VTG. (1973) WILD WEST SHOW BOOK, "THE 101 RANCH," BY E. COLLINS & ALMA ENGLAND For Sale

VTG. (1973) WILD WEST SHOW BOOK, "THE 101 RANCH," BY E. COLLINS & ALMA ENGLAND
Co-authored by the founder's daughter, this is asuperbly written and illustrated book detailing the history of the famous Oklahoma-based Wild West Show, "The 101 Ranch." Famous cowboys and entertainers abound in its pages.
The book is used in very good condition commensurate with age. The boards, binding, and leaves are fine. The illustrations are still crisp and clear. The dust jacket, while complete, has taken a beating, but has preserved the book itself -- the covers appear almost as new. Overall, a very, very handsome book that is very entertaining.

TheMiller Brothers 101 Ranchwas a 110,000-acre (45,000ha) cattle ranch in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma before statehood. Located near modern-dayPonca City, it was founded by Colonel George Washington Miller, a veteran of the Confederate Army, in 1893. The 101 Ranch was the birthplace of the 101 Ranch Wild West Show and one of the early focal points of theoil rushin northeastern Oklahoma. It was the largest diversified farm and ranch in America at the time.Bill Pickett's grave and the White Eagle Monument are located on the ranch grounds. The location of the former working cattle ranch was subdivided and all of its buildings destroyed. An 82-acre (33ha) area of the ranch is aNational Historic Landmark. In 2003, the ranch was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.

In 1903, when Colonel George Miller died, his three sons, Joseph, George Jr., and Zack took over operation of the 110,000 acre ranch. By 1932 most of the land was owned by the Miller family. They leased other land from the Ponca, Pawnee, and Otoe Indians inKay,Noble,OsageandPawneeCounties. The ranch remained in the family for almost 60 years.

The 101 Ranch Wild West ShowThe original layout of the ranchMural Honoring the Miller Brothers and the 101 Ranch & Wild West Show. Located at 207 W. Grand in Ponca City, OKThe Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show wagonsPawnee Billand Zack Miller on horseback in Oklahoma

The Millers' neighbor Major Gordon W. Lillie, who performed asPawnee Bill, motivated the Millers to produce aWild West showof their own. The Millers made their transition from putting on local shows to the national scene in 1907, when they performed at theJamestown ExpositioninVirginia.

Later in 1907, the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show began the tour circuit inBrighton Beach, New York. Joe Miller, the eldest son, was an exceptional equestrian and star performer. Over the course of the show's history, its cast includedLillian Smith,Bill Pickett, Bessie Herberg,Bee Ho Gray,Tom Mix,Jack Hoxie,Mexican Joe, Ross Hettan, and an elderlyBuffalo Bill.

The Miller brothers entered the Wild West Show business late, and suffered financially along with other shows after the invention of motion pictures. Their show had more problems than most in a business that was harsh in the best of times. During their first year on the circuit, they suffered a serious railroad accident. Later several members of their cast contracted typhoid fever.

In 1908, whenBuffalo BillandPawnee Billcombined their shows into an extravaganza that broke records atMadison Square Gardensin New York City, the Miller Brothers took their show abroad. In England, the British military confiscated most of the 101's horses, stagecoaches and automobiles to build up for war, as tensions were increasing related to impendingWorld War I. When the Millers' show toured theGerman Empire, authorities arrested some of theirOglala Siouxperformers on suspicion of beingSerbianspies, and they were never seen again. A frantic Zack Miller got the remaining cast out of Germany via Norway, and then to England. In London, he had difficulty finding steamship passage for his people. He eventually obtained passage for his cast on an American ship.

By 1916, the two younger Miller brothers abandoned trying to work with their volatile oldest brother. George Jr. and Zack worked at the ranch, while Joe schemed to make the Wild West Show a financial success. Joe Miller hired an out-of-work, aging and ill Buffalo Bill to star in a WWI recruitment show called "Pageant of Preparedness." Soon Cody quit the show, and died within a year. Unwilling to end the show, Joe continued to operate on a smaller scale.