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with a battalion of the regiment across the country from Fort Lyon, Colo., to Fort McPherson, Neb., during May, 1869, and was engaged en route in the combat at Beaver Creek, Kan., where he rendered an important and brilliant service by carrying dispatches from a detached party to the cavalry camp after a soldier courier had been driven back by the Indians; and again at Spring Creek, Neb., three days later, where, when the advance guard under Lieutenant Babcock was surrounded by a large force of the enemy, he was distinguished for coolness and bravery.
"Cody was appointed chief scout and guide for the Republican River expedition of 1869, and was conspicuous during the pursuit of the Dog Soldiers, under the celebrated Cheyenne chief, Tall Bull, to Summit Springs, Colo. He also guided the Fifth Cavalry to a position whence the regiment was enabled to charge upon the enemy, and win a brilliant victory. He afterward participated in the Niobrara pursuit, and later narrowly escaped death at the hands of hostile Sioux on Praire Dog Creek, Kan., Septemeber 26, 1869. He was assigned to Fort McPherson when the expedition was disbanded, and served at that station (was a Justice of the Peace in 1871) until the Fifth Cavalry was transferred to Arizona. He served during this period with several expeditions, and was conspicuous for gallant conduct in the Indian combat at Red Willow and Birdwood Creeks, and also for successful services as chief scout and guide of the buffalo hunt which was arranged by General Sheridan for the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia.
"Cody was then assigned to duty with the Third Cavalry, and served with that regiment until the fall of 1872, when he was elected a member of the Nebraska Legislature, and thus acquired the title of 'Honorable,' But accepting the advice of Eastern friends, he resigned his seat in the Legislature and also his position of scout and guide at Fort McPherson, and proceeded to Chicago, where he made his first appearance as an actor in a drama entitled 'The Scouts of the Plains,' winning an instant success.
"At the beginning of the Sioux War in 1876, he hastened to Cheyenne, Wyo., joined the Fifth Cavalry, which had recently returned from Arizona, and was engaged in the affair at War Bonnet (Indian Creek), Wyo., where he killed in a hand-to-hand combat the Cheyenne Chief, Yellow Hand. He then accompanied the Fifth Cavalry to Goose Creek, Mont., and served with the Big Horn and Yellowstone expedition until September, when business engagements compelled him to return to the Eastern States. Cody abundantly proved during this campaign that he had lost none of his old-time skill and daring in Indian warfare. He enjoys a brilliant reputation as a scout and guide, which has been fairly earned by faithful and conspicuous service.
"He is modest and unassuming, and free from the common faults of the typical frontiersman. His present lucrative business has made him widely known throughout the country. He has valuable property interests at North Platte, Neb., and is owner of an extensive cattle ranch of Dismal River, 65 miles north of North Platte, having for a partner in the business Major Frank North, who is well known as the whilom commander of the celebrated Pawnee scouts.
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"William F. Cody is one of the best scouts and guides that ever rode at the head of a column of cavalry on the prairies of the Far West. His army friends, from general to private, hope that he may live long and prosper abundantly.
"Should the wild Sioux again go on the war-path, Cody, if living, will be found with the cavalry advance, riding another 'Buckskin Joe,' and carrying his Springfield rifle, 'Lucretia,' across the pommel of his saddle."
FROM COL. DODGE'S "THIRTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS." - Page 628.
"Of ten men employed as scouts nine will prove to be worthless; of fifty so employed one may prove to be really valuable, but, though hundreds, even thousands of men have been so employed by the Government since the war, the number of really remarkable men among them can be counted on the fingers. The services which these men are called on to perform are so important and valuable that the officer who benefits by them is sure to give the fullest credit, and men honored in official reports come to be great men on the frontier. Fromon'ts reports made Kit Carson a renowned man. Custer immortalized California Joe. Custer, Merritt and Carr made William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) a plains celebrity : UNTIL TIME SHALL BE NO MORE.'"
