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WYSOR'S OPERA HOUSE.
Friday Eve'ng, Oct. 17.
Eighth Annual Tour
Of the Histrionic Government Scout and Military Guide,
Hon. W. F. CODY,
BUFFALO BILL,
AND HIS
MAMMOTH COMBINATION.
In the New and Thrilling Melodrama, in four acts, entitled, The
Knight Plains
Or Buffalo Bill's Best Trail.
Written and dramatized expressly for HON. W. F. CODY, BUFFALO BILL, by the popular Author and Dramatist, COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.
SYNOPSIS:
Sunset on the prairie. Red Eagle on the watch. Ralph Rovston lying in wait for his foe. "The white hunter must die." Arrival of Buffalo Bill. The long shot. Friend or Foe. The Indian village. Wild Nellie's warning. The English Lord. The shooting match. the bow and arrow against the rifle. "Nothing like it in all England, you know." The accusation. Denounced. "Not a catridge left." Judge Lynch Love stronger than revenge. Grand tableaux of the prairie on tire.
ACT II.
From the prairie to the parlor. Buttermilk and the Jew. The three villains. The conspiracy. The terrible Jew. The unknown lover. Lord Edmondstone Howard. From the grave. The shadow in the moonlight. The burglars. Buffalo Bill's death knot. The recognition. The scout on hand. "Take that, sir." Grand tableaux in Mushroom Melton's parlor.
ACT III.
The gambling hell in Cheyenne. The eagle bird by chance. Buffalo Bill as detective. The only way to beat the game. The boy gambler. A match game for high stakes. The scent as a gambler. The pigeon or the eagle. The Judge and the green gambler. Poker as an innocent game. Buttermilk and the Indian. "Four aces and another in the pack." The jew curses the eagle bird. the Judge robs the cattle king. The boy gambler draws a revolver. "Pay that bet." The duel. The aim in the mirror. "Is he dead, you know?" The Indian plas a game with the Jew. The warhoop. Tableau.
ACT IV.
The pony express rider. The Knights of the road. The stage horn. Buttermilk and his donkey. The attack on the stage coach. "Is there no one to save me?" The red mask torn off. Wild Nellie in the front. "The Red Eagle's tongue is not crooked. Rose Melton gives up father for lover. The knife encounter. The last shot. "This is fate" Grand Tableau.
The author, in writing this new drama, gives as it were, a mirror reflection of the career of the Histrionic Scout Actor, which his long and intimate associations with Mr. Cody qualifies him to honestly portray from scenes and incidents in the adventurous life of the hero, and appreciating the very great advancement of Mr. Cody since his debut as an actor
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Hon. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill.)
The Buffalo Bill combination, led by the noted government scout, guide and hunter, Hon. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), will appear on Saturday evening of this week, the 18th. He comes this season with a strong dramatic combination. his own brass band and orchestra, and a band of genuine Indian Chiefs, including Master Eddie Burgess, the Boy Chief of the Pawnees, the youngest chief of which any record is given in the entire Indian nation
Few men have gathered in their real existence enough of romance and adventure to make the theme entertaining or thrilling to others. This is one of the great charms of Buffalo Bill, for he presents incidents and accidents from his own stirring and eventful life, and presents, in his own personality, stage representations of his own escapes, triumphs and exploits beyond the bounds of civilization. He has a new play entitled "The Knight of the Plains," written by Col. Prentiss Ingraham, the noted novelist, who, by the way, will visit this city with the company.
Mr. Cody has wonderfully improved as an actor, and the author, in writing this new play introduces him in a variety of roles-or rather, three disguises-his own original character of "Buffalo Bill," as an English nobleman, as a detective and as a pony express rider. In the first act, as Buffalo Bill, he introduces his wonderful rifle shooting, and the act close with a startling tableau of a prairie on fire, with scenery painted especially for the purpose, to which is added red fires and other properties, making, it is said, the most realistic scene ever presented on any stage. The gambling scene in the third act-with the real implements of a Cheyenne gambling [hell?]-is also said to be realistic in the extreme.
