Page 17

GRAND OPERA HOUSE-- "THE KNIGHTS OF THE PLAINS."

If any sceptic doubted the power of "Buffalo Bill" (or Hon. Wm. F. Cody, in proper person) to amuse the masses. he should have visited the Grand Opera House any night during the past week and witnessed galleries packed with delighted humanity, who did not confine their enthusiasm to mere clapping of hands and stamping of feet, but gave further vent to their caloric in shouts and exclamations. That the actors are used to receptions of this kind, was evident from the fact that their tranquility was not disturbed in the least, and they stood the storm with admirable nerve and steadiness. "Buffalo Bill" is a veritable hero in the eyes of the masses, and there is an odor of reality about everything he does, which creates demonstrativeness in those who base their ideal of manhood upon such basis. There is a fascination in knowing that the man has passed through the scenes of daring and peril as he represents them.

Mr. Cody deserves great credit on several accounts. Gifted with a fine stage presence and being a fairly good actor, he never attempts to over act or go beyond his capabilities. He has made decided improvements in his knowledge of the stage since his last appearance here, and does some excellent work outside of those mimic productions of prairie and forest adventure with which his personality is so closely associated. During the action of "The Knights of the Plains," Buffalo Bill introduced some splendid feats of marksmanship of forward, backward and fancy shooting, which were none the less interesting and admirable, from the fact that there were no danger associated from the exhibition. Another interesting feature was the aborigne supernumeraries who assisted him in his scenes, and appeared in their own peculiar camp scenes.

The play proper is well written and of good construction, and serves for the introduction of several comedy characters of the broad types, which were intensely relished by the boys and created no end of laughter. Among these were "Moses Moloch" by L. R. Willard, "Judge Shyster" by Alf Beverly, "Snowball" by Ed. Buckley, and a number of others. The serious characters incidental to the piece were sustained by J. J. London, B. R. Taylor, H. Melmer and two excellent lady actresses, Miss Lydia Denver and Miss Nellie Jones.

Whatever may be said against this class of literature and performance, it certainly is highly relished by the self-reliant members of the masculine sex; and the fact stands that it does much towards inculcating freedom and independence in boys who seem to have a natural "hankering" after this style of thing. There is no vulgrity, no bad or immoral sentiment advocated in the piece, and we are unable to see wherein the evil lies in such productions. We are free to admit that we strongly reprobate the training which teaches a boy not to fight under any provocation. There are times when it is good for them, and they ought to indulge in it. The English have some admirable ideas on this point, and they would be excellent for general adoption in this country. Instill passive submission into a boy, and he will grow up dependent, lacking in confidence and devoid of many qualities that a man shold have. The lad who is taught to run whining to is parent when some companion inflicts an affront or injury upon him, is not a good road, and he should be switched off it. There are too many angelic qualities ingrafted into the minds of our boys, and they do not develop good qualities as they grow older. Good stories of adventure are much more natural and bealthful than the average Sabbath school narrative, and when their morality is good, there can be no harm emanating from them. If Buffalo Bill and his confreres have done any good from this standpoint, they deserve the approbal of all level-headed citizens.

Buffalo Bill

Last evening Durley Hall was jammed from parquette to gallery, with an enthusiastic audience, gathered to see the romantic hero of the plains, Buffalo Bill. He appeared for the first time in Bloomington in his new play, entitled "Knights of the Plains," written expressly for him by Col. Prentiss Ingraham, the popular author and dramatist. The thread of the play is an interesting romance, and it is dressed out with the introduction of genuine Indians in their native dances and gorgeous costumes, Buffalo Bill's wonderful rifle shooting and the manners and customs of the Westerners. There is a peculiar "something" about Bill that fires the boys with untamed enthusiasm. Such deafening applause was scarcely ever heard in the hall. The support was generally good, more especially Miss Lydia Denier, the judge and the heavy villain. The play consists of four acts, each closing with exciting tableaux, keeping the audience on the tip toe of expectancy. The author and actors are to be congratulated on the success of the play.

A NOTABLE MAN,

Some Interesting Passages in the Life of W. F. Cody--Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Dramatist and Novelist-- Buffalo Bill's forth-coming New Border Drama.

The eight annual visit of Buffalo Bill (Hon. W. F. Cody) and his dramatic combination to Baltimore, thus far, has been the most successful and satisfactory that he has ever made here. The entertainment given by this remarkable man illustrates the often asserted fact that truth is stranger than fiction. The dramas in which he has appeared are simply the stringing together with skillful effect of the actual scenes in which Mr. Cody himself has been the principal actor and hero. He is really the only man on the stage who gives representations of himself.

