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THE THREE WONDERS.

Texas Jack, Buffalo Bill, and Ned Buntline.

ROMANTIC AND THRILLING INCIDENTS.

The Men as They Have Been and the Men as They Are.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM.

&c., &c., &c.

Anything or anybody in New York that is genuine, or who really is what he or she professes to be, is so rare as to become a "sensation;" a "curiosity." Viewed in this light, New York at present is favored with three real curiosities, three genuine sensations in the persons of three of the most noted "Border Men," "Western men," "Scalp-hunters," buffalo-killers, scouts, and anti-Indian warriors which this Continent has ever yet produced, viz., Ned Buntline, Texas Jack, and Buffalo Bill.

The career of each member of this notorious trio has been more interesting than any novel could possibly be, because full of that "truth" which is so confessedly stranger than "fiction."

And like all true heroes, whether in America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Oceanica, these notorious hunters and scalpers are more quiet in their manners and more unassuming in their deportmentthan nine-tenths of the drygoods clerks who have all their lives traveled only from shop counters to their boarding-houses and back. Texas Jack especially is "as docile as a boy and as amiable as a girl," so his chum "Buffalo Bill" says, and so anybody who forms his personal acquaintance will be led to believe.

TEXAS JACK'S WAY OF FORGETTING.
Although he always carries a six-barreled pistol, loaded every barrel, in his pocket, "keeps a dirk-knife handy," has his room at the Metropolitan full of shot guns, and generally travels "ready for anything that may turn up," he is the last man to provoke a quarrel, and will bear more "chaff" than nine out of ten- but he has "Injun blood" in his veins, and never forgets or forgives an intentional insult or positive injury.

On one occason, some five years ago, in Texas, a man attempted to bully him in a bar-room, and bandied words with him insultingly. Jack took no notice of his jibes at the time, and people thought the matter had "blown over." About seven months afterwards the two men met again in another bar-room in another State. Jack thereupon stepped up to the man who had goaded him nearly a year before, and asked him to take a drink. The man complied; as they were drinking, jack said in his characteristic way to the other: "See here, the last time we met you blew your tongue out on me. Now, I give you fair notice I am going to blow out something besides cheek. So take care of yourself, d-n you," and thus putting his adversary on guard, and giving him time to prepare for his defense, Jack drew his revolver and fired at his insulter, who escaped with his life this time. But "Texas Jack" ultimately wiped out the insult in the life-blood of the man who uttered it, in "a fair fight" two years afterwards in the Indian Territory.

The same spirit differently applied led Texas Jack to befriend, several times at the hazard of his life, an Indian who had once done him some slight service, and to make "Texas Jack" your friend once is to make a friend forever.

TEXAS JACK IN LOVE.

Texas Jack has always been a ladies' man, in his way-as the Western phrase goes, "a lucky dog with the women." He has incurred the enmity at sundry times of divers red skins for his flirtations with their dusky squaws, while among the Mexican beauties he has been somewhat of a Lothario.

Once at a fandango he was introduced by a bosom friend, or a man whom he took to be so, to a senorita with whom he danced incessantly that evening. This marked attention [word?] marked favor with which they were received, excited very unexpectedly the ire of the very man who introduced him, and while dancing with the lady Jack was stabbed in the shoulder from behind. The wound was serious, but Jack finally recovered, and never knew his assailant till some time afterward, when his former "bosom friend," who had by this time become his open enemy, avowed the act, and endeavored to repeat it, whereupon Texas Jack "shot him in his tracks."

During Jack's captivity for several months among the Indians a squaw became passionately attached to him, much to the chagrin of her Indian suitor, and it is currently reported that Jack's ultimate escape was facilitated by the aid of the love-sick Indian, who wished, at all hazards, to get rid of his too handsome rival.

JACK OFF DUTY.

Jack is really one of the finest-looking "boys" in the West or out of it. He is excellent company; can perform all manner of sleight-of-hand tricks, knows all that is to be known about a pack of cards, and could make a point, if so disposed, against the Heathen Chinee himself; speaks Indian as fluently as a traveled woman does French, is a dead shot, never missed his mark but once, and then only because "somebody dirked him from behind;" is hearty and open-handed, and though free and easy in his manner, is not without a certain personal dignity. Off the stage he is addicted to big diamond pins, fancy neckties, and heavy jewelry, and loves fun next to fighting.

The Hon. Wm. F. Cody, alias "Buffalo Bill," whose home is "by the setting sun," but who lives just at present at Overton & Blair's, in Tenth street, just opposite Stewart's, is somewhat more reserved in his deportment, and more "subdued" in his manner, than his friend and partner, Texas Jack, but is equally amiable, and equally beloved by his intimates.

