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Milwaukee Chronicle
AMUSEMENTS.
AT THE ACADEMY
Last evening at the Academy of Music the Buffalo Bill combination presented the popular drama entitled, "Prairie Waif" or "a story of the far west," to an immense audience, the house being packed from parquette to gallery and even standing room being at a premium. This troupe is one of the most popular traveling, and the play one of the best border dramas ever placed upon the stage. It is different from those presented here before by the same company from the absence of vulgar expressions in it. The plot is simple, yet very instructive, interesting, and laughable. Onita, a little praire flower, is captured by the redskins and Mormons, and after ten years time, is discovered by Buffalo Bill, rescued and taken back to her father, after thrilling skirmishes and desperate encounters. Buffalo Bill of course, is the central figure, and deservedly obtained the applause of the large audience present. His sharp shooting was excellent and his acting vigorous and natural. Some of the points he made last night were very effective and artistic and it is but just to say that he has wonderfully improved as an actor, and is now the champion frontier character of the stage. Mark Stanley, and also Jim and Jack Hardy were well represeted. Hans, Old Dutch personified, "takes the cake." This character is depicted by Jule Keene who is one of the best Dutch comedians in this country, and provoked continual meriment throughout. Onita, the flower of the occasion, was represented by Miss Lizzie Fletcher, who won the respect and admiration of the entire audience, and is a firs class actress. The part of Sadie, was well taken by Miss Connie Thompson. To-night will conclude this successful engagement and doubtless the house will be filied.

A demonstrative audience last evening completely filled the Academy of Music on the opening night of Buffalo Bill's combination. The manner in which the drama of "Pairie Waif" was placed on the boards more than fulfilled the expectations of the audience, which testified its appreciation of the many thrilling scenes with which this play abounds, by frequent , and most hearty applause. The leading role of "Buffalo Bill," by the Hon. Win. F. Cody, was eminently successful, if the frequent bursts of applause with which he is greeted by any criterion. The rendition of the character of "Onita," the heroine and "Prairie Waif," by Miss Lizzie Fletcher was exceptionably good, as may also be said of the "Sadie" of Miss Connie Thompson, both of whom did full justice to their parts. The irrpressible "Hans," by Jule Keen, produced the most excessive laughter, particularly in the scene in which he exhibits the most self-sufficient complacency on being rescued from death by a blood thirsty Indian. Harry Clifton and George T. James, as the Danities, are also deserving of mention. The Mark Stanley, of R. C. White; the Gen. Brown of Robert Neill; the Lone Deer of William Wright, and the Yellow Hand, of Harry Melmer, were each portrayed with the faithfulness intended by the author of the play. One of the chief attractions of the evening was the fine exhibition of markmanship by Buffalo Bill, in which the many difficult feats performed drew forth from the audience many marked tokens of appreciation. The war dance of the Indians was given with terrible zest, and was followed by the medicine dance, none the less weird than the other distorted attitudes. Altogether the performance was well appreciated by the audience. The matinee this afternoon was also attended with a large and well pleased audience. Those who desire to see a play of sensational and romantic scenes, mingled with not a little of genuine fun, would do well to attend the last performance of Buffalo Bill to-night.

BUFFALO BILL'S BLARNEY.
A SENTINEL SCALPER WITH THE SCOUT AND HIS BIG INDIANS.

A HAPPY RECOGNITION PRESERVES HIS REMAINING HAIR-- CODY'S OPINION OF THE ARMY AND THE THIEVING AGENTS-- MISUSED REDSKINS-- SITTING BULL AND CAPT. JACK-- ANOTHER INDIAN WAR INEVITABLE.

According to the bills, "Hon. W. F. Cody" has been playing at the Academy of Music for two nights and a matinee in a grand spectacular sort of drama, in which "Buffalo Bill" was the hero, and which "Buffalo Bill" was the hero, and which is replete with stage thunder, red fire, scalp dances and Cheyenne warriors. Buffalo Bill, being none other than Mr. Cody himself, is well known as a frontiersman, scout and Indian slayer, and the idea suggested itself that perhaps some information of interest concerning the vexed Indian problem could be obtained from him. Accordingly, a bald- headed member of The Sentinel's staff was detailed to interview him, being convinced that by reason of his barrenness he could face the savage warriors with impunity. At the close of the matinee, yesterday, the reporter in question waited in the hall-way for an introduction to the presence of the great scout of the western wilds. Mr. Cody was

Washing Off His War Paint
when the b.h. reporter timidly rapped at the door of his dressing room. A remarkably savage warrior pulled the door partially ajar and in choice Cheyenne inquired: "Well, now, what's the matter with you?" "A reporter would like to interview Mr. Cody." Mr. Cody appeared, slightly disarranged, and begged a few moments' time to arrange his toilet. Meantime, the painted savage was closely scanning the reporter's features, as if in search of some strawberry mark. At last a broad smile illuminated his swarthy face and he said: "Hallo, old man! I haven't seen you before since the fire. Come in!" Feeling that the remnant of is scalp was safe, the reporter entered, and the wild warior introduced him to the scout of the westen wilds, who received him a cordial greeting, and at once asked after his friend Capt. Charley King, late adjutant of the Fifth United States Cavalry.

