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BUFFALO BILL.
To-morrow night Buffalo Bill, the sanguinary hero of the western plains, will holds the boards at the Academy in a play written by John A. Stevens. and called, for convenience sake. "Praire Waif." Hon. Wm. F. Cody and a buckskin suit play the principal part, and a band of howling Indians and other actors and actresses of more or less merit take secondary positions. "Prairie Waif" is probably not the worst play in America, but it draws nearly as well as a real bad one. Mr. Bill never fails to fill the house chuck full every time he comes here and he gets more genuine applause than all the stars of a season combined. We predict for him a full house, and are willing to pay all the expenses and share profits. Lawrence Barrett would probably play here to less than expenses. 'Twas ever thus The Nebraska City Daily Press says of Buffalo Bill: "The largest audience ever assembled in Nebraska City greeted Hon. Wm. F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill," and troupe at the German Opera House last night. Hundreds were turned away, and standing room was at a premium. Each and every actor and actress rendered their parts perfectly and satisfactorily to all parties. The play, "Prairie Waif," is a powerful American drama, and abounds in historical and picturesque truth, illustrating and relating the struggles between the originals and the pioneers of the frontier. The Press has not the space to particularity the strong cast which has been made with special regard to fitness, but the combination of twenty-four artists is first-class in every particular."
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ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
Wednesday, Nov. 30th,
The Noted Scout, Hon. Wm. F. Cody, BUFFALO BILL!
And His Mammoth COMBINATION!
The beautiful Sioux Indian Princess, Ho-Nu-Kaw, the first born, and Harry E. Burgress, the Boy Chief of the Pawnees, the youngest chief of whom any record is given. A genuine band of noted Winnebago
INDIAN CHIEFS!
Supported by
A Powerful Dramatic Company!
Producing Buffalo Bill's new drama, written expressly for him, by John. A. Stevens, author of Unkown, entitled the
PRAIRIE WAIF
A Story of the Far West,
Fancy rifle shooting by Buffalo Bill, who is acknowledged pre-eminent and alone.
A grand street parade, with Buffalo Bill's Concert Band and Orchestra.
Reserved seats, 75c. For sale at C. R. Woodworth's.
Wm. F. Cody Proprietor and Manager.
Josh E. Ogden Entertainment Manager
Harry Sellers, General Agent
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BUFFALO BILL
That the taste of Fort Wayne amusement patrons is slowly but surely improving, we firmly believe. This belief was materially strengthened when we noticed the comparatively slim audience which assembled last night at the Academy to see Buffalo Bill, in his very queer alleged drama, called for convenience sake, "Prarie Waif." In the past the mere announcement that Buffalo Bill would appear in a drama was sufficient to crowd to the utmost capacity the largest auditorium in the city, and upon the occasion of his last visit here, standing room was at a premium, and many were turned from the door. In happy contrast last night, any number of vacant seats were visible in the Academy, nobody stood up nor was turned away, and the house did not represent over $200 or possibly $250. The audience, too, was composed principally of that class who would not pay 25 cents to see Booth or Irving in their greatest successes. Of the play and its performance little can be said that would flatter the author or the actor (?) "Prairie Waif" is the result of a distorted imagination of John A. Stevens, and is probably as bad as that exceedingly bad dramatist could make it. There is absolutely nothing to it. The plot is almost entirely forgotten in the weary movements of performers, and what little is left, is lost in the specialties that are unexpectedly fired at the audience. Why it is that "Prairie Waif ever survived the first night we never can nor expect to understand. It is tolerably well mounted, but that is all.
Buffalo Bill, the leading character is just as bad as he probably could be, and we are proud to say, that to his credit, he himself admits that he has some doubts as to his histrionic abilities. His marksmanship with a rifle, which is introduced as a special feature, is anything but remarkable. There is a young man in this city who, at same distance--twenty feet--
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with a rifle, which is introduced as a special feature, is anything but remarkable. The is a young man in this city who, at same distance--twenty feet- can do everything that Buffalo Bill did, and much more, and moreover, will fail less frequently. The support was almost without an exception, equally as bad as the star. Jule Keen as Hans in his specialties, was passable; Mrs. Lingard as Sadie, ditto, and Wilson Charles as Capt Russell, was endurable, The company included some genuine Indians, and they were, perhaps, more acceptable than their pale-faced brethren. It is expecting too much to hope that Mr. Cody will never come again with "Praire Waif," but if it hopes are of any avail, he should be kept away.
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AMUSEMENTS.
To-morrow evening Nov. 7th, "Buffalo Bill" (W. F. Cody) will appear at the Opera House supported by his own company in the play "The Prairie Waif." The troupe includes a troupe of Indians in which is an Indian maiden said to be the most beautiful of her tribe. Another feature is a uniformed band and orchestra. Not the least of the attractions offered is Buffalo Bill's donkey Jerry. The play "Prairie Waif" is said to be an improvement on the plays Buffalo Bill has heretofore appeared in. The seats are for sale at Skinner's. Prices 75, 50, and 35 cents; no extra charge.