COPYRIGHTED 1638. BUFFALO BILL TO THE RESCUE. \j i eroes of the Plains OR Lives and Wonderful Adventures OF Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill, Kit Carson, Capt. Payne, "White Beaver," Capt. Jack, Texas Jack, California Joe, AND OTHER CELEBRATED INDIAN FIGHTERS, SCOUTS, HUNTERS AND GUIDES, - INCLUDING A TRUE AND THHII,I,ING HISTORY OF GEN. OUSTER'S FAM- OUS "LAST FIGHT" ON THE I,ITTI,E BIG HORN, WITH SITTING BUI,!, ; AI^SO A SKETCH OF THE I,IFE OF SITTING BUI,!,, AND HIS ACCOUNT OF THE CUSTER MASSACRE, AS RELATED TO THE AUTHOR IN PERSON. By the Author of "Mysteries and Miseries of America's Great Cities," ' Border Outlaws," etc., etc. u PROFUSELY IU,USTRATED. PHILADELPHIA, PA. WEST PHILADELPHIA PUBLISHING CO., 3941 Market Street. Copyright, 1891, by HISTORICAL PUBLISHING Co. Philadelphia, Pa. PUBLISHED AND MANUFACTURED BY HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, PA. ncroft AUTHOR'S PREFACE. THE work of preparing a brief history of the greatest ef plains-heroes has been one of especial pleasure to me, although at times many obstacles interposed themselves which only perseverance could remove. But the labor, nevertheless, has afforded me no little enjoyment, as it brought to my immediate consideration deeds of prow- ess, cunning and endurance, putting to a test the meas- ure of man's possibilities in a particular field of action. It is our natural disposition to admire true heroes, and not only to admire, but to exalt their acts, and this uni- versal feeling, perhaps exaggerated in myself, was one of the motives which impelled me into a preparation of HEROES OF THE PLAINS." While this volume abounds with thrilling adventures, sanguinary encoun- ters and personal combats of the most startling charac- ter, yet through every page there is observed a thread of wholesome justice, upon which is strung every deed recounted, preserving a forcible and moral influence beneficial to young and old alike. In compiling these personal histories I have adhered strictly to facts without florid coloring. I was well ac- quainted with Wild Bill for several years before his death, and in 1879 wrote a pamphlet sketch of his life, but dis- covered afterward that while it contained comparatively few f bis adventures, there were several mortifying er~ 10 AUTHOR'S PREFACE rors, a correction of which influenced me to write another sketch of the famous scout, and this labor developed into " HEROES OF THE PLAINS." I was fortunate in securing Wild Bill's diary from his widow, Mrs. Agnes Lake Hickok, of Cincinnati, from which I have drawn my facts Concerning him, that there might be no mistakes or omissions in recounting the marvelous exploits of his life in this publication. Buffalo Bill, who now stands unchallenged as the greatest plainsman living, was an intimate friend of Wild Bill, and the two, so long connected in their won- derful careers, deserve a conjunctive position in history, such as I have here given them. The other heroes, Kit Carson, Capt. Jack, Gen. Custer, Capt. Payne, California Joe, and Texas Jack, have each made their private mark over the wild expanse of West- ern wilderness, in the highway they so ably assisted in preparing for civilization and its peaceful pursuits : teem- ing harvests, happy homes, the building of cities, exten- sion of commerce and all attendant blessings. They fought the fight whose victory has moved the center of wealth and population Westward, and therefore deserve the exultant recognition of every American whose patri- otism extends from the heart to the MoH \tf his nativity. J. W. B. ILLUSTRATIONS. ILLUMINATED TITLE. PAGE. ]. B. Hickok (Wild Bill), .... 20 Wild Bill's Birth Place,- - 22 Disembarking in a Kansas Mob, ... 27 Wild Bill Driving into Santa Fe, - 31 Wild Bill and his Men Charging the Indian Camp, 35 WILD BILL AND THE CINNAMON BEAR, - 39 WILD BILL'S FIGHT WITH THE McCANDLAS GANG, 45 A Close Shave, - - - - - 56 Wild Bill in Disguise, - 67 Wild Bill Surprises the Sleepy Sentinel, - 71 Man-to-yu kee (Conquering Bear), WILD BILL'S DUEL WITH CONQUERING BEAR, 8} Wild Bill and Mrs. Rogers in the Park, - - 89 Wild Bild Satisfies the Natives, - 94 A Duel with Four Men - 97 WILD BILL KILLING BLACK KETTLE, - 101 Scenery on the Route Traveled by the Wilson Party, 109 The Principal Amusement at Hays City, - - in WILD BILL'S FIGHT WITH FIFTEEN SOLDIERS, 1 19 The Aboriginal Part of the Outfit, - - - - 129 The Bear and the Sausages, - - - 131 A Street in Abilene, 134 A Ride for Life, ... . . 154 Wild Bill Accidentally Kills a Friend, - - - 136 PUNISHING A BOGUS CHARACTER, - - 165 The Cabin in the Black Hills, - - - 171 Wild Bill and the Fox, - 173 Taking Desperate Chances, . . 177 Wild Bill's Miraculous Escape from the Indians, - 179 Deadwood in Embryo, - 186 ASSASSINATION OF WILD BILL, - - 189 Execution of Jack McCall, ... 205 Wild Bill's Grave, - - - 209 Gen. Forsyth and his Beleaguered Scouts, 222 Pony Express, .... 223 Hon. Wm. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), ... 224 Stabbing of Buffalo Bill's Father, - - 230 Battle of Ash Hollow, - - 245 The Attack on the Stage Coach, .... 267 Inside the Robbers' Dug-Out, - 271 BUFFALO BILL WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP, - - 297 AMBUSHING THE INDIANS, - - 303 " Hi yi-yip-yah" The Attack, - - - 313 Beaver Creek, the Trapper's Ely sian, - - - 317 BUFFALO BILL IN CLOSE QUARTERS, - - 322 Buffalo Bill Tries a Shot at Long Range, - 329 Major Frank North, - - - 332 Silver Bricks awaiting Shipment, - - 336 Death of Tall Bull, - ... 344 Two Indians at One Shot, ... . 347 The Marriage Ceremony, - 353 "How! How!" - - . - 356 The Grand Duke's First Buffalo, .... 358 11 12 ILLUSTRATIONS. Residence of Hon. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) at North Platte, Neb., 374 Brerent Major-Gen. Geo. A. Custer, - - . 377 Gen. Ouster's Interpreter Addressing the Assembled Sioux, - 380 DEATH OF GENERAL CUSTER, - 389 The Monument where Custer Fell, - - 392 BUFFALO BILL'S DUEL WITH YELLOW HAND, - - 397 A Shot that Beat William Tell's, - 407 California Joe, - - - - - -418 CALIFORNIA JOE AT THE STAKE, - - 423 The Indians Receiving the White Girl into their Canoe, - - 435 CALIFORNIA JOE ATTACKED BY A PANTHER, 446 California Joe Saves his Friend, .... 448 "Ugh! White Man," ... - 451 Kit Carson and his Blind Horse, .... 458 Kit Carson Employed as a Horse Tamer, - 463 Treed by a Hungry Grizzly, - 472 Hunting the Trail, ----- 474 Carson's Duel with the Frenchman, ... - 478 Kit Carson Saves his Fallen Comrade, - - - 481 Carson's Fight with a Mexican Lion, - - 483 Kit Carson's Indian Wife, - 484 Carson and the Wounded Buffalo, - - 489 Scene in Taos, N. M., ----- 494 Capt. D. L. Payne, - - - - - 498 THE MURDER OF MRS. BLINN, 509 Marching Through the Snow, - - 512 Departure of the Cheyennes, - - S 1 7 A Cheyenne Warrior, - - - ' 5 2 5 Colonel Coppinger Visits the Camp, - - 529 Drilling the Colonists, - 532 White Beaver (Dr. D. F. Powell), - - 534 White Beaver Charging the Indians, - - 543 A Ghastly Duel, - - - 546 White Beaver's Desperate Fight for Life, - 554 The Fight in Massacre Canon, - - 557 Combat with the Norwegian, - - 5" 1 Punishment of an Indian Adulteress, - 564 Sitting Bull, - 572 Surrender of Sitting Bull and his people, - 577 Rain-in-the-Face, - -581 Crow King, - 5 8 S Gall, - 589 Low-Dog, ... - 591 Diagram of the Custer Battle-Field, - '594 Final Charge of the Indians on Custer' s Men, - ' 597 Custer' s Last Shot, - -598 Capt. Jack, the Poet Scout, ooo Oura, - 6o5 Texas Jack, - 607 Tack Holding the Indians at Bay, 6or Flagging Antelope, - - - - - ** CONTENTS. LIFE OF WILD BILL. PAGE. CHAPTER I. Birth Family History Early Life Youthful Hunting Adventures Desperate Fight on a Towpath Leaves Home to take part in the Kansas War Receives the Title of "Shanghai Bill" Lively Times in Kansas, 21 30 CHAPTER II. Stage Driving across the Plains Trouble with the Indians Bill Leads an Expedition against them Desper- ate Fight and Brilliant Victory Freighting to New Mexico Terrific Fight with a Cinnamon Bear Bill Cleans out the McCandlas Gang at Rock Creek, and wins the Title of "Wild Bill," - 3050 CHAPTER III. Wild Bill Enlists in the Union Army Remarka- ble Shooting at Pea Ridge Becomes a Spy for General Curtis Makes his way to the Confederates and becomes an Orderly to Gen. Price Desperate Adventure with Jake Lawson A Ride for Life An Unprofitable Horse Race, 50 63 CHAPTER IV. Wild Bill again enters the Confederate Lines Humorous Adventure with an Old Darkey Assumes the role of an Arkansaw Traveler Is Detected and Condemned to be Shot Escapes by Killing his Guard, - 63 72 CHAPTER V. Bill Declines longer to serve as a Spy Remarkable Adventure with Three Bushwhackers Black Nell Bowie- Knife Duel with Conquering Bear, - - 72 85 CHAPTER VI. Mary Logan, the Beautiful Indian Girl Her Singular Infatuation for Wild Bill The Romance of Love Mary Logan Poisons her Husband and Disappears For- everDuel with Dave Tutt, in which Bill "Satisfies the Natives," - - 8695 CHAPTER VII. Wild Bill Fights a Duel with Four Men Expedi- tion Against Black Kettle Desperate Battle on the Wachita Bill Kills Black Kettle, - - 9610$ CHAT7ER VIIL W^ld Bill Visits Chicago Some Roughs try to Tame him Ignominious Failure of the Attempt Bill Re- ceives a Letter from Vice-President Wilson Serves as Guide for the Vice-President's Party, and is Presented with a Pair of Ivory-Handled Pistols Bill is Elected Marshal of Hays City, - II 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. Jack Strawhan's Fatal Mistake Bill Mulvey un- dertakes to ''Run the Town" But Runs against Wild Bill's Pistol Desperate Fight with 16 Soldiers, - 113 124 CHAPTER X. Wild Bill's Buffalo Speculation Captures a Herd of Wild Buffaloes and Exhibits them at Niagara Result, Bankruptcy Bill becomes Marshal of Abilene, Kan. Fatal Row with Phil Cole Wild Bill and the Professor of Pugilism, - 124139 CHAPTER XL $5,000 offered for Wild Bill's Heart Eight Texas Desperadoes Accept the Offer, but fail to Deliver the Goods Death of Bill Thompson Wild Bill Kills and Scalps Phil Cole's Cousin, - 140149 CHAPTER XII. Mrs. Lake Finds a Champion in Wild Bill Who Makes a Speech in her Favor Bill Visits Kansas City Description of that Place in its Early Days Bill Tames a Rash Young Man, - 150 156 CHAPTER X1IL Wild Bill as an Actor The Tricks he played on the "Supes" Settles a Crowd of Roughs, who were Spoiling to Fight the entire Combination Adventure with a Party of Merchants at Portland, Maine Wild Bill makes ? Decided Hit Cleans out a Bogus Theatrical Troupe for using his Name without Authority Goes West again Is Attacked by Two Villains and Kills them Both, - 156 169 CHAPTER XIV. Expedition to the Black Hills Adventure with the Silver Grey Fox Bill's Companions Attacked and Killed by Indians His own Marvelous Adventures and Final Escape, - - 170 180 CHAPTER XV. Wild Bill Accidentally meets Mrs. Lake Pro- poses Marriage, is Accepted, and the Wedding takes place Pleasant Visit to Cincinnati Sketch of Mrs. Lake and her Daughter Emma, - - 180185 CHAPTER XVI. Bill's Last Expedition to the Black Hills Affec- tionate Letter to his Wife Assassination of Wild Bill by Jack McCall, - - 185192 CHAPTER XVIL The Murderer's Trial and Acquittal, 192198 CHAPTER XVIII. Funeral of Wild Bill California Joe's Warn- ing to the Murderer Capt. Jack's Poem on the Burial of Wild Bill, -. - 198203 CHAPTER XIX. Second Trial of Jack McCall His Conviction and Execution Pathetic Letter from his Sister, - 203 207 CHAPTER XX. Removal of Wild Bill's Remains, which are found to be Petrified "Wild Bill's Grave" Peculiarities of the Great Scout His Love for Black Nell His Wonder- ful Dexterity in the use of Fire Arms Gen. Custer's Opin- ion of Wild Bill, - ... 207 a*" CONTENTS. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. CHAPTER I. Birth and Early Life Experiences with Mormons and Frontier Characters The Kansas Troubles Attempt- ed Assassination of Billy's Father Billy Rescues his Father from a Mob Attempt to Blow up the Cody Residence with Ppwder, 225 334. CHAPTER II. Billy runs away from Home to become a Herder Returns with his Pockets full of Silver, which he gives to his Mother Goes to School His First Sweetheart Fight with his Rival "I'm killed! I'm killed!" Billy again Leaves Home to Escape Imaginary Dangers Is Followed by his Rival's Father But Escapes his Fury Death of the Elder Mr. Cody- Billy's Efforts to Help his Mother His First Fight with Indians The Retreat Billy Slays the "Biggest Indian in the Outfit" Returns Home to Find himself Famous, ... 234 24* CHAPTER III. Billy " Goes West" again Description of Over- land Freighting A Singular Obligation " Bull- Whack- ers " and " Cow-Boys "The Camp Wrecked by a Buffalo Stampede Captured by Mormons Who Rob the Train, but Release the Men Perilous March across the Plains Desperate Fight with Indians Billy Shoots a Warrior at Long Range The Rescue Trapping Camping in a Grave Yard, - 243 233 CHAPTER IV. " Pike's Peak or Bust " " Busted "The Re- turn Adventures on a Raft Billy becomes a ' ' Pony Ex- press" Rider, 254 257 CHAPTER V. Billy and Dave Harrington as Trappers The Ac- cident Alone on the Prairie Visited by Indians Twenty- Nine Days of Lonely Suffering Help at Last The Return Death of Noble Dave Harrington, 257 263 CHAPTER VI. Stage Driving Narrow Escape from Massacre Battle of Clear Creek, 264269 CHAPTER VII. Billy's Adventure with the Robbers Kills one of the Band and Escapes by Shrewd Strategy, 269 27J CHAPTER VIII. The Great Civil War" Red Legs " and "Bor- der Ruffians" ^Billy's Service as a Soldier and Scout Adventure in Southern Missouri, - 275 280 CHAPTER IX. Close of the War Billy falls in Love and is Mar- ried Wedding Trip to Kansas The Boat Attacked by Bushwhackers Ovation at Leavenworth Housekeeping Scouting for Gen. Custer, - 280 285 CONTENTS . CHAPTER X. The " Colored Troops " fail to Fight Nobly But Unlimber Themselves and "Light Out" Saved by the Darkness A Town Speculation Rome " Howls" Dr. Webb and his Little Scheme Rome does not prove to be an Eternal City Buffalo Hunting Cody Wins the Title of "Buffalo Bill," 285291 CHAPTER XL -The Great Buffalo Hunting Contest Numerous Visitors Great Excitement Magnificent Display of Skill in Riding and Shooting Buffalo Bill Wins the Stakes, 292 299 CHAPTER XII. Bill is Captured by Indians But Escapes through Strategy and the Fleetness of his Mule The Ambush Marvelous Riding as a Dispatch Carrier The "Govern- ment Mule," ...... 299 311 CHAPTER XIIL Gen. Forsythe's Desperate Battle with the Indi- ans Buffalo Bill as Scout and Hunter Drives a Herd of Buffaloes into Camp and Kills them Fighting Indians Close Quarters, - - 311 320 CHAPTER XIV. The Battle with Black Kettle's Band Pursuit of Horse Thieves "Throw up your Hands, or I'll Kill You," - 320327 CHAPTER XV. Buffalo Bill Kills an Indian at Long Range- Major North and his Pawnees Numerous Indian Fights, 328 339 CHAPTER XVI. Scouts and Battles Buffalo Bill shoots Tall Bull Camp Life, - - - 339345 CHAPTER XVIL Buffalo Bill's Wonderful Horsemanship He Kills Two Indians at One Shot The Pawnee Sentinel- Buffalo Bill as a 'Squire A New Way to "Replevin" a Stolen Horse The Wedding Ceremony, - - 345 353 CHAPTER XVIII. Buffalo Bill Serves as Guide for Distinguished Hunting Parties The Duke Alexis Spotted Tail and his Indians The Duke Kills his First Buffalo Bill Treats him to a "Western Stage Drive "Buffalo Bill Visits New York on the Invitation of Prominent Citizens Another Brush with the Indians, 354 363 CHAPTER XIX. Buffalo Bill is Elected a Member of the Legis- lature Ned Buntline Makes him an Offer to go on the Stage Bill and Texas Jack Learning their Parts Splendid Success, 363372 CHAPTER XX. Acting and Scouting Death of Little Kit Prep- arations for the Little Big Horn Expedition, 373 382 CHAPTER XXL History of the Unfortunate Expedition to the Little Big Horn Custer's Last Fight and Death, - 382 393 CHAPTER XXII. Buffalo Bill's Duel with Yellow Hand "The First Scalp for Custer," * 393 393 CONTENTS. 17 CHAPTER XXIII. Scouting on a Steamboat The Bad Lands- Marvelous Ride and Narrow Escape Viewing an Indian Buffalo Hunt from Ambush A Bridle of Indian Scalps- Success on the Stage $48,000 Cleared in One Season A Shot that Beat William Tell's, 400408 CHAPTER XXIV. The Author visits Buffalo Bill The Famous Scout's Home and Family His Great Popularity at Home Wonderful Riding and Shooting Buffalo Bill's Liberal- ity A Humorous Incident at Church An Indian's Con- tempt for a Watch Other Incidents and Anecdotes, 408 416 LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. CHAPTER!. Who was California Joe? The Mystery that En- shrouded him The Indian Massacre Captured and Con- demned to the Stake Rescued by a Party of Trappers after the Fire is Kindled, - - 419 435 CHAPTER II. A Romance of Love Capt. Jack's Poem Joe Rescues Hazel Eye, - 425 436 CHAPTER III. Service as Scout During the War Scouting on the Plains Gen. Custer's Description of California Joe "An Ambulance Man er a Hoss Man" Silent Jack Corbin Joe and Jack's Ride A Bear Hunt Ambushing the Indiars " Boys, you kin hev the Fixtures, but the Scalps are Mine," ... - _ 436 444 CHAPTER IV. Joe's Terrific Combat with a Mexican Couger California Joe and Jack Corbin in the Black Hills Joe Saves his Friend's Life " Ugh ! White Man! " - 444 453 CHAPTER V. Joe's Weakness Must have "Pie" His practical joke on the Big Soldier "The Grave of Poor Amos Billings " Incidents and Anecdotes Murder of California Joe, - - - 453 457 LIFE OF KIT CARSON. CHAPTER I. Personal Characteristics Uncertainty of Kit's Birth Place Early Days in Missouri Expedition to Santa Fe Becomes a Mexican Horse Tamer Engages in Trap- ping Trip to California Pursuit of Digger Indians Charging through their Camp in the Darkness Kit kills a Mexican Fights with Indians, - 459 469 CHAPTER II. Hunting and Trapping in Colorado Kit pursues an Indian Horse Thief Overtakes and Kills him Treed by a Grizzly Bear Trailing Indians in the Snow A Council 18 CONTENTS. that Ended in a Fight Kit Carson is badly Wounded in an Effort to Save a Comrade Carson's Duel with the Arro- gant Frenchman, - - 469478 CHAPTER III. Expedition into the Blackfeet Country Threaten- ed with Starvation Combats with the Blackfeet Carson Saves a Fallen Comrade Trapping on the Great Salt Lake Terrible Fight with a Mexican Lion Kit Carson's Indian Wife Her Death and Kit's visit to St. Louis Serves as Scout in the Fremont Expedition Graphic De- scription of a Buffalo Hunt Carson's Narrow Escape from a Wounded Buffalo, - 479 499 CHAPTER IV. The Second Fremont Expedition Exploring the Great Salt Lake Terrible Hardships and Sufferings, 490493 CHAPTER V. Carson's Service in the Mexican War Saves a Party of Americans from Annihilation Close of the Mexi- can War Carson's Home in New Mexico Commissioned Brigadier General Death of Kit Carson, - - 493 497 LIFE OF CAPT. D. L. PAYNE. CHAPTER L Early Life Goes West to Fight the Mormons- Unprofitable Speculation in a Saw Mill Hunting on the Plains of Kansas Payne's intimacy with Kit Carson, Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill, California Joe, and other Noted Plains- men Service in the Cival War The Pompous Dutch In- specting Officer Payne as a Sailor The Joke he played on a couple of Starchy Officers A Gallant Adventure at the Battle of Prairie Grove, - - 498 507 CHAPTER II. Close of the War Scouting on the Plains Capt- ure of Three White Ladies by Indians The Pursuit and Re- capture Terrible Sufferings during the Expedition Ten Cheyenne Chiefs in a Close Place Payne and the Lively Mule Surrounded and Hemmed In Saved by Daring and Skill Capt. Payne's Election to the Kansas Legislature The Oklahoma Movement Payne's Arrest and Trial Per- sonal Characteristics, ... 507 jjjj LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. CHAPTER I. Character of the Hero His Indian Mother Early Life His Inherited and Acquired Knowledge of Medicine Death of Mrs. Powell First Adventures on the Plains " Follow Me Who Will." - 534$^ CHAPTER II. A Fierce Fight With Twenty Sioux Sends Him- self to the Louisville Medical College A Pistol Duel in a CONTENTS. ID Ghostly Dissecting-room Return to the Plains Buffalo Bill's Story of Powell's Noble Nature How He Saved Chief " Rocky Bear's" Daughter Bestowal of the Name "White Beaver" Upon Him by Rocky Bear, 542 550 CHAPTER III. To the Rescue of An Unfortunate Girl His Duel With the Royall Brothers Joins a Band of " Cut Off" Sioux- Dreadful Fight With Arrapahoe Indians Desperately Wound- ed With a Lance Saved by Rocky Bear, 550 550 CHAPTER IV. Terrible Sight In Massacre Canon Discovery of the Cheyenne Camp White Beaver Heads the Charge A Terrible Alternative "The Chief Must Be Cured or White Beaver Shall Die" He Cures the Chief, and is Made Medicine Man of the Nation Removal to Lanesboro Desperate Fight With a Norwegian Encounter With a Member of Crazy Horse's Band How He Killed the Indian, - 555 565 CHAPTER V. Marriage of White Beaver His Estimable Wife and Her Influence He Joins Buffalo Bill's Combination White Beaver Suppresses an Indian War Dance in Chicago And Cracks " Long Trailer's" Skull His Removal to LaCrosse, Wis. Established as Proprietor of a Surgical Insti- tute His Extraordinary Success and Practice in Surgery Besought by Numerous Indian Tribes to Return and be Their Medicine Chief His Skill as a Rifle and Pistol Shot, - 565571 SITTING BULL'S STORY OF THE CUSTER MASSACRE. CHAPTER I. Sitting Bull's Taciturnity The Author's Visit to the Great Warrior A Cordial Reception Sitting Bull not a Chief But a Prophet A Brief History of His Career Attending an Indian Funeral Back into Camp With Sitting Bull The Author's Interview with the Distinguished Chief Graphic History of a Painful Memory How the Last Survivor Died A Story that Melts the Heart With Pity Identification of a Skeleton by Teeth With Gold Fillings, - - 572588 CHAPTER II. STORY OF LAKOTAH, THE SQUAW-WARRIOR, WHO FOUGHT AGAINST CUSTER Lakotah, the Wife of Chief Spotted Horn Bull Her Fierce Fight with Chief Gall The Author's Introduction to Lakotah Her Willingness to Tell the Story of Custer's Defeat Explaining the Battle by Means of a Diagram Reno's First Attack An Inexcusable Retreat First Appearance of Custer on the Scene Caught in an Ambush A Storm of Death Not a Soldier Left What Shall the Heroes' Portion Be? 588 599. SKETCH OF CAPT. JACK, THE POET SCOUT, 6oc> 606 SKETCH OF TEXAS JACK, (J. B. Omohundro), - 60761:2 J. B. HICKOK, (Wild Bill) HEROES OF THE PLAINS. LIFE OF WILD BILL (J. B. HICKOK.) CHAPTER I. IT is a noticeable fact that nearly all our sturdy f ron- characters are natives of the West ; there is, appar- ently, something in the atmosphere, in the wild winds which freight the air with primeval perfume ; an unde- fined elemental principle which inoculates Western chil- dren yrith a desire for adventure. Our hero, of course, beloDg-3 to that longitudinal nativity where the prairies bathe their feet at the margins of eastern forests, and then roll away to the Occident, resting at that great ridge which rinses ruggedly into the vertebrae of a continent. JAMES BUTLER HICKOK, known to history only as ' ' Wild Bill," was born in La Salle county, Illinois, near the country village of Troy Grove, on the 27th of May, 1837. His parents were both natives of Vermont, from which State they removed, directly after marriage, to New York. After following farming for some time in the Empire State, and meeting with indifferent success, in 1834 the family, now consisting of the parents and two children, packed up their few possessions and re- moved to Illinois, going overland in a " mover's wagon," as was the customary mode of traveling in that early period. A place for settlement was chosen in Putnam county, but two years afterward a more desirable location was found in La Salle county, the homestead then selected 21 22 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. and entered proving so satisfactory that it is still occur pied by two survivors of the family. The house in which Wild Bill was born was built in 1836 and stood, fronting east, upon a prairie one-half mile from the timber skirting little Yermillion creek. The house is still standing, and occupied, but the progress of rapid settlement in Illinois has reared the village of Homer about the pioneer's home, and the birth-place of our hero is now situated in the southeast corner of block Wild Bill's Birth Place. number thirteen of that town. The cut of the house as here produced, was made from a drawing executed by H. D. Hickok, in March of the present year, and therefore illustrates the place of to-day, though there have been n material alterations made in the building since its first erection. The family consisted of six children, four boys and two girls, whose names and ages are as follows : O. C. Hickok, was born in New York in 1830 : he is now a resi- LITE OF WILD BILL. 23 dent of California, and is the trainer and part owner of St. Julian, the greatest horse, perhaps, now on the turf. Lorenzo B. was born, also in New York, in 1832 ; Horace D. is a native of Putnam count j, Illinois, having been born there in 1834 ; James B., Celinda D., and Lydia M. were born at tne old homestead near Troy Grove. Celinda, born in 1839, married a gentleman by the name of Dewey, and is still living in La Salle county, while Lydia, being two years younger, married a farmer named Barnes and is living in Decatur county, Kansas. Lorenzo arid Horace are still living on the old homestead. The father died in 1852, and the mother in 1878 after reach- ing the venerable age of seventy-four years. All the children are living with the exception of James (Wild Bill) whose marvelous career and tragic death will be found fully recorded in the subsequent pages, constitut- ing a leaf in history a parallel to which can be found neither in the annals of fact nor romance. James, it is said, was peculiar in his ways even in child- hood. His earliest desire was for fire-arms, and by bar- tering a number of childish trinkets, at the age of eight years he became possessed of the greatest treasure his youthful fancy had ever pictured a little single-barreled pistol. In his eyes this weapon, though a flint-lock and of imperfect make, represented the sum total of earthly wealth ; he would not have exchanged it for all the gold of the richest Peruvian Inca, and if staked against his soul there is no doubt but that he would have taken great risk of losing that before parting with his almost price- less treasure. By dint of cunning exchange and bar- ter the youthful sportsman procured powder, and when lead was difficult to obtain he used pebbles, and thus accoutered all his leisure hours were spent in marksman- ship, in which, despite the primitiye character of his "out- 24 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. fit," he occasionally killed a cat, wounded a pig, winged a chicken, or stung a coyote. These foibles sometimes brought a prominent admonition of Solomon into active operation, at great expense to his youthful posterior ; but if these corrections made the embryo hunter's sitting posi- tion difficult they apprised him, at the same time, of the more comfortable employment of walking, and this was sure to lead him again into the commission of other acts equally indefensible in the eyes of his parents. At about the age of fourteen James secured an excel- lent pistol and shortly afterward, by the assistance of his father, he purchased a rifle, and thus armed he remained in the woods almost constantly. At this period the few settlers were greatly annoyed by the ravages of wolves, so much in fact that the State offered premiums for the scalps of these destructive animals. This furnished a remunerative occupation for James who, every evening, returned home with a belt full of bloody prizes which brought him no small revenue at the end of every mouth when the scalps were carried to the county clerk, as the law provided. His opportunities for schooling were entirely consistent with his other advantages ; country schools had occa- sional sessions in his district, but a regular attendance was prevented, both by the great distance of the school- house and the irregularity, or rather infrequencj, of the sessions. However, he managed to acquire a rudimental education. At the age of fifteen chance threw in his way acopyof Peters' "Lifeof Kit Carson," and "The Trap- per's Guide," two books which he read with the greatest interest. The former made such an impression upon him that he declared to his brothers that he would 4 ' one day beat anything Kit Carson ever did or attempted." Two years after familiarizing himself with Carson's ex- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 25 ploits, James obtained employment as a tow-path driver for the Illinois and Michigan canal. Soon after engaging in this occupation he had a difficulty with a driver named Charles Hudson, which resulted in a fistic contest lasting more than an hour. The two began the fight on the tow path, but gradually rolling towards the canal they both finally tumbled into the water, and then it changed from blows into an effort each to drown the other. Hudson was a large man, whose physical abilities were far super- ior to James', but the latter' s cat-like agility fully com pensated for his deficiency in strength ; in addition to a remarkable activity his endurance was another point of superior excellence, and through these he at length gained such a decided victory that Hudson was taken out of the canal in a lifeless condition, but by dexterous manipulation he was resuscitated. This ended James* canal experience, and he returned home. Thus passed the youth of Wild Bill, but who can tell his longing far wider fields of adventure, his craving for escapades in which danger becomes the source of pleas- ure ? When he reached the period of responsible man- hood, eighteen years, though the avenues of communica- tion were few and narrow, yet there was brought to his ears stories of the incipient struggles between Missouri and Kansas. As the strife grew fiercer in aspect James decided to seek the arena of conflict ; he may have grasped the ideas which actuated the Kansas settlers in repelling all efforts to make their State a territory privi- leging slavery, but the elements of his nature rather in- cite a belief that he was moved alone by the knowledge that Kansas soil was vegetating bloody broils, and that the great need of that section was heroes. In the spring of 1855 our thirsting adventurer, collect- ing together what money he could command, bade adiei 26 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. to his old home, which nestled tamely in the wilderness of prairies, and set out on foot for St. Louis, which citj he reached after many days of painful traveling. The world was almost a? strange to him as one of the planets, for his intercourss uad been confined to such a limited stretch of changeless country, that beyond the village store his vision had never wandered over the scenes of business Me. St. Louis was to him a painted pano- rama, as mysterious as the labyrinths of the pyra- mids ; the steamboats were novelties like the palaces of necromancers, and this new life to him had such a strange aspect that it was very like a second birth. The river business was, at that time, very large, and the Missouri was crowded with steamers plying between St. Louis and Omaha. After much deliberation James engaged pas- sage on the steamer Imperial for Leavenworth, a small acquaintance with city life having infused a new longing for adventure and stimulated him for greater concerns. After a tedious voyage the boat reached Leavenworth, but at the landing met with a reception least expected. Ex- citement had seized upon everyone and the determination of the people seemed to be the disorganization of society and the formation of a universal mob. James, an unsophisticated country lad, but withal pos- sessed of a mother acuteness which led him to carefully con- sider the best means for his own security, carefully noted the excited throng which, without the least show of reason^ except exaggerated suspicion, forbade any of the passengers coming on shore . The town of Leavenworth being his des- tination, however, James determined to leave the boat, and to do this he resorted to a cunning expedient. Tying a large bandana kerchief about his neck, with his pants stuffed carelessly into his boot-legs, and being a deckpas^ :senger, he readily assumed the labor of a roustabout and LIFE OF WILD BILL. 27 began to carry off freight. While in this occupation he had no difficulty in slipping away through the crowd and gaining the center of the town, where he at once cast about for means of employment. Disembarking in a Kansas Mob. 28 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Jim Lane, who had recently come from Indiana with a body of two hundred men, was then the recognized leader of what was known as the " Red Legs," or anti-slavery forces in Kansas, and at this time had his headquarters in Leaven worth. His band consisted of a little more than three hundred men, armed with such weapons as their individual means afforded. James gravitated natu- rally towards Lane, and within a week after his arrival in Leavenworth he had joined his fortunes with those who were under that leader's generalship. A few days after his enlistment the regiment was called out on the commons west of town for drill and rifle practice. The range was one hundred yards, and the guns used were common squirrel rifles. In the contest of marksmanship James easily beat every other man in the command, and Indeed made such excellent scores that Lane personally com- plimented his accuracy in the most flattering words . While this little ceremony was being conducted, a crow chanced to fly overhead, and, greatly elated at the distinction be- ing shown him, James drew a pistol from his pocket and shot the bird, then carelessly replaced his weapon with- out remark as to the excellence of the shot. The crowd of men, however, set up a wild cheering, and for several minutes the confusion was so great that Lane could not make himself heard. When the noise had somewhat abated he renewed his flattering compliments, and putting a hand on James' shoulder, he said to his band : " This man, my newest recruit, will one day excite the wonder and admiration of America, and I shall watch his course with the greatest interest and solicitude." After this little incident the regiment gave James the title of " Shanghai Bill," a name which clung to him until after his great fight at Rock Creek, nearly five years after- wards. I can readily conceive the origin of the appella- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 29 tlon of " Shanghai," because James was, at this time, no less than six feet in height and uncommonly slim, though very lithe and willowy, but how he came to be called "Bill," instead of "Jim," I have been unable to discover. His most intimate acquaintances are at a loss for the rea- son, and his diary makes no mention of anything except the time and circumstances under which the " title" was bestowed. "Bill," as I shall hereafter very properly call him, served with Lane for nearly two years, through the most trying days when Kansas was building a wall on her east- ern border out of the blood and bodies of her noblest sons, to keep out Slavery. He fought only as a brave and excellent soldier, always recognized by Lane as the most effective man in the command. In the early part of 1857 Bill entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of the finest land in Monticello township, Johnson county, Kansas, and though he was not yet of age, his reputation was such that almost immediately after set- tling in that section he was elected constable. But he was not permitted to live in peace in his new home. The "Border Euffians " of Missouri, who had suffered defeat, held a special grudge against Bill and ia their predatory incursions on Kansas soil they visited Monticello township and during the absence of their enemy they burned his cabin. Being unable to revenge this out>- rage because of the secret identity of the men who did it, Bill went to work again and soon had another comfortable house erected on his premises. His duties as constable called him from home so frequently, however, that the marauders had no difficulty in a second time applying the torch and laying the new house in ashes. The insecurity of his possessions admonished Bill that fcw labors would never avail him, as a farmer in Johnson 30 HEBOES OF THE PLAINS. county, and before the year expired lie abandoned his claim and accepted a position as driver for the Overland Stage Company. In this capacity he crossed the plains several times, driving from St. Joseph, Denver, and points in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Salt Lake City. As a driver he was apparently reckless and yet no man ever got through his route so frequently with as few accidents. Coming into his destination Bill usually treated his passengers to " a shaking up," as he called it, " in order to jolt the crick* out of their joints." The last stretch of road entering Santa Fe was a slight decline and over this Bill almost in- variably turned the horses loose and gave them the lash. The big Concord coach would bound along like a wounded monster, lurching the passengers from side to side, dish- ing up dyspeptics, phlegmatics and rollicking disposition* indiscriminately, and bowling into the town finally the centre of a dust bank and the object of excited interest to everyone in the ancient Mexican city. CHAPTER II. THB Orerland Stage Company, like the great freight* ers, Majors* Russell & Waddell, had its routes over the entire West. It was a very easy matter at that time, and in that peculiar civilization, for a man, so disposed, to make a record. In fact, it was more difficult for him not to make one, for he was soon put down as either an arrant coward or a man of nerve. Every station was located by a saloon and every stage employe wart practi- cally an animated, skin-full of fighting whisky. Desper- ate rows were as common as wax-weed flowers on LIFE OF WILD BILL. 31 32 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. prairie in spring-time, anu the man who had failed to snuff out a life was like a bashful fellow at a country dance wofully out of place. But Shanghai Bill's record was recognized in the bud, for his physical ability had been demonstrated in many social encounters, and while he had gone through the ordeal of more than a score of fights his master had not yet been found. Being also acknowledged as the best shot on the plains and fortified with a wonderful self-possession under trying circum- stances, full of cunning, strategy and pluck, he was already a hero by general consent of all who knew him. In the fall of 1858 the Indians broke out of their res- ervation on the Sweetwater and began their depredations to the serious injury of the stage company. Several set- tlers had been massacred, two pony express riders killed, and, being emboldened by their success, they at length attacked a stage coach near the three crossings on Sweetr water creek. In this encounter the driver and three passengers were killed and the assistant division agent escaped with a serious wound. In addition to this out- rage the Indians stole a large number of horses belonging to the stage company and rendered its business so ex- tremely hazardous that for nearly two months the express and stage were suspended on that division. The com- pany, being thus enjoined from operations, and appreci- ating the necessity of some decisive action, sent for Bill. He promptly responded and meeting the officers jit St. Joseph they went into council to consider the best means of proceeding against the Indians. Bill was the first to offer a proposition looking to a solution of the troubles. Said he : " You have got enough men here, if they are turned loose right, to clean out all the Red Devils along the route, and all the men now idle would consider it a frolic to go into the Indian service for a short time." LIFE OF WILD BILL. 33 He was requested to perfect his plans and given full authority to conduct the proposed operations according to his own wishes. Bill at once had the men called to- gether and in his own pithy phrases related to them what was wanted ; a hearty disposition to engage in the expe- dition was manifested by every one, and on the following day preparations were made to leave. About fifty men enlisted, all of whom were well provided with the best of arms and good horses ; before starting they unanimously chose Bill as their leader, promising implicit obedience to his orders. The well equipped and organized body set out on the 29th day of September, pointing directly for the Powder River. When they reached that stream, along which they expected to find the Indians encamped, they saw nothing but an indistinct trail leading westwardly. This the company followed for three days, finding it growing constantly fresher, when suddenly they found, upon reaching Crazy Woman's Fork a small stream usually dry during summer and frozen solid in winter that the Indians whom they were so successfully trailing, had been joined by another party in war paint numbering not less than one hundred. Here was a dilemma which caused several in the command to falter, for it was now evident that the whole band of Indians comprised fully two hundred, and to meet with such an overwhelming force seemed like charging the guns at Balaklava. % But Bill gave his men no opportunity to talk about the in- creasing danger of the expedition, for he proposed to shoot the first man who attempted to return. This bold threat may not have been needed, for though there were some expressions concerning the judiciousness of follow- ing so large a band of Indians, yet every one under Bill was full, up to the chin, with dare-devil courage, and 34 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. they could be depended on to fight a ten-acre field full of grizzly bears with only a tooth-pick for a weapon if they were only put to it. Finding the trail decidedly fresh, the party, with Bill always in the lead, proceeded with due circumspection, gaining the high knolls cautiously, and sweeping the land^ scape to discover if the enemy were in view. At Clear Creek the crossing was apparently made but two or three* hours before, and almost immediately after this discov- ery, the day being well advanced, Bill commanded a halt, and pointing directly north, he said : " Do you see that fittle