19

CHIEF OF SCOUTS

Frontier Hero Whose Name Will Live in History.

Colonel William F. Cody and His Valuable Services to His Country.

His Valor and Courage the Theme or the Great Writers of the War--Praised by Custer, Logan and Sheridan, and Indorsed by Buell, Emory, Merritt and Sherman--Endured the Terrors of the West for the Protection of the People and Not for Cheap Notoriety.

In the mind of the rising generation there exists considerable doutbt as to whether or not such a thing as a real live frontier scout ever existed. Yet along the borders of the Arkansas river and its numberous tributaries, on the sides of the black hills, are hundreds of little graves where no loving hand has set even a headstone to mark the spot where a scout lies, while on the great prairies and in the river bottoms and valleys hundreds of little heaps of whitened bones show where faithful scouts, in twos and threes, have fallen beneath the shower of hostile arrows.

Greatest of Them All.

Among those who have survived the awful privations of this hazardous life, the most conspicuous of all the heroes of the plains is Colonel W. F. Cody, or as he is better known, Buffalo Bill. During the past thirty years no name has been so often mentioned in the war office reprots as that of Colonel Cody. In the writings of Generals Custer, Logan and Sheridan, as well as many other famous Indian fighters, Colonel Cody is a prominent figure and is held to the light as the ideal scout, a courageous soldier and a patriot of the stamp to which the west owes its present prosperity. No thoughtful person can hesitate to give such men as Wild Bill Hitchcock, California Joe, Frank Gruard, gallant Jim White and Buffalo Bill the undying credit they deserve. Of these brave men who guided our little frontier regiemtns in and out of the hostile countries, who rode by night and day to fight and die beside the wagon train or adobe cabin of some unfortunate settler, Buffalo Bill alone remains. The history of his life is but a part of that of his country.

Name Lives in History.

Thousands of letters from such men as Generals Sheridan, Custer, Logan, Buell, Emory, Merritt and Sherman, show how high Colonel Cody was held in their estimation and how much confidence these warriors placed in his abilities and advice. In late years Colonel J. W. Forsyth and General Miles have shown the same confidence, which the records of the war department prove was never violted. Though in the service of his country many years and the hero of a thousand desperate rides, and though he could justify claim the credit of a dozen battles, Colonel Cody has asked nothing from the government beyond the ordinary pay of a scout when on actual duty, and, while holding a colonel's commission, he has always preferred to assume the more dangerous duties of a scout.

It is as it should be, that the honor or conveying to the residents of foreign lands at least a faint idea of the hardships and privations that marked the onward march of the pioneers in bygone days, should devolve upon the man whose very name was held in reverence by those of the weaker sex who, by chance or fortune, had found their way into the far west; whose name has in war times brought something akin to fear to the stoic red men.

Buffalo Bill is proud of his title; he thinks more of the uncouth appellation than of the military handle "Colonel," which his army connection connection entitles him to use. Nor is this altogether to be wondered at. It was under this cognoment that he learned the cunning of the copper skinned aboriginals and became an adept in fighting them with their own weapon - devilish stealth. Under this title W. F. Cody earned the reputation of being the "greatest scout on earth."

In all the broken country known as the far west there is not footbath, perhaps, where the treacherous warrior has trod, but Buffalo Bill can point it out. No man today, either in or out of the army, is better acquainted with the general topography of that territory.

Led the March.

The march of civilization has been gradual. In 1865 there were fully 165,000 Pawnee, Sioux, Cheyenne, Kiowa and Arapahoe Indians in and about the Bad Lands and No Man's Land districts. Each succeeding year saw the great tribes lessened in strength of numbers, and their decadene could only be likened to the disappearance of the mighty herds of buffalo that once roamed the plains. Perhaps the Sioux uprising in 1891 is the last revolt of Indians the world will have to contend with. To the young minds the tales of early struggles are always welcome as well as beneficial and no one will argue but that an illustration of those pioneer times is a great aid to the rising generation. Nor will anyone contend that the effort could be successfully accomplished by any other than one who had spent a life on the plains.

William F. Cody knew scarce any home

The editor of THE SUNDAY DEMOCRAT has known Colonel Cody for the past twenty-five years. He has done more, perhaps, to build up the western country than any other living man. The War Department at Washington will show conclusively that his record is that of a brave man and a great scout. He needs no certificate of character to prove these facts, but THE SUNDAY DEMOCRAT gives below a few of the numerous strong letters from the highest civil and military authorities in this country. His fame is worldwide. He is as well known and beloved in Europe as in America, but he is an American of whom we are justly proud.