The leading features of the well known drama "May Cody" and the still better drama "Knight of Plains," now being performed at Ford's Opera House, are made up of actual occurences in the dangerous life led by Mr. Cody, or "Buffalo Bill," as scout guide and hunter on the great Northwestern frontier. Mr. Cody's splendid figure, manly and gentlemanly bearing, and fine, frank open countenance, is familiar to the most everybody here. He is the only true type of the frontiersman, as we have been taught to regard him by writers of travel and adventure. Born in Iowa, when it was almost the western boundry of civilization, he grew with the rifle in his hand and thoroughly accustomed to the dangers of the border. He is said to have killed the his first Indian when only ten years of age, and since that time has been a prominent figure in most of the thrilling and terrible conflicts with the Indians and blood-thirsty road agents of the Northwest.

Mr. Cody is now about thirty-six years of age. His home is at North Platte, Nebraska, where he owns a fine farm improved by an elegant mansion, and sixty miles distant on the Dismal river, he owns a ranche of several thousand acres upon which he maintains 10,000 head of cattle. His home is the cen-[word]

tre of refinement and comfort and is presided over in his absence by his wife and two interesting daughters. Mr. Cody devotes about nine months in the year to the road with his company and the remainder to his home and farm.

For his recent unexampled success in the dramatic line, Mr. Cody is largely indebted to Col. Prentiss Ingraham his dramatist and business manager. Col. Ingraham belongs to a family famous as writers of realistic fiction. His father, the late Rev. J. H. Ingraham, of Mississippi, the friend and contemporary of Cooper, Irving and Willis, was the author of some of the best known and most-widley read works of the time. As the author of the biblical story, "The Prince of the House of David," Mr. Ingraham is probably best known. He also wrote "The Pillar of Fire," "Lafitte," "Captain Kidd," and many stories of sea and land. Col. Prentiss Ingraham, the son, is scarcely less widely known as a writer, his name having so often appeared in the New York Ledger, and other popular weeklies, that it is familiar to nearly every child. His more popular works are "Merle," "Without Heart," "The Flying Yankee," "Fettered with Fate," and recent novelettes in the "Star Journal."

His life is filled with adventure, for although less than forty, he has been a participant in the late civil war between the States, the Cretan war with the Turks, and, in 1870, he commanded the steamer Hornet in an expedition to aid the pratriot cause of Cuba. Two years ago Col. Ingraham, by invitation of the Grand Army of the Republic, read an original ode at the memorial decoration at Gettysburg. This is a distinction not often conferred upon one who served in the Confederacy, and was a flattering tribute to his talents.

Having spent much of his time on the plains and in the mountains Colonel Ingraham is well qualified as a dramatist of the order adapted to the talents of the great scout and hunter. He is the author of Buffalo Bill's present successful drama "Knight of the Plains," and has just completed "Buffalo Bill at Bay, or The Pearl of the Prairie." The new drama in some of its scenes resembles the one the company is now playing, but is much stronger and presents the hero in new characters. The scene are all from actual occurrences.

In the new drama, Cody is represented as attempting to drive out the road agents and renegades which infest the borders imperiling the lives and property of settlers and travelers. His attitude toward these lawless men engenders the bitterest hatred against him, and plots are laid to convict him of collusion with the hostile tribes and to implicate him in crimes committed by them. His enemies are greatly aided by one Captain Hart Moline, who is in love with Cody's sister, Nellie Cody, "the pearl of the prairie." Buffalo Bill suspects Moline's villiany and opposes his union with the "Pearl." In the development of the plot and to give zest and variety to the piece, a negro servant of Buffalo Bill's, and an old quack doctor and pretended naturalist, are introduced. The Indians are also introduced with their war dances, besides other specialties of the company. Among the characters, are officers of the fort, scouts and guides, the daughter of the Post Trader, the real live Indians and the intelligent donkey Jerry.

Buffalo Bill is outlawed through the connivance of Captain Hart Moline, and in circumventing the designs of his enemies and vindicating himself he assumes various disguises, among them that of an old trapper, a captain of cavalry, an agent of the secret service, &c. He finally unravels the difficulties surrounding the situation and the drama ends in his triumphant vindication and the confusion of his accusers. The post trader's daughter is a strong character, exhibiting the result of a woman's ambition, hatred and love. The new drama will be put on the stage first in New York in about two weeks, and will be given for the rest of the season in what is known as the Eastern circuit. The characters are all written with special reference to the talents of the serveral members of Buffalo Bill's combination, which is one of the best of the road.

