201
He then did a number of fancy tricks, such as catching the reporter on a dead run and then throwing the rope in a half-hitch over a man standing close to the spot where he brought his first captive to a standstill. Lassoing horses, men on wagons with the horses
[Drawing] LIFTS TWO MEN BY HIS SAMSONIAN LOCKS
going at a trot, or catching small boys by the feet as they ran was mere child's play to Apache George.
"Now, take this paper," said George, banding the reporter a piece of newspaper about six inches long and folded up. He next produced a "blacksnake" whip that measured twelve feet from the tip of the buckskin "cracker" to the handle. Telling the reporter to hold the paper at arm's length George backed off and taking the whip began cutting the paper off an inch at a time. As the paper grew shorter and shorter and the stinging lash wielded by the man standing twelve feet away cut nearer and nearer to the reporter's fingers he grew nervous, but just as he was about to tell Apache George that he was satisfied--more than satisfied, in fact--the cowboy gave the whip an extra flourish, and, with a crack like a pistol shot, the lash cut the paper clear and clean less than a quarter of an inch from the finger ends.
"Now, I'll show you something else," said George. Taking two chairs, he called one man weighing 180 pounds and another weighing 165 pounds and asked them to be seated. Standing between the chairs George took off his hat and dividing his long hair so that about half of it hung on either should he stooped and told the men to take hold of his hair with both hands and hold on as they would to a rope. The men obeyed, when Apache George straightened up, lifting both men clear of the chairs. There they swung, holding on to his hair for a second or two, when astonishment made them loosen their grip and drop their feet on the ground.
"I haven't got an iron jaw," laughed George, "but I'll pull against any man in this town with my hair for any amount of money."
202
Herald June 19-93.
RACING COWBOYS MAKING GOOD TIME.
Riders Intend to Maintain the Present Rate of Speed Until They Register.
O'NEILL, Neb., June 18.--The rear guard of the cowboy riders, Joe Campbell, passed through O'Neill to-day at 9 a. m., with a single horse on which he proposes to make the trip. The other seven riders made this point yesterday. Doc Middleton, Joe Gillispie and Stevens are riding in the lead together, fully six hours ahead of the rest of the boys. Men and horses are in the pink of condition and promise to finish the race in good shape. Doc Middleton states that he would register in Sioux City to-night, a distance of 130 miles, and said also that their present rate of speed, seventy miles per day, would be maintained until the Nebraska building was reached at the fair grounds. Great interest is taken in the race here and indignation is expressed at the interfetence of the humane officers, who inspect the horses at every registering point. Doc Middleton is the favorite in this section, where he has many friends, who formed his acquaintance in the early days of his career. Elmore withdrew his thoroughbred from the race to-day, his rider being sick.
WAUSAU, Neb., June 18.--An expectant crowd of people was on hand at break of day to greet the riders in the noted cowcoy race, this being their registering place. Word by wire last night reached them as registering at O'Neill at 3 p. m. yesterday. From this fact it was confidently expected they would arrive to-night or early in the morning, but this hope was not realized. At 3:25 p. m. a cheer was raised by the crowd and amid a cloud of dust two riders, each leading a horse, trotted up to the Saxton house, dismounted and registered in the following manner: Gillespie first and Stevens second. Five minutes late. Doc Middleton arrived and went through the same performances. The horses were in a good condition, apparently as fresh as the day they started. After watering their horses they departed together. Sioux City is sixty-five miles from this place, with an excellent road all the way, and they will, without doubt, arrive there to-morrow. Doc Middleton had to forbid the people from pulling hair from the tail of his horse, such was the rush of people to get mementoes from the race. The other racers are expected about midnight.
203
Herald June 19
An up-country newspaper, in discussing the subject of the Chadron cowboy race, says:
The 300-mile race last summer between Berlin and Vienna, in which animals more intelligent than their brutish riders were ridden to death, created enough disgust among civilized nations to last for a time. It is not necessary this soon for this country to inaugurate a still more idiotic and cruel spectacle by getting up a 700-mile cowboy race from Nebraska to Chicago.