STATE OF NEBRASKA.

To all whom these presents shall come, gretting:

Know ye, that I, John M. Thayer, governor of the state of Nebraska, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, patriotism and ability of the Hon. William F. Cody, on behalf and in the name of the state, do hereby appoint and commission him as aide-de-camp of my staff, with the rank of colonel, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duries of said office according to law.

In testimy whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my
name and caused to be
[SEAL.] affixed the great seal of the
state. Done at Lincoln this
8th day of March. A. D.,
1867. JOHN M. THAYER.

By the governor.
G. L. LAUR. See'y of State.

The following letter received with a photograph of the hero of the "March to the Sea," Gen. W. T. Sherman:

New York, December 25, 1886.

To Col. Wm. F. Cody

With the best compliments of one who, in 1866, was guided by him up the Republican, then occupied by the Cheyennes and Arapahoes as their ancestral hunting grounds, now transformed into farms and cattle ranches, in better harmony with modern civilization, and with his best wishes tha the succeed in his honorable efforts to represent the scenes of that day to a generation then unborn. W.T. SHERMAN, Gen'l.

New York, December 28, 1886.

Col. Wm. F. Cody:

DEAR SIR:- Recalling the many facts that came to me while I was adjutant- general of the Division of the Missouri, under General Sheridan, bearing upon your efficiency, fidelity, and daring as a guide and scout over the country west of the Missouri river and east of the Rocky Mountains. I take pleasure in observing your success in depicting in the East the early life of the West. Very truly tours,
JAMES B. FRY, Ass't Adj'tGen'l,
Brevet Maj. Gen'l. U. S. A.

Headquarters Army of the U.S.,

Washington, D. C., Jan. 7, 1887

Col. Wm. F. Cody was a scout, and served in my command on the western frontier for many years. He was always ready for duty, and was a cool, brave man, with unimpeachable character. I take pleasure in commending him for the many services he has rendered to the Army, whose respect he enjoys for his manly qualities.
P.H. SHERIDAN, Lieut-Gen'l.

Los Angeles, Cal. Jan 7, 1878.

Col. Wm. F. Cody: Dear Sir- Having visited your great exhibition in St. Louis and New York City, I desire to congratulate you on the success of your enterprise. I was much interested in the various life-like representations of western scenery, as well as the fine exhibiton of skilled markmanship and magnificent horsemanship. You not only represent the many interesting featrues of frontier life, but also the difficulties and dangers that have been encountered by the adventurous and fearless pioneers of civilization. The wild Indian life as it was a few years ago will soon be a thing of the past, but you appear to have selected a good class of Indians to represent that race of people, and I regard your exhibition as not only very intersting but practically instructive. Your services on the frontier were exceedingly valuable. With best wishes for your success, believe me very truly yours. NELSON A. MILES,

Brigadier-General, U. S. A.

"HE IS KING OF THEM ALL."

Headquarters,
Mounted Recruiting Service,
St. Louis, Mo., May 7, 1885.

Major John M. Burke: Dear Sir - I take pleasure in saying that in an experience of about thirty years on the plains and in the mountains, I have seen a great many guides, scouts, trailers, and hunters, and Buffalo Bill (W. F. Cody) is King of them all. He has been with me in seven Indian fights, and his services have been invaluable.

Very respectfully yours,
EUGENE A. CARR,

Brevet Major-General, U. S. A.

Bonaparte and Gen. Miles and Staff Guests of Col. Cody.

All the tourists of America and foreign countries who have Chicago as their objective point, recently or remotely, have heard of Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition, and keep the fact well in mind. They seem to be

BUFFALO BILL'S "WILD WEST."

For realism that actually illustrates without being in any degree offensive, for picturesque groupings, admirable arrangement of color, effect and incident, Buffalo Bill's Wild West has rarely, if ever, been qualed. The beautiful drill of the representative cavalry detachments from England, Germany, France and the Untied States always evokes rounds of deserved applause. The wonderful work of the Indian, the cowboys, the Cossack, the Mexican and the Arab excites wonder and admiration. The horsemen of the world, rough and educated, are fully represented and give handsome exhibitions. Visitors are comfortably provided for in all sorts of weather, as rain or shine makes no difference in the performance, which is given twice each day, Sundays included. All railroads going south land passengers almost at the very gates of the "Wild West." The Illinois Central has built a commodious new tation, as has also the elevated railroad. The cable and electric cars take visitors to the entrance, as also do the handsome coaches of the Columbian Coach company.

