may, gardy, and vic anderson
*THIS STORY IS UNDEr construction*
From the editor: Here is a truly interesting photo labeled May, Gardy, and Vic Anderson. I had thought that this was merely a publicity shot for an act at the fair or perhaps some stage performance in town. People passing through. (This is Photo 95.)
The board in the photograph above says, "THE CODYS SHOOT GENUINE REMINGTON RIFLES AND SOLID BAR CARTRIDGES."
Delores said this was known as Gardy Anderson's house. She also said that the house had been known as the Ole Graham house and that her dad, Bruce McCourtney, had been best friends with Ole's son. A source below documents that Gardy bought the house from Ole Graham.
Then in 2015, Delores Penkava shared the same photo with me and on the back of HER copy was written by someone other than Delores, Mae, Gardy, and Vic Anderson.
And she also shared this photo of a house (now Photo 2479). On the back was Delores's handwriting:
"Gardy Anderson and wife lived in this house. His
wife died in a circus act -- she threw knives!"
And she also shared this photo of a house (now Photo 2479). On the back was Delores's handwriting:
"Gardy Anderson and wife lived in this house. His
wife died in a circus act -- she threw knives!"
On a sunny afernoon in September 2015 -- a month after Delores had shared the pictures -- I ran across a tombstone that was buried under a profuse stand of dead peonies. It had a thick mat of dried mowed grass on it that I had trouble getting off. I almost gave up and walked on, as I had come here to photograph a different headstone and was in a hurry. I'm glad I took a closer look. Here's the stone:
So, in 2015, assuming Delores was right, and assuming that Gardy and May, who were buried side by side, were husband and wife, then one could also assume that May Anderson, lived in that house in the picture and shot apples off her husband's head for a living. She must have been good, as he lived longer than her. And she must have been old to have died in a circus act.
And then I learned the truth. The truths I should say. First off, the husband and wife were May and VICTOR Anderson, and Gardy was Vic's brother. After May died in 1932, Vic left town. Whether he returned after Gardy's death I've never been able to find out. Certainly someone arranged for that stone, but who? Those questions aside, the story is such a long one and a remarkable one that, like the story of Civil War veteran Captain R. P. Jennings, hardly know where to begin!
And then I learned the truth. The truths I should say. First off, the husband and wife were May and VICTOR Anderson, and Gardy was Vic's brother. After May died in 1932, Vic left town. Whether he returned after Gardy's death I've never been able to find out. Certainly someone arranged for that stone, but who? Those questions aside, the story is such a long one and a remarkable one that, like the story of Civil War veteran Captain R. P. Jennings, hardly know where to begin!
SOURCE MATERIALS
1870 census, anderson family
Pawnee County, Township 3. Parents Oliver and Mary with children Vic (5), Anson (3) and Axel.
| anderson_gardys_family_1870_census_gardy_not_born.pdf |
1880 census, anderson family
Note: The family lives in Steinauer, parents Oliver (born in Sweden) and Mary (born in New York), children Vic (15),Aaron (13), Gardy (11), Axel (8), Orson (5), and Grace (2). Aaron may be Anson.
| anderson_gardy_1880_census_w_parents_siblings_incl_vic.pdf |
1888, SEPTEMBER 10 MARRIAGE LICENSE OF BLANCHE MASON & MEREDITH STANLEY. HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO, P. 252 (NO INFORMATION ABOUT PARENTS, PLACE OF RESIDENCE, ETC., JUST NAMES)
| 1888_blanche_mason_and_meredith_stanley_same_or_ot.jpg |
1890 - vic becomes "yellowstone vic"
Note that there was another Yellowstone Vic, the noted Yellowstone Vic Smith.
1890, MARCH 26, LINCOLN STATE JOURNAL,P. 4.
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1890, MARCH 26, KEARNEY (NEBRASKA) DAILY HUB, P. 2
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Essentially the same article except that the Lincoln State Journal adds that Anderson is "one of the best riders and manipulators of the lasso in the west."
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1893 - vic travels with the miles orton circus (?)
In December 1934, in an event much publicized around the country, Vic married Mrs. Elizabeth Pew in Pasadena, California. He was 70 years old at the time, and she was 73. They told news reporters that they had met in 1893 when both had traveled with the Mile Orton Circus. See sources below.
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Note: The Miles Orton Circus was one of at least 11 circuses who traveled by railroad. The Wisconsin State Historical Society owns a photograph taken of performers at their winter headquarters in Louisiana the winter of 1891-1892. It is online at https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM23839, last visited June 16, 2024. A copy for nonprofit/commercial use is $22.50.
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1896 - gardy president of literary society
1896 pawnee idependent
gardy head of flourishing north mayberry literary society
Gardy is president, Charles Sheetz is secretary. Meetings are held on Tuesday night of each week. Note that one census reflects that Gardy had no schooling.
1896 - vic anderson becomes vic cody
Notes: (1): The Vic Anderson here was said to be from Illinois (our Vic was born there). 2) bthe Vic here was only 18 years old. Our Vic was 31 in 1896, having been born in 1865. However, I'm sure there is at least one source citing his birth year as 1878; I disregarded it as a typo, need to find it again. If he looked far younger than he was, he may have lied about his age to increase the mystique. (Or this might be another Vic). (3) The Vic here was noted as a knife thrower, as was Victor F. Anderson (see other sources below) (4) Vic here is referred to as Victor F. Cody?
"A Pair of Shootists" is available for purchase in hard copy but is also online on Google Books at https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Pair_of_Shootists/5M2i9C9c7-0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=pair+of+shootists+%22victor+f.+cody%22&pg=PA109&printsec=frontcover
Jerry Kuntz, a “A Pair of Shootists, The Wild West Story of S. F. Cody and Maude Lee,” University of Oklahoma Press, 2012, ISBN:9780806185866, 0806185864. This is a biography of spouses Samuel F. Cody and Maud Lee.
