Page 20

BUFFALO BILL.
A Few Facts Regarding This Noted Indian Fighter.
There are, no doubt, thousands of people who read the newspaper notices and strreet advertisements of "Buffalo Bill," who have an honest opinion that Mr. Cody is an Indian fighter and Western guide only when treading the boards of a theater; they have an idea that he is a scout only on paper and in the lives of his dramas and they turn from a contemplation of his pictures with the half-smothered exclamation "Humbug!" It is unfortunate that persons who hold this opinion of Mr. Cody canot become acquainted, or at least have an interview, with "Buffalo Bill." They would find him a courteous, genial gentleman, with an excellent knowledge of human nature in general and of the Western people in particular. Not only this; he is a gifted conversationalist, with opinions of his own on public matters, especially on the Indian question and other topic of particular interest to WEstern men. It is not strange that he should be well informed upon such matters. Born in Iowa he moved to Kansas with his family when but a mere lad and resided there for many years. His father, who was what they termed a Free STate man, was killed by the border ruffians during the troubles of 1856. At this time Mr. Cody's father was an intimate friend of Governor Jim Lane, and his son can tell many interesting anecdotes regarding this once prominent public character. Since that time, Mr. Cody has spent his life in various parts of the Western country. He was a scout with the Union army in Southwestern Missouri, and has since served as scout and guide with many commands in several States and Territories. When Nebraska was admitted to the Union as a State Mr. Cody was elected to the State Senate, being the youbngest member of that body. From this it will be seen that his title of "Hon." is not a mere affectation, as some suppose. As an Indian fighter he has gained an enviable reputation among military men, and were an Indian war to break out to-morrow Mr. Cody would probably find himself under marching orders from Gen. Sheridan and would be ready to pilot a brigade through the Western country at very short notive. In the Sioux war of 1876 Mr. Cody took active part and his name frequently occurs in the official reports of that campaign. Mr. Cody's ideas of a successful Indian policy differ radically from any course yet pursued by the United States authorities. He is decidedly of the opinion that the government should furnish Indian agents who have a practical knowledge of the "noble savage," his want, his peculiarities and his sufferings in the past. Says he: "The men who are in charge of the agencies have no real knowledge of the Indian. They come perhaps from New England and they care, not so much for the Indian, as the money which they are able to make out of their positions. In my opinion the Indians are a long suffereing race, and have borne many insults at the hands of the authorities and the settlers. I do not know of a single treaty made with any tribe where the Indians have been the first to break the compact." He has a high opinion of Captain Jack as a General and said he could not but admire the pluck and cunning of the man who could with seventy-two men hold a large body of troops at bay for weeks. At the time of the Custer Massacre Mr. Cody was with Crook's command, thirty-five miles from the scene of that awful slaughter. He is free to say that he thinks the deaths of Custer was due to the cowardice of Major Reno, and he administers a strong rebuke to the man who would allow his commanding officer to be cut down when he could hear the volleys of musketry a mile and a half away. But we have already overstepped our space. Suffice it to say that not only is Mr. Cody everything that he pretends to be on the bills, but more. He is a Western capitalist as well as a professional actor, and is owner in an extensive cattle ranch at North Platte, Nebraska, where he now has nearly 8000 head of cattle. It is here he passes the summer months at work among his stock, living in the saddle and breathing the air of our Western prairies. In conclusion we would say to these who have laughed at Mr. Cody as a humbug, that he is no such. He is a true Western man, and a fine specimen of the class.

Buffalo Bill.
Smyth's Opera House was packed nearly to its utmost capacity of Saturday evening by the numerous friends and admirers of Hon. William F. Cody, who is known the world over as Buffalo Bill, the government guide and military chief of scouts for the United States army. The play presented by the company was the "Prairie Waif." a new piece written for Mr. Cody by John A. Stevens, the author of "The Phenix" and "Unknown." The piece is by far the best ever brought out by Mr. Cody, and in the three prominent characters he assumed he did himself credit. The "Prairie Waif" contains some very strong points and may rank properly as a border drama of a high standard. The supporting company was excellent throughout and Miss Lizzie Fletcher as Onita, (the waif)won many appreciative tokens from the audience by her graceful appearance and charming acting. Miss Thompson as Sadie was extremely pleasing, and her song and dance in the company with Hans (Mr. Wm. Altstadt), was a feature of the evening. Mr. White as Mark Stanley, the alleged father of the waif, dispalyed some first class talent in his roll and Mr. Charles as the jolly Irish captain, was popular with those in front of the footlight. To add to the proper production special scenery was provided and an excellent orchestra was also engaged. The band of Indians gave a scalp and war dance which of course pleased the younger portion of the audience more especially. The "Prairie Waif" is a play that deserves the eminent success that it is being accorded, and Mr. Cody may feel proud of his nonth annual tour.

