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Amusements.
OPERA HOUSE - BUFFALO BILL. -
Every school boy who has read the history of this country necessarily devoted considerable time to Indians and to border and pioneer life. Early impressions being most lasting, it is not a matter of wonder that old and young have a more vivid recollection, perhaps, of pioneer stories read and heard in childhood than of almost any general topic of early local history outside of the Revolution. Daniel Boone, Lewis Wetzel, Simon Kenton, and some whose names are prominently associated with pioneer life in the Hocking and Scioto valleys, live in our mind's eye as grand old heroes. And they were.
The vast plains of the Far West have re-produced men whose deeds will live in history. Of these Kit Carson stands out prominently. But a few days ago Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont wrote a noble tribute to his memory in the New York Ledger. William F. Cody, and others of less note, have credentials from Sheridan, Canby, Custar, and other distinguished generals, testifying to valuable services in protecting frontier settlers from Indians, and rendering effective service to the U.S. government. General Custar in his "Life on the Plains" - a rare work that, we believe, is in the public library -- gives several readable sketches of those noted frontiersmen. The general falls into the custom of the western country - a custom we in the east can scarcely appreciate or understand why it should exist - of calling these men Buffalo Bill, Arizona John, and so on throughout the long list of his border acquaintances of that character.
Almost every grand parent in the States can remember incidents of pioneer life. These incidents have been repeated tie and again to children. Those children, now grown to early manhood, are curious to see men who have shot bears and met Indians in deadly conflict. Buffalo Bill, the most noted representative of that class, appeared before a large audience last evening, in a play entitled - "Border Life." Scouts of the Plains will be given this evening. Common interest centers in character impersonated by real border men. Two or three female characters are thrown in to make the usual points on protecting women. Kit Carson Jr., who is new to the stage, made a credible impression. All the real border men gave some natural bits of acting that eastern professionals would do well to copy.
92
Amusements.
Opera House - "Life on the Border" was presented last night by Buffalo Bill and a large supporting company, to the apparent intense satisfaction of a crowded gallery, as well as to the entertainment of an audience of respectable proportions down stairs. The appearance of Mr. Cody (Buffalo Bill) was greeted with loud applause, and all through the play there were screams of enthusiasm that made the house ring. Buffalo Bill, Kit Carson and Arizona John were some of the "originals" in the cast, and were duly recognized. Mr. J. V. Arlington, as "Old Sloat," gave a good piece of character acting, and Mr. T. Graham personated Jebadia Broadbrim, the peace commissioner, in a style that created much merriment. The play abounds in specimens of wild, exciting border life, but a great deal of gunpowder business that at first characterized this line of stage attraction has been trimmed out, to make the entertainment more acceptable to the general public.
The Buffalo Bill party will close to-night in "Scouts of the Plains." Last night's enthusiasm was indicative of a very large audience to-night.
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Opera House - The Buffalo Bill combination closed last night, in Scouts of the Plains. The audience was not so large as the one which patronized "Life on the Border", but it was quite enthusiastic over the highly sensational attractions of the play.
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OPERA HOUSE. - Life on the Border, as presented by Buffalo Bill, Tuesday evening, has more body than Scouts of the Plains, but less comedy. The first is the best piece, more truly illustrating what we conceive to be a perfect picture of life on the plains. Buffalo Bill, in many respects, is a very natural and quiet actor. The regular dramatic people throw too many "stage" attitudes into their business to make their acting of western life natural.
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OPERA HOUSE.
BUFFALO BILL COMBINATION!
W. F. Cody...........Proprietor and Manager
"Just from the Black Hills."
2 NIGHTS ONLY!
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 2 and 3,
THE GREAT AND ONLY
BUFFALO BILL,
(Hon. W. F. Cody) who will appear in the startling Dramas written expressly for Mr. Cody, by Hiram Robbins of Cincinnati, entitled
"LIFE ON THE BORDER," And Scouts of the Plains.
Supported by KIT CARSON, JR. Popular Prices. Sale of seats will commence at Seltzer's Music Store five days in advance. JOSH E OGDEN, Gen'l Ag't.
feb24 26 27 ml 2