At pages 97-98, Kuntz describes how Vic Anderson became Vic Cody in 1896.
BACKGROUND: The Cincinnati Zoological Gardens wanted to stage a Wild West show called "Historical Cincinnati," in which the Indians not only performed as in Buffalo Bill's type show but also reenacted things more reflective of their culture. designed to showcase 89 members of the Sicangu Lakota tribe. The tribal members had been s tranded across the river in Kentucky the year before and had been invited to camp on the zoological grounds until their return to Montana could be arranged. People were interested in them, and so the Gardens decided to mount their own show. Maud was brought in and partnered with Victor Anderson. and they were the only two white performers in the show.
THE NARRATIVE: “Maud was partnered in the show’s Wild West skits with an eighteen-year-old from Illinois, Victor Anderson., who donned a buckskin coat to play the role of the frontier scout. Victor could shoot, but his main talent was knife throwing. Maud still had some lithograph posters left over from her days with S. F Cody that read “Cody and Sister,” so in order to use up that supply, Victor Anderson was rechristened with a new professional name, Vic Cody. Maud, who had acted like a big sister to Harry Hill’s son and like a other to Vivian King, took Vic Cody under her wig as her protégé. Vic and Maud would reunite periodically between 1896 and1902, but the relationship appears to have been more collegial than romantic.”
At pages 97-98, Kuntz describes how Vic Anderson became Vic Cody in 1896.
BACKGROUND: The Cincinnati Zoological Gardens wanted to stage a Wild West show called "Historical Cincinnati," in which the Indians not only performed as in Buffalo Bill's type show but also reenacted things more reflective of their culture. designed to showcase 89 members of the Sicangu Lakota tribe. The tribal members had been s tranded across the river in Kentucky the year before and had been invited to camp on the zoological grounds until their return to Montana could be arranged. People were interested in them, and so the Gardens decided to mount their own show. Maud was brought in and partnered with Victor Anderson. and they were the only two white performers in the show.
THE NARRATIVE: “Maud was partnered in the show’s Wild West skits with an eighteen-year-old from Illinois, Victor Anderson., who donned a buckskin coat to play the role of the frontier scout. Victor could shoot, but his main talent was knife throwing. Maud still had some lithograph posters left over from her days with S. F Cody that read “Cody and Sister,” so in order to use up that supply, Victor Anderson was rechristened with a new professional name, Vic Cody. Maud, who had acted like a big sister to Harry Hill’s son and like a other to Vivian King, took Vic Cody under her wig as her protégé. Vic and Maud would reunite periodically between 1896 and1902, but the relationship appears to have been more collegial than romantic.”
1899, september 23, tecumseh chieftain, p. 5
Victor F. Anderson and wife arrived "from the east" a week ago, are "athletic performers, wild west work being their specialty," probably remain for the winter.
| 1899__vic_anderson___wife__athletic_performers_specializing_in_wild_west_work__will_winter_.pdf |
marriage of victor F. anderson & blanche mason
1899, october 10, Victor F. Anderson marries his "wife"! marriage license from nemaha county, nebraska, blanche stanley & victor f. anderson, both of milford, ohio
Married at St. Paul's Church in South Auburn, Nebraska
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nemaha county republican, p. 5
marriage licenses lists anderson-mason
| 1899_october_13_nemaha_county_republican_p_5licenses_to_wed.pdf |
1900 census, anderson family
Household is father Oliver with sos Axel and Gardy; mother Mary was alive until 1915 -- divorce? Gardy's marital status listed as single,occupation farming.
| anderson_gardy_1900_census_w_father___brother.pdf |
Billboard, Footlights and Foyer Column, January 5, 1901, p. 8
Footlights and Foyer Column, lists in Cincinnati the People’s theater (that’s the name of the place)
"PEOPLE'S THEATER. ...Those enterprising purveyors of vaudeville, Hurtig & Seamen, have sent their big burlesque show, "The Social Maids,” to the People’s this week. The company is first Class. The vaudevile portion of the show is in the curio halls is Kathleen Wrenn, the snake charmer; little .Miss Wrenn, the midget. Colonel Victor F'. Cody and wife and the Romany Gypsy Camp are features....
Note: Little Miss Wrenn is quite famous.
"PEOPLE'S THEATER. ...Those enterprising purveyors of vaudeville, Hurtig & Seamen, have sent their big burlesque show, "The Social Maids,” to the People’s this week. The company is first Class. The vaudevile portion of the show is in the curio halls is Kathleen Wrenn, the snake charmer; little .Miss Wrenn, the midget. Colonel Victor F'. Cody and wife and the Romany Gypsy Camp are features....
Note: Little Miss Wrenn is quite famous.
1901, vic becomes "buckskin bill"
Trying to capitalize on the Buffalo Bill show, a rival show, "Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show" was started in 1900 out of Paducah, Kentucky by three Terrell brothers. The Terrels decided to have Buckskin Bill as a generic guy who could be played by anyone, Buckskin Bill was played by Victor F. Cody in 1901 and early 1902.
In February 1902, the show went bust and was purchased by new owners.
Three sources discuss this.
The first and main source is a book Jerry Kuntz, a “A Pair of Shootists, The Wild West Story of S. F. Cody and Maude Lee,” University of Oklahoma Press, 2012, ISBN:9780806185866, 0806185864. This is a biography of spouses Samuel F. Cody and Maud Lee, in which Vic is cited as her protege and she testifies in a deposition that his real name is Anderson.
A Pair of Shootists is available for purchase in hard copy but is also online on Google Books at https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Pair_of_Shootists/5M2i9C9c7-0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=pair+of+shootists+%22victor+f.+cody%22&pg=PA109&printsec=frontcover
In February 1902, the show went bust and was purchased by new owners.