Here is an evident misunderstanding. The Berlin and Vienna race was performed on relays of horses--one played out or dead, the rider had a fresh horse at the next station. By the terms of the cowboy race each horse comes all the way through, and must be in good condition at the outcome. The sum of $800 is offered for the winning horse at the end of the race. The terms insure good treatment of the horses, and the men will be as well off, at least, as the bicyclers who are making races from Springfield to the capitals of the various surrounding states.
204
Record June 19
Army Officers as Indian Agents.
Under provisions of a law which was passed by the LIId congress, President Cleveland has made his first appointments of United States army officers to be Indian agents at various western reservations. In a score of these appointments, no officer under the rank of captain has been named, and in each case, they succeed by vacancies made by the retirement of civilians.
What the results of the change may be is yet to be demonstrated, but at the least, it is a common-sense experiment. On these reservations, the United States army is practically held responsible for the actions of the Indians. As Gov. Waite of Colorado so plainly put it a few weeks ago, very much of Indian trouble has been precipitated by irresponsible and greedy agents, who allow bands of Indians to leave the reservation on the plea of hunting, while their rations accumulate to profit of the agents. Not only do rations at such times go to these officials, but in nearly every case the agent is a trader and he buys the pelts of the animals killed the hunt.
With Indian agencies in the hands of army officers, who know in case of an outbreak that they will be called upon to restore order, it would seem that the Indian problem is just so much nearer its solution.
205
CODY THE ACTOR
History of a Theatrical Ven true Started in Chicago. ---------- Star Engagment Played Here Twenty Years Ago by the Heroes of the Plains. Buffalo Bill, Ned Buniline, Texas Jack, Sid France and Others who Conceived and Produced the First Wild West Attraction Ever Put on the Stage--The " Scouts of the Prairie " and the Cast that Presented It---Immense Finacial Success---Houses Crowded to the Doors. " Do you know, " inquired a well- known New York alist, with the air of a Private Secretary, " do you know that Buffalo Bill made his first appearance on the stage in Chicago twenty years ago? Its a fact, " he continued, " and I may recall the circurstance to some of the old campaigners who used to sit around Kid Hyland's desk down at the old rookery years and years ago. " Bill's" histrionic aspiration were undoubtedl inspired by Ned Butline. The latter used to haunt the wilds of Wyoming less than a century since and chase the antelpe over the plains of Nebraska drag up drowned honors, so to speak, from the swamps of Iwoa, and drink Anbeuser-Bush beer in Chicago before the fire. We'd met Cody on one of his western trips at O' Fallon's Bluff's on the North Platte and at the time suggested that the latter would succesed before the public in the character of a typical resident of wooliy weat. Later on Cody came to Chicago accompanied by Major Burke, who is still manger of the company, on a tour of inspection, and determined to venture upon a dramatic career. Buntline met the part here, and a acnvass of the situation participated in by Butline, Burke and John Allen, or " Long" John Allen, as be was styled, the same man who afterwards managed the Adelphi, when " Old Fel" Grover operated that institution in the building located on the site now occupied by the First National bank, decided that a play of the wild western type would be the proper medium for Cody's introduction to the public. " Cody, J. B. Omohondro (better know as Texas Jack) and Buntline, were guests at the west side Briggs house, corner of Madison and Clinton streets, where it also happened that Mile Morlacchi, who was filling an engagement in the city, was also entertained. " So after sleeping over the suggestion, Buntline, Burke, ' Long John ' Allen, Major Andy Burt and Cody assembled in one of the 10x14 sleeping rooms of the hostery, since know as the Washington hotel and proceeded to business. " The Scouts of the Prairie. " " Buntline, who had written 'The Scouts of the Plain,' a story setting forth Cody and Omohoundro's military powess and Navarre-like achivements, for Street & Smith's New York weekly , toghter with Major Burke, mapped out of a plan of operations while ' Long John' Allen arranged the R. U. E. and L. U. E. and other stage entrances and exits from The Tormentor to the Finale, being specially familiar with stage topography, methods and history. By this time it was about 11 o'clock and the wilerateurs adjourned for lunch. Upon resuming deliberations, and outsider, who had smuggled himself into the confernce, became very lippy' and advised that someting classic ought to be ' wrapped up in the business.' The suggestion was the first intimation the party had of his presence and he was ejected from the room by Buntline accompanied by benedietion