The press this season compliments Mr. Cody very highly on his improvement as an actor, and the audience on this occasion, besides seeing the noted scout and guide-the very impersonation of physical manhood-will be entertained with an
DEEP [ANS?]
ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC!
Hear the Voice of the Press.
Across the Continent Comes the Testimony of the Greatest Attraction of the Season.
From New York. Dramatic News.
The Buffalo Bill Combination made a marked success. * * * A camping scene is introduced, displaying the natural and dusky red men of the far West, and knowing them to be genuine, appearing as they do, robed in their elegant beaded blankets, and executing their [droll?] war dances, combine to constitute a most interesting exhibition. While Buffalo Bill fills a high ideal of a noble type of man hood, most attractive when seen amidst such picturesque surroundings, his graceful, dashing boldness and [?] gatheres added lustre when compared with the city society of to-day. * * * "The Boy Chief" of the Pawnees is quite a character, being a white boy who was chosen chief of the tribe at the age of fourteen. The entertainment is a novel one, well constructed and honestly advertised, and cannot fail to draw crowded houses everywhere.
From Philadelphia. Philadelphia [Press?]
Long before the rise of the curtain every seat, yes, and every available space of standing room was occupied; all anxious and watching eagerly for the play to commence, and when the popular [scout?], Buffalo Bill, did appear, such an outburst of enthusiasm is seldom heard in any theatre. The drama produced, "Knight of the Plains," is far ahead of anything Mr. Cody has heretofore presented, and he is ably supported by a first class company, each one seeming peculiarly adapted to the part assigned them.
From Baltimore. [Baltimore?] [Bulletin?].
The wild Indians and their interpreters are a novel feature, and were liberally applauded in their several dances and wonderful archery, hitting objects with as much accuracy with the bow and arrow, as the best marksman with the rifle. Buffalo Bill also gave a specimen of his expertness with the rifle, holding the gun in every conceivable position, and indelibly convinced all with the [fact?] that he certainly is unrivalled, if equalled.
From Washington. Washington Daily [Post?].
Buffalo Bill pursues the even tenor of his way, making at once many friends and much money, with his interesting drama and a band of genuine Indians from the wild west. He is supported by an excellent company, by which all the good points in the play are well brought out.
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The press this season compliments Mr.Cody very highly on his improvement as an actor, and the audience on this occasion, besides seeing the noted scout and guide--the very impersonation of physical manhood--will be entertained with an interesting drama of border life.
There is nothing of the rough and boisterous nature about the play--no more than is to be found in "Davy Crocket" or the "Dantes"--and this new departure is drawing everywhere large audiences of ladies, and the best show going people.
Hon. W. F. Cody
Phocian Howard, editor of the Danville, Ills, Democratic Bourbon, says in his paper:
We are glad that our people will have an opportunity to see Buffalo Bill in his last and greatest dramatic sensation. We were present in the Nebraska legislature when Mr.Cody's resignation was read, and know that he was not only honorably elected, but greatly disappointed his many friends by refusing to enter into political life, choosing rather the ambition of his boyhood that of becoming what he really is, a "Knight of the Plains."
We know Mr.Cody well having been with him in three campaigns among the Indians, the last being the memorable Custer campaign of the Big Horn against Sitting Bull. We bear kind witness that Buffalo Bill is the idol of the army and the frontiersman, and the dread of the Indian.
A Band of Indians
A new and novel feature of the Buffalo bill Combination this season is the introduction of a genuine band of Indian chiefs, from the Pawnee and Ponca tribes direct from their reservation in the Indian Territory under the immediate charge of Mr. W. F. Cody; also Master Eddie Burgess, or P-risk-y-la-shar, the Boy Chief of the Pawnees, the youngest chief of which any record is given among the entire Indian nation. His rendering of the "Wolf Dance" and the "Horse Dance" are truly realistic.