blue vapor hanging on the tree tops? Well, that means an Indian camp. You boys just stop right here and I '11 locate the game." So saying he left the trail and rode like he was making to the windward of a herd of buffaloes, taking a broad circuit in order to reach some high ground from which he could discover the exact strength of the Indians, how their camp was pitched, where their stock was stationed and whether tethered or eorraled. All this information was soon gathered by Bill, who returned and ordered his men to rest until dark, get themselves in good readiness and be prepared for a dashing fight after night-fall. The company remained in camp, without fire, until nearly ten o'clock, getting a good rest and permitting their horses to recover from the tiresome march. When Bill called his men to the saddle each one responded with alacrity. His instructions then were for each man to fol- low him into the Indian camp and to fight only with the pistol ; to make for the stock which, being in a corral, would be easily stampeded and run out, so it could be collected and secured. These instructions were obeyed to the letter ; the party rode cautiously toward the camp, which being found unpicketed was easily approached > LIFE OF WILD BILL. 35 and then a dash was made for the corral by twelve of the "while the others rode into the camp and as the half stupefied Indians came out of their tents, not realizing what the confusion meant, they were shot down until the at- tack became a slaughter. The surprise was complete; 36 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. while the deadly revolvers in the hands of those who so well knew how to use them, did fearful execution. All the horses were secured except a few scrub ponies, and then it was an easy matter to get off, for there was noth ing left on which the Indians could make pursuit. The men returned with all the horses stolen from the stage company, together with more than a hundred head of those belonging to the Indians. After getting back to St. Joseph the brilliant results of the campaign superinduced a general big drunk in which all the stage employes participated, and, though very strange to assert, yet none the less true, the row which followed as a mat- ter of course, resulted in the killing of only one man, a stage driver, by Alf . Slade, one of the company bosses. Severing his connectin with the Overland Stage Co., in 1859, Bill engaged with the great freighters, Majors & Russels, to drive between Independence, Mo., and Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was while thus employed that he met with a unique adventure which cost him ver^ dearly but taught him a very useful lesson. Matt Farley was his companion on one occasion during this long over-* land trip, and but for him the name of Wild Bill would never have been heard. While passing through tho Soccoro range with his team two miles ahead of Farley, Bill discovered a large cinnamon bear with her two cubs directly in the road ahead of him. The bear, instead of manifesting any fear at Bill's approach, but moved en- tirely by her maternal instincts, boldly disputed his pas- sage, and with further advance of the team she growl edf fiercely and showed her intention to attack him. Bill be- ing provided with two excellent pistols and a large bowie- knife gave himself no concern for the result of the en- counter, thinking it an easy matter to kill the bear 8 presumption in which he was most seriously mistaken- LIFE OP WILD BILL. 3? When the bear approached within twenty feet of him he fired one of his pistols, the ball striking her squarely in the forehead, but the accurate aim instead of proving fatal had no other effect than to put the beast in a more desperate rage, for the cinnamon, like thegrizzley, has a brain protection so thick that the ball from an ordinary rifle will produce no impression on it. In fact, many experienced hunters claim that the cinnamon is much more dangerous than the grizzley, because of its greater activity and equal vitality. Bill at once discovered, from the bad result of his first shot, that he had an antagonist bent on a mission which might well afford serious appre- hensions. His first feeling of security prevented him from taking safety on the top of his wagon and now he was cut off from that means of escape. In fact he had no time to think of retreat after the first shot was dis- charged, for the bear was fairly on him in the next instant ; he discharged his second pistol and succeeded in Injuring the animal's left foreleg, as he intended, but as he jerked his long knife the bear reared on her hind legs and grappled him. The struggle which now ensued was one of the most desperate ever known. Bill buried the knife rapidly in various parts of the bear's body and cut her throat, but while doing this his shoulder was torn dreadfully, his left arm crushed from the elbow, his breast furrowed by the long, poniard-like claws, and his left cheek was split open. But he never regarded his terrible wounds, standing up in the agonizing embrace of the infuriated animal until the ground on which they fought was saturated with blood. Bill finally slipped and fell, the bear falling squarely on top of him and holding his left arm in her mouth. This fall, was, how- ever, a most fortunate circumstance, for the position was easily reversed and Bill could use his knife with greater 38 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. effect ; while, in a standing position, although injured in one of her forelegs, yet the bear could with this member seriously interfere with the execution of Bill's single free hand. Before the fight was concluded he had literally disembowled the dangerous animal and her feet became so tangled in her intestines that she thus assisted in her own quick destruction. The combat lasted nearly half an hour and at its close it was difficult to decide which presented the more horri- fying spectacle, Bill or his dead antagonist ; they were both saturated with blood and their flesh was in shreds m several places. However, Bill survived, but when his companion, Farley, came up he was barely able to point to the dead bear and his own desperate lacerations. Bill was hauled to Santa Fe and there placed under the charge of Dr. Sam Jones, an excellent frontier surgeon, who, by good attention, was able to so far restore his patient in two months' time as to permit Bill's return to Indepen- dence. But it was not until several months after his dis- charge from the surgeon's care that Bill was able to re- sume work again, and the scars from the wounds rv&. oeived in that encounter he bore to his grave. In the latter part of 1860, Bill left the employment ol Majors & Russel to accept a position tendered him by the Overland Stage Co. as watchman and hostler at Rock Creek Station, a point on the Old Platte route fifty miles west of Topeka. The stage company, which ran its coaches between St. Joseph, Mo., and Denver, had estab- lished Rock Creek as a relay post and had built stables for the accommodation of about twenty-five horses, which number was almost always found there. Bill had a com- panion with him known as Doc . Mills , a small Irishman , who did the cooking and assisted in the care of the horses, in fact performing a greater part of the menial duties, as LIFE OF WILD BILL. 41 Bill was employed, chiefly, to guard the stock, owing to the depredations of horsethieves who were very numerous in that section. The two occupied a small log hut, hav- ing but one room, which was divided, however, by the suspension of an old horse-blanket, back of which was their bed. The roof of the hut was thatched, and being built on the side of a steep hill it was easy to walk from the hill directly on to the roof. It was what is univer- sally called in the far West a " dug-out,' * there being' but one entrance, in the front, and not a single window. To the right of the " dug-out" were the stables, built of heavy logs and so secure that when the big puncheon doors were locked it would require the services of a pro- fessional safe-cracker to effect a violent entrance. It was here that Bill and his chum spent the autumn days, in the very heart of the dreariest solitude between Mis- souri and the Rocky Mountains. But even away up in this wild place the news of an approaching struggle be- tween the North and South had penetrated and as the daily coach rolled up before the cabin door Bill always anxiously inquired for papers and information. In the same neighborhood, not more than thirteen miles west of Rock Creek, there was a rendezvous known as the McCandlas ranche. It was located in a barely access- ible spot, and well known to Bill as a corral for stolen horses. The two McCandlas boys, Jack and Jim, had long been a terror to the central part of Kansas ; had killed more innocent men and stolen a greater number of fine horses than any other two thieving cut-throats that ever figured in the annals of Western outlawry. They had enlisted about one dozen of equally desperate horse- thieves, and this band laid enforced tribute upon every farmer in that section, and when horse stealing grew dull or unprofitable the McCandlases turned their talents 42 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. which were decidedly versatile to highway robbery, oc- casionally stopping a stage, or murdering a party of trav- elers. They had so overrun the country and asserted their power that no attempt was ever made to arrest them, the officers of the several adjoining counties fairly standing in awe of the McCandlas name. Kansas, although one of the strongest Union States, nevertheless furnished some recruits for the Confederate service, and among the active sympathizers with the South, in the central part of the State, the McCandlas gang was particularly prominent. By what authority he acted was never discovered ; perhaps it was by none, and that his assumed authority was but a pretext for bolder robbery ; but it is certain that Jack McCandlas asserted his special employment to collect horses, and enlist recruits for the Confederate service. About five miles from Rock Creek station, toward the head of the branch, lived an old man named Shapley, a good old soul who, with his aged wife, was known for kindness of heart and a wholesome sympathy. As occa- sion sometimes offered he would preach at points in the neighborhood when as many as a dozen persons could be collected together, a circumstance which the sparse set- tlement very seldom afforded. This occasional occupa- tion gained for him the titular honor of parson, so that he was always called Parson Shapley by those who knew him. Notwithstanding his grey hairs and naturally peaceful disposition, when the threats of rebellion struck his ears, the parson was not slow to show the blood, at least, of his fighting ancestors. He was a pronounced Union man and like a true "Westerner spit out his mind without regard for results, and by an unconcealed patri- otism rendered himself specially obnoxious to the Mc- Candlas thieves. On the 16th day of December, 1870, LITE OF WILD BILL. 43 Wild Bill, whose title of "Wild" was so soon to be gained, saw coming down the stage road a party of four horsemen headed by Jim McCandlas, who was leading the venerable old parson by a lariet fastened about his neck. The sight aroused Bill's sympathy, but while he was well disposed to assist the aged man yet discretion admonished him of the f ruitlessness of such an undertak- ing under existing circumstances. When the party came abreast of the * ' dug-out," McCandlas in a most audacious and authoritative manner spoke to Bill as follows : " Look a here, I mean business ; I am a gatherin' up horses for the Secesh service and I want yer to jist git them thar horses in yer stable ready for me when I come back here, which will be about three or four o'clock this arternoon. This old hypocritical devil I've got here has been a havin* of his say a little too free around here and I concluded to take him along and show him the needsessity of keepin* his mouth shet." In addition to this burst of mandatory language Mc- Candlas endeavored to persuade Bill to join him and enter the Confederate service, but the reply was one of those fearless expressions which Bill knew so well how to give. Said he : "You go to h 1 ! when you want these horses come and take them, and if you want me, you'll have no diffi- culty in finding me here." Bill then withdrew into the dug-out, while McCandlas and his men rode on toward their rendezvous. Now it happened that Doc. Mills had left the cabin only a short time before, and gone down the creek some distance, taking a shot-gun with him to kill quails or other game he might find, to provision the place with meat. Thus Bill was left alone, with no one even to consult re-* garding the most desirable method of defense. In the 8 44 HEROES OF THE PLAli 8. cabin there were several weapons, however, consisting of a Mississippi Yager a rifle of very large bore two re- volvers and two bowie-knives. Finding these in good condition Bill determined to give the party, on their re- turn, an interesting reception and trust to luck for the outcome. The stables were securely closed and the dug- out put in a state of defense. Directly after three o'clock in the afternoon, true to their promise, the McCandlas boys, with eight of their desperate followers were seen approaching in a smart trot. As they came up to the stables, finding the doors locked, they called to Bill to "come out of his shell " and deliver the horses, accompanying the command with a threat that if he refused there would be a small murder at Rock Creek and the stage company would have to en- gage another watchman . Bill shouted back to his beleaguers that he would shoot the first man who attempted to open a stable door, and if there were any murdering done at Rock Creek there might also be more than one victim to bury. The ten villains were really elated with this reply, be- cause they had a spite which found in this answer suf- ficient pretext for satisfying ; in short, they wanted to kill somebody in addition to increasing their horse corral, and Bill, single handed, would make such an easy and choice victim ! Leaving their horses, which they first methodically tied to swinging limbs, Jack McCandlas ordered his men to bring forward a log, which lay the premises, and with this they began battering the door of the dug-out, which succumbed after a few heavy thrusts had been delivered. Bill stood partly behind the old blanket, with the Yager in hand and his other weapons lying on a rude table beside him, convenient to bis grasp. When the door splintered and fell in Jira LIFE OF WILD BILL. 47 McCandlas with a large revolver in one hand and a bowie-. knife in the other, with a yell leaped across the thresh- hold, pressed by the others behind him. But the volun- tary leap ended in an involuntary spring into eternity, for Bill received him with a discharge from the heavy rifle, sending an ounce ball directly through the despera- do's heart. Jim never struggled after he fell, only drawing up his legs slightly, as if to give more room for the entrance of his comrades. Scarcely was the blaze from the rifle extinguished before Bill had seized his pistols and killed three more of his assailants before any of them reached him. The combat now became truly furious, for the six remaining cut-throats had gained the rear of the cabin and grappled with Bill who continued pouring shots from a pistol while he began cutting right and left with his bowie. The gang were equally active, discharging bullets into Bill's body, but owing to their number they fought to great disadvantage. One of the desperadoes struck Bill over the head and knocked him backward across the table, and immediately Jack McCandlas leaped on the prostrate and badly wounded man, and with knife uplifted was in the very act of sheathing the keen blade in the heart of his victim, but ere the thrust was accomplished Bill shoved his pistol into McCandlas' breast and fired. The knife descended with great force, but the aim was deflected so that it struck in the table. McCandlas trembled for a* moment with the chill of death that shot through his body, and with fierce but glazing eyes he dropped dead upon the floor. The bowie in Bill's hands now did desperate work, plunging from one heart into another, and draw- ing great fountains of blood which spurted about until the floor was fairly flooded ; but his own life current assisted largely to swell the bright red streams, for his 48 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. body was punctured by bullet holes and knife thrusta, but the recesses of his life had not been touched and hia strong arm continued to do its deadly work. Six of the men who came to make of Bill an easy victim now lay dead upon the floor, while two were desperately wounded and only two remained unharmed. Finding in their foe such wonderful vitality and precision of deadly aim with pistol and knife the four beat a retreat, rushing out of the cabin pursued closely by Bill. The two uninjured gained their horses and fled precipitately while another ran down the hill carrying such desperate wounds that he was unable to mount. The other could barely reach the foot of a large tree fifty yards from the cabin and there he was shot to death by Bill with the gun wrested from Doc. Mills, who came upon the scene at this moment. The wounded man who escaped by running down the hill (Bill being unable to pursue him because of his own desperate wounds,) managed by some means to reach the town of Manhattan, several miles distant, where he died soon after from his terrible injuries. After the fight was ended Bill, who had kept his feet only under the stimulant of excessive excitement, at onoe relapsed into an unconscious condition and was carried into the dug-out by his partner, and laid on the bed, which was saturated with blood. In about one hour afterward the western stage rolled up, containing six pas- sengers, among whom was Capt. E. W. Kingsbury, who is now a resident of Kansas City, holding the position of Chief of U. S. Storekeepers for the Western District of Missouri, who afterward became one of Bill's most intimate friends. The sight which presented itself to the gaze of the stage passengers, all of whom entered the cabin to view the havoc which one man had wrought, was most distressing to ordinary sensibilities. There lay, ID LIFE OF WILD BILL. 49 hideous death, six repulsive featured men, full of gaping wounds . Bill remained in a semi-conscious state for some time, until one of the passengers, who chanced to be something of a surgeon, resuscitated him by means of brandy and cold water applications ; and after a while he regained suf- ficient strength to give some of the particulars of the des- perate fight. While telling, in broken sentences, how he had been forced into a defense of the place, he used this expression: "When six of the crowd piled on me and one struck me with his gun, I thought my day had come, so I just got wild and slashed about, like a bear with a death-wound, and I guess that is how I came to get away with them." From that moment he was given the name of "Wild Bill," which afterward so effectually super- ceded his real name, as well also as that of " Shanghai Bill," that he went to his grave with that appellation and left all his deeds to history under that most appropriate nom de guerre. A careful examination of his wounds disclosed the fol- lowing, nearly any one of which it would appear was quite enough to kill an ordinary man : A fracture of the skull the frontal bone ; three terrible gashes in the breast ; his left forearm cut through to the bone ; four bullets in his body, one in his left hip and two through the fleshy part of his right leg ; his right cheek cut open, and the skin of his forehead cut so deeply that a large portion of the scalp dropped down so far over his eyes as to almost blind him. A surgeon was sent for, who came directly from Manhattan, about seven miles distant, and oH Mrs. Watkiiis, a five-mile distant neighbor, hearing of the encounter, came down to the cabin directly and Ttlunteered to nurse the wounded hero through his dan- grcous extremity. For one month afterward his im- 50 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. provement was almost imperceptible, but after that time his condition took a mope favorable turn and his wounds healed so rapidly that in June following he was able to walk about, and was removed to Denver, and in less than one year after the fight his recovery was complete. The stage company paid all of his expenses during the period of his confinement, but never otherwise recognized his faithfulness in defending their property. This combat, of one man fairly whipping ten acknowl- edged desperadoes, has no parallel, I make bold to say, in any authentic history. The fight has been described more than a hundred times in newspapers and periodicals, and was illustrated in Harper's Magazine, but all accounts heretofore have been marred by much fiction and gross inaccuracies. The particulars as here recorded are un- questionably correct, for they were obtained from Capt. Kingsbury, who heard Bill's first recital of the facts right on the battle-ground ; Jolly, the man who escaped but died a few days afterward at Manhattan, corroborated Bill's statement of the facts, and Dr. Joshua Thome, one of the most prominent physicians in Kansas City, who attended upon and was one of Bill's confidantes, repeated to me the same story as he himself had heard his pa- tient relate it. These direct and most reliable sources, each affirming the same facts, leave no room for doubting the correctness of this account. CHAPTER III. LEAVING Denver, Wild Bill went directly to Leaven- worth, and his name being in nearly every person's mouth as the greatest fighter that had ever made a record, owing LIFE OF WILD BILL. 51 to his annihilation of the McCandlas gang, Gen. John C. Fremont, in command at Fort Leavenworth, sent for him immediately upon hearing of his arrival, and offered him the position of Brigade Wagon Master. At this time the great civil war had overshadowed everything else, and the adjoining borders of Missouri and Kansas had become the theater of a truly direful conflict. Men of nerve and cunning were in great demand, for murder, under the color of justifiable war, was beginning to point its shivering finger at every highway where the blood of men had quenched the thirst of the earth. Bill accepted the position, though not under enlistment, and directly thereafter he was ordered to conduct a provision train from the Fort to Sedalia, Missouri. On the third day after their departure, a few miles inside the Missouri line, the train was suddenly attacked by a company of Confederates under Capt. Blunt, who, owing to the al- most unexampled cowardice of the men under Bill though numbering scarcely more than one dozen cap- tured the outfit without meeting any resistance. How- ever, while the Confederates easily made prisoners of his men, Bill refused to surrender, and single-handed opened fire. Being well mounted, he turned his horse toward Kansas City, followed by fifty of the enemy. The chase continued for several miles, with a rapid exchange of shots, in which flying encounter Bill killed four of his pursuers and escaped himself without injury. Col. Jen- nison had a considerable force under him at Kansas City, and Bill, reporting the circumstances of the capture of his train, two companies were hastily mounted and sent out to recover the property. Bill accompanied the sol- diers, and by fast riding the Confederates were struck within fifteen miles of the place where the first attack was made. A charge was at once ordered, at the head 52 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of which rode Wild Bill, who, considering the fact of his new commission, felt that he had been dishonored by the loss of his first charge. The fight was a short and de- cisive one, for the Confederates, being taken by surprise, in return, speedily scattered and thus let their new acqui- sition again fall into the possession of the Union troops. Bill was very much elated over the result, and in triumph conducted the train into Sedalia and immediately after- ward offered his services to Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, who was acting under orders of Gen. Halleck, and who con- tinued him in the position to which Gen. Fremont had appointed him, until the spring of 1863. During his engagement as wagon master, conveying supplies for Curtis 7 army, which was operating against the Confederate forces under Gens. VanDom, Price and McCulloch, the battle of Pea Ridge was fought (March 6th, 7th and 8th, '62), in which Bill became a voluntary participant, taking the part of a sharp shooter. He ob- tained an eligible location on the hill overlooking Cross- Timber Hollow, and from behind a large log, where he lay concealed for nearly four hours, he killed, by actual count, thirty-five of the enemy, among his victims being Gen. McCulloch. This dreadful execution served to direct the attention of a Confederate company which de- termined upon dislodging and killing him. The company charged up the hill, firing so rapidly that Bill's fortifica- tion was punctured by bullets like a pepper box, and but for the timely relief of one hundred comrades who had recog- nized his dangerous position and charged down from the apex of the hill to the rescue, he would certainly have soon resembled his friendly log. The two companies met not more than one hundred yards from the spot where Wild Bill lay, and an engagement followed which was by far the hottest of the entire battle, for the encounter came LIFE OF WILD BILL. 53 hand to hand and the ground was so bitterly disputed that more than one half of each company was killed. Soon after the battle of PeaKidge Gen. Curtis, discov- ering the qualifications Wild Bill possessed, and knowing his history as a fighter on the plains, engaged him as a spy, with instructions to enter Price's lines and collect necessary information as to the immediate and ultimate intentions of the Confederate general. Price had already laid waste a large portion of Western Missouri, besides recruiting his forces by the acquisition of many men and horses. He had been so successful in the campaign that the Government was seriously alarmed, especially as Mis- souri was never regarded as a loyal State, and it was gravely feared that a series of Confederate successes in- side her borders might serve to carry the State out of the Union, a proposition already seriously debated. It was for these reasons that Gen. Curtis had been specially em- ployed to operate against Price and drive him from the State. Immediately after Bill's employment as a spy he was given a fine horse and directed to use his own means for entering the Confederate lines. Accordingly, he as- sumed the name of Bill Barnes and making a wide circuit through Kansas and Indian Territory he entered Arkansas below the western center and made directly toward Lit- tle Rock. Arriving there he enlisted in a Confederate company of mounted rangers which he knew was organ- izing under Price's recruiting service to join the operating force in Southwest Missouri. In the latter part of September the company joined Price, who, a few days after, formed a junction with Gen. Joe Shelby on Elk River, in Newton county. Here it was decided to make a stand and await the coming of Curtis who was following swiftly after with a force slightly inferior to that of the combined commands of Price and Shelby. 4 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Bill received the appointment of orderly to Gen. Price within a week after his enlistment, a position which offer- ed special opportunities for acquiring information of the greatest value to Curtis. On the 23d day of October the Union forces drove in the Confederate pickets on the north side of the river or more properly creek and at once the command prepared for battle. Shelby lay on the extreme left, while Price occupied the right, from which, being first in the command, he was to direct the engagement. While the armies were thus lying looking into the face of each other, separated only by a narrow creek and the rapidly approaching twilight which admon- ished each side to postpone the fight until the morrow, Gen. Price placed some dispatches in Bill's hands and or- dered him to deliver them to Shelby at once. The posi- tion of the daring spy had now become critical in the ex- treme. From the moment Shelby had joined Price, Bill had been very anxious to communicate with Curtis, but no opportunity was offered. But now that preparations had been made for battle it was more than important that he should gain the Union lines, and he resolved to reach Curtis at all hazards, a determination which he accom- plished by having recourse to the following dangerous strategy. In the company that had been recently recruit- ed at Little Rock was a large, lank Arkansas desparado named Jake Lawson. He was A 1 at drinking, shoot- ing, cutting and bloviating. His reputation for being a " rough customer" had caused him to be chosen ser- geant of the company, and the manner of his boasting led all his comrades to expect something brilliantly dar- ing from him during the campaign. Taking the dis- patches from Gen. Price, Wild Bill, with a courteous g ^ppp o f hi s hand, mounted his horse and rode directly it ward the left of the lines, but when he reached the LIFE OF WILD BILL. 55 center, out of Price's sight, he halted before his company and called forLawson. When the big bully came out of his tent Bill, in a loud voice, so that all his comrades might hear the dialogue, addressed him as follows : " See here, Jake, let's have a little fun ; these fellows have never been under fire, so suppose we give 'em a sample of our pluck so as to encourage them for to- morrow." "Well," responded Lawson, "what do you want to do ? Do you want to fight me with pistols at three paces, or do you prefer the bowie with the two ends of a hand- kerchief held in our teeth over the back of a chair ? ' ' " Oh, no," said Bill, "nothing so bad as that, but I'll make you take water on a less dangerous experiment. I'll wager my horse against yours that I can ride closer to the enemy's line than you can ," Lawson looked at Bill a moment, and then tossing his head, as an evidence of disgust, walked again into his tent, when a laugh from those near the two caused him to stop. " What's the matter with your nerve?" asked Bill* " You ain't afraid, are you, Jake? " " No, I aint afeerd," responded Lawson, " but what's the use trying such infernal nonsense? " " None at all," replied Bill, " if you haven't got the sand to accept the challenge. I only wanted to see the real color of your character." At this the boys began to laugh again , and several were bold enough to remark that it did look very much as though Jake Lawson was a bogus desperado . Being pressed and taunted Jake at length agreed to put his mettle as well as his horse against that of Bill's, and the two mounting rode out, followed anxiously by the eyes of the entire company, until they came to an open 56 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. space directly in view of the Union forces. " Now, come on," cried Bill, who, putting spurs to his horse, dashed down toward the creek with Lawson abreast, but about two rods west of him. The Union pickets seeing the riders coming toward them, began firing, which brought into line the forces of both armies. Upon reaching the bank of the stream Bill, being in great danger himself A Close Shave. from the bullets of his friends, cried out: " Hold jour fire, I'm Wild Bill, trying to get into the lines." This remark, while it revealed him to his friends, also ex- posed his purpose to Lawson and the Confederates. See- ing now that he had been caught in a cunning trap the big sergeant attempted to draw his pistol, but Bill's eyes were upon him and the next instant he had sent a ball LIFE OF WILD BILL. 57 crashing through his brain, and as he fell his horse, gal- loping on, was caught by Bill who spurred his own horse into the stream leading by the bridle that of the dead sergeant. By the time Bill had reached the middle of the creek, making necessarily slow progress, the Confed- erates poured down to the bank and more than fifty rifles were turned loose at the fugitive. The bullets were fall- ing about his head like mosquitoes swarming over fresh prey, splashing the water in his face and singing their enquiring impromptus fairly in his ears. Truly, it was a position almost as hot as that which tradition tells us the Hebrew trio occupied on a memorable occasion, but with- out the protection of a sacred guardianship Bill passed through that fire of leaden hail without receiving the least injury. As he emerged on the opposite side of the stream, with the two horses, a great cheer of congratula- tion went up from Curtis' men, and then a brisk engage- ment followed between the two opposing forces across the creek. With great respect Wild Bill placed in Gen. Curtis' hands the dispatches entrusted to him by Gen. Price for transmission to Shelby, and imparted such other information as fully advised Curtis of the strength and intentions of the Confederates. The battle which was expected to take place on the following day was avoided by the Confederates who, breaking camp that night, pushed onward into Arkansas. Remaining with Curtis a f e,w days, who continued the chase after the Confederates, Wild Bill was requested to again enter the ranks of the enemy for information. Repairing to a tent by himself for a while he spent the time in changing his appearance so as to escape detection. His make-up now was so ingenious that it was almost im- possible for Gen. Curtis himself to recognize him. From a sleek, trim and neat figure, with perfectly fitting clothes, 58 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. he emerged from his tent one of the most woe-be-goue specimens of Arkansas travelers the country afforded. There was that idiomatic expression, too, which disfig- ured his voice equally as the clothes did his body. Thus prepared for his dangerous mission, and accompanied by Natt Tuckett, an old and valuable friend, he again set out, going south-west, through the Indian Territory, and down into central Texas where, at Austin, he and Tuckett joined the Confederate forces under Kirby Smith. A few days afterward Smith struck his tents and moved up into Arkansas, that State having now become the theatre of a desperate conflict between divisions from both armies. Curtis had pushed Price and Shelby until the debated ground had become like fighting a man on his own hearth-stone, and instead of seeking an open or de- cisive engagement his movements were now directed by a wholesome regard for possible results. Smith reached the Arkansas river near Lewisburg, in Con way county, and while there encamped his advance scouts reported the approach of Curtis with a force of five thousand men and two pieces of light ordnance. The respective com- mands were about equal, though Smith was without any field guns. There being a ferry at Lewisburg the Con- federates made a crossing and pushed forward to gain an advantage ground and throw up breastworks so as to re- ceive the Federals while in line of march. But the sur- prise was not accomplished, as Curtis was an officer of great caution and being in the enemy's own country he kept his advance well guarded. Locating Smith, Curtis halted, in line of battle, on a little knoll about one thou- sand yards from the position occupied by the Confeder- ates, and bringing his two ten pound guns into action, he began a brisk shelling with the hope of dislodging thr> enemy and bringing on an engagement in the opening LIFE OF WILD BILL. 59 But Smith immediately despatched back for reinforce- ments and remained sullenly silent, receiving the fire of the Federals passively, as in fact it was wholly ineffec- tual. The position of the two armies remained unchanged for more than an hour, the field-pieces continuing their rapid discharges and the shells screaming apparently only for the amusement of both sides. Suddenly there were de- scried two horsejaen leaping from the breastworks and making a bold and rapid dash toward the Federal lines. More than a minute elapsed before a shot was fired, which clearly indicated that the Confederates had either dis- patched the riders for some singular purpose, or else did not themselves at first comprehend the strange action. But surprise was terminated and curiosity satisfied by a rapid discharge of musketry followed by a dozen cavalry- men well mounted and in rapid pursuit. Now the ride began in earnest and a wild one it proved to be. The Federals at once saw that the two first riders were fugi- tives from the Confederate lines and a -hurrah went up, which swelled on the air like an engagement with new brigades just brought into action. For the first two or three hundred yards a regular distance was maintained between the pursued and pursuers, but after this two from the latter party began to distance their comrades and gain on the deserters. Coming to a broad ditch the horse of one cleared it with a bound while the other rider went down with a mortal wound from the pistols of the two nearest pursuers. The next moment the single fu- gitive was seen to wheel his horse and, putting out his arms, two whiffs of smoke ascended and the two pursuers fell under their horses feet and lay so still that it was un- necessery to inquire if their wounds were mortal. The fugitive then rode into the Federal lines waving his broad 60 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. sombrero over his head but with tears coursing rapidly down his sun-burnt cheeks. It was Wild Bill, the spy, who had performed this perilous feat, starting out in company with his friend Tuckett who now lay dead by the ditch midway between the two armies. With an es- cort of three men Bill rode back and recovered the body of his beloved comrade and then with due solemnity it was buried in a green spot on the hillside near the bat- tery. The motive which prompted this remarkable ride can- not be divined. Of course Bill had important information to convey to Gen. Curtis, but other means might have been employed, more consistent with good judgment, to reach the Federal lines . It was , however, no less singular that Bill thus comported himself at all times during his service as a spy ; though wonderfully strategic yet he took chances which no other spy would have tolerated in a companion, for he exposed himself almost constantly to detection, and trusted to boldness, swiftness, and his ac- curacy of aim for escape ; and with these, or good luck, he managed to avoid the usual penalties of indiscretion. After getting back from his second expedition as a spy in the Confederate lines, Bill requested a short vacation, and returned to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he met William Cody who had not yet gained the well-known title of "Buffalo Bill." The two had met before the war and an intimacy had sprung up, growing out of an incident which occurred directly after Cody first entered the em- ploy of Russell, Majors & Waddell, as camp boy in 1857. " Billy," as he was called, being at that time only twelve years of age, though brave as a young catamount, became the special object of aversion to one of the bull-drivers, a great big, blustering, overbearing desperado. Under a slight pretext this bully struck * * Billy ' ' one day while UFE OF WILD BILL. In camp, knocking him backward over a log. Wild Bill witnessed this unprovoked assault and, making two steps forward, he struck the bully a blow in the face which sent him sprawling ten feet away while the blood spurted from his nose in a torrent. It was a clean knock-down which took the overbearing brute with such surprise that he scarcely realized from whence the blow came. But he saw Wild Bill standing over him, and took excellent heed of the admonition "never to lay hands on that boy again." When Wild Bill met Cody in Leavenworth he was un- der engagement to take a government train to Rolla, Missouri, and he asked Cody to go with him, which the latter was glad to do. After reaching Rolla the two con- tinued their companionship to St. Louis, taking with them a fine race-horse that Bill had used in scouting ser- vice, intending to enter the St. Louis races which were advertised to take place in September. Bill and Cody had been saving up some money, and between them they counted up about $750, principally in paper money of State bank issue. The two went out to the race-course in fine spirits, confident of securing a goodly stake, be- cause they harbored the suspicion that their horse was very deceptive in his appearance and that this advantage they would turn to good account. Their only concern was in getting their bets taken, for they felt so certain that "Old Mountain/' as the horse was called, could easily run away with any animal the St. Louis jockeys could produce that a perfectly natural anxiety was felt for the prime consideration bettors. Bill conducted the negotiations, Cody having entrusted him with this part of the business, laying his last cent in. his comrade's hands. There were no combinations or pool selling, the races being conducted on a regular, 4 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. old time basis. Bill moved around among the crowd making offers, and his success in getting takers filled him with happiness, " for you know," said he to Cody, who believed him implicitly, " we've got a dead sure thing." After putting up all their money they next wagered the horse against $250, and having exhausted all their portables the race was prepared for. Cody, a spare, but trimly made young fellow, one of the best riders that ever sat on horse-back, was stripped to handle " Old Mountain." The race was with a little black mare owned by a party from Peoria, very neatly coupled, with all the marks of a genuine courser, and was ridden by a negro boy. The preliminaries being arranged the two horses were brought up before the judges and sent off in elegant style, no advantage. " Old Mountain," however, had not de- ceived the St. Louis boys so much as he had drawn the wool down over the eyes of his backers, and as the little black mare sped away, lifting up the dust so that it fairly hid " Old Mountain," Cody gathered the impression, dis- agreeable as it was, that "the dead sure thing" had been transferred to other parties. How he did try to unlimber his favorite ! and he was now as unsparing of the whip as he had been before the race in laying his wagers. When they passed under the home-stretch Bill and Cody looked, for all the world, like the fellow who has bought a gold brick, "it was stolen you know, and here is a fortune for a few dollars" but finds on in- spection that there has been a slight mistake a veneer- ing of gold over a genuine brick of brass. Our two heroes were woefully "busted," and away out of their element, because they did not know a singl* person in St. Louis. Sorry enough plight, but, like a clause in the Declaration of Independence, "When, in the eourse of liuman events, it becomes necessary to beard the lion in Ms lair, the Indian in his wigwam, or the wood-ciuck in his hole when you' re out of meat," etc., our two knights of the empty pocket-book passed appro- priate resolutions which, being acted upon, resulted in Wild Bill going up to military headquarters where he en- gaged himself as scout. Being well known by his repu- tation, he was forced to put this in pawn for twenty dol- lars, which he turned over to his badly damaged protege. Cody returned to Leavenworth while Bill went directly to Springfield and from this point located and again joined Curtis, where we find him in the adventure described in the following chapter. CHAPTER IV. CURTIS was continuing his operations down along Arkansas river in 1863, and Wild Bill having reported for duty Curtis again employed him to strike the Confeder- ate lines and especially to learn the designs of Van Dorn and Price, who were so quiet that Curtis suspicioned they were meditating plans for another invasion of Missouri, One of his chief concerns, and which gave rise to this con* elusion, was the success of Quantrell and his band of guerillas, who were laying waste the western counties of Missouri and pillaging the people of eastern Kansas. Taking up the burden of this third dangerous mission Bill rode directly across the country until he struck the old Santa Fe trail, which he followed three days, bring- ing him into the western part of Kansas ; then striking due south he passed through the Indian Territory and en* 64 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. tered Texas, going thence east along the border to the southwestern corner of Arkansas where, after reaching Texarkana, he stopped a few days, representing himself as a Texas drover. From this point he rode eastward until he came to the house of an old negro near the post- office of Buffalo, in Ouachita county. Reaching the lit- tle old log cabin late in the afternoon, Bill dismounted, and entering into conversation with the aged darkey he discovered the house was occupied by only the old fellow and his wife. A series of questions soon convinced Bill that the negro was loyal at heart and could be depended on to keep a secret. Shortly after his arrival supper was prepared by the old negro woman, consisting of genuine hoe-cake and crisply fried bacon, and the meal being concluded Bill interviewed his guests regarding the condition of their part of the country and the location of Confederate forces. He was pleased to learn that while these old people appeared extremely ignorant yet they had been very anxiously observant of the Confederate and Federal movements, and therefore were possessed of much m~ formation valuable to him. On the following morning Bill arose early and going out to a stable on the premises, his own horse having been stabled the evening previous by the old darkey, he discovered a jackass of ancient countenance standing in. that reverential and resigned position which only an ass can assume perfectly. An idea of great consequence im- mediately moved Bill to return to the house, disclose a part of his purposes to the sable old uncle, change his habit of dress, and make a goodly provision for safely entering the Confederate lines. Said Bill to his colored host : " I see, uncle, you have a jackass in the stable, does he belong to you?" LIFE OF WUJ> BILL. 65 " Yes, sah," responded the old man, "Fee had dat dare animule fo'de last ten yeahs ; but he's gittin' a good deal like his marster now, not much 'count, sah ; but I reckon ef he hadn't been so used up de Confeds would a had 'im afore dis." " Yes," said Bill, -' I guess that is so ; he don't look like a very valuable brute, but at the same time he is such a curious looking specimen that I've got an idea he would suit me for a purpose I now have in view. How would you like to trade your jack for my horse? " 4 * Well, now, dat is a funny propersishun f oh' you to make, case I haint got nuffin' to give you to boot." " But I don't want any boot ; you bring out the jack and let my horse stay in the stable, if that kind of a trade will suit you." " Yah, yah, yah; why, marster, you doan mean dat, does you? Afore God dat would be de mos' curiousest bargan I'se hearn on; why, I declaar ef the Confeds would see dat hoss in my stable dey'd want to know how I got 'im right away, and I guess dey would take me too in order to settle de title." " I'll tell you how to do ; if anybody wants to know anything about that horse, you tell them that he is a stray that you have taken up, and that you're expecting the owner along every day." "Now, if you is a foolin' me go away, but ef you is in yarnest, why dar is de jack and I'll try and keep de hoss." "Well, I'll just charge you' one thing to boot, and that is, if you have an old suit of clothes about the house that you don't care to use much longer, I will take them ; will you agree to that?" *' Yes, sah, I'll call de old woman and see what she's got fcsskad away in de loft. Nancy I oh, Nancy I" yelled 66 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the old darkey. Hearing herself called, the old woman left her corn cake on the clapboard before the fire, and thrusting her bandana covered head through the door, responded : " What does you want, Silas?" " Why, I wants you to look on de peg by de chimbley and get me datdar last Sunday-suit of geans, and bring it hayer." The clothes were brought out in obedience to this com- mand and submitted to Bill for inspection. There was a pair of pants of saffron complexion, with a respectable rent in the left knee ; the vest was an indigo blue re- lieved by cross stripes of flaming red, and the coat was made with due regard for the ground color of the vest, but in matter of ornamentation the coat took a decided precedence, for, although the buttons bore a diversified character, they were, nevertheless, genuine brass and large enough for shields. The clothes fitted Bill quite as well as he desired, and with a bi hat made of course unbleached straw he was o ready with his patient jackass for the campaign. He had purposely allowed his whiskers to grow to considerable length and his hair had put off the neatly combed polish by which he was so well known. Having so completely disguised his usual appearance Bill felt that it would be impossible for anyone to distin- guish him in a crowd of corner-store natives ; so, setting out mounted on his novel conveyance, and carrying an old shot-gun, he traveled without fear of detection until he reached Pine Bluff, where a division of Van Dorn's army was stationed. After looking around the place one day he went up to head-quarters and offered his services as a private in the Confederate army. Upon presenting himself to a recruiting sergeant that official could not re- frain from laughing heartily at the astonishing and grotesque figure standing before him. LIFE OP WILD BILL. 67 " Well, sir," said the sergeant, " where the devil did you come from ? ' ' " Oh," responded Bill, "I got a little cabin up herein the Ozarks, where I've been livin' in a patch o' clearin' with this here jack and Bowlega for the last twenty year." " Who is Bowlegs? " asked the sergeant. " Why, look a here, mister," replied Bill, " haven't you Wild Bill in Disguise. neve i hearn o' Bowlegs, the greatest wildcat and bar kill- er in the whole o' Arkansaw? Bowlegs is my dog, and ef you'd a seed him two months ago tackle a catamount, upon huckleberry hill, bigger 'n my jack, you'd a bet the last bristle on yer back that he could whip anything that ever wore hair or straddled the Devil's Backless* 7<ra see, the neighborhood K*^ n ^en a losin' o' pigs an* calfs for a long tiro*} ^h</agh pigs an' calfs is a scarce article n ~ tka hill, an'" 68 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ' ' Well, never mind the dog, ' ' growled the officer ; * * w* haven't time now to hear your account of Bowlegs ; we'll take for granted that he is the best fighter on the Devil's Backbone (the Ozark range of mountains is sometimes thus called), but we want men now that can fight just like your dog. Do you harbor the suspicion that you can do as good fighting as Bowlegs, especially if we should set you on a drove of Yankees? " " I think I mought make a full hand ef you'll fernish. me with the amernition ; I got plenty caps jest now, but my powder an' shot is kinder run low," replied Bill. At this unsophisticated remark the sergeant and all those about him broke out in an almost uncontrollable fit of laughter, which lasted for several minutes ; but during all their cachinations Bill stood in mute astonishment, as if he had done something which conclusively established the fact that he was the most stupendous fool on earth. Recovering himself at length, the sergeant asked : "You don't suppose our soldiers fight with shot-guns, and such weapons as that you have in your hand, do you?" Opening his eyes in apparent wonder, Bill replied : " On course I do, case hain't shot-guns better ner squirrel rifles by a durn'd sight?" The conversation finally tenninated by the enlistment of Bill and the appraisement of his jackass, everyone supposing that the droll ignorance of the new recruit would furnish a constant diversion for the company to which he should be assigned. After some weeks were spent in camp the division was ordered to Pine Bluff, Bill being a private in Co. I, under Capt. Leverson. Curtis, leading his army of the frontier, was also marching in the direction of Duvall's Bluff with the intention of cutting off and destroying the Confederate supplies collecting at that point.. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 69 Before reaching the Bluffs, marching overland, the pnfederate troops were reinforced by three hundred men who had been reconnoitering in advance of Price. On the following day after this junction was made a cor- poral who had been with Price in the engagement near Perryville and was a witness to the famous ride made by Bill and Nat. Tucket, being attracted "by the assumed eccentricities of the spy, finally discovered, under all his cunning disguise, the daring Wild Bill, whose name was on the lips of every Confederate in Missouri and Arkan- sas. The corporal lost no time in reporting his discov- ery, and in a trice a detail of twelve men dropped their loaded guns and covered the body of Bill so effectually that any attempt at escape would have resulted in certain death. A court-martial was at once organized and the spy placed on trial. His conviction was secured in an hour's time and he was sentenced to be shot on the fol- lowing morning. In a memorandum Bill made concerning this event he says : < ' The Rebs convicted me on mighty little evidence, and here I am now in a bad pickle ; it may be that they will shoot me to-morrow, but somehow I feel that some means of escape will offer. Curtis must be very- near, for he has been reported, in camp, as coming like the devil beating bark, on a straight trail for the Bluffs. Something tells me that I will get out of this, and this feeling gives me nerve. I'll keep a lookout and see what's what." How this entry was made in his journal, while he was under a close guard, is not explained, but it is probable that he wrote it after his escape to indicate his feelings while under conviction, when the chances of escape were least favorable. Immediately after the trial was concluded it being held in the evening while the division was encamped, 70 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. Bill was removed to a small log hut, and to prevent the possibility of escape, as Van Dorn assumed, his arms were securely pinioned and a guard set over him to watch every movement. About midnight a dreadful storm of wind and rain began, which raged with great violence until morning. Bill's guard being very much fatigued, owing to the long march during the day, and trusting too much in his ability to rouse himself at the slightest movement made by the prisoner, sat down beside the closed door and gradually dozed off to sleep. Bill, having his hands strongly tied, saw how easily he could escape had the gyves about his wrists been a little less tightly drawn ; but every twist of his hands only served to break the skin under the unyielding thongs. This painful suspense and lapsing opportunity continued until nearly three o'clock in the morning, when golden fortune, who always gives her hand to the brave in their last extremity, disclosed to his sight the very slightly protruding handle of an old case- knife, the blade of which was hidden in the depths of an auger-hole. Most glorious vision ! the bright portal of life ! the realms of beatific possibility ; aye, the smoothe pathway leading from the black shadows of death out into the gorgeous light of salvation I How precious must have appeared that old, worn-out, rusted, broken piece of steel ! to the condemned spy it was worth more than all the castles of polished ivory that the fabled Arabian Magi could have created, " for what will a man not give to save his own life?" Stealthily creeping from the corner in which he waa seated, Bill drew himself by inches toward the old knife, while the beating of his heart sounded to him like the long roll call. Gradually he grew nearer and nearer, until at last, crouching for a moment, he arose with his back WFE OF WJLD BELL. 71 against the log walls and seized the rusty handle in his pinioned hands. But still he was not free ; unable to make much available use of his hands, he withdrew the knife and then pushed the handle into the auger-hole, leaving a small part of the blade out ; he then began rub- bing the ropes between his wrists across the dull and rusted blade, until after what seemed to him an age of Wild Bill Surprises the Sleepy Sentinel. hard labor he felt the cords loosen ; they were cut and he was now a man with all the vigor God had so bounteously lodged in his well developed sinews. Bill did not wait long after cleaving the ropes which bound his hands, to put into execution one of those bold and desperate methods which serve to make his name im- 72 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. perishable. Taking the old case-knife in his right hand, he sprang upon the slumbering guard and in an instant the rusted blade was thrust into the throat of the sleeping victim and his neck almost severed in twain. Not a word escaped from the unconscious sentinel as the rusty knife flashed across his throat and let out the life-blood. Bill quickly stripped the dead guard of coat and hat, and placing them upon himself, with musket in hand, he stealthily left the log house and by aid of the darkness made good his escape, gaining Curtis' army on the fok lowing day. This really marvelous escape from death impressed every one acquainted with the circumstances, with the extraordinary good luck and strategy which seemed never to forsake Wild Bill, but this impression was specially conspicuous among Van Dom's men, many of whom, be- ing almost as ignorant as Bill had professed to be in joining the Confederate forces, honestly believed he was leagued with the devil and that he could not be killed. CHAPTER V. AFTER fin ding himself secure in the Federal lines again, Bill immediately called on Gen. Curtis and imparted a great deal of useful information which resulted in much advantage to the Union forces, for the army moved at once and intercepted Van Dorn before he reached Du- vall's Bluff. Here a hot battle was fought in which the Confederates were routed, a large amount of their stores captured, and the supply post occupied by the victorious Federals. But Bill positively refused to enter the ene- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 73 my's lines again, because he was now so well known in the Confederate army operating west of the Mississippi that to make another such attempt would be subjecting himself to almost certain death. He continued scouting, however, for some time afterward, and frequently went in the guise of a Confederate officer hi order to secure the confidence of southern sympathizers, from whom much useful knowledge concerning the movements of Confederate troops was from time to time obtained. In 1864 Price made his second invasion into Missouri and Gen. Daviess was ordered to harass his rear until Curtis could return and reorganize a second campaign against the invaders. Southern Missouri had become the camping ground of Confederate detachments, and to operate against these bands Gen. Daviess established his headquarters at Holla. Wild Bill, being well acquainted in Rolla, visited that place in the summer of 1864 and re- ported to headquarters for a commission to scout in the southern part of the State. Daviess was glad to secure his services, for several of the adjacent counties were seriously infested with independent bushwhackers claim- ing authority for their acts under Confederate commis- sions. While the camp was quietly waiting for Curtis to re- port from some point in Missouri where a junction might be formed, on the 25th of July Bill mounted his horse and without acquainting any one with his purpose, re- solved to make a private expedition through the southern part of Phelps county. He accordingly set out unaccom- panied and rode directly south, passing by Pilot Knob and through Elk prairie, meeting no one and finding no evidence of hostile occupation. Near the post village of Lake Spring, in the timber skirting a tributary of the Meramec river, however, he suddenly came ttpon three 74 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. men well mounted and carrying carbines, wit), pistols in their outside belts. The trio, without proceeding by in- terrogatories to learn anything about Bill, commanded him to dismount, accompanying the order with a threat to shoot him if he delayed an instant. Without attempting any parley or considering the odds against him, Bill threw up his pistol, which he had in his right hand hang- ing on the off side of his horse, out of sight, and almost in the glance of an eye, he shot the three with such pre- cision that each tumbled to the ground with a mortal wound. One of the bushwhackers, however, while in the throes of death, summoned enough strength to raise on his elbow and fire at Bill, the bullet striking his sad- dle bow but doing him no personal injury. The three now riderless horses, frightened by the fir- ing, ran away, but fortunately all kept close together. Bill went at once in pursuit of the animals, one of which was a beautiful little black mare which he was specially anxious to possess. The chase continued for nearly six hours before Bill succeeded in capturing the three horses, but as they were running in the direction of Rolla, no time was lost. Tying the heads of the animals together he led them back to camp as prizes of war, making due report to his commanding officer. Gen. Daviess, not having been made acquainted with Bill's expedition, was at a loss to determine what had be- come of him, when suddenly witnessing his re-appear- ance Trith three horses, he at once concluded that Bill had been engaged in making reprisals from non-belliger- ents. Assuming a stern look the General enquired of him : "You have been out of camp for four days without leave ; where have you been operating, and where did you get those horses?" LIFE OF WILD BILL. 75 Bill looked for a moment steadily at the General, whose gaze, instead of relaxing, bore sterner evidence of his be- lief that the horses had been stolen. Feeling keenly the suspicion, Bill answered in an imperious manner, "I'm not a private soldier, and as a scout I go where I please. The horses have been turned over to you, therefore I must say it's none of your d d business where I got them." This insubordinate attitude and insulting language threw Gen. Daviess into a violent fit of anger, and in- tending some severe punishment he ordered Bill's arrest and confinement in the guard house. The command was promptly obeyed and the cavalier scout was hur- riedly conveyed to prison. On the same evening, about nine o'clock, as the General was riding around the poet he was astonished at seeing Bill salute him from the sidewalk. Without saying a word to the mys- teriously liberated scout he rode directly to the guard house and in a thundering tone demanded of the guards why Will Bill had been permitted to escape. His aston- ishment greatly increased, however, when they assured the General that Bill was in the guard house ; but an ex- amination soon showed that they had been cleverly deceived ; for it was soon discovered that one of the other prisoners, whose term of service expired that even- ing, had changed clothes with Bill and himself remained in durance in order to give the popular scout his liberty. This devoted comradeship so affected Gen. Daviess that he at once pardoned the man who had contrived Bill's escape, and ordering both men to be sent to his headquarters, he repaired there himself to give them an unexpected greeting. When Bill and his devoted friend entered the General's office they were received with the greatest cordiality and 76 HEROES OF THE PLAINTS. invited to fill up on some extra cogniac used by the Gen- eral only on special occasions. After speaking in the most feeling manner of the value of true comradeship, and complimenting the friendship which prompted one of his guests to sacrifice his own liberty to secure that of the other, the General turned to Bill and in a courteous and deferential manner asked him to relate the adventure by which he had come into possession of the horses. First excusing his hasty and insubordinate reply made during the day, Bill told the General all the circumstances of his private expedition, and in proof of his assertion he asked Gen. Daviess to send a party of men with him back to the spot where the fight took place, agreeing to produce the bodies of his victims. Accordingly on the following day a detail of his men accompanied Bill back to the banks of the Meramac tributary where the bodies of the three bushwhackers were found and properly buried. After the events here recorded Gen. Daviess became one of Bill's warmest friends, and had many other proofs of his great valor and services before the campaign of 1864 closed. The little black mare captured from the bushwhackers, by BilPs urgent request, he was permitted to retain, and this animal afterward became one of the most famous horses ever bred in America. Being black as a raven, with limbs rounded with all the beautiful symmetry seen in the choicest blooded animals, she would attract marked attention among all the horses of the world. Bill gave her the name of Black Nell, and giving much care to her training, she "became the heroine; of many adventures, which will be recorded in a subsequent chapter. Early in January, 1865, Gen. Curtis, having again driven Price and Shelby out of Missouri, established his headquarters at Fort Lestvenworth, where he oould more LIFE OF WILD BILL. U readily observe the movements of guerrillas who contin- ued harassing convoys, couriers and weak posts in eas\ ern Kansas and western Missouri. Wild Bill remained in the service as chief of scouts, but he was employed a greater part of the time in Missouri . in February, Man-to-yu-kee (Conquering Bear), one f the sub-chiefs of the Sioux Indians, a friendly tribe Man-to-yu-kee (Conquering Bear*) under the command of Gen. Jim Lane, came into Fort Leavenworth and reported to Gen, Curtis the encamp* ment of five hundred Choctaw warriors ten miles west of Lawrence, on the Kaw river. The Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, also some of the Creeks and Osages, were employed as soldiers by the Confederates, and although they performed very little service, yet the entire country, 78 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. especially eastern Kansas, was dreadfully excited over an anticipated Indian massacre of whites. Consequently, when Conquering Beai became the messenger of such news, reporting the fierce Choctaws in such close prox- imity, there was no little apprehension created even in the mind of the gallant Curtis. Sending for Wild Bill, whose acquaintance with the Indian character was thorough, Curtis recited the facts as reported by Conquering Bear, and then asked him what course of action he would advise. The reply was fully characteristic of the man's readi- ness to brave any danger where his services might prove of value. Said Bill: " The Indian is a mighty uncertain animal, and those that profess the greatest friendship are very frequently the most deadly enemies. I'll tell you my idea : You send me back to the Sioux camp with this chief, and before I return, you can depend on it I will know how many Choctaws are near Lawrence and what they are up to. If I'm not back here in four days, just put it down that I've dropped my scalp." Curtis replied : * * It looks to me as though such a trip would be very hazardous if the hostile Indians are really near Lawrence, unless you should take one or two hun- dred men with you." " I don't want any one with me," answered Bill, " ex- cept Conquering Bear, and if he deceives me or is trying to lay some devilish trap, then one of us will lift the other's hair. No, I will only take Black Nell, and am prepared to leave here for the Indian camp early to-morrow morning." " Well," responded Curtis, 4< if you think it possible to penetrate the Indian c'amp, or learn the exact location and intention of the Choctaws, I think the importance LIFE OF WILD BILL. 79 of learning these facts warrant me in sending you ; there* fore, whatever you may require it shall be provided, and I can only hope for your safe return." Bill sent for the Indian chief, and after acquainting him with Gen. Curtis' desire, said : " I shall go with you directly to your people, and then I shall expect you to guide me to the hostile camp ; but remember, if you de- ceive me in the least thing, one of us will have to die." The Indian made many assuring promises that his loy- alty to the Union and enmity to the Choctaws alone prompted his desire to lead the Federal troops into the enemy's camp. On the following day, pursuant to the arrangements, Wild Bill and the Indian started for Lawrence, which place they reached the same evening, and shortly after- ward went through the Sioux camp. Leaving there after night, the two proceeded westward until suddenly, in the darkness, Conquering Bear gave a singular whoop, and, hiding quickly in the bushes, left Bill surrounded by a band of Choctaws. The treachery of the Sioux chief was now plainly apparent, and Bill saw that he had been pur- posely led inside the hostile pickets. The Indians rushed out from every side, but the darkness was so profound that Bill was screened from his enemies, three of whom he killed when they came too close. His little black mare, with the intelligence of a scout herself, was so obedient that by a tap of the hand she lay down or ran from covert to covert as Bill desired. The Indians, in the meantime, ran upon one another in the darkness, being unable to locate their would-be victim, and by a series of strategies, such as giving the Indian whoop and other signals which Bill well knew, he managed to elude the Choctaws, and finally escaped without receiving the least injury. After an absence of nearly four days Bill returned to Fort Leavenworth and made due report to Gen, Curtis 80 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of the circumstances of his trip, and thereupon asked for a leave of absence for one week. His request being granted, Bill went directly to Lawrence and began active endeavors looking to a personal meeting with Conquering Bear. Being well acquainted with the language and pe- culiarities of the Sioux, Bill soon found opportunity for eating his revenge. A young warrior from the tribe be- ing seen walking the streets of Lawrence, Bill approached him cleverly and by a liberal treatment to whisk;" and gew-gaws soon gained his confidence and friendship. Through this intermediary Bill was not long in reaching Conquering Bear, who, through promises of a secret re- ward awaiting him at a spot three miles east of the town, was easily allured to a sequestered place unaccompanied except by the young fellow who had faithfully followed Bill's instructions. The two Indians were proceeding slowly as if expect- ing to meet with some persons bearing rich rewards, when suddenly Bill rose out of his hiding place and confronted the dusky traitor,, For a moment they stood perfectly still, eyeing each other, one filled with fear, the other with desire for revenge. Drawing from his belt two pis- tols Bill threw cue to Conquering Bear and told him to defend himself ; but the Indian knew the deadly aim of his antagonist And refused to fight with the pistol. Bill then told him he had either to fight or suffer the death of the dog he 1 was. Conquering Bear tried to parley, but being forced to accept immediate terms for a fight, he &i length chos^ the knife, the long, keen-pointed bowie,, with a bladl two inches in width and an edge sharp as death's viage. Men on the border invariably carry this desperate Veapon, and Conquering Bear was an expert in its use, but not more proficient than was Bill ; each could throw the b!*de through the body af a LIFE OF WILD BILL. 81 at the distance of ten paces, and in the manual exercis* with a bowie they were truly professional. Bill quickly accepted the terms proposed by the Indian and in a cool and calculating manner selected a level spot and then instructed the Indian youth to prepare it for the duel. This he did by kicking off the leaves and twigs and drawing a circle ten feet in diameter in which the contestants were to meet each other. The arrange- ments having been perfected, Bill stepped inside the cir- cle and called to Conquering Bear, but the Indian acting as though fear had transfixed him, stood motionless until Bill threatened to shoot him dead in his tracks if he did not engage in eonibiJt at once. This threat aroused him, and with a lithesome spring he leaped inside the imagin- ary enclosure, his great knife gleaming in his right hand, which was raised to a level with his face. The two mor- tal enemies as they stood for a moment calculating the opportunities for a first deadly thrust, were objects of really magnificent terror. Such beauty of physical pro- portions and such an exhibition of marvellous courage were doubtless never before witnessed in a personal com- bat as, with breasts bared to the steel, the two antago- nists glared at each other a moment before commencing the deadly onset. Bill was the first to make a motion, stepping forward quickly one pace and delivering a feint ; the Indian drew back, but partly stooped as if to make a rush, then like two enraged lions they sprang at each other, meeting in the center of the ring, and catching the points of their knives they remained clashed together for several minutes. There now succeeded a violent strug- gle, their dreadful weapons remaining edge to edge, while the left hand of each was around the other's body, every muscle standing out in great ridges, evidencing the terrible strain produced by the efforts of each to throw 82 HEROES OF THE FLAWS. or disadvantage the other. Like two fighting bull-dogs when both secure a strong hold, clinging tenaciously un- til exhaustion forces a relinquishment of the grasp ; it was thus that Bill and his antagonist clung to each other until tired nature caused a separation. Their eyes, how. ever, kept faithful watch during a brief respite in the encounter. After a lapse of fully ten minutes the Indian, having recovered from his 'first fright, was the first to advance for a re-engagement, but Bill showed equal anxiety to begin the desperate work, and both being intensely en- raged the second encounter produced frightful results. They came together with terrific force, but with marveU lous dexterity each expert caught the knife of the other on the edge of their respective weapons. But they did not clinch this time, vor they now foresaw only ex- haustion in such tactics which might permit an almost resistless execution of the one of the least endurance, each doubting his own superiority. A few moments were spent in feints, change of positions, backing and advancing until conceiving his opportunity. Bill gave a terrible thrust at the Indian's heart, but a buckle on the swarthy warrior's breast diverted the blow from its pur- pose ; the knife was deflected slightly after striking, but went downward with such force that it cut through the Indian's jacket and opened a fearful gash, several inches in length, in his side, from which the blood gushed in tor- rents. But in giving his enemy this dreadful wound Bill did not escape without serious injury. Seeing the thrust made, the Indian struck hard at Bill's heart, but the knife was caught in the scout's left arm and struck to the bone near the shoulder point and stripped the flesh half way to his elbow. From these two wounds the ground soon became covered with blood, and yet the fight LIFE OF WILD BILL. 85 continued while the strength of each flowed rapidly away. The Indian grew weak very fast now, and realiz- ing that if victory came to him it must be through an effort speedily made, he thrust at Bill with great violence and precision, but the dextrous scout skillfully parried the effort and the next instant his knife went through the neck of Conquering Bear, splitting through the tendons, and cutting the jugular vein. With a convulsive twinge of the body and straightening of the right arm the In- dian fell forward, burying his tightly clutched knife in the ground to the hilt. The young Indian who had remained a horrified spec- tator of this most terrible of all personal conflicts, seeing the chief fall dead went up to Bill at once and bandaged his wounded arm, so that the flow of blood was partly stopped. Bill returned to Lawrence and on the same day left for Kansas City, where he placed himself in charge of his old physician and friend, Dr. Joshua Thorne. But the wound was an obstinate one, and caused him pain and annoyance for years afterward. This memorable battle was fought on the 22d day of January, 1865. The object of Conquering Bear's treachery in trying to compass the death of Wild Bill, was, no doubt, to obtain a reward that had been offered by some of Bill's enemies to accomplish their cowardly purposes. These rewards were very frequent immedi- ately after the close of the war, some of which and the circumstances under which they were offered, will be described in subsequent chapters. The Indian boy who had served Bill in this matter was duly recompensed ; in addition to a liberal receipt of money, Bill took him to Kansas City, gave him many advantages and finally went back with him to the Sioux, upon the Niobrara river, where their reservation lay. HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER VI. AFTER the close of the civil war, Wild Bill decided to quit the States for a while and pass a season on the Nio^ brara trapping for beaver and otter. He was encouraged in this decision by the young Indian who had aided him so materially in satisfying his vengeance against Con- quering Bear. This young buck whom Bill, in his diary, calls Joe, had returned with his tribe, after the close of their operations along the Kaw river, to their res- ervation in Nebraska, and had frequently begged Bill to pass a season with him on the Mobrara. After the kill- ing of Man-to-yu-kee, the Sioux entertained a very ex- alted opinion of Bill, particularly because the dead chief had been exceedingly unpopular among hi? own people. These several circumstances, added to which game for the trap was reported as being abundant on the Mobrara, which ran through the Sioux reservation, influenced Bill to depart for that country in the fall of 1865. Among the Sioux was a sister of Indian Joe, named Mary Logan, whom Bill declares was a direct descendant of the great chief of that name, though there was a goodly amount of white blood in her veins. This girl was about eighteen years of age when Bill first became acquainted with her, and he rarely mentioned her with- out going into raptures over her beauty. Within a few days after he first met Mary Logan he could not avoid observing the love which was lighted in her heart ; she lingered about him as though influenced by some magnetic or mesmeric force ; hungered for the honey of his words and her eyes bespoke the admiration in which she held him. Her bounteous hospitality and persuasive words, together with the persistent solicitations LIFE OF WILD BILL. 87 of her brother Joe, finally induced Bill to make her home his own during the season. This home was only a little log cabin containing a single room, with a large fire- place, before which hung, almost constantly, many pieces of jerked venison, antelope and buffalo meat. It was not such a place as love usually selects to build her bowers, but this Indian maiden admired the white face, and more especially the comely, symmetrical features of Wild Bill, whose fame as the most daring of Western heroes, had been disseminated among every Indian tribe west of the Mississippi river. Being unable at last to endure his absence, Mary Lo- gan begged Bill to allow her to accompany him on his rounds in examining his traps, and to be with him on his frequent hunts, a privilege which he gladly permitted, for the girl was very handsome, excellent company, and so devoted to him that her constant care was for his happi- ness. The cabin in which the Logans and Wild Bill lived, was so circumscribed in its limits that the single room was made to subserve all the purposes of an Indian fam- ily, which are, of course, but few. This intimate com- panionship continued for a period of six months, during which time Bill had taught the girl how to read and write, indifferently but yet intelligibly. Notwithstand- ing this truly remarkable intimacy, in many particulars equally close as the most devoted man and wife, Bill always declared that the girl never lost her virtue, that her honesty was almost phenomenal, for she would readily have sacrificed her life rather than have forfeited the jewel of her chastity. There is something in this poor Indian girl's, character which is pathetically beauti- ful ; an uncultivated bud in the great garden of God's diversified creation ; reared in her own simplicity and 88 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. protected by no words of wise counsel or warning, noth- ing but the shield of her innate innocence. Her love was pure as the fountain at its source, as sweet as the nectar of heaven's own distillation, as coy and confiding as the soul that gives itself into the keeping of a loved one. The trapping season having closed and spring time drawing on apace, Wild Bill bade his prairie maiden adieu and returned to Missouri , but before proceeding to a description of his subsequent adventures it is interest- ing to follow the now despondent Indian girl, for her life took on many grievous vicissitudes after her parting from her white lover, who was the ideal of noble manhood in her estimation. In the succeeding fall (1866) a fellow named Rogers, from St. Louis, found Mary Logan among her people, still on the Niobrara, and being captivated by her beau- tiful face and figure proposed marriage, which she ac- cepted, not because his affection was reciprocated, but solely because he promised to take her with him to St. Louis where they would make their home. The poor girl had never ceased grieving for Wild Bill and she be- lieved that, living in Missouri, whither she knew he had gone, she would find opportunities to see him often. Mary Logan therefore sacrificed her maidenhood and went to the States as Mrs. Rogers. By singular coincidence very soon after reaching St. Louis she did meet Wild Bill in one of the numerous parks of that city, and in the meeting her joy was bound- less. When he left her again it was with the promise that a correspondence should be maintained between the two. Several months elapsed, during which time a weekly exchange of letters passed between Mrs. Rogers and Bill without the husband entertaining even a suspicion of LIFE OF WILD BILL. 89 such a fact. Much evil, however, was destined to flow from this pleasant correspondence. Bill's letters were so precious in her sight that, instead of prudently destroy- ing them, she kept each one as though it were a priceless treasure. One of these communications at length fell into the hands of the husband, and as the language was of a decidedly affectionate character, the justly jealous husband at once accused his Indian wife of infidelity, treachery, duplicity and outrageous conduct ; all this she bore with perfect resignation, but when he began the Wild Bill and Mrs. Rogers in the Park. same kind of abuse against Wild Bill she flew at him with all the inflamed indignation of her nature and a do- mestic scene ensued. Still they lived together, but shortly afterward removed to Kansas City, where a second letter of Bill's being discovered, the same scene was re-enacted as that which had transpired over the first discovery at St. Louis. Eogers having severely chastised his wife and threatened Wild Bill with death, Mary re- solved to kill her husband. To iccomplish this she had 90 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. recourse to poison, mixing it with his coffee, and soon after Rogers had drank the fatal potion he was a corpse. All these facts she wrote to Bill and then disappeared, going back to her former Indian life, it is supposed, but so completely did she conceal her identity that Bill never again heard of her. It is possible that the sore heart which gave her such great distress finding that she could never become the wife of the man she loved dear- est of all on earth finally admonished her to find rest and peace in a suicide's death. Upon his return to the States Wild Bill went directly to Springfield, Mo., where he soon after engaged in a duel with one of the most desperate men that ever starfx ed a graveyard. At this time (1867) Springfield was the place of rendezvous for scores of roughs, gamblers and dangerous characters generally. In one respect it was a meeting place for the desperado element created by the civil war. The southern half of Missouri had been strong- ly inclined toward secession, and the Confederate forces had been augmented by many companies recruited below the Mason and Dixon line, and especially from the dis- trict immediately adjacent to Springfield. When the war closed, of course these discharged soldiers returned to their homes with the spirit of Southern sympathy still uppermost, while defeat had only served to increase their bitterness toward those whose political sentiments were in sympathy with the North. Wild Bill was known (if not personally, at least by reputation) to every man, woman and child in and about Springfield, and his enemies bitter, uncompromising, deadly foes were numbered by scores ; yet he lingered about the place as though the danger in so doing had become an irresistible allurement. But one of the prin- cipal attractions about Springfield, to him, was the unre- LIFE Or WILD BILL. 91 atrieted gambling carried on in nearly every other house on the business streets. The place had literally become a paradise for sporting characters, of which class Bill was not only a member in good standing, but occupied a dis- tinguished position. He gambled with all the naturalness that characterizes a duckling when it first strikes water not so much for profit, perhaps, as for the excitement it afforded. Though he was constantly surrounded by numerous enemies who would have given half their future for his life, yet they stood in awe of his cool intrepidity, the precision of his aim, the charmed life which seemed to have preserved him for more gallant acts, and the proud carriage of his person which told so plainly that he knew nothing of fear. Any other man than he would have been dragged to the nearest tree and throttled, while a crowd of jeering desperadoes would have either lent a ready hand or stood by and applauded the deed ; but the bark of his pistol meant the bite of a bullet, and men rarely become so lost to discretion as to fail in their respect for leaden pellets. Some time during the summer, a terror to the neighbor- hood, named Dave Tutt (formerly a spy in the Confeder- ate service), came to Springfield some said for the ex- press purpose of killing Bill and at once threw himself into the gambling element of the place, and per conse- quence, soon met Wild Bill. The two engaged in a fifty- dollar limit game of poker in the second-story of a build- ing fronting the north side of the public square. Bill played in bad luck and lost several hundred dollars, and on the last hand he called when the bet was twenty-five dollars more than he could put up. Being unable to dis- charge the debt at that moment, he made a memorandum of the amount and bad Tutt good-night. 