16
10
"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. Fremont's 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, knowing his practical qualities, his thorough knowledge of important questions then demanding attention in border legislation, his acquantance with the Indian problem--the savages, deadly foe 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, standin, 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, propietor and editor of the conservative Commercial 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 sufficent to gratify most ambitious. Thus it is he bolds 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, fame and contest, with each and all, and generally exvelling; in shooting, in running, in jumping, in trials of strength, 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 whip. 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 stage, with the frank, kindly eye of a devoted friend, and a natural courtly grace of manner which would become a marshal of France, Buffalo Bill is from spur to sombrero once of the finest types of manhood this continent has ever produced. Those how had expected to 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 courtesy of manner which marks the man who is born a gentlman."
AS AN EDUCATOR.--The nationally known Brick Pomeroy 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 charcter, 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 or 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 thrive in a cage
17
11
"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 Exhibition. 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 as 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 sinks to utter insignificance in comparison to the drama of existence tha tis 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 nad the music of the frontier 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 know more and think better of the genuine men of the West.
"I wish there were more progressive educators like Wm. F. Cody in this world.
"He deserves well for his efforts to please and to instruct in mater important to America and incidents that are passing away never more to return." ________
(Picture) SITTING BULL AND BUFFALO BILL. FOES IN '75--FRIENDS IN '85.
Could a man now living have stood on the shore of the Red Sea, and witnessed the passage of the children of Israel and the struggle of Pharaoh and his hosts, what a sight he would 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 has witnessed the landing of Columbus 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 rock-bound 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 whawt a history 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 livign as do worms, by crawling through each other and devouring the leavings.
Since the railroad gave its aid to pioneering, America is making history faster than any
18
12
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 comes 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 on the whole that they could have been there to have seen the original. These are some of the thoughts to crowd in upon 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 countyr will never duplicate. A nonsuch 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 life, who, form 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 tha 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.
(Picture) 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 county or his State, but whose name is a household word, whose pictures are familiar, and whose characer is known not only throughout the nation, but has adorned pages and interested the readers of foreign works and publications. We allude to our fellow-citizen, Hon. Wm. 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 the modesty of its wearing. His late return form 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
19
noted, as are events of importance, as it marks a new era in the history of amusements :- for originality, adherence to truth in 'holding the mirror up to Mature,' 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 incpipiency of the scheme, over a year ago, he demonstrated by courage, pluck, and perseverance, 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 minutiae 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 terrors 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 encomiums 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 Bergh.
MAVERICK JOE. BY NATHAN KIRK GRIGGS.
- From Lyrics of the Lariat.
Don't know Of Maverick Joe, That buster of brooms in cheif, And who, As every one knew. Waxed rich a Maverick theif?
It's strange. Out here on the range. That you haven't known of his name, Nor heard How ranchers were stirred Because of his Maverick fame.
Wel, then, I'll whisper again. That tale of the cow and her kid, Altho' Thought Maverick Joe, The trick was a corker they did.
Out West, With lncre unblest, He rangled for others a eyar, While budge, As well you may judge, Occasion'ly offered him cheer.
One day, With poker the play That game by no tenderfood learned - I hear He restled a steer, That wasn't quite honestly earned.
And then, He built him a den, Way our where the punchers were few. And there, Tho' not by the square, He soon to a cattle0king grew,
'Twas queer How often that steer Raised calves for his Maverick "X" (cross), Tho' now, I'm bound to allow, His gain was some other tribe's loss.
One noon, Along about June, A Maverick daisy he saw - The best, And one that he guessed He'd own by the Maverick law.
And so He rastled it low. And gave it a touch of his brand, Then smiled, For fortune beguiled. That happiest chump in the land.
Next morn, As sure as I'm born, It chanced that a round up begun, And then, Some blundering men Caught on to the caper he'd done.
For now, They circled a cow, One bearing a (square) on her side. That bawled, And motherly called, At sight of his Maverick pride.
The kid Then bellowed and slide, And buckled right in for a meal ; And - well, It's idle to tell The feelings he couldn't conceal.
Tho' caught, He swore it was bought Where never a sweller was nigh ; But all, Tho' praising his gail, Yet reckoned, no cattle would lie.
And thus, That ornery cuss Got "cinched" on account of that pair ; Because, By cattlemens laws, A "X" shouldn't tackle a (square).
-------------------
THE PAWNEES 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 of marauding 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. Carr, upon
20
14
(Picture) HUNTING THE BISON.
the Republican, he met Major North and the Pawnee scouts. One day a herd of buffalo were descried, and CODY desired to join in the hunt. The Indians objected, telling the Major, "The white talker would only scare them away." Seventy-three Indians attacked the herd and killed twenty three. Later in the day another herd was discovered, and Major North insisted that the white chief have a chance to prove his skill. After much grumbling they acquiesced grudgingly, and with ill-concealed smiles of decision consented to be spectators. Judge of their surprise when CODY charged the herd, and single-handed and alone fairly amazed them by killing forty-eight buffaloes in fifty minutes, thus forever gaining their admiration and a firm frienship that has since often accrued to his benefit.
COLONEL ROYALL'S WAGONS.
Once, upon the South Fork of the Solomon, Col. Royall ordered CODY to kill some buffalo that were in sight to feed his men, but declined to send his wagons until assured of the game. Bill rounded the herd, and, getting them in a line for camp, drove them in and killed seven near headquarters; or, as the Colonel afterward laughingly remarked, "furnishing grub and his own transportation."
THE BOW AND ARROW.
The bow is the natural weapon of the wild tribes of the West. Previous to the introduction of firearms it was the weapon supreme of every savage's outfit--in fact, his principal dependence, backed by personal skill in its use, for sustenance for himself and his pappooses. It still retains its favor, as it is not always safe to rely on the white man's mechanism, as in case of lack of ammunition or
(Picture) RUNNING GAME TO CAMP.