vast continent the monitory milestone 3 of peace, progress and prosperity, which at the outset were guide marks to the "prairie schooners," those famous land- traversing vessels which carried the immigrants and early settlers with their primitive outfits westward, bearing with all the seeds of civilization, the ineffable and boundless power of universal charity and humanitarian love which, have in these later days changed the desolate wilderness into a veritable garden-land of peace and plenty, into great centres of commerce and industry and into vast areas of blooming flowers and luscious fruits, for the advantage, enlightenment and enjoyment of ever-increasing millions of enterprising citizens. Before the early immigrant braved the dangers of the wilderness, there thrived a type of frontiersman met with infrequently on the banks of hitherto unknown streams and rivers, in the depths of the forest, or the rocky recesses of the mountains^ This was the trapper of the early days, memories of whose courage, skill and cunning are recalled in the stories of the pioneers of the forest and plain, of Fenimore Cooper, the earliest and most vivid historian. Alone, independent, with undaunted hearts, lithe limbs and broad shoulders, tireless and fearless, they were imbued with the courage of the lion and the cunning of the fox, yet, withal, of most genial natures and ever hospitable and good companions. 3 lB|a* Oo> 2 OG^- 4> W O^ 0) tn aj D w __ e f" Ills 1 ? s WTO Slglll THE ELDER CUMMINS Of this admirable class of men was Hiram Cummins, by turns pioneer, trapper and trader, who, in the exciting days of 1849 the halcyon era of the wondrous Eldorado of the Golden West left his home in Tennessee, and with his young wife started for the gold fields of California. Disposing of his farm and chattels he went to St. Louis, there voyaging by steamboat to Fort Leavenworth, which at that time was the main starting point of adventurous parties bound for the golden treasure of the Pacific Slope. While halting at Fort Leavenworth, Cummins met Joe Pappineau, a veteran French trapper from the upper Missouri, in which region he had just experienced a most successful season, his catch resulting in many bales of valuable furs which he sold to good advantage. Pappineau told Cummins that trapping was more profitable and desirable than gold seeking, and persuaded him to join in a trip to the upper Missouri. Cummins, leaving his wife with some friends, after buying a trapper's outfit and laying in a good store of supplies, took passage with Pappineau on an up-river boat to the Yellowstone country. The start was made on the 15th of June, 1849. Arrived at the trapping grounds about the middle of August, they at once made preparations for the winter trapping season. Game was plentiful, and Cummins, being apt and observant, soon developed into a proficient trapper. By spring he was well content that he had followed Papppineau's counsel. The season proved a most profitable one, and when the ice broke up the two trappers returned towards St. Louis with many bales of valuable furs packed in two large canoes which they had built in leisure moments. Good time was made down stream until the trappers reached Council Bluffs. Here Pappineau was taken ill and, being unable to proceed further, was left in the care of some friendly Omahas, Cummins proceeding to St. Louis with a halfbreed named Jean Fountainelle, a friend of Pappineau 's, whom he had met at Council Bluffs. Stopping at Fort Leavenworth on the way, Cummins was offered such a favorable price for the furs that he sold them and consequently abandoned the trip to St. Louis. Absent a year, Cummins was glad to get back to his wife. After a short visit, with part of the two thousand dollars which he had realized from the sale of his furs, he purchased a trader's outfit including a stock of trading post goods and with his wife and Fountainelle took passage to Council Bluffs, where happily they found Pappineau restored to health. Pappineau accompanied them to the mouth of the Big Cheyenne, where the party landed. After building a log cabin they started a trading post. In a very short time Hiram Cummins knew every Indian and trapper for two hundred miles around, and many an old hunter and trapper, long past the alloted span of life, can recall the times and tell the story of Hiram Cummins and his trading post on the Big Cheyenne. In 1857 Cummins sold out his interest in the Cheyenne trading post to Pappineau and, with his wife, removed down the river to Council Bluffs, where he established a trading post and opened a general store. Here, on the banks of the mighty Missouri, in 1859, was born to the hardy trapper and his wife a son whom they named Frederic, who from this point onward, is the chief character of this truthful recital, which far excels the marvels of fiction. THE COLONEL'S EARLY DAYS His father a true son of Erin, and his mother a charming daughter of Bonnie Scotland, their inherited characteristics and the peculiar influences that surrounded the boy's early life combined to inspire a romantic spirit, intensified as it was by his combined Celtic