92 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. After Bill had retired to his room he resolved never to play in a game with Tutt again, as the suspicion just then dawned upon him that he had been cheated. But he kept his own counsel, and on the following day bor- rowed fifty dollars more of Tutt, and with this money he soon afterward raised another handsome stake. Three evenings after his first game with the ex-Con- federate spy Bill was in the same gambling room and there he again met Tutt, who proposed another game of poker To this Bill objected, but in such manner as led Tutt to believe that he was no match for such a dexterous player. Tutt then offered to stake a friend against Bill, and this proposition being approved the two began to play. Before beginning the game, however, Bill drew a large gold watch from his pocket, and laying it on the table before him, said to his partner: "Now I'll play you a twenty-five dollar limit until one of us is broken, or until twelve o'clock ; at that time I must quit, and there- fore want this fact understood at the beginning." Bill played this time in such excellent luck that Tutt's friend required frequent staking, and in a couple of hours' time his winnings were over five hundred dollars. Tutt began to show signs of reluctance in putting up any more for his unlucky friend, and in a tone betraying much anger said : " Bill, you are now ahead of this game enough to pay me that fifty dollars I loaned you, and also that forty dollars I won off you Tuesday night, and I want the money right now," at the same time striking the table with his fist. " All right, Dave," responded Bill, " here is the fifty dollars I borrowed, and now here is the twenty-five dol- lars I owe you on the bet I called Tuesday night." "That won't do, Bill," replied Tutt, "you owe me LIFE OF WILD BILL. 93 fifteen dollars more, and I intend to have it right here, or you won't get this watch again, " taking up Wild Bill's watch and shoving it into his pocket. Bill arose from the table and looking Tutt in the eye very coolly remarked : " Well, Dave, I'll pay you every cent I owe ; here is my memorandum book and you saw me enter the amount I overbet at the time ; it was twenty-five dollars, not forty." Tutt now began to manifest great rage and called Bill several vile names, while all in the room fairly held their breath in anticipation of a mortal combat. But they were disappointed. Without betraying the least excite- ment, Bill replied to Tutt: "I don't want any row in this gentleman's house, but, Dave, you had better put that watch back on the table or somebody will get badly hurt. I'll leave this matter to the boys who were present when you won the twenty-five dollars, and if they say it was forty dollars I'll pay you the money, but not other- wise." Tutt only pursed up his lip at Bill, and turning about started out of the room, at the same time saying : " I'll just keep this watch all the same, and if you want it bad enough you can meet me in the public square to- morrow morning at nine o'clock, for I intend to carry it across the square at that hour." " You'll never get across that place with my watch unless dead men can walk," replied Bill; and thus the two parted, Tutt taking the gold time-piece with him. Tiiis singular dialogue astonished the gamblers present as they were n ver before. Some began to think that Bill's courage w^s chiefly on paper, and that he was really afraid of Tutt. But the true reason an encounter was not preciptated in the room at the time was undoubt- edly the fact, which both realized, that even an attempt 94 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. to draw a pistol would have resulted in the certain death of each ; because they were both skilled in the use of weapons and death wound would not have prevented a return shot. On the following morning (Saturday, September 12th) nearly the entire male population of Springfield and vicinity, hearing of the threatened duel, assembled about the public square at an early hour. The law-abiding and peace-preserving class was too small, or indisposed, to restrain the two men from fighting to the death in the Wild Bill Satisfies the Natives. most prominent spot of the town. In fact any attempt at interference would not have been tolerated. The event promised altogether too much amusement for the crowd to endure a postponement. Promptly at nine o'clock Dave Tutt stepped out from the crowd on the west side of the square, and holding up the watch so that every one could see it, made some bravado remarks and started toward the center of the then enclosed place, carrying a large navy pistol in his right hand. Bill was equally prompt, arid advanced LIFE OF WILD BILL. 95 toward Tiitt briskly, scarcely showing the ivory-handled pistol which he nearly covered with his hand. When within ten paces of each other Tutt was the first to raise his pistol, and instantly there were two reports which rang out in such quick succession as caused many who were unable to secure a good view, to believe, for a moment, that only one shot had been fired. There was no doubt concerning the result, however, for Tutt dropped his pis- tol, and clapping both hands over his heart fell forward without uttering a word. The bullet from his pistol whistled harmlessly by Bill's head and buried itself in an opposite building, where the mark may still be seen. The instant his pistol was discharged, and without noting the result, Bill wheeled in his tracks and, pointing Ibis pistol at Tutt's friends, coolly asked, "Are you satis- fied?" He expected a general attack from his old enemies, and was therefore fully prepared to face any consequences, but while they showed their weapons there were none in the crowd bold enough to appeal the result before them. Bill was arrested directly after the shooting, but even in a place where he had few friends and many enemies, the respect for his daring nature was such that at a pre- liminary examination he was discharged upon, the ground of self-defense, and the grand-j dry never took cognizance of the tragedy which was played so true to nature before a town for an audience. 8 96 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER VH. LEAVING Springfield, soon after the killing of Tutt, Bill went to Nebraska, where he again engaged in trap- ping, but only for a brief period, owing to an incident which made it judicious for him to leave that country, and which may be described as follows : Having tried for beaver on several of the creeks of Nebraska without meeting favorable results, he changed his quarters with the intention of testing some of the branches in the southeastern part of the then Territory. Reaching Jef- ferson county Bill chanced upon a country saloon which derived a patronage from wayfarers and cow-boys. Hitching his horse he went into the saloon and called for a drink. In the place at the time were half a dozen herders, all in a partial state of intoxication that con- dition which invites either a fight or a treat with the same desire. In response to Bill's order the bar-keeper set out a glass and the usual black bottle, at the same time giving such a look as indicated the inquiry, " See here, stranger, what are you a doin' in these here diggins ? ' * Four of the cow-boys, seeing Bill in the act of taking a treat all to himself, got up from the boxes on which they had been sitting and began to interview the new-comer. Bill gave no heed to their insults, but just as he was in the act of raising the glass to his lips one of the herders, anxious to test the stranger's pluck, gave Bill such a sudden push in the back that the liquid was dashed all over his face, his hat fell off, and in the momentum he struck the counter so hard that it was nearly turned over. Without uttering a word Bill wheeled about and struck the curiously inclined fellow a blow that sent him on the LIFE OF WILD BILL. 97 fly over three or four boxes, and into the comer, where he lay limp and bleeding like a stricken ox. The other herders were now in for a fight and were bound to have it ; Bill tried to pacify them and show the justification of his act, but his mild language only excited them the more. Seeing that some shooting had to be done, Bill proposed to fight any four of the men with pistols at a distance of five or fifteen paces, just as they might choose. This proposition was readily accepted, with the provi- sion that the bar-keeper should act as umpire, giving the A Duel with Four Men. word when to fire. A distance of fifteen paces was duly marked off and the four men took positions five feet apart, each party being allowed to shoot when the word ; * fire" should be given, and then to advance and fire at will. The bar-keeper, who was a bald-headed, cross-eyed specimen of uncivilized villainy, pronounced the affair a delightful little sporting event, and with a doubtful smile on his ugly face stood in the doorway of his saloon and houted : " Are you all ready? One, two, three fire ! " 98 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Before the last word had died from his lips Bill had killed the man on the left, but at the same time he re- ceived a wound in the right shoulder which caused his arm to fall uselessly by his side. It required but an instant, however, to snatch the pistol in his left hand, and being ambidextrous his fatal precision dropped the other three men with as many shots. Examination disclosed the fact that three of the men were shot in the brain and must have died instantly ; the other was struck in the right cheek and a large portion of his jaw was carried away, but he survived, and was living three years ago (1878) in Kansas City. The names of the four men were Seth Beeber, Jim Slater, Frank Dowder, and Jack Harkness, the latter being the survivor of that terrible fight. Bill's wound gave him much pain, but notwithstanding this and the apparent kindness of the bar-keeper and others in the saloon, who carefully bandaged the in- jured limb, Bill very wisely concluded that the locality was now decidedly too insalubrious for him to remain thereabouts. On the same day he set out on his favorite black " Nell " for Kansas City, where he arrived on the 29th of December, seven days after the fight occurred. His wound had become very much worse owing to neg- lect, and for two months he was confined to his room, suffering great pain in the meantime, but before spring his recovery was so far accomplished that he was able to join the expedition against Black Kettle. This expedition was organized to punish th.3 Chey- ennes who had left their reservation and started upon a career of brutal atrocities. They had murdered many settlers in western Kansas, participating with then- northern brothers in the dreadful massacre on the Re- publican river, and then separating continued their dep redations along the "VYachita and Canadian rivers t LIFE OF WILD BILL. Two commands, one under Gen. Primrose and the other under Gen. Carr, were sent out after the perpetra- tors of these malignant, inhuman crimes. Wild Bill was made chief of scouts under the former, and Buffalo Bill filled the same responsible position under Gen. Carr; subsequently, however, the two commands were consoli- dated, and Wild Bill was made first assistant chief of scouts under Buffalo Bill. The Indians were hotly pur- sued for more than one month before a decisive engage- ment could be precipitated. Early in March, '69, the Cheyennes were brought to bay on the north side of the Wachita river, near the Antelople Hills in Indian Terri- tory, and a memorable battle was the result. The In- dians were found encamped in a thick woods, and so strong was their position that the most desperate fighting was required to dislodge them. Black Kettle, one of the ablest chiefs that ever led a body of rapacious Cheyennes, was in command of the Indians, and so powerful was his very name that many renegades from the Arrapahoes and Kiowas, under Little Raven and Satanta, had joined their fortunes with him. The fight was begun by a charge from the front under Primrose, while Carr executed a simultaneous flank movement and attacked the Indians in the rear with such force that they were driven from their first position. This advantage the troops followed up speedily, and though the loss had been very severe, every man in the command felt the importance of now doing his full duty, however great the sacrifice. The woods resounded with the yells of charging squadrons, and soon squads of Indians were flying from covert to covert like frightened animals in a corral of hunters. Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill were the heroes of that day, and their deadly rifles did the execution of an entire com- pany ; without regard for the danger they incurred, each 100 OTROES OF THE PLAINS. rode into the very midst of the Indians, and with such destructive effect that they are credited with having killed BO less than fifty of the red-skins. But it was reserved for "Wild Bill to win the greater honor. Black Kettle, realizing how disastrous had become the battle, sought safety in precipitate flight ; but he was espied by Wild Bill, who ran a gauntlet of spears, tomahawks and rifles, and, catching the famous chief, plunged a bowie-knife through his back and heart. But in performing this desperate feat, Bill was struck through the left hip with a spear and nearly unhorsed. So pressed was he by more than a hundred Indians, that the trophy of a chief's scalp could not be secured ; and but for the plucky aid of Buf- falo Bill, who plunged in among the Indians and dealt death with a lavish hand, Wild Bill would certainly have been killed. His wound soon became so painful from the effects of the poison with which the spear was dipped, that after the battle was concluded it became necessary to convey him back to Ft. Hays in an ambulance. The In- dians were so badly beaten that very few escaped, and those few soon afterward came in and surrendered. All the squaws and children of the tribe were taken, among the number being a sister of Black Kettle, who was after- ward killed at Hays under peculiarly lamentable circum- stances, as will be found described in the life of Capt. Payne. W'ild Bill's condition did not improve, and being in great need of complete rest for some time in order to insure recovery, he resolved to visit his old home in Illinois. The wound received in his Nebraska duel had not yet entirely healed, and the fistula formed from the cut received in his fight with Conquering Bear was still sup- purating and painful. On the 3d of April Wild Bill returned to th* LIFE OF WILD BILL. 108 home he had left in his approaching manhood, more than thirteen years before. His aged mother was in the doorway to welcome him, but there were so many changes in the appearance of mother and son that only the same hearts remained to give recognition. From the boy whose prowess and adventure had never extended beyond the occupation of wolf -scalping before his departure, James Hickok had been transformed into " Wild Bill," whose wonderful deeds were on the lips of every American and had interested every reader of border history. The proph- esy he made when first reading the life of Kit Carson had been fulfilled and a world had recognized his intrepid daring, his unexampled strategy and his peerless charac- ter in the civilizing process through which the great West was passing. He had returned, laden with his honors, to rest a while under the roof which had sheltered his in- fancy, and to stray along the Vermillion's banks, wooing remembrance of his youthful days and looking backward over the path which ambition had made him travel. Un- der the loving care of his mother and affectionate kin- dred, Wild Bill soon felt returning strength and conva- lescence. CHAPTEE YIII. Two months passed pleasantly away with Bill, for from the hard service he had so long endured, the delicate attention he now received was like soothing balm to his wounds, and there was a rapid recovery. But the rest- less spirit soon became conscious of its restrictions in the old home of his nativity, and with recovery came the 104 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. desire for new adventures on the wild wilderness of the Western prairies. Before returning West, he concluded to visit one of his boyhood friends named Heman Bald- win, who was a resident of Chicago. Upon reaching that city Baldwin, having been apprised of his intended visit, met Bill at the depot and gave him a warm reception, after which the two drove around to the principal places of interest, and Bill was introduced to several of the most prominent gentlemen in the city. On the evening of the second day after Bill's arrival in Chicago, in the company of his friend Baldwin, he went into the billiard hall that was attached to the St. James hotel. Being dressed in the genuine garb of a frontiers- man, buckskin clothes trimmed with leather fringe, he naturally attracted much attention everywhere on the streets, but at no place did the curiosity of Chicagoans display itself so much as in the billiard hall ; men actu- ally left off in the midst of their games to gaze enquir- ingly at the singular stranger, and Bill soon found him- self the cynosure of all eyes. Among those who made up the crowd hi the saloon were seven compatriots of hoodlumism, fellows whose airy tongues, swaggering style, and noses bedizened with the torch-light of whisky's ensign, indicated plainly their belligerent and crime loving proclivities. They fixed their gaze on Bill with curious interest until the seven concluded it would afford them much satisfaction and re- dound no little to their reputation to give the stranger a severe threshing just by way of illustrating how tame Chicago boys could handle the wild plainsman. In order to introduce the social affray one of the party accosted Bill in the following manner : " Say, you, leather breeches, where did you come from?" LIFE OF WILD BILL. 105 " I came from a section of country where everybody minds his own business, a place you never saw," re- sponded Bill. " Why, the Indian scalper is a little sharp ; but there are some feathers in his wings that ought to be cut,'* another of the roughs suggested. To this second insult Bill paid no attention because he anticipated the object of the crowd and was anxious to avoid trouble. A third one, however, considering his turn had come to say something witty, addressed Bill : 4 ' I suppose that everybody in your country dresses in raw-hide and washes every morning in a pot of fresh blood ; ain't that so, Wild-Bull-of-the-Woods ? ' ' " Well, a country of that kind is better than the one you came from, where there isn't a fellow who knows his own father," replied Bill. This cutting rebuke created a perfect tempest among the irascible hoodlums. Another quickly walked to- ward Bill and fairly spit out between his teeth the in- quiry : " Do you mean to say that our mothers are not honest women ?' ' " I mean," answered Bill, " if they are it was d d bad business they got into when you were begotten." The words were scarcely out of his mouth before the bullies gathered billiard cues and assailed Bill with an ex- pressed determination to take his scalp in a manner pe- culiar to the lake-side city. Although still lame and sore from the wounds 111 his hip and arm, Bill forgot these in the fight which ensued. In a second he had grabbed a cue, which was as quickly broken convenient to his hand, and then the trouble be- came at once very serious. The fight, in fact, was a counterpart of Gilhooley's affair at Tim Finnigan's 106 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. wake, when a shillalah was worth a crown a sc-coud. Baldwin, Bill's friend, was, of course, engaged and did splendid service as a reserve, wielding a cue with much dexterity. Bill was struck several times on the head and arms, one of the strokes cutting a long, deep gash in his forehead, but he fought with the same cool desperation which had brought him so much glory and a decisive victory at Eock Creek. At the end of ten minutes the seven Chicago braggarts were extended on the floor, each nursing bruises and cuts the evidence of which will abide with them thro ugh life. They had thoroughly interviewed ' ' leather breeches ' ' and definitely determined the product of that queer coun- try from whence the stranger had come. They each felt like the little barefooted boy who delivered a vicious kick at an old plug hat only to find that under it were purposely concealed three big bricks. Bill returned to Troy Grove on the following morning with his head well bandaged, wearing painful mementoes of his Chicago visit. While recuperating before starting for the West again, he received a letter from Vice-Presi- dent Henry Wilson, as follows : WASHINGTON, D. C., May 17th, 1869. JAMES B. HICKOK, ESQ. : DEAR SIR : A party consisting of several gentlemen, ladies and myself, desire to spend a few weeks in the far West during the warm season, and I hope it will be our fortune to secure your excellent services as our guide. I have heard much concerning your wonderful exploits in the West, and of such a character, too, as commend you highly for efficiency in the scouting service of the govern- ment. If it be possible for you to accompany our party as guide some time during the following month, please write me at once at Willard's Hotel, Washington, indi- cating what compensation you will expect, and also from what point in Kansas we had best start on the tour. I LIFE OF WILD BILL. 107 shall leave to you the selection of a pleasant route, as your general acquaintance with the places of interest be- tween the Missouri river and Rocky Mountains better quali- fies you for deciding the trip that promises the most at^ tractions. Hoping to hear from you at your earliest convenience, I am, yours truly, HENRY WILSON. On receipt of this letter Wild Bill replied at some length, giving Mr. Wilson a brief description of many in- teresting places, a visit to which it would be profitable for the party to make. He fixed his compensation at five hundred dollars for the trip indicated in his descriptions, and feeling sure of an acceptance of the proposition, he made provision for returning west. In this connection it is but proper that reference should be made to another trip Bill had made as guide to a party of officials, durir tvhich, however, no incidents of special interest occurr * In the spring of 1866 a party of government officia^, appointed in compliance with a special act of Congress for the purpose, made a visit to all the Indian tribes then on government reservations. Wild Bill was chosen to guide this party, and acquitted himself so well that each member of the commission paid him the highest compli- ments. Henry M. Stanley, who has since distinguished himself by his African explorations, accompanied the commission as a special correspondent of the New York Herald, and in that capacity he epitomized the life of Wild Bill and sent many columns of matter to his paper descriptive of the great scout's valor, quiet humor, wonderful acumen as a guide and Indian trailer, and above all his marvellous accuracy of aim. These stories possessed much interest for readers of the Herald, and in fact for readers generally, as they were all copied by many other papers, and served to make the name of 108 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Wild Bill as familiar as that of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. Harper's Magazine devoted several pages to a description of his adventures, a number of which were appropriately illustrated. But it is only necessary to pay a passing allusion to these facts, as the important inci- flents are already given more fully in the preceding pages. OP tin twentieth of June the Wilson party, with Bill as guide, left Hays City, well provided with teams, spring vehicles, and a well stocked commissary. The gentlemen in the party, with the exception of the Vice President, were dressed, ghigularly enough, in a style of garments peculiar to the Washington modes ; that is, tight-fitting pants, cut-away coat? and stiff hats. Bill could not help making some remarks a\>out this, to him, odd manner of dress, especially as he sa^ how inconvenient, if not un- comfortable, it must prove ^pon a journey of the char- acter they were about to make. Mrs. Wilson and the ladies had more wisely prepared themselves with easy, unconventional dresses, at once evidencing the fact that they appreciated the admiration of thoir escorts less than the comforts they desired while traveling on the plains. Mrs. Wilson being a woman of superior wit, and jolly under almost any circumstances ; in fact the evanescent life of a party, on the day of their departure engaged Bill in an agreable conversation, and the two speedily became well acquainted. "Now," said she to Bill, "you are with an unsophisticated crowd of Yankees who know just as much about life on the plains as they do about the person who first discovered there was a man in the moon; there is no doubt, too, but that some of these younger ones are badly in love, and this only serves to make their simplicity more apparent. I want you, Mr. Hickok, to keep a_protecting eye on the party, UPE OF WILU BILfc, 109 110 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. discover their good and indifferent points if you can, determine which are most courageous, etc., and see that none of them get into trouble." Of course Wild Bill readily assented to this request from so amiable and elegant a lady ; and the party set out with bright prospects under his watchful guar- dianship, traveled over a large extent of territory, camp- ing at night beside cool streams, roamed through the canons of the Arkansas, and visited the spot on Repub- lican river where the Cheyennes had perpetrated one of the most terrible massacres that is recorded in Indian warfare. Bill interested the party in many ways, giving them examples of his skillful marksmanship with pistol and rifle, pointing out places memorable for some excit- ing incident, and at night regaling them with stories of his life. The weather was delightful during the entire trip, game abundant and nothing occurred to mar the perfect pleasure of anyone in the social expedition. Nearly five weeks had slipped by before the party re- turned to Hays City, but the time had been so pleas- antly employed that there was a general regret expressed for the termination of the tour. On the day the tourists were to leave for the East the Vice-President had a dinner prepared at the hotel, to which Bill was invited, and at the conclusion of the feast the distinguished head of the party addressed Bill in the most complimentary language, referring to his reputation and pronouncing him one of the characters most essential in the settlement of the great West, where brave men were needed to curb the ferocious elements met with hi all new countries ; then opening a beautiful case contain- ing two elegant ivory-handled pistols, he presented it to Bill as a souvenir of " the most pleasant trip he (the Vica- President) had ever made/ ' LIFE OF WTLD MIX. Ill Hays City was, at this time, one of the liveliest towns on the frontier. It contained a population of nearly two thousand souls, and nearly every "soul" in it was a lively character. The people were essentially a sporting The Principal Amusement at Hays City. olase, with a gambling den for every dozen of the males, and a saloon well, the whole town was practically a drinking shop. Fights, murders and drunks were the incidents which enlivened the otherwise stupid place 112 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. not much stupidity about such a place, the reader will at once decide. But in fact, outside of the demoralizing deviltry of the citizens, Hays City was only a little spot sitting uneasily in the centre of a quiet prairie. On Sun- day, as well as on every other day, the voice of the keno caller could be heard in its monotonous cadence, as well also as the exclamation " O ! shucks," from those whose numbers were all crossed but one. Faro had its vo- taries even more numerous than keno, and the street walker could any time hear the euphonious refrain, " I'll copper on the tray/' or, " busted ag'in, gimme a drink." It was a singular civilization, that of Hays City in the fall of 1869, and as every one enjoyed the sensation of hourly expecting a call from an enemy bent on fight, the population consented to have a marshal, whose services they expected would be that of a mutual protector, guard- ing one enemy from the surprises of another. Wild Bill being universally regarded as the very per- sonification of reckless courage, and therefore being ac- cordingly popular, w r as elected City Marshal of Hays City on the 8th of September, 1869. He went into of- fice at once, and while every disorderly character consid- ered himself exempt from interference, he nevertheless expected the marshal to interfere with every other per- son, so that there was great satisfaction felt, and really salutary influences were looked forward to, in the newly created office. LIFE Or WILD BILL. IIS CHAPTEE IX. DIEBCTLY after assuming his official duties Bill was called to perform an act which involved the destruction of one of the most noted desperadoes on the border, Jack Strawhan, who had started a half-dozen fresh graveyards in as many different places, and boasted of his ability to clean out Hays City and its new marshal. Some years before the occurrence about to be related took place, Capt. Kingsbury, at that time sheriff of Ells- worth county, had occasion to arrest Strawhan for violent conduct and outrages committed in the town of Ells- worth. But the desperado was too powerful for one man to handle ; besides his herculean strength he was well armed and quick to use his weapons. Knowing this Capt. Kingsbury called his deputy, named Charles Whitney, and also Wild Bill, who chanced to be in Ellsworth at the time, to his assistance. The three approached Strawhan in such a manner that he saw resistance would result in his certain death, and therefore quietly sub- mitted to arrest. But as there was no jail in Ellsworth he was tied securely for a short while until manacles could be provided. During the time of arrest Strawhan made oath by declaration that he would kill Wild Bill, Whitney and Kingsbury when the first opportunity offered, and the character of the man justified belief that his public threat would be carried into execution. Learning that Bill was discharging the duties of City Marshal at Hays City, Strawhan paid a special visit to that place with the avowed purpose of getting even with him, a warning which soon reached the ears of his in- tended victim. 7 114 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. On the nineteenth of October, 1869, while Bill was in Tommy Drum's saloon with a party of friends, his alert eye caught the form of Strawhan entering the room by a side door. As his acquaintance with the desperado had never extended beyond the circumstantial meeting in Ellsworth, Bill appeared to take no notice of him, though in fact the quick glances of his watch- ful eyes kept him duly informed of every movement his enemy made. Strawhan strolled up toward the bar in an apparently indifferent manner until within ten feet of Bill, when, conceiving that his opportunity had arrived, he jerked out a heavy navy pistol, but when in the act of raising it, Bill, with lightning-like quickness, drew one of his small derringers, and with the same movement sent a slug squarely into Strawhan' s left eye and through the brain. The shot was so instantly fatal that the man was stone dead on his feet, falling forward on his face without even a twitch of the muscles. Without giving the slight- est heed to his desperate work Bill turned to the bar and extended the familiar invitation to all in the house : " Come up, boys, let's all take a drink," and it is only a fitting conclusion to this description of an " official exe- cution " to say, that none in the saloon refused. The body of Strawhan was " sat on " by a " crowu- er's jury," the verdict of v-'hich was, " served him right, and so we declare." At night some of the boys got up an improvised string band and gave Bill a serenade in true "Western style, which ended, as did everything else in Hays City at that time, in a general free-for-all drunk, with a few bad fights by way of spice for the occasion. Whitney did not die by the hands of Strawhan, but in 1873 he became engaged in a brawl with a Texas despe- rado named Ben Thompson, in which he was shot to LITE or WILD BH&, 115 death. Capt. Kingsbury is still living in Kansas City, respected by all who know him. In December following the event just narrated, Hays City became the objective point of Bill Mulvey, a no- torious thug, prize fighter, cut-throat and demoralized character generally, whose home was in St. Joseph, Mo. Mulvey was a "terror" in his own neighborhood and had fallen into the pernicious custom of running St. Joe whenever his skin became thoroughly impregnated with whisky, which was, generally, on an average of seven times a week. When Mulvey reached Hays City he wanted only a few drinks of that tantalizing, heroizing, belligerent liquid peculiar to the far West, to put him in proper condition for carrying out his old custom in the new town, and he was not long in supplying the want. It may be proper to explain here that, while every per- son in Hays was a "bad crowd" on general principles, yet there was no single individual in the place who had ever assumed the responsibility of running the town , or believed he was equal to such an undertaking. But Bill Mulvey was an importation, and therefore excusable for arrogating to himself a capacity which no man indig- enous to the place thought of claiming. When Mulvey got up a pressure of about three hun- dred pounds to the square inch he moved in his old style, and began howling like a Dervish, swearing like a recent senator from Missouri, and making the town shake with resolutions to clean out every "son of a whale " who showed himself on the streets. Not satisfied with threat- ening, he secured a club and began a promiscuous on- slaught on windows, boxes, doors and everything he could find that was breakable. At length a constable and jus- tice of the peace trained their official batteries on him. and tried to place him under arrest, but with such poor 116 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. success that their prisoner brought up Ms reserve and with raised club ran the two dignitaries nearly a mile out of town. Things were now getting altogether too interesting for comf oil, for Mulvey, emboldened by his successful raid on the two officers, took possession of the town so completely that wherever he went there seemed to be, judging from the ready obedience everyone yielded him, a perfect resignation to his authority. At the time these depre- dations were being committed Wild Bill was in another part of the town and did not learn of Mulvey 's dis- turbances until the west end was given over to his pleasure. Word was brought to Bill, by a little boy, concerning the troubles of citizens dealing with the des- perado, and going at once to the place of difficulty he soon found Mulvey, who had a pistol in each hand and was still yelling like a tribe of victorious Comanches* Approaching him in a quiet manner Wild Bill said : " Stranger, I shall have to arrest you for disorderly conduct ; come with me." Eaising his two pistols in Bill's face Mulvey replied : " Well, now stranger, suppose you come with me, 1 e> hold the winning hand." "That's so," responded Bill, "I can't beat thai pair." " No, I guess you can't, and since you are so fresh h will be a good thing for me to hang you up till you dry. March I" was the command given by Mulvey. Before Bill turned he backed off two or three step! and raising his hand as if to warn Mulvey against an at- tack about to be made on him from the rear, said : " Don't hit him boys, he's only in fun." The strategy was perfectly successful, for Mulvey in* mediately turned about expecting to confront a new ad LIFE OF WILD BILL* 117 versary, but this act was the last in his career, for "Wild Bill secured the drop in an instant and shot Mulvey in the head, killing him with that rare skill for which he was remarkable. Everyone in Hays rejoiced at the result of Bill Mul- vey 's " big tear," and instead of holding an inquest over the dead body it was at once carted out to the nearest burying spot and slung into a hole. Wild Bill was con- gratulated with words full of unctious flattery and the citizens directly wanted to see him elevated to the highest pinnacle of fame, for they observed that he was civilizing and protecting the neighborhood. The duties of marshal were easy enough foi several months after the killing of Strawhan and Mulvey. Bill was regarded with great popularity as a conservator of the peace, without specially interfering with the morale of the town ; his acts met with great favor because they were recognized as the execution of a stern but whole* some justice. During the campaigns of 1869-70 Gen. Phil. Sheridan had his headquarters at Ft. Hays, a station one mile west of Hays City. After the success of the Indian expeditions along the Wachita, Arickaree Fork and Canadian rivers, the troops returned to Ft. Hays, making a garrison for the time being of about two thousand soldiers. These enlisted men paid frequent visits to the town, and soon became the source of no small annoyance, as they were in the habit of filling up on pioneer whisky and then turn- ing things literally inside out. Wild Bill had arrested several of the more turbulent soldiers from time to time, which developed a bitter hatred on the part of the men again st him . He anticipated trouble from these unreason- able, reckless volunteers, and was constantly prepared for emergencies. 