Originally published in Points West magazine in Summer 2009
Irma Cody charm bracelet
This silver charm bracelet was given to Irma, Buffalo Bill’s youngest daughter, in October 1899 by Annie Oakley and J.J. McCarthy, the orator that year, on behalf of the cast of the Wild West while they were performing in St. Louis, Missouri. The Trans-Mississippi Exposition had been held over for a year, and in 1899, it operated under the name the Great American Exposition. According to Nellie Snyder Yost in her book Buffalo Bill, Irma and her mother, Louisa, visited Buffalo Bill on a Sunday, when the Wild West was not performing, so that they could spend the entire day with him. It seems likely that this was when Irma received the gift.
Irma was well-known by the cast as she had spent time traveling with her father and the Wild West over the years. Consequently, the cast literally watched her grow up. There is no record that we know of, yet, as to why the gift was made. Still, 1899 was the year Irma turned sixteen, so perhaps the cast wanted to commemorate that event. Her birthday, however, was earlier in the year on February 9.
There are 55 hearts altogether, though five are now loose. The large hearts have a filigree-style engraving along one edge and are inscribed with performers’ names or initials, as well as the names of specific groups such as “Cowboys,” “King grooms,” “Mechanics,” “6th U.S. Cavalry,” “Mexicans,” “Roosevelt’s Rough Riders,” and “Side Show.” Sometimes there are two names on one side, and on other hearts, there is only one name.
Besides the size of the charm, it is not known how or why the names were grouped in such a manner, though one factor may have been the cost. “Frank & Annie,” a.k.a. Frank Butler and Annie Oakley, obviously wanted to be on the same heart, but one heart says “Candy” on one line, and “Butchers” on the line below! All in all, the number of hearts certainly indicates the affection the cast members had for Irma.
Sterling silver charm bracelet. Garlow Collection. 1.69.342
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