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THE RIFLE AS AN AID TO CIVILIZATION

There is a trite saying that "the pen is mightier than the sword." It is an equally true one that the bullet is the pioneer of civilization, for it has gone hand in hand with the axe that cleared the forest, and with the family Bible and school book. Deadly as has been its mission in one sense, it has been merciful in another; for without the rifle-ball America would not be to-day in the possession of a free and united country, and mighty in its strength.

And so has it been in the history of all people, from the time when David slew Foliath, down through the long line of ages, until in modern times science has substituted for the stone from David's sling the terrible missiles that now decided the fate of nations. It is not, therefore, so harsh as expression as it seems to be at first sight, that it is indeed the bullet which has been the forefunner of growth and development.

It is in the Far West of America, however, and along its frontier, that the rifle has found its greatest use and become a part of the person and the household of the venturesome settler, the guide, the scout, and the soldier; for nowhere else in Christendom is it so much and so frequently a neccessity for the preservation of life, and the defence of home and property. It is there, too, among the hunters on the plains and in the Rocky Mountains, that one sees the perfection of that skill in marksmanship that has become the wonder of those who are not accustomed to the daily use of weapons. Yet if it were not possessed - if there were not the quick eye, the sure aim, coolness in the moment of extreme danger, whether threatened by man or beast - life in that section would be of little value, and a man's home anything but a safe abiding place.

There are exceptional cases of men like "Buffalo Bill," Major North, and others, whose names are more or less familiar among the mighty hunters of the West, who excel in the use of rifle and pistol, and to which, time and time again, they and those around them have owed their lives. And they are the worthy successors of a long line of marksmen whose names are also "familiar as household words." Who does not recall David Crockett and his death-dealing rifle in teh Alamo? Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, and the heroic exploits that have been written concerning them in the early pages of their country's history?

It is to the end that the people of the East, or rather those who are not acquinted with the rough life of the border and especially that portion of it in which the rifle plays so important a part, may personally witness some of teh feats of Western men, that MESSRS. CODY & CO. have determined to introduce in their "great realistic pictures of Western life" a series of shooting exhibitions. The manner in which buffaloes are hunted, the exciting chase at close quarters, the splendidly trained horses who participate in the chase, the hunt for elk, the stealthy devices of Indians in capturing the fleet-footed animals - all these will be illustrated in a manner that has never been witnessed East of the Mississippi River - Buell's Life on the Plains.

AN HISTORICAL COACH OF TEH DEADWOOD LINE.

THE INDIANS' ATTACK ON WHICH WILL BE REPRESENTED IN "BUFFALO BILL'S" WILD WEST, AND ALSO ITS RESCUE BY TEH SOUTS AND PLAINSMEN.

The people of Great Britian, like those of the Eastern States of the Union, regard the west as the region of romance and adventure. And, in truth, its history abounds with thrilling incidents and surprising changes. Every inch of that beautiful country has been won from a cruel and savage foe by danger and conflict. In the terrible wars of teh border, which marked the early years of the Western settlements, the men sigualized themselves by performing prodigies of valor, while the women, in their heroic courage and endurance, afforded a splendid example of devotion and self-sacrifice. The history of the wagon trains and stage coaches that preseeded the railway is written all over with blood, and the story of suffering and disaster, often as it has been repeated, is only known in all of its horrid details of the bold frontiersmen who, as scouts and rangers, penetrated the strongholds of the Indians, and, backed by the gallant men of the army, became the avant couriers of Western civilization and the terror of the red man.

Among the most stirring episodes in the life of the Western pioneer are those connected with the opening of new lines of travel, for it is here, among the trails and canyons where lurk the desperadoes of both races, that he is brought face to face with danger in its deadliest forms. No better illustration of the fact is furnished than in the history of the famous DEADWOOD COACH, the scarred and weather-beaten veteran of the original "star route" line

of stages, established at a time when it was worth a man's life to sit on its box and journey from one end of its destination to the other. The accompanying picture affords an idea of the old relic, and it is because of its many associations with his own life that it has been purchased by "BUFFALO BILL" and added to the attractions of his "GREAT REALISTIC EXHIBITION OF WESTERN LIFE."

It will be observed that it is a heavily built Concord stage, and is intended for a team of six horses. The body is swung on a pair of heavily leather underbraces, and has the usual thick "perches," "jacks" and brakes belonging to such a vehicle. It has a large leather "boot" behind and another at the driver's foot-board. The coach was intended to seat twenty-one men - the driver and two men heside him, twelve inside, and the other six on top. As it now stands, the leather blinds of the windows are worn, the paint is faded, and it has a battered and travel-stained aspect that tells the story of hardship and adventure. Its trips began in 1875, when the owners were Messrs, Gilmore, Salsbury & Co. Luke Voorhees is the present manager. The route was between Cheyenne and Deadwood, via Fort Laramie, Rawhide Buttes, Hat or War Bonnet Creek, the place where "BUFFALO BILL," killed the Indian Chief, "Yellow Hand," on July 17, 1876, Cheyenne River, Red Canyon, and Custer. Owing to the long distance and dangers, the drivers were always chosen for their coolness, courage and skill.

[IMAGE]

THE OLD STAGE COACH.