and Gaelic origin and the primitive life led by the Indians 5 (HIEPRED(LOUD. SIOUX, CHIEF RED CLOUD The admiration which we usually bestow upon self-made men could readily be given to Chief Red Cloud, for he is a man without heredity, his parents being almost unknown. He worked his way up from the ranks. An intense patriot, he possessed an equally intense hatred against the whites, and could not brook their encroachments upon the lands of his people. Like his famous contemporary, Sitting Bull, he would not willingly part with any land; their hunting grounds and grazing lands being sacred with their homes and the graves of their ancestors. His fiery oratory soon brought him a following of kindred spirits, and with these he took the warpath, they becoming known as the Ogalallas. In the massacre of Capt. Fetterman and 100 men in 1866. he leaped from obscurity and became the recognized war chief of the Sioux. Crafty and treacherous at all times, he was deposed by Gen. Crook at the close of the campaign against Sitting Bull in 1876, owing to an attempted massacre of the General. 6 in his youthful environment at the Post. For ten years the f younger Cummins was brought into daily contact with many Indian tribes, including the Omahas, Pawnees, Winnebagos and Sioux. When only eleven years old he was permitted to accompany Yellow T Smoke, Chief of the Omahas, an old friend of his father, on the autumn buffalo hunt, in which the Indians joined each fall in order to get meat and robes for the winter. His father had at that time presented him with a Henry repeating rifle, and when Yellow Smoke sought him out young Fred Cummins proudly buckled about him a hunting knife and revolver, strapped his rifle to his saddle mount and set forth on his first adventure. Under the special protection of Chief Yellow Smoke, our young hero joined the great band of two hundred hunters followed by squaws and extra ponies, to a widespread buffalo range, in southwest Nebraska, near to the old camping ground of the Omahas on the banks of the Republican river, where at that time the buffalo roamed in large numbers. Here camp was pitched, and the braves made all preparations for the hunt on the following morning. Just as the sun dipped below the horizon the evening meal was set ; the camp fires died out and soon the harvest moon lit up the wonderful scene of an Indian camp at rest. But for young Cummins it was not a night of rest ; he was impatient for the dawn to break, so that he could mount on his pony and start on the chase. With the spreading of the reseate brightness of morn came the song of the redskin hunters to the God of Light, and from the lodges of the braves sounded the isotonic melody, akin to the morning song of the ancient Celts, who, in their primeval forests of oak, sang to their God Odin. The Indian song, taken up by the tribes in unison, vibrated a responsive chord in the heart of the young Celt, and the eyes of the old Chief sparkled as the lad, in his piping treble, joined in the song of praise : ' ' Hamp ah kee de no, Hamp ah kee de no, Kee kow wee na, Kee kow wee na. Chow goo wash oo, Chow goo wash oo. Hamp bock ee iia. Chow goo wash oo, Hamp bock ee na, Hamp ah kee de no. ' ' This rendered in English is the morning song of the Omahas: The spirit of light has come, The spirit of light has come, Arise from slumber, Arise from slumber ; Why is it in the day you sleep? The spirit of light has come. THE BUFFALO HUNT The song of praise finished, camp fires were lighted and the morning meal prepared. As the sun rose in the east the medicine man sounded the tocsin for the buffalo dance. This was started immediately the scouts had set forth on their way toward the haunts of the bison, the custom being for them to signal back when buffalo were discovered. From early morn until noon the dance 7 CHIEF AMERICAN HORSE Chief American Horse with war bonnet. Greatest Indian orator, and were such a thing feasible, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotenti ary, representing the Sioux Nation. In speaking of the Great White Father at Washington, he did not express himself in flattering terms. On the contrary he spoke of broken promises and new promises ; and, when a council of his people again sent him to Washington, he found a new Great White Father. He is not favorably impressed with our system of changing so often, as it works great hardships on the Indians. He would rather treat with Gen. Miles, for whom he shows great veneration and respect. He says, ''Gen. Miles, him Great Chief; him Great Chief all the time. " He is married to a sister of Chiefs Goes to War and Hollow Horn Bear. . 