He is often to be found at his friend Jack's rooms, in the Metropolitan Hotel, where, lying at full length on a lounge, he delights in unburdening and unbosoming himself, and tells interesting stories of thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes. He is rather disinclined to talk about himself, but when "drawn out" skillfully, or when he finds an appreciative listener, he is eloquent. In the way of adventures, he has "gone through" enough to make a library of dime novels.

BUFFALO BILL'S FIRST FIGHT.

His first experience with Indian fights occurred when he was fourteen years of age, when he was in the employ of Simpson & Poole, noted emigrant guides and cattle drivers. These men were conducting two trains of emigrant wagons across the plains, the trains being about fifteen miles apart. Suddenly, when half way between these two trains, Simpson, Poole, and young Cody were attacked by a large party of Indians armed with bows and arrows, who rushed upon them from an ambush. The white men, however, were equal for the emergency, and killing three mules, and arranging their bodies in a triangle, sheltered themselves behind these mules as a breastwork, from which they discharged their rifles at the Indians with deadly effect, each shot telling. The Indians fired away with their bows and arrows, but produced more effect on the dead mules than upon the brave enemies behind them. Finally, the Indians, with an air of savage satisfaction, made up their minds to surround the mules and the white men, and to "starve the latter out;" but this little game was blocked by the approach of the second emigrant train, whose appearance in due time scared the redskins away and saved Buffalo Bill and his companions.

Although, perhaps, the best shot living. Cody is averse to the use of firearms save as a matter of necessity, believing in moral as well as mere physical courage. Once upon a time a noted Arkansas desperado named Bill Price, was "raising hell" in a sutler's shop, armed to the teeth, when Buffalo Bill, without any weapons save those which nature gave him, by his looks and manner overawed the ruffian and produced in a moment [?] appearance peace out of [?]

THE SCOUTS AND THE ARISTOCRATS.

Though Democrats of the most pronounced type, with "no airs about them," and caring little for civilization, both Texas Jack and Buffalo Bill have met, in their adventures, some of the most noted of European aristocrats. Cody became a great friend of the Duke Alexis in his sporting tour out West, and has been highly though of in the royal family of St. Peterburg, from whom he has received medals of distinction. Texas Jack has lately received as a souvenir a magnificent shot-gun from his friend, the Earl of [Dunraven?], while not a few of our native American magnates, New York journalists, brokers, railroad officials, generals, etc., etc., have conceived a warm friendship for "the scouts of the prairie."

Among the trophies and curiosities of Buffalo Bill is a bridle of human hair-the hair being taken from the scalp of hostile Indians killed by this renowned hunter. One of his "[?]" for years has been J. B. Hickcok, otherwise called "Wild Bill," described by his friend Buffalo Bill as a "fellow with about the worst temper and the best heart." "Wild Bill" has been killed so often in the western papers that he has lately published a card, under own signature, acknowledging his own death, hoping that this last will prove satisfactory. Buffalo Bill is a married man, and is very happy in his domestic relations. His wife is Miss Feridge and is a very quiet and most estimable lady. He has several children, one of them a bright, daring boy, his father's pet, and called Kit Carson, Junior. Amid all his wonderings Mr. Cody has always cherished a strong attachment for his home, and thinks nothing of riding a few miles "to get at it" as soon as possible.

HOME SWEET HOME.
Thus one Tuesday evening, according to the local papers, the officers at Fort Randall were surprised to see the browned visaged sountenance of "Buffalo Bill" enter the office with his customary saintation of "How!" They were surprised, from the fact that his appearance was wholly unlooked for. Mr. Cody left the command about sixty-five miles distant on Monday evening, and succeeded in reaching the Fort. He says the North Platte is booming high, and where he crossed, the current is very swift. A person possessing the ordinary amount of nerve would have hesitated in crossing such a deep turbulent stream; but Bill has taken so many chances during his career as a cout that he was not to be turned off. He was alone in the perilous undertaking. He stripped himself to the waist, and, taking the bridle rein of his animal in his mouth, he boldly struck out, and after a desperate effort succeeded in reaching the opposite shore. His friends tried to prevail upon his remaining in town over night, but his auxiety to see his family was too great, and after a short rest he pushed on to the Fort, making a ride of eighty-five miles in one day.

