111
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 MoCandless gang, who murdered my father in the early Kansas troubles, in '36. Bill was pony express rider on the old Denver and Atchison trail, or what was called the Salt lake trail and the California trail. He was one day approaching a station on Rock creek when he heard a woman scream. Over the door-sill of the stable he saw a man's dead body and the screams were coming from the house. He rushed in and rescued the woman from McCandlees ad six of his gang. They rushed after him and he dropped four of them; one after another, as they came through the door. Three then made for him but with his knife he finished two of them and the other ran. He thus cleaned out a gang which was the terror of the country, and did it in saving a woman. He had been in a great many fights and killed a great many men, but I never knew of his killing a man when the law and justice were not on his side. I met him on his way to the Black Hills just before he was killed and he said he did not expect to come out again alive. He was killed at Deadwood; but I don't know the circumstances. When I met him we were nooning on Sage creek, and we I talked for two hours telling of old times. After he was killed, Charley Utter, known as Colorado Charley, took his body, laid it out under a big pine tree, got as good a coffin as he could and burried him in a decent manner. During the war with the south Bill was a scout in southwestern Missouri, and all the officers said he did most valuable service."
BUFFALO BILL'S PLANS.
If it is thought best to raise a force of frontiersmen to do service in this Indian country during the winter, probably Bill will be at their head, but if not he will play as usual during the winter months. He goes to New York to day to make arrangements for a new drama embodying the main points of the Indian campaign.
112
Hon. Wm F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) has lately been visiting friends at Buffalo. He has broken up his dramatic company and having enlisted in the United States army, has been ordered to report to his headquarters at Cheyenne, and to join his old regimont, the Fifth Cavalry, as chief of scouts.
113
BUFFALO BILL.
On His Way to Report to Sheridan---What He Thinks of The Summer Campaign and Custer's Dash---Crook's Situation.
William F. Cody, better known as "Buffalo Bill," passed through the city this morning on his way to Chicago to report to Gen. Sheridan.
A DISPATCH reporter confronted him as he entered the Merchants, and without ever commanding him to "hold us his hands," proceeded to search him for his wealth of information concerning the late Indian campaign.
William, by the way, is a fine specimen of the ideal scout, resembling in form, carriage and manner the equally famous "Wild Bill," in his best days. He would attract attention in any situation as a man befitting his dress, and his dress as befitting the man.
The reporter said: Mr. Cody, as a DISPATCH reporter I have run you down to ascertain your business within civilization, and anything you may have to communicate regarding your past or future movements.
Bill. Well I am going down to Chicago to report to Gen. Sheridan.
R. You are direct from the Yellowstone.
Bill. Yes. I have been with Crook during the summer, and should be with him now, but got seperated from him in carrying dispatches.
R. You understand that Crook is short of rations?
Bill. Crook is undoubtedly having a hard time, and there is much anxiety about him. His rations are out, men sick, and everything seems to be in a bad way.
R. You have had a hard summer's campaign?
Bill. Well, yes, in one respect. There has been very little to do. In fact, it has been much like going on a picnic excursion.
R. You ought to have had some of our robber hunters--men who never lose sight of the enemy as long as they can keep beyond the range of the enemy's muskets.
Bill. I understand. The situation cut there was very much the same. Comparatively few of the men knew anything about a gun; in fact it is dangerous to trust some of them with loaded arms, and altogether the capaign was very lame.
R. Then you think you will not return to the Indian country this fall?
Bill. The fact is I don't know anything about it. It is possible I may go back and find some work to do yet, but if not I shall go on to Rochester, New York. If the Indian question is not settled before another season the government will have the benefit of the experience of this campaign, and can undoubtedly accomplish something.
R. What do you think of what is said by some newspapers about Custer's rashness?
Bill. There's no use talking about Custer's rashness. Mistakes are common, and if Custer made a mistake in his dash, there are many who think the mistake could have been better remedied by another dash. But I see it is train time, and I must be off. Good morning.
The DISPATCH man reluctantly surrendered his victim, and putting up his sevenshooter Faber, turned about in time to detect the Pioneer-Press man (who had managed to get within car-shot) secrete his note book in his umbrella.
114
THE [?] - W. F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill), [?] denies the story which has been going the rounds to the effect that he had killed a Texas Sheriff. He says he never killed a white man in his life, nor resisted an officer of the law. He was a thousand miles from Texas at the time of the alleged affray.
115
Buffalo Bill. - He Kills a Redskin.
In the recent little event with the Cheyenne Indians, near Fort Laramie, it appears that Buffalo Bill, who resided in West Chester for a time soem two or three years ago, succeeded in making a young chief bite the dust. We copy from the report to the circumstance: L 7, 2, 5, 7 6
Suddenly a party of eight or ten warriors came rushing down a ravine which led directly under the hill where Lietenant King, with his six men were watching.
WAITING FOR SCALPS.
The object was as suddenly apparent. Two horsemen, unconscious of the proximity of the foe, had ventured out ahead of the train, and were making rapidly for the creek. They were couriers with dispatches to the command. The Indians, utterly ignorant of the rapid move of the Fifth, were simply bent on jumping on teh couriers and getting their scalps. "Buffalo Bill," cheif of the scouts. lay on the hill with King, and "instantly" sprang his horse down off the hill. "all of you keep out of sight," said the General. "Mount now, and when the word is given off with you." Then, turning to the officer of the picket, he said: "Watch them, King. Give the word when you are ready." Crouching behind teh little butte, Bill and his party of two scouts and six soldiers were breathlessly waiting; half way up was the General with all of his staff. The lieutenant lay at the crest watching the rapidly-advancing foe. Down they came, nearer and nearer, the sun flashing upon their brilliantly-painted bodies and their polished ornaments. Then, just as they are dashing by the front of the hill, King shouts, "Now, lads, in with you." With a rush and a yell the troppers are hurled upon the Indians' flank, not fifty yards away.
THE FIRST REDSKIN SHOT.
General Merritt springs up to see the attack just as a tall Indian reeled in his saddle, shot by Corporal Wilkinson. of Comapny K. An answering bullet whisteled by the General's head, when King. still on the watch, sung out, "Here they come by the dozens." The reserve Indians came swarming down from the ridge to the rescue. Comapny K was instantly ordered to the front; but before it appeared from behind the bluff the Indians, emboldened by the rush of their friends to the rescue, turned savagely on Buffalo Bill and the little party at the outpost. The latter sprang from their horses and met the daring charge with a volley. Yellow Hand, a young Cheyenne brave, came foremost, singling Bill as a foeman worthy of his steel. Cody cooly knelt. and, taking deliberate aim, sent his bullet through the chief's leg and into his horse's head. Down went the two, and, before his friends could reach him, a second shot from Bill's rifle laid the redskin low.
