Cody, William F. ("Buffalo Bill")

Autograph letter signed ("W.F. Cody"), 1 page (11 x 8 3/8 in.; 280 x 212 mm) on "Buffalo Bill'S Wild West, the Bailey Building, 27 East 22d Street, New York City" letterhead, Providence, Rhode Island, 6 July [19]08, to [Joseph Kossuth] Dixon; formerly folded, two small spots in upper margin as residue from mounting. Brown cloth clamshell box with reproduction portraits, blindstamped title on spine.

On Dixon, see A. Trachtenberg, Shades of Hiawatha, (2004), p. 214

Dixon, "educational director" of the Wanamaker Stores,  was considering making a motion picture on "Custer's Last Stand" and was looking for people to re-enact the event. Cody replies: "...Yes I done the Battle of the Little Big Horn or Custer's last charge for years. I was the originator of it as an actual battle scene. And before doing it I went to Mrs. Custer and asked her if she had any objections. She said no for she felt I would do justice to the subject. And it would be the means of perpetuating the memory of her husband. Yes I have the Indians and Soldiers with me. And we could do the Battle with my people if we only had time. It would be asking too much of my people & horses to rehearse & do it during the hot weather. But perhaps when we get west we might do it."