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THERE are many actors and theatrical people generally out of employment now than there have been at any time within the past fifty years at this season of the year. The cause assigned is that managers expect a hard season and will not go on the road. Presidential election season are always bad on account of the political meetings, processions, &c., and this combined with the present dull times, has such an effect upon managers that for every ten companies that were on the road during former seasons only two or three will be out this season, and they will start very late, some waiting until after the elections.
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Buffalo Bill's Indian Trophies.
From the Rochester Democrat.
Since Yellow Hand, the Cheyenne warrior, yielded up his life to the strength and bravery of Buffalo Bill, it was reported that the intrepid scout was to honor this city with the scalp, the arms, and the dress of the poor but haughty Indian. The report has become a fact. Yesterday morning they arrived, and now they adorn the window of the Pickwick cigar store, where they have attracted the attention of large numbers of people. The old man with his spectacles and the street gamin with his wonderment gazes in admiration at the following articles: The scalp of the noble Cheyenne, headress, shield, blanket, bowie knife, whip and bridle. The shield has the ghastly ornament of several Indian scalps, thus showing that his death-dealing hand had only been felt by those in whose veins the blood of the red man runs. To the scalp, which is about three inches square, is attached a braided switch of straight, black hair, about two feet long. The head-dress is the chief and most attractive part of the warrior's costume. It is five or six inches wide and so many feet long, and made of buffalo skin. The whole thing is closely set with feathers from that noble bird the American eagle. Each feather is tipped with fine hair, attached by some kind of cement. The flowing end of this headdress is ornamented with scarlet cloth sewed with green thread. Bell are attached to the cloth, no doubt to give warning when the brace was upon the war-path.
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BUFFALO BILL.
RETURN OF THE GREAT SCOUT.
The Hero of the Plains and the Chief of Scouts in the Indian War Arrives Again at his Home in this City- A Brief Interview- His Views on the Campaign- The Fight with Yellow Hand-Death of Wild Bill, etc.
Throughout the summer months, and especially since the excitement produced by the report of the death of General Custer and other Indian atrocities, the attention of the people of Rochester has been particularly drawn toward the exploits of our noted townsman, William F. Cody, better know, of course, to the sobriquet of Buffalo Bill. Inasmuch as he was at the head of the scouts on the plains, and had, therefore, a post of great responsibility and danger. It was much feared lest he too might share the terrible fate met by so many of the brave lads who were on the frontier fighting the bloodthirsty and relentless foe. Especially after the encounter with the noted chief, Yellow Hand, and the arrival of the trophies of Buffalo Bill's valor in this city, did public attention become more closely fixed upon the scout's movements. A few days since Mrs. Cody received a telegram from her husband announcing his speedy return home, having left General Terry's corps on the Yellowstone river a week ago last Saturday. Therefore he was expected, and when he arrived Saturday afternoon there was a large number of friends ready to greet him and give him a hearty welcome home. Last evening a reporter of the Democrat and Chronicle called upon Mr. Cody at his pleasant home on New York street. The scout received his visitor cordially, and soon a very enjoyable chat was instituted, the talking being done principally by Mr. Cody, with his pleasant wife, two attractive children and our reporter as listeners.
THE INDIAN CAMPAIGN.
Buffalo Bill joined the command of General Carr, who had control of the Black hills district in the early part of June. For a time they remained in that vicinity to intercept bands of hostile Indians on their way to join the fighting forces, and about a month later General Merritt came and took command of the regiment. July 16th it was reported that 800 Cheyenne warriors had left the Red Cloud...