118 HEBOES Or THE PLAINS. On the 12th of February, 1870, a body of soldiers visited Hays and began their usual orgies, which, of course, called for Wild BilPs interference. Among the disturbers of the peace was a large, double-jointed ser- geant from the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, who had a goodly reputation as a boss shoulder-striker, and his ability to * * curry ' ' the best man in the regiment was generally conceded. This fellow (whose name is not given in Bill's diary for the reason, perhaps, that he never learned it), on the day named, was in Paddy Welch's saloon smashing up things with an abandon which did him infinite credit as a desperate character. Wild Bill learned of the disturb- ance and was soon at his post of duty. Soldiers were standing around watching the hilarious occupation of their sergeant and evidently enjoying the privilege of practicing any deviltry their fancy dictated. Bill walked into the saloon and laid his hand on the sergeant, at the same time repeating his invariable command : * ' Stran- ger, I shall have to arrest you for disorderly conduct ; come with me." The sergeant, taken by surprise at what he conceived to be a piece of remarkable cheek and impudence, re- sponded : " How much do you weigh, Mr. Long Hair?" ** 1 weigh only one hundred and sixty-five pounds/' replied Bill, " when I'm in a good humor, but my fight- ing size is a fraction more than a ton ; you come along with me." "Hold on !" said the sergeant, " I'm not going with you just now ; but I'll tell you what I will do : I'll fight you a fair fight right here in front of this saloon, and if you lick me then I'm your meat, but if I lick you then you're my meat ; how do you like the proposition, eh?" Before Bill could reply more than a dozen soldiers sur- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 121 rounded the two men and began shouting: " Fight, fight, let 'em fight," etc., so that but one of two alter- natives was left, either get out of the crowd like a coward, or fight like the brave man he was. It was therefore agreed that Bill and the sergeant should leave their weapons with Paddy Welch and engage in a fair battle to determine squarely their respective claims to the other's "meat." Although the sergeant was much larger, he was by no means a match for Bill. When the two men faced each other, stripped of theiv coats, they showed abundant mettle and lost no time ia getting to work. The ser- geant led off, but made euch a bad miscue that his right eye lit heavily against Bill's fist and his nose followed suit countering against the kick of the marshal's second blow. Bill fought all round him, and in less than half a minute had the big sergeant down in a dreadfully de- moralized condition. Fourteen of the soldiers seeing their ofiicer in the grip of a threshing machine with small chance of getting out without much assistance, ran in and began to club and stone Bill. Paddy Welch, realiz- ing the great danger of his friend, at the imminent risk of his own life gathered up Bill's pistols and, pushing through the crowd, succeeded in placing them in their owner's hands. Now the fun did begin with renewed in- terest. Bang ! and with the discharge down went one of the boldest soldiers. Then the crowd shouted, "Look out ! he's got a pistol !" but before they got away, two more of their number were shot dead The remaining soldiers then drew their pistols and began firing with such accuracy that Bill was struck no less than seven times. He retreated firing, wounding three more of his antagonists, which permitted him to escape by swimming Smoky river. When he reached the other side, how- 122 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ever, his wounds gave him so much pain that, fairly drag^ ging his injured body to a buffalo wallow, he secreted him- self therein and tore up his clothes to bandage his hurts. Three balls had passed through his arms, three more en- tered the fleshy parts of his legs, and one had penetrated the flesh of his left side. None of these wounds were serious provided they could have received proper atten- tion, but he was now compelled to undergo an exposure which not one man in a thousand, perhaps, could survive. While on his feet the blood had run down into his boots until they were nearly full ; he was, therefore, compelled to cut them off, especially as one of the wounds was in the calf of his leg which the boot top rubbed, producing the most violent pain. Bill lay in the wallow for two days, so stiffened and in such agony from his injuries that he could not summon up courage to attempt a change. The weather was very cold in the meantime, and from this he suffered as much as from the wounds ; his clothes the few that remained on him were frozen to the ground, and the bandages, now stiff from frozen blood, seemed to gnaw at his injuries like ingenious in- struments of torture. On the third day, half -frozen, weak from loss of blood and fasting, sore in every muscle, and suffering from the most poignant anguish, Wild Bill arose, with the crotcheting motion of Eip Van Winkle from twenty years of sleeping, and by dint of incomparable resolution gained his feet. But being unable to put on his boots he wrapped his undershirt about his feet and struggled away from that bed of terrible suffering. Moving at a painfully slow pace he nevertheless managed to reach Ben Williams' ranche, five miles from Hays, and there he remained under the care of a kind friend for several days* LIFE OF WILL BILL. Knocking at the cabin door where Williams lived, his friend answered the summons, but, with a startled look, said : ' Why, my God ! Bill, what is the matter ? Come in and tell me what I can do for you." " Well, Ben," slowly responded Bill, " I am in a bad fix ; shot all to pieces and suffering worse than I did with them hurts I got up at Rock Creek. Didn't you hear of the fight up at Hays, three days ago? " "Yes," replied Williams, " I heard about the fight, but I never knew you got shot ; I am afraid, Bill, they will catch you here, for they are scouring the country for you." " Why, who is after me now? " eagerly enquired Bill. " Good gracious I oldpard," replied Williams, " don't you know that Gen. Sheridan has ordered out a whole company with instructions to bring you in dead or alive ? ' ' "No," answered Bill, "is that so? Well, they can take me here, then, for I can't go any further ; I'm almost dead from pain and hunger." " They'll not take you if I can prevent it; I've got an old pallet up in the loft of this cabin, and I guess they'll hardly find you up there," were the assuring words of Williams. Bill was at once assisted up a ladder that stood in a corner of the cabin, and he there lay secreted and was properly cared for by his friend for more than three weeks. It transpired that Bill had effected his escape from the soldiers without any of them supposing he was wounded, and after Gen. Sheridan had issued his stern order to capture and bring in the daring marshal " dead or alive," it was reasonably supposed that only a long chase would accomplish that result; consequently the soldiers who were sent after Bill did not look for him in the immedi- 124 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ate vicinity, and were therefore unable to execute the order. After nearly a month of hiding, under the care of Wil- liams, Bill had so far recovered that he left the ranche in the company of his friend Whitney and went to Ells- worth. But through fear of detection at this point, he left there in a box car on the Kansas Pacific road and went to Junction City, where he remained until his wounds had entirely healed. CHAPTER X. THE vicinity of Hays City being decidedly insalubri- ous, Wild Bill, after casting about some time for a con- genial and remunerative occupation, at length decided upon a novel speculation, in the firm belief that he saw a fortune awaiting him in such an engagement. He rightly divined that Niagara Falls was a place of popular resort for fashionable people and that these visitors, having plenty of money, were willing to pay liberally for their amusement. Now, thought he, what could afford so much interest as a buffalo chase real, shaggy, untamed buffaloes, with Comanche Indians to lead the sport? The idea did appear pregnant with large profit, and but for some mismanagement would, no doubt, have paid very handsomely. Having made up his mind, Bill at once determined to secure six fine buffalos and four Comanche Indians, and with this outfit he proposed to visit Niagara during the summer. Accordingly, in May, he set out for the buf- falo feeding grounds on the Republican river, intent upon the capture of animals for the forthcoming exhibit^***. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 125 Reaching Culbertson, a small village in Nebraska, now the county seat of Hitchcock county, Bill employed three assistants and with them went southwest one hundred miles. Here he found a large herd of buffaloes grazing on the prairie a few miles north of Beaver Creek and made ready for the capture. A very laughable circumstance was connected with the exploit about to be related. Bill had killed scores of buffaloes, understood their habits and was an expert hunter, but he had never undertaken to capture one of these huge, unwieldy animals alive. After duly consid- ering the matter, he adopted the most ludicrous scheme that ever entered a man's mind. He knew that a drove of horses could be easily managed by tying their heads together, and this knowledge prompted him to use the same means for controlling the desired number of buf- falos. In pursuance of his resolution, he prepared a number of lassoes and, having everything ready, started on a fleet horse for the drove. By riding and driving judi- ciously, he soon got into the center of the herd, which numbered about five hundred, but with all his persever- ance he could not satisfactorily adjust his lassoes, on account of the low position in which a running buffalo carries his head. Seeing that little could be accomplished while on horseback, he decided to abandon his horse and ride the buffaloes, which were pressed so closely together that he could easily slide from one to the other. Acting upon this determination, he removed the bridle from his horse, so that the reins might not fall and become entan- gled in the feet of the horse or the buffaloes, and with his gun in one hand and lassos in the other, he jumped upon the nearest buffalo. But now finding his gun an encum- brance, he rode the buffalo while tying the gun on his 126 HEROES OP THE PLAINS back, and then began the adjustment ot his laiaoes. Bill presented a most comical appearance astride of a lumbering bull, which plunged and snorted with fright as though Satan himself were breaking him in. But the work of maintaining a proper position, while managing his gun and lassoes, was a trulj perplexing and difficult task to Bill, which only one accomplished in expert horse- manship could possibly perform. The assistants kept pace behind, laughing at the rare sport now developing, and feeling pretty certain that the fun must continue for some time, as Bill had worked into the herd until they could see no means for escape out of the rushing ava- lanche, unless he could shoot an open furrow through the stampeded buffaloes . But he had only one gun and his pair of pistols, so this idea was impracticable, and with this reflection Bill's assistants grew suddenly grave over the possibility of his destruction. They therefore rode around the herd, shouting and shooting, with the hope of sepa- rating them, but Bill objected to this ; shouting through the dust and roar of the affrighted animals, " Keep back ; let 'em run, and I'll lariat the whole drove. " After riding a buffalo thus furiously for several miles, and having become far removed from his horse, that was running with the herd, Bill concluded, since it was quite impossible to throw the lasso successfully, that he would place his lariats around the horns of at least six large buffaloes running abreast, and take his chances for getting out from his uncomfortably close position, and securing his prize afterward. It was a comparatively easy matter for him to thus se- cure the required number of animals, though the security extended no further than binding their heads together. But he reasoned rightly that the six thus tied, being unable to freely move their heads, would soon tire and LITE OF WILD BILL. 127 become separated from the herd, a supposition which was soon verified. Then his assistants came up, seeing him ride one of the selected buffaloes, and throwing a long lasso the animals were soon in the grip of their captors. Bill's horse was easily recovered, for the moment the herd separated he returned to the horses ridden by Bill's assistants It was a long way back to a settlement, however, and a much greater distance to a railroad station. How to drive the buffaloes was then the conundrum. It was finally determined that two men should ride on each side of the herd with lassoes attached so as to pull the buf- faloes in any required direction. But the brutes proved unruly as a contrary pig, and ran from one side to the other, backward and forward, until the horses and men were tired out. To obtain a necessary rest, the buffaloes were tied to a tree and kept there for nearly two hours, until the horses had been fed, watered and well rested. During this breathing spell the idea occurred to one of the assistants that the buffaloes would drive much better if they were hobbled. " Well," said Bill, when the sug- gestion was made, "it is singular I hadn't thought of that before ; suppose you prepare some hobbles and put them on.'' But he was not so much surprised at the suggestion as he sought to make his assistants believe, for it was the hope that some of his men would try the experiment that prompted him to reply in the manner he did. One of the men was a herder and understood hobbling a steer or mule, but it is, nevertheless, certain that he did not know anything about hobbling buffaloes until after his first experience. Having everything prepared he approached one of the animals which, though its head was fast, had the free use of its hind quarters. Just as 128 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the cow-boy was in the act of slipping the noose around the buffalo's fore-leg the brute whirled its quarters and planted its hind foot on the shoulder of the aston- ished hobbler. Did you ever see a professional tumbler turn backward handsprings around a circus ring, observ- ing how rapidly he revolved ? That cow-bow resembled an expert tumbler for all the world. He just literally got up and spun through the air, as though he had been reeled off a spinning-wheel by a country maid. And when he lit there stood the* buffalo about fifteen feet away looking as demure and melancholy as though he had lost his hind leg more than a week before. These men never laughed more heartily nor did one ever feel so grieviously humbled as was that quartette of buffalo catchers. The animals were not hobbled. After two weeks of the most tedious work the six buf- faloes were brought to Ogallala, and from thence over the Union Pacific to Omaha, where they were kept until Bill could conclude arrangements with the necessary number of Comanche Indians, of southern Indian Terri- tory. Four excellent specimens of that tribe were secured, one of whom had a cinnamon bear and another a large monkey ; as these two animals were deemed curiosities which might be advantageously used in the Niagara entertainment, they were also engaged, and the menagerie moved from Omaha for Niagara Falls on the twenty-second of June. After reaching his destination Wild Bill set about con- cluding arrangements for the entertainment. A large lot of ground was secured on the Canadian shore and a suit- able enclosure erected. During the time these prepara- tions were being made the Indians exhibited their bear and monkey, deriving considerable profit therefrom. The ohas being duly advertised for the 20th of July, LITE OF WILD BILL. 129 an immense crowd of people assembled to witness the novel sight. As the enclosure was necessarily very large, Bill did not deem it advisable to build a high board fence to obstruct an outside view, thinking that the people who were interested in the exhibition would contribute quite as liberally if he passed his hat around among them. The Aboriginal Part of the Outfit. The buffaloes were brought out in cages and at the appointed time were turned loose, with the Indians, who were decked in war paint, leather breeches and eagle feathers, in full pursuit, mounted on ponies. Several gentlemen, visitors at the Falls, having provided them- 130 HEBOES 10F THE selves with horses, also entered the chase, and a hundred yelping pet curs and poodles lent their assistance to make the occasion excitingly interesting. The Indians, yelling as only Comanches can, chased the affrighted huff aloes round and round the enclosure, showing at the same time their superb horsemanship, by executing the most difficult feats, to the great delight of the crowd. During the chase Bill moved among the spectators with his big som- brero extended, giving every one a chance to contribute. But after filing and pushing through the assemblage of nearly five thousand people, he emerged with the pro- ceeds of his expensive exhibition, and found that the en tire contribution amounted to just $123.86 ; the expenses at the same time were $1,279.30, leaving a balance sheet showing a loss of more than $1,000. When the Indians had returned again with the recap- tured buffaloes, Bill was confronted with a bill of expenses novel but importunate. During the excite- ment the bear had been left muzzled and tied to a stake, and the monkey in his cage. Of course these curiosities had their votaries, and some one, in a spirit of mischief, had removed the muzzle and unloosed the bear, hoping to get up a counter attraction in the meantime . The mischievous fellow, whoever he was, did not suffer a disappointment. There was a heavy bearded Italian in the crowd selling Vienna sausages, and another dressed in sailor's garb stood on a box singing songs, for which he expected a small consideration. When the peddler came up near the bear the smell of fresh sausage was too much for the hungry animal to forego investigating, and being loose, he turned quickly on the Italian with the intention of capturing the savory meats. The poor feDow, frightened to the limit of his senses, let go his platter and tried to , but the bear grabbed him in its large paws and tore OF WTU> BILL. his checked overshirt into shreds, though giving his body only a few scratches. Some of the bystanders rushed to Ihe rescue, and one bolder than the rest seized the bear The Bear and the Sausages. in his arms and held it fast until the sausage man recov- ered the full use of his heels. Having been raised from a small cub by its Indian owner, the bear developed no 132 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. dangerous qualities and was tied again without difficulty. When Bill came in he was told of the side-show which, had opened doors during the chase, and the trembling Italian greeted him with a demand for damages. After some parleying Bill purchased a new shirt for the irate but still badly scared fellow and then exhausted his de- tective ability in an effort to discover who unloosed the bear but he failed signally. The pecuniary failure of the buffalo chase now brought with it many troubles for Bill. He had not only spent every cent he could raise inaugurating the enterprise, but still owed sundry bills for hotel accommodations, care for his animals and entertainment for the Indians. He was hopelessly " busted," and just there, as if to add insult to his other mortifications, a dapper Englishman, wearing a single eye-glass, sauntered up to him and su- perciliously accosted him with : " See 'ere, my friend, h'are you h'an Indian h'or a white man?" In a perfect frenzy Bill struck the impudent foreigner a blow in the glass eye that sent him plowing up the ground ten feet away, following the blow with the re- mark : " That's the kind of a man I am ; do you want to ex- tend the acquaintance any further?" I 4 " is only proper to state, in order to satisfy the cu- riosity of the reader, that the Englishman manifested no disposition to become better acquainted, as the intimacy had already been disagreeably close. Being unable to satisfy any of the demands made against him, Bill was left no other recourse than that of transferring the ownership of his buffaloes. The Indians were compelled to part company with their bear and monkey. With the balance left them, after paying all LIFE OF WILD BILL. 133 bills, they were enabled to accompany Bill back to Kan- sas, and return to their reservation. The pleasure of the trip, which had enabled them to see so much of the white man's civilization, seemed to fully satisfy them for their services, for they made no demand on their employer for compensation. When Wild Bill reached Kansas he found, to his de- light, that Gen. Sheridan and the Seventh U. S. Cavalry had left Hays City, and he was, therefore, relieved of any apprehensions regarding his personal safety in that section of country. It was his intention, after learning this fact, to resume his duties at Hays, provided he could again secure the office of marshal ; but, stopping at Abilene a few days to see some friends, he was sur- prised by an offer to make him marshal of that place. As the salary was entirely satisfactory Bill concluded to accept the position, especially since adverse circumstances had entirely exhausted his exchequer and immediate oc- cupation was therefore essentially necessary. When Bill became the custodian of the peace at Hays City he found a town just about as full of iniquity as he thought it possible to discover on the continent; but while Hays was only comfortably full of the Devil's emis- saries, Abilene was running over and bursting out at the side with the very double distilled essence of depravity. The town, with less than one thousand permanent resi- dents, was filled with so much vileness that the very at- mosphere appeared impregnated with the odor of abomi- nation ; murder ran riot, drunkenness was the rule, gam- bling a universal pastime, fighting a recreation, and the mischief to pay generally the engrossing occupation. There was one chief reason why Abilene reveled in greater wickedness than any other Kansas town, and her citizens are in a measure excusable because they were 134 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. helpless. The place was one of much importance, owiug to the fact that it had become the central shipping point for the cattle raised in Texas, New Mexico and Indian Territory. Every day great herds of cattle were driven in, and accompanying the herds were scores of reckless cow-boy sand owners, who regarded nothing with so much as the meanest brands of fighting whisky. After filling the pens these men invariably traveled to some saloon, on as straight a line as the honey-laden bee, and like a dry fish thrown back into its element, they absorbed vitriol-adulterated liquids until some desperate act was UFE OF WILD BILL. 135 almost certain to conclude the spree. The large cattle transactions at the pens made money abundant at Abilene, and as money is the root of all evil, every one in the place managed to secure a large portion of the root. Gambling followed as a consequence, and, preserving the natural sequence, shooting and stabbing became of daily occur- rence. This was the condition of society in Abilene when Wild Bill received his commission and began to carry a club as the insignia of his office. Of course there was much in his favor, for, though rhapsodizing sentimental- ists may enquire, "What's in a name?" it was very ap- parent that in the name of Wild Bill many bullies intui- tively saw a grim harbinger of their fate if their carnival of crime remained unchecked. Among the most desperate men on the border, who had killed several men and " stampeded " nearly all the West- ern towns, was a small, black-eyed, prof essional gambler, named Phil Cole. He had no regular abiding place, but striking Abilene he found that town so well suited to his calling and disposition that, to use a Western phrase, "he got his washing done in that hole" for several months. Within two days after Bill's appointment as marshal, Phil Cole, in company with another desperado named Jack Harvey, got on one of his accustomed tears, and regardless of the new officer, he began his usual indis- criminate destruction of property, smashing windows, kicking in doors, insulting women, firing his pistol, and sundry other malicious acts which demanded Bill's inter- ference. Jack Harvey was a companion of Cole in all these villainous proceedings and the two were permitted the free exercise of their devilish proclivities until Bill, m company with his deputy, Jim Me Williams, put in an 136 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. objection. McWilliams was well acquainted with Cole and knew that some one would get badly hurt unless the gambler could be pacified. Approaching him in a friendly spirit he tried to induce Cole to give up his pis- tols, but in doing this Bill, standing off a few feet, ordered the gambler to surrender. This order only served to precipitate the conflict, for Cole immediately Wild Bill Accidentally Kills a Friend. fired at Bill, but as McWilliams had hold of his arm th* shot proved ineffectual. Bill now drew his own pistol and fired at Cole, but at the same instant the gambler in wrestling with McWilliams threw him in front in such manner that the faithful deputy received the bullet in his heart and fell over dead. Cole now again raised his pis- tol, but er ha pulled the trigger a shot from Bill' a LIFE OF WILD BILL. 137 weapon penetrated the gambler's brain, marking him for the second victim. Up to this time Jack Harvey had re- mained a mute spectator of the tragic proceedings, but seeing his partner in the agonies of death he pulled his pistol and fired at Bill, the ball passing through his hat and cutting off a lock of hair. But this proved Harvey's last shot; he had falsely reckoned, and for it paid the usual penalty. The smoke had hardly swept out of the muzzle of his weapon when the deadly aim of Wild Bill accomplished its work. Poor Jack, a good fellow under ordinary circumstances, forfeited his right to Bill's clem- ency and when he went down there was a bullet-hole through his heart. No act of Bill's whole life ever caused him such an- guish of mind, such poignant grief, as the accidental killing of Me Williams. The two had been old friends bosom friends in fact and that his death should come in such a manner was abundant reason for the inex- pressible sorrow Bill felt. Years afterward tears would start instantly in Bill's eyes at the mention or remem- brance of his friend's death. The killing of Cole was regarded by the community as a " Christian act," because it was like ridding the coun- try of a ferocious and destructive beast ; but to make the act yet more righteous Bill raised the necessary money with which to give his victims decent burial. On one occasion, during a visit of Wild Bill to Hays City, after assuming the conservatorship of Abilene' s peace, he met with an adventure which has in it all the elements of an anecdote. At the time referred to it chanced that a professional pugilist named Patterson, from New York, had become a Hays City transient and had organized a school for training the combatively dis- posed people of that town in the art of pugilism. He 138 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. had several ambitious scholars who made such progress that the Professor decided to give an entertaiment in the place and thus demonstrate the results of his instructions. Among those in attendance and the whole population was present to witness the miniature arenic bouts on the improvised stage was Wild Bill, drawn thither by a natural curiosity. The novel entertainment proved a grand success ; so much in fact that several new scholars were enrolled for the succeeding term. After the exhibition had concluded, the Professor took a stroll down town which means that he paid a visit to the most popular saloon for a " night cap " before retiring. In the saloon he found the usual crowd, and of course a conversation was at once started on pugilism and the qualifications of noted Western char- acters. Wild Bill was mentioned as being the handiest man out West, a good shooter, skillful fighter, and brave to rashness. In reply to the panegyrics offered by the crowd on Bill, the Professor said : "Now, look here, I've heard a great deal about this man Wild Bill ; I would like very much to meet him, and if he's got the pluck to stand before me I'll show you how little he knows about the manly art." One of the party responded : * * If you would like to see him, just look over toward that corner (pointing to Bill) ; that man wearing a sombrero and drinking with Buffalo Bill is the person you want." "Good enough," answered the Professor, and step- ping to Bill he touched our hero on the shoulder and addressed him : " I understand that your name is Wild Bill, and that you carry around in your clothes the reputation of being the boss fighter in the West." "Where did you get your information?'* responded Bill. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 139 "Why, all the boys declare you have got away with every one that has tackled you yet. But I want to say that while I am in this country I am boss ; that's my business, and I'm ready to demonstrate my claims." "Well," said Bill (drawing two pistols), "I'll just shoot a hole through each of your ears, so that we'll all know you hereafter ; the boss ought to carry his private mark." "Hold on, hold on," said the Professor, "I don't mean that I'm a pistol fighter; I'll grant you the de- served reputation as the best pistol shot on the plains ; but I can prove my claim as the best man on the muscle, and if you doubt my ability drop your pistols and shie your castor." The bantering tone of the Professor made Bill mad as , wounded catamount, and giving his weapons to Buffalo Bill he sailed into the pugilist like a red-hot ball from a columbiad. For several minutes the furniture in the room flew about, mixing with legs and arms, while the boys stood around deeply interested in the fight. Tim Finnegan's wake was like a candy-pulling compared with the music of this memorable battle, for it developed into a veritable cyclone of furious laughter. Is it necessaiy to tell the reader that Wild Bill was victorious? Of course not, for if he had been as badly Whipped as the Professor was no mention would have been made of this encounter. The fact is, the Professor was so outrageously threshed like the game cock of many victories, who, after one bad. defeat, never plumes his feathers with the oil of courage again that it spoiled all the reputation on which he had so successfully traveled; the proper thing he realized was to indefinitely postpone the ensuing school session and search for new fields, which, let us hope, he found more fruitful for his purposes. 140 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTEBXI. THERE was comparative peace in Abilene, after the Cole triple tragedy, until the holidays, when another fight occurred in which there were several seriously dam- aged skulls, but no deaths. On the 26th of December, 1870, a dozen Texan cattle men concluded to take the municipality by storm, as it were, and their preparatory arrangements, as a matter of course, consisted of an ample filling up with Abilene whisky. Among this num- ber of " thoroughbreds," as they styled themselves, was the owner of one of the largest ranches in the Lone Star State. His name is withheld for obvious reasons, as he is still living, and a publication of the incidents about to be recorded, together with his real name and the impious part he subsequently played, would, certainly, be followed by legal perplexities. These interferences would not be regarded but for the fact that the necessary witnesses would be hard to find if indeed they could be at all. But the facts will not be departed from one jot or tittle, and in order to preserve the identity of this individual, he will be called " Assassin Bledsoe." This bloody-minded twelve began their carousals by breaking into a harness shop, brutally beating the pro- prietor and stealing a number of bull-whips. With these they sallied out and attacked everyone they could meet on the street, cutting right and left, administering the severest punishment on several individuals and defying the authority of the entire town. None of them display- ing any weapons, this fact led Wild Bill to believe that the unruly crowd might be controlled without bloodshed, lie therefore called a few citizens to his assistance and undertook the difficult job of arresting the drunken LIFE OF WILD BILL. 141 By chance Bill first accosted Assassin Bledsoe in his usual manner, using mild but pointed language. Instead of obeying the injunction, "Come with me," Bledsoe curled the bull-whip he carried over his head and strik- ing Bill on the arm, it cracked with a pistol-like report. The whip-stroke cut almost like a knife, and the pain it produced was just enough to make Bill feel like killing some one, especially Bledsoe. Raising his club he dashed at the Texan and delivered a blow that laid open the skin on Bledsoe' s head for a length of three inches. This precipitated a general fight in which the citizens who were deputized and the Texan crowd mixed indiscrimi- nately. Clubs and stones were the only weapons used, but in the hands of infuriated men these were very dan- gerous and the result was something terrible enough for the most morbid appetite. Blood was streaming from numerous heads, arms were broken, bodies frightfully bruised and demoralization was pictured on every par- ticipant. Bill was the central figure in the fight, for be- ing regarded as a kind of standard bearer the Texans were anxious to take his colors. But he displayed the cool intrepidity which had made his name so celebrated, and though struck hard with stones, he kept his feet and wielded a club like Hercules before the Hydra. The deputies being reinforced by a number of other citizens, at length closed the battle with acknowledged victory. The wounded were carried to the nearest houses and nec- essary surgical attention given them. The most serious injury was that received by Assassin Bledsoe, who was compelled to keep his bed for nearly two weeks, and the greatest care was required to prevent inflammation of the brain, from which he would have certainly died. During this period of dangerous illness, Bledsoe de- clared to his attendants, under oath, with uplifted hand in 142 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. attestation of his determination, that if life were spared him he would have Wild Bill's heart. When this threat of vengeance was conveyed to Bill he gave it no special concern, as perhaps a hundred others had vowed to satisfy the same revenge ; it was only another admonition for him to be always on the alert and watchful against the strategies of his enemies. After Assassin Bledsoe had fully recovered from his wound he returned directly to his home in Texas and conceived one of the most dastardly, cowardly and vil- lainous purposes ever brought forth by a naturally infernal mind. Being well acquainted with all the miser- able, sneaking characters of his neighborhood, some of whom were dependent upon him for employment ; men whose desires and ambitions never rose above a full whisky bottle, and to whose plastic natures a trifling consideration was sufficient for killing any man from a covert by the highway. Knowing, as he did, eight such persons specially qualified for his designs, Bledsoe sent for them and contrived a meeting in an old barn which stood some distance from his house. These eight mon- sters of iniquity met their cowardly employer as per agreement, and that the design might lose none of its black hideousness the meeting took place under the cover of darkness. A jug of whisky played the part of a needful accessory, and when its influence became per- ceptible Bledsoe disclosed his purpose. With what words he addressed his coterie of criminals no one knows but themselves, but it is definitely known that Bledsoe acquainted these men with his desire to possess the heart of Wild Bill , and that he therefore offered them the sum of $5,000 in gold if they would kill him and take out his heart as an evidence that the deed had been consuming ted. He first bound them by a terrible oath not to LIFE OP WILD BILL. 143 divulge a word of the compact about to be made nor of anything connected with the meeting in the barn. The terms of this desperate contract were that, under no cir- cumstances, was his name to be discovered to anyone as the employer of their services for this dark deed ; that the sum of $50 should be given to each man to pay ex- penses of the trip to Abilene, and that in addition to this money $5,000 in gold was to be divided equally between them on the day that Wild Bill's heart should be de- livered to Bledsoe, and that the place of meeting for the completion of the contract should be at the old barn. To all these articles of the agreement the eisrht villains O O readily assented, and being at once provided with money for the trip, on the second day thereafter they started for Abilene. Reaching that town, instead of waylaying Bill, as Bledsoe expected, the impious crowd of hired assassins, never having had so much money at one time before dur- ing their existence, could not resist the temptation cf so many saloons, and gave way at once to the cravings of their unnatural appetites ; as a consequence they drank until every one became hilariously drunk. While in this condition one of the men disclosed (though in disjointed sentences) the object of their visit to Abilene. A friend of Bill's hearing the asseverations of the drunken assas- sin plied him with such questions as brought out the en- tire scheme for the murder ; and being satisfied that the plan had been truthfully revealed, though by an irre- sponsibly drunken fellow, he lost no time in acquainting Bill with the purposes of the eight men. Bill received the information with thanks, but exhibited no uneasiness. He instructed his friend to return to the crowd and by some means which would not excite suspi- cion, inform them that he (Wild Bill) was going down to Topeka on the nine o'clock express. This information 144 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, the friend duly imparted to the Texans, at the same tim& dropping several hints that his pistols had become useless and he was going to Topeka for the purpose of purchasing anew pair. This little piece of clever strategy worked with such great success that their discomfiture was complete. Bill became a passenger on the east bound express train, and chuckled as he saw the hired murderers take the coach next the baggage car. Their idea was that Bill could be readily influenced to pass from one car to the other upon an invitation to join them in a game of cards, or a pre- tended acquaintance, and while on the platform it was arranged that he should be stabbed and thrown from the car. If this very choice scheme had not miscarried, the band of assassins could have left the train at the first sta- tion and walking back to their victim cut out his heart without there being a witness to their consummate villainy. But the scheme did not work. About an hour after the train left Abilene, or shortly after ten o'clock at night, Bill concluded that now was the time for him to act, as most of the passengers would be asleep. Know- ing about where his would-be murderers sat, Bill walked through the car, opened the door and drew his two ivory- handled pistols. Reaching the door of the car in which the eight sat, he peeped through a moment to discover their exact positions ; he then threw open the door and walked quickly up the passage way. In another moment the assassins saw him, and as they also saw a large pistol in each hand, their impious hearts fluttered with the fear which immediately possessed them. Bill drew his wea- pons so as to cover the band, and then in a voice which indicated his resolution, he said : " Now, you infernal scoundrels, get out of this car in- stantly or I'll make buzzard food of your carcasses. Gtet LUTE OF WILD BILI*. 