These shows consisted of a warm-up act of music with cowboy and Indian themed entertainment. It arrived like a circus coming to town and the events were held after dark to add to the atmosphere. It attracted a large crowd ensuring the travelling salesman had an audience to begin his pitch.
Prairie oil became very popular in Ireland and Britain through a mix of mass hysteria and the acting skills of the salesman. The first Sequah, William Hartley, a self-proclaimed medical man and entertainer, got his inspiration from the American medicine shows that followed the pioneers across America. By todays standard this is very much an example of cultural appropriation, Hartley tapped into the native american culture by claiming that the medicine was an ancient Native American formula that would cure all manner of ills. Hartley also grew his hair long emulating an Indian chieftain and wore a wild west style tassel suit. Hartley’s business flourished as the masses believed his wild claims, Hartley employed other ‘Sequahs’ to travel around in Prairie wagons accompanied by wild west themed entourages. Its unclear if it was the original Hartley Sequah who visited Sligo in 1891 or one of his assistants.