A LEGISLATOR. - The late Phocian Howard journalistically records the fact: - "We were present in the Nebraska Legislature when Mr. Cody's resignation was read, and, knowning his practical qualities, his thorough knowledge of important questions then demanding attention in border legislation, his acquantance with the Indian problem - the savage's deadly for in battle, their generous friend in peace - great was our disappointment in his refusing to continue in political life, choosing to be, what he really is a true 'Knight of the Plains.' On the frontier, even there his name a household word, deservedly is the famous scout popular throughout the land, standing, as he has, a leader among the manly pioneer barriers between civilization and savagery, risking all that the 'Star of Empire might force its westward way.' We know Bill Cody well, having been with him in three campaigns among the Indians, the last being the memorable Custer campaign under Crook, on the Big Horn, against the Sitting Bull Sioux, and we bear kind witness that buffalo Bill is the idol of the army and frontiersmen, and the dread and terror of the war-bonneted Indian. At the last session of the Nebraska Legislature he received a large complimentary vote for United States Senator."
A PEN PICTURE - Curtis Guild, prietor and editor of the conservative Commericial Bulletin, Boston, writes : "Raised on the frontier, he has passed through every grade, and won fame in each line, while to be proficient in one brings celebrity sufficient to gratify most ambitions. Thus it is he holds supremacy in fact, and receives from his associates an adoration surpassing even his public popularity. Visitors to the camp, early the other morning, found him joining in every frolic, game and contest, with each and all, and generally excelling; in shooting in running, in jumping, in trails of srength, feats of agility, horsemanship, handling the ribbons behind four or six, riding the vicious mustang, manipulating the revolver, etc., tackling each specialist, and coming to the front with a generous modesty admired by the defeated.
"No lover of the human race, no man with an eye for the picturesque, but must have enjoyed the very sight of these pioneers of civilization. Never was a finer picture of American manhood presented than when Buffalo Bill stepped out to show the capabilities of the Western teamster's ship. Tall beyond the lot of ordinary mortals, straight as an arrow, not an ounce of useless flesh upon his limbs, but every muscle firm and hard as the sinews of a stag, with the frank, kindly eye of a devoted friend, and a natural coutrly grace of manner which would become a marshal of France, Buffalo Bill is from spur to sombrero one of the finest types of manhood this continent has ever produced. Those who had expectedto meet a different class of men must have been pleasantly surprised in these genuine sons of the plains, every one of whom was stamped with the natural easy grace and courtesty of manner which marks the man who is born a gentleman."
As an Educator. - The nationally known Brick Pomperoy thus writes: "One of the pronounced, positive, strong men of the West is Hon. Wm. F. Cody, of Nebraska, known quite generally the world over as 'Buffalo Bill.' A sturdy, generous, positive character, who, as hunter, guide, scout, Government officer, member of the Legislature, and gentleman, rises to the equal of every emergency into which his way is opened for directed. Quick to think and to act, cool in all cases of pleasure or extreme danger; versatile in his genius; broad and liberal in his ideas; progressive in his mentality, he can no more keep still or settle down into a routine work incidental to office or farm life than an eagle can thive in a cage.
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"The true Western man is free, fearless, generous and chivalrous. Of this class Hon. Wm. F. Cody, 'Buffalo Bill,' is a bright representative. As a part of his rushing career he has brought together material for what he correctly terms a Wild West Exhbition. I should call it a Wild West Reality. The idea is not merely to take in money from those who witness a very lively exhibition, but to give the people in the East a correct representation of life on the plains, and the incidental life of the hardy, brave, intelligent pioneers, who are the first to blaze the way to the future homes and greatness of America. He knows the worth and sturdiness of true Western character, and as a lover of his country, wishes to present as many facts as possible to the public, so that those who will can see actual pictures of life in the West, brought to the East for the inspection and education of the public.
" 'Buffalo Bill' has brought the Wild West to the doors of the East. There is more of real life, of genuine interest, of positive education in this startling exhibition than I have ever before seen, and it is true to nature and life as it really is with those who are smoothing the way for millions to follow. All of this imaginary Romeo and Juliet business stinks to utter insignificance in comparison to the drama of existence as is here so well enacted, and all the operas in the world appear like pretty playthings for emasculated children by the side of the setting of reality and the music of the frontier as so faithfully and extensively presented and so cleverly managed by this incomparable representative of Western pluck, coolness, bravery, independence and generosity. I wish every person east of the Missouri River could see this true, graphic picture of wild Western life; they would known more and think better of the genuine men of the West.
"I wish there were more progessive educators like Wm. F. Dody in this world.
"He deserves well for his efforts to please and to instruct in matters important to America and indicents that are passing away never more to return."