NED BUNTLINE AS A BUSINESS MAN.
As for Colonel E. Z. C. Judson, the famous Ned Buntline, he is so familiar to the world, and his adventures by sea and landand his former excesses and his recent reform and zeal as a temperance lecturer are so well known, that the only thing that is really new to the public about this celebrated individual is that he has lately become a shrewd business man, and is making a great deal of money.
To him is due the conception and the carrying out of the present remarkable scheme, which as actors and as curiosities has united the three noted scalphunters in a paying combination.
The "Scouts of the Praire," as his play is called, was composed in Chicago, between 10 1/2 m the morning and twenty minutes past 4 in the afternoon. It was rehersed the Saturday and Sunday following, and on Monday night, under the management of Mr. Nixon, who engineers the combination, the drama was produced to an overflowing house.
Texas Jack and Buffalo Bill receive $1,000 per week for their services, and the entire bonus of the management falls upon Ned Buntlinem who, in his blue coat and brass buttons, and gorgeous jewelry, takes the world and all its cares as easily as if he had been born a manager.
Really, the three men as they are in themselves individually, and as they appear in cimbination are curiosities, human wonders, types of a phase of romance of which they are the most remarkable living exponents.

"THE SCOUTS OF THE PRAIRE."-The rate at which Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack disposed of the red skins at Wall's Opera House last night, would be very satisfactory if practiced in earnest at the lava beds, but from some mistake in the arrangements out there it is the Modocs who do the shooting and our men who do the dying. If the Indians got up a drama for an Indian audience they would probably present the "war of extermination" in a light more in accordance with Captain Jack's ideas. Anyhow the audience at Wall's Opera House last night seemed to greatly admire the dexterous way in which Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack handled their pistols and threw their lassos, showing a facility with both weapons which would make it lively for a real opponent. The ease, too, with which the athletic Buffalo Bill picks up a hundred and fifty pound dead Indian by the belt and carries him off as if he was a kitten, shows there is no make believe about the hero's muscle. There was a large audience present last evening, and the frequent and hearty applause testified that all were well pleased.

HOLLIDAY STREET THEATRE.
The quiet-minded citizen who had invaded the penetralia of the Old Drury last evening would probably have remarked "Good gracious!" The house was crowded and he audience was enwrapt with attention. The hundreds of people who were there were undoubtedly highly chramed with the advenured of Cale Durg, Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack. Thee was all the heroism, and he two pretty maidens, Dove-Eye an Hazel-Eye, supplied the romance necessary. The play was nothing more than a panel-work on which to bang wild advetures, miraculous escapades and tender passages, bu the garniture was well done and everybody was pleased. Ned Buntline, Buffalo Bill Texas Jackreally gave a play which is entertaining, and they present in good style. There can be no doubt but what it comes as near reality as can be put upon the stage. The Indians were appropriately wild, Miss Sudlow and Senorita Carfano were graceful and eloquent, and altogether the performance was pleasantly novel. No doubt the house will be crowded to see it repeated to-night.

HOLIDAY STREET THEATRE.- Never has any attraction drawn such overwhelming houses as, "The Scouts of the Prairies," now performing with the real heroes, Ned Buntline, Bufalo [Bill and Texas Jack.] The [ex]hibition [given by Buffalo Bill and Texas] Jack of the [?dity] in the use of firearms [?] really asto[nishing]. The [Indians are] most [effective] [?] great charm to the [?] the [?] indian being [?] hunters.

[?] Use [?]
NEW OP[ERA H]OUSE
There is [?] verdict [con]cerning [t]he performance of [T]he Prari[ie S]cout" a[t] Wall's and that is [?] rate." Ev[er]ybody says so, and everybo[dy] g[oe]sl to see them. T[h]ere has hardly been a plea[sa]nt night since th[e] engagment commenced, and yet they ha[v]e drawn the largest houses [of] the entire seaso[n] a[nd] it is no matter o[f] wonder, for all their re[h]res[?]tations are truthful ones, and are just such scenes as are being enacted every day on the plains of the Far West, and those who tread the boards at Wall's this week were but a few m[ont]hs ago frontiers. Every one should go and see them. The scenes they present are as great objects of interest as are those in a menagerie, and every father thinks he must take the whole household to a menagerie. For the special accomadation of families and ladies there will be a grand matinee tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. To-night and to-morrow night, with the matinee, will close the engagement.

