91
Buffalo Bill To-Night.
Hon. Wm. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and troupe give their first of two entertainments in this city at the Opera House to-night. Speaking of their appearance in Buffalo on Wednesday evening the Courier says,
St. James Hall last evening held an audience in size seldom equalled since the Centennial Exhibition and the hard times conspired against amusement managers. Every part of the hall was filled, with standing room even at a premium. The reader will perhaps not be slow in rightly surmising that this large gathering was in respect to Hon. William F. Cody, more familiar known as Buffalo Bill, who improves his hours of leisure from the healthful pastime of the war path by mounting the Thespian stage and from thence instructing the interested public in the benign policy pursued with such signed success by our government toward the copper colored children of the west. Buffalo Bill's identification of the west. Buffalo Bill's identification with the campaign immediately following the massacre of Custer and his command has brought him into greater prominence than ever, and last evening the audience was ready to greet with thundering acclamations the caller of the unlucky Yellow Hand.
Mr. Cody is supported by quite a numerous company, with "Captain Jack Crawford, the Poet Scout of the Black Hills," and "leading man."
Opening with a scene in the Black Hills, and last closing with the death of Yellow Hand and an allegorized tableaux, the play is a continuous succession of exciting scenes and situations, abundant with war whoops and burnt powder. The audience seemed to enjoy it all immensely, and applauded everything.
92
BUFFALO BILL
"The Red Right Hand" at the Opera House.
The Buffalo Bill Combination troupe drew a large audience at the Opera House last evening. The entertainment was opened with the laughable farce, "Sketches from India." This was followed by the sensational play entitled, "The Right Red Hand; or, Buffalo Bill's First Scalp for Custer." The drama, unlike others of the same stripe, has a meritorious plot, the abounds in thrilling and laughable scenes, well blended together, all characteristic of the wild scenes witnessed in the far off western wilds, and through many of which Buffalo Bill has actually passed, the reproduction on the stage being intended to show civilized people the hard knocks the bold frontiersmen and hardy scouts encounter in their varied and exciting journey through life.
The reason real Indians are not introduced on the boards is a simple one. On his tour last fall Bill had genuine reds to carry out the Indian programme. While performing in one of the cities in Virginia the reds got bamboozled with whisky, which they had imbibed during the day, and when evening came they were literally spoiling for a fight. When the curtain rose on the sham combat between the Indians and the scouts, the former pitched info Bill and his party in the most lively manner, and a realistic fight took place, in which the scouts were roughly handled. The curtain fell, when Bill, after a terrible struggle, had put some of the copper faces hors du combat. Police were called, and the sons of the forest incarcerated in jail. White men now suit William better.
The principal characters are personated by Buffalo Bill (Wm. F. Cody), and Captain Jack (J. W. Crawford). And old army officer said that Cody was the best scout on the plains, and that if duty called him to the front to-morrow he would drop stage life and hasten to offer his services where most needed. It is needless to say that with his long border experience Cody plays the scout to life.
Captain Jack has only been on the stage eight weeks and goes through with his part well. In the camping scene he sang some of his original songs very creditably. Buffalo William was the recipient of a round of applause at his every appearance.
The Irishman's character was well sustained and Graham's impersonation of a son of the Emerald Isle caused rounds of laughter. The whole performance was well received.
Cody and Crawford are remarkable.
93
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
Buffalo Bill Combination!
Four Nights and Wednesday Matinee. commencing MONDAY, February 19th, 1877.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF BUFFALO BILL. (HON. W. F. CODY.)
Since his return from the late Indian War
supported by CAPTAIN JACK, (J. W. CRAWFORD.)
The POET SCOUT of the Black Hills, and the most talented DRAMATIC COMPANY, will appear in the new drama, founded on incidents of the late war, entitled
The Red Right Hand;
Or, Buffalo Bill's First Scalp, for Custer! The Scalping of the Indian Chief. Yellow Hand, by Buffalo Bill, occurred at the Battle of Indian Creek, July 17th, 1876.
Don't forget the Wednesday Matinee at 2 P. M. Change of Bill Wednesday and night.