Could a man now living have stood on the shore of the Red Sea, and witnesses the passage of the children of Israel and the struggle of Pharoh and his hosts, what a sight he wold have seen, and how interested would be those to whom he related the story. Could the man who stood on the shore to see Washington, and his soldiers cross the Delaware have lived till now to tell the story, what crowds he would have to listen. How interesting would be the story of a man, if he were now living, who had witnessed the landing of Colombus on the shores of the New World, or the story of one of the hardy English Puritans who took passage on the "Mayflower," and landed on the rockbound coast of New England. So, too, of the angel who has seen the far West become tame and dotted under the advancing civilization, as the pioneers fought their way westward into desert and jungle. What a story he can relate as to the making of that history. And what a hisotry America has, to be sure ! From the mouth of the Hudson River to the shores of the Pacific, men, women and children have conquered the wilderness by going to the front and staying there - not by crowding into cities and living as do worms, by crawling through each other and devouring the leavings.
Since the railraod gave its aid to pioneering, America is making history faster than any
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other country in the world. Her pioneers are fast passing away. A few years more and the great struggle for possession will be ended, and generations will settle down to enjoy the homes their fathers located and fenced in for them. Then will come the picture maker--he who, with pen, pencil and panel, can tell the story as he understands it. Then millions will read and look at what the pioneer did and what the historian related, wishing the while that they could have been there to have seen the original. These are of the thoughts to crowd in upon us as we view the great living picture that the HON. WM. F. CODY ("BUFFALO BILL") gives at the Wild West Exhibition, which every man, woman and child the world over should see and study as a realistic fact.
We see audiences of thousands each night--statesmen, artists, military men, teachers, workers, musicians, business men, politicians, artisans, mechanics and others who desire to know as much as possible of the history of America.
We see "BUFFALO BILL," the last of the six greatest scouts this country has ever known, viz., BOONE, CROCKETT, CARSON, BRIDGER, "WILD BILL," and "BUFFALO BILL,"--to our mind the greatest and most remarkable of all--a man whom this country will never duplicate. A nonesuch to the credit of Nature, the world and the mental and physical material of which he was formed, as one made to do a certain great work. A man in the prime of his life, who, from the age of ten years, has fought fate and all adverse circumstances, and never to a loss. A man who is a man; as a scout; as a pioneer; as a Government officer; as an Indian fighter; as a mighty hunter; as a man of honor, and of more than ordinary skill and courage commanding admiration--deserving of recognition as a great character in American history. A natural man of the highest order.--Editorial, New York Democrat, June 5, 1886.
[Image] OLD TIME CAMP IN THE WILD WEST; OR ON THE PLATTE IN 1857.
BUFFALO BILL AT HOME--HIS GREAT SUCCESS ABROAD. (From the North Platte Telegraph, 1884.)
"North Platte should be congratulated on the possession of a citizen whose prominence or position is not bounded by his township, his country, or his State, but whose name is a household word, whose pictures are familiar, and whose character is known, not only throughout the nation, but has adorned pages and interest the readers of foreign works and publications. We allude to our fellow citizen, Hon. W. F. Cody, whose sobriquet of 'Buffalo Bill' represents a popularity only bounded by the area of American territory, and to which we, who live by his own fireside, may testify his worthy possession and to the modesty of its wearing. His late return from a successful presentation to the East of some of the animated daily scenes and incidents that go to form the passing history of 'The Wild West' should be
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noted, as are events of importance, as it marks a new era in the history of amusements: - for originally, adherence to truth in 'holding the mirror up to Nature,' and a fidelity to fact that is the 'true aim of art.' The reception accorded to his 'show that is not a show, but an illustration,' in the cultured cities of the East, notably Boston, Chicago, Newport, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Cleveland, must be gratifying to all in North Platte, in fact in Nebraska, where, in the incipiency of the scheme, over a year ago, he demonstrated by courage, pluck and preseverance, its feasibility by its introduction in the festivities of our national birthday celebration, and on the following natal day presented it on the shores of the Atlantic, to the plaudits of over 25,000 delighted Bostonians. The magnitude of the undertaking, the minutae necessary to organizing, the bringing together from all points the best marksmen in the world, securing admirable and fitting representatives of the cattle trade, getting wild buffalo, elk, steers, mules, ponies, specimens of the red terros of the prairie, and other features of interest known only to the pampas of the West - necessitating special trains of cars for transportation, and driving the strange cavalcade through confined Washington Street, Boston, in six weeks after leaving the Platte - was an accomplishment that stamps Cody as a wonder in energy, and gained for him the admiration and ecnomiums of the entire press of the East, recognition from the elite of American society, encouragement from representatives of education, and the indorsement of his methods by the S. P. C. A. and its noted president, Professor Henry Berg."