Three sources discuss this.
The first and main source is a book Jerry Kuntz, a “A Pair of Shootists, The Wild West Story of S. F. Cody and Maude Lee,” University of Oklahoma Press, 2012, ISBN:9780806185866, 0806185864. This is a biography of spouses Samuel F. Cody and Maud Lee, in which Vic is cited as her protege and she testifies in a deposition that his real name is Anderson.
A Pair of Shootists is available for purchase in hard copy but is also online on Google Books at https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Pair_of_Shootists/5M2i9C9c7-0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=pair+of+shootists+%22victor+f.+cody%22&pg=PA109&printsec=frontcover
| pair_of_shootists_sharlas_notes_june_16_2024.pdf |
The second source is an article by Richard D.Parker,"Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show," which cites and relies on Kuntz's book. It nicely nicely esconces Kuntz's references in a full, rich context. I found it at an online Digital Commons repository maintained by Murray State University. The article appears to be part of a larger publication (It starts at 47) but I haven't been able to ascertain what. The article was fuond at at https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1549&context=jphs, last visited June 16, 2024.
| parkerrichard_d_article_buckskin_bills_wild_west_show.pdf |
The third source, which also relies on "A Pair of Shootists" but also esconces the story in a larger narrative by the same author, Richard D. Parker, "Wicked Western Kentucky," History Press, Charleston, SC, 2022
It appears to be a history of Paducah, Kentucky's fun infamous history. Beginning at 60 is a very very nice discussion of Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show which has some fun subjective comments, including that it was the "the most wicked wild west show in America" because "Many of the performers engaged in drinking, robbery, fighting, assault, rape, grafting,and murder...." It continues on to have a nice narrative of the 1901 season in which Vic played Buckskin Bill, so full of drama that the season, which began in May, ended in July.
It appears to be a history of Paducah, Kentucky's fun infamous history. Beginning at 60 is a very very nice discussion of Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show which has some fun subjective comments, including that it was the "the most wicked wild west show in America" because "Many of the performers engaged in drinking, robbery, fighting, assault, rape, grafting,and murder...." It continues on to have a nice narrative of the 1901 season in which Vic played Buckskin Bill, so full of drama that the season, which began in May, ended in July.
ACCORDING TO JERRY kUNTZ, "A PAIR OF SHOOTISTS"
At page 108, Victor F. Cody is cited in this biography of sharpshooter Maud Lee and her husband. Maud had been injured (burned) in an accident and left the business for a while to recover. She then found work in 1902 with the Buckskin Bill Wild West Show. Vic Anderson was supposedly playing Buckskin Bill the first part of 1902, although he was also cited as being a feature acts in the Kemp Sisters Wild West Show, so unsure.
End notes 11 and 12 reflect deposition testimony by Maud Lee that Victor F. Cody's real name is Anderson, and that she was his assistant, nothing more:
according to richard d. parker, "buckskin bill's wild west show"
At pages 51 - 52:
"Hoping to capitalize off of the success of "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show," the Terrell brothers named their show "Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show," even the show's billboard poster resembled Buffalo Bill's posters. According to Jerry Kuntz in his book, A Pair of Shootist: The Wild West Story of S.F. Cody and Maud Lee, "Fletcher Terrell avoided the danger of employing a high-priced, prima donna frontiersman to front his show by instead creating the fictional character of 'Buckskin Bill'." By using the name "Buckskin Bill," the Terrell brothers were able to change actors as they please, keeping the door open if an actor decided he did not want to be a part of the show. The first "Buckskin Bill" was played by actor W.F. "Harry" Brandon during the 1900 season, then came Victor F. Cody for the 1901 and half of 1902 season, and then "Cherokee Bill" Cahoon replaced Cody during the 1902 season."
At Pages 56 - 61: A fascinating narrative about the 1901 season, and description of the end of the business as run by those owners, the Terrels, who filed bankruptcy in February 1902.
"Hoping to capitalize off of the success of "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show," the Terrell brothers named their show "Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show," even the show's billboard poster resembled Buffalo Bill's posters. According to Jerry Kuntz in his book, A Pair of Shootist: The Wild West Story of S.F. Cody and Maud Lee, "Fletcher Terrell avoided the danger of employing a high-priced, prima donna frontiersman to front his show by instead creating the fictional character of 'Buckskin Bill'." By using the name "Buckskin Bill," the Terrell brothers were able to change actors as they please, keeping the door open if an actor decided he did not want to be a part of the show. The first "Buckskin Bill" was played by actor W.F. "Harry" Brandon during the 1900 season, then came Victor F. Cody for the 1901 and half of 1902 season, and then "Cherokee Bill" Cahoon replaced Cody during the 1902 season."
At Pages 56 - 61: A fascinating narrative about the 1901 season, and description of the end of the business as run by those owners, the Terrels, who filed bankruptcy in February 1902.
according to richard d. parker, wicked western kentucky
At page 61, there is a picture of a show banner from the 1901 season which includes a generic image of Buckskin Bill, then played by Victor F. Cody. It indicates it is included courtesy of Nathan Blackburn.
There is a great description of the 1901 season, full of death and destruction. And Vic was there playing the main character. Relevant pages are included here for reference:
There is a great description of the 1901 season, full of death and destruction. And Vic was there playing the main character. Relevant pages are included here for reference:
| 1901_season_of__buckskin_bill_from_parker_wicked_western_kentucky.pdf |
may 1902, vic & may become the "headliners" of the kemp sisters wild west show
The Terrel's filed for bankruptcy their Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show and it was taken over by new owners in February 1902, who announced that they intended to begin the season on May 3, 1902. Althoughy Parker and Kuntz say that Victor F. Cody played Buckskin Bill not only for the 1901 season but also the first "half" of the 1902 season, it appears that he had gone to a new show by May.
