Page 39 - 4094-BOOK3

37
The man known as William K. “Uncle Kit” Carson was in fact Oran Ardious
Woodman born in Zanesville, Illinois, in 1870. He told so many conflicting tall
tales of his life in the West over the years that it has long been hard to separate
fact from fiction. He did in fact move to the West as a child. His family is
recorded in Bourbon County, Kansas, in the 1880 Census and then in Chandler,
Oklahoma, in the 1890 Census. In 1896, he married Maude Garner. By the early
1900s, he spent much of his time away from his family traveling with Wild
West shows. Earlier on he had also claimed to be named “Two Braids” by his
supposed Comanche captors, but he soon changed the story saying he was
in fact the lost Tommy Stringfield of the Stringfield Massacre and had been
raised by Geronimo and the Apache. He performed as “Two Braids,” “Kit Carson,”
and “Uncle Kit Carson” and even took his young daughter Pansy along against
her mother’s wishes and presented her as a Native American named “Nucki
Two Braids” and “Nucki Carson.” There are photographs of her in her buckskins. Many publications
reported that he was part of Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill’s famous Wild West shows, some indicating he
toured both in the U.S. and Europe. It is clear that he did in fact appear in circuses, rodeos, and other
Wild West performances, and fliers for some of his appearances are included.
His wife died in 1928, and, by the time he settled in Roswell, New Mexico in the 1930s, he was
identifying himself as “Uncle Kit Carson,” nephew of the legendary frontiersman and supposedly
born in 1858 or 1859 which happened to be five or six years after his supposed father had died.
Newspaper reports of him attending events report many of his various claims as fact. For example,
the Woodward Daily Press on September 7, 1933, in reporting him as the announcer for the local
rodeo claimed he was injured during the attempted arrest and slaying of Sitting Bull and also
participated in hunting down Geronimo. They noted “During the summer months he follows the
rodeos all over the west but when winter closes in he retires to the mountains of New Mexico
where he has a hunting lodge and conducts big game hunters on thrilling trips after deer.” The
Carlsbad Current-Argus on June 25, 1939, showed him in his distinctive buckskins with his Colt
and Bowie knife during a visit to the Carlsbad Caverns and noted: “He is nephew of the famous Kit
Carson, western plainsman and explorer, and as a lad accompanied his uncle on some of his trips.
Now 80 years old, ‘Uncle Kit’ still cherishes his frontier suit of buckskin, heavily ornamented, and his
sixshooter and bowie knife. Likewise his long hair and flowing beard.” Newspapers in the 1950s noted him
as in his 90s and note him as “active for his age.” When he died on October 25, 1957, many newspapers
across the country reported his death with headlines like The Albuquerque Tribune’s which read:
“Uncle Kit Carson, 99, Army Scout, Is Dead.”
The Winchester Model 1873 was manufactured in 1887 and features a bone blade for the
Rocky Mountain front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, standard patent markings, “32 W.C.F.”
marked on top of the at the breech, Third Model frame with integral dust cover guide rail, model
designation on the upper tang, serial number on the lower tang, and smooth
walnut stock and forearm.
CONDITION: The Winchester Model 1873 is fair with dark brown patina and fairly heavy overall
wear appropriate for a “frontier issued” rifle used by a Wild West performer. The stock is good and
has similar wear, an absent toe section, and smaller cracks and chips. Mechanically fine. The trunk
and other accessories are very good with varying degrees of wear from use, age, and storage.
B) “Uncle Kit Carson” Inscribed Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Antique Ivory Grips
and Tooled Holster - Serial no. 195264, 41 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, antique ivory grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1900 and has a clipped blade front
sight, the one-line barrel address, “41 COLT.” marked on the left at the breech, the two-line patent
marking followed by the circled Rampant Colt trademark on the left, matching serial numbers on the
frame and grip straps, “Uncle Kit Carson” inscribed on the back strap, and a pair of smooth ivory grips.
It is accompanied by a floral tooled double loop russet leather holster.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct markings and inscription, 20% original blue finish remaining and mostly concentrated
on the right side of the barrel, traces of original case colors, gray and brown patina on the balance, minor pitting, and general
moderate overall wear. The undersized grips are very good and have attractive natural grain and patina and age lines mainly at the butt.
Mechanically fine. The holster is good with moderate wear.
Provenance: Oran Ardious Woodman aka “Uncle Kit Carson”; The Robert D. Retort Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000