Cherokee Bill Performs in David, Kentucky:Myth or Reality

I sincerely hope someone does a search for "Cherokee Bill" and ends up on this site. As I think back, it's hard to believe he really existed and that we were allowed, not only to go to his performances, but, especially the boys--allowed to actually participate in his show. The audience watched breathlessly--if we dared watch at all, that is.

My memories of Cherokee Bill were unharvested until I watched Gangs of New York in 2004 with my son, Tom. We discussed "Bill the Butcher's" artistry with sharp knives and the way he never missed his target. Quite a character in the screen play, then I remembered such a character from my childhood.

I flooded Tom with my unbelievable stories of the wild west, one man show that came to David for a few seasons when I was a child. All the David children went to see the dangerous tricks of Cherokee Bill. My son was skeptical since I sometimes embellish the truth to make a good story. Surely children weren't allowed to participate in or to view such dangerous acts as I described seeing on the stage of the David Movie Theater.(Yes, The Company built a small theatre for the community; so no reason to leave, right?) Anyway, Tom wrote the following note to to my siblings seeking confirmation of my wild story.

Hello All,
A viewing of the movie GANGS OF NEW YORK and a
discussion of "Bill the Butcher"'s artistry with knife
throwing, led to a memory for Mother. I stated that
the obvious exaggeration of the movie characters
abilities with knives ruined the movie for me. Mom
disagreed, saying that "Cherokee Bill" could do all
that and more. He would throw knives at boys heads,
slicing off fractions of cigarettes . Play spoons on
children's heads? He would come into town with his big
dog, school would be let out for the big show. She
says her brothers Rodney & Johnny probably got on stage with him, and Bruce
probably hung out at Bills trailer and smoked with his
buddies. "Surely Mother(Nova) didn't know he threw
knives at children" Mom(Judy) says. Though I say I
doubt there is much that went on around David that
Nanny didn't know about.
Anyway, My mother is now requesting "Cherokee Bill"
memories from her family. We look forward to hearing
from you all.
Love,
Tom

Sister Karen (who never embellishes) responded:

Yes, I do remember Cherokee Bill, and he did ALL those things. Remember him balancing a ladder or chairs on his chin? Probably Roger Waugh, Donnie Ray Mollett, Wild Bill Hammond, or Bruce, had cigarettes in their mouths cut in half with a perfect snap of Cherokee Bill's whip. He was ledengary, and all the stories Judy told you are true!
I also remember that we used to play with knives out in the yard. We would stand apart and throw at the other person's feet. If it stuck in the ground, we had to put one leg on that spot. If you fell down, you lost. I never got stuck with the knife. Did we ask permission to throw knives at each other?

Sisters Toby, Peggy, and Karen confirmed just this past weekend that Cherokee Bill strapped willing participants to a large wheel, then as it spun around, threw knives to outline the victim.

We had some colorful friends in David, didn't we? We, of course, are learning that we were also colorful. Wonder how many people from David are writing about those Bussey children. You know, "they went to Cherokee Bill shows" and their mother let them play with knives....." I wonder if Deanna Wicker, Tudy Bartley, Brenda Patton,Sue Dawson, Brenda Clay, Vivian Music, or Betty Mae Clark went to these shows. I would love to hear their stories. The rules for entertainment were never mentioned. It all seems so risky in retrospect.Just, please don't tell me Cherokee Bill was a fake.

Funny that the boys at school weren't allowed to shoot marbles "for keeps" because it was gambling. But, there were no holds barred on the Cherokee Bill show.

Hope to hear from some old David frriends,
Peace,
Judy