8 was kept up, the medicine man continuously beseeching the god who rules the buffalo to send a herd their way. When the sun had reached its zenith the signal was seen, the dance was stopped and the chase began. Eager among the hunters and close to Chief Yellow Smoke rode young Fred Cummins, his rifle unslung and himself alert for action. This was his "baptism of tire," presaging the honor in later years to be bestowed upon him by the great Sioux chief, Red Cloud, who adopted him as the first white "brave" into the famous Sioux nation, under the name of " La-Ko-Ta or "Chief of all Indians." As the Indian hunters approached the unsuspecting herd, the riders racing down wind, orders were signaled to charge and strike the left flank, which movement caused the blind of horsemen to turn in a circle. Young Cummins, wheeling after the Chief, picked out a young bull, took a steady aim and struck the shaggy brute with his rifle shot just back of the shoulder, thus bringing down his first buffalo. Chief Yellow Smoke, to identify the lad's accomplishments, drove an arrow into each bull brought down so as to identify those killed by his young protege, and in this way it was ascertained at the conclusion of the hunt that Fred Cummins had four buffalo to his credit. On the return to camp the lad was given an ovation by the assembled bucks and greeted with the cry : "How White Omaha, How, Ho\v, How." A few weeks of buffalo hunting completed the experience of the boy for the winter, and upon his return home his parents sent him to school, where he remained for six years, spending his vacations on the prairies hunting with different bands of friendly Indians. In the spring of 187(5 the gold cra/e struck the Black Hills and Hiram Cummins stocked four large wagons with goods and started with his young son Fred for the scene of excitement. From Council Bluffs they went to Pierre, a fort on the east side of the Missouri river, from which point they made a detour to the Cheyenne river, there going into camp. In the party was a raw-boned Missourian named Clark, who took delight in bullying his physical inferiors. He had formed an enmity against young Cummins, and he took pleasure in annoying him : but the latter, upon the advice of his father, ignored the bully until it became normally impossible longer to endure Clark's offensive manner without appearing "soft " in the eyes of the other freighters. FRED AND THE BULLY While Fred Cummins was feeding his mules one night one of Clark's mules strayed into Cummins' corral and was seen by Fred eating some of the Cummins' feed. Fred drove the mule away. Clark, seeing this, threatened \iolence to Fred, but he defied the bully, who, goaded by the taunts flung by his fellow muleteers, aimed a blow at Fred, which he cleverly dodged, at the same time landing two telling blows on his assailant, bringing the fight to a quick finish by knocking Clark down three times. Clark slunk away to his wagon, and until the party reached Deadwood thereafter was silent. Hiram Cummins sold his goods at such a desirable profit that he hastened to return homeward, and, having met no unfriendly Indians on the way out, he did not hesitate to leave Dead\vood- alone with his boy. Wending their way across the prairie they met a caravan which reported "no Indians," but shortly afterward they encountered a party of hostile red men bearing do\vn on them. Reaching a \vashout about ten feet wide and eight feet deep they made a barricade at one end with wagons and prepared for a siege. The band of Indians, numbering about twenty-five, halted at a distance of about five hundred yards, making signals of peace which were ignored. The Indians then fiercely charged, 9 CHIEF HOLLOW HORN BEAR Hollow Horn Bear is a Cheyenne River 'Sioux, and one of the hand somest men in his race. His profile in spite of his race reminds one of Alexander the Great, so strong and chaste is its outline. He is a brother of Goes to War, and they were in many battles together, and is a good type of the intellectual and progressive man. 10 at the cost of four of their number. Realizing the futility of attempting to tight in the open they decided upon a cunning strategic move, which young Fred cleverly frustrated. The Indians were bent upon reaching the creek and working up to the washout in the dark, but just as the sun was setting, young Cummins took his Henry repeater and worming his way through the sage brush came stealthily upon the Indians, who were in full war paint, shot two of them, securing as trophies a scalping knife and bonnet, which he has preserved to this day as mementos of his first Indian battle. The appearance of a large wagon train at this juncture caused the hasty dispersal of the remainder 'of the Indians and the Cummins party reached home in safety. Reaching Council Bluffs, young Cummins attended a business college during the winter term. ENCOUNTER WITH A HIGHWAYMAN In the following spring he started out well supplied with money by his father to see the country. He went to Fort Benton and thence took the stage to Helena. For fellow passengers he had six men and two women, all seeming business people, with the exception of one man who had the appearance of a miner. This man happened to be Fred's companion on the rear seat of the coach. Besides being nervous and fidgety Fred observed that he also carried a large revolver inside his coat. When the coach had travelled about twenty miles and was passing around the base of a hill the man took a paper from his pocket which he rolled into a ball and threw into the road. Young Cummins had his hand on his "Smith and Wesson." in