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bands of hostile Indians on their way to join the fighting forces, and about a month later General Merritt came and took command of the regiment. July 16th it was reported that 800 Cheyenne warriors had left the Red Cloud agencies to join the fighting devils under Sitting Bull. The soldiers were then nearly eighty miles from the principal trail of the Souix. General Merritt immediately ordered his command to the saddle and before daybreak with Buffalo Bill as guide, seventy-five miles had been put behind them, having made the distance in thiry-five hours by forced marches. The force who went upon this expedition numbered 500 men. The white men were thus on the ground ahead of the reds and patiently awaited their coming. At day break the scouts observed horsemen coming from the south. Word was sent to General Merritt, who came to the outpost himself and soon saw about 100 Indians approaching. In the meantime two couriers who were following on the trail of teh regiment were seen by the Indians, and they at once started to head them off, ignorant of the fact that General Merritt's command lay hid in ambush. Eight warriors headed by Yellow Hand started for the couriers, and Buffalo Bill with six scouts started to eat up the Indians. The latter had reached a point about 300 yards of the outpost when Bill and his men sallied out on the dash. They were surprised and made ready for a hot fight. Yellow Hand singled out Buffalo Bill, and when the men were but a few rods apart, both fired at once. Yellow Hand's shot missed, but Bill's brought the chief's horse to the ground. Before he could disengage himself and get another bead on Bill, the latter's repeater brought him to the dust. At this time the main body of the Indians came up on the rush, but at once swopped down on them a whole company from General Meritt's command. This saved Bill and his men, and in another moment a regiment of cavalry was chasing the red devils in all directions. They dropped their provisions and loosed their spare ponies and scattered for their lives. Soon after this orders came to join General Crook's forces, and August 3d they found themselves with him on Goose creek. Crook took command of the whole force, and, after striking Sitting Bull's trail, pushed rapidly forward, and were gaining fast on the Indians when they met General Terry's command coming from the Yellowstone region. General Terry took command and wasted a day and a half in council, it ruined the expedition entirely, as the Indians could not be overhauled when they were gien so much advantage. This is reality settled the campaign as the reds got fairly and safely into the fastnesses of the mountains.
TWO GENERALS.
There was a great difference...
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reds got fairly and safely into the fastnesses of the mountains.
TWO GENERALS.
There was a great difference between Generals Crook and Terry. When in camp on the creek, the headquarters of the two men were on opposite banks. General Crook slept on his blanket, made his own coffee and broiled his own bacon. General Terry had a bed brought with him, a portable cooking range and an extension table. "We could not travel fast enough to catch the Indians as we would break the dishes" says Bill, which is a whole volume of criticism on the campaign.
THE END OF THE WAR
in the opinion of Mr. Cody will be in the coming winter or next summer at the farthest, provided of course, it is conducted as it should be. A different plan he thinks should be inaugurated. The forces instead of being in two large bodies should be cut up into detachments, and then by surrounding drive the Indians gradually from the west toward the Missouri river. Buffalo Bill has a good plan in his head, if he can get it carried out. As it was this summer, Crook's command was on the Platte, and Terry's on the Dakota districts. "To prove how good a commissary. Sitting Bull is," said Mr. Cody, "in to-day's paper I see that the soldiers have found whole wagon loads of dried beef and berries, while at the same time our boys were starving. An Indian will keep fat and flight you forty years on dried beef and berries
A BIG EXCURSION.
Next year Mr. Cody says if the Indian war is entirely settled there will be a grand excursion from the east to the "happy hunting grounds" of the campaign. The party will go up the Missouri to the mouth of the Yellowstone, up that river to the Big Horn, up that to the Little Big Horn, and will then be fourteen miles from the Custer battleground. They will then go back down the Yellowstone, and up that stream to a point opposite the national parks. After exploring that beautiful region they will go around by Corinna, Salt Lake City, and come back by the way of the Union Pacific railway. Mr. Cody is on the steamboat committee.
WILD BILL.
Reporter--"At the time of Wild Bill's death one of the evening papers said you and he were bitter enemies, and were looking for each other on the plains. Is that so[?]
Mr Cody--"That is a bad error. Bill and I were friends always. There was but one time when he felt hard towards me, and that was from jealousy, when I was appointed chief of scouts over him by General Sheridan. I used to be under him as chief, and naturally he felt it a little. No, Bill and I were the best of friends. He killed the [?]