The Buffalo Bill combination presented the "Prairie Waif" to a large and enthusiastic audience in city hall, last evening. The play deals less in gunpowder and smoke than those in which he has heretofore appeared but is nevertheless full of the sensation of Western border life. Liberal applause was bestowed upon Buffalo Bill, (Hon. W. F. Cody), whose splendid physique and frank, open manner, establishes him a favorite with his audience at once. Mr. Cody takes the character of the scout and hero of the plains and is supported by a full company, including a band of genuione Cheyenne Indian, who appear in the fourth act in their scalp and war dances. In the second act Buffalo Bill gave an exhibition of his wonderful skill with the rifle, which was the particular delight of the fallerty gods. The entertainment as a whole is a sensational one, and the scenes of the play are taken from incidents occurring in Mr. Cody's past life.
Buffalo Bill
And his company arrived in town this forenoon, from Fitchburg, and the attention of people on the street was divided between him and the Indians in his company. They will all appear at White's Opera House, this evening, in the border life drama of the "Praire Waif," which itnroduces some of the real incidents in the life of Buffalo Bill. The company is a large one and it will draw a full house. Buffalo Bill is quartered at the Eagle Hotel. Here is what the Hamilton Daily Times says of the company:
"When the curtain rang up last evening, the Academy of Music contained the largest audience that has been assembled there this season, and it is safe to say that at no time in the history of the building was there such a crowd in the gallerty. There was not room for a policeman. All were drawn there by the magic name of Buffalo Bill'
'The Prairie Waif,' which was written expressly for Buffalo Bill, by tat renowned actor, John A. Stevens, is an entirely new drama, having been first produced in New York, about seven weeks ago. The usual number of desperadoes and Indians were killed, and Bill comes out victorevery time, without receiving a scratch. He was of course, the central figure, and deservedly obtained the recognition of the large audience present. His sharpshooting was very good, and his acting was vigorous and realistic."
NORDHEIMER'S HALL.
The Buffalo Bill combination made their first appearace in this city, at this place of amusement, last evening, in the play of "Prairie Waif." There was a very good house. The "Prairie Waif" is a capital border drama, abounding both in humorous situations and sentimental incidents. The plot turns upon the capture of a girl by Indians, her rescue, and her subsequent love episodes with her deliverer. Mr. Coady, as Buffalo Bill, was naturally the principle attraction, and acted with all his accustomed vigour and ability. Jules Keen, as Hans, was particularly good, and Miss Fetcher, as Onita, exhibits some good acting in the emotional scnes. Sadie was well rendered by Miss Thompson, who delighted the audience by her funny dialogue with Hans. In the fourth act a band of Cheyenne Indians made their appearance, and gave some of their war dances, which were very origianl and had the effect of bringing down the "gods." Buffalo Bill's fancy rifle shooting was also very good, and elicited warm and well-deserved applause. The play is again on the boards for this evening, when we hope to see another large house greet the celebrated scout.
NORDHEIMER'S HALL.
"BUFFALO BILL."
A fair house greeted "Buffalo Bill" in "Prairie Waif," at Nordheimer's Hall, last evening. This play represents a hunter's life in the far West and the trials and dangers he goes through in that land among the Indians. "Buffalo Bill," in his representation of three separate characters, was certainly all that could be wished for, and his support was good throughout, a leading feature being the appearance of the band of Cheyenne Indian Chiefs in their scalp and war dances. There was apparently a good deal of reality in the scalping part of the programme, and if any of our readers would like to see how it is doen they should pay "Buffalo Bill" a visit this evening, and they will then realize all the dangers that the soldiers across the border encouter whent hey are sent to keep these Indians quiet. There will be a matinee on Saturday afternoon, when the price will be 25c. to all parts of the house.
BUFFALO BILL.
Concering the "Prairie Waif," in which the Buffalo Bill Combination will appear at Nordheimer's Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, the Burlington Hawkeye says:--" The play, a five act drama, gave general satisfaction. it is one of the best border dramas ever presented here, being a simple but interesting plot, but each scene is full of thrilling encounters and laughable scnes characteristic of life in the far West. The stage appointments are good. Of course a girl is captured by the Indians, and after much planning and following trails through the wilderness, considerable "Injun" fighting and dare-devil skirmishes, the maiden is rescued, falls in love with the hero who takes her from the clutches of the reskins, and then everything is lovely--until she is captured again the next night.
Buffalo Bill is the central figure and should be, for his acting is not only good, but his fancy shooting is fine. Jules Keen as Hans the Dutchman, is simply immense. Miss Lizzie Fletcher as Onita, shows good training as an actress, and does some especially good acting in emotional scenes. Sadie is well sustained by Miss Connie Thompson. We have not the space to mention all, suffice it to say that the eprsons named have good support. The play is free from vulgar expressions, which alone commends it."
The company left by the night train
OPER HOUSE TO-NIGHT.
"BUFALO BILL."
Our readers will bear in mind that Mr. Wm. F. Cody's Combination occupy the boards at the Opera house to-0night, and that the performance will be under the patronage of His Excellency the Marquis of Lorne. Mr. Cody, as a scout for the American Government, has had many year's experience of border life, and, although a terror to the Indians in warfare, in the time of peace stands in the same position as out Major Walsh--holding the unbounded confidence of the Indian traibes of the far west. The nature of a scout's business is reckless and daring, and during a march the scout goes for weeks that he almost eats, sleeps, and, as it were, lives in the saddle, and, as a natural consequence is a thorough horseman. An exchange says of this acot:--"For years a Government scout and Indian fighter, his life upon the plains has developed in him a magnificent specimen of rugged manly beauty, tall, agile and muscular. In his trapper's costume he presents a picture worthy the brush of any artist. In August, 1868, 'Buffalo Bill' rode in twelve hours from Fort Larned to Fort Zarah and back,
sixty-five miles; in the succeeding twelve hours he carried despatches to General Sheridan from Fort Larned to Fort Hayes, sixty-five miles. From Fort Hayes he rode in the next twenty-four hours to Fort Dodge, ninety-five miles; on the next night he went to Fort Larned, thirty-five miles on foot and thirty miles on a mule; and again the next night from Fort Larned to Fort Hayes, sixty-five miles. He made on horses, mules and afoot fifty eight hours. These successive rides were made through a rough, irregular country, swarming with hostile Indians, where there were no roads, and hardly a perceptible tail, which had to be followed in the obscurity of the night. Early in life Buffalo Bill made a continuous ride of 322 miles, making that distance in the incredibly short time fo twenty-two house, a wonderful feat of human endurance." Don't forget the popular priced matinee on Wednesday.
