| 2822
An interchange of opinions with COL.
CODY disclosed a similar intention, so that
to the fertile brains of MESSRS. CODY and
SALSBURY we are indebted for the first
conjuring-up of this novel project. They
spoke of it years ago, and SALSBURY went
to Europe to see if it would be advisable
to take such a show on the Continent.
Meanwhile, with MR. SALSBURY'S know-
ledge, "BUFFALO BILL" started the enter-
prise to see if it could be made successful
in this country. Last year's experiences
were proof that it could, and now all
bands will join in getting up a "Wild
West," shows that will be remarkable in all
respects.
JOHNNIE BAKER--THE YOUN
MARKSMAN.
Johnnie Baker was born at O'Fallon's
Bluffs, on the banks of the South Platte
River, in Western Nebraska, in the year
1870. His father is the well0known "Old
Lew Baker, the ranchman," and was the
owner of Lew Baker's O'Fallon's Bluff
Ranch, in its day an important landmark.
This place was one of the most noted on
the great overland trail--the scenes, inci-
dents, Indian attacks, etc., belonging to
exhaustive pages in the early history of
that, in old times exposed and dangerous
section. Here Johnnie's babyhood was
passed in unconscious proximity to dan-
gers seldom courted by the most sturdy,
and his first "bug-a-boo" was not of the
maternal imagining, but an existing fact,
JOHNNIE BAKER
continually threatening in the shape of the heartless, savage Sioux. Cradled amid such
pioneer surroundings, and dandled on the knees of all the most celebrated frontiersmen, the
genuine old buckskin trappers--the first frontier invaders--his childhood witnessed the
declining glories of the buffalo hunter's paradise (it being the heart of their domain), and the
advent of his superior, "the long horn of Texas," and his necessary companion, "the Cow-boy."
When the Pony Express, the Stage Coach, and the wagon-trains were supplanted by
the steam horse, Baker's station became useless and "Old Lew" removed bag and baggage
to North Platte, a little town of magical railroad growth. Here he built a fine house, which
became the headquarters of the "old timers," and many a tenderfoot can remember the thrill-
ing incidents related of "life on the trail"--a life that now belongs alone to history and to
romance--while "Old Lew" dispensed hospitality like a prince. But the ways of "city-life," a
too big heart, of which the "shiftless, genial affinities" and rounders took due advantage,
caused his former prosperity to be a remembrance only, and Johnnie set to work manfully for
one of his age, to lend a helping hand. Perfectly at home in the saddle, he was never content
unless with some cow-boy outfit, or at MR. CODY'S (whose homestead, extensive horse and cattle
ranches, are near), where his active spirit found congenial associations, until he became
recognized as "BUFFALO BILL'S boy." In the winter months he occasionally went to school,
and being an apt scholar, has a fair education. MR. CODY, on organizing his distinctly Ameri-
can exhibition, could not leave little Johnnie out. He can be seen every day with the Wild | 2822
An interchange of opinions with COL.
CODY disclosed a similar intention, so that
to the fertile brains of MESSRS. CODY and
SALSBURY we are indebted for the first
conjuring-up of this novel project. They
spoke of it years ago, and SALSBURY went
to Europe to see if it would be advisable
to take such a show on the Continent.
Meanwhile, with MR. SALSBURY'S know-
ledge, "BUFFALO BILL" started the enter-
prise to see if it could be made successful
in this country. Last year's experiences
were proof that it could, and now all
bands will join in getting up a "Wild
West," shows that will be remarkable in all
respects.
JOHNNIE BAKER--THE YOUN
MARKSMAN.
Johnnie Baker was born at O'Fallon's
Bluffs, on the banks of the South Platte
River, in Western Nebraska, in the year
1870. His father is the well0known "Old
Lew Baker, the ranchman," and was the
owner of Lew Baker's O'Fallon's Bluff
Ranch, in its day an important landmark.
This place was one of the most noted on
the great overland trail--the scenes, inci-
dents, Indian attacks, etc., belonging to
exhaustive pages in the early history of
that, in old times exposed and dangerous
section. Here Johnnie's babyhood was
passed in unconscious proximity to dan-
gers seldom courted by the most sturdy,
and his first "bug-a-boo" was not of the
maternal imagining, but an existing fact,
JOHNNIE BAKER
continually threatening in the shape of the heartless, savage Sioux. Cradled amid such
pioneer surroundings, and dandled on the knees of all the most celebrated frontiersmen, the
genuine old buckskin trappers--the first frontier invaders--his childhood witnessed the
declining glories of the buffalo hunter's paradise (it being the heart of their domain), and the
advent of his superior, "the long horn of Texas," and his necessary companion, "the Cow-boy."
When the Pony Express, the Stage Coach, and the wagon-trains were supplanted by
the steam horse, Baker's station became useless and "Old Lew" removed bag and baggage
to North Platte, a little town of magical railroad growth. Here he built a fine house, which
became the headquarters of the "old timers," and many a tenderfoot can remember the thrill-
ing incidents related of "life on the trail"--a life that now belongs alone to history and to
romance--while "Old Lew" dispensed hospitality like a prince. But the ways of "city-life," a
too big heart, of which the "shiftless, genial affinities" and rounders took due advantage,
caused his former prosperity to be a remembrance only, and Johnnie set to work manfully for
one of his age, to lend a helping hand. Perfectly at home in the saddle, he was never content
unless with some cow-boy outfit, or at MR. CODY'S (whose homestead, extensive horse and cattle
ranches, are near), where his active spirit found congenial associations, until he became
recognized as "BUFFALO BILL'S boy." In the winter months he occasionally went to school,
and being an apt scholar, has a fair education. MR. CODY, on organizing his distinctly Ameri-
can exhibition, could not leave little Johnnie out. He can be seen every day with the Wild |
