Lulu Bell Parr - Wild West Champion by Nancy J. Farrier

Lulu Bell Parr_Photo by Terry Baer

We’ve all heard of the famous cowgirls, Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane. We know of their prowess with guns and horses, and the way they made a name for themselves in an era when women weren’t know to have such skills. One of the lesser known women who had a claim to fame in the time period is Lulu Bell Parr.

Lulu grew up in Indiana. Her parents died when she was very young, probably 3-years-old. She and her brother went to live with an aunt and uncle in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Living on their farm, Lulu fell in love with the animals and became a skilled rider by the time she was eight-years-old. 

Although not much is known about Lulu’s early years, she left home in 1903 and joined the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show. She had skill in doing trick riding and shooting guns, but she excelled at riding bucking broncos. She seemed to have a knack for riding an unbroken horse and the people who flocked to the shows loved to watch her. At one point she was titled, “Champion Lady Bucking Horse Rider of the World.”

In 1908, Lulu left Pawnee Bill’s show and joined Colonel Cummins Wild West Brighton Tour. She wanted the chance to go to Europe and perform there. The highlight of her trip was the chance to perform in front of King Edward in England. 

Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill

The following year, Lulu left Colonel Cummins because she had the chance to be part of the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Back in the United States, she traveled with Buffalo Bill until 1913. Buffalo Bill was so taken with Lulu that he presented her with an ivory handled colt with the words engraved, “Buffalo Bill Code to Lulu Parr – 1911.”

In 1916, Lulu moved back to the Pawnee Bill show, but the popularity of the Wild West shows was beginning to wane. Until her retirement in 1929, she went from one small time show to another. By the time she retired at fifty-three, she was broke.

Photo by Terry Baer

Lulu went to Ohio and lived with her brother and his wife. She often entertained neighborhood children with her stories of the wild west and the adventures she’d experienced. She collected mementos from her time with the shows. Lulu’s outfits that she wore were intricate and colorful. Lulu died in 1960 from a stroke.

Have you ever heard of Lulu Bell Parr? While most of us have heard of Buffalo Bill, have you ever heard of Pawnee Bill or Colonel Cummings? I would love to hear your thoughts.  

Nancy J. Farrier is an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats and dog, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.

Pawnee Bill Wild West Museum

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Tucked away in the quaint little town of Pawnee, Oklahoma is a fascinating museum on Pawnee Bill and the Wild West shows. Now, if you're like me, the name Pawnee Bill causes you to raise an eyebrow. "Wait a second, Buffalo Bill I know, but who on earth is Pawnee Bill?"

Kudos to you lovers of wild west history that do know who he is. ;)

Anyway, Pawnee Bill's real name was Gordan William Lillie. He was, of course, an American showman and the owner of the "Pawnee Bill's Historical Wild West" show that launched in 1888.  Bill's own wife was one of the stars of this show, along with "Mexican Joe", Japanese performers and even Arab jugglers. The show became very popular and financially successful. 

Poster for Pawnee Bill's show

According to the signs in the museum, Buffalo Bill was the one to introduce him to the WW Show biz. He became a competitor for a while, but later they joined forces. In 1908, Pawnee Bill signed an agreement with Buffalo Bill Cody to create the "Two Bills" show, officially named "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East". This was short lived, however and failed after only five years. While performing in Denver, Colorado, the show went into foreclosure. 

Pawnee Bill and Buffalo Bill making the deal.

Bill and May Lillie had a ranch in Pawnee, Oklahoma where they raised buffalo. Originally, May traveled with Bill as a star of the show. But one day, a regular stunt went terribly wrong. The act was for May to hold a target in her hand as Bill shot it with his pistol. But somehow, Bill's .38 sights had been knocked out of precision. The bullet tore into May's hand. She recovered, however she was never able to handle target shooting again. After this incident, she oversaw the buffalo ranch. The Lillies also suffered terrible personal loses during their life. They lost a biological child in infancy, and later also lost their beloved adopted son, Billy. This quote from May Lillie emphasizes the pain they felt. 

"Now as I celebrate our Golden Anniversary, I wonder why it is so easy to win the applause of multitudes and so hard just to be a mother. I only realize that the show must go on regardless of what is behind the smile the audience sees." 

May Lillie's exhibit

 

One of the most interesting exhibits was a sign that included a written endorsement for the show from clergymen. Apparently many Christians during the time felt that such a show was worldly entertainment and not fitting for moral people, so this poster with a recommendation from a minister was to refute that perception. 

Isn't it interesting the tidbits you can pick up on in a tiny town's museum? What is the most memorable museum you have visited?

***** 

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Lulu Bell Parr - Wild West Champion

With Nancy J. Farrier

Lulu Bell Parr_Photo by Terry Baer

We’ve all heard of the famous cowgirls, Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane. We know of their prowess with guns and horses, and the way they made a name for themselves in an era when women weren’t know to have such skills. One of the lesser known women who had a claim to fame in the time period is Lulu Bell Parr.

Lulu grew up in Indiana. Her parents died when she was very young, probably 3-years-old. She and her brother went to live with an aunt and uncle in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Living on their farm, Lulu fell in love with the animals and became a skilled rider by the time she was eight-years-old.

Although not much is known about Lulu’s early years, she left home in 1903 and joined the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show. She had skill in doing trick riding and shooting guns, but she excelled at riding bucking broncos. She seemed to have a knack for riding an unbroken horse and the people who flocked to the shows loved to watch her. At one point she was titled, “Champion Lady Bucking Horse Rider of the World.”

In 1908, Lulu left Pawnee Bill’s show and joined Colonel Cummins Wild West Brighton Tour. She wanted the chance to go to Europe and perform there. The highlight of her trip was the chance to perform in front of King Edward in England.

Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill

The following year, Lulu left Colonel Cummins because she had the chance to be part of the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Back in the United States, she traveled with Buffalo Bill until 1913. Buffalo Bill was so taken with Lulu that he presented her with an ivory handled colt with the words engraved, “Buffalo Bill Code to Lulu Parr – 1911.”

In 1916, Lulu moved back to the Pawnee Bill show, but the popularity of the Wild West shows was beginning to wane. Until her retirement in 1929, she went from one small time show to another. By the time she retired at fifty-three, she was broke.

Photo by Terry Baer

Lulu went to Ohio and lived with her brother and his wife. She often entertained neighborhood children with her stories of the wild west and the adventures she’d experienced. She collected mementos from her time with the shows. Lulu’s outfits that she wore were intricate and colorful. Lulu died in 1960 from a stroke.

Have you ever heard of Lulu Bell Parr? While most of us have heard of Buffalo Bill, have you ever heard of Pawnee Bill or Colonel Cummings? I would love to hear your thoughts.  

Nancy J Farrier is an award winning author who lives in Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children and two grandsons. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.