The classics be durned !' These preliminaries, inculding the naming of the piece, having been disposed of, the literary grind was inaugurated, and by 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day the first act of ' The Scouts of the Prairie' was brought into the world. " On the morning following the company, which had been engaged, assembled in the greenroom of Nixon's amphtheater on Clinton street, near Randolph, and while the rehearsal of the first act proceeded the remaining two acts were dashed off and sent to the theater, page by page. Its is said that the entire play was completed in six hours. However this is, of course, I am not specially informed. The cast in The ' Scouts of the Prairie' was substatially as follows : Buffalo Bill (by the orginal hero), Hon. W. F. Cody Texas Jack (by the orginal hero). J. B. Omohondro Cale Durg........................................Ned Buntline Dove Eye ( her first appearance in speaking part.................................... Mile. Morlachhi Razel Eye................................................Senorita Floe Carfano Big Eagle, Wolf Slayer and Little Bear, three bloodthirsty and uncomproising " Injuns" were assigend, respectively, to Joseph J. Winter, once heavy man at the old Bowery theater. Sid France and George Beach. Harry Wentworth enacted the role of a Mormon, Walter Fletcher that of Carl Pretzel, and George Daveport the character of Phelim O' Flaherty. Twenty five Pawnee Indians in paint and feathers were introduced to execute the realistic business. There were fifteen scenes in the three acts, all vivdly lifelike, as the playbills have it, supplemented by war whoops, prairie fires, temperance addresess, blazing faggots, timely arrivals, invocations to the great spirit, scalp dances, and all the ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay incidents characteristic of from-tier drams, ending with the triumph of the American scout. Big Drawing Card. " The intial performance was witnessed by an audience that was only limited by the capacity of the house and each succceeding repersentaion of the play was greeted by crowded auditorim and galleries. The sucess of the piece was instantaneous and pronunced. Buffalo Bill therefore, enjoying a national reputation in his special field of endeavor, became at once famous, the talk of the day and an object of very-special and considerable interest to mangers and the universal public here and across the continent.
Colonel Nate Salsbury, of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, who is vice president of the Forty Club, is to entertain the members of the club and their friends at the Sixty-thirden (dr?) nex Thursday afternoon. The (dr?) will meet at the Wellington Hotel at 1:30 p.m. and proceed in a body to the wild west camp, where Colonel Cody and Colonel Salsbury will meet them and do the honors. " After a month's engament in Chicago the company opened in the Olympic theater at St. Louis, then Managed by Dr. Spalding. The success of Chicago was repeated and, barring the arrest of Ned Buntline for particpation in political riots in that city years previous, nothing happend to impede the finacial and histrionic progress making. " After playing in the leading western cities and runing the gauntlet of Boston culchaw, the combination began an engament at Niblo's in New York city, which continued for weeks. There, as elsewhere, Cody and his players were the topic of conversation, comment and commendation ; such particularly was tie case with respect to the former. His magnificent presence, gracful movements, natural adaptability to his new vocation, and other personal attributes brought to his acceptance the most gratify-ing expressions of appreciation from audiences select and critical. He was also made a guest of American club, attended the Tweed ball at Irving hall, and generally led the life of one whose lines were cast in places with sunshine. " Of the compillers and company Andy Burt is in ' Frisco on recuiting service, Major Burke remains in a managerial capacity with Cody, Joe Winter is a farmer living near Elmira, N. Y., and Sid France is ill at Terre Haute, while Texas Jack, Morlacchi, Ned Buntline, John Allen and Walter Fletcher have crossed over the beautiful river and sleep beneath the shade of the trees that line its banks ."
[dr?] June 20, 91.
WITH " BUFFALO BILL." In spite of the intense heat and the many counter attractions " Buffalo Bill's wild west show contiues to draw big crowds. The feature of special interest is the sharpshoot-ing. Life on the plains is represented so clearly and at the same time so dextrously that it almost leaves the impression of having been a dream rather than an actual scene. If the cowboy show can always surmount difficulties as readily as it did yesterday, it need never say die.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West show is the next biggest drawing card to the World's Fair, and from 12,000 to 18,000 persons help the Indians and cowboys whoop and yell at every performance. The vast audiences continues the best indication of the popularity of the entertainment.