his overcoat pocket, and a few minutes later, when a shot rang out and the coach was halted, the "miner'' made a grab for his revolver, but before he could pull it Fred's gun was pressing his ear as an eloquent warning to desist. All the male passengers proved to be armed and after the first fusilade the bandits fled. The supposed miner proved to be a much wanted hold-up man by the name of Nelson and was taken to Helena and there handed over to the authorities, being later sentenced to a term of imprisonment of twenty years. Fred Cummins remained in Helena a year and then started into the mountains on a prospecting trip. In the Coeur d'Alene country, he secured some gold from pockets in Some of the creeks along the mountain side, eventually reaching the Snake Indian country where he visited the Blackfeet and Crow Indians. He returned- to Council Bluffs where he remained until the spring of 1883, when he went to work for the Wadsworth Brothers, assisting to convoy a herd of 600 head of stock cows of the E. L. 7 L. brand to the Wadsworth ranch on the dry fork of the Little Missouri River in Montana, which lies southwest of the celebrated ranch of the Marquis de Mores. AMONG THE RED MEN From Montana, young Cummins went to Standing Rock Agency, where he" met Chief Sitting Bull, Chief Gall, Rain in the Face, Antelope, and many other noted Sioux Indian braves who were then at Fort Yates. After this, Fred Cummins enlarged his experience by breaking horses for a Frenchman named Archambeau, at Beaver Creek, who, in lieu of monetary pay, gave Cummins a fine horse and a richly ornamented saddle. From thence he went on a visit to the Indians at Grand river, staying with Chief Red Cloud, who was later to be his foster father, for a month at Pine Ridge. Returning again to Council Bluffs, he visited there his old friends the W T innebago and Omaha Indians for a while and then returned home. 11 A RED NAPOLEON The Only Chief That Ever Adopted Civilized Tactics and Clemency COLONEL FRED CUMMINS AND CHIEF JOSEPH Chief Joseph the War Chief of the Nez Ferces who captured Lieutenant Jerome. A short while thereafter Joseph was captured by General O. O. Howard and they were exchanged as prisoners of war. ia At intervals our whilom young friend, but now known as Colonel Fred Cummins, had been heard of in the capacity of scout, friend of the Indians, and gallant soldier of fortune, until he appeared in his proper glory in the limelight of publicity as one of the Directors and General Managers of the Great Indian Congress of thirty-one tribes, held at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, Nebraska, in 1898 and also in the same capacity at the Omaha Greater Amer ican Exposition in 1899. While there Colonel Cummins conceived the idea of producing at the remarkable Pan American Exposition, which was to be held at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1901, the greatest gathering of noted Indian chiefs and their tribes that could be segregated in North America. He worked indefatigably to compass this great enterprise and to carry out his effort to present to the people of the world the best representatives of the leaders and chiefs of the fast depart ing tribes of the aborigines of America. In this he was remarkably successful. Surrounding himself with a competent staff of assistants he succeeded in securing delegations with their leading chieftains from forty-two different tribes of North American Indians. Ethiiologically and historically speaking this great and unexampled assemblage or ' ' Congress ' ' of notable Indians was freely endorsed as the greatest Ethnological aggregation ever brought together in the history of the United States, not excepting the famous assemblage of Indians by Sir William Johnson, who called together the chiefs of all the then known tribes of North America at Fort Niagara in 1765 ; and therefore more notable from the fact of thus bringing together the survivors of the great chiefs of a fast declining race. This remarkable aggregation was visited and pronounced the most interesting and educational ever produced, by the German Emperor, Kaiser W T ilhelm, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Secretary of War Elihu Root, Admiral Dewey, Generals Nelson A. Miles, Joe Wheeler, Commander in Chief Leonard Wood and many other military men and civilians of prominence. NOTED RED MEN Among the many noted Indians who attended this remarkable Congress was the dreaded Chief Geronimo, and his extraordinary tribe of Apaches. General Miles spoke of Geronimo as "The Human Tiger." The entire tribe of Apaches were and still are the only American prisoners of war, and Colonel Cummins has had the distinction of being the sole director to whom the United States Government has entrusted Geronimo and his Apache followers, without even demanding bond for their safe keeping. The same condition applied in the case of Chief Joseph, the great leader of the Nez Perces, who captured Lieutenant Jerome ; and Chief Joseph himself, otherwise "Thunder Rolling Thro' the Moun tains," was captured by General O. O. Howard and subsequently General Miles exchanged