Col. Charles 8 BIGELOW


"Texas Charley"


15133.425    Col. Charles 8 BIGELOW, son of Charles 7 (Charles 6, Charles 5 , Joseph 4, John 3, Samuel 2, John 1), and Harriet C. (TAFT) BIGELOW, was born 14 January 1855 at Worcester, MA.  Colonel Bigelow had been a notable figure in Western pioneer life. In his earlier life he had been a warm friend of the late Colonel William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and was with the later in many of his tours of the Western wilds. Colonel Bigelow had one of the most extensive collections of Indian relics in the country. While a young man he went west, where as an Indian scout he became associated with Colonel Cody and other historic characters of the old frontier. He witnessed many Indian fights and lived through the stirring scenes that go to make up the history of the romantic Southwest.
     Returning to New England he engaged in the manufacturer of proprietary medicines and amassed a fortune. He continued in this business for 20 years. He and John E. Healey ran The Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company. In 1902 he retired from active business and devoted his time to travel, visiting every civilized nation of the globe. At the age of 55 he married. There were no children.
     For the past six years he had been a resident of Liverpool, England. And was of material assistance to the English government in securing recruits for the English army at the outbreak of the European War.
     Charles died 30 December 1917 at Houston, TX. He was buried Evergreen cemetery, New Haven, CT;
 (obit below)

see Page 2 for more on Texas Charley.................
Sources:
Bigelow Family Genealogy Vol II , p 23;
Howe, Bigelow Family of America; p 288;
Note:

Texas Charlie 
Houston Chronicle December 31, 1917
Colonel Charles Sam Houston Bigelow (Texas Charley Bigelow)
Father: Charles Bigelow
Sister: Mrs. Harriet Gadband (Chicago)
Bom January 14, 1855 at Worcester Massachusetts
Died December 30, 1917 at Houston City Auditorium while giving an address on the importance of the US joining the Allies irt the European War (WW1). The address was titled "The Kaiser's Quiver".
Buried in Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven.
Hometown (when he died) was New Haven Conn. Appeared in New Haven city directory in 1888 (home at 718 Orange). Also this is the first year for a listing for Healy and Bigelow Co. in New Haven (521,523, 525 Grand Ave. New Haven).
The following with slight editing has been taken from the Houston Chronicle December 31, 1917. The death of Colonel Bigelow was covered on the front page.
"Colonel Bigelow had been a notable figure in Western pioneer life. In his earlier life he had been a warm friend of the late Colonel William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and was with the later in many of his tours of the Western wilds. Colonel Bigelow had one of the most extensive collections of Indian relics in the country. While a young man he went west, where as an Indian scout he became associated with Colonel Cody and other historic characters of the old frontier. He witnessed many Indian fights and lived through the stirring scenes that go to make up the history of the romantic Southwest.
Returning to New England he engaged in the manufacturer of proprietary medicines and amassed a fortune. He continued in this business for 20 years. Fifteeen years ago he retired from active business and devoted his time to travel, visiting every civilized nation of the globe. Seven years ago at the age of 55 he married. There are no children.
For the past six years he had been a resident of Liverpool, England. And was of material assistance to the English government in securing recruits for the English army at the outbreak of the European War.

Colonel Bigelow's father, Charles Bigelow, was a Texas pioneer having settled in Houston 40 years ago. He held office here at one time and later surveyed out a portion of Galveston County. The name Bigelow appears in the old survey and the county records. Because of the early association of his father with the affairs of South Texas, Col. Bigelow has always held a warm spot in his heart for this city, and has always looked forwarded to his visits with pleasant anticipations." Information taken from "One for a man, Two for a Horse" by Carson.
Information supplied by:
David T. Hulse
6992 S. CR 350 W
Clayton, IN 46118
Email: ThePines350@aol.com

Note2:
Subject: "Texas Charley" Bigelow
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2000 10:15:26 -0800 (PST)
From: Danny Barnett <  dannybarnett@yahoo.com  >

    Salutations!  I saw on the on-line edition of FORGE: The Bigelow Society Quarterly (Volume 25, #4, October
1996) that you're looking for any information on the lineage of one Charles H. Bigelow, alias "Texas Charley" Bigelow.
I don't know if this helps, but in the early 1960's, Gerald Carson wrote a book on American patent medicines and quackery called ONE FOR A MAN, TWO FOR A HORSE.  In this book, Carson identifies "Texas Charley" Bigelow's birthplace as the town of Beeville in Bee County, Texas.
Hope this tidbit helps you.  If I stumble across anything else, I'll let you know.  Take care!
Danny Barnett
North Texas Skeptics