Buffalo Bill's Shooting
The fancy rifle shooting of Buffalo Bill is not defensive to ladies or sensitive people as might be supposed. The rifle become does not make a loud report. He shoots with marvelous [word], standing, sitting, lying and stooping, backward and forward, taking aim backward from a looking glass, etc,
Look out for the novel street parade, Saturday afternoon soon after the arrival of the company. Buffalo Bill and his Indian chiefs, mounted on horseback, will be led by Mr. Cody's own Military Band.
The "blood and thunder element" of border play is not so prominent in Col. Ingraham's drama, "Knight of the Plains,"
From Washington.
Buffalo Bill [?] the even tenor of his way, making at once many friends and much money, with his interesting drama and a band of genuine Indians from the wild west. He is supported by an excellent company, by which all the good points in the play are well brought out Buffalo Bill, thereafter, need not merely depend upon his frame as a scout and guide to draw an audience, as he has exhibited a rare talent in portraying frontier life, and will compare favorably with the average of actors.
From Cincinnati
The success attending the dramatic career of the famous scout, Buffalo Bill, is something phenomenal. Wherever he goes he is always treated with crowded houses. He opened last night to the usual large audience. It is hardly necessary to describe at length either the player or the play. Suffice it to say the hero received a great reception and the stirring and exciting incidents of the border drama awoke the wildest enthusiasm among the auditors. The company Mr. Cody brings with him is better than he has had [word] and the star himself shows a marked improvement in his acting. During the play he gave a number of fancy shots with the rifle. The play is finely mounted and complete in all its appointments. The same bill will be repeated tonight, the drama being preceded by the force, "Turn Him Out."
From St. Louis
At the Grand Opera House, the new border drains, "May Cody or Lost and Won," draw an immense audience last night. It bears some resemblance to the {word] but has decided merit of its own. The war dance of the Pawnees is a correct representation of the real dance of that tribe, and is one of the best things in the play. The thrilling scene of the Mountain Meadow massacre in enacted with striking effect. Buffalo Bill appears in his own proper character and under his own proper character and under his own name, and performs some wonderful feasts of marksmanship with his rifle. He shoots with scenery while standing, [word], lying and stooping, backward and forward, taking aim from a looking glass, knocking an apple from the head of a young lady, and brushing the ashes from a cigar in the mouth of a man. The Irishman and his donkey form an amusing feature of the menagerie, and the star who takes the part of the grizzly bear, makes an excellent brain.
From Oakland, Cal.
The hero of the stage the past week has been Buffalo Bill, and thousands of people have flocked to the California, to see and hear this world-famous scout and guide play the role he has for years acted in real life amid the wilds of our country. It was estimated that fourteen hundred children attended the matinee yesterday it was a sight rarely to be seen and not soon to be forgotten.
From San Francisco
Everybody knows Buffalo Bill, and every boy in America worships the long haired scout whose name is known on the plains from the Missouri to the Rio.
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(Column 1) [?] troduction of a grandiose band of Indian chiefs, from the Pawnee and Ponca tribes, direct from the reservation in the Indian Territory, under the immediate charge of Mr. W. F. Cody, [?] Master Eddie Dar gren, [?], the Boy Chief of [?] Pawnee, the youngest chief of which any record is given among the [?] [?]. His rendering of the "Wolf Dance" and the "Home Dance" are truly realistic.
Buffalo Bill's Shooting The fancy rifle shooting of Buffalo Bill is not effective to ladies or [?] peo ple as might be apparent. The rifle he uses for [?] He shoots with marvelous accuracy, standing sitting, lying and stooping, backward and forward, taking aim backward into a looking glass, etc.
Look out for the novel street parade, Saturday afternoon, soon after the arrival of the company. Buffalo Bill and his Indian Chiefs, mounted on horseback, will be led by Mr. Cody's own Military Band.