The reporter informed Mr. Cody that Capt. King was now at the State University at Madison, employed in teaching the young idea how to shoot according to the practise regulations of the amy.

"I should like to see Charley," said Buffalo Bill. "He is a brave man and a splendid soldier. He was present at my killing of Yellow Hand, the Cheyenne Chief, which we have introduced in our play. He was

A Splendid Little Officer,
brave as a lion. Always volunteering for posts of danger, and always ready to go to the front."

By this time Mr. Cody was in his civilized costume, and the reporter looked him over. Tall, straight as an arrow, handsome in feature and pleasing in address, he is the idea of physial manhood, and his conversation is much more easy and fluent than one would suppose possible. Taking a seat, he signified his readiness to be interviewed, and the reporter proceeded:

"Mr. Cody, do you know anything about Ouray's successor?"

"No; I don't even know who he is. I have paid no attention to the Utes lately. I understand Ouray is dead, and I know nothing later."

"You are familiar with the Utes, are you not?"

"Not so much so as I am with the Cheyennes, Arapahoes and Sioux. At the late Ute war, however, I was the first one Gen. Sheridan telegraphed to, to go forward as scout. I have been a guide in the Department of the Platte for eighteen years. I was in fifty-two fights in which the Fifth Cavalry, Capt. King's regiment, were engaged. King, however, was away much of that time, on detached service."

"Are you familiar with Ute character?"

"The Indians are all about the same in character. I think they have been badly used. I have led the army against them as a scout, but always with regret. They have their side of the story. For honesty and virtue, I think the Indians are ahead of the whites. They have been
ROBBED BY THIEVING AGENTS,
ever since Grant's administration. I hope for a change in the Indian policy, with a change of administration, which I think sure to come. For a hundred years the government has been trying to find out what to do with the Indians, and they don't know now. I never knew a treaty with them but what was first broken by the whites. You saw the dispatch this morning about Capt. Payne? I skirmished with him for years. He wanted me to go with him into the Indian Territory, but I thought it was wrong. We have no right to take their lands away without pay."

"What is your idea about turning them over to the War Department?"

"It would do with some. With others it would not. Those self-sustaining Indians should be allowed the same privileges as the whites, and treated as well, so long as they behave themselves. They should have the same laws. You can't drive a wild Indian into civilization. They must be led into it.

THE UTE WAR

was brought on by the whites. The miners went into their reservations because there was gold there. Some Indians were killed and some whites. Then they called for troops and Thornburg came with his men--and got licked. They say Indians are treacherous. If they get away with the white officers I think they are good soldiers. They never got ahead of me by jumping out from behind rocks. I think Capt. Jack the general in America. With seventy-five men he kept a whole army back for forty-seven days.

"Do you think the Utes any more treacherous than the balance?"

"No, I do not. Nor any more than the whites. Where is the white man who would not fight if everything was taken away from him? I'm dog-goned if I wouldn't. Give every man a show. They were here first, and have a better right here than we have."

"Do you know Sitting Bull, Mr. Cody?"

"I knew him when I was a boy. Of his recent movements I know nothing except through the press. I have not seen him for many years."

"Is he, as report says, an educated man?"

'No, sir! He can't speak a word of English. Do you know how he got his name? The Indians take their names from some transaction in their lives. Well, one time he shot a buffalo in the loins, and it fell on it haunches. He mounted its back, and thus got

THE NAME OF SITTING BULL."

"Is he intelligent?"

"He is a great warrior. He handles his men well and has a thorough knowledge of the country."

"What do you think of the future of the Sioux?"

"I think they will all drift back again."

"Do you think Sitting Bull will ever become civilized?"

"I can't tell. He says he will never surrender, but others have said so and still have given up. Do you know, I think there will be another general Indian war before this thing is settled. There are a great many dissatisfied Indians."

"Do you think the army large enough for such an emergency?"

"Oh, yes! The standing army might be larger, but the militia system is growing so that in a short time a magnificent army could be raised. They are all learning to shoot, too. Another war, and the privates would pretty much all know which end of the gun goes off."

"You are confident

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER WAR?"

"Oh, yes. And they will make it warm, too. The Indians are all well armed, and, according to the old adage, they believe 'in time of peace prepare for war.' They are all the time hiding away ammunition."

"Would you turn out, in such an event, if called on?

"Oh I suppose so; but it would be with regret. You see, my own home would be in danger. Dakota, Wyoming, and northwesten Nebraska would suffer badly. There are many Sioux there."

Mr. Cody then related instances of thieving on the part of agents, that had come within his knowledge, asserting that by giving the War Department control of the uncivilized savages this sort of thing would stop.

Anybody who imagines Buffalo Bill to be no more than a howling terror of the plains makes a mistake.