Nate Salsbury was one of the most brilliant comedians who eve ventured his talents in farce cemedy. He was then a clean-shaven, neat, brisk young man, with the quizzing glance and sarcasm of a character-student and a mimic. He was a delightful after-dinner talker and had the wit of current and classic literature at his sharp tongue's end. He was immensely popular and financially little less than a marvel to the average thespic fortune hunter. Now Mr. Saulsbury is joing proprietor of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and a millionaire - has ranches, rentals, lives most of his time in a tent within shooting distance of yelping Comanches and is finely aging with deep-cut facial lines of calculation, a hardy prairie complextion, square shoulders and pointed whiskers. But he is not a whit less entertaining. He is the greatest impromptu story teller I ever knew.

He has forgotten that he ever was an actor but the genius of mimicry and keen appreciation of humor has never deserted him. I caught him this morning in one of his most amusing reminiscent moods. The encouraging weather and the first boot-shine that conscience really could approve since the opening of the Wild West show had mellowed Nathan into a mood embroidered with halos.

He greeted me with a smile worth one gondolier pour-boire and enthusiastically offered me the bouquet of tuberoses and cape jassamine Col. Cody always has in his own tent. I accepted the smile and waited for the celebrated scout's arrival to add some permission to the deed of flowers, then finally attuned Nate's susceptible lyre into the serio-comic. He hummed "Up Went the Price," "I Flatter That I Stutter," and recited scraps of heroic measure from the grander dramatists, then fell into patriotic recollection of his visit to Spain. Apropos the Columbian Exposition he referred to that celebrated statue of the venerate hero of this immediate hour which adorns the Barcelon harbor. Nothing more superb in sculpture has been contributed to art. It stands looking out to sea with such magnificent sympathy, reverence and pride expressed that any wanderer must be arrested by its grandeur.

Maj. Burke and Saulsbury landed as near the port of Barcelona as foreign ships are permitted to come. The hardbor is quite a respectful distance from the crumbling-walled vegas of "balmy garlic and guitar," and the morning the doughty major and Nate arrived it was sultry, damp and threatening. Everything was retarded by Spanish vigilance, their show was in custody about eight miles at sea and likely to stay there awhile, Nate was hungry and had not been a howling success in his divers efforts to "hablo" at the surprised natives, so he was not quite in tune with a patriotic vertigo which seized the major at sight of the Barcelona Columbus.

"Yes," vigorously asserted Nate, "it's good, the best I ever saw, but where is the hotel and bill-poster?"

"Saulsbury," orated the major, lifting his hat, "can't you drop the show when in the presence of America's discoverer?"

"That's all right, Burke, but business before the spread eagle."

"Well, sir," said the major with heroic dignity, "if you insist upon shop interest in such an imposing prescence permit me to present it to you in another light. There stands our advance agent 400 years ahead of us!"

Nate has a small book of jokes laid up against the major, but this was one instance when the military gentleman had the best of it.

John Mackay gave Cody, Saulsbury and Maj. Burke a dinner in Paris a year or so ago and a party of tremendous swells belonging to the MacKay set were there to meet westerners. The subject of Texas outlawry was broached and the major waxed eloquent in the defense of that doubtful state. "Nobody risks any personal inconvenience, sirs, in traveling through Texas. It is the golden state of the union and her citizens are both courteous and law abiding. Why, talk about necessary fire-arms! I am a soldier and I went through the entire state without anything more than a toothpick."

"Well," said Salsbury, "that's all you needed. You didn't do anything but eat."

Saulsbury mauled Miss Ray Samuels, a pretty soprano singer, who had something of a fortune left her by somebody. He has a charming family of boys and girls and they all travel wherever the energetic father goes.