In its first season the dangerous places on the route were Buffalo Gap, Lame Johnny Creek, Red Canyon, and Squaw Gap, all of which were made famous by scenes of slaughter and the devilry of the banditti. Conspicuous among the latter were "Curley" Grimes, who was killed at Hogan's Ranch; "Peg Legged" Bradley, Bill Price, who was killed on the Cheyenne River; "Dunk" Blackburn, who is now in the Nebraska State Prison, and others of the same class, representing the most fearless of the road agents of the West.

On the occasion of the first attack the driver, John Slaughter, a son of the present marshal of Cheyenne, was shot to pieces with buckshot. He fell to the ground and the team ran away, escaping with the passengers and mail, and safely reached Greely's Station. This occurred at White Wood Canyon. Slaughter's body was recovered, brought to Deadwood, and thence carried to Cheyenne, where it is now buried. The old coach here received its "baptism of fire," and during the ensuting summer passed through a variety of similar experiences, being frequently attacked. One of the most terrific of these raids was made by the Sioux Indians but the assult was successfully repelled although the two leading horses were killed. Several commerical travellers next suffered from a successful ambush, on which occasion a Mr. Liehman, of Chicago, was killed, and his companion shot through the shoulder.

When "BUFFALO BILL," returned from his scout with Gen. Crook, in 1876, he rode in this self-same stage, bringing with him the scalps of several of the Indians whom he had met. When afterwards he learned that it had been attacked and abandoned, and was lying neglected on the plains, he organized a party, and starting on the trail, rescued and brought the vehicle into camp.

THE RIFLE AS AN AID TO CIVILIZATION

There is a trite saying that "the pen is mightier than the sword." It is an equally true one that the bullet is the pioneer of civilization, for it has gone hand in hand with the axe that cleared the forest, and with the family Bible and school book. Deadly as has been its mission in one sense, it has been merciful in another; for without the rifle-ball America would not be to-day in the possession of a free and united country, and mighty in its strength.

And so has it been in the history of all people, from the time when David slew Foliath, down through the long line of ages, until in modern times science has substituted for the stone from David's sling the terrible missiles that now decided the fate of nations. It is not, therefore, so harsh as expression as it seems to be at first sight, that it is indeed the bullet which has been the forefunner of growth and development.

It is in the Far West of America, however, and along its frontier, that the rifle has found its greatest use and become a part of the person and the household of the venturesome settler, the guide, the scout, and the soldier; for nowhere else in Christendom is it so much and so frequently a neccessity for the preservation of life, and the defence of home and property. It is there, too, among the hunters on the plains and in the Rocky Mountains, that one sees the perfection of that skill in marksmanship that has become the wonder of those who are not accustomed to the daily use of weapons. Yet if it were not possessed - if there were not the quick eye, the sure aim, coolness in the moment of extreme danger, whether threatened by man or beast - life in that section would be of little value, and a man's home anything but a safe abiding place.

There are exceptional cases of men like "Buffalo Bill," Major North, and others, whose names are more or less familiar among the mighty hunters of the West, who excel in the use of rifle and pistol, and to which, time and time again, they and those around them have owed their lives. And they are the worthy successors of a long line of marksmen whose names are also "familiar as household words." Who does not recall David Crockett and his death-dealing rifle in teh Alamo? Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, and the heroic exploits that have been written concerning them in the early pages of their country's history?

It is to the end that the people of the East, or rather those who are not acquinted with the rough life of the border and especially that portion of it in which the rifle plays so important a part, may personally witness some of teh feats of Western men, that MESSRS. CODY & CO. have determined to introduce in their "great realistic pictures of Western life" a series of shooting exhibitions. The manner in which buffaloes are hunted, the exciting chase at close quarters, the splendidly trained horses who participate in the chase, the hunt for elk, the stealthy devices of Indians in capturing the fleet-footed animals - all these will be illustrated in a manner that has never been witnessed East of the Mississippi River - Buell's Life on the Plains.

AN HISTORICAL COACH OF TEH DEADWOOD LINE.

THE INDIANS' ATTACK ON WHICH WILL BE REPRESENTED IN "BUFFALO BILL'S" WILD WEST, AND ALSO ITS RESCUE BY TEH SOUTS AND PLAINSMEN.

The people of Great Britian, like those of the Eastern States of the Union, regard the west as the region of romance and adventure. And, in truth, its history abounds with thrilling incidents and surprising changes. Every inch of that beautiful country has been won from a cruel and savage foe by danger and conflict. In the terrible wars of teh border, which marked the early years of the Western settlements, the men sigualized themselves by performing prodigies of valor, while the women, in their heroic courage and endurance, afforded a splendid example of devotion and self-sacrifice. The history of the wagon trains and stage coaches that preseeded the railway is written all over with blood, and the story of suffering and disaster, often as it has been repeated, is only known in all of its horrid details of the bold frontiersmen who, as scouts and rangers, penetrated the strongholds of the Indians, and, backed by the gallant men of the army, became the avant couriers of Western civilization and the terror of the red man.

Among the most stirring episodes in the life of the Western pioneer are those connected with the opening of new lines of travel, for it is here, among the trails and canyons where lurk the desperadoes of both races, that he is brought face to face with danger in its deadliest forms. No better illustration of the fact is furnished than in the history of the famous DEADWOOD COACH, the scarred and weather-beaten veteran of the original "star route" line

of stages, established at a time when it was worth a man's life to sit on its box