145 out, and off this train or I'll kill you as I would a pack of cowardly wolves. If it wasn't for disturbing the pas- sengers I'd kill you in the car, but I'm going to either make you jump off this train or I'll shoot you off." While addressing them in this threatening manner, he drove the men before him, and as they believed he would shoot anyhow, the entire eight stampeded in their efforts to get out of the car, and when the platform was reached they leaped off into the cut through which the train was running at a speed of thirty miles an hour. In the fall one of the villains was killed and three others so seriously hurt that they had to be carried off by their comrades. This ended the efforts made by Assassin Bledsoe to secure Wild Bill's heart, notwithstanding his desperate oath ; neither did he have the gratification of attending his enemy's funeral ; in fact, after this, he lived for nearly six years in constant dread lest Bill should find and kill him. On Bill's return from Topeka, after this novel adven- ture with eight cowardly villains, he stopped two days at Ellsworth for the purpose of visiting a somewhat noted beauty of that place, named Emma Williams, whose charms had made an impression on the softer portion of his heart. Visiting this gay siren of fatal beauty at the same time was a big bully named Bill Thompson, and thus the two Bills met under circumstances especially favorable for the excitement of a fresh killing. Added to this jealous ri- valry, Thompson was moved by a spirit of revenge for having suffered arrest at the hands of Wild Bill nearly a year previously. Miss Williams, finding two dangerous lovers at her shrine, and both equally importunate for her favors, was compelled to choose between them. Fortu- nately for Bill, his handsome face and physique secured 146 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the coveted favor, while the coarse, uncouth, brutal physiognomy of Thompson was relegated to the realms of woman's rejection. This decision could but culminate, in a tragedy, for, as is usual with men of the base charac-. teristics which distinguished Thompson, they almost in- variably resort to foul means when fair efforts are un- availing to accomplish their object. At the dinner hour, on the 17th day of February, 1871, Wild Bill entered a restaurant in Ellsworth and called for an oyster stew ; the tables of the restaurant were situated between small partitions, as are still frequently noticed in country ice-cream saloons in the West. He thought- lessly took a seat with his back to the door, a position, it is but proper to say, he never afterward assumed. As the waiter returned, bearing the stew in a bowl on a platter, Bill saw him exhibit a sudden fright, and turning quickly in his seat discovered Thompson approaching and almost in the very act of firing on him. Sliding out of his chair with the celerity of a flash, the movement was executed with such rare fortune that the ball from Thompson's pistol struck the dinner plate on the table before Bill, shattering it into a hundred pieces. But ere the jealous desperado could fire again Bill had jerked a small der- ringer from his breeches pocket and sent a slug squarely into Thompson's forehead. His plot to kill Bill had only turned upon himself. The waiter's fright at this sudden and tragic meeting of the rivals was so great that soup, bowl and platter fell from his nerveless grasp, rattling in fragments on the floor, adding, by the noise, much to the general confu- sion which ensued. Bill coolly resumed his position at the table and ordered the trembling waiter to bring him the stew, giving no heed to the unconscious victim on the floor; but the waiter showed no such indifferent, stand- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 147 ing in dumb" astonishment and fright until the restaurant filled with the curious of the village. Being unable to obtain the desired stew, Bill coolly arose, filed through the morbid crowd and hunted up another restaurant, where he feasted according to his pleasure. His arrest followed soon after, but at the preliminary hearing a clear case of "justifiable homicide" was established, so that his detention was not for more than two hours, and at night he returned to Abilene. In June, 1871, Wild Bill was appointed U. S. Marshal at Hays City, or was rather reappointed, for he first served in that position a short time during 1869 ; but as nothing of special importance transpired worthy of record among his spirited adventures during that period, the fact was not mentioned in chronological sequence. Two months after entering, for the second time, upon the discharge of his duty circumstances required his going to Wichita, Kansas, where he expected to arrest an of- fender who, it was reported, was infesting that town. There being no stage nor rail route to Wichita, Bill was compelled to make the trip on horseback, a style of travel- ing, however, well suited to his disposition and preference. Upon arriving at Wichita, being wholly unacquaint- ed in the place, he directed his course to a saloon, before the door of which he alighted and tied his horse. Enter- ing the saloon, he was somewhat surprised to find it con- tained not a single soul the proprietor, even, having absented himself from the business for the time being. However, desiring to rest himself and possibly obtain some essential information concerning the offender of whom he was in search, Bill sat down and commenced reading a newspaper in order to pass the time until the proprietor should return. While he was thus engaged his attention was attracted by a horseman who was just 148 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. dismounting preparatory to entering the saloon. Bill looked up from his paper as the stranger stepped upon the threshold, for he supposed the man to be some ac- quaintance of the neighborhood, and passed the usual salutation : * Ho wd ' ye . " " How are you?" returned the stranger; "is your name Wild Bill?" "That is what I'm generally called," replied Bill. "Take that, then," said the stranger, accompanying the words with the instant production of a pistol which he fired so close in Bill's face that the skin was scorch- ed. The bullet, by rare good fortune, only struck his scalp, cutting a furrow more than three inches in length and grazing the skull. It was a desperately close call, but another fortunate circumstance was in the fact that Bill was so badly stunned by the shot that he fell to the floor as if strieken dead. The stranger, thinking that he had secured his victim beyond a doubt, did not deem it necessary to fire another shot into his body, but feeling concerned for his own safety speedily mounted his horse and rode swiftly a way to the south. In a moment after the shot was fired the saloon pro% prietor returned, and seeing Bill lying on the floor in a dazed condition, quickly dashed a cup of water in his face ; then attempted to examine the wound, which was bleed- ing profusely. But Bill soon rallied, and gaining con- sciousness he eagerly inquired for the stranger. Finding that his assailant had fled, he refused all offers of surgi- cal attention, and with the blood streaming down his face, saturating his clothes and rendering his appearance gory in the extreme, he gave pursuit, first learning the direction taken by the would-be murderer. Being well mounted he gave rapid chase, though his horse was well pent by the trip just made. The stranger, after riding LIFE OF WILD BILL. 149 with much speed for several miles, reined up, thinking pursuit would hardly be given soon by any officer, and least of all by the person who he felt sure was dead. But the pursuer pushed rapidly on, and soon came in sight of his man, who permitted him to approach within a few hundred yards before discovering that it was Wild Bill leading a chase. Notwithstanding his horse was nearly exhausted, he urged him to his best efforts, while the pursuit and flight developed into a furious ride, one for life, the other for vengeance. Finding that it was impossible to overtake the stranger, Bill had recourse to his weapons, and firing as he rode soon disabled the assassin's horse and directly afterward shot the man through the back, producing a slow and terribly painful death. To make his revenge more complete, Bill raised the head of his dying victim and with the long, keen bowie he carried cut from the stranger's scalp a strip of hair and flesh such as he considered would correspond with the portion extirpated from his own. With this ghastly trophy he returned to Wichita and there had his own wound properly attended to. Subsequently Bill learned that his unknown assailant was a cousin of Phil Cole also a noted gambler, who had made many threats to avenge his kinsman's death, and had sought for opportunities to execute his purpose, only to find at last that in seeking revenge he had become the victim of a more fatal vengeance. As a reminder of this bloody adventure Bill carried the piece of scalp cut from his victim's head for many years. 'His brother, in communicating with the writer, stated that Bill kept this ghastly memento in his pocket- book until it became as hard as a piece of dried buffalo hide, and it is possible, if not indeed probable, that he kept it until death divided his possessions. 150 HEBOE8 OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTEK XII. IN August following Wild Bill's return from Wichita an incident occurred which resulted, some years after- ward, in his renouncing his previous declarations to re- main a bachelor, and the taking unto himself of a wife. The circumstances which culminated in so great a change were romantically singular and are well worthy of record in these otherwise sanguinary chronicles of stirring ad- ventures . The incident referred to grew out of the exhibition of Lake's Circus in Hays City during August, 1871. It was a rare occasion to see a circus so far West at that time, owing to the sparsely settled condition of middle and western Kansas, and when the caravan began to pitch tents preparatory for exhibition not only the citizens of Hays betrayed great curiosity, but every one within a radius of more than twenty miles came into town, by a variety of conveyances, to see the show. Lake's Circus had been a standard entertainment for many years in the East and South, and in addition to the excellent reputation it bore it was well advertised by a novel free exhibition which became the rage even in the East a grand balloon ascension just before opening the doors. The town council, like every one else in the neighborhood, though anxious to see the performance, held a meeting on the day preceding the time fixed for exhibition, and decided to charge Mrs. Lake, the pro- prietor of the circus, a license fee of fifty dollars ; but before the municipal body adjourned Wild Bill stepped up and asked to be heard a moment. Permission having been granted, the town councilmen lit their pipes, passed the bottle and leaning back in their chairs posed them- LIFE OF WILD BIL'L. 151 selves while Bill expressed himself substantially as fol- lows : " I never made a speech in my life and I don't want to begin now, but I never went back on a woman, and I'm going to give you some plain talk. You fellows live so far outside of civilization that your hearts have dried up like small potatoes left out in the sun, and ai you can't read the papers of course you don't know nothing about what's going on east of the coyote's range. "This circus that's advertised to show and furnish a little amusement for us heathens is owned by a woman, one whose pluck catches my sympathy every time. Her husband, Bill Lake, one of the best clowns that ever sung a jolly song, was murdered down in Granby, Missouri, by a cowardly villain, named Jake Killian, on the 24th of August, 1869. The brave little widow, after burying her husband, had to either sellout or go on the road with the circus, and circumstances advised her to carry the show. My opinion is that any woman capable to run a circus is a darned sight bigger .curiosity in these parts than th leather heads of this village ever heard of, and when I see so much pluck shown by a little woman I just feel like throwing in and helping her. "Now, if you fellows that run this town knowed how to appreciate a good thing for the place, instead of charg- ing Mrs. Lake a license, you would vote an appropri- ation to pay her for coming out here to show us heathens a first-class circus. If I've got any author- ity in Hays, Mrs. Lake ain't going to pay this town a cent of license for showing, and if any man attempts to stop the show then just put it down that he's got me to fight. That's all I've got to say now, so drive on and we'll see who pays the fiddler," 152 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. When Bill concluded his "talk" the council of four decided to reconsider their action and remit the license, though this was, in the eyes of some, an extraordinary opportunity for starting a town treasury. Mrs. Lake, learning of Bill's disinterested kindness, sent for him and expressed many thanks, after which she introduced him to all the members of her troupe, includ- ing her little daughter, Emma. After seeing the para- phernalia of the circus and shaking hands with the per- formers, Bill turned again to Mrs. Lake and said : " Well, now, all this is fine enough, but do you know the greatest curiosity about this canvas is yourself ; I never saw a woman before that could run anything, except with a broom handle, and to find one managing a big cir- cus like this is a bigger sight than California Joe when he was tackled by a panther down in the Wachitas. I used to think that women never amounted to much outside of being mothers, and I guess I wouldn't give them that much credit if it hadn't happened that I had a mother myself, and a good one, too. But I've changed my opin- ion now, for if I could hitch up with such a business girl as yourself I'd go in search of the parson to-morrow." This language, though full of rather profane meta- phors and tempered with phrases little suited for lute- like lovers' lips," nevertheless expressed in homely truths Bill's real sentiments, for he fell in love with Mrs. Lake, not only on first sight, but even before the meeting ; he was caught on the hook of her reputation. Mrs. Lake, though not fully understanding the somewhat incoherent address of her determined suitor, yet saw be- neath his rough exterior a kind and healing sympathy, and a heart ever brave and willing to protect the weak. His face and form, too, were strikingly handsome, while his dress was that of a gentleman. In short, he excited the LIFE OF WILD BILL. 153 affection of her nature, having already won her admira- tion. But they parted without avowals, and nearly three years passed before they met again, when admiration ripened into a warmer feeling, as will be seen in a subse- quent chapter. Becoming tired of the life which Hays City afforded, Bill resigned his position as U. S. Marshal, and in the spring of 1872 went to Kansas City, where he found a place bristling with sports and excitements well suited to his disposition. About the same time the writer, who had been occupying an editorial position on the Fort Scott Daily Monitor, accepted an offer made him by the proprietors of the Kansas City Journal and took up a residence in the Bluff City, where he became intimately acquainted with the heroic scout and learned much con- cerning his marvellous career. Kansas City was a brisk town in 1872. It contained a population of nearly 30,000, and was the parent block off which was chipped all the gambling towns along the Kan- sas Pacific railroad. Games of chance, cards, keno, faro, roulette, dice, cock-mains, dog fighting and kindred means for hazarding money ran day and night. On the west side of Main, between Fourth street and Missouri avenue, there was nothing in the upper stories of the buildings except gamblers and gaming outfits. But this district was peculiar only in presenting an unbroken chain, as it were, of gambling dens. Fifth street, between Walnut fcnd Main, was equally bad, even worse, because the rooms were less inviting and patronized by a more disrep- utable class. The lower end of main street and the levee were given over to brothel houses, about which a first-class item could nearly always be found. The writer now recalls to mind one evening when he was de- tailed to report three murders and one suspicious death. 154 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. But to-day the infamies and demoralizing characters which once filled the streets of Kansas City exist only in the history of her progress, and the hum of her commerce has long since displaced the sonorous voice of the keno caller and the death-crack of the revolver. Notwithstanding the lawless, turbulent elements that gave character to Kansas City during the period of Wild Bill's residence in the place, he kept himself aloof from them, in his quiet, dignified, reserved way, and thus LIFE OF WILD BILL. 155 never had occasion to unloose the tiger that slumbered beneath his calm exterior. The peaceable tenor of Bill' sway was disturbed on but one occasion while he remained in the Bluff City, and even this circumstance developed into a ludicrous rather than a sanguinary scene. Joe Siegmund, now proprietor of a railroad eating-house in Malvern, Arkansas, was at that time owner and keeper of the St. Nicholas Hotel, on the west side of the public square. Attached to the hotel was a bar and billiard room, which gathered an excellent patronage from the gambling gentry, and was nearly always full of excited young bloods taking their initiatory lessons in broils and drinking. On the occasion referred to, September 17, 1872, Bill walked into the saloon with an acquaintance and took a seat near one of the billiard tables, to watch a game then in progress. He had been in the saloon only a few minutes when four " larks," two-thirds full of Western cussedness, and the other third full of whisky, straggled around the room and stopped in front of Bill. One of the quartette, desirous of establishing a reputation for belligerency, having heard much about Wild Bill, and knowing him by sight, in a most insulting manner halloed out to his com- panions : "Here, boys, is the great wild man of the prairies; the mighty untamable giaftycutus that eats three men every night before retiring and rises so hungry that he sometimes chews up a whole town for breakfast. Look out, I tell you, its just about his meal time now." This harangue very naturally excited Bill's anger, but with apparent indifference to the insult he only re- plied : " See here, young man, I'll lift you with the toe of my boot if you don't get away from here in five seconds/' 156 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. The young fellow was spoiling for a row, and showing the butt of his pistol he abused Bill in a manner ab- solutely unbearable, calling him every vile name that a wicked native was capable of uttering. Persuading efforts only serving to increase the belicose fellow's pr*o- pensities, Bill at length got up, and catching hold of his shoulder, administered a stunning blow on the young man's head which brought him to a realizing sense of his assailant's true nature. Then holding him by one ear, Bill boxed the impudent fellow's face until howls for mercy preserved him from a more severe beating. The lesson thus imparted was productive of excellent results, for the abashed " larker," with tears in his eyes, slunk away, followed by his amazed companions. After the crowd had departed Bill expressed many re- grets for having to use the young man so roughly, but every one present pronounced the whipping a most de- serving act, as it would probably serve to make the fel- low more respectful and considerate in his future con- duct. CHAPTER XIII. IN the fall of 1872 Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack had accepted a proposition made by Ned Buntline ( Judson) to go on the stage and make a theatrical tour of the States in a play which he proposed to write for them. The en- terprise proved such a decided success that for the season of 1873-4 the Buffalo Bill Combination, as it was called, made several flattering offers to Wild Bill to join them, and he was eventually induced to appear before the foot- lights in the bloody Indian drama entitled "Scouts of tie Plains " LITE OF WILD BILL. 157 His first appearance on the stage was made in New York City, the cast for the play being as follows : BUFFALO BILL W. F. Cody. TEXAS JACK J. B. Omohundro. WILD BILL J. B. Hickok, PALE DOVE (Wife of Texas Jack) Mile. Morlacchi. Jim Daws, a renegade horse thief Frank Mordaunt. Aunt Annie Carter Miss Jennie Fisher. Ella Miss Lizzie Saflord. Lotta Miss Eliza Hudson. Uncle Henry Carter, a friend of the scouts J. V. Arlington. Nick Blunder, with song and dance Walter Fletcher. Tom Doggett, in cahoot with Daws W. S. McEvoy. Ebenezer Longlank, gov't peace commissioner A. Johnson. Tall Oak, a Kiowa, but on the square W. A. Reid. Big Thunder, a Comanche Chief B. Meredith. Bear Claw, Comanche Brave H. Mainhall. Eaven Feather J. W. Buck. The performance was lacking in many features essen- tial to what is called "smoothness," and especially in the part taken by Wild Bill. Buffalo Bill, in his autobiography, describes Wild Bill's acting in the following manner : " Although he had a fine stage appearance, was a hand- some fellow and possessed a good, strong voice, yet when he went upon the stage before an audience, it was almost impossible for him to utter a word. He insisted that we were making a set of fools of ourselves, and that we were the laughing-stock of the people. " Wild Bill was continually playing tricks on the mem- bers of the company, and it was his especial delight to torment the < supers.' Quite frequently, in our sham Indian battles, he would run up to the ' Indians ' (supers) and putting his pistol close to their legs fire and burn them with the powder instead of shooting over their heads. This would make them dance and jump, so that 158 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. it was difficult to make them fall and die although they were paid twenty-five cents each for performing the ' dying business.' " Of his career during the period of his engagement with the Buffalo Bill Combination, Wild Bill left no memoran- da from which his exploits might be gathered for publi- cation, but several interesting adventures are given in Buffalo Bill's autobiography, to which the writer is in- debted for many important facts concerning Wild Bill, from which the following extracts are taken : "One day at Titusville, Pennsylvania, while Burke, the business agent, was registering our names and mak- ing arrangements for our accommodation, several of us started for the billiard room, but were met by the land- lord, who stopped me and said that there was a party of roughs from the lower oil regions who were spreeing, and had boasted that they were staying in town to meet the Buffalo Bill gang, and clean them out. The land- lord begged of me not to allow the members of the troupe to enter the billiard-room, as he did not wish any fight in his house. To please the landlord, and at his suggestion, I called the boys up into the parlor and ex- plained to them the situation. Wild Bill wanted to go at once and fight the whole mob, but I persuaded him to keep away from them during the day. * ' In order to entirely avoid the roughs the members of the company entered the theatre through a private door from the hotel, as the two buildings joined each other. While I was standing at the door of the theatre taking tickets, the landlord came rushing up and said that Wild Bill was having a fight with the roughs in the bar-room . It seemed that Bill had not been able to re- sist the temptation of going to see what kind of a mob it was that wanted to test the pluck of the Buffalo Bill LIFE OF WJLD BILL. 159 party; and just as he stepped into the room, one of the bruisers put his hand on Bill's shoulder and said : " * Hello, Buffalo Bill ! we have been looking for you 11 day.' " ' My name is not Buffalo Bill ; you are mistaken in the name,' was the reply. " You're a liar 1' said the bruiser. " Bill instantly knocked him down, and then seizing a chair he laid out four or five of the crowd on the floor, and then drove T;he rest out of the room. All this was done in a minute or two, and by the time I got down stairs, Bill was coming out of the bar-room, whistling a lively tune. "'Well! said he, *I have been interviewing that party that wanted to clean us out.' 4 ' ' I thought you promised to come into the Opera House by the private entrance ?' " * I did try to follow that trail, but I got lost among the canons, and then I ran in among the hostiles,' said he ; ' but its all right now ; they won't bother us any more.' " We heard no more of them after that." When the company reached Portland, Maine, to fulfill an engagement, another incident occurred wherein Wild Bill again distinguished himself, though not in a personal combat. The leading members of the troupe stopped at the United States Hotel, a large caravansary at which boarded several bachelor merchants of the town. On the night succeeding the first performance, Bill retired to bed shortly after twelve o'clock, feeling unusually tired, owing to a long walk he had taken during the day. Before lying down he discovered that the room adjoining his was occupied by several persons engaged in some amusement which caused them to make considerable 160 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. noise ; he retired to bed, however, and tried to sleep de- spite the tumult of his neighbors, but finding, at length, that the noise increased with no likelihood of abating soon , he got up with the intention of either suppressing the racket or having a first-class row. In partial undress he knocked at the door of his unknown neighbors only to find that the room was occupied by five of Portland's leading business men, and that their noise was the result of a game of poker, spiced with liquid refreshments of savory perfume. Before making known the purpose of his visit the party invited him to join them in the game and partake of the bottle which was now well nigh empty. Nothing ever afforded Bill so much pleasure as a game of poker, and to indulge this gratification he was always ready to sacrifice a night's rest. He therefore entered into the sport of the game and after playing until the party were fairly exhausted both in body and purse he got up from the table seven hundred dollars better off than when he sat down. In order that such pleasant co r/pany might not separate without some benefit he gen- erously gave them this parting advice : " Gentlemen, I appreciate your hospitality, and espe- cially the good luck in which I have played to-night, therefore I will tell you a little secret, for it may prove very valuable to you all hereafter ; never wake up a stranger, destroy his rest, and invite him to take a hand in a game of poker with you. Good night." Buffalo Bill, in conversation with the writer, told the following amusing story, which I will try to repeat near- ly in his own language : * < When I had arranged terms with Wild Bill to ap- pear with my company, we were in New York playing an engagement, and I was stopping at the Metropolitan Hotel. Bill arrived in New York after dark, and being LIFE OF WILD BILL. 161 unacquainted with the city this being his first visit there he took a hack, instructing the driver to take him to the Metropolitan Hotel. Upon arriving at the house, Bill asked the driver his charges. " ' Five dollars, sir,' was the reply. " And you wouldn't accept anything less, would you ? ' asked Bill. " * No, sir, that's the charge, and nothing less.' 6 ' Bill then handed the driver five dollars, at the same time striking him a blow in the face that sent him plowing up the settlings of the gutter. A policeman very soon came after Bill, but bail being furnished by me, he was kept out of the tombs ; but the next day I paid a fine of $10 for him. This was his first experience in New York. "We had two or three rehearsals together before Bill made his appearance, and even then he was required to say only a few words. The first scene in which he was cast represented a camp fire, around which Wild Bill, Texas Jack and myself were sitting telling stories. In order to carry out the scene so that it should be a faith- ful counterfeit of the reality, we had a whisky bottle filled with cold tea which we passed from one to the other at the conclusion of each story. When it came Bill's turn to relate an adventure I passed him the bottle, and taking it in the way with which he was so familiar, he commenced draining the contents. I say commenced, because he stopped very suddenly and spurted the tea right out on the stage, at the same time saying, in a voice loud enough for the audience to hear him : * You must think I'm the worst fool east of the Rockies, that I can't tell whisky from cold tea. This don't count, and I can't tell a story under the temptation unless I get real whisky.' I tried to remonstrate with him, while the audience fairly shook down the galleries with their cheers . At first I was greatly 162 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. mortified, but it did not take long to convince me that Wild Bill had unconsciously made a big hit. I therefore sent out for some whisky, which Bill drank, and then told his story with excellent effect.'' Wild Bill remained with the combination until the spring of 1874, when, at Rochester, N. Y., he parted abruptly from the combination. But before deciding to cancel his engagement he met Mrs. Lake, who, by chance being in Rochester, went to see the per- formance. Buffalo Bill had frequently heard Wild Bill declare his admiration for this lady, and when he discovered her in the audience he immediately informed Wild Bill of the fact and offered to introduce him again. The result was that Mrs. Lake and Wild Bill met and in the few moments they were together Bill said : "Mrs. Lake, I don't know how to court, because I never did any of it in my life, but I've been thinking about you ever since we met in Hays City. Fact is, I'd be mighty glad to hitch up in harness with you, because I think we'd make a splendid team." Mrs. Lake replied, " I don't know, Bill, how well we would suit each other, but at the present time my busi- ness is in such a condition that I couldn't think of mar- rying." * * How soon do you suppose you could straighten up matters so that we could go to the parson together?" en- quired Bill. " Well, it will require two years probably to settle my affairs, but your proposition comes so suddenly and un- expectedly that I should have to think about it, for I don't know that it would be proper for me to marry again," was Mrs. Lake's reply, indicating that she was not indifferent to the offer made her. " I don't want to insist, but at the same time you suit LIFE OF WILD BILL. 163 me to a dot, and I'd give my eyes to marry you ; there- fore I'll give you time to consider. I've got to go on the stage now to kill a few Indians to please this congre- gation, but when the show is out, maybe I might see you over at the Osborne House." Bill thus left Mrs. Lake, but contrary to his expecta- tions, did not see her again until 1876. When he was called for his part during the same even- ing's performance, he resumed his old annoying practice of singeing the " supers " legs, and carried the trick so far this time that Buffalo Bill remonstrated so sharply that, without saying a word, Wild Bill doffed his buck- skin suit, and resuming his usual dress, walked out of the theatre, refusing to appear any more with the combi- nation. Before he left Rochester, however, Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack made up a purse between them of one thousand dollars and gave it to him as an evidence of their continued friendship. Being considerably flush for a scout, Wild Bill went to New York, and while there, in a very laudable effort to break a faro bank, got himself ingloriously * 4 busted." In this condition a theatrical manager approached him with a liberal proposition , so that for a second time he became a votary of Thespis, coming again before the public with the Wild Bill combination. But he had evidently struck a blind pocket of ill luck, for after a few fitful weeks of uncertainty the concern became pecuniarily defunct. After Bill had left the new combination the manager immediately reorganized his troupe and replaced Wild Bill by a cheaper character. Everywhere the company performed they advertised the renowned Wild Bill as their leading star, a member of the troupe being engaged to personate the distinguished scout on and off the stage alike. Wild Bill was not long in learning of this trick 10 164 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. and at once decided to get satisfaction by undeceiving the deceiver. Accordingly, learning that the company was to appear at Binghamton, N. Y., he went there to witness the performance. Waiting until the plot was developing much interest to the audience, when the bogus Wild Bill was shooting and slashing his way through a band of howling Comanches, he leaped upon the stage, and grab- bing the manager, flung him bodily into the orchestra, and then knocked the personator of his character through the scenes, regardless of the knives and pistols and tom- ahawks carried by the Indians. This novel procedure precipitated an intermission, during which Bill unconcernedly resumed his seat and shouted to the company to proceed with the show. Information of the interruption having reached the municipal officers, a policeman was sent up to arrest Bill. He was easily found, but when the officer asked him to consider himself under arrest the reckless scout replied ; " How numerous are you? " " I am alone ; why do you ask? " " Well, I would advise you to call up some assistance.'"' The policeman took his advice and went out and soon returned with a brother officer. The two then approached Bill and asked him to accompany them. " How numerous are you now? " Bill asked. " There are two of us." " Then I would advise you to go out on another recruiting expedition." The two policemen, anxious to avoid a conflict with the noted scout, then called the sheriff, who requested Bill to submit to arrest, and had no difficulty in taking him out of the theater and keeping him in charge until the following morning, when his trial took place before the city judge. The circumstances of the row having LIFE OF WILD BILL. 167 been detailed Bill was fined three dollars and costs, but his satisfaction in punishing the bogus character more than compensated him for his expense and trouble. Leaving the East, Bill went directly to Kansas City and from there to Cheyenne, a place he had not visited for several years. Here he drifted to a faro bank which was run by a gambler named Boulder. Bill had only two hundred dollars with him and he commenced the game by staking small amounts. Losing all these, he played up for an average by doubling. Staking fifty dollars he also lost that, but immediately put down an- other fifty dollar bill. Boulder, who was banking, told Bill, who was a stranger to him, that the limit was twenty-five dollars and that he couldn't play above that sum. 4 'Why," enquired Bill, " didn't you just take fifty dollars of my money?" "Well," answered Boulder, "I won't let you play that amount any more.' 3 " You won't?" replied Bill, " then I'll see why , that fifty dollar bill lays on the tray, and if my card don't turn, the money is yours, but if it does come out, then I'll have fifty dollars of your money or there '11 be fun here, that's all." From this a war of words followed, until Bill struck Boulder on the head with a heavy walking cane, which rolled him off a substantial seat. Several bouncers for the establishment rushed upon Bill, but he knocked them in a most artistic manner, until finding the fighting too progressive he jumped into a corner and jerked out two pistols. At this juncture the bar-keeper, attending the saloon down stairs, hearing the noise, ran up and discov- ering the situation, cried out : "Look out, boys, that's Wild Bill 1" 168 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This information acted like magic ; the tempest was becalmed, and a moment later Bill was alone. On the following day Boulder, although still nursing a badly damaged head, called on Bill and producing cham- pagne and cigars, the two settled their difference ami- cably. Some time after the killing of Phil Cole, his brother, a well-known character in the far West, came to Hays City with the expressed determination of avenging his rela- tive's death. Wild Bill had only a few days before gone to New York to join the Buffalo Bill Combination. Learning this fact, Cole professed to be deeply chagrined, saying : " Yes, that is just my luck. I've come one thousand miles to kill Wild Bill, only to find that the coward has left the country ; but I'll just lay for him awhile in these regions, and if he does come back we'll decide who is the handiest with pistols. " Weeks passed by, with Bill Still in the East, wholly unconscious of Jim Cole's intentions, until at length, as already described, Wild Bill severed his connection with the troupe and returned West, going to Cheyenne. He had scarcely reached that place when he was apprised by a friend writing from Hays City that Jim Cole was on his track and was about ready to leave for Cheyenne to meet him. Bill gave little heed to this information, because such threats as Cole was making had grown old to him. About two weeks after his arrival in Cheyenne, how- ever, Bill suddenly became conscious of the danger which threatened him. This discovery was made in the follow- ing manner: He was sitting in Luke Murrin's sa- loon reading, when his attention was directed to two strangers who, entering, walked up to the bar and called for a drink. The order was given by Jirn Cole, and LIFE OF WILD BILL. 169 though Bill had never seen this man, he instantly recog- nized in his voice a similarity to that of Phil Cole's, and was thus brought to a realization of his danger. By chance, at the time of this meeting, Wild Bill's only weapon was a small double-barreled pistol which Buffalo Bill had given him in New York ; but still more disad- vantageous was the fact that it contained but a single cartridge. Behind the bar was a very large looking glass, imd as the faces of Cole and his partner were turned toward the glass, Bill could study their features and keep himself prepared (though indifferently) for the emergency soon to arise. By a preconcerted $jgnal the two men turned and drew their pistols simultaneously, but Bill was too quick for his assailants. With the one shot he killed Cole and almost at the same instant he threw the empty pistol with such force in the face of Cole's partner that he succeeded in rendering his aim harmless. To follow up this advantage and prevent the stranger from shooting again, Bill grabbed him and with a dexterous effort; trip- ped him and threw him with such force that his head struck the counter and broke his neck. The coroner " sat on" the two bodies the same day, and Wild Bill was duly arrested. A preliminary exami- nation was had a few days after, and such positive testi- mony was adduced proving Cole's threats and determi- nation, as well also as the circumstances of the attack made by the victims, that Bill was released on a verdict of justifiable homicide. 170 EDSBOES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XIV. .