Buffalo Bill.
Norombega Hall was literally packed last evening, on which occasion the Buffalo Bill Combination presented the drama entitled "OPrairie Waif." People began to flock towards the hall at an early hour, and long before the curtain rose it was necesfary to stop the sale of the regular admission tickets, every seat being taken, withthe exception of a few of those which were reserved. It was estimated that the audience numbered eleven hundred persons, and the receipts amounted to six hundred dollars. The play, which seemed to give excellent satisfaction, abounds in timely rescues of the "Prairie Waif," Miss Lizzie Fletcher, form redskins and white fleds; in which Buffalo Bill, of cours, figured conspicuously, to the delight of his many admirers. During the evening Bill gave an exhibition of his wonderful skill as shootist, which received a deserved recognition from the audience. The play will be repeated this evening and will undoubtedly be attended by another large audience.

The Buffalo Bill Combination which held forth in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, had a crowded house. A notive to the effect that "standing room only, 35 cents," could be octained, was, early in the eveing, placed on the ticket box. The show was pleasing to some,w hile others thought it a mighty coarse affair far beneath what they expected from the renowned scout.

tirement."
-----------------

Buffalo Bill drew a large audence last evening. The fallery gods were in their element. The drama of "The Prairie Waif" is of a highly sensational order; but it is of absorbing interest, and some of the situations are intensely dramatic. The leading parts were well sustained, and the appearance of Buffalo Bill was the signal for a storn of vociferous applause. Of course he was the bright particular star of teh eveing. Miss Fletcher, the heroine, is a fine actess of the emotional class; and Miss Thompson made a pretty soubrette. Jim Hardy, one of the Danites, as personated by Harry Clifton, was nicely done. Hans, the Dutchman, was an amusing feature. As an incident tot he drama, Buffalo Bill exhibited some wonderful fancy shooting, holding his rifle in abuot every imaginable position. A band of Cheyenne Indians performed a war dance to the music of their instruments,a nd excited considerable interest.

BUFFALO BILL. The Buffalo Bill Combination mae their second appearance in this city last evening before a fair audience. The play was presented smoothly and the different members of the company with one or two exceptions, made the most of their respective parts.The stage settings in the latter part of the first act, representing a prairie scene, and Buffalo Bill's home in the second act, were very fine. It is expected that the company will visit this city again another season.

Amusements.
Buffalo Bill made this city his annual visit yesterday, creating a great excitement among the small boys by his stree parade at noon with his brass band, Indians, and other features. In the evening he appeared at the city hall to a large audience. The play, "Prairie Waif," is a new one, but does not differ greatly from its predecessors. Buffalo Bill's acting is composed principally of appearing whenever the situation gets a little involved, and straightening it out by shooting the msot obstteperous characters. This generally has the desired effect and the play proceeds amid great applause. We missed the Irishman and darkey, who have usually furnished so large a part of the comedy element of the dramas, although a donkey and a Dutchman struggled hard to fill the void.

HOWARD ATHEN HUM.-- This [houoe?] was last eveing crowded to its utmost limits to witness the performance of the ever-popular "Buffalo Bill," who with his well selected company appeared in John A. Stevens' exciting drama, "The Prairie Waif." Mr. W. F. Cody has made for himself a name all over the American continenet and he and his troupe are welcomed whereever they go. His appearance last night was the signal for most hearty applause, and the curtain ahd to be raised a second time on each of the many tableaux of the piece. A strange feature and one which delighted the great audience was the introduction of the scalp and war dance by a band of genuine Cheyenne Indians, illustrating the excitement peculiar to the fighting Indian. This troupe of Indians are