Billboard, May 24, 1902, p. 5
“May and Colonel Victor F. Cody are the headliners of The Kemp Sisters’ Wild West and Hipppodrome.”
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Early/1900s/1902/billboard_1902-05-24.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Early/1900s/1902/billboard_1902-05-24.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
circa 1902
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"Col. Victor F. Cody, nephew of Buffalo Bill Cody, traveled with the Kemps with his wife and daughter, Miss Jennie. A sad day for the Kemp Shows was when Jennie died, a young bride, and the entire troupe attended her funeral in the eastern city where she was buried. From then on the Cody family's specialty of trick and fancy shooting and lariat throwing had to be revised."
Source: "El Paso, Illinois History", page 92, online at http://www.allendrake.com/elpasohistory/epstory/pgtx092.htm, last visited June 14, 2024. |
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Note: It is said that May had two children, one who died as an infant and one who died at age 18. As of June 16, 2024, the only reference to a daughter is this in the El Paso,Illinois History. There is no date however, 1. Vic did not start using Cody until 1896, see Jerry Kuntz, "A Pair of Shootists," 2. Vic married May in 1899, and they could not together have had a daughter who died as a young bride, and 3. So far this is the only reference found to Vic traveling with the Kemps.
june 1902, to montana "GREAT BUFFALO & wild west show"
In early May 1902, organizers in Missoula, Montana started a new wild west show with the purchase of some buffalo. By mid-June they had acquired many acts and began training in mid-June. They premiered on July 4-6 in Helena, Montana. Performers included "Col. Victor F. Cody and Miss Lillian Cody whose acts are shooting and knife throwing exhibitions" (page 168). Miss Lillian Cody was "an exceedingly clever shot and rider" (page 169)
Note: These are entries from a chapter, and the whole chapter is fascinating. The show lasted only 9 months and disbanded 2,000 miles, the victim of bad luck, weather, sick buffalo. Many details in how the show was put together and run.
Note: Miss Lillian Cody was the professional name of Maud Lee, Vic's former mentor from before he appeared as Buckskin Bill in 1896.
Source: Ogden, Dunbar with Douglas McDermott, Dunbar H. Ogden, Robert K. Sarlós, "Theater West: Image and Impact," 1990, pp 168-169 (Chapter 13, The Great Buffalo and Wild West Show, by Firman H. Brown, Jr.) Thebook is online in Google Books, at https://www.google.com/books/edition/Theatre_West/,last visited June 16, 2024. it is available in hardcopy for $107 on Amazon or about $8 on Google Play as an e-book https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=96lCI145-38C&rdid=book-96lCI145-38C&rdot=1
Note: These are entries from a chapter, and the whole chapter is fascinating. The show lasted only 9 months and disbanded 2,000 miles, the victim of bad luck, weather, sick buffalo. Many details in how the show was put together and run.
Note: Miss Lillian Cody was the professional name of Maud Lee, Vic's former mentor from before he appeared as Buckskin Bill in 1896.
Source: Ogden, Dunbar with Douglas McDermott, Dunbar H. Ogden, Robert K. Sarlós, "Theater West: Image and Impact," 1990, pp 168-169 (Chapter 13, The Great Buffalo and Wild West Show, by Firman H. Brown, Jr.) Thebook is online in Google Books, at https://www.google.com/books/edition/Theatre_West/,last visited June 16, 2024. it is available in hardcopy for $107 on Amazon or about $8 on Google Play as an e-book https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=96lCI145-38C&rdid=book-96lCI145-38C&rdot=1
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1907, july 2, pittsburgh post-gazette, p. 11
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1907, august 4, pittsburgh post, p. 12
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back home
1910 census, anderson family
Household is father Oliver (75) with sons Axel (41) and Gardy (35). Gardy is a farm laborer.
| anderson_gardy_1910_census_w_father___brother.pdf |
on the road with the kemp circus
1909, september 17, clinch valley (virginia) news and richlands press, p. 1
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1911, september 15, roanoke (virginia) times, p 5
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1911, september 22, roanoke (virginia) times, p. 5
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back home
1912, august 9, pawnee chief, p. 3
Death of father oliver anderson
Reprint of Mayberry news from Steinauer Star. Was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in1835, came to America in 1853 and settled at Galesburg, Illinois where in the early 1860s married Mary Stanton. They had 7 children, with 2 daughters, Maude & Grace, dying in childhood, and five sons, Victor, Anson, Axel, Orson, and Gardy. Came to Nebraska in the spring of 1869 and took homestead which has been his home ever since. Buried at Vesta Cemetery.
| 1912_aug_9_pawnee_chief_oliver_anderson_obit.pdf |
1915, october 15, pawnee chief, p. 2
gardy bought land in tennessee, to move there, sale Oct 9
| 1917_oct_15_pawnee__chief_gardy_bought_tn_landintends_to_move_there_sale_oct_9.pdf |
1916, march 30, pawnee republican, p. 5
refers to gardy & anderson "and wife" and vic
| 1916_gardy_anderson_and_wife_and_vic_gardys_auto.pdf |
1916, november 23 steinauer star-post
refers to vic anderson's wife and daughter
"Gardy Anderson, Vic Anderson, wife and daughter motored to Beatrice Friday." Vic and May had no children, and this is the only reference I've found to a daughter, except that one source said that May had a daughter who died at age 19. When might a daughter have been born. IF this were May's daughter (and there wasn't merely an incorrect statement by the paper), the earliest she could have been born was 1898 (1916 minus 18), the year before May and Vic married. Yet no other mention has been found of a daughter. For example, the 1900 and1910 census do not show her in the household, nor do any news articles mention her.