Indians in Baltimore- The seven Pawnee Indians whom Colonel Judson and Buffalo Bill have in their train roamed loose around the streets of the city yesterday, and created a good deal of senstion not unmixed with alarm. Nervous old ladies, timid hearts in their bosoms, and small boys who had scared themselves at night reading dime novels by the light of surreptitious cancles, looked at them distrustfully, and breathed freer after they had passed. They were fully clad in their native costumes, with the excpetion of dirt. The reason why land is so poor in the Inian country is that they carry so much arable soil around on their persons. Colonel Judson originally left the plains with forty, but half of them caught their deaths of old when they were introduced to civilization and a bath tub. Those who are left however, rather admire life in the East. Hotel cocktalls they consider superior to the needle-gun whiskey of the Indian traders, and their stomachs are toning down to an appreciation of the difference between roast dog and stewed terrapin. Their digestive apparastuses are something wonderful. Hotel keepers who only charge them four dollars a day are bankrupted before the week is out, and they have to keep a close watch over them to prevent them from eating more than six meals a day. Thei manners at table are also a little peculiar. Gimsmith, the chief of the lot, gathered up a chicken salad in both hands yesterday and lapped it up at his leisure, whilst others would insist on drinking their soup. When a waiter brought a young pig, roasted whole, on the table they refused to touch it and looked at him reproachfully in the implicit belief that he had been plundering a settler. Passing up Baltimore street, they stopped at a hair dresser's window and remarked: "Ugh! big chief, much scalps!" further on their attention was attracted by a stuffed bear in front of a furrier's store, and on e of them drew up his rifle and sent a bulet crashing into it. Probably the phenomenon of its invulnerability will distract the soul of that Pawnee for many a day. They were not in very good spirits yesterday. They had jus heard of the sudden decease of Shack-nasty Jim, of the Modocs, in his lit le lava bed, and were disposed to be mournful about it. The virtues of the deceased had endeared him to them, and they resented his sudden taking off through the medium of the explosion of a mortar shell in the vicinity of his diaphragm.

WALL'S NEW OPERA HOUSE.
When the curtain rose at Wall's last night the house was less then half full, and it looked very much as though Ned Buntline and his troupe were for once to play to a losing house, but as the play progressed and peiople outside heard volley after volley aof shots, and the warwhoops of the "ig Injun," crowds came rushing into the house inquiring "What's up," until the house was nearly full, and when the curtain dropped upon the last scene one of the best audiences of the season was present.

The opening comedietta of "Jenny Lind at Last" was full of good points, and brought the audience up to a feeling of good humor, and fully prepared them for the appearance of Ned and his scouts, and when they came on in force, the most enthusiastic Young America in the house could not fial of being fully satisfied with the sensational accompaniments. Yelling and shooting, war dances, lassoing, killing, and blood and thunder generally, interpersed with several food Irish and German songs and dances, made up an entertainment very acceptable and exciting, and we shall be much mistaken if the house is not crowded to-night long before the curtain rises.

As the curtain dropped upon the first scene, amid deafening thunders of applause, "Buntline," "Buffalo Bill," and "Texas Jack came before the curtain, and "Buffalo Bill," alias Hon. W. F. Cody, addressed the audienced, alluding to the fact that but a few months ago he was in reality doing on the wild Western plains what he was here attempting to portray for the amusement of others.

A pleasing episode in the play is the thrilling temperance lecture delivered by "Buntline" in his advice to the Irishman, and the reformation of the Irishman and his subsequent appearance as a sober man. We venture the assertion that Ned is this week's playing will accomplish more for the cause of temperance than did the comany at Lincoln Hall last week, who presented to meager houses a purely temperance play, and he will reaqch a class that would not go to Lincoln Hall to hear anything. Remember the mationee to-morrow afternoon. The prices are only twenty-five and fifty cents. To-night and every night this week at the regular theater prices.

The Scouts in the Treasury

Yesterday afternoon Mr. William F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill,) and Mr. J. B. Oinohundro, (Texas Jack,) accompanied by Mr. F. A. Aiken, of the Republican, and Mr. Thomas Shailer, of the secret service division, made a tour of the Treasury Department.

The distinguished visitors created quite a sensation among the fair maids and it was a doubtful question which was attracted the most, the ladies, or Bill and Jack.

After passing through the various rooms, the party brought up in the vault, nad on being told that it contained six hundred millions of dollars, Buffalo Bill exclaimed, "Lock me up and let me die here!"

The visit was a very pleasant one owing to the kindness and attention of the superintendent, Mr. George B. McCartee, assisted by Colonel Evans; and the celebrated scouts were more than pleased, and as they expressed it, "would like to live there forever."

"THE SCOUTS OF THE PRAIRIE." - The Theatre was crowded again last night to witness the sensational performances of Ned Buntline and his wild corps of actors. The applause testitied to everybody's delight, and who miss seeing and hearing this company will have to regret having missed one of the most striking and stirring dramas of the age, performed by men who have gone through in stern reality waht they simulate upon the stage. Matinee to-morrow afternoon.