COWBOYS IN IOWA.
Eight of Racers for Chicago Have Regis tered at Sioux City. SIOUX CITY, Iwoa, June 20.----The first of the cowboy racers, Middleton, Gillespie and Stephens, registered in Sioux City at 8:12 last night. The horses were inspected by the humane officers and pronounced in splendid condition. A crowd of 1,500 spectators met the ferryboat at landing. To-day Emmett Albright registered at 10:04. C. W. Smith came in at the same time, as did John Berry, who is ruled out of the race but is riding through and registering by afidavit. At 11: 30 Jones and Joe Campbell came in and registered, the latter riding Boomerag, the horse which was ridden from Denver to Chardron before starting in the race. Stephens and Gillespie left at 6 o'clock this morning, but Middle-ton did not start out till this afternoon. HORSES GIVING OUT.
PACE OF THE COWBOY RACE BEGINS TO HAVE ITS EFFECT. Contest Now Seems to Have Narrowed Down to Three Contestants---All suffer ing from Opperessive Heat---Joe Gilles--pie in the Lead and His Horses Comparatively Fresh--Start from Sioux City to Galva Made Yesterday-- Humane Officers Regarded as Friends. SIOUX CITY, Ia., June 20.---[Special.]----Joe Gillespie and James H. Stephens, two of the cowboy racers, who registered here at 8:12 o'clock last night, started out for Galva this morning at 6:10 o'clcok. He has been riding the sorrel horse all the way, but intends to leave it in the eastern part of the state and use the gray, which he considers the test. Stephens, or " Rattlesnake Pete," got up this morning looking badly, evidently suffering from the heat. One of his horses is not in good shape from an attack of colic. One of the humane officers thinks Stephens will have to leave the horse before he leaves Galva. Horsemen generally think that Stephens will be unable to reach the Mississppi with the other horse alone, as it is an inferior animal. " Doc " Middleton was compelled to drop out of the race here, or at least cannot leave till tomorow. He had to leave one horse at Coleridge, hoping to have it shipped here, but he got word that it was too badly used up. The horse he rode here is pretty well tired out. Still he hopes that the other riders may lose a horse, so that he will then be on an equal footing. Joe Berry, Emmet Albright, and C. Smith, the three rider who were in Covington, Neb., last night, took a long rest there and did not cross the river and register till 10:04 this morning. Their horses looked well, with the exception of one that Smith was leading. Berry started on for Galva at once. He said his horses are in as good shape as at Chadron, and Albright talked in the same strain. Smith was not so cheerful, and expressed fear that one of his horses would play out. Smith and Albright had their horses shod here and did not depart till 11 o'clock. Berry announced that he would ride into Galva tonight with or ahead of Gillespie. It looks as if all the racers who left here this morning will reach Galva tonght and start in a bunch in the morning. Mr. Tatro of the Humane Society thinks that Stephens and Smith will both lose a horse before leaving Galva, but says that other horses look all right. Doc Middleton says : Old Gillespie stands the best show now to win, in my opinion, and I think the race now is between him, Jones, and Albright. I don't count Stephens in the race, because he is petered out, and one of Smith's horses can't go much farther. Nearly all the riders are suffering from heat on account mainly of the change of altiude. Their talk indicates that they regarded the Humane Society's officers as intruders at first, but that they now look on them in friendly light. At noon tody Jones, the last of the riders, had not reached the city. Dave Douglas, who dropped out at O' Neill, has not been heard from. Mr. Weir, the race Secretary, went to Galva his morning, accompanied by one of the humane officers. The other will remain here till the last horse is in and then go on to Fort Dodge. -------------- MIDDLETON HAS QUIT -------- He Was Put Out of the Cowboy Race by His Weak Horses. ---------------- GILLESPIE IS IN THE LEAD. ---------------- He Will Leave His Sorrel Horse in Eastern Iowa. ----------------- Humane Society Officers Have No Reason to Interfere as Yet. -------------------- SIOUX CITY, Iowa, June 20.--- Special Telegram.