5.0 out of 5 stars Wild West Shows
“A historically well written (complete with extensive Footnotes) yet entertaining book on May Lillie, Pawnee Bill, and their Wild West Show. Book develops background of Wild West shows and their business practices. Good development of romance and marriage of May and Gordon (Pawnee Bill), she was an audience member who thought “he was a funny looking man”. Gordon was a horseback rider and trick shooter in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show who thought “May was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen”. The show operated seasonally.
Gordon had meet Blue Hawk from the Pawnee Reservation in the show and made good on his promise to visit him. Gordon became proficient in the Pawnee language and was given the name “Little Bear” ‘
After their marriage they would move to Gordon’s ranch near Willington, Kansas. May had always lived in the city. The ranch was located in the Pawnee Indian Agency, later to be known as Pawnee, Oklahoma. The heartbreak of losing their 6- week-old son and May almost losing her life would set the stage for May traveling with the show.
The book details their travels with the Show, their eventual forming of their own show and the various business problems they encountered. May was a major part of the popularity of the show, she was an expert Horsewoman and Businesswoman. Gordon early on was interested in Bison preservation and would grow his herd to be one of the largest pure blood Bison herds in the US. Gordon worked with Theordore Roosevelt to sponsor legislation for a Bison Preserve. This did not pass but a portion of the Wichita Reservation was designated a National Game Preserve for Bison.
Gordon and May would also built a historic Wild West Town on their Ranch that was open to visitors. The Pawnee Bill Ranch Historic Site and Museum is still open to visitors. Excellent book for history of The Wild West shows , early history of Bison Preservation and a great read!”
Thanks to True West Magazine for listing the Sharpshooter and the Showman as a recommended summer read!