The "blood and thunder element" of bor der play is not so prominent in Col. In graham's drama, "Knight of the Plains," and consequently the elite of the country go to witness Buffalo Bill in his new play.
Read the synopsis, in another column of the "Knight of the Plains." It shows it to be a thrilling story of adventures. And then it is a sketch from real life.
If you never saw a gambling hell, you can see one in full operation in the play of the "Knight of the Plains."
The marvelous fancy rifle shooting done by Buffalo Bill will occur about 9 o'clock. Don't fail to see it. It is worth the entire price of admission.
Buffalo Bill executes all the fancy shots of last season, but he now dispenses with the man holding the target, seemingly so dangerous.
The prairie on fire is the most realistic scene ever put on the stage.
Buttermilk's trained donkey is a most amusing critter.
The Buffalo Bill drama will draw largely from the surrounding towns.
Secure your seats for the Buffalo Bill entertainment.
(Column 2) [?] The war dance of the Pawnee is a cor rect representation of the real dance of that tribe and is one of the best things in the play. The thrilling scene of the Mountain Meadows massacre is executed with striking effect. Buffalo Bill appears in his own proper character and under his own name and performs with wonderful feats of marksmanship with his rifle. He shoots with accuracy while standing, sit ting, lying and stooping, backward and foward, taking aim from a looking glass knocking an apple from the head of a young lady. Whip lashing the ashes from a cigar in the mouth of a man. The Irishman and his donkey form an amusing feature of the menagerie, and the star who takes the part of the grizzly bear, makes an excellent [?].
From Oakland, Cal. Oakland Tribune
The hero of the stage the past week has been Buffalo Bill and thousands of people have flocked to the California, to see and hear this world-famous scout and guide play the role he has for years acted in real life amid the wilds of our country. It was estimated that fourteen hundred children attended the matinee yesterday. It was a sight rarely to be seen and not soon to be forgotten.
From San Francisco. [?] Everybody knows Buffalo Bill, and every boy in America worships the long haired scout whose name is known on the plains from the Missouri to the Rio Grande. His escapes and bravery have given him a romantic attraction, like that which Othello gained in the eyes of Des demona when he recounted his tales of danger by flood and field. 'Tis not to be wondered at, then, that the placard, "Standing room only," is displayed night ly in the vestibule of the California.
San Francisco Evening Post The California stage was a curious sight last evening with the Indians in full Sioux costumes, horses, emigrant wagons, a mule and all the etceteras of the plains. The auditorium was a curious sight, too, for the orchestra and dress circle were full, the balcony had no standing room and the gallery was packed with an eager crowd, whose plaudits when Buffalo Bill appeared were earsplitting. The fashion able world was well represented, and the engagement opened most prosperous in all respects.
San Francisco Argonaut What would not Frank Mayo give for this genuine frontier accent which hangs upon the lips of Buffalo Bill and will not sway * * * He is a big, hand some young fellow, and has many accom plishments * * * He can snap a whip in such a way that everyone jumps and thinks an Aldstrar cannon has gone off He handles a bowie knife like a [?] [?] A heavy revolver is simply a gleaming toy in his hands and he swings a rifle around as if it were a rib bon.
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BUFFALO BILL
A great attraction will be presented at the Academy of Music tonight, when Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody) appears in his startling drama "The Knight of the Plains, or Buffalo Bill's Best Trial." The play is full of startling scenes and thrilling incidents. It is not by any means a "blood and thunder" drama, but is a faithful portrayal of border life. Mr.Cody introduces his wonderful feats with the rifle, and is assisted in the play by genuine Pawnee Indians, all of whom will appear in a grand street parade today. Among the many scenes to be presented tonight will be a realistic prairie fire, a Cheyenne gambling den, etc., all of which will be true to nature. No one should miss this opportunity of seeing Buffalo Bill and his strong combination. Tickets 25, 50, and 75 cents. Reserved seats can be procured at Fowler's.