Chief Joseph as a prisoner of war for Lieutenant Jerome and the two fighting men did not meet again until Colonel Jerome saw Chief Joseph with Colonel Cummins' Indian Congress at the Madison Square Garden, New York, in 1908, where they embraced, parting as friends "until death." The same privilege was extended to Colonel Cummins in the case of the famous Sioux War Chief Red Cloud, and to no other man in the W T ild West Exhibition business has been entrusted these Indians of equal fame. Others entrusted to Colonel Cummins have been : Chief Little Wound, the Gladstone of the Sioux Nation ; Chief American Horse, Chief Red Shirt of the Sioux, Chief Black Bird of the Omahas, Chief Long Tail of the Winnebagos, Chief Hole in the Day, Chief Wolf Robe of the Cheyennes, Chief Calico of the Crows, Chief Blue Horse, Chief Flat Iron, Chief Two Strikes, Chief Rocky Bear, who was in the Custer massacre, and many others of equal note. 13 "CALAMITY JANE" 14 Colonel Cummins also had " CALAMITY JANE " with his exhibition. "Calamity Jane" who w r as known for her daring and courage as a spy, during the Civil War, wearing men's garments. A suit of buckskins which she wore is now in the possession of Colonel Cummins. Much could be said of Calamity Jane if space would permit. Her exploits and experiences deserve ample recognition in history. She was never connected with any other public exhibition. Colonel Cummins' great Indian Congress was visited by many noted people of both the old w T orld and the ne\v. While holding the Congress in 1901, Colonel Cummins was visited at the Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y., by Ex-Governor Francis, President of the St. Louis World's fair, with a numerous delegation of Directors of that prodigious Fair, and was unanimously requested to reproduce his Indian Congress in St. Louis in 1004, he being pledged their best wishes and hearty support. To this appeal the Colonel modestly said he had been greatly honored, and would give his entire time and make a great effort to reproduce his Indian Congress in such a manner as would be a credit to, and one of the crowning features of the great Missouri Exposition. At the close of the Pan-American Exposition in 11)01 he was urged by the different Indian Chiefs to visit them personally during the ensuing winter at their different reservations in the Far West, which invitation he gladly accepted. While visiting what remained of the once great Sioux nation, he was greatly honored by being adopted by the venerable Chief Red Cloud as his son. and was afterwards received by the entire Sioux tribe as a brother, and was elected, with full honors, a Chief and permitted to sit beside his Indian father in Grand Council, an Indian honor never bestowed upon an}* white man. He was given the name of Chief La-Ko-Ta, which means "Chief of all Indians." HOW COL. CUMMINS BECAME A RED MAN A description of the manner and ceremonials incident to the initiation of Colonel Cummins into a bona fide great tribe of American Indians may be of interest to the members of the modern Order of Red Men as well as to the general public. On the appointed day Chief Red Cloud sent out riders to all parts of the Sioux nation to make known to his people that he was about to adopt a son and that he requested them to be present at the ceremonies, advising them that when the great face of the Night Sun was full all should meet at the tepee of the Great Chief. On the second day the Indians began to arrive, pitching their tepees in a widespread circle, surrounding the Chief's lodge, leaving a two acre square space in the center. It being now the fourth day and the entire territory for a mile around being covered with tepees, great preparations were bfing made: the Night Sun (the moon), was now full, great fires were burning and the Indians were hurrying to and fro among the tepees, while in the Chief's lodge they were preparing for the ceremonies. There were large kettles hanging over the fires at one side of the square and the squaws were busy cooking the meat of ten beeves. In the centre of. the square burned one small fire. This was the sacred or ceremonial fire, it having been ignited by the medicine man, by holding a piece of w r ood. about ten inches long and one inch in diameter, between the palms of his hands and rolling the point on a flat piece of wood on the ground. The friction resulted in sparks from which the sacred fire was lit. Over this fire was suspended a kettle containing the meat of a white dog w*hich was being boiled. The silvery orb of night was by this time shining upon the red "Children of the Great Spirit." The Indians in full paraphernalia of war paint and feathers, their gala attire, now gathered in the square. From 15 CHIEF RED SHIRT Who wears a silver medal which was presented to his great ancestor by General George Washington, which has been handed down from father to son. He also has a beautiful silver snuff box which was presented to him by Prince Edward, late King of England, both of which he prizes most highly and no inducement could get him to part with either of them. He is High Chief of the