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Pawnee Bill papers, 1894-1954

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Pawnee Bill, 1860-1942.
Title
Pawnee Bill papers
Dates
1894-1954 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.08 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Collection Number
09477
Summary
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public. Photocopies of photograph albums are available for research use.

Additional Reference Guides
Additional Information

Finding aid available in repository.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Gordon W. Lillie (1860-1942) was born in Illinois and worked as an interpreter and schoolteacher at the Pawnee Indian Agency in what is now Oklahoma, starting in 1878. He later worked as an interpreter for the Pawnee Indians who worked in Buffalo Bill's wild west show and established his own wild west show as Pawnee Bill. The company performed in Europe and the U.S. with his wife May Lillie, a champion shot, until 1913. After touring, Pawnee Bill established a trading post and buffalo ranch in Pawnee, Oklahoma and speculated in the oil industry.

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Content Description

Collection contains mainly the correspondence of Pawnee Bill and May Lillie from 1894-1935 with the bulk of it being written by May Lillie from 1894-1895 to Annie Ostendorff while touring in Europe. The collection also includes photographs of rodeos, 3 artifacts relating to Pawnee Bill's wild west show, 5 photograph albums of rodeos and wild west shows from the 1890s-1930s, and miscellaneous other materials.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Pawnee Bill at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Processing Note

Processing Information

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List
  • Untitled

    The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Rodeos -- West (U.S.)
  • Voyages and travels.
  • Wild west shows -- Europe.
  • Wild west shows -- West (U.S.)

Corporate Names

  • Pawnee Bill's Wild West (Show)

Geographical Names

  • Europe.
  • Pawnee (Okla.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Artifacts.
  • Photograph albums.
  • Photographs.

Occupations

  • Entertainers.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Lillie, May Manning.
    • Ostendorff, Annie.
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