One of Many Reenactors
History in the Making on Fifteen Mile Prairie
A Line is Drawn
A Play, The Last Gunfight, Featuring Marshal Hiccup and OutLaw Black Jack Ace
A Relic of Prairie DaysA Time to Remember
Prairie Days
By Ronnie Powell
The first official rendezvous came together in 1825, near Green River, Wyoming, northwest of South Pass. Trappers, traders and Indians converged on the sight and it undoubtedly became an especially boisterous affair. The core purpose of the event was to sell beaver hides and restock provisions and to let off some steam.
An annual Prairie Days hosted by the Dallas County Historical Society began in August of 1982 at the Historical Park in Buffalo, Missouri, situated on Fifteen Mile Prairie, a gateway to the west. The intentions were to recreate particular elements of our historical background and add a little color and flavor. The festival lasted ten years. The first couple of years the event was little more than a craft show, developing into a popular historical event, or rendezvous. Much like the early years of this country, Prairie Days became an assembly point where people from all walks of life gathered not to rest and buy provisions before heading westward into the wilderness, but to share in the historic past of America.
The Dallas County Arts and Crafts Unlimited and Ozark Ridge Runners were instrumental in creating many of the aspects of the event. Artists, craftsmen, re-enactors of the black powder era and historians of these organizations labored together to transform the park into a memorable occasion.
The cast of characters were many talented and dedicated people from all walks of life, color and creed, a melting pot of Americans proud of their heritage. The Will Rogers Indian group represented Native Americans providing traditional attire, song, dance and authentic lodges. The dance of friendship opened to the participation of the public each evening and was enjoyed by many people.
Traders and other contributors took part in eleven frontier camp sites set up around the perimeter of the replica settlement. The visiting traders came from as far away as Arkansas, Joplin, Collins and Stockton Missouri. One man from Kansas, a former stunt double for the Virginian television series was among them. They provided replica articles of clothing, tomahawks and many other trade items.
Other attractions included an Eighth Missouri Cavalry Camp, (originating in Dallas County during the Civil War) along with a display listing the names of those who served in the unit and of course Civil War reenactments. A Butterfield stage and other horse drawn vehicles provided rides for the public. A quilt show featured the art of quilt making in the Eberhart Cabin. Fiddle and banjo players recreated the music of the distant past along with local balladeers. Cloggers and Scottish bagpipers added energy to the festival.
In 1985, the Arts and Crafts Unlimited constructed a frontier town along and in front of the permanent buildings and named it Buffalo Head. The Rusty Bucket Saloon, city jail, a theater, Wells Fargo and other mock-ups of establishments once found in frontier settlements graced the historic park. The added feature brought about a new enthusiasm to the celebration and an atmosphere of reality not experienced before allowing the public within the realm of the activity. Colorful saloon girls sang and wandered the main street. Desperados were among those that came to provide more excitement to the festivities. Two melodramas were played out twice each day at the theater. Banjo and fiddle music and the soulful sounds of folk and gospel songs filled the air.
Apple butter was made on the grounds along with other food representing the times. Front street crowded most of the day and evening offered the public many viewpoints of an earlier period. Mountain men, trappers, Indians, outlaws, saloon girls, actors, preachers and lawman mingled with the public on the dusty Front Street of Buffalo Head.
At times during the black powder shooting contest, smoke drifted over the town, while ponies carrying children dolefully followed a beaten path. Money in the haystack sent children scrambling into a pile of hay to try and find several dollars in coins planted there. Square dancing was also present at the event, along with a talent show and tobacco spitting contest. Many people came early on Sunday morning to worship at a brush arbor where a minister stood waiting dressed in black.
During the last three years of Prairie Days, people came from as far away as California and England. It was not uncommon on Saturday for the attendance to reach several hundreds. Buffalo Head was truly a frontier town diverse in many ways swelling with people eager to witness the conflict between the lawless and town lawmen. They hurried to the theater for choice seats to watch The Life and Times of Marshal Edward Hiccup and The Last Osage. Many took part in the Indian friendship dance, square dancing or sat and enjoyed the singing of Judy Gross and others.
The annual prairie gathering offered numerous aspects of the past and left a deep appreciation for the freedom we have in this unique nation. Several of the principals established by our forefathers were there at Prairie Days shining in the sun. History was made on Fifteen Mile Prairie during the ten years of the event especially on one hot dusty Saturday evening in 1987 during the American flag lowering ceremony conducted by the Lebanon Boy Scouts, Pack 190. They, after taps, presented the folded flag to Floyd Reed, an African American, Ed Webb an Indian and I, a white man, dressed in Union Blue. We stood shoulder to shoulder as Floyd Reed’s Father; a Minister provided a short oratory as we proudly awaited the Stars and Stripes to be presented to us. Such a blending of man had never occurred before on Fifteen Mile Prairie.
Among the prominent visitors that came by during Prairie Days were, former Governor Kit Bond, KY3’s Fred Schweitzer portraying Wild Bill Hickok, Roger Herman, founder of Frontier City near Marshfield and producer of the movie, Arkansas Yankees, and last but not least a postcard from Festus of Gun Smoke Series sending regrets for not attending Prairie Days due to health reasons and a congratulatory telegram from President Ronald Reagan.
The dust has settled on the prairie park for the imaginary town has long since been dismantled and Buffalo Head no longer exists. Twinkles John - buck skinner, Two Lanterns - renegade, Banjo Boats- outlaw, Ike - desperado, Ernestine Didwall - a tale or two of Marshal Hiccup, Gentleman George - deputy, Butcher Redoak - town marshal and Chief Lone Eagle - the last Osage are but few of the characters that were there.