THE THEATRE - "SCOUTS OF THE PRAIRIE." -Ned Buntline (Col. E. Z. C. Judson) opened at the Theatre last night in his sensational drama of "The Scouts." The house was packed from top to bottom, and the play, which awas good of its kind, was received with the wildest applause. Ned Buntline, Buffalo Bill, and Texas Jack were before the curtain, and Bill returned their joint thanks in a very neat little speech. The Indians ware well trained in their parts, and the audience went home well pleased with what has been the best thing in the sensational way that has ever visited us. They will only stay four nights, and we advise everybody to go and see the brave scouts.

BUFFALO BILL.
HIS STRANGE AND VARIED CAREER.
This celebrated scout, so well known by his famous exploits and the pen of Ned Buntline, was born in Scott county, Iowa, in 1839, and received the Christian anme fo WIlliam F. Cody. At ten years of age he removed with his father, Isaac Cody, to Kansas. The elder Cody was elected a member of the first Kansas Legislature, which met at Lecompton, and was one of the most active settlers in the struggle that made "bleeding Kansas" a free State. His life was sacrificed to the cause, as he was killed in 1856 during the border ruffian war by the pro-slavery party.

William, in order to support his sisters and widowed mother, although only 15 years old, entered the service of Russell, Major & Waddell as a freighter across the plains, and continued in that employement until the establishment of the pony express, in which he was the first rider that started on the route. He left this business when the telegraph superseded it and entered the army as a scout under General Blunt, and served in the noted company known as the Red-legged Scouts. Although not out of his teens, he reputation as a dare-devil scout, who feared neither hostile Indian nor treacherous white man, was wide-spread. He served dury the war of the rebeillion as a scout in the army of the West, and performed marvelous feats of daring which won for him many encomiums from the commander of that department.

At the close of the war he was employed as a hunter for the Kansas Pacific railroad at a salary of $500 a month and found, and during his eighteen months' service killed 4,280 buffalo, as recorded on the books of the company, which earned for him the soubriquet which has made him a name and reputation wherever his native tongue is spoken, and which has placed him among the favored list at the Imperial Court of St. Petersburg.

Subsequently he challenged any man in the world to kill that description of cattle with him, and his defl. was accepted by a man named Comstock. Arrangements were accordingly made, and the match took place on Kansas plains, and was witnessed by nearly one thousand persons, who hied hither from all parts. The contest was $500 a side, lasted an entire day, and when the slain cattle were counted at night it was found that sixty-nine had met death at the hands of Bill, while his antagonist's score numbered only fifty-four.

At the breaking out of the Indian war of 1867 he became General Sheridan's scout and guard. During the winter of 1868 he was attached to General Carr's command, and since that time, until within about three months, has served as a scout to General Sheridan. His thrilling adventures during his career are too numerous in detail, but it may be truly said he has never turned his back to mortal foe, and many a redskin has taken passage to the happy hunting grounds on a through ticket furnished through the smooth barrel of his unerring rifle. As a marksman, as a hunter, as a scout, as a horseman, and as a man, Buffalo Bill may be said to be the King of the Prairies. In personal appearance Mr. Cody is a model of manly beauty.

About siz feet in height, straight as an arrow, perfectly proportioned, with fine, waving hair falling down upon his shoulders, large, clear, brown eyes that look calmly upon the most frightful scenes, he is one to wint the admiration of the fair sex, or lead his fellos in the fiercest conflict. Naturally enough, in all his conflicts he has not passed unscathed, and many a scar and wound bears silent witness of his bravery, one of which, in his leg, stil troubles him severly.

He was married at St. Louis in 1866, and today is the proud father of three children two girls and a boy. His son, the eldest, is named Elmer Judson Cody, and that the sprig is fashioned after the parent tree may be inferred, when it is known that Elmer is famous among his playmates as "Kit Carson," as his father is among his friends as "Buffalo Bill."

As mentioned; Mr. Cody was during the war a favorite guide for Sheridan and Custar, and won the firm personal friendship, not only of those distinguished military men, but all with whom he was associated. When the Grand Duke Alexis was afforded an opportunity to hunt buffalo upon the prairies, Mr. Cody was detailed as his especial guide, and received from the Imperial visitor substantial tokens of his regard.

At the recent State election he was chosen a member of the Nebraska Legislature, but his tastes not being in that direction he resigned to undertake the tour of the Eastern States with his friends Colonel Judson and Texas Jack.