1918, january 31 pawnee republican, p. 5
gardy moves back to tr from johnson city, tennessee
| 1918_january_31_pawnee_repubicanp_5__gardy_moved_back_from_tn.pdf |
1918, august 22, pawnee republican, p. 5
gardy and blanche buy and sell property together
May and Gardy sold their farm near Table Rock to Albert Sims, who in turn sold him his farm. Each paid $150 an acre. So Gardy and Blanche had assets together.
| 1918_aug_22_repubican_p_5_gardy_and_may_sold_a_farm_to_simswho_sold_another_to_them.pdf |
1918 Gardy anderson's draft registration card
Medium height, medium build, blue eyes, dark brown hair. Address RR 4, Pawnee City. Nearest relative was Mrs. Blanche Anderson
| anderson_gardy_1918_draft_card_w_blanche.jpg |
1920 - on the road with yankee robinson's circus
1920, july 30, Lewiston post, p. 1
social article -- man went to see "yellowstone vic's show, a "very high class shooting act."
likely this is the time period of the photograph of the "codys"
Rosecrans drove to Tecumseh to see the circus, including "Yellowstone Vic" who who has a "very high class shooting act" with Yankee Robinson's circus. Note--in 1920, May was 47, Gardy 45, and Vic 55, and their ages in the photo seem consistent with those ages. (Vic hadn't used that professional name for many years, but that was in Tecumseh, and this man went to Tecumseh to see him.)
| 1920__vic_anderson_doing__very_high_class_sensational_shooting_act_.pdf |
back home
1921, AUGUST 18, PAWNEE REPUBLICAN, P. 7
pawnee county social article mentioning gardy, vic, and axel anderson
Ten car loads of people met at Gardy Anderson's home and motored to "Cromwell Lake near DuBois." Included in the party were two of Gardy's brothers and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. Axel Anderson.
| _gardy__vic__blanche_mae_andeson.pdf |
1921, december 22, pawnee republican, p. 6
gardy anderson to move to table rock march 1, 1922
Gardy to take possession of the Ole Graham place in the west part of Table Rock as of March 1,1922, traded Ole the 40-acre farm southwest of Pawnee City.
| 1921december_22_republican_gardy__takes_old_grahams_place_in_trade_for_his_farm.pdf |
1922, april 6, p. 4, pawnee republican
hog for sale by gardy
"Cheap if taken quick"
| 1922_april_6_republican_p_4_hog_for_sale_by_gardy_cheap_if_takenquick.pdf |
1923, SEPTEMBER 10, FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH OF RICHARD BINDER
shows may and gardy with wes binder and children lois mae and howard
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May is holding little Lois Mae, Wes Binder is in the middle, and little Howard Binder is out front. Gardy is to the right. They are looking at an eclipse of the sun, according to the label. They appear to be holding pieces of smoked glass, and they have slices of watermelon. The only eclipse to be seen in southeast Nebraska during a very broad time period was a partial eclipse on September 10, 1923, which according to NASA records took place around 7:30 pm. Howard would have been 5. May has a gentle smile, consistent with her obituary a decade later saying she loved little children. May also has a piece of watermelon. Wes, too. Heck, when you look closely,everyone but Lois Mae had a piece of watermelon. It must have been a fine day.
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Family photo of Richard Binder, from an album assembled by his mother, Norman Wopata Binder. The photo is labeled in the album, as identified in the narrative at left.
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1924 - robbins brothers circus
1924, august 14, atwood (kansas) citizen-patriot, p. 2
ponca bill coming, first "traveling indians" in that area in 10 years
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1925, august 15, tecumseh chief, p.
describing the glories of the robbins' brothers circus, including ponca bill [Vic anderson] of wild west fame
Robbins' Brothers Circus is coming to Tecumseh next week, "monstrous crowd" affected, last visited two years before and has enlarged. The show will arrive by "special train of twenty-five cars from Nebraska City." (After Tecumseh event, it will go on to Atchison.) On arrival,"a lot of boys ad girls, in ages from five to ninety years, will visit the local railroad yards to hail the arrival of the show and to watch 'em unload the elephants." The "usual parade" will begin at Noon. This year, the parade will include "a lot of beautifully hand carved tableaux cars and floats,recently bought at a great outlay from the United States Circus Corporation." Robbins Brothers "has always shown more open dens of wild animals in its parade than any other circus. Added to this will be several bands of music, mounted ladies and gentlemen, elephants, camels,clowns, steam calliope,etc., together with a bevy of cowboys and cowgirls, with the original Ponca Bill of wild west fame, a group of twenty or more genuine Sioux Indians, and so forth..." The circus performance will include "American, Arabian, and Japanese tumblers and acrobats,male and female horseback riders, jugglers, flying trapeze performers, a big bunch of clowns in original mirth, together with the historic pageant, "America" in which a great many performers take parts, as well as camels, elephants,etc. A feature of the Robbins' Circuis the numerous animal acts, especially with the large den of nubian lions, tigers and leopards, trained elephants, ponies and dogs, with a lot of novelty stunts, such as a trained pig, goose,etc. All will conclude with the Ponca Bill wild west exhibition, including dare-devil riding, bull dogging,shooting,and a realistic portrayal of the west in the early day, with the robbery of the stage coach, fight with the Indians,and other entertaining features.
