b'until another costly accident would forever put paidMedicine Man named Sitting Bull, the man considered to her relationship with the Buffalo Bill Wild Westto be most responsible for the demise of Custer and show. She never regretted a moment spent with thethe 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn almost a decade show, nor with Bill Cody who treated her as moreearlier. Cody, who as a scout considered the Sioux to be than a friend, almost like a father. For his part, Codythe most intelligent and most dangerous of his enemies, adored and admired his "Little Missie" and she waswas for his part quite anxious to bring the Sioux leader quickly accepted and loved by almost the entire Wildon board as the most notable representative of Native West company - save for her rival, the CaliforniaAmericans in his Wild West show. Sitting Bull, for his sharpshooting girl, Lillian Smith, who herself waspart was sick and tired of the almost five years he spent briefly a part of the Wild West shows and may havein virtual captivity at the Standing Rock Reservation been a better shot than Oakley - but it would be Codyunder the thumb of James McLaughlin, the Indian who ultimately would choose the likable, unassumingagent he most despised, so he was quite willing to sign but so accurate with a rifle, Oakley over the oft-timeson with Cody despite his then-recent sour experiences brash Smith. touring with a circus show.As Oakley recalled later, not long after Cody\'s passing,Accordingly, Cody sent Major Burke to Standing "He (Cody) was the kindest, simplest, most loyal manRock to secure a contract with the Sioux Medicine I ever knew. He was the staunchest friend. He was theMan, and after a reluctant McLaughlin was persuaded personification of those sturdy and lovable qualitiesto grasp the economic benefits for his reservation that made the West, and they were the final criterion ofcoming from Sitting Bull\'s involvement in the Wild all men, East and West. Like all great and gentle men,West show as well as getting the irksome chief out of he was not a fighter by preference. His relations withhis hair, he agreed to let the chief go. On June 6, 1885, everyone he came in contact with were the most cordialBurke wrote out a five-month contract in the presence and trusting of any man that I knew. I traveled withof Sitting Bull. The contract stipulated that Sitting him for seventeen years - there were thousands of menBull would be the highest-paid performer in the in the outfit during that time. Comanches, Cowboys,show, earning $50 a week and he would have his own Cossacks, Arabs, and every kind of person. And theentourage accompanying him. He would also have an whole time we were one great family loyal to a man.interpreter on hand to avoid any misunderstandings. His words were more than most contracts. Personally,Sitting Bull was also given a $125 bonus just for I never had a contract with the show after I started. ItCody personally sought outsigning up, and since Burke knew that the chief would have been superfluous" (Carter, p. 274). the Sioux leader, Sitting Bull,admired Annie Oakley, promised him accessibility who was quite willing to signto see her every day while the show was on tour. The second main attraction that Cody personallyAs a postscript, Burke also agreed that Sitting Bull sought out to participate in his show would also proveon after spending five yearswould receive all proceeds from any and all signed to be his most controversial choice. He was "Tatanka- in virtual captivity. autographs and photographs he personally sold Iyotanka" the Great Sioux Warrior Chief-turned- during the show\'s season (Ibid., p. 282).continued on page 20EXPAND YOUR HORIZONSOur wide-open skies await. Visit our website and Facebook page for news about upcoming events out Wickenburg way.928-684-0977OUTWICKENBURGWAY.COM FACEBOOK.COM/WICKENBURGAZArizonaRealCountry.com June 2021 19'