Subject: Texas Charlie
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2001 21:34:36 EST
From:David and Sandra Hulse    ThePines350@aol.com
Just a short note Mr. Bigelow.  I am the owner of Texas Charlie's engraved Wesson rifle (see Dave Martins book on Buffalo Bill for reference to Charlie's celebrated Wesson Rifle).  I have owned the rifle for several years and can trace back ownership 49 years or so.  Until recently I couldn't identify Texas Charlie (engraved on the backstrap) because I didn't have a last name.  I have some biographical information that I would be glad to send you along with a picture of the rifle, if you are interested.
I will be glad to send you copies of the information I have.  My information relates to Col. Charles Sam Houston Bigelow (Texas Charlie). He was the gent along with Healey that started the Healey & Bigelow Co. which made famous Kickapoo Remedy products.  I do have some biographical information along with a lot of stuff I am sure you already have.
Because of the amount of "stuff" it might be better if I mail it to you.  After you have had a chance to review it you can contact me with any questions you might have.
For the most part I know where and when Charlie was born and where and when he died.  I know a little about his years as a remedy pitchman but I know almost nothing about his early life.  I don't know how much of the Indian Scout and Indian Fighter is real and how much is self promotion.
I have been told that the Peabody Museum has much information on Charlie.  When I contacted them they didn't bother to reply.  I have been corresponding with a well known Texas gun collector who is promising to rattle their cage, so we will see.
Sincerely,
David and Sandra Hulse


Subject: Texas Charley
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 12:15:45 EST
From:  Paul Fees       Prfees@cs.com
 Dear Mr. Bigelow -- I just found your site.  As a western and Wild West historian, I think it's entertaining and wonderfully informative.  Regarding Texas Charley, the Hulses are correct.  The Peabody Museum at Yale University has an important collection of Bigelow materials.  Because it is an anthropology museum, the Indian artifacts were the reason for the acquisition.  However, they have Texas Charley firearms, accoutrements, and papers.  Perhaps the Hulses did not receive a reply because they asked too broad a question.  Like every museum (except the Getty), the Peabody is understaffed and overworked.  An offer to share information about Bigelow might get you a reponse. -- Paul Fees, Cody, Wyoming


Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 6:40 AM
Subject: Healy & Bigelow Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company
From: < compman@charter.net >
Hello Rod,
I was wondering if you or anyone has information on the Healy & Bigelow Indian Medicine Company.  They evidently were in business in the 1880- 1890 time frame I believe.  I believe they had an Indian Medicine Show to help sell ther Indian Medicine Oil.  I have some of the bottles and other artifacts that I may try to post pictures of if anyone is interested.  I have corresponded with an individual in Amsterdam who has informed me that a friend of his is working on a screenplay for a movie on the Healy & Bigelow Medicine Company and that it will be similar to the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".  I will keep you advised if I learn more. You have a great site and I appreciate all the work you and others have put into it.  Keep up the good work. <>Chuck Bigelow
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

More:
Subject:  Indian oil bottle
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 08:28:01 EST
From: Ron Pene     Localminer@aol.com

Dear Rod:
As a young boy, living in Eastern Utah in the 1950's, there was very little to do but roam the
desert, hunt rabbits and snakes. One summer I came across an old junk pile, seems to have been
there for ever. The rest is history, I spent the rest of the summer digging. I found some of the best
things to collect, among the treasures was a lot of old bottles.
One of my best bottles is the "HEALY & BIGELOW'S KICKAPOO INDIAN OIL" bottle, about 5 1/2"
tall, round, with a base of about 1 1/4" across. Most of the cork is still down in the bottle. This is
one of my best pieces, thanks for putting the history and information on the internet, it is good to
research all of my collection.
Thanks Again
Ron Pene
Localminer@AOL.com



Subject: from Maureen in Mpls
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 22:52:00 EDT
From: NanaHana15@aol.com
Hey Rod...was just checking out some old email queries you received and was taken aback about a
connect between a Charley Bigelow and Jesse James...since old Jesse spent a lot of time in
Mn..wondered if you had any info I could pass on to the GASP pages of our local thing...ie...gossip and
intrigue...I thought we were all as pure as the driven snow!   Maureen,  I am from the Gershom line down
thru Gannett and Woodward...

Modified - 03/02/2022
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Rod Bigelow (Roger Jon12 BIGELOW)
Box 13  Chazy Lake
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