CODY'S CORRAL; OR, THE SCOUTS AND THE SIOUX, BY "BUCKSKIN SAM,"
A mount-inclosed vallet, close sprinkled with fair flowers, As if a shattered rainbow had fallen there in showers; Bright-plumaged birds were warbling their songs among the trees, Or fluttering their tiny wings in the cooling western breeze. The cottonwoods, by mountan's base, on every side high towers, And the dreamy haze in silence marks the sleepy noontide hour East, south and north, to meet the clouds the lofty mounts arise, Guarding this little valley - a wild Western Paradise. Pure and untrampled as it looks, this lovely flower-strewn sod - One scarce would think that e'er, by man, had such a sward been trod; But yonder, see those wild mustangs by lariat held in check, Tearing up the fairest flora, which fairies might bedeck; And, near a camp-fire's smoke, we see men standing all around - 'Tis strange, fro from them has not come a single word or sound. Standing by cottonwood, with arms close-folded on this breast, Gazing with his eagle eyes up to the mountain's crest, Tall and commanding is his form, and graceful is his mien; As fait in face, as noble, has seldom here been seen. A score or more of frontiersmen recline upon the groun, But starting soon upon their feet, by sudden snort and bound! A horse has sure been frightened by strange scent on the breeze, And glances now by all are cast beneath the towering trees. A quiet sign their leader gives, and mustangs now are broguht; And, by swift-circling lasso, a loose one fast is caught. Then thundering round the mountain's dark adamantine side, A hundred hideous, painted, and fierce Sioux warriors ride; While, from their throats, the well-known and horrible deathknell, The wild blood-curdling war-whoop, and the fierce and fendish yell, Strikes the ears of all, now ready to fight, and e'en to die, In that mount-inclosed valley, beneath that blood-red sky! Now rings throughout the open, on all sides clear and shrill, The dreaded battle-cry of him whom men call Buffalo Bill! On, like a whirlwind, then they dash - the brave scouts of the palins, Their rifle-barrels soft-caressed by mustang's flying manes!
On, like an avalanche, they sweep through the tall prairie grass; Down, fast upon them, swooping, the dread and savage mass! Wild yells of fierce bravado come, and taunts of deep despair; While, through the battle-smoke there flaunts each feathered tuft of hair. And loudly rings the war-cry of feadless Buffalo Bill; And loudly rings the savage yells, which make the blood run chill! The gurgling death-cry mingles with the mustang's shrillest scream, And sound of dull sodden falls and bowie's brightest gleam. At length there slowly rises the smoke from heaps of slain, Whose-wild war-cries will never more ring on the air again. Then, panting and bespattered from the showers of foam and blood. The scouts have once more halted 'neath the shady cottonwood. In haste they are re-loading, and preparing for a sally, While the scattered foe, now desperate, are yelling in the valley. Again are heard revolvers, with their rattling, sharp report; Again the scouts are seen to charge down on that wild cohort. Sioux fall around, like dead reeds, when fiercest norhers blow, And rapid sink in death before their hated pale-face foe! Sad, smothered now is music from the mountain's rippling rill, But wild hurrahs instead are heard from our brave Buffalo Bill, Who, through the thickest carnage charaged ever in the van. And cheered faint hearts around him, since first the fight began. Deeply demoralized, the Sioux fly fast with bated breath. And glances cast of terror along that vale of death; While the victors quick dismounted, and looking all around, On their dead and mangled enemies, who se corse strewed the ground. "I had sworn I would avenge them "- were the words of Buffalo Bill "the mothers and their infants they slew at Medicine Hill. Our work is done - done nobly - I looked for that from you; Boys, when a cause is just, you need but stand firm and true! - Beadle's Weekly.
THE PAWNESS ASTONISHED.
W. F. Cody, although having established his right to the title of "BUFFALO BILL" for years before, had not had opportunity to convince the Pawnees of the justice of his claim previous to the time of the following incident. A short while previously a band or maraudering red-skin renegades from that nation, while on a stealing excursion near Ellsworth, had occasion to regret their temerity, and cause to remember him to the extent of three killed, which fact for a time resulted in an enmity that needed something out of the usual run to establish him in their favor. While on a military expedition, under Gen. E. A. Car, upon