Luka Chkhartishvili

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Luka Chkhartishvili (1864-1936?), Georgian horseman, was the member of the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show’s “ Russian Cossacks” team.

In 1893 the Georgians went to the United States where for more than 30 years they performed under the name of “Russian Cossacks” in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show as well as other American circuses and shows. They won widespread recognition and significantly influenced cowboys. Out of all the international performers, the Georgian riders’ performance was perhaps the most popular feature of the Wild West show. Only Indians and Cowboys enjoyed similar popularity. The Georgian riders were called “Cossacks” for different reasons, perhaps, the most important of which was the fact that, Georgia was part of the Russian empire at that time and so each Georgian was referred to as Russian.

According to the Georgian newspaper Kvali (March 9, 1897), “Luka’s exceptional riding skills make him incomparable; all marvel how this man became so consummate in his native village.” Prince arrived on the scene in 1892 and performed until the beginning of the First World War. By origin, Luka was a goldsmith from a relatively well off family. Despite this, he was illiterate (he couldn't even sign his name in a passport) though, later he learned not only how to read and write in Georgian, but mastered English as well. Another well-known Georgian rider Veliko Kvitaishvili recalled, “When I was 13, there was a lively, animated, sparkling kid, a goldsmith's apprentice. His name was Luka Chkhartishvili. He adored horses and spent most of his free time galloping them in the field. Even back then, he was considered the best rider in the village of Lanchkhuti.” According to another rider, Lazare Jorbenadze, just before another trip to America, Luka organized a training field in front of his house where 10 riders could exercise every day.

The Daily Tribune wrote on April 14, 1901, “The wonderful horsemanship of Prince Loucca has made him one of the attractions of the show. The Prince comes from Batoum (Batum), which is two and a half miles from Odessa, and joined the show nine years ago. The Prince is said to have got his title from his fellow countrymen just as the Indian chiefs get their titles from their tribes. Where he comes from he is called the Hetman, meaning headman. He is not of the royal blood and, as Russia is well supplied with princes it is not expected that the title will be envied. There is not a prouder man connected with the show than he, and one of his esteemed friends is Black Fox, the head Indian chief. An accident happened three years ago, which has cost him grief since. While standing upright on the horse the animal stumbled and broke its neck. ” (Note: before that, on August 14, 1896, The New York Daily Tribune' reported that Luka had a near death experience in Indiana). One member of the audience, a sailor, told The Daily Tribunes journalist, “It's an amazing sight, watching him riding on his head. I have traveled to many countries but haven't seen anything like that before. I'm sure he can shave while riding a horse.” According to an article in Tsnobis Purtseli dated December 21, 1897, “Mr. Chkhartishvili received a gold medal for his riding skills inscribed with the words: “To Russia's famous player from American society.” Other newspapers wrote, “The twelve Cossacks are in charge of Prince Lukka, a man of royal blood, and who, while he cannot speak much English, is as polite as a Cherterfield” (Baltimore American, September 30, 1895), “Their leader, Prince Lucas, distinguished from his band by a costume of snowy four, rode with all the abandon of a madman, hanging to his fiery steed by the point of his mall boot. After the show Lucas turned out to be a mild-mannered and charmingly pleasant gentleman, who spoke in softest tones of his “papa” and “mamma,” his “sweet little sister,” and his happy home.” (The Dispatch, August 31, 1897). Here's another interesting quote from Fred Gipson's book which the author dedicated to Zack Miller, one of the owners of Millers Brothers' “101 Ranch,” where Luka Chkhartishvili worked from 1908 – 1914, They were all packed, and Zack was in their quarters talking to them when in walked some British officers with orders to put the Cossacks on a boat going to Belgium. From there, they would go into Russia and eventually into the war. Lucca, the head of Cossacks, broke down and cried like a kid.” Zack tried to console him. “When this is over, he said, “I’ll still have a place for you boys.” But Lucca shook his head. “For us sir, he said, “It is all over now. We shall never see the 101 again.” This conversation took place in London in August 1914 after the beginning of the First War. Indeed, Luka never managed to get back to America. He wanted to apply for a citizenship but couldn't for reasons that are unknown.

[edit] References

  • Irakli Makharadze and Akaki Chkhaidze, Wild West Georgians (Tbilisi: New Media, 2002).
  • Once Upon a Time in America, Diaries of an Unknown Gurian Rider (Tbilisi, Sani Publishing, 2004).
  • Nana Zurabishvili, “Off To Guria...,” The World of Constant Connection, 4 (1999).
  • Iveria, June (#124), 1892.
  • The Oracle, May 28,1892.
  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 9, 1893.
  • The Morning Journal, May 20, 1894.
  • Chicago Evening Post, June 6, 1896.
  • Minneapolis Tribune, August 13, 1900.
  • Arkansas Democrat, October 21, 1901.
  • New York Daily Tribune, April 20, 1902.
  • Tsnobis Purtsely, April 12, 1903.
  • Tsnobis Purtsely, April 16, 1903.
  • Kvali, April 16, 1903.
  • The Neola Reporter, July 7, 1904.
  • The Billboard, July 28, 1906.
  • Boston Globe, June 16, 1907.
  • The Hutchinson Leader, July 24, 1908.
  • The Evening Times, May 25, 1912.
  • The Billboard, July 20, 1912.


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