Perhaps Prairie Days of course is history like many events have become; nevertheless, it is worthy as a time to remember. Adios
Prairie Days
By Ronnie Powell
The first official rendezvous came together in 1825, near Green River, Wyoming, northwest of South Pass. Trappers, traders and Indians converged on the sight and it undoubtedly became an especially boisterous affair. The core purpose of the event was to sell beaver hides and restock provisions and to let off some steam.
An annual Prairie Days hosted by the Dallas County Historical Society began in August of 1982 at the Historical Park in Buffalo, Missouri, situated on Fifteen Mile Prairie, a gateway to the west. The intentions were to recreate particular elements of our historical background and add a little color and flavor. The festival lasted ten years. The first couple of years the event was little more than a craft show, developing into a popular historical event, or rendezvous. Much like the early years of this country, Prairie Days became an assembly point where people from all walks of life gathered not to rest and buy provisions before heading westward into the wilderness, but to share in the historic past of America.
The Dallas County Arts and Crafts Unlimited and Ozark Ridge Runners were instrumental in creating many of the aspects of the event. Artists, craftsmen, re-enactors of the black powder era and historians of these organizations labored together to transform the park into a memorable occasion.
The cast of characters were many talented and dedicated people from all walks of life, color and creed, a melting pot of Americans proud of their heritage. The Will Rogers Indian group represented Native Americans providing traditional attire, song, dance and authentic lodges. The dance of friendship opened to the participation of the public each evening and was enjoyed by many people.
Traders and other contributors took part in eleven frontier camp sites set up around the perimeter of the replica settlement. The visiting traders came from as far away as Arkansas, Joplin, Collins and Stockton Missouri. One man from Kansas, a former stunt double for the Virginian television series was among them. They provided replica articles of clothing, tomahawks and many other trade items.
Other attractions included an Eighth Missouri Cavalry Camp, (originating in Dallas County during the Civil War) along with a display listing the names of those who served in the unit and of course Civil War reenactments. A Butterfield stage and other horse drawn vehicles provided rides for the public. A quilt show featured the art of quilt making in the Eberhart Cabin. Fiddle and banjo players recreated the music of the distant past along with local balladeers. Cloggers and Scottish bagpipers added energy to the festival.
In 1985, the Arts and Crafts Unlimited constructed a frontier town along and in front of the permanent buildings and named it Buffalo Head. The Rusty Bucket Saloon, city jail, a theater, Wells Fargo and other mock-ups of establishments once found in frontier settlements graced the historic park. The added feature brought about a new enthusiasm to the celebration and an atmosphere of reality not experienced before allowing the public within the realm of the activity. Colorful saloon girls sang and wandered the main street. Desperados were among those that came to provide more excitement to the festivities. Two melodramas were played out twice each day at the theater. Banjo and fiddle music and the soulful sounds of folk and gospel songs filled the air.
Apple butter was made on the grounds along with other food representing the times. Front street crowded most of the day and evening offered the public many viewpoints of an earlier period. Mountain men, trappers, Indians, outlaws, saloon girls, actors, preachers and lawman mingled with the public on the dusty Front Street of Buffalo Head.
At times during the black powder shooting contest, smoke drifted over the town, while ponies carrying children dolefully followed a beaten path. Money in the haystack sent children scrambling into a pile of hay to try and find several dollars in coins planted there. Square dancing was also present at the event, along with a talent show and tobacco spitting contest. Many people came early on Sunday morning to worship at a brush arbor where a minister stood waiting dressed in black.
During the last three years of Prairie Days, people came from as far away as California and England. It was not uncommon on Saturday for the attendance to reach several hundreds. Buffalo Head was truly a frontier town diverse in many ways swelling with people eager to witness the conflict between the lawless and town lawmen. They hurried to the theater for choice seats to watch The Life and Times of Marshal Edward Hiccup and The Last Osage. Many took part in the Indian friendship dance, square dancing or sat and enjoyed the singing of Judy Gross and others.
The annual prairie gathering offered numerous aspects of the past and left a deep appreciation for the freedom we have in this unique nation. Several of the principals established by our forefathers were there at Prairie Days shining in the sun. History was made on Fifteen Mile Prairie during the ten years of the event especially on one hot dusty Saturday evening in 1987 during the American flag lowering ceremony conducted by the Lebanon Boy Scouts, Pack 190. They, after taps, presented the folded flag to Floyd Reed, an African American, Ed Webb an Indian and I, a white man, dressed in Union Blue. We stood shoulder to shoulder as Floyd Reed’s Father; a Minister provided a short oratory as we proudly awaited the Stars and Stripes to be presented to us. Such a blending of man had never occurred before on Fifteen Mile Prairie.
Among the prominent visitors that came by during Prairie Days were, former Governor Kit Bond, KY3’s Fred Schweitzer portraying Wild Bill Hickok, Roger Herman, founder of Frontier City near Marshfield and producer of the movie, Arkansas Yankees, and last but not least a postcard from Festus of Gun Smoke Series sending regrets for not attending Prairie Days due to health reasons and a congratulatory telegram from President Ronald Reagan.
The dust has settled on the prairie park for the imaginary town has long since been dismantled and Buffalo Head no longer exists. Twinkles John - buck skinner, Two Lanterns - renegade, Banjo Boats- outlaw, Ike - desperado, Ernestine Didwall - a tale or two of Marshal Hiccup, Gentleman George - deputy, Butcher Redoak - town marshal and Chief Lone Eagle - the last Osage are but few of the characters that were there.
Perhaps Prairie Days of course is history like many events have become; nevertheless, it is worthy as a time to remember. Adios
1 comment:
Ahh the memories.
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