Indians with Young Buffalo Wild W T est and Col. Fred Cummins' Far East, and glad to meet any of his pale face friends. This chief while a great fighter in his time, seems to hold some what of a reputation in his tribe as a medicine man and this fact makes him a powerful factor. He was also in the Custer fight. the tepees could be heard the tom-toms beating; and many voices crooning their songs of joy. They gathered about the sacred fire and seated themselves in a semicircle around the fire. The medicine man entered the Chief's lodge and in a short time came forth leading the candidate followed by Chief Red Cloud and his family. Preceding them were singers who stalked around the sacred fire, while the medicine man sang a weird chant as he led the white man four times around the circle. The candidate was now disrobed to the waist and the medicine man, with a sharp piece of flint cut an incision in his arm, from which the blood flowed freely. The old Chief then bared his arm and a like incision was made, from which blood was taken and injected into the arm of the candidate. The wound was bandaged and the old Chief dressed his new son in full Indian attire which included a shirt of scalp locks. His face w r as painted and his new Indian mother placed a robe, a young buffalo skin, over his shoulders. This robe, covered with hieroglyphics, emblamatic of chieftainship, had been in the family of Chief Red Cloud for many generations. The candidate was now led by his adoptive father to the center of the square where Seven Rabbits, the Village Crier, in a loud voice told the people that their great Chief had a new son. Then went up a mighty cry, "He is our Brother." The Chief strode forward and said solemnly : " His name shall be "La-Ko-Ta, " and I make him my heir: he is a Chief and shall be "Chief of all Indians." The ceremonial feast was now ready and the Indians ate the beef, the Chief with his new son and family partook of the white dog meat while the medicine man sat near, singing a chant and rattling a gourd. After the feast a characteristic dance was started and continued until daylight. When the sun arose in the eastern horizon all went to their tepees to rest, the new Chief going to the lodge of his adoptive father where he threw himself down upon a bed of fur robes and blankets, and, tired but proud and contented, was quickly asleep. From that day our hero, Fred T. Cummins, has been kno\vn among all Indian tribes of the West as Chief La-Ko-Ta, meaning "Chief of all Indians." In 1901 and 1902 Colonel Cummins toured the New England States with his Indian Congress and Wild West. In 1908 he exhibited where, as before mentioned, the Great Chief Joseph and Colonel Jerome met, in Madison Square Garden, New York. At the close of the Madison Square Exhibition, Colonel Cummins devoted nearly eight months of strenuous and observant work to visiting all of the various Indian tribes, beginning at Leach Lake, Minnesota, then covering Iowa, Nebraska, South and North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma. Kansas and Missouri, assembling the Chiefs and carefully selecting the various types of the different tribes. A MIGHTY CONCOURSE OF RED MEN He appointed an interpreter and a capable man in charge to escort them to the Great World's Fair, St. Louis, for the opening of the exhibition, where the greatest of all gatherings of Indians was held. It is worthy of historical note that at this great exposition, the largest and most comprehensive ever held in the world, Colonel Cummins brought together the greatest and most complete assemblage of noted Indian Chiefs and representatives of fifty-one tribes ever know r n. This remarkable event is proclaimed in history and recorded by government officials as the greatest ethnological and educational exhibition of the Red Men ever seen. The University of Chicago had a number of their artists pitch their tents in Colonel Cummins' Indian encampment, where they stayed for more than two weeks, making plaster casts of the famous Indian Chiefs and of the various tribes and types of the Indians gathered there. Colonel Cummins received a letter of the highest praise from Dr. McGee of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, and also from Professor Starr of the Chicago University, commending this great Congress. In addition to this, he received letters of hearty commendation from institutions and schools all over the country, including ethnological associations, 17 CHIEF GOOD FACE Who wears a silver medal given to his great ancestor by President Thomas Jefferson, 1802. Now with Young Buffalo Wild West and Col. Fred Cummins' Far East. (Combined). is approving and endorsing his exhibition as a great educational object lesson arid well worthy of praise and public recognition. During the following two years, 1905 and 1906, Colonel Cummins again toured and investigated sections of the United States. In 1907 he sailed for England where he appeared before royalty, aristocracy, and many famous men in statesmanship, art, science and literature, and financial affairs. Subsequently he toured England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy