FAMILY “WESTERN” HISTORY. By John Skelton.
A piece of my family history that may be interesting to both western and shooting fans is that, around the end of the 19th century, my great grandmother, who was was a vicars daughter in Matlock Derbyshire, was in love with a theatre owner and actor. This was frowned upon at the time and so they eloped and either formed or joined a Wild West show, called “Mexican Joe’s Wild West”. Billed as “Senorieta Marvella, America’s Greatest Rifle Shot”, she toured the USA & UK and was, at times, on the same circuit as Buffalo Bill. She once challenged Annie Oakley to a contest, which was declined, as Sa Marvella’s act was lying backwards over a table and trick shooting with a rifle while looking through a mirror. Apparently, Ms Oakley didn’t think it too ladylike. Great Nan later toured Europe with the show where her daughter, my grandmother, also performed in the act under the name “Miss Laura Bevan”, but with pythons and a performing seal.
Just before my Nan’s European tour, Buffalo Bill had just completed his tour of the UK and was returning to the USA from Liverpool. His last show was in Scotland and Black Elk along with some other Native Americans were left behind. With news of another Wild West show which was about to commence a European tour, they made their way down to London. Although we can’t find exact documentation, press records printed at the time do confirm that the “Indians” met with another show and travelled to Europe. We believe they met with my Nan’s show and joined them, as this was the time that Nan toured Europe, as the dates match and it was unlikely there were that many wild west shows leaving the UK at that time. I remember my Nan talking about meeting Buffalo Bill Cody and also touring Italy & Germany etc., including a performance for Kaiser Bill.