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1925, august 25, atchison weekly globe, p. 2
ponca bill challenge to bring a horse that can't be ridden
| 1925_august_20_atchison_weekly_globe_p_2_ponca_bill_challenge.pdf |
1925, august 22
after report of the robbins brothers circus - identifies ponca bill as vic anderson **and more**
| 1925__vic_anderson_w_robbins_circus__cited_as_tecumseh_resident_though.pdf |
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Continued below, far left
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1925, august 27, atchison (kansas) weekly globe, p. 3
robbins' brothers to atchison, kansas
Andersons not mentioned, but gives more flavor of the circuss
| 1925__atchison__ks_circus_with_vic_anderson.pdf |
1925, september 24, elk city (oklahoma) press, p. 1
circus coming to town with mammoth parade, includes ponca bill's cowboys
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1927
1927 robbins brothers circuis who's who and route schedule
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1927, july 27, morning examiner (bartlesville, OK), p. 1 & 4
major article about ponca bill
Calls himself Victor F. CODY, owner of the Cody Ranch near Table Rock, Nebraska. This reflects not only the TR connection but also explains the name CODY in the photograph of the three Andersons circus act. Also claims to be Buffalo Bill's nephew, and used to be called "Pawnee Bill" before a 1911 injury at Electric City, NJ. (Further research in NJ papers shows Pawnee Bill was in town until the REAL Pawnee Bill showed up....!)
Important for documenting that Ponca Bill was Vic Anderson. Interview of Ponca Bill says he is Bill Cody, nephew of Buffalo Bill, says he was PAWNEE Bill until injured in 1911 at Electric City, NJ. When I looked in NJ then, I found a promo picture of pawnee bill that looks like vic for sure – but that was early in the year and then mid-year a big tour was announced with Buffalo Bill’s good by tour uniting with Pawnee Bill’s wild west show – the REAL pawnee Bill, who looks nothing like him!
Back to the Oklahoma article, it says Ponca Bill has a "ranch" in Table Rock, Nebraska I think it’s that article says he and his wife MAY are sharpshooters. sSo Vic Anderson was apparently an entertainer who could spin quite a story. The Oklahoma article has stories for sure.
Note: He went by Ponca or Pawnee Bill CODY, which would account for the sign in the picture saying Codys shoot Remington rifles. He and May were sharpshooters, also per newspaper articles.
Important for documenting that Ponca Bill was Vic Anderson. Interview of Ponca Bill says he is Bill Cody, nephew of Buffalo Bill, says he was PAWNEE Bill until injured in 1911 at Electric City, NJ. When I looked in NJ then, I found a promo picture of pawnee bill that looks like vic for sure – but that was early in the year and then mid-year a big tour was announced with Buffalo Bill’s good by tour uniting with Pawnee Bill’s wild west show – the REAL pawnee Bill, who looks nothing like him!
Back to the Oklahoma article, it says Ponca Bill has a "ranch" in Table Rock, Nebraska I think it’s that article says he and his wife MAY are sharpshooters. sSo Vic Anderson was apparently an entertainer who could spin quite a story. The Oklahoma article has stories for sure.
Note: He went by Ponca or Pawnee Bill CODY, which would account for the sign in the picture saying Codys shoot Remington rifles. He and May were sharpshooters, also per newspaper articles.
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| wikipedia_entry_for_pawnee_bill.pdf |
1927, september 17, tecumseh chieftain, p. 6
circuit poster includes ponca bill, aka vic, & his wild west show
| 1927_sept_17_robbins_bros_ponca_bill_display_ad.pdf |
1927, november 26, billboard magazine, p 63
social column, "the corral" refers to "colonel" victor f. cody
“Col. Victor F. Cody (Ponca Bill), May and Jack Cody are back home in Table Rock, Neb., for the winter after a pleasant season with Robbins Bros. Circus.”
Note: Who is Jack????
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1932/Billboard-1932-01-30.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
Note: Who is Jack????
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1932/Billboard-1932-01-30.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
| 1927_november_26__billboard_magazine^j_p_63^j_col_victor__f._cody.pdf |
back home
1928, february 19 pawnee chief
vic and gardy built new front porch on "their" house
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Photo 2479, shared by Delores Penkava in 2015, and identified as the Gardy Anderson house. This photo appeared to have been handed down to her from the McCourtneys. Her grandpa Charlie McCourtney was a contemporary of the Andersons.
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1928 - hulburd circus
Billboard, April 18, 1928, “Under the Marquee” column, page 7
“A. S. Watlinger, president of the Hulburd Bros. Circus , writes that Col. Victor F. Cody, rifle shot, cousin of the late buffalo Bill, has signed with the show.”
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Billboard/Tv2a5QDLKqwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=may+and+%22victor+f.+cody%22&pg=RA8-PA72&printsec=frontcover, last visited June 16, 2024
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Billboard/Tv2a5QDLKqwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=may+and+%22victor+f.+cody%22&pg=RA8-PA72&printsec=frontcover, last visited June 16, 2024
1928 - robbins brothers
1928, may 3 alexandria (indiana) times-tribune, p. 10
circus in town with ponca bill's wild west show
| 1928_may_3_alexndria_times-tribune_in_p._10_ponca_bill_in_town.pdf |
back home
1930 census - gardy, vic, & blanche
victor's and gardy's occupation "actor in circus"
Note: GARDY is cited as head of the household, with Vic and May the other occupants. Gardy owns a farm in Table Rock Precinct worth $2,000, is single, born in Nebraska. Cites Vic's and Gardy's occupations as "actor" and industry as "circus." Cites Vic's first marriage as being at age 30, which would put it 1895. But he didn't marry May until1899. Was he married before? Their marriage records in Nemaha County, Nebraska merely recite their names and residences with no information about prior marriages, etc. Vic born in Illinois, gives birth date as 1878 but he was 5 years old in 1870, reflecting 1865 as his birth year.
