Fred Cummins Wild West Shows - Five Items

COL FREDERICK T. CUMMINS

Publication: Privately published & photographed, circa 1912, N P

A small archive of five items that refer to Colonel Frederick T. Cummins, Chief La-Ko-Ta," and his work among the Indians by order of the U.S. Government. Many prominent Indian Chiefs such as Geronimo, Rocky Bear, Flat Iron, Painted Horse, Good Face, Red Shirt, and others were among his associates. Included in this archive is a fine copy of the 24 page booklet published in 1912 and titled "A Great White Indian Chief" as told by Richmond C. Hill, a 3 1/2" x 8" colorful promotional that promotes "Cummins' Wild West Exhibition Company, inc.," a 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" picture post card of Col. Cummins in Western attire as he sits astride a well-decorated horse and with the words "Cummins Wild West Indian Congress." Also a 5" x 7 3/4" photograph of an older Col. Cummins with the caption "Colonel Fred Cummins (Chief La-Ko-Ta) Director General Young Buffalo Wild West Combined With Colonel Cummins Indian Congress And Far East." The last item is an 8" x 10" black & white photograph of a still older Col, Cummins with the following message on the verso of the photograph: "Colonel Fred T. Cummins, famous Indian fighter, friend of Buffalo Bill, and minion of the law in the days of the old west in a hunt for the notorious bandit, Jesse James, will be heard during The First Nighter program from the NBC Chicago studio on Saturday, October 3, from 8:30 to 9 p. m. central standard time, through KYW. He will talk about a thrilling adventure while accompanying a Wells Fargo Express gold shipment." Col. Fred T. Cummins started at the 1904 St. Louis Fair with his first named show called the Cummins' Wild West Indian Congress & Rough Riders of the World. 1905 found him in Chicago now being called the Cummins' Wild West and Indian Congress, Custer's Massacre and Siege of Fort Dearborn. From 1906 to 1909 it was generally referred to as Cummins' Wild West. By 1910 the Colonel had joined forces with Vernon C. Seaver to have the Young Buffalo Wild West show. They stayed in business together through 1914. Fine archive.

Inventory Number: 52717