Grand Opera House "The Knights Of The Plains."

If any sceptic doubted the power of "Buffalo Bill" (or Hon. Wm. F. Cody, in proper person) to amuse the masses. he should have visited the Grand Opera House any night during the past week and witnessed galleries packed with delighted humanity, who did not confine their enthusiasm to mere clapping of hands and stamping of feet, but gave further vent to their caloric in shouts and exclamations. That the actors are used to receptions of this kind, was evident from the fact that their tranquility was not disturbed in the least, and they stood the storm with admirable nerve and steadiness.

"Buffalo Bill" is a veritable hero in the eyes of the masses, and there is an odor of reality about everything he does, which creates demonstrativeness in those who base their ideal of manhood upon such basis. There is a fascination in knowing that the man has passed through the scenes of daring and peril as he represents them.

Mr. Cody deserves great credit on several accounts. Gifted with a fine stage presence and being a fairly good actor, he never attempts to over act or go beyond his capabilities. He has made decided improvements in his knowledge of the stage since his last appearance here, and does some excellent work outside of those mimic productions of prairie and fore-t adventure with which his personality is so closely associated. During the action of "The Knights of the Plains," Buffalo Bill introduced some splendid feats of marksmanship of forward, backward and fancy shooting, which were none the less interesting and admirable, from the fact that there were no danger associated from the exhibition. Another interesting feature was the aborigne supernumeraries who assisted him in his scenes, and appeared in their own peculiar camp scenes.

The play proper is well written and of good construction, and serves for the introduction of several comedy characters of the broad types, which were intensely relished by the boys and created no end of laughter. Among these were "Moses Moloch" by L. R. Willard, "Judge Shyster" by Alf Beverly, "Snowball" by Ed. Buckley, and a number of others. The serious characters incidental to the piece were sustained by J. J. London, B. R. Taylor, H. Melmer and two excellent lady actresses, Miss Lydia Denver and Miss Nellie Jones.

Whatever may be said against this class of literature and performance, its certainly is highly relised by the self-reliant members of the masculine sex; and the fact stands that it does much towards inculcating freedom and independence in boys who seem to have a natural "hankering" after this style of thing. There is no vulgrity, no bad or immoral sentiment advocated in the piece, and we are unable to see wherein the evil lies in such productions. We are free to admit that we are unable to see wherein the evil lies in such productions. We are free to admit that we strongly reprobate the training which teaches a boy not to fight under any provocation. "There are times when it is good for them, and they ought to indulge in it. The English have some admirable ideas on this point, and they would be excellent for general adoption in this country. Instill passive submission into a boy, and he will grow up dependent, lacking in confidence and devoid of many qualities that a man shold have. The lad who is taught to run whining to is parent when some companion inflicts an affront or injury upon him, is not a good road, and he should be switched off it. There are too many angelic qualities ingrafted into the minds of our boys, and they do not develop good qualities as they grow older. Good stories of adventure are much more natural and bealthful than the average Sabbath schoo narrative, and when their morality is good, there can be no harm emanating from them. If Buffalo Bill and his confreres have done any good from this standpoint, they deserve the approbal of all level-headed citizens.

Buffalo Bill

Last evening Durley Hall was jammed from parquette to gallery, with an enthusiastic audience, gathered to see the romantic hero of the plains, Buffalo Bill. He appeared for the first time in Bloomington in his new play, entitled "knights of the Plains," written expressly for him by Col. Prentiss Ingraham, the popular author and dramatist. The thread of the play is an interesting romance, and it is dressed out with the introduction of genuine Indians in their native dances and gorgeous costumes, Buffalo Bill's wonderful rifle shooting and the manners and customs of the Westerners. There is a peculiar "something" about Bill that fires the boys with untamed enthusiasm. Such deafening applause was scarcely ever heard in the hall. The support was generally good, more especially Miss Lydia Denier, the judge and the heavy villain. The play consists of four acts, each closing with exciting tableaux, keeping the audience on the tip toe of expectancy. The author and actors are to be congratulated on the success of the play.

A Notable Man,

Some Interesting Passages in the Life of W. F. Cody-Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Dramatist and Novelist- Buffalo Bill's forth-coming New Border Drama.

The eight annual visit of Buffalo Bill (Hon. W. F. Cody) and his dramatic combination to Baltimore, thus far, has been the most successful and satisfactory that he has ever made here. The entertainment given by this remarkable man illustrates the often asserted fact that truth is stranger than fiction. The dramas in which he has appeared are simply the stringing together with skillful effect of the actual scenes in which Mr. Cody himself has been the principal actor and hero. He is really the only man on the stage who gives representations of himself.

