Letter From Eliza Fisher to Ann F. Fisher, August 25, 1893

4448 Berkley Ave. Chicago, Ills. Aug 25, 93

My own dear Mother, Here I come again, are you glad to see me? I know you are, but I shall probably not make so long a talk as usual as I left my note-book at home yesterday. My last was written on Tuesday, so I have three days to report. Tuesday evening I had tea at 4448 in time to go round to 4332 and open the house before "the boys" came. After they had dined and we were all, Geo. Hughes, Frank and I, at G.'s he proposed going to see Buffalo Bill, and so we did

Took cable and electric cars. they were crowded to overflowing, but we got there. Of course I can't describe it, but the performance was very wonderful. Indians, Turks, Arabs, Soudanese and Cowboys showed marvelous skill in riding, shooting and feats of strength and agility. Each nation was distinct in dress and color and many engine headlights focused on the arena made it light as day. The last scene was Custer's Last Rally, you know he and many of his men were killed by the Indians about 10 years ago. At the farther end of the enclosure with a back ground of rocks and trees the Indians set up their tents, kindled their fires and were having their war dance when Gen. C's scouts

came on the scene, then a bugle sounded for the onset and Gen. C. came dashing in with his men about 30 I think. The battle followed, then a tableau of the field after the battle. Nothing could be more realistic, a pathetic feature was Gen. Custer's riderless horse galloping over and among the slain. An immense crowd was in attendance, and I was quite surprised at getting seats in the tram. Didn't expect to go to the Fair on Wed. but H. encouraged it, so went down at 11 o'clk and got home at 6. Spent nearly all the time in the Fine Arts bl'd'g. It far surpassed my wildest dream. Did not take my Catalogue, so made one of what specially struck my attention, will compare the two (when I have time) and see

if I have any artistic taste. Of course I couldn't see half and about 4 o'clk found I was too tired to appreciate, so went to look for Cos. Jennie in the Woman's b'l'd'g but didn't find her. It is too bad that I haven't seen her yet. H. says perhaps we will go to call tonight. I'll say here that yesterday as we were leaving cocoa pavilion H. and I met Josiah Morse and wife going in, but being ordered not to block the way, had only a moment. He looks very much as Jimmie M. used to, said they would be sure to call soon. Yesterday Thurs. was Ill. day, attendance 240,000 H. didn't go to the

store at all, so about 9 o'clk we started to see the sights. The day was hot, but I was quite comfortable in chambray waist. Spent most of the day in foreign and state bl'd'gs. Will send you a paper with particulars of the special features. We stood in the sun about 3/4 hr - waiting for Midway Parade, then left, but met a part of it, Arabs on their Arabian horses, camels with the pavilion on their backs tossing like a ship in a storm, and South Sea Islanders, naked to the waist, painted and tattooed, carrying their spears. Few of the state and foreign bl'd'gs have exhibits, but are some of them beautifully furnished as parlors lavatories &c. while fountains play in the verandas cooling