----Joe Gillespie and James H. Stephens, two of the cowboy racers who registered here at 8:12 last night, started out for Galva this morning at 6:10 o'clcok. Gillespie's horses are fresh and in splendid shape. He has been riding the sorrel horse all the way, but intends to leave it in the Eastern part of the State and use the gray, which he considers the best. Stephens, or " Rattlesnake Pete," got up this morning looking badly, evidently suffering from the heat. One of his horses is in bad shape from an attack of colic. One of the humane officers thinks Stephens will have to leave the horse before he leaves Galva. Horsemen generally think that Stephens will be unable to reach the Missippi with the other alone. as it is an inferior animal. " Doc" Middleton as compelled to drop out of the race here or at least cannot leave till to-morrow. He had to leave one horse at Coleridge hoping to have it shipped here, but he got word that it was too badly used up. The horse the rode here is pretty well tired out, still he hopes that the other riders many lose a horse so that then he will be on an equal footing. Joe Berry, Emmet Albright, and C. Smith, the three riders who were in Covington, Neb., last night, took a long rest there, and did not across the river and register till 10:04 this morninng. Their horses looked very well, with the exception of one that Smith was leading. Berry started on for Galva at once. He he said his horse are in as good shape as at Chadron, and Albright talked in the same strain. Smith was no so cheerful and expressed a fear that one of his horses would play out. Smith and Albright had their horses shed here and did not depart till 11 o'clock. Berry announced that he would ride into Galva to-night with or ahead of Gillespie. It looks as if all racers who left here this morning would reach Galva to-night and start in a bunch in the morning. Doe Middleton says: " Old Gillespie stands the best show to win in my opinion, and I think the race is between him, Jones and Albright. I don't count Stephens in the race, because he is petered out and one of Smith's horses can't go much further.' Nearly all the riders are suffering from the heat on account mainly of the change of altitude. Their talk indicates that they regarded the humane soiety's officers as intruders at first. but that they now look on them in a friendly light. Mr. Weir, the race secretary, went to Galva this morning, accompained by one of the humane officers. The other will remain here till the last horse is in and then go to Fort Doge. -------------------- URGED TO STOP THE RACE. President Shortall Backed Up by a South Dakota Stockman. The Illinous Humane Society is in receipt of a letter from a prominent citizen of Deadwood. S. D., which reads as follows: John G. Shortall, President Illinois Humane Society---Very Dear Sir : Being myself a breeder of range horses, and having had many years experience in handlng both horses and cattle through the employment of cowboys, I believe I am qualified to express an opinion upon the subject of the proposed Chardron- Chicago race. I believe there is no horse grown on the face of the globe harder, truer, trusstier, or more until death faithful than the broncho of the great ranges. In handling wild cattle or horses there is no such thing known or even thought of by the average cowbow as saving or treating kindly his saddlers ! This serverity too, it may he said, is in main necessary, as to draw rein here to give the poor brute breath may and probably would involve many hours or even days' riding to again gather the stock, and horses are cheap and plenty, and so whether he ride be twenty, forty or sixty miles it is covered at break-neck speed, the animal's sides lacrated by the spur and girth, and when the hard ride is ended there is no kind word or touch or thought of tenderness for the faithful little animal---simply cinches loosened the forty-pound saddie dragged from the hot back, and it is given its liberty until its trun comes to repear as a result cow ponies become stiff and worthless as range workers, when they are disposed of or allowed to die, I know it to be a fact that very many of the most entensive and energetic stockmen recognize and regret the barbaric severity to which this stock is necessarily subjected and would put an end to it if possible, but no was has or seemingly can be devised to do it. These same men, and they are by far the majority, both in numbers and importance, condmn the proposed race in unmeasured terms as utterly and totally useless, educating no one in any direction, illustrating no trait or point in the horse. We have gladly noted your warning to the proposed racers, and sincerely hope that you will see that your great State is not disgraced by permitting the culmination of the race within your borders. You may feel sure that the best stockmen of the plains wish you success in your efforts to suppress it. With great respect, your obedient servant. J. H. B,.