| anderson_gardy_vic_blanche_1930_census.pdf |
1932, january 14, pawnee republican,
p. 2, gardy sick, mail carrier to/from depot, mccourtney helping vic, so vic apparently did that, too
p. 3, gardy recovering from flu, able to move around house
Living in TR several years per the article
| 1932_january_14_republican_gardy_sickmccourtney_helping_vic.pdf |
| 1932_january_14_republican_p_3gardy_recovering_from_flu_tr.pdf |
death of blanche may anderson, january 9, 1932
1932, january 15 table Rock argus
obituary of blanche may anderson
Note: May's obituary refers to parents, a brother, and a sister. It also says that she belonged to the Women's Relief Corps, which was the auxiliary of the Union Civil War vets organization Grand Army of the Republic? Who was the Civil War vet in the family. Looking at her ages, perhaps her father or first husband. She was born in 1873 so likely it wasn't her brother unless he was WAY older than her. Also says su rvived by two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law. The brothers-in-law would be Gardy and Axel. The only Anderson sister died young, so the sister-in-law was either the wife of Axel (Gardy supposedly never married) or the wife of her own brother. Note, that although her obituary says Gardy never married, that he had lived with her and Vic since 1912 (20 years), one census lists hi as a widower, and the story passed to Delores Penkava was that his wife was a knife thrower who had died in a circus accident. On the other hand, the 1900 and 1910 census says marital status single, as does his draft registration card.
| fag_memorial_blanche_andersson.pdf |
January 15, 1932 Argus
A SUDDEN DEATH-
The community was startled Saturday morning by the sudden death of Mrs. May Anderson. On Wednesday she had assisted in carrying the mail to and from the depot. She had a cold at that time and it grew worse until Friday arrived, when she showed evidence of growing worse. When the doctor arrived she was in the last stages of pneumonia and died in the early morning.
Blanche May Mason was born January 30, 1873 at Milford, Ohio and departed this life on January 9, 1932, at her home in Table Rock at the age of 58 years, 11 months and 22 days.
She was married to Albert Stanley and to this union two children were born, one dying in infancy and one daughter at the age of 18. She was married to Victor F. Anderson who is left to mourn her loss. Her father, mother, brother and sister have preceded her in death.
She came to Nebraska in 1912 and lived here since. She was a member of the W.RC.and home missionary society of Table Rock. Besides her husband she is survived by two brother-in-laws and a sister-in-law. Her death was a shock to everyone as she had been ill only about 24 hours.
Funeral services were held at the home at 1:30 Monday by Rev. Caldwell and burial was in the Table Rock cemetery.
After the death of Mr. Anderson's father, she came with her husband to his old home near Lewiston in 1912 where they made a home for his single brother, Gardy, and since that time she had been mother to him. She loved little children and in every locality where she lived she had a number of neighbor children who learned to call her Aunt May because of her love and kindness to them. She took great pleasure in doing good to others and was a great lover of flowers and animals, especially horses and dogs.
A SUDDEN DEATH-
The community was startled Saturday morning by the sudden death of Mrs. May Anderson. On Wednesday she had assisted in carrying the mail to and from the depot. She had a cold at that time and it grew worse until Friday arrived, when she showed evidence of growing worse. When the doctor arrived she was in the last stages of pneumonia and died in the early morning.
Blanche May Mason was born January 30, 1873 at Milford, Ohio and departed this life on January 9, 1932, at her home in Table Rock at the age of 58 years, 11 months and 22 days.
She was married to Albert Stanley and to this union two children were born, one dying in infancy and one daughter at the age of 18. She was married to Victor F. Anderson who is left to mourn her loss. Her father, mother, brother and sister have preceded her in death.
She came to Nebraska in 1912 and lived here since. She was a member of the W.RC.and home missionary society of Table Rock. Besides her husband she is survived by two brother-in-laws and a sister-in-law. Her death was a shock to everyone as she had been ill only about 24 hours.
Funeral services were held at the home at 1:30 Monday by Rev. Caldwell and burial was in the Table Rock cemetery.
After the death of Mr. Anderson's father, she came with her husband to his old home near Lewiston in 1912 where they made a home for his single brother, Gardy, and since that time she had been mother to him. She loved little children and in every locality where she lived she had a number of neighbor children who learned to call her Aunt May because of her love and kindness to them. She took great pleasure in doing good to others and was a great lover of flowers and animals, especially horses and dogs.
Billboard, January 30, 1932 ,The Corral, p.32
“The host of acquaintances of the veteran William F. Cody bear with him the recent death of his wife May at Table Rock, Neb.”
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1932/Billboard-1932-01-30.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1932/Billboard-1932-01-30.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
1932, march 18, table rock argus, p. 8
Legal notice -- vic and gardy petition for gardy to be appointed administrator of may's estate
| 1932_march_18_argus_p_8_mayss_estate_petitionfor_gardy_as_administrator_of.pdf |
vic anderson & mrs. elizabeth pew to wed
1934, december 1 oakland (california) tribune
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| 1934_december_1_oakland_tribune_p_10.pdf |
1934, december 1, los angeles times, p. 13
Vic anderson to marry again
Victor F. Anderson, film/motion picture character actor, "to marry again." Marrying Elizabeth Ann Pew of 4842 Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. License sought at the Pasadena marriage license bureau. Anderson said his home was Table Rock, Nebraska, and also that he had traveled with "Buffalo Bill's troup" in 1893.
| _table_rock_s_victor_f__anderson_california.pdf |
december 6, 1934 pawnee republican, p. 1
"movie actor to wed"
"Victor Anderson, 70, motion picture character actor who traveled with Buffalo Bill's show in 1893, filed notice of intention to marry at Pasadena, California Saturday. His bride will be Elizabeth Ann Pew. Anderson gave his home as Table Rock, Nebraska.
| 1934_december_6_pawnee_republican_p_1_to_wed.pdf |
vic anderson & mrs. elizabeth pew married
victor f. anderson, aka victor f. cody, marries elizabeth (betty) pew aka possibly annie sylvester
1934, january 29, pensacola times tribune, p. 2"After having worked together in a circus for 40 years, Victor F. Anderson, 70, and Elizabeth N. Pew, 73, have married. Each had taken two previous trips to the altar."
