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epetrick at Mar 25, 2020 03:43 PM

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BUFFALO BILL.

A Few Facts Regarding This Noted Indian Fighter.

There are, no doubt, thousands of people who read the newspaper notices and street advertisements of "Buffalo Bill," who have an honest opinion that Mr. Cody is an Indian fighter and Western guide only when treading the boards of a theater; they have an idea that he is a scout only on paper in the lives of his dramas and they turn from a conteplation of his pictures with the half-smothered exclamation "Humbug!" It is unfortunate that persons who hold this opinion of Mr. Cody cannot become acquainted, or at least have an interview, with "Buffalo Bill." They would find him a courteous, genial gentleman, with an excellent knowledge of human nature in general and of the Western people in particular. Not only this; he is a gifted conversationalist with opinions of his own public matters, especially on the Indian question and othr topics of particular interest to Western men. It is not strange that he should be well informed upon such matters. Born in Iowa he moved to kansas with his family when but a mere lad and resided there for many years. His father, who was what they termed a Free State man, was killed by the border ruffians during the troubles of 1856. At this time Mr. Cody's father was an intimate friend of Governor Jim [word?], and his son can tell many interesting anecdotes regarding this once prominent public character. Since that time Mr. Cody has spent his life in various parts of the Western country. He was a scout with the Union Army in Southwestern Missouri, and has since served as scout and guide with many commands in several States and Territories. When Nebraska was admitted to the Union as a State Mr. Cody was elected to the State Senate, being the youngest member of that body. From this it will be seen that his title of "Hon." is not a mere affectation, as some suppose. As an Indian fighter he has gained an enviable reputation among military men, and were an Indian war to break out to0morrow Mr. Cody would probably find himself under marching orders from Gen. Sheridan and would be ready to pilot a brigade through the Western country at very short notice. In the Sioux war of 1876 mr. Cody took active part and his name frequently occurs in the official reports of that campaign. Mr. Cody's ideas of a successful Indian policy differ radically from any course yet pursued by the United States authorities. He is decidedly of the opinion that the government should furnish Indian agents who have a practical knowledge of the "noble savage," his wants, his peculiarities and his sufferings in the past. Says he: "The men who are in charge of the agencies have no real knowledge of the Indian. They come perhaps from New England and they care, not so much for the Indian, as the money which they are able to make out of their positions. In my opinion the Indians are a long-suffering race and have borne many insults

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