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"The Scouts of the Plains." "Indian extermination" is the cry now at the Boston Theatre; and though the redskins fall Like chaff before the unerring sixteen-shooters of Bill and Jack, their numbers do not seem to diminish as the bloody work continues, scene after scene and act after act, to the nerve-shaking close. But the entire performance is so replete with the crack of rifles, the whoops of savages, the lamentations of women, the giving up of ghosts and incipient burnings at the stake, that it is barely relieved from farcical monotony by the grace of Morlacchi, the terpsichorean pale-face, who is asked for more at the conclusion of her every effort, and the canting of the Quaker commissioner with his Dutch attendant. The inevitable appearance of one or the other of the noted scouts at the instant they are wanted to avert something dreadful dulls the interest after the second such happening, and the audience calmly awaits the denouement of otherwise blood-curdling preparations for a prisoner's doom or a maiden's even more horrible fate. The prominent characters are fine specimens of the hardy pioneers of the plains, and their bearing in the face of danger, were it real-and they doubtless have met much that was real-is worthy of emulation; but that two men should escape unscathed in a dozen deadly combats with foes outnumbering them ten to one is too much for even an upper-tier auditory to swallow without a giggle. Yet everybody seemed pleased with the opportunity to laugh in their seats while the din was going on upon the stage, and be permitted to depart with a smile when the carnage ended. Mile. Moralacchi's four characters in the farce "Thrice Married," which prefaces the evening's entertainment, give her a chance for displaying a dramatic musical and saltatorial versatility that her warmest admirers hardly dreamed that she was capable of. The double entertainment will be repeated every evening and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
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THE SCOUTS
MECHANICS' HALL.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, June 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 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), 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 Peerless Danscues and Pantomime Actress MILLE MORLCHI, Including the popular Actor FRANK MORDAUNT.
The performance will commence with the Peerless Morlacchi in a comedietta, Three Beautiful Dances, and will sing Cavatica, from the Opera of Ernant.
To conclude with THE SCOUTS OF THE PLAINS.
Reserved Seats for Sale at Prince's Music Store.
Admission 53e; Reserved Seats, 75c.
HENRY MINER Business Manager.
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WOOD'S MUSEUM. BUFFALO BILL. TWO PERFORMANCES DAILY, at 2 and 3 P.M. EVENING AT 8. AFTERNOON AT 2. The renowned Scout, WM. F. CODY, better known as BUFFALO BILL, in the new sensation drama of THE SCOUTS OF THE PLAINS. Production, by request of the patriotic sensation drama, entitled: THE BIRTHDAY OF FREEDOM; Or, THE DAYS OF 1776!
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Buffalo Bill at Wood's Museum
The celebrated Western scouts, Hon W. F. Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, appeared at this house last night in the border drama, "The Scouts of the Plains." The play, like all pictures of Western life, has a good deal of Indians in it. It has, however, the advantage of representing actual scenes in the life of the principal actor, who rather rehearses incidents of his past adventurous career than simulates passions. In this he has an immense, advantage over the ordinary actor who attempts to give sketches of a life to which he is a stranger. The result was at once visible for, while the ordinary border hero of the stage rants on every conceivable occasion, Buffalo Bill conducted himself on all occasions with that quiet, subdued manner which belongs to men who are truly brave in moments of danger. Considering that the ex-scout has had no dramatic education his presentation of his own character was eminently successful as a piece of dramatic acting. Buffalo Bill has a fine presence, and moves about the stage with an ease and grace which at once wins the heart of the audience. He is remarkably sympathetic and possesses the power of electrifying his audience as was visible in the hearty way in which the galleries received his points, though delivered without any clap-trap appeals. "The Scouts of the Plains" is not merely a play evoked from the imagination of a sensation dramatist; it is based on incidents in the adventurous life of the remarkable man who fills the chief roles. This fact lends to it an absorbing interest. It has been produced in New York for the first time, and will only be kept on the boards during the present week. At the conclusion of his present engagement Mr. Code -or as he is better known. "Buffalo Bill"- will depart for the plains to resume his old profession as guide and scout, where he will enact in earnest the mimic scenes he presents for the amusement of the public. It is not every day that one can see on the stage a real border scout fighting over again his battles. As we look on the actor and remember that it is no merely mimic performer, but a man who has passed through similar scenes that we see filling the stage, the interest is doubled and the realism of the scenes forcible impresses itself on the spectator. The play too, is full of movement and suits admirable that portion of the public who love pictures of heroes overcoming obstacles by flood and field. In spite of the warm weather the house was filled and the audience remained in their seats until the curtain dropped. When the state of weather yesterday is considered, this is the highest praise that we can bestow.
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Oldtimer Recalls the Night Buffalo Bill Raised Rumpus in Staid Old Binghamton
One of the most interesting letters received as yet from a registrant in The Sun's Oldtimer Honor Circle sponsored in co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Binghamton Centennial next October, is one received at headquarters from Harry L. Leet 68 of Kirkwood who was born in Binghamton. The letter reads as follows:
" As I have read articles in The Binghamton Sun from the oldtimers I feel as if I should join the crowd as I am in that class. Have been very much interested and especially in Mr. Horton's article and it brings back several interesting memories.
"I have not so far seen the old lime kiln mentioned -on the site of the old armory. There was a canal basin at this point where the boats turned and also one on lower State Street.
"When the boats were ordered out at the time the canal was drained for good there were to boats left in the lower basin. I well remember when I was a kid, we played on the decks - one was almost new but was finally buried in the fill near the corner of Susquehanna Street.
"No one has mentioned the little red brick school on the site of the present police station. Mrs. Mantz was teacher - I well remember her for she trimmed me more than once.
"About this time the boiler blew up in front of the Shapley & Wells Foundry, killing two and leaving a hole in the ground some 10 feet deep and knocking all the windows out of the school and neighboring buildings.
"Then there was our first electric railway with the traveler overhead running on two wires. This traveler would leave the wire some times and come down through the car. Later we had a cable which took the car to Ross Park and State Hospital hill. The carbarn was located at the foot of the park hill at that time.
"Our first electric light plant was located in Commercial Avenue, having but one machine that was operated as a sample with on flaming arc light in front of the Court House. This plant was later moved to Noyes Island.
"I remember well the morning of the explosion of the Ditmar Powder Mill, located above the patch, when several tons of explosives let loose but no one was killed, I believe.
"No one has spoken of the old Academy of Music on Chenango Street opposite the Riviera Theater. I well remember the night Buffalo Bill was playing. I was there with my brother, Frank. This night Wild Bill cam in -but he was 'tight,' so his understudy cam out and impersonated Bill- and Bill raised Hell. Everybody was much excited and it took the whole police force to arrest him. There were three or four on the force and Anse Martine was the whole thing at that time. Later theater burned to the ground.
"Then there was the old Pioneer skating rink on Morgan's Flats where the old post office is located at that time the flats were used as a circus ground. Later the rink was wrecked by a heavy snow and never rebuilt and I lost a good pair of skates. "Some times we had in those good old days! I was also a member of the old 6th Battery. The armory where I joined was located in Colonel Dwight's barn on Dickson Street. Captain Olmstead was in commend.
"I read a good bit of the old covered bridge but so far no one has mentioned the tall gate at the south approach. This calls to mind, when I used to ride with my grandfather, when we came to this toll gate he would always buy me candy from the old gentleman who kept the gate.
"I guess I have mentioned a few things but there were so many more, so let some one else take a hand at it."