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"Buffalo Bill." Buffalo Daily-Courier.
Hon. Wm. F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill") and his company gave the first of two performances at the Academy of Music last evening, and the audience was a large one. The dress circle was well fitted, there was no unoccupied room in the family circle, and as for the gallery, that proved utterly inadequate and several scores of gods failed to gain admission.
The play was "The Prairie Waif," written expressly for Mr. Cody by John A. Stevens, author of "Unknown," and is, we think, the best border drama Mr. Cody has in his repertoire. Of course, Mr. Cody appeared in his original role of Buffalo Bill, and played his part in a way peculiar to himself. He has the benefit of exciting situations and strong climaxes and figures in them to good advantage. As everybody knows, he is a fine looking fellow, graceful in manner and gentlemanly in deportment. He can draw a knife, pull a revolver and handle a rifle more gracefully and effectively than any man we know of, and he never fails to bring down the house in the heroic scenes. His role was well sustained and his performance showed a versatility which pleased the audience exceedingly. The supporting company is the best he has ever played here. The "Mark Stanley" of Mr. R. C. White is a good performance; the "Jim Hardie" and "Jack Hardie" of Harry Clifton and George James are well taken care of ; Mr. Jule Keen is very funny as "Hans," and the other gentlemen in the cast are unexceptionable.
Wm. F. Cody, or better known as "Buffalo Bill," will appear at the new Opera House next Saturday, October 8th.
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-Buffalo Bill, who will appear here on the 10th inst., in "The Prairie Waif," had a narrow escape in Council Bluffs on Monday night. He had finished his night's work at the theater and was returning to his hotel, when an unknown man rushed up and fired three shots at him, none of which, fortunately, took effect. Bill did not retaliate, as the man ran away too fast.
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-"Buffalo Bill" has secured a fine advertisement. It is better than the "wild animal escaped" of the circuses. He has been fired at, three times, by a crank in Omaha. Bisom William couldn't have bought such an advertisement as this little job has given him for a good many hundred dollars.
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BUFFALO BILL.
His Attempted Assassination at Omaha -Three Shots Fired at Him.
The following particulars of the attempted assassination Hon. W. F. Cody, better known as "Buffalo Bill," are gleaned from The Omaha Republican of Wednesday:
In Council Bluffs, on Monday evening, as Buffalo Bill and wife and two daughters and Dr. Powell and his wife, were walking to the Ogden house after the performance at the theater, a horseman rode up within two rods of the party and fired three shots at Buffalo Bill, who, with his companions, narrowly escaped being hit. The unkown horseman then turned and rode off. The mystery was investigeated as soon as possible, and it was found that a short time before the shooting a man named Benedict applied at a livery stable for a saddle horse and for some reason the hostler refused, and when the desperado drew a revolver and ordered him to saddle the best horse in the barn, which of course was promptly done. After the shooting he rode a short distance, threw away the saddle and turned the horse loose. Several men witnessed the shooting and could easily identify the would-be assassin, and among them was Mr. Josh E. Ogden, Buffalo Bill's business manager. The police were notified of the affair, and commenced searching the town. The finding of the horse and saddle was evidence that the man had not left the city. Mr. Ogden went to several hotels, and it was afterward found that Benedict had followed him, and at one place inquired who the man was who was looking after him. Finally Benedict turned up at the Ogden house and asked Buffalo Bill if he thought he was the man who did the shooting. Mr. Cody identified him, and he was taken by the police. When searched a revolver was found on him, with chambers empty, and is supposed to be the weapon with which he did the shooting.
Yesterday he was brought before the police court and was again thoroughtly identified, and was held on the charge of highway robbery, as he forced the liveryman to give him a horse and saddle.
Buffalo Bill, owing to his business engagements, could not remain to prosecute him on the charge of shooting with intent to kill. The prisoner is thought to be a Western man, and is either crazy or was drunk or had some fancied grievance against Buffalo Bill. The motive of his action is as yet a mystery.
Buffalo Bill emphatically denies that it was a put-up advertising job, as he does not care to advertise in that way as long as printer's ink is plenty.
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Buffalo Bill.
The New York Herald, in speaking of "Buffalo Bill," who appears at the new opera-house to-night, says:
Buffalo Bill made a triumphant debut in his new play. The "Prairie Waif" was produced for the first time at the Windsor theatre last evening. Buffalo Bill was of course, the central figure and deservedly obtained the recognition of the large audience present. His sharp-shooting was excellent and his acting was vigorous and natural. Some of the points he made last night were very effective and artistic. It is but just to say that he has wonderfully improved as an actor. He has selected for his company artists who are mindful of the public demand for clever acting.