Buffalo Bill

By Roy Nancarrow

your comments

Paul Beard, Northwich
My grandfather, Ralph Iswald Beard, who lived in Oswestry, Shropshire, told me when I was small that he had visited the Buffalo Bill wild west show in Oswestry. He lived a small distance from their show and had helped them to set up. My grandfather was born in 1893, so it must have been a fantastic show.

Vivian Bridegroom from Deland Florida
My Great Grandfather Daniel Thomas Phillips was appointed to the Cardiff Consulate on 17 July 1897. He resided in Cardiff from 1897 until his death in 1905.
I have a picture of him in a horse drawn carriage in a parade in Cardiff with William Cody (pictured above left with Daniel Phillips right).

Adrian Foster Builth Wells
Apparently the giant redwood trees at the entrance to the Groe Car park and park in Builth Wells were planted to commemerate Buffalo Bill's visit to the town.

Reg Russell, Newport
My grandfather was born in Bakersfield California. He travelled over to the UK twice touring with BB's show the second time he came to the UK on tour the BB disbanded the show, thats when my Grandfather decided to stay in the Uk and settle in Wales.

Peter Yorke from Dorset
I am William Haggar's great-grandson, and have recently published a biography entitled "William Haggar, fairground film-maker" (Accent Press 2007). I don't know of any connection with Aaron's family, but there is a Haggar legend about Buffalo Bill's visit to Aberdare in 1903. It is that Ada Roberts, who was to become my great-aunt when she married Walter Haggar in 1906, was an expert sharp-shooter, helping to run the Roberts family shooting gallery. The tale is that she challenged Annie Oakley to a pistol shooting match - but Annie refused. Probably the professional Annie could not risk losing to a! n unknown British teenage girl. Later on, in the 1940s, my cousin Roy Haggar remembers Ada (his grandma) taking him to fairs, and "decimating" the teacups in the shooting galleries there.

Susan Powis nee Carter from Solihull
My Grandad Eli Carter was a 16-yr-old engine fitter at the works at the time of BB's show. He remembered the effect the show had on the town. Better and definitely much more exciting than the travelling circus!

Jay Mangan from CT USA
I have more of a question than a contribution to this interesting forum. I'm interested in finding out more about the Indian cast members of BB's 1903 British tour; particularly one Chief Black Bird, an Ogalala Sioux or Lakota. There is a monochrome photo postcard, apparently one of several, of Black bird, created in England. We own the beaded war shirt he is pictured wearing. We have several other period photos of him and the shirt. We are desperately trying to find out more about this Indian and if perhaps, he remained in Britain.

Martin Aaron
My great great grandfather (GGG) was called William Rhys Lee, born in 1878 - he went to South Africa aged 19 yrs and apparently made some money in a gold or diamond mine. He returned to Wales and bought a half share in the Empire Theatre/music hall. He married Charlotte James in 1900 and fathered 13 kids. He went onto to buy a cinema in Beaufort and built the Gaiety Theatre in Blaina. Buffalo Bill came down with his wild west show and told my GGG - he could perform 3 things: jump through a glass window on his horse, jump over a level crossing on his horse, or be buried alive for 48 hrs! It was decided he'd be buried alive ... in a pit outside the theatre. Bill went into the pit sober and was dug out 48 hrs later rolling drunk. It turned out that a tunnel had been dug from the pit to his dressing room and his assistant had been keeping him topped up with booze the whole time!

Roy Nancarrow
Interesting comments from Martin Aaron. Wonder if his great-grandfather, who owned a circuit of early cinemas/theatres in South Wales valleys and was connected with arranging for Buffalo Bill to tour the UK was from Aberdare, and what cinema/theatres he owned ran? Is there possibly a connection with the family of William Haggar - pioneer film maker/cinema circuit pioneer?

Neil, Cardiff
A few years ago I worked on a TV drama/documentary about Buffalo Bill's visit to Wales. Ray Gravell was the central character. It would be nice to see it shown again.

Roland Carley from Holland
Yes, I remember Jeremy Price's grandmother from Llandinam telling me about seeing Buffalo Bill when he came to Britain.

Pamela Elgar (Bowen), Newnham, Glos
My grandmother, Lilian Bowen (born Coleman in 1896 from Tondu) told me that she had been to see Buffalo Bill Cody when she was very small. She said it was very exciting, with the Indians attacking the white men and women, but that she was fascinated by the Indian Camp and by the women there with their native weaving and clothes. Buffalo Bill wore white - obviously the good guy!

Jane Waters from Llanharry
My grandfather Percy Waters born 1880 told us he had seen the show in Neath.

Roy Nancarrow
Buffalo Bill appeared in various towns and cities throughout Wales and the United Kingdom, including Aberdre, Builth Wells, Cardiff, Builth Wells and Ebbw Vale. I am also given to understand that the "Buffalo Bill Wild West Show" also re-visited Wales in about 1905/1906 but have not, as yet, had this confirmed.

Martin Aaron
My great, grandfather owned a string of early cinemas/theatres in Wales including some in the south Wales valleys and was apparently connected with Buffalo Bill being over here. He definitely played in some his theatres and I think he may have been responsible for getting BB over here. I've heard this story before from family but never really believed it or heard any evidence to support it until now. I'll see if I can find out any more.

Barbara MacArthur, Cardiff
My grandfather, William Blundell, who lived in Llandough, near Cardiff, told me he attended the Wild West Show in South Wales (I thought he said Cardiff, but it was a long time ago). He met Buffalo Bill, but said he was rather disappointed. My grandfather was born in 1882 and was just 5 feet 5 inches tall. He said he was disappointed because, having heard of Buffalo Bill's exciting exploits, had thought he must be a very tall, rugged, handsome man. Instead, he said Buffalo Bill was a little insignificant looking chap who, even in his high-heeled boots, was no taller than my grandfather.

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