I delved into German and Austrian newspaper archives and discovered some interesting things.
First of all, it seems that Hampa Naspa, also known as Wet Moccasin, actually toured Europe with the first major Lakota troupe to do so. Honestly, I have largely overlooked the existence of this group so far.
It wasn't until the following year, 1887, that 'Buffalo Bill' Cody toured for the first time with a large group from Pine Ridge in the United Kingdom. We have often discussed this here.
So, in February 1886, the Sioux already appeared in Denmark. There, the leader of the group, a man named He Crow, attended the wedding of Prince Waldemar and Princess Marie of Denmark and presented them with a decorated feather and a blanket. He Crow (not the same man who died at Wounded Knee Creek in 1890) later appeared as a performer in other shows, such as in 1889 with Doc Carver and in 1892 with Buffalo Bill. He was photographed by Edward Curtis in 1907.
The Philadelphia Times, February 7, 1886
In July 1886, the show is in Austria. Several performances take place in the Rotunda of the famous Vienna Prater.
In an Austrian magazine called 'Austrian Specialties,' (Wiener Spezialitäten, July 11th 1886) you can find a longer article and also four pictures of participants in the show, including He Crow and Hampa:
He Crow
End of Timber
Sinte aka ‘Tobacco Smoker’
Hampa-naspaga or Wet Moccasin
Later in the year, the Lakota are seen for the first time in Dresden, Germany. It is said that Rudolf Cronau, the German painter, had engaged them. Unfortunately I don´t know any details about it.
Wet Moccasin, and perhaps Rudolf can help with details here, must have separated from the group afterwards or even before the Germany trip and managed to survive alone as a performer with engagements at various circuses.
In 1890, he was with Circus Alfred Schumann in Austria. In 1892, he was with Circus Busch, among others, in February in Salzburg, in May in Berlin, and in October in Leipzig. Further newspaper advertisements mention him in Hamburg in 1895, then again in Hamburg and Hannover in 1904.
In August 1906, there is a large article in the 'Austrian Illustrated' magazine (Österreichische Illustrierte Zeitung, August 26 1906), which also deals with the painter Georg Heinrich Kührner. Here you can find not only the etching of Hampa but also a photo showing the artist and the model.
Sioux-Chief Hampa by G.H. Kührner
Painter Kührner and his model, Sioux-Chief "Hampa"
The last newspaper clippings I found about Hampa are from August 1909, when he was giving performances at the zoo in Halle an der Saale, Germany. The on-site reporter investigated the rumors that Hampa was being held against his will by the circus group. However, Hampa stated that he was doing well and that he was voluntarily traveling with them.
Other sources:
Die Bombe, July 11, 1886
Morgenpost July 4, 1886
Kikiriki, October 5, 1890
Leipziger Tageblatt,October 18, 1892
Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, May 30, 1892
Salzburger Volksblatt, February 20, 1892
Tiroler Grenzbote, February 14, 1892
Hamburgischer Correspondent, July 30, 1895
Hamburger Fremdenblatt, August 9, 1904
Hannoverscher Kurier, August 18, 1904
Generalanzeiger für Halle und den Saalekreis, August 18, 1909
Saale Zeitung, August 17, 1909
