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BUFFALO BILL

Some Interesting Points in the Career of the Famous Scout.

His Nebraska Home and Stock Raising Enterprises.

The name of Buffalo Bill is as well known to the people of this country as that of almost any other living American. It was first brought before the public by the story writer, Ned Buntline, through the columns of the New York Weekly in a series of thrilling sketches of border life, based on facts and incidents connected with the hardy frontier experience of the famous scout. Many who read these tales believed them to be widely exaggerated, and even to this day there are plenty of people who think that the daring deeds of bravery and startling adventures of Buffalo Bill, so familiar to a large element of the public, are wholly untrue and are employed simply as advertising dodges to add popularity to his business. But those who have taken pains to inquire into the true history of the man, those who know Mr. Cody personally, need no further proofs to convince them that he has encountered all the hardships and dangers among the Indians that are so familiarly associated with his name; that as a frontier scout he is without a peer, and that he is in other respects a remarkable man, whose name is likely to be remembered many centuries hence and to be spoken of by the historian when it comes record the incidents incumbent upon the production of civilization of the red man. The significant answer. "A man, every inch of me," made by Mr. Cody in his play of "The Pirate Waif" to one of the villains of the piece, well expresses the make up of him who gave it. Socially, Mr. Cody is one of the most genial of men. Large hearted, frank, courteous and gentlemanly to everybody, he has achieved an acquaintance as broad as the nation. He is, moreover, possessed of an uncommonly high degree of worldly wisdom, much as the latter. Those who have witnessed his skill with the former will readily imagine how expert he may be. His present show season closes the 29th of next month, and another season will not begin till September. He expects to have a new play for next season. One has been written for him by Ingraham and Foster, entitled "Back in Twenty Days," with which Mr. Cody is much pleased. He regards Manchester as the banner town for his business in the east, and next year he intends to visit here on Saturday so as to give two performances, one a matinee. He was induced to go upon the stage by Ned Buntline, and the wisdom of the latter's choice for his friends has been roundly demonstrated. "The Prairied Waif" netted between forty and fifty thousand dollars last season, and promises at the close of this season to exceed the sum. Mr. Cody has for a number of years had a great desire to visit Europe, but he believes in the saying, "Let well enough alone," and as long as he continues to harvest money as rapidly as now, he is content to remain in this country. When he does go, he has a scheme in mind that seems to contain every element of popularity. On his cattle ranche he has twenty young buffaloes that have been running with the cattle until they have become perfectly manageable. these he intends to ship together with a half-dozen of the most fearless Indian riders that he can procure, and a number of expert lassoers. To this combination he will add his own presence, and then give in some large inclosure, an eye exhibition, that he thinks will astonish the natives. There will be an Indian fight on horseback, a buffalo hunt and other exciting features never yet shown in public. Mr. Cody has received numerous flattering offers to make the trip, but when he goes he will do so under his own management.

From time to time there have appeared in print anecdotes of "Buffalo Bill's" traveling experiences, some of which have been rather exciting. The Fred May trouble, the particulars of which were published in these columns at the time are well remembered and were true. Mr. Cody is the last person to seek trouble, and will do considerable to avoid it, but when he is insulted or his business needlessly meddled with, he is likely to prove a hot customer for those who oppose him.

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