May 15 / 93

Chicago TImes
15/5/93

Colnel Cody's Wild WEst is the Mecca of European visitors. The English, French, German, Italian and Belgian press representatives all visited the camp of Buffalo Bill on arrival. The latest visitor was Prince Roland Bonoparte, who is well known on the continent as a sceintist and as a leader among anthrophological students. When the Wild West was in Paris the congress of anthropologists daily visited the camp and photographed the Indians, also taking the texture of hair, color of eyes and other peculiarities of the red man, and interviewed them on the traditions and sueprstitions of their race. The result will be chronicled in a history of man by that congress. The prince and his party of scientists visited the Wild West yesterday, renewing old acquantances and expressing the pleasure the entertainment gave, as well as the interest now attached to it, by its aggregation of different races, by the student of mankind. On Saturday General Miles and staff highly complimented Colonel Cody on his congress of primitive horsemen and his national military exhibition.

VIEW OVER THE FENCE

THAT'S ALL THE FAIR THE MASSES SEE

They Pour Down South by Thousands, Overflowing Buffalo Bill's Show, Patronizing Fakirs and Hanging Around the Gates in Trying to Get a Little Fun.

Another fair day dawned over Jackson park yesterday and the sun dispensed a pleasant warmth over the white city. The flowers opened their petals to bathe them in the sun's rays and the birds fluttered around the budding trees on the wooded island. But the gay crowd that gave a human picturesqueness to the world's fair was absent. Only a few figures moved about the grounds and the only sound that proclaimed the presence of human beings within the gates was the tapping of hammers and the buzz of saws. Again a puritanical Sabbatarians disputed the number of people who tried to get into Jackson park last Sunday. A little calculation of yesterday's attendance will easily place the matter beyond doubt. From 10 o'clock in the morning until 5 in the evening there was an almost continuous stream of wanderers passing down Stony Island avenue along the whole western extent of the fair grounds. Then there was a line of buggies carriages, tallyho coaches and other rigs, wich contained people who desired to have a glimpse of the fair buildings over the fence. And while these people passed along, whether on foot or in carriages, a host had crowded into Buffalo Bill's show. Every seat was occupied. The accommodation is estimated to be sufficient for at least 18,000 people. When the show was over the streets were literally packed with people who would have spent their time wandering through the world's fair but for the action of the sabbatarians. Prince Roland Bonaparte and a party of friends drove down to the fair but stopped at the show, as did Sol Smith Russell and several members of his company.

WILL BE A HOT RACE.

Cyclists and Cowboys to Ride form Chadron, Neb., to Chicago.

ABOUT 500 MILES TO COVER.

First Great Road Race Between Horses and Men on Record-They Will Start June 1.

On June 13 will start from Chadron, Neb., one of the most unique and interesting cycling races. Two men mounted on bicycles and two men mounted on horses will run over the country roads that lie between the Nebraska town and Chicago, and the sport promises to be hot and full of strategy for at least a good bit of the distance. This affair has come about through a scheme of the Hon. William F. Cody, otherwise known as "Buffalo Bill," to have run from Chadron a race between cowboys on horses. It was announced some time ago that two hardy cowboys would start from Chadron on June 13, mounted to their favorite horses, and make a race for life across the great stretch of country between that starting point and this city. Of course the affair would be attended with great eclat on the finish of the race in Chicago, but the pesky wheelmen promise to take the edge off the plan by making the pace for the cowboys, and, as a matter of course, beating them badly. Buffalo Bill cannot prevent the two Nebraskan cyclists from starting at the same time and on the road with the cowboys even if he has the desire to do so, which is by no means probable. The cyclists have an idea that they can ride the boots off the wild men of the plains, and if the enthusiasm that is now being worked up about the race out in Chadron is any voucher, the wheelmen will give the horsemen such a chase as they never before knew the like of.

The distance to be ridden over is about 500 miles, a few miles of which are in Nebraska and the balance in the states of Iowa and Illinois. The country roads in the latter two common wealths are, as a general rule, in very fair condition in the month of June, and if the cyclists are at all in condition they can leave the cowboys as far behind that the whole affair will be forgotten before the horsemen can get into town. Such, at least, is the opinion of local wheelmen who have been consulted about it. The average road ridder over average roads can do ten miles an hour nicely. This will be the average running and will include stops. But giving the cyclists an extra day for rest and idling they can assuredly do the 500 miles in six days. Such riding as this would kill any horse in the world in one day. General Miles, of the Department of the Missouri, who knows something of the capacity of horses for road work, laughs at the idea of any animal, however well fitted for such travel, doing 100 miles in twelve hours. How easily it is done by wheelmen is demonstrated by the existence of hundreds of "century," or 100-mile, clubs scattered all