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1934, DECEMBER 7, Scranton (Pennsylvania) tribune
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1934, december 6, los angeles times, p. 8
Quotes Vic as saying that during the 40 year period they both had been married "two or three times, but I feel as though I'd waited a lot when I look at Betty again." Also said he was once married to a "French opera singer." Ha ha ha!
| 1934_dec_6_los_angeles_times_p_8_french_opera_singer_quotes.pdf |
1934, december 14, spokane spokesman-review, p. 14
circus folk wed, honeymoon in los angeles
| 1934__picture_of_vic_anderson___bride_elizabethpew__met_40_years_ago_in_circus__now_honeymoon.pdf |
1934, DECEMBER 13, SANTA ROSA (CALIFORIA) REPUBLICAN, P. 11,
1934 events described in 1972 magazine article found by tammy jones
Woodson, Weldon D., "The troubled life of a bicyclienne," true west magazine, july-august 1972 issue, pages 16-20, 39-42
article, with many pictures of her, is about annie sylvester, cites 1934 her marriage to victor f. cody and his abandonment 4 days later. annie sylvester was aka elizabeth pew?
Fascinating story about a circus bicycle performer, a "trick" and "fancy" bicycle rider, and the first woman ever to ride a unicyclle. Annie Sylvester, born Ann James. She married several times and had a dramatic amazing life. In last years, if this the Elizabeth "Betty" Pew who married Victor F. Anderson -- "Victor Frank Cody" of Table Rock, Nebraska is her new husband per the article -- at Pasadena in 1934, she must most recently have married a man named Pew. According to the article, he ran off with another woman four days later. He doesn't not cite the source of this last part! Darn! Elizabeth died a few years later.
| annie-sylvester-true_west-1972pdf_print.pdf |
JPEG of the most relevant, part of the article, the last. After describing the greatest drama, having to do with the death of her previous husband, she eventually ended up in Redondo Beach. She met Victor Frank Cody, "as he was known professionally," he had courted her when they both traveled with the Miles Orten's Circus in 1895. This time, he proposed. They got a marriage license in Pasadena.
Billboard, January 19, 1935, The Corral column, page 37
“Victor F. Cody, veteran sharpshooter and knife thrower, who some weeks ago motored from the Central states to California, is back home in Table Rock, Neb. On his trip, Cody encountered but one severe sand and windstorm, which was in the Mojave Desert.”
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1935/Billboard-1935-01-19.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1935/Billboard-1935-01-19.pdf, last visited June 16, 2024
1935, september 27, beatrice daily sun
gardy anderson & miles waters plead guilty to hog stealing from wes binder
| 1935_sep_27_beadlysun_gardy_waters_stole_wes_binder_hogs.jpg |
GARDY'S DEATH
1936, february 18, gardy anderson dies, as recorded in the February 20, 1936 table rock argus
Had been the "mail messenger" at Table Rock for "some years."Died in prison after conviction for stealing Wes Binder's hogs, died of natural causes, identified as anemia. The Kovanda ambulance went after the body.
| fag_memorial_gardy_anderson.pdf |
1936, FEBRUARY 19, LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR, P. 10
GARDY DIES IN PRISON
Described as a farmer from Crab Orchard (Crab Orchard was to protest) who had anemia when went into the prison and died of it there. Had entered October23, 1935 and was serving a 1-year term from Pawnee County
| 1936_feb_19_lincoln_jrnl_stargardy__dies_in_prison_said_to_be_crab_orchard.pdf |
1936, april 9, table rock argus, gardy anderson estate sale, sale bill for april 11 sale
took place at "the anderson home," half mile west of the table rock post office
Notice at bottom says this is only 2/3 of the estate, "come and get what you need and at your own price." Charles McCourtney was the administrator, so need to check probate for Gardy as well as May. Perhaps they knew where Vic was as of that time.
| 1936_gardy_anderson_estate_sale_at_anderson_home_half_mile_west_of_tr_po.pdf |
did vic return to the circus?
1942, may 16, Billboard, The Corral, p. 50
“Victor F. Cody was in charge of the concert with Barnett Bros.' Circus.
1944, august 10, lynch (nebraska) herald-interprise, p. 1
Bud E. Anderson Jungle Oddity Circus arriving in Butte August 30. It carries with it "nifty cowboys and cowgirls" and Ponca Bill, "famous movie picture star and famous rodeo star," is in charge, with his Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders.
Note that in December 1934 he had claimed to be a famous motion picture character actor....
Note that in December 1934 he had claimed to be a famous motion picture character actor....
| 1944_august_10_lynch_neb_herald_enterprise_page_1_circus_coming_w_ponca_bill.pdf |
1954, july 5, troy (ny) record, p. 5
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1956, march & april
last found contemporary references to ponca bill
(representative samples)
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tertiary sources
1965, August 14, Times Record (Troy, NY), p.
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correspondences & misc.
compilation of references in billboard magazine
prepared by sharla
| conpilation_of_billboard_magazine_references_to_the_famly_by_sharla.pdf |
2023, april 30, sharla to luella email
wrong victor anderson linked in findagrave.com
Sharla refers to Sharla Sitzman Cerra, and Luella refers to Luella Hinrichsen of DuBois, Nebraska, who has done an amazing job creating and updating memorials on FindaGrave.com.
| 1_andersson_vic_is_not_vic_femail.pdf |
2024, june 15, ancestry.com communication between sharla & tammy jones, who was researching for a dear friend, the late lana koenig, a great granddaughter of anson anderson, brother of victor f. and gardy anderson
| 2024_june_15_record_of_messaging_with_researcher_tammy_jones.pdf |