through the years 1907, 190H, 1909, 1910, and' 1911. ROYAL RECEPTION IN IRELAND During this extended trip, he was received with great courtesy and considera tion. An especial honor which Colonel Cummins esteems very highly, was a banquet given him at the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Ireland. An illuminated address (a copy of which is printed on another page), signed by the prominent city officials and citizens of that city, accompanied by a massive silver plate on which were engraved the same names in facsimile, more than fifty in all. Colonel Cummins had left Belfast some months previous to this interesting occasion, but on invitation he returned to attend the banquet and receive the presentation. He recalls his stay in Ireland as one of the most pleasurable seasons in his eventful life. But while appreciating the attractions of foreign countries, the home longing became too strong to resist, and after an absence of five- years he returned to the United States. After a brief breathing spell, he conceived the idea of adding to his WILD WEST and INDIAN CONGRESS features, some of the historical incidents and characters of the FAR EAST, resulting in a combination of his experience and interests with the FAMOUS YOUNG BUFFALO WILD WEST and TEXAS RANGERS, for several seasons most successfully conducted by COLONEL VERNON C. SEAVER. This unequaled combination of exhibitions as a historical, ethnological, educational and spectacular display is without compare in the wide world. It is safe to predict that this remarkable public entertainment and educational venture, under its title of " YOUNG BUFFALO WILD WEST and COLONEL CUMMINS' FAR EAST," will achieve fame and good fortune. Schenectady, X. Y.. April 16, 1912. RICHMOND C. HILL. A WILD WEST CONTINGENT OF RED MEN 19 BELFAST, IRELAND. ADDRESS AND PRESENTATION TO COLONEL FREDERIC T. CUMMINS On the Occasion of His Leaving Belfast for London and Other Places of Interest on the Continent of Europe DEAR SIR : We are constrained on the occasion of your departure from Belfast, to give tangible expression of our appreciation of your worth. You have been amongst us for a comparatively limited period, but your conspicuous business ability, engaging personality, kindly courtesy, and genuineness of character have won our admiration and warm regard ; and this spontaneous tribute is evidence of ths esteem and affection in which you are held by those with whom you came in contact during your short stay in Belfast. We ask you to accept the accompanying piece of plate as a token of our feelings towards you ; our regret at your departure ; our high opinion of yourself, and our good wishes for the future happiness and prosperity of yourself and family. Signed on behalf of subscribers : C. C. FELSTEAD, JOHN McCAUGHEY, SAM MARTIN, Hon. Treasurer. High Sheriff for City of P. WATERS, Belfast. Hon. Secretaries. A. M. CARLISLE. Privy Councillor. P. R. O'CONNELL, Knight D. L. Ex-High Sheriff. THOMAS H. SLOAN, Member of Parliament for South Division of Belfast. JAMES GRAHAM, His Majesty's Coroner for City of Belfast, M. D. J.P. JOHN S. FINNEGAN, Alderman, Solicitor, etc. W. M. CLAYTON, Assistant Commissioner Royal Irish Constabu- Dated at Belfast lary. February, 1909. 20 PAINTED HORSE OR SWEATER Painted Horse or Sweater, as he is sometimes called among the Indians, has a record of eating the hearts of any enemy who happened to fall his victim ; that is, when his tribe was hostile and on the war path. He is representing his tribe, the Ogalalla, Sioux, at the Indian Congress. Painted Horse, while not a chief, is a power in the tribe of which he is a leading councillor. He has four bullet wounds ; three in the leg and one in the body. He is with Young Buffalo Wild West and Colonel Fred Cummins' Far East. (Combined). DISTINGUISHED COMMENDATION Among many men of the highest rank and prominence in the World's affairs who personally or by letter signified their unqualified approval of Colonel Fred Cummins' unique exhibitions have been the following : EMPEROR WILLIAM OF GERMANY. KING VICTOR EMMANUEL OF ITALY. THE LATE KING EDWARD VII OF GREAT BRITAIN. PRINCE W T ILHELM OF GERMANY. PRINCE HOHENLOHE OF GER MANY. PRINCE FRANCESCO CHIGI OF ITALY. FORMER PRESIDENT WILLIAM McKINLEY. FORMER PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT. FORMER SECRETARY OF WAR ELIHU ROOT. FORMER COMMANDER IN CHIEF NELSON A. MILES. COMMANDER IN CHIEF LEONARD WOOD. ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY. FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN HAY. GENERAL T. C. CLARKSON, Presi dent Omaha Exposition 1898. P. E. ILER, President Greater Amer ican Exposition 1899. JOHN G. MILLBURN, President Pan American Exposition 1901. DAVID R. FRANCIS, President St. Louis World's Fair 1904. LORD AND LADY MINTO, Governor General and his wife, of Canada. MINISTER WU TING FANG, Chinese Minister to United States, his son and Mr. Chunn, Secretary Chinese Legation. AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIA TION. THE ORDER OF HOO-HOO, and JAMES S. BAIRD, Supreme Scrivenoter. ELKS LODGE, No. 28 t OF BUFFALO. WILLIAM C. MAYBURY. Mayor of Detroit. NORMAN E.MACK,Chairnmn National Democratic Committee. WILLIAM P. BUCHANAN, Director General Pan American Exposition- JOHN M. SCATCHARD of Buffalo. WILLIAM J. CONNERS. Proprietor Buffalo Courier. ELLA WHEELER WILCOX (Princess W T hite Wings, so named by the great Apache Chief, Geronimo). WILLIAM A. PINKERTON of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. EX-SENATOR T. C. PLATT. MAJOR A. H. GREEN, Assistant Adjutant General W T ar Department. GOVERNOR JOHN C. BRADY of Alaska. SENATOR S. L. PATERSON of Waverley, Ohio. SENATOR JOHN LAUGHLIN of Buffalo, N. Y. SUPREME JUDGE HENRY A. CHILDS of New York. MAJOR A. W. WILLS of Tennessee. MATTHEW KIELY of Kiely's Secret Service, Former Chief of Police. St. Louis. GEORGE W T . WHITMAN, Chief of Police, San Francisco. NEW YORK BANKERS ASSOCIA TION. OPIE READ, Famous Author. GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER. W. A. JONES, Department of Interior, Commissioner of Indian Affairs. A. S. WILLIAMS, Banker, Nashville. UNITED STATES SENATOR PHILIP D. SCOTT, National Committeeman in charge of the six million dollar fund disbursed in behalf of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. MISTRESS McKINLEY, Wife of our beloved deceased President. M. E. INGALLS of Cincinnati. BIRD S. COLER, Comptroller of the City of New York. GOVERNOR GEORGE K. NASH of Ohio. SENATOR J. S. FASSETT of Elmira, N. Y. HENRY P. EMERSON, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Buffalo. THE MISSES HELEN F. CLARK. JEAN CRAGG WILSON, FLOR ENCE M. WAGNER, Principals in Buffalo School No. 45. GOVERNOR WAR FIELD of Mary land. OSWALD TILGHMAL. Secretary of State, Maryland SENATOR JOHN M. THURSTON of Nebraska. GOVERNOR WILLIAM A. STONE of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) GOVERNOR B. B. ODELL of New York. M. J. WESSELS, Commissioner of the Lewis and Clark Exposition. MR. LIVINGSTON, Proprietor Detroit Journal. P. TURNEY, Governor of Tennessee. ROBERT L. TAYLOR, U. S. Senator from Tennessee. HON. GEORGE B. SMITH, Mayor of Chicago. WILLIAM MCCARTHY, Mayor of Nashville. D. S. WILLIAMS, Banker of Nashville. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE of Nashville. WILLIAM HADEN, Vice-President of the Greater American Exposition 1899, Omaha. E. E. BASCH, Cashier Omaha National Bank. S. A. CHAMPION, President of the Capitol City Bank. CLAUDE D. HOUSE, President National City Bank, Chicago. WILLIAM DESMOND, Desmonds National Secret Service, St. Louis. PROFESSOR W. J. MoGEE, Bureau of Ethnology, Washington. COLONEL JOHN A. JOHNSON, War Department. PROFESSOR FREDERICK STARR, Department of Anthropology, Uni versity of Chicago. HONORABLE H. CLAY EVANS. HONORABLE ROBERT J. WYNN, Ex-Postmaster General. FRANK HALL DAVIS of Delaware CAPTAIN RICHARD PEARSON HOBSON. GOVERNOR DURBIN OF INDIANA CHARLES E. WILSON, Secretary to Governor Durbin. JAMES SCHERMERHORN, The De troit Today, Detroit. WEST POINT CADETS, LIEU TENANT COLONEL G.C. TREAT. HENRICKS SCHOOL of St. Louis GENERAL CORBIN of the United States Army. GENERAL GROSVENOR of the United States Army. MAJOR GEORGE S. GRIMES of the United States Artillery Corps. CAPTAIN C. J. WOODRUFF of Liverpool, England, Charge of the Boy Scouts. GEORGE O. STARR, Managing Direc tor, Crystal Palace, London. JOHN PAYNE, Managing Director, Olympia, London. MRS. REBECCA OPPENHEIM, Hull House, Chicago. MISS HELEN MILLER GOULD. GOODMAN KING of St. Louis. SISTERS OF CHARITY, Buffalo. MIKE SHEA, Proprietor Shea's Theater, Buffalo. THE MISSES ADA SEE KINGS, ISABELLE THOMAS, Principals of Grammar School No. 60, Buffalo. EDWARD L. MUNSON, War Depart ment. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE, St. Louis HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE, "YA IE WAN OE" Chief New York State Indians. COLONEL RICHARD HENRY SAVAGE, Famous Author. And many others that space will not permit. 23 CHIEF FLAT IRON Flat Iron is another old chief who is not without a record for his daring encounters with not only the whites but with other daring bands of hostile Indians. When he puts on all of his war paint he decks himself not only with his own individual honors and distinctions won by his own bravery, but also with the special honors of his family or tribe. As a matter of fact each paint mark on an Indian's face is a sign with a definite meaning which other Indians may read. Old Flat Iron, as well as a number of other members of the Indian Congress, possesses many marks of distinction. Some are so well off in this respect that, like some English noblemen, they are able to don a new distinction for every occasion while at times they will wear all their honors at once. Each symbol or paint mark has a special meaning of its own, as you will understand that the paint is substituted for the medal of honor and bravery won by the white man. And now with Young Buffalo Wild West and Col. Fred Cummins' Far East. (Combined). 24 COL. FRED CUMMINS' WILD WEST AND INDIAN CONGRESS PARADE MANCHESTER, ENGLAND \ L COL. FRED CUMMINS "Chief La-Ko-Ta" Director General COL. VERNON C. SEAVER President and General Manager We Thank You for Your Patronage