Prices as usual. Reserved seats can be had at Academy of Music. Saturday. Feb. 17 at 10 A.M;
JOSH E. OGDEN. General Agent.
94
ACADEMY OF MUSIC--BUFFALO BILL.
The Buffalo Bill Combinations commenced the week in the new Western drama, written for Hon. W. F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill) by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, founded on the late Indian war and entitled "The Red Right Hand or Buffalo Bill's First Scalp of Custer." One of the largest audiences of the season was present, the entire house being filled. The story fo the play is connected with the scenes enacted in the Black Hills troubles by which the brave General Custer lost his life, and through it is depicted the peculiar life of the scouts who are attached to the army, during Indian warfare; and while it may give and exaggerated idea of what they can do, with the immense amount of daring, bloodshed and scalping, it gives some indication of what is done, and what dangers these scouts are subjected to, who must be possessed of more than ordinary courage and endurance, as well as quick perception and alertness. Mr. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and Mr. Crawford (Captain Jack) were both in the troubles in the Black Hills, and other occasions of the Indian warfare, and are personally conversant with the movements and tactics of the savages, and are competent to give a vivid representation of their warfare. In dramas of this character this is much of blood and slaughter, and the "Red Right Hand" is as gory as the best of them, more Indians being laid out cold than Custer, Crook, and Terry ever killed in all their campaigns. Strange as it may seem, there is a love story, in fact two or three love stories, running through the drama, which adds interest to the whole. The company is quite large and talented the comedians, both male and female, being remarkably good. The play was received with the greatest enthusiasm by the large audience, and a large attendance at the four remaining performance is assured. The matinee announced for Wednesday afternoon has been changed to Thursday, the anniversary of Washington's birthday.
95
ACADEMY OF MUSIC--BUFFALO BILL
The theater was crowded again last evening. There was not a vacant seat in the house, and the Buffalo Bill Combination can safely say that the best business of the season has been accorded to it; and the drama of "The Red Right Hand" has proved a success, and at the same time given the best of satisfaction to all who have seen the play. Hon. W. F. Cody, or "Buffalo Bill," is tho principal character that invests the play. This title, or nom de plume of Buffalo Bill, that has been so conspicuously displayed by the public in many glaring ways would naturally convey the idea that Mr. Cody was a person foreign to all ideas of civilization and social life, whose contentment only could be among red savages, or hunting down buffaloes or wild game that inhabit the prairies of the far West. Such is the common impression of everyone who has never had the pleasure of an interview with this histrionic scout. An introduction to this gentleman, and the salutation in a mild, pleasant voice, the cordial shake of the hand, completely dispel all thoughts of a frontiersman or Indian fighter, and one finds himself in as pleasant and agreeable society as could be desired. Calling, we find him surrounded by at least a dozen friends, patiently answering the catechism on as many different subjects. Be appears fully conversant on all topics of interest and debatable matters of the day, and on polities be carefully observed a neutral position, avoiding any conversation that would draw out his opinion on the Presidential question, although having himself served a term as member of the Legislature from Nebraska (for which he wears the "Hon." to his name). The value of Cody's services to the Government in the Territories of the far West, with its untold wealth, is great and has been officially recognized by the heads of this department at Washington, and creditably compensated by valuable testimonials which he carries with him. His last great achievement was the killing of the hostile savage Yellow Hand. one of the principal allies of Sitting Bull, and who, in connection with this better warrior, had probably devastated more property and put to death more United States soldiers than all of the combined Indians on the frontier. As Chief of Scouts, he is liable at any moment to be called upon, and would promptly report for duty should an invasion be made by the redskins or they become troublesome again. The time-tried associates of Mr. Cody, who have become more endeared by the hardships and trials of the tedious campaign, prevailed upon Mr. Cody to take up a home in the East, and forthwith a neat little cottage was procured in one of the finest neighborhoods of the beautiful city of Rochester, and when on furlough from the scenes of active duty, or not engaged in acting, Bill can be found in his rose-thatched domicile, surrounded by a mother, wife, and two little daughters.