Call NumberNS-215Datecirca 1884SummaryThe original cast of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show poses for a group portrait. William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody sits in the center of the second row wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Seated on the ground in front of Cody is John Y. Nelson, driver of the Deadwood Stage in the show. Nelson's Sioux wife and children are seated next to him in the front row. Standing just behind Cody is young Johnny Baker, Cody's foster son who became a star of the show. Behind Baker is Buck Taylor, "King of the Cowboys" in the show. To the left of Taylor is Jim Lawson, another cowboy in the show. The man seated to the left of Cody wearing a straw hat Nate Salsbury, owner and manager of the Wild West Show. Major Frank North is seated next to him, followed by Jule Keen, treasurer of the show. The woman on the far left end of the second row of seated people is "Ma" Whitaker, whose husband "Pa" was an announcer for the show. On the right of Cody is A.H. Bogardus, an original partner in the show, and his three sons followed by Albert Scheibel, secretary of the show. Standing second from the left in the third row is Seth Hathaway, the last Pony Express rider. Numerous Native American men, women and children sit in the front row and on the sides of the group.Physical Description1 copy photonegative |12 x 17 cm (4 3/4 x 6 3/4 in.)|1 photoprint : black and white |21 x 27 cm (8 1/4 x 10 1/2 in.) on mat 29 x 36 cm (11 x 14 in.)Born-Digital or AnalogAnalogSubjectBogardus, Adam--FamilyNelson, John Young, 1826-1903--FamilyIndians of North America--19th centuryWild west showsBuffalo Bill, 1846-1917Ma WhitakerBaker, Johnny, d. 1931Bogardus, AdamHathaway, SethKeen, JuleLawson, JimNelson, John Young, 1826-1903North, Frank J. (Frank Joshua), 1840-1885Salsbury, Nate, 1846-1902Scheibel, AlbertTaylor, William LeviBuffalo Bill's Wild West ShowCollectionPhotographs - Western HistoryRelated MaterialImage File: ZZR700105215Type of MaterialFilm negativesPhotographic printsBlack & white photographsOriginal Material Found in CollectionSalsbury collection, Buffalo Bill's Wild West ShowNotesGiven by the family of Nate Salsbury from his collection, in 1938 Buffalo Bill's Wild West - 1884 - 1st year of show -- Front row - John Nelson, Squaw man" and driver of Deadwood coach His wife and children next to him -- 2nd row - M̀a' Whitaker, vaudeville mistress, Jule Keen, treasurer, Major Frank North, Nate Salsbury (straw hat), Buffalo Bill, A.H. Bogardus and 3 sons, Albert Sheibel, secretary, Little boy in center, Johnny Baker, aged 9 or 10 behind him -- 3rd row - #2 Seth Hathaway - last Pony Express rider, #5 Jim Lawson, #6 Buck Taylor -- last row, right John Higby - Sioux Indians and Mexicans" handwritten on back of print. Image also identified as "F11701|" see also "NS-214," "NS-216" and "NS-217."|Title from inventory prepared in Western History Department, Denver Public Library. Vintage photographic print. R7001052157
Wild West Show original company (circa 1884). Denver Public Library Digital Collections, accessed 18/05/2025, https://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1122940
