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"THE SCOUTS" AT THE OPERA HOUSE. A fair audience greeted "The Scouts," last evening, and all went off nicely. The farce at the commencement was very laughable indeed. The drama was the same as Saturday night, and was played equally well. It was warmly applauded by the audience, and it is doubtful if a single person left the hall dissatisfied. "Buffalo Bill" and "Texas Jack" are going "out west" again, ere long, the former to act as government scout, and the latter to show Texas to a party of Englishmen of high degree. We wish them the success they deserve.
From here, the troupe went to Milwaukee, where the people will have a rare treat. The "boys" will long be remembered by the citizens of Madison, where they would receive a hearty welcome were they to return.
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A FAMOUS FRONTIERSMAN. BUFFALO BILL INTERVIEWED. Sketch of the Great Scout and Hunter. Indians, Climate Changes, & c.
Conventionalities cramp society, Humanity is constantly crying out for larger liberty. Tom Carlyle, who was bored by the visits of some of our great men, was delighted with a stalwart Texan, who had fought duels with a Bowie knife. It certainly is refreshing to meet a man who has been unharmed by the enervating influences of civilization, and "Buffalo Bill" is as unique, in his way, as if he were a character strayed from one of Cooper's novels. His appearance is striking. Standing six feet in his moccasins, and weighing about one hundred and eighty pounds, he appears, at a glance, physically equal to any emergency. He has handsome dark brown eyes, white teeth, long black hair, and his fine, intelligent, strong face, show a man ready to counsel or command, or to cope with any adversary he may meet. In a long and pleasant interview yesterday, we learned the following facts:
Hon. WM. F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, was born in Scott county Iowa, in 1838. His father moved to Kansas in 1850, where he traded with the Pottawottamies, and young CODY early became familiar with Indian life. When but thirteen years of age he entered the employment of Russel & Majors, the heaviest freighters on the plains. In 1856 his father, who was active and prominent in making Kansas a free State, was killed by border ruffians. Young CODY remained with R. & M. until 1860, and then rode on the pony express route from St. Jo to San Francisco. This was really one of the greatest enterprises of the West up to that time. The express only took important despatches, for which enormous sums were paid. Letters went with the baggage and passengers by coach, taking about 18 days. The time occupied in taking a dispatch by pony express was ten days, about half this time is now occupied by the cars in passing between these points.
There were one hundred riders, the distance between stations was fifteen miles, each rider was to change horses five times and go seventy-five miles in five hours. They were armed with revolvers,
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express was ten days, about half this time is now occupied by the cars in passing between these points.
There were one hundred riders, the distance between stations was fifteen miles, each rider was to change horses five times and go seventy-five miles in five hours. They were armed with revolvers, (though MARK TWAIN says they carried no weapons whatever), were prohibited from stopping on the route, talking to any one, or taking any messages from outside parties. California horses were used. They are medium sized, tough as India rubber, and sometimes as ugly as any creature of the horse kind could be, and live. The riders were noted for daring and endurance. They were lithe as panthers, cunning as Indians, and afraid of nothing.
In 1861, he left this service, and joined the Union army as a Scout, serving under Generals BLUNT and MCNIEL, and then with A. J. SMITH in Mississippi. He afterwards returned to Missouri to operate against General PRICE and other raiders, where he remained during the war. He returned to his former headquarters at Leavenworth in 1865, and was married in St. Louis in 1866.
About this time they commenced the construction of the Kansas and Pacific Railway, and SHOEMAKER, MILLER & CO., contractors, employed 1,200 men to do the grading. When they reached Ellsworth, the Buffalo country, they employed CODY to kill buffalo to feed the men. He served 18 months, until the road was completed to Sheridan, Kansas, and it was at this time he received the name of "Buffalo Bill."
During this campaign he killed 4,280 buffaloes, with one gun. This famous firearm, which he calls the Lucretia Borgia, is an improved Springfield rifle. The calibre is reduced from 61 to 50, and loads at the breech. It is well known on the plains, and is so worn that is retired from service. It is now carefully preserved at Rochester, N. Y., "with the rest of the family,"- a wife and three children,- the only boy being named KIT CARSON CODY. Only the hind quarters, the tongue and tenderloin of the buffalos were taken; princely living, such as railway laborers seldom have.
In 1867, Bill moved with his wife to Hays City, Kansas, and hunted buffalo and antelope. He was the first man who made a business of shipping this game east, and some of it was sent to Europe.
In the spring of 1868, the last Indian war broke out and he was employed by,
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gia, is an improved Springfield rifle. The calibre is reduced from 61 to 50, and loads at the breech. it is well known on the plains, and is so worn that is retired from service. It is now carefully preserved at Rochester, N.Y., "with the rest of the family," -a wife and three children,- the only boy being named KIT CARSON CODY. Only the hind quarters, the tongue and tenderloin of the buffalos were taken; princely living such as railway laborers seldom have.
In 1867, BILL moved with his wife to Hays City, Kansas, and hunted buffalo and antelope. He was the first man who made a business of shipping this game cast, and some of it was sent to Europe.
In the spring of 1868, the last Indian war broke out, and he was employed by the Government as a scout and guide for the army under command of Lt. Gen SHERIDAN, whose headquarters were at Ft. Hays. BILL was the guide sent with the Fifth Cavalry, under Gen. E. A. CARR, which did such splendid service during the Indian war of four years. In this war, Lucretia was seldom from his sight, and never failed a shot. He says nothing of the number of Indians to whom Lucretia has spoken, but it is well known on the frontier that he is one of the most successful Indian-fighters now living. It was remarked that in his representation of frontier life on the stage, he was not much excited under danger. "I have always noticed," he replied, "that the man in an Indian fight who does the most hollering, does the least killing."
Ju 1871 Gen. CARR was ordered to the Department of the Platte and BILL accompanied him as scout until 1872 when the 3d cavalry, under Gen. REYNOLDS came in its stead. It was while serving here that BILL was elected to represent nine counties of Western Nebraska in the Legislature. He was also chosen a justice of the peace. His honor gives a graphic account of his ordering the constable to arrest desperadoes, and on finding the offices unequal to the task, the court would sally forth, armed with a double-barrelled shotgun, and bring in the offenders.
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ACADEMY OF MUSIC. Wednesday and Thursday, May 20 & 21. ON THE TRAIL. Astounding Attractions! The Originals. Living Heroes. Link between Civilization and Savagery. BUFFALO BILL, Hon W. F. Cody TEXAS JACK, J. B. Omohundro M'LLE MORLACCHI. Will appear on the above named evenings in their new sensational play, entitled SCOUTS OF THE PLAINS.
Supported by a full and powerful Dramatic Company, and the Pantomimic Actress M'LLE MORLACCHI.
Including the popular Actor FRANK MORDAUNT.
The performance will commence with the Peerless Morlacchi in a Comedetta, three beautiful dances, and will sing Cavitina, from the Opera of Ernani. To conclude with THE SCOUTS OF THE PLAINS
Reserved seats for sale at A.W. Wheat's Music Store. Prices as usual. HARRY MINER, Business Manager.