The leading features of the well known drama "May Cody" and the still better drama "Knight of Plains," now being performed at Ford's Opera House, are made up of actual occurences in the dangerous life led by Mr. Cody, or "Buffalo Bill," as scout guide and hunter on the great Northwestern frontier. Mr. Cody's splendid figure, manly and gentlemanly bearing, and fine, frank open countenance, is familiar to the most everybody here. He is the only true type of the frontiersman, as we have been taught to regard him by writers of travel and adventure. Born in Iowa, when it was almost the western boundary of civilization, he grew with the rifle in his hand and thoroughly accustomed to the dangers of the border. He is said to have killed the his first Indian when only ten years of age, and since that time has been a prominent figure in most of the thrilling and terrible conflicts with the Indians and blood-thirsty road agents of the Northwest.

Mr. Cody is now about thirty-six years of age. His home is at North Platte, Nebraska, where he owns a fine farm improved by an elegant mansion, and sixty miles distant on the Dismal river, he owns a ranche of several thousand acres upon which he maintains 10,000 head of cattle. His home is the cen-[word]

tre of refinement and comfort and is presided over in his absence by his wife and two interesting daughters. Mr. Cody devotes about nine months in the year to the road with his company and the remainder to his home and farm.

For his recent unexampled success in the dramatic line, Mr. Cody is largely indebted to Col. Prentiss Ingraham his dramatist and business manager. Col. Ingraham belongs to a family famous as writers of realistic fiction. His father, the late Rev. J. H. Ingraham, of Mississippi, the friend and contemporary of Cooper, Irving and Willis, was the author of some of the best known and most-widley read works of the time. As the author of the biblical story, "The Prince of the House of David," Mr. Ingraham is probably best known. He also wrote "The Pillar of Fire," "Lafitte," "Captain Kidd," and many stories of sea and land. Col. Prentiss Ingraham, the son, is scarcely less widely known as a writer, his name having so often appeared in the New York Ledger, and other popular weeklies, that it is familiar to nearly every child. His more popular works are "Merle," "Without Heart," "The Flying Yankee," "Fettered with Fate," and recent novelettes in the "Star Journal."

His life is filled with adventure, for although less than forty, he has been a participant in the late civil war between the States, the Cretan war with the Turks, and, in 1870, he commanded the steamer Hornet in an expedition to aid the pratriot cause of Cuba. Two years ago Col. Ingraham, by invitation of the Grand Army of the Republic, read an original ode at the memorial decoration at Gettysburg. This is a distinction not often conferred upon one who served in the Confederacy, and was a flattering tribute to his talents.

Having spent much of his time on the plains and in the mountains Colonel Ingraham is well qualified as a dramatist of the order adapted to the talents of the great scout and hunter. He is the author of Buffalo Bill's present successful drama "Knight of the Plains," and has just completed "Buffalo Bill at Bay, or The Pearl of the Prairie." The new drama in some of its scenes resembles the one the company is now playing, but is much stronger and presents the hero in new characters. The scene are all from actual occurrences.

In the new drama, Cody is represented as attempting to drive out the road agents and renegades which infest the borders imperiling the lives and property of settlers and travelers. His attitude toward these lawless men engenders the bitterest hatred against him, and plots are laid to convict him of collusion with the hostile tribes and to implicate him in crimes committed by them. His enemies are greatly aided by one Captain Hart Moline, who is in love with Cody's sister, Nellie Cody, "the pearl of the prairie." Buffalo Bill suspects Moline's villiany and opposes his union with the "Pearl." In the development of the plot and to give zest and variety to the piece, a negro servant of Buffalo Bill's, and an old quack doctor and pretended naturalist, are introduced. The Indians are also introduced with their war dances, besides other specialties of the company. Among the characters, are officers of the fort, scouts and guides, the daughter of the Post Trader, the real live Indians and the intelligent donkey Jerry.

Buffalo Bill is outlawed through the connivance of Captain Hart Moline, and in circumventing the designs of his enemies and vindicating himself he assumes various disguises, among them that of an old trapper, a captain of cavalry, an agent of the secret service, &c. He finally unravels the difficulties surrounding the situation and the drama ends in his triumphant vindication and the confusion of his accusers. The post trader's daughter is a strong character, exhibiting the result of a woman's ambition, hatred and love. The new drama will be put on the stage first in New York in about two weeks, and will be given for the rest of the season in what is known as the Eastern circuit. The characters are all written with special reference to the talents of the serveral members of Buffalo Bill's combination, which is one of the best of the road.