<** WILD BILL remained in Cheyenne only a short time, for meeting with a party of friends who were wandering about in quest of adventure, he proposed a visit to the Black Hills, which section was just then beginning to attract attention on account of important discoveries of gold. Two of the party Tom Busey, of Laramie, and Doc McGregor, an old trapper, who had just left his season camp on the Nebraska river were delighted with Bill's proposition, and a few days later, having packed their mules with provisions and mining utensils, the three started for the Hills. After leaving Cheyenne there was but one practicable route to the point of destination, and this led along Sage Creek to the confluence of Cheyenne river, and followed the main stream to French Creek. After reaching this smull water way the route lay through several largo canons, under the brow of one of which, on a level spot only a fe\v hundred yards from the creek, the party pitched their camps. After a few days' hard work a comfortable cabin was constructed and prospecting began. In comparatively comfortable quarters the three men continued their explorations for gold, meeting with much success and living luxuriously upon the abundant game with which the forests abounded. Notwithstanding tho o war-like tendencies of the Blackfeet and Sioux Indiana who possessed that section of country, the party lived for a period of several months without interruption, noi were any [ndians seen in the vicinity of their camp. In the early part of April, 1875, however, while the party was still in camp, Bill met with an adventure which deserves to rank with the most marvelous of his many LITE OF WILD BILL. 171 escapes. Winter was still holding the creek in icy fetters Jind the ground remained covered with a crust of snow. The evening had been spent, as usual, in smoking and THE CABIN IN THE BLACK HU.T.S 172 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. reading well-worn books. Over the fire hung a paK of boiling beans and above the cheerful, blazing house logs were the rifles and wide-spreading antlers of a mon- strous buck. This completed a perfect picture of fron- tier happiness, for such contentment is rarely found even in the most sumptuous elegance of metropolitan mansions. Before supper was prepared or rather before the beans were boiled sufficiently Bill, who was acting a cook, discovered that more water was required to finish the cooking, and that the water bucket was empty. Putting on his coat, he took the bucket and a canteen the only vessels in the camp used for holding water and started for the stream. The moon was shining with scintillating lustre, lighting up the canon and throwing out long shadows from the trees overhead. As Bill was stooping to dip the water from a hole out in the ice, chancing to glance about him he saw a large, silver-gray fox trotting on the ice up the creek. This was a prize of no inconsiderable value, the pelt being mar- ketable readily at from fifty to sixty dollars. In a mo- ment Bill pulled his pistol and fired at the animal, but succeeded in only breaking one of its hind-legs. The creek made a sharp turn at this point and in order that he might not lose the prize, Bill set out in pursuit, ex- pecting soon to secure another shot. Every moment, just as an opportunity appeared on the point of being of- fered for a shot, the fox would dart behind some interven- ing object, so that it was useless for Bill to fire, and yet the distance between them continued only a few yards. In this manner the scout was lured mile after mile, uncon- scious of the distance he had traveled, until the large eanon rose up before him in black and singular grand- eur. The moon had now gone down behind the tower- ing hills, leaving the creek an indistinct line difficult to LIFE OF WILD BILL. 173 follow. With all his persistent pursuit and lengthy journey he failed to capture the prize for which so much time and effort had been expended ; for . the growing darkness had enabled the fox to elude his pursuer and hide somewhere about the roots of the numerous trees which fringed the stream. Retracing his steps again, Bill had proceeded but a Wild Bill and the Fox. short distance when he was startled by an unmistakable sound emanating from the direction of the camp. It was the distinct war-whoop of northern Sioux, and immedi- ately apprehensions arose in his mind for the safety of his comrades. Anxious to render aid when it was doubly valuable, Bill ran down the creek with all possible speed, but before arriving near the camp he discovered a bright tinge in the atmosphere which told him that the cabin 174 HEROES OP THE PLAIKS. was on fire. Still running swiftly he did not pause until reaching the opening leading down to the creek, when he saw a band of twenty or more Indians dancing around the burning timbers of, his home and consuming the whisky which they had found in a keg in the cabin. There was presented before him a panorama replete with destruction and broken hopes. He saw the bleeding scalps of his comrades displayed as trophies of this mur- derous depredation, and -realizing that there was nothing left for him to do but to look after his own safety, he decided to leave the country at once, on foot, as the stock of his party was now in the hands of the Indians, and make directly for Ft. Fetterman. The well known cunning and suspicion peculiar to the Indians Bill knew would lead to an examination of the vicinity to discover if there were any others belonging to the camp whom chance had led away, and this examina- tion he felt certain would result in a discovery of his trail and lead to pursuit. Acting on this belief he trav- eled with what speed he was capable, never stopping for rest during the entire night. After daylight, on the following morning, observing no indications of a pursuit, and being almost worn out with fatigue, he lay down beside a tree and immediately fell asleep. It was fully an hour past mid-day when he awoke, and being as hungry now as he was tired before, he at once cast about with the hope of finding some kind of game upon which to satisfy his gnawing appetite. Fortune threw in his way a sage-hen, which a single shot dispatched, and upon this he soon made an excellent meal. Scattering the embers of the fire he had built that it might not readily afford fresh evidence of hia trail, should it be pursued, Bill resumed the southward march, hoping to gain Ft. Fetterman in the two day? succeed ing. LIFE OF WJLD BILL. 175 On the evening of the second day, while ascending to the summit of a knoll which lay in his route, looking away to the northwest, Bill discovered some suspicious spots on the rim of the horizon which bordered the prai- rie. Studying these for a few minutes, his keen sense of perception told him that the moving figures were those of Indians, while the* direction indicated that they were on his track. South of the place where Bill discovered his trailing enemies was a strip of heavy timber which he thought overhung the banks of upper Beaver Creek. Being less than three miles distant, he hoped to gain this covert and by wading in the stream throw the Indians off his track, which was now easily followed by impressions in the thin crust of snow still covering the ground. Hurriedly he set off, knowing that no time was to be lost, for the Indians were evidently riding at a fast pace, and were, perhaps, less than ten miles distant. He had approached to within about one mile of the strip of woods when a troop of fifteen or more Sioux dashed over the knoll that had hid them from Bill's sight, and seeing the fleeing man they urged their horses to a run , shouting with exultation over the promise of a fresh victim. Unfortunately for Bill, when he left the camp, harbor- ing not the remotest suspicion of meeting with any ad- venture, he had taken with him but a single pistol, of six chambers, and even this weapon he had retained only from custom. Two chambers of the pistol had been emptied, and what defence he could now make lay in the four loads remaining. A lively chase ensued, Bill running at his greatest speed, but it soon became apparent that his chances for escape were exceedingly small. To add to his emoar- 176 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. rassment, having reached the timber several hundred yards in advance of his pursuers, he discovered that the stream, which was of considerable width and evidently deep, ran along the edge of the timber next to him, and that the bank was a ledge of shelving rocks fully fifteen feet in height. The creek was frozen over, to what thickness Bill had no means of ascertaining, but he was afraid to leap from the precipitous bank lest the ice should riot be sufficiently strong to sustain his weight, and in that event results from the fall would either have killed him outright or caused such bodily injury as would have made him an easy victim to the Indians. Bill had faced many dangerous dilemmas during his adventurous life, but for the time being he thought this one offered the least chances for escape. Had he been armed sufficiently, he thought, it were possible for him to seek the cover of some friendly tree, and thus par- tially protected fight with at least a faint hope of saving his scalp ; but having only four bullets it was impossible to use them with sufficient economy for his present needs. On came the whooping savages, but without discharg- ing an arrow or firing a shot, evidently bent on capturing the fugitive and reserving him for the stake. Seeing that to run along the towering brink would only hasten his end, the intrepid scout turned upon his pursuers when they were within a few yards, and discharging every load in his pistol, saw three of his enemies fall dead and an- other wounded, apparently mortally. At this the Indians drew down their guns and bows, realizing that they had caught an obstinate Tartar that it were safer to kill than to capture. But Bill was too quick for them ; taking desperate chances, as he discharged his last shot, and still holding his pistol in a position as if intending to LIFE OP WILD 177 fire, he threw himself over the dangerous brink into the stream below. It is singular how fortune follows the daring, bat even more singular how lucky circumstances almost always arose to deliver Wild Bill when surrounding dan- gers seemed to offer no hope for escape. So it again transpired in descending from the stony ledge overhang-* ing Beaver Creek, for instead of being dashed to pieces Taking Desperate Chances. i seriously crippled, Bill fell into an air-hole, and beyond the chill of a submersion, he escaped all serious results. The water was very deep, but he managed to keep well concealed from the Indians, and clambering under the ledge soon got onto the ice, which he found to be more than a foot in thickness. The red-skins, lath to lose a victim who had, for the time, so singularly 178 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. escaped them, rode up the bank of the stream, hoping to find a less precipitous place, where a safe descent might be made on horseback, and following back under the bank, yet capture the fugitive, or find his mangled body, from which some trophy might be obtained. Bill continued his journey down the stream, always keeping under the protecting ledge. He expected the Indians would soon appear, and with this fear continual- ly harassing him, he looked on every side for some shelter in which to hide. But there was nothing to help him out of the position which strange circumstances had forced him into. Darkness had now intervened, and this alone offered any hope ; but even this seemed to be of little value after several hours of rapid traveling, when he still found no place at which he could ascend out of the canon. On either side the bank rose in perpendicular walls, growing gradually higher as he advanced, and towering above him like grim monsters anxious to topple over and make sure of his destruction. Having had nothing to eat since dining on the sage- hen, he again became very hungry ; but the chances of getting anything to eat were only equal to his chances of escape and reaching Ft. Fetterman. All night long, therefore, he journeyed on the ice, maintaining a watchful regard for every cleft and crevice in the canon, fearful of each, lest it might be a passage-way for the Indians, and hoping that it might permit his ascent, for in following the devious ways of Beaver Creek he knew that, instead of going toward to the Fort, he was fre- quently traveling in an opposite direction. As day began to break on the following morning, Bill discovered the protruding trunk of a large cedar tree, by which there was a very rugged but possible ascent up the side of the canon. Being exceedingly tired, he concluded LIFE OF WILD BILL. 179 to rest a while on the tree trunk, behind which he could screen himself from the observation of the Indians should they appear on the ice, and in which place he felt secure from detection by any one above him. The weather had moderated so much during the night that with the first rays of the morning sun not a trace of snow was left on the ice or ground, which was a kindness of nature toward the fugitive as grateful as it was unexpected. With a Wild Bill's Miraculous Escape from the Indians. feeling of partial relief, he gave way to exhaustion, and fell asleep hugging the trunk of his friendly shelter. When he awoke, several hours afterward, the sky was overcast with angry, threatening clouds, while a succes- sion of heaven's cannonading presaged the terrible storm which was rapidly approaching. The rain soon began to fall in great drops, and in a short time afterward he 180 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. heard in the distance the mighty roar of rushing water as it came down the canon. Appreciating the danger of his position, he was on the point of clambering up the rugged bank to escape the rising waters when his atten- tion was attracted by the yells of Indians. Looking in the direction from whence the sounds proceeded, he wit- nessed with intense relief the struggles of his now fated enemies, tossed on the seething crests of the torrent as it tore down the canon, lashing the rocks with the bodies of horses and Indians, stifling their despairing cries and sweeping them remorselessly in the dreadful billows. Fortune had again favored him. His enemies were buried in the destroying foam of the avalanche of grind- ing ice and water, and a sure way for his escape was opened at a time most opportune. The Indians had evidently gone many miles up the creek bank before they found a place permitting their descent onto the ice, and they had followed down the stream only to be caught by the torrents of water which cut off all chances for their escape. Bill climbed with great difficulty to the top of the bank, and marking a straight line southward reached Fort Fetterman in an exhausted and famished condition four days after leaving his desolated camp. CHAPTER XV. WILD BILL was well received by the soldiers garrisoned at Fetterman, and after relating the story of his wonder- ful adventures in the Black Hills there was great desire manifested to at once organize a campaign for the purpose of punishing the tribe that was responsible for the per- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 181 petration of such an outrage. But Gen. Curtis, who had command of the troops, could not move without orders from Gen. Sheridan, and Bill therefore returned to Kansas City. His five months stay in the Hills, how- ever, convinced him of the rich deposits of gold which that section contained, and he decided to organize an ex- pedition from the States, with the view of leading a force into the auriferous region of such strength as would pro- vide security against molestation from the Indians. In furtherance of his scheme Bill visited several cities, but the season was now so far advanced that those whom he found willing to join such an * expedition , prevailed upon him to wait until the following spring, 1876, when the trip could be made more advantageously. Returning to Kansas City he remained for some time inactive owing to an attack of ophthalmia superinduced no doubt from the exposure he underwent while in the Black Hills. Dr. Thorne treated him for several months with such success that his eyesight, which was for a time entirely destroyed, was partly restored, but he never again regained his perfect vision. In the latter part of February, 1876, Wild Bill again visited Cheyenne with the view of perfecting necessary arrangements with some of his friends of that place, for entering the gold region with his proposed expedition. By a singular coincidence (each being wholly unaware of the other's whereabouts,) Mrs. Lake also appeared in Cheyenne at the same time, visiting one of her relatives, Mr. S. L. Moyer. Each had been in the town nearly two weeks before either was aware of the other's pres- ence, as no one in the place knew of the tender regard that existed between them, or even of their acquaintance. One evening, while in conversation with an intimate friend, Bill spoke of his admiration for Mrs. Lake, and 182 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. forthwith he was struck with astonishment by th& idtion of his friend : " Why, Mrs. Lake is in the city now; didn't you know it?" " Oh, you're joking," answered Bill ; " if I was cer- tain this town held her now, you could just prepare for a wedding, and that mighty quick, too." " No, I'm not joking, and if you '11 go over with me to Mr. Moyer's, to whom I'll introduce you, I'll show you Mrs. Lake." This proposition satisfied Bill, and the two immedi- ately started for Mr. Moyer's house, where, happy realiza- tion, Bill met his future wife. Becoming directly acquainted with the affectionate re- lation sustained between Bill and Mrs. Lake, Mr. Moyer and his family withdrew and left them alone. Wild Bill then renewed his suit, and pressed his claims with such persistency that the engagement was perfected and ar- rangements concluded for the wedding, which it was agreed should take place on the following day. Several intimate friends of Bill were surprised to re- ceive invitations, on the morning of March 5th, to wit- ness the wedding ceremonies of J. B. Hickok, (Wild Bill) and Mrs. Agnes Lake Thatcher, in the afternoon of the same day. Of course they all responded, and when the contracting parties stood up it was before an audience numbering about twenty persons. The Rev. W. F. Warren, a Methodist divine of Cheyenne, performed the service at Mr. Moyer's residence, and after receiving many congratulations the couple took the evening train east and went directly to St. Louis, where, after spend- ing a few days, they proceeded to Cincinnati, where nu- merous relatives of Mrs. Lake lived. Here they were received with many kind manifestations from all who x LIFE OF WILD BILL. 183 knew them, and their new life thus began under au- spicious promises for future happiness. In this connection it is proper to give the reader an in- troduction to the new wife of our hero, especially since Mrs. Hickok is a lady whose name has been prominently before the people of both continents for many years. The widow of Wild Bill is a native of Cincinnati, where she was born in 1832 ; her maiden name was Agnes Thatcher, and her parents were persons of eminent standing. At the age of fifteen she married William Lake who soon afterward became proprietor of a circus and followed the life of a showman until his unprovoked murder in 1869. As an arenic clown Lake had few equals and his name was sufficient to pack a canvas. Mrs. Lake, at an early age, manifested a talent fot the profession which her husband so fittingly adorned. She was the original " Mazeppa," and played this great character throughout Europe and America ; she also ap- peared on the theatre boards in many other starring parts, always with success. After joining her husband's circus she became the greatest slack-wire performer in America, and was the first person to execute the daring feat of trundling a wheelbarrow, on a small wire, over the centre-pole of a circus tent. But her most distin- guished performances were in equestrian acts, and especially as a manege rider. In this she never had an equal until her own daughter, Emma, arose to a position of prominence when the mother had retired from the arena. In her travels 1867-8 she visited the largest cities of Prussia, and in Berlin she appeared as "Mazep- pa" at the Victoria Theatre, rendering the part in the German language. So well pleased was the Emperor William, who witnessed the performance, that he sent an autograph letter of thanks, and recommended her 184 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. as the most finished actor then in the Empire. For a time she also performed the daring feat of entering a den of lions twice each day, and was known as " Senorita Agnes, the Lion Queen." After the death of her hus- band, for more than three years she successfully man^ aged the Hippo-Olympiad Circus, attending to all the managerial details of the business and taking the part of a regular performer also. An interesting book of itself might be written concerning the life of this excellent woman, who now, nursing the grief which misfortune bequeathed her lamenting the loss of two loving hus- bands, both of whom were the victims of foulest murder she lives only in the ambition of her beautiful daugh- ter, her only child, who now delights the Western world with her electrical horsemanship. Miss Emma Lake, though only twenty-five years of age, is a phenomenal circus rider, whose reputation has spread over both hemispheres. She is indisputably without an equal on horseback, especially as a manege rider. Beautiful of face and figure, lithe and sinuous as the mother of grace, indomitable and delighted with her profession, she has achieved a rank which the most am- bitious woman can never hope to excel. In addition to her achievements in the ring she is a lady of extra- ordinary intelligence and culture, possessing a finished education and most refined sensibilities. Her literary efforts have found a conspicuous place in the leading journals of America, and some of her poetical pro- ductions exhibit decided talent. Miss Emma Lake, as she is known among those of her profession, is the wife of Gil. Robinson, jr., son of the celebrated John Robin^ son, of circus fame. She has been traveling, hovreyer, with P. T. Barnum's Exhibition for several years, re- ceiving the largest salary of any person employed by that LIFE OF WILD BILL. 185 well-known showman. Her residence is in Cincinnati, where she has an elegant home. She has one child, a beautiful little girl, who is the pride of the neighbor- hood, and with her lives Mrs. Hickok, whose every want is administered to with true filial devotion. CHAPTER XVI. WILD BILL remained with his wife in Cincinnati nearly two weeks, and then giving her an affectionate good- bye, went directly to St. Louis for the purpose of get- ting his proposed expedition organized. Excitement over the Black Hills discoveries was now at fever heat, and a lively business was being done at Bismarck and Cheyenne in fitting out parties who were rushing into the gold region with reckless haste. A great number of those intent on reaching the Hills went by boat from St. Louis to Bismarck and then overland. But Bill con- sidered the route from Cheyenne as the most expeditious and practicable ; and his company was organized to pro- ceed that way, where outfits could be had much cheaper than at Bismarck. It required several days to make up the desired num- ber of men, as Bill had fixed upon not less than one hun- dred and fifty, and during this period of organization he daily visited the writer, who was then city editor of the Evening Dispatch, and reported the progress of his scheme. In the latter part of March about one hundred persons had joined the expedition at St. Louis, and nearly as many more had enlisted under Carpenter at Kansas City, so that the two companies were consolidated and started 186 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. to the Black Hills via Cheyenne on the 12th of April. The party was guided through safely, reaching the Hills in the first part of May. In the meantime the town of Deadwood had sprung into being and was filling up with the rapidity only known to mining towns. Rough shan- ties and tents dotted the hillsides ; creaking wagons marked out the streets by establishing roadways, and a hundred saloons and other evil concomitants loomed up in swelling the town's importance. VIEW OF DEADWOOD. Having settled the men, or rather discharged his duties as guide, Bill established himself in Deadwood to watch for an opportunity to make a profitable strike. He had located several claims and was making arrangements to complete the necessary assessment work by trading claims for labor. Deadwood, like every other big mining town that ha yet been located in the West, was full of rough charao- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 187' ters, renegades, cut-throats, gamblers and the devil's agents generally. Night and day the wild orgies of de- praved humanity continued ; a fiddler was an important personage, provided he would hire out to saw all night in a saloon, and the concert singer was a bonanza, especially if the voice were clothed in petticoats. The arbiter of all disputes was either a knife or pistol, and the graveyard soon started with a steady run of victims. Sodom and Gomorrah were both dull, stupid towns compared with Deadwood, for in a square contest for the honors of moral depravity the Black Hills' capital could give the people of the Dead Sea cities three points in the game and then skunk them both. Wild Bill indulged his propensities more or less while in Deadwood, but continued to prospect and avoided difficulties of every character until the day of his murder. In my first " Life of Wild Bill " I was led into mak- ing a very unjust allusion, which was as far from the truth as the poles are apart. This arose from informa- tion which I believed trustworthy but which I definitely ascertained sometime afterward, was a malicious report, and the pleasure I now have in correcting the evil which I unconsciously committed by that act is such that I should be glad to extend the excuse and correction far beyond the limits of this book, and make my assurances of regret in person. The allusion referred to was in doubting the affection of Bill for his wife and asserting that a final separation had occurred between them before Bill left for the Hills. The facts are, no man ever loved a woman more ardently than Bill did his wife ; she was in his very soul ; her gpirit was his ruling mentor and all his ambition was centered in her happiness. How true this is may be in- 188 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ferred from the following letter, the very last Bill ever wrote. I copy from the original, which is at present in my possession : DEAD WOOD, DAKOTA, July 17th, 1876. MY OWN DARLING WIFE AGNES : I have but a few moments left before this letter starts. I never was as well in my life ; but you would laugh to see me now just got in from prospecting. Will go away again to-morrow. Will write again in the morning, but God knows when the letter will start. My friend will take this to Cheyenne if he lives. I don't expect to hear from you, but it is all the same ; I know my Agnes and only live to love her. Never mind, Pet, we will have a home yet, then we will be so happy. I am almost sure I will do well here. The man is hurrying me. Good bye, dear wife. Love to Emma. J. B. HICKOK. This letter is copied verbatim. It will be seen that, he promises to write again on the following day, but he either neglected to fulfill the promise or the letter mis- carried, for the one here reproduced was the last Mrs. Hickok ever received from him. The last act in the life of Wild Bill was fast approach- ing when this letter was written. Though he lived in apparent peace with every one in Dead wood, far re- moved as he was from the scenes of his personal con- flicts, where he looked for enemies in every corner and at every turn, yet even here, while among new found friends, it was destined that he should die at the hands of as cowardly a villain as God ever placed on this sphere to disgrace the name of humanity. Returning from another prospecting tour along the gulches in the Black Hills, Wild Bill repaired to a saloon kept by Nuttall & Mann, and engaged in a game of poker. His opponent in the game was a fellow he had LIFE OF WILD BILL. 191 never seen before, named Jack McCall. This man had been at work for three or four different parties in the Hills, and as his previous history was unknown, he pass- ed for a "gentleman," to use the term in a qualified sense. The two played for several hours and until the game was concluded by Bill having won largely from McCall- about five hundred dollars. But though the play had been a very disastrous one for Jack, yet he ap- peared in no wise ill-humored, and acknowledged that he had been beaten in a fair game. In the afternoon of the second day (Wednesday, August 2d), after his successful bout with McCall, Bill again engaged in a game of poker at the same saloon, with Carl Mann, Charley Rich and Captain Massey, a Missouri river pilot. The quartette of gamesters were nil laughing and joking as the game progressed, indicat- ing that none had lost so heavily as to disturb the equanimity of temper. About three o'clock P. M. Jack McCall was seen entering the saloon in a careless man- ner, so that not the least suspicion was created as to the cowardly, villainous purpose of his visit. But with that calculating carefulness with which an arrant coward always conceals his designs, McCall walked up to the bar and around behind his victim. Then, with an anxious glance lest some one of the party might detect his move- ments, he jerked out a large pistol and placing the muz- zle within a yard of Wild Bill's head, fired, exclaiming at the time, but in a subdued voice : " Damn you, take that!" The ball went crashing through the back of Bill's head and came out at the center of his right cheek; but before it had spent its force it struck Capt. Massey in the left arm, shivering the bone, and was so firmly embedded that it had to be cut out. Wild Bill dropped his head f orward, the cards fell from 192 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, his relaxing grasp, and, in a succession of slow move- ments, he slipped out of the chair and then fell prone upon the floor. The murderer's work had been thor- oughly done, for his victim died without a convulsive shiver and lay before him covered with a growing pallor ; but on the face, though the shattered cheek was crim- soned with a flow of richest blood, the last smile still lingered, as if to proclaim the triumph of his manhood, in showing how bravely he could die. After firing; the fatal shot McCall drove the crowd o before him out of the saloon and resisted arrest until the fear possessed him that some avenging friend of Bill's would slay him. It was then the assassin offered to sub- mit to a trial and accept the consequences of his act. He was taken to a building in the lower part of the town, where a volunteer guard was placed over him. Within an hour after the murder the whole of Dead- wood was in a furore of excitement. A coroner's jury was soon empanneled with C. H. Sheldon as foreman, which, after a short inquiry, rendered a verdict in accord- ance with the circumstances as here related. CHAPTER XVII. AFTER receiving the verdict of the coroner's jury, im- mediate preparations were made for the trial of the mur-* derer. McDaniel's theatre was chosen as the most suit- able place for conducting the proceedings, as it was cer- tain a very large crowd would be in attendance. There was no regular court at Deadwood, and in the absence of duly qualified officers it was determined to conduct the LIFE OP WILD BILL. 193 trial according to the usages of self-constituted courts outside the pale of established legal jurisdictions. A meeting of citizens was held at the theatre during the evening, at which preparations were made for the trial. Judge W. L. Kuykendall presided over the as- semblage, and after stating the object of the meeting he was unanimously chosen as Judge in the trial of the mur- derer. Isaac Brown was elected sheriff, and one deputy and twelve guards were appointed by the presiding of- ficer. After proceeding thus far an adjournment was had until nine o'clock the following day, in order that some time might be had for necessary preparations, and to convey an announcement of the results of the meet- ing to the miners of the Whitewood and Deadwood dis- tricts. At the appointed hour, on Thursday, the meeting was called pursuant to adjournment, when the action of the preceding meeting was submitted in a report read by J. A. Swift, and adopted. Col. May was chosen to con- duct the prosecution while the prisoner selected A. B. Chapline to defend him, but as Chapline was quite ill at the time, Judge Miller was named instead. A commit- tee of three, consisting of Mr. Reid, of Gayville, Jos. Harrington, of Deadwood, and Mr. Cain, of Montana City, was next appointed by the chair, whose duty it was to select the names of thirty-three residents from each of their respective districts, and from the names thus sub- mitted the jury of twelve was to be drawn. Having now completed all the necessary arrangements another adjournment was ordered until two o'clock P. M. when the trial was to begin. The excitement on the streets continued to increase and sentiments of every character were fully expressed. Some favored a lynching before trial, a few deemed the 194 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. act justifiable, while a greater number were disposed to abide the finding of the jury after a fair trial. Promptly at the hour appointed the chosen officers filed into the theater building, the prisoner being con- ducted by the sheriff and guards. The improvised court room, however, was fairly packed an hour before, and the officers therefore had to elbow their way to the plat- form. Jack McCall, as he took a seat on the right of Judge Kuykondall, presented a most forbidding appearance. He was twenty-five years of age, but dissipation and a low life had painted their stains on his ugly features. His brow was low and retreating, as a sign of his cow- ardly and brutal propensities, while sandy hair, small moustaches and cross-eyes completed the unmistakable evidences of his villainous character. He attempted to appear indifferent and assume the role of a desperado who had been accustomed to acting such parts, but de- spite this effort the chicken liver he possessed made his flesh creep and the blanche and color of his cheeks come and go like a patient badly overcome with intermittent fever. The first proceeding was a selection of jurors. The ninety-nine names submitted by the committee were written on slips of paper and placed in a hat, from which they were drawn by the deputy sheriff. As each name was called the person responding thereto was examined touching his qualifications to serve as a juror in the case. Nearly all had either formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt of the prisoner, and the venire was therefore almost exhausted before the necessary panel of twelve was chosen, and which consisted of the following persons : John Mann, J. J. Bumfs, L. D. Brokow, Edward Burke, L. A. Judd, J. H. Thompson, Charles Whitehead, John E. LITE OF WILD BILL. 195 Thompson, Geo. S. Hopkins, K. F. Towle, J. F. Cooper and Alexander Travis. The jury being sworn, the trial proceeded. The witnesses examined were Charles Rich, Carl Mann, Samuel Young, an employe at the saloon, Geo. M. Shingle, who was also a witness of the tragedy, Isaac Brown, who arrested the prisoner, Patrick H. Smith, H. H. Pitkins and Ira Ford. The last three were introduced on behalf of defendant to prove his character as a peaceable man. The evidence was all in accordance with the facts of the tragedy as reported, except that considerable time was consumed in eliciting opinions of witnesses respecting the character of both Wild Bill and his murderer, and of course a great variety of opin* ions were expressed. After the testimony was concluded, the prisoner was asked if he desired to make any statement. "Yes," was his response, "I have a few words to say," and stepping down from the perch on which he had been sitting into the auditorium, he placed one hand inside the front opening of his woolen shirt, and throw- ing back his head in an imperious manner, delivered him- self as follows : "Well, men, I have but few words to say. Wild Bill killed my brother, and I killed him. Wild Bill threatened to kill me if I ever crossed his path. I am not sorry for what I done ; if I had to, I would do the same thing over again." He then returned to his place on the stage. The prosecuting attorney, instead of making an open- ing argument, used the time in bringing out the testi- mony of a number of persons who swore that Wild Bill had been much abused and a reputation given him for atrocious deeds which he never deserved : that in every instance when he killed any one the act had always been declared as justifiable by every fair-minded person. 196 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Judge Miller, the defendant's counsel, then followed, making a very able appeal in behalf of his client ; though not a scintilla of evidence had been produced showing that Wild Bill had killed McCall's brother, yet he used the assertion made by the prisoner with telling effect. He eloquently enlarged on the intention of the defendant, who, as he asserted, had not considered the act as mur- der, but a just revenge for the killing of his brother ; that Bill's dexterity in the use of firearms rendered it impossible for the prisoner to meet his victim " on the square," as such an attempt would have been almost equal to suicide. In addition to this kind of argument the Judge closed with the following appeal to the jury : "Men, comrades, you have been chosen to decide the guilt and punishment of one of your own companions ; look upon the honest countenance of this poor boy who is being tried for his life because he struck down the assassin of a dearly beloved brother ; note, particularly, that unflinching and innocent eye, which could not possi- bly belong to a man who could do any wrong," and con- tinued for nearly half an hour in coining similar extrava- gant qualifications which were a very parody on the brute who was on trial ; or as a correspondent who was present at the trial said, in his comments on the Judge's panegyric, "the eye, the face, and in fact everything about the prisoner, denoted villainy and iniquity as an innate part of his nature." The Judge certainly deserved credit for making so able an effort when there was no real basis upon which to rest a valid defense. 5 Col. May made the closing argument on behalf of the prosecution, and those who knew him best declared it the ablest speech of his life. After rehearsing the facts of the case he declared that * * if this be not murder then LITE OF WILD BILL. 197 there never was murder committed. The deceased in his bloody winding-sheet, from his mountain grave, de- manded that a proper punishment be meted out to his villainous assassin." He called attention to the fact that no testimony had been adduced to show that Wild Bill had ever done a single unlawful act, but contended that in every instance where he had shed human blood that he was justifiable in so doing, and that no evidence had been submitted to show that he had threatened the life of the prisoner. " It is strange," said the Colonel, "if the prisoner has been living for years with a sworn deter- mination to kill Wild Bill, that only two days ago he should have been pleasantly engaged playing cards with him." He appealed for justice in the name of law and civilization, and begged the people not to suffer such an atrocious and unprovoked crime to go unpunished lest the barbaric code of the Indians become the arbiter of disputes. The trial was not concluded until six o'clock in the evening, at which time the case was given to the jury, and they repaired to a wing of the theatre to prepare their verdict. As was afterward ascertained, when the jury first voted there were eleven for acquittal and one for conviction. Some debate then followed among them, when another juror proposed that the prisoner be fined in the sum of twenty dollars and then released, or be committed until the fine should be paid. After an hour and thirty minutes of discussion the jury came to a compromise conclusion, and when they returned into court, which remained in session awaiting a verdict, the foreman handed to the clerk their finding, which read as follows : " We, the jurors, find the prisoner, Mr. John McCall, not guilty. " CHARLES WHITEHEAD, Foreman." 198 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. The prisoner was immediately released, and some few who sanctioned this endorsement of one of the foulest, premeditated and utterly indefensible murders ever com- mitted, had the audacity to congratulate McCall on his acquittal. Thus ended this self -constituted farcical court, and the citizens who attended the trial at once went to their homes and cleaned up their weapons. If the society of Deadwood permitted one man to slaughter another with impunity in the manner McCall had killed Wild Bill, then every person in the place recognized the overshadowing importance of being prepared for emer- gencies. CHAPTER XVm. AFTER the inquest on the remains of Wild Bill the body was given in charge of Charley Utter (Colorado Charley) whose friendship for the dead man had existed for many years. A bier, or litter, was made by laying some boards across two poles, on which the body was placed and carried by a procession of friends across the creek to Utter' s camp. Here the final preparations for the funeral were made, and that too with a hand which took this last means of demonstrating the depth of its friendship. Charley was much affected by the death of his old comrade, and like a true brother during life, his love and admiration intensified when death severed th( bond of companionship. A romantic and beautiful arbor was constructed at th( foot of the most majestic trees in the gulch by Utter 's camp, under which the body of Wild Bill was laid, while a fine coffin was ordered, and the following funeral notice LIFE OF WILD BILL. 199 was printed and distributed among all the miners of the district : FUNERAL NOTICE. DIED in Deadwood, Black Hills, August 2d, 1876, from the effects df a pistol shot, J. B. Hickok, (Wild Bill) , formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held at Charley Utter 's camp on Thursday after- noon, August 3d, 1876, at three o'clock, p. M. All are respectfully invited to attend. At the appointed hour, notwithstanding the large num- ber who were in attendance at the trial, fully fifty friends .and admirers of the deceased assembled at Utter' s camp ready to pay the last rites of respect to him whose lif e had been such a fitful dream. The mortal remains of Wild Bill now reposed in a handsome comn mounted with silver ornaments and covered with black cloth. The body was handsomely dressed in the best clothes obtain- able in Deadwood. A more complete picture of perfect rest and resignation was never seen than that which the dead scout presented. The gaping wound in his cheek had been deftly closed and was scarcely noticeable ; hi& long, beautiful, chestnut hair lay parted evenly across his forehead and fell gracefully over his broad shoulders. The face was a study for any beholder ; instead of mani- festing the agony of death, there was nothing but peace and contentment on his features ; the lips were slightly parted as if still smiling at the last joke which was pass- ing around the table when the fatal shot was fired. Be- side him, in his coffin, lay his carbine rifle that he had carried for many years, and was now to be buried with him according to a wish he had often expressed. A grave had been prepared in a most romantically lovely spot on the mountain side, over which spread the foliage of redolent pine trees, and around which was a profusion of wild flowers, freighting the air with deli- 12 300 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, cious perfume*. On every side, making the landscape replete with nature's grandest effects, were towering boulders, from between the crevices of which peeped out fragrant sweet wiihams and violets, mingling their in- cense with the concert of warbling voices in the branches overhead. It was such a spot as the brave sleeper would have selected for his sepulcher, for he loved the forest solitudes, and made companionship with the wilds of the wilderness. Here, under the bright arch of an auspicious heaven, under the arbor nature had prepared with lavish hand, Wild Bill was laid in that sleep which, perchance, is eternal waking, and with him were all his animosities, his desires for revenge, his ambitions, and his expecta- tions. A clergyman read an impressive funeral service over the grave, after which the earth's warm, virgin sod, full of bursting seeds and growing flowers, soon covered the remains of t'he greatest scout, spy and fighter any nation, perhaps, ever produced. A large stump stood at the head of the grave, and upon this was rudely carved the following : "A brave man, the victim af an assassin, J. B. Hickok (Wild Bill), aged 48 years ;* murdered by Jack McCall, August 2, 1876." The funeral ceremonies having been completed, those who had assisted in the last services went directly to the theater building where the trial of McCall was still in progress. After hearing the verdict read and seeing the murderer liberated, California Joe, an old mend of Bill's, who chanced to be in Deadwood when tne assas- sination occurred, stepped up to McCall and said : *At the time of his death Wild Bill's age was 39 years, IO month* and 12 days. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 201 " Look a here, young chap, these here regions haint very healthy for you jist now ; so you'd better lose no time in clearing outen these diggins, er yer skin won't hold water no morn'n a camp sieve inside o' twenty-four hours." At night several of the murdered man' s friends held a secret meeting, at which it was decided to lynch McCali, but their plans were frustrated by the assassin having taken California Joe's warning, as he found the climate suddenly very oppressive and injurious. Tlxe following beautiful poem was written by Capt. Jack. Crawford, the poet scout, one of Wild Bill's most intimate comrades, a sketch of whose life will be found in the latter part of this work. It was dedicated to Col- orado Charley and commented on by the press generally as oi>e of the finest specimens of Western poetic senti- ever published : BUKIAL OF WILD BILL. [Written for the N. Y. Clipper.] Under the sod ih the prairie land We have laid him down to rest, With many a tear from the sad, rough throng, And the friends he loved the best ; And many a heartfelt sigh was heard As over the sward we trod, And many an eye was filled with tears As we covered him with the sod. Under the sod in the prairie land We have laid the good and true An honest heart and a noble scout Has bade us a last adieu. No more his silvery voice will ring, His spirit has gone to God ; Around his faults let charity cling, While we cover him with the sod. 202 HEKOES OF THE PLAINS. Under the sod in the land of gold We have laid the fearless Bill ; We called him Wild, yet a little child Could bend his iron will. With generous heart he freely gave To the poorly clad , unshod Think of it, pards of his noble traits- While you cover him with the sod. Under the sod in Deadwood Gulch You have laid his last remains ; No more his manly form will hail The Red Man on the plains. And, Charley, may Heaven bless you! You gave him a " bully good send ;" Bill was a friend to you, pard, And you were his last, best friend. You buried him 'neaththe old pine tree, In that little world of ours, His trusty rifle by his side His grave all strewn with flowers ; His manly form in sweet repose, That lovely silken hair I tell you, pard, it was a sight, That face so white and fair I And while he sleeps beneath the sod His murderer goes free, Released by a perjured, gaming set Who'd murder you and me Whose coward hearts dare never meet A brave man on the square. Well, pard, they'll find a warmer clime Than they ever found out there. LIFE OF WILD BELL. 208 Hell is full of just such men ; And if Bill is above to-day, The Almighty will have enough to do To keep him from going away That is, from making a little scout To the murderer' s home below ; And if old Peter will let him out, He can clean out the ranche, I know. CHAPTER XIX. JACK McCALL left Deadwood on the day following his acquittal and went direct to Ouster City. Within a short time after his appearance in that town, unable to restrain his braggadocio inclination, he told certain per- sons how he had killed Wild Bill, and boasted of the deed as a most commendable act. He was at once ar- rested by a Deputy TJ. S. Marshal, and at a preliminary hearing, Judge Blair decided to hold the prisoner and send him to Yankton for trial. C. W. Bramel appeared for the defendant in the first hearing, and Attorney- General Jenkins prosecuted. McCall was taken to Yankton, without delay, by Marshal Bal combe, and there held until the U. S. District Court sat in January following, when the prisoner was put upon trial. The Witnesses for the prosecution nearly all appeared without special summons, as they were anxious to see a tardy justice done at last. The trial continued but little more than one day, and as the testimony was a repetition of that elicited by the impromptu court at Deadwood, a verdict of guilty was returned almost without deliberation, and the Justice, 204 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. after a few days, passed sentence of death upon McCall, the time of his execution being fixed for March 1st, 1877. Notwithstanding the deep-dyed villainy of Wild Bill's murderer, he still had some friends who exerted all the influence they could command to save him from the fate he so richly deserved. Petitions for respite and com- mutation of sentence were freely circulated, which, ob- taining some signatures, were forwarded to the President, hoping to secure the Executive's interference ; but they all failed , When the time for the execution arrived Yankton presented a very animated appearance, as people came from many miles around to witness the first official hanging in Dakota Territory. Father Doxacher, a Catholic priest, visited the fated prisoner and administered spiritual nerve to fortify him for the scene about to be enacted. A scaffold having been erected on the open prairie about two miles north of Yankton, at nine o'clock on the morning of March 1st;, the prisoner, priest and guards entered a closed carriage And drove to the place of execution. No time was wasted in preliminaries, as everything had been completed be- forehand. McCall, getting out of the carriage, ascended the steps of the scaffold in company with the priest, and from the platform surveyed for a moment the upturned faces of the multitude before him, but uttered never a word. The priest, shrouded in robes of white, knelt with the prisoner on the scaffold and repeated the death litany while McCall engaged in earnest prayer, kissing the uplifted crucifix as he arose. At twenty minutes past ten o'clock the black cv^ was adjusted over the head of the condemned man and as the marshal was fixing the noose about his neck, McCall re- quested him to " draw it tight, and make no mistake. " LIFE OF WILD BILL. 205 The next moment the trap was sprung and as the body shot downward McCall was heard to exclaim, "My Uod !" which were his last words. Throughout all this most dreadful experience McCall never exhibited the least trepidation, dying with that stolid indifference which he manifested when addressing the jury that tried him in the Deadwood court. Execution of Jack McCall. On the evening following the execution of McCall, U. S. Marshal Burdick received the following letter : LOUISVILLE, KY., February 25th, 1877. To THE MARSHAL OF YANKTON. DEAR SIR : I saw in the morning papers a piece about the sentence of the murderer of Wild Bill, Jack McCall. There was a young man of the name of John McCall left here about six years ago, who has not been heard from for tTi& last three years. He has a father, mother and three sisters living here in Louisville, who are very un- eacy about him since they heard about the murder of Wild Bill. If you can send us any information about him we would be very thankful to you. 806 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This John McCall is about twenty-five years old ; has light hair, inclined to curl, and one eye crossed. I can- not say about his height as he was not grown when he left here. Please write as soon as convenient, as we are very anxious to hear from you. Very respectfully, MAKY A. McCALL. This letter was from the sister of the man who had just paid the penalty of his crime, and with what feel- ings of sadness she received the marshal's reply can well be imagined. One version of the origin of the difficulty which cul- minated in the assassination of Wild Bill has been given so repeatedly by correspondents that, as it requires but a few words to relate, it is here repeated. Jack McCall, who was generally regarded as a gamb- ling sharp by the people of Deadwood, challenged Bill to a game of poker. As the latter was particularly fond of this sport an immediate acceptance was the result. The game lasted for some hours, to Bill's great advan- tage, until McCall 's money having become exhausted he overbet his hand. Bill in calling the bet discovered that McCall had only $7.50 to make good his bet of $10. He mildly remonstrated with him by saying : * * You don't want to overbet your money ; that's no way to play poker." McCall then admitted that he had not an- other cent, whereupon Bill gave him $5.00 with which to pay his lodging a'lid breakfast, and thus the two separa- ted without a word indicative of harsh feelings. This version is generally accepted as furnishing the sole rea- son for the murder. " With regard to the killing of McCall' s brother by Wild Bill in Hays City, as was claimed by McCall, the story is evidently without foundation. All the serious difficulties Bill had while- at Hays City, or elsewhere, LIFE OF WILD BILL 207 have been faithfully recorded in the preceding pages, and unless Jack Strawhari was McCall's brother there cannot be even the remotest suspicion that the assassination was prompted by the motives claimed. In addition to this, McCall never made any attempt to prove that his brother had been killed by Wild Bill, nor does the letter of Mary A. McCall, the sister, intimate any reason for her brother's deed, as she certainly would have done had her brother f alien a victim to Wild Bill's vengeance. CHAPTER XX. DEAD WOOD improved so rapidly during the latter years of the seventies that it became necessary to remove the bodies which lay in the first grave-yard. Building after building had sprung up on the hill sides ; the primitive forest fell before the axe of progress, and all natural beauties which originally surrounded Wild Bill's grave were torn away to give place for improvements. On the third day of August, 1879, Charley Utter and Louis Shoenfield, old friends of Bill's, keeping ever green the memory of their departed comrade, having decided to give their precious dead a more fitting resting place, repaired to the grave and with heads uncovered, exhumed the remains of Wild Bill. Upon removing the coffin lid, assembled friends of the deceased were sur- prised to note the few changes that had taken place in the features. Save a very slightly discernible shrinkage of the jaws and eyes and a darker color of the skin, Wild Bill lay resting, after his three years' sleep, just as he was laid away. The same smile lingered on his lips, lighting up a countenance of such perfect repose that the 208 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. sleeper seemed moved by some pleasant dream. His rifle still lay beside him in thorough preservation, not even a speck of rust being perceptible on the polished barrel. Upon lifting the remains from the grave, an extra- ordinary weight was detected, which was unexplainable until, in clipping off a lock of hair, Charley Utter 's hand came in contact with the face of his dead friend, when a singular hardness of the flesh was felt. A closer ex- amination then revealed the fact that, though the body retained a natural appearance, yet it was in process of petrifaction. At the time of death Wild Bill's weight was about one hundred and seventy-five pounds, but at the exhumation the body weighed nearly three hundred pounds. After the remains were exposed for several hours to the gaze of numerous friends, they were conveyed to Mount Moriah Cemetery, where a lot and grave had been prepared by Charley Utter, and there given a second burial. A handsome Italian head-stone was also erected at the head of the grave by Mr. Utter, upon which the following inscription was engraved : WILD BILL (J. B. Hickok), Killed by the Assassin, Jack McCall, in Dead wood, August 2d, 1876. Pard, we will meet again in the Happy Hunting Grounds, to part no more. Good-bye. COLORADO CHARLEY. Here let the brave heart rest in the solitude of a fron- tier sepulcher ; rest from the strife with which his life was so familiar ; rest from the labors of a sturdy pio- neer. The highway which he blazed by indomitable bravery and consecrated with the most sacred sacrifice he could give, is still followed by the advancing hosts of an expanding empire, dispelling primeval sounds and touch- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 209 Ing the virgin forests with the magic wand of a perfect civilization. The birds which carol their morning and evening concerts over his grave are drifting westward and will soon be seen no more, while in their stead will be heard the whir and hum of a busy life. The rough sounds and strife of a border settlement will give place to the sweet home melodies of cultured maidens, and eoming generation, like repeating wave* which wash out the footsteps from the beach, will destroy the landmarks Wild Bill's Grave. of the early settlers and point to Wild Bill's grave as the spot where sleeps a hero-pioneer ; whose heart in life was gentle as a child's prayer, and yet brave as God could make it. An appreciation of the services which this noble scout rendered the builders of a Western em- pire belongs to those of unborn generations. " No man is appreciated until he is dead." The following poem, another tribute of 210 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. from Captain Jack Crawford, who delights in embower- ing the memory of his dead comrade with the most fra- grant of poetic garlands, will appropriately conclude this history of Wild Bill's death and burial : WILD BILL'S GRAVE. [Written for the Virginia Evening Chronicle, August 4, 1877.] BY HIS PARD, CAPTAIN JACK. On the side of the hill between Whitewood and Deadwood, At the foot of a pine stump, there lies a lone grave, Environed with rocks, and with pine trees and redwood, Where the wild roses bloom over the breast of the brave. A mantle of brushwood the greensward encloses ; The green boughs are waving far up overhead ; While under the sod and the flow'rets reposes The brave and the dead. Did I know him in life? Yes, as brother knows brother I knew him and loved him 'twas all I could give, My love. But the fact is we loved one another, And either would die that the other might live. Rough in his ways ? Yes, but kind and good-hearted ; There wasn't a flaw in the heart of Wild Bill, And well I remember the day that he started That graveyard on top of the hill. A good scout? I reckon there wasn't his equal, Both Fremont and Ouster could vouch for that fact. Quick as chain-lightning with rifle or pistol And Custer said, " Bill never backed ! " He called me his " kid "Buffalo Bill was his " boy And in fact he knew more than us both : And, though we have shared both in sorrow and joy, Nary an oath. And now let me show you the good that was in him The letters he wrote to his Agnes his wife. Why, a look or a smile, one kind word could win him. Hear part of this letter the last of this life : LIFE OF WILD BILL. 211 "AGNES DARLING: If uch should be that we never meet again, while firing my last shot I will gently breathe the name of my wife my Agnes and with a kind wish even for my enemies, I will make the plunge and try to swim to the other shore." Oh, Charity ! come fling your mantle about him , Judge him not harshly he sleeps 'neath the sod ; Custer, brave Ouster ! was lonely without him, Even with God. Charge, comrades, charge ! see young Custer ahead His charger leaps forth, almost flying. One volley ! and half his comrades are dead The other half fighting and dying ! Let us hope while their dust is reposing beneath The dirge-singing pines in the mountains, That Christ has crowned each with an evergreen wreath And giv'n them to drink from his fountains. In the foregoing chapters the writer has described, as he believes, every important adventure in Wild Bill's life ; the commonplace incidents, however, have been omitted , such as inconsequential personal difficulties ; long and tedious journeys ; his career as a pony-express rider ; overland trips to Salt Lake, and such other events as happen to nearly all men engaged in frontier service. His life was so full of daring acts that to record the or- dinary incidents with the extraordinary adventures in which he participated would destroy the interest and im- pression the writer has sought to produce in this humble effort. But before concluding this biography of the greatest scout and fighter, perhaps, of whose life history furnishes any authentic record, it is important to briefly describe Wild Bill in his social relations, removed from the influ- ences which called for an exercise of his recklessly brave spirit. Socially, among those of cultivated taste and refine- 212 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ment, Wild Bill was very agreeable company, laying aside at once every uncouth habit and showing the in- nate gentlemanly qualities of which he was possessed. He had but few intimate friends, the most prominent of whom were W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), and Capt. Jack Crawford, whose lives ran in the same channels as his own ; and Dr. Joshua Thorne a*nd Capt. E. W. Kings- bury, both of Kansas City, among the limited number of his associates in the more peaceful walks of life. Dr. Thome was Bill's physician for many years and to him he confided his most sacred secrets ; Kingsbury was a Captain in the Second U. S. Cavalry during the time that Bill was acting as guide for the regiment through the Indian campaigns, and it was in this service that they be- came very intimate. Wild Bill acted the part of an elder brother to Buffalo Bill and the two were so warmly attached that an insult would have been resented much more promptly by one when directed against the other than if pressed upon himself. Their relations were those of devoted comradeship and each was gladdened by praise bestowed upon the other. At times harsh words might pass between them, but each would submit to any language offered by the other without thinking of retali- ation, while the slightest rebuke from anyone else would be sure to precipitate a row. Wild Bill had no well defined religious belief, though his convictions, judging from assertions he had been heard to make to his best friends, were those of a Spir- itualist. To Dr. Thome he asserted that, when sur- rounded by imminent dangers, he was influenced by spiritual agencies who kept him cool while they discon- certed his enemies. It was to this influence he ascribed his presence of mind on the most trying occasions. Another very singular characteristic Bill possessed was LIFE OF WILD BELL. 213 that of excessive grief following all his fatal encounters. While never directly evading a fight, he always gave way to great sorrow for its consequences. Nearly all his victims were given proper burial at his expense, and Bill was the chief mourner at all the funerals when he had furnished the corpse. After his great fight at Rock Creek he learned that Jim McCandlas had left a widow with several children in destitute circumstances. From that time until Mrs. McCandlas' death he contributed to her support, sending remittances of money whenever he was in condition to do so. Dr. Thome informed the writer that he had removed eleven bullets from the body of Wild Bill, nearly all of which were shot into him at the Eock Creek fight, but that during all of the painful operations Bill gave ex- pression to none other than sympathetic words for the ferocious enemies he had slain in that memorable en- counter. Though living the life of a bachelor within a few months of his death, Bill was nevertheless excessively fond of children, and so great was his influence among the smallest infants that he could pacify the most peevish ones better than a mother. America has given birth to many a skillful marksman, but there can be no question that Wild Bill was the most expert pistol shot that this or any other country ever produced. To him this accomplishment was a gift of nature, which he greatly improved by years of persistent practice. Nearly all the leading magazines and news- papers have published elaborate articles descriptive of his marvelous accuracy and skill in the use of a pistol, but it is not inappropriate in this connection to recall some of the excellencies of his pistol practice. On one occasion, during his residence in Kansas City, 214 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. he gave Dr. Thorne examples of his wonderful shooting. It was on a sultry Sabbath afternoon, when the two were sitting out in the side yard connected with the Doctor's residence engaged in desultory conversation. A flock of chickens were strolling about the place, among the num- ber being a large rooster whose propensity was for chas- ing every other gallinaceous male off the place. Dr. Thorne having informed Bill of the troublesome qualities of the fowl, expressed a wish that, as it was too old to eat, some one would kill it out of compassion for the other male chanticleers. Thereupon Wild Bill remarked : " I'll bet you five dollars, Doctor, that I can cut the rooster's throat with my derringer, at thirty paces, with- out breaking his neck or touching the head or body." 11 You can't do it," responded the Doctor, "and I'll take the bet." The chicken was chased to the required distance, and w^hile it was still walking Bill raised his pistol and fired, without even bringing the weapon to his eye. The rooster ran a short distance and then drop- ped and fluttered about until it died. Upon examina- tion it was found that the chicken's throat and windpipe had been cut with the same cleverness as if a knife had been used, while its neck was evidently not touched. This shot, surely as perfect as could be made, so as- tonished the Doctor that he claimed it was an accident. Bill then , to convince him that it was not, fired several times from the two cartridge derringers he carried, first at small objects and then at sparrows in the trees ; each shot went directly to the mark, not a single miss being made. The Doctor was satisfied. Among the great number of fancy shots Bill was accus tomed to make in amusing his friends, was one driving the cork through the neck of a bottle and knocking the bottom out without breaking the neck. This shot was also performed at a distance of thirty paces. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 215 For a lucrative pastime, at which he won no inconsid- erable amount of money, Bill would get up a shooting match and then take bets of from one to ten dollars that he could shoot a hole through a silver dime at a distance of fifty paces. This seemed so utterly impossible that there was but little difficulty in getting a number of such bets, until he demonstrated his ability to perform the act nine times out of ten. Of course, at such a distance, it is almost impossible to see so small an object as a silver dime, but this difficulty was readily overcome by placing the money in such a position that the sun's rays would be gathered on its surface, thus presenting a brilliant spot for a target. In rifle shooting Bill was also an adept, but at short spaces he was much more dextrous with the pistol. In using the former weapon he took deliberate aim, while with the latter he fired at seeming random, the bullet, apparently, going straight to the mark of its own voli- tion. In the early part of 1864, during his service as a scout under Gen. Daviess, as has already been related in chap- ter V, Wild Bill came into possession of a beautiful young mare to which he gave the name Black Nell." This animal was a filly with a pedigree which it is to be regretted Bill never learned, as she was captured in a fight with three bushwhackers, but her exquisite beauty fur- nished a true index of her lofty descent. She was black as a raven and full of spirit ; her neck arched with the grace of a rainbow ; her eye was soft and clear as a vir- gin's, and her limbs were as symmetrical as those of the trinity of graces. During all his leisure, Bill gave atten- tion to the care and training of this animal until at length she became the wonder of all who witnessed the performances through which he so frequently put her. 13 116 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. He first trained the mare to obey his commands given by whistles ; to everyone except Bill she appeared fierce and unmanageable, but to him she was the very soul of sa- gacity and docility. Whether grazing, feeding at the trough, or lying down, Bill had only to blow a single whistle and she would come running to him with the eagerness of a dog anxious to greet his master. A snap of his fingers would send her galloping away, but the whistle would always cause her immediate return. Another trick Bill taught his beautiful mare afterward proved the means of saving his life. Riding her at the swiftest speed he had only to drop his hand so that the mare could see the act, and instantly she would stop and prostrate herself on the ground, remaining in that posi- tion until she was bidden to rise again. On the occa- sion referred to, where this trick saved his life, Bill was riding through the northern part of Greene county, Mo., on a scouting tour. While passing through the tall prai- rie grass he was pursued by a body of bushwhackers. After fleeing before them for several miles he crossed a low piece of ground which temporarily hid him from the sight of his enemies. In this place Bill made a turn and moving his hand before Black Nell she instantly dropped down and remained perfectly quiet while the pursuing party rode by within fifty yards without discovering him. During a visit of Wild Bill to Springfield, Mo., in 1867, meeting, with many old friends, he became decid- edly convivial under the influences usually indulged in that town. He had his famous mare with him, and after explaining her good qualities and sense, offered to wager treats for the crowd that he could make Black Nell leap on to a billiard table and from that perch drink a quart of whisky. Some one accepted the bet, chiefly because they desired to see the act performed. Bill at once removed LIFE OF WILD BILL. 217 the bridle and saddle from Nell, and going into a saloon which contained an old billiard table, told the mare to follow him. Nell, obedient as a poodle, walked so closely behind her master that her nose rested on his shoulder. Approaching the billiard table, he bade the mare mount. Nell at once reared up and deposited her forelegs on the table, but it was only after a long and persistent effort that she could raise her hind feet so high ; in fact the strain came near disabling her for life ; but she accom- plished the feat, and then drank the whisky with as much relish as her master ever exhibited. This wonderful mare, famous among the most cele- brated horses of America, died near Kansas City in 1869. Wild Bill manifested the most poignant grief at the loss of his sagacious friend, and buried her with ap- propriate funeral ceremonies, and afterward made many pilgrimages to her grave. Having now discharged my duties as biographer of Wild Bill, and given to him the character of a brave, honest and true man, worthy a position in the annals of American frontier history, lest the reader should ascribe to me undue admiration for the man whom I have sought to justly heroize, I will close this history with two published opinions from men capable of judging his true character. The first, as here given, is from a writer in Scribner's Magazine for October, 1876 : " * * * I had been in town only a few moments when I met Charley Utter, better known in the West as Colorado Charley,* to whom I had a letter of introduc- tion, and who at once invited me to share his camp while I remained in the region. 218 HEEOES OF THE PLAINS. " On our way to his tent, we met J. B. Hickok, 'Wild Bill,' the hero of a hundred battles. Bill was Utter' s pardner,' and I was introduced at once. Of course I had heard of him, the greatest scout in the West, but I was not prepared to find such a man as he proved to be. M Most of the Western scouts do not amount to much. They do a great deal in the personal reminiscence way, but otherwise they are generally of the class described as ' frauds.' In Wild Bill I found a man who talked little and had done a great deal. He was about six feet two inches in height, and very powerfully built ; his face was intelligent ; his hair blonde, and falling in long ring- lets upon his broad shoulders ; his eyes, blue and pleas- ant, looked one straight in the face when he talked ; and his lips, thin and compressed, were only partly hidden by a straw-colored moustache. His costume was a cu- riously blended union of the habiliments of the border- man and the drapery of the fashionable dandy. Beneath the skirts of his elaborately embroidered buckskin coat gleamed the handles of two silver-mounted revolvers, which where his constant companions. His voice was low and musical, but through its hesitation I could catch a ring of self-reliance and consciousness of strength. Yet he was the most courteous man I had met on the plains. On the following day I asked to see him use a pistol, and he assented. At his request I tossed a tomato can about fifteen feet into the air, both his pistols being in his belt when it left my hand. He drew one of them and fired two bullets through the tin can before it struck the ground. Then he followed it along, firing as he went, until both weapons were empty. You have heard the expression quick as lightning.' Well, that will describe Wild Bill. He was noted all over the country for rapid- ity of motion, courage and certainty of aim. Wherever LIFE or WILD BILL. 219 he went he controlled the people around him, and many a quarrel has been settled by his simple announcement, * This has gone far enough.* Early in the forenoon of my third day in Dead wood word was brought over to camp that he had been killed/' The following is extracted from Gen. G. A. Ouster's "Life on the Plains." Wild Bill was for a longtime engaged as scout for Gem Custer, accompanying him in several important campaigns against the Indians, and was repeatedly specially mentioned in the army reports for gallantry : "Among the white scouts were numbered some of the most noted of their class. The most prominent man among them was Wild Bill, whose highly varied career was made the subject of an illustrated sketch in one of the popular monthly periodicals a few years ago. Wild Bill was a strange character, just the one which a novelist might gloat over. He was a plainsman in every sense of the word, yet unlike any other of his class. In person he was about six feet one in height, straight as the straightest of the warriors whose implacable foe he was ; broad shoulders, well-formed chest and limbs, and a face strikingly handsome ; a sharp, clear, blue eye, which stared you straight in the face when in conversation ; a finely-shaped nose, inclined to be aquiline ; a well-turned mouth, with lips only partially concealed by a handsome moustache. His hair and complexion were those of a perfect blonde. The former was worn in uncut ringlets falling carelessly over his powerfully formed shoulders. Add to this figure a costume blending the immaculate neatness of the dandy with the extravagant taste and style of the frontiersman, and you have Wild Bill, then as now the most famous scout on the plains. " Whether on foot or on horseback, he was one of the HEROES OF THE PLAINS. moat perfect types of physical manhood I ever saw. Of his courage there could be no question ; it had been brought to the test on too many occasions to admit of a doubt. His skill in the use of the rifle and pistol was unerring ; while his deportment was exactly the opposite of what might be expected from a man of his surround- ings. It was entirely free from all bluster or bravado. He never spoke of himself unless requested to do so. His conversation, strange to say, never bordered either on the vulgar or blasphemous. His influence among the frontiersmen was unbounded, his word was law ; and many are the personal quarrels and disturbances which he has checked among his comrades by his simple announce- ment that 'this has gone far enough,' if need be fol- lowed by the ominous warning that when persisted in ou renewed the quarreler ' must settle it with me.' Wild Bill is anything but a quarrelsome man ; yet no one but himself can enumerate the many conflicts in which he has been engaged, and which have almost invariably re- sulted in the death of his adversary. I have a persona] knowledge of at least half a dozen men whom he has at various times killed, one of these being at the time a member of my command. Others have been severely wounded, yet he always escaped unhurt. On the plains every man openly carries his belt with its invariable ap- pendages, knife and revolver, often two of the latter. Wild Bill always carried two handsome ivory-handled re- volvers of the large size ; he was never seen without them. Where this is the common custom, brawls or per- sonal difficulties are seldom if ever settled by blows. The quarrel is not from a word to a blow, but from a word to the revolver, and he who can draw and fire first is the beet man. No civil law reaches him ; none is applied for. In fact there is no law recognized beyond the frontier LIFE OF WILD BILL. but that of * might makes right.' Should death result from the quarrel, as it usually does, no coroner's jury is impanneled to learn the cause of death, and the survivor is not arrested. But instead of these old-fashioned pro- ceedings, a meeting of citizens takes place, the survivor is requested to be present when the circumstances of the homicide are inquired into, and the unfailing verdict of justifiable,' 'self-defence,' etc., is pronounced, and the law stands vindicated. That justice is often deprived of a victim there is not a doubt. Yet in all of the many af- fairs of this kind in which Wild Bill has performed a part, and which have come to my knowledge, there is not a single instance in which the verdict of twelve fair- minded men would not be pronounced in his favor. " That the even tenor of his way continues to be dis- turbed by little events of this description maybe inferred from an item which has been floating lately through the columns of the press, and which states that ' the funeral of " Jim Bludso," who was killed the other day by Wild Bill, took place to-day.' * It then adds : ' The funeral expenses were borne by Wild Bill ! ' What could be more thoughtful than this? Not only to send a fellow mortal out of the world, but to pay the expenses of the transit!" ^ BOW. TFM. F. CODY, (Buffalo Bill) LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. (HON. WILLIAM F. CODY.) RELATING THE ADVENTURES AND INCIDENTS IN THE CA- EEEB OF THE MOST FAMOUS OF LlVING PLAINSMEN. COMPRISING DESCRIPTIONS OF HIS DESPERATE ENCOUN- TERS, NARROW ESCAPES, INDIAN BATTLES, WONDER- FUL RIDES, GREAT HUNTS, AND CONQUESTS ON AND OFF THE MIMIC STAGE. CHAPTER I. THE peculiarities of American civilization are seen to great advantage in the anomalous character of HON. WILLIAM FREDERICK CODY, known throughout the Eng- lish speaking world as Buffalo Bill. He is the very embodiment of diversity, and a representative type of the antipodal phases of society ; on the Plains and in camp he becomes the essence of pioneer hardihood, inured to privation, and the exponent of song and story ; while in the salons of the aristocracy he is none the less a kid-gloved society gallant, versed in all the subtle- ties of polished etiquette, full of vivacity and courtly witticisms. In short, there is no nature so readily con- formable to all the ways of life as his, and under all cir- cumstances there is always a sparkling effervescence of spirit about him which can only find comparison in a newly opened bottle of extra-dry champagne. These un- exampled traits of character will be distinctly evidenced in the following history of his singular life and adventures. 325 226 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Buffalo Bill was born in a pioneer settlement of Scott County, Iowa, on the 26th day of February, 1845. His father, whose name was Isaac, was one of the original surveyors of Davenport, and a man of strong individu- ality, possessing considerable ability and the elements of leadership. Opportunities, however, being few, Mr. Cody had to adapt himself to the pursuits offered, and for two or three years he drove a stage coach between Chicago and Davenport. In 1849 Mr. Cody was influenced by the wonderful stories regarding the gold discoveries in California to make provisions for the great overland journey, but after starting, others who were to accompany him, abandoned the enterprise and persuaded him to follow their exam- ple. During his residence in Iowa he held the position of Justice of the Peace, and also served one term in the Legislature, but having a disposition for adventure and delighting in pioneer life, he removed to Kansas in 1852, settling his family at Weston, Missouri, on the farm of his brother Elijah, and then established a trading post in the northern part of Leavenworth County, Kansas, at Salt Creek Valley, near the Kickapoo Agency. At this time Kansas was occupied by numerous tribes of Indians who were settled on reservations, and through the territory ran the great highway to California and Salt Lake City. In addition to the thousands of gold seekers who were passing through Kansas by way of Ft. Leavenworth, there were as many more Mormons in their hegira from Illinois to found a new temple in which to propagate their doctrines. This extensive travel made the business of trade on the route a most profitable one. But with the caravans were those fractious elements of adventurous pioneering, and here little Billy, as Buffalo Bill was then called, first saw the typical Westerner; LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 227 with white sombrero, buckskin clothes, long hair, moccasined feet and a belt full of murderous bowies and long pistols. But instead of these outre peculiarities im- pressing Billy with feelings of trepidation, they inspired him with an ambition to become a daring plainsman. The rare and skillful feats of horsemanship which he daily witnessed bred in him a desire to excel the most ex- pert; and when, at seven years of age, his father gave him a pony, the full measure of his happiness had ripen- ed, like Jonah's gourd, in a night. Thenceforth his oc- cupation was horseback riding, in which pleasurable em- ployment he made himself very useful in performing necessary journeys in his father's interest. Living so near the Kickapoo Indians, Billy soon became well acquainted with them, and as they were very friend- ly, he, with boyish curiosity, became a constant com- panion of some young bucks of the tribe ; in this associ- ation he participated in their sports and learned to shoot with bow and arrow, throw the lance, and converse in their native tongue all of which accomplishments be- came very useful to him in after life. In anticipation of the early passage of what was known as the " Enabling Act of Kansas Territory," which was then pending before Congress, Mr. Cody, in the fall of 1853, took his family from the farm of his brother and settled them at the post in Kansas, where he at once set about erecting suitable log buildings. In the succeeding winter the act was passed, which opened up the territory for settlement, and Mr. Cody immediately pre-empted the claim on which he was living. Every reader of American history is familiar with the disorders which followed close upon the heels of the " Enabling Act." Pending its passage the Western boundary of Missouri was ablaze with the camp fires of 228 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. intending settlers. Thousands of families were sheltered under the canvas of their ox wagons, impatiently await- ing the signal from the Nation announcing the opening of the territorial doors to the brawny immigrants, and when the news was heralded the waiting host poured over the boundary line and fairly deluged the new public domain. In this rapid settlement of the territory a most per- plexing question arose, which was contested with such virulence that a warfare was inaugurated which became a stain upon the nation's escutcheon, and was not abated until the Missouri and Kansas borders became drunk with blood. Nearly all those who came from Missouri were intent upon extending slavery into the territory, whilst those who emigrated from Illinois, Iowa and Indiana and sought homes in the new domain were equally de- termined that the cursed hydra head of slavery should never be reared in their midst. Over this question the border warfare began, and its fierceness can only find comparison in the Inquisitorial persecutions of the fif- teenth century. Men were shot down in their homes, around their firesides, in the furrows behind the plow, everywhere. Widows and orphans multiplied, the arm of industry was palsied, while the incendiary torch lit up the prairie heavens, feeding on blighted homes and trailing along in the path of granaries and store-houses. Mobs of murder-loving men, drunk with fury, and with hearts set on desolation, day and night descended upon un- guarded households, and tearing away husbands and broth- ers from the loving arms of wives and sisters, left their bodies dangling from the shade trees of their unhappy homes, or shot them down where their blood might sear the eyes of helpless, agonized relatives. Anguish sat on every threshold, pity had no abiding-place, and for four LIFE OP BUFFALO BILL. 219 yars the besom of destruction, with all its pestilential influences, blighted the prairie and rendered every heart on the border sad and despondent. In this war of vengeance the Cody family did not escape a full measure of affliction . Near Mr. Cody's trading post was another store, kept by a Missourian named Eively, around which a considerable settlement had been made, which became the rendezvous of many different elements, and particularly of pro-slavery men, who enjoyed Rively's sympathies. In the summer of 1854, and within a few months after the " Enabling Act" was passed, a very large meeting was held at the popular rendezvous, and Mr. Cody being present was pressed to address the crowd on the slavery question, he being regarded as favorably disposed to making Kansas a slave territory, owing to the fact that his brother, Elijah, was a Missourian. In the course of his remarks he frankly admitted that his views were opposed to those of his audience, but nevertheless expressed his opinions in a most conservative manner, in order that no offence might be given. Notwithstanding the guarded manner of his speech, the crowd became very angry and man- ifested their feelings by calling him a " black Abolition- ist," and ordering him to " get down off the box." In trying to assuage their anger he only aggravated them the more, and before he fully comprehended the danger of his position a rough desperado, who had been employed as a farm hand by Elijah Cody, leaped onto the box with a drawn bowie knife and stabbed the speaker twice in the breast. The wounded man fell off the box and was carried to Mr. Rively's house, from whence he was con- veyed in a carriage to the residence of his brother, where his wounds were dressed, which, though not directly fatal, were indirectly the cause of his death a short time after. 980 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. The unfortunate speech of Mr. Cody at Bively's store proved to be only the beginning of misfortunes to the family. Being the first man whose blood was shed in opposition to the extension of slavery in Kansas, the border Missourians marked him as an object for their special hatred. STABBING OF BUFFALO BILL'S FATHER. It was several weeks after receiving his wound before Mr. Cody was able to leave his bed, and when he returned to his trading post he received notice to quit the territory immediately or abide the consequences which an enraged mob threatened. Disregarding these warnings, his house was surrounded by a body of armed mounted men on a dark night shortly after, whose purpose it was to sum- l marily hang him, and after consummating this foul deed LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 231 burn the house that sheltered his large family. Fortu- nately the plan was discovered, and to effect an escape he had recourse to the following stratagem : The night being very dark, Mr. Cody quietly arose and clothed himself in his wife's dress and bonnet, in which very effective disguise he easily passed between the horsemen and gained an adjoining cornfield, where he concealed himself. The mob dismounted, and after inquiry and a critical search of the premises, discovered that Mr. Cody was absent a fact that the would-be murderers were at a loss to understand. But that their visit might not be wholly without some villainy, the mob robbed the premises of everything they could find possessing any value, and then drove off all the horses in the pasture and stables. Mr. Cody, after keeping concealed for three days, suc- ceeded in reaching Ft. Leavenworth, near which place soon afterward he joined a party of Free State men under Jim Lane, and was a participant in the fight at Hickory Point, where the Free State men gained a de- cided victory, but not without considerable loss. After serving with Lane in one campaign, Mr. Cody returned to his family clandestinely, and acquainting them with his purpose went to Grasshopper Falls, where he at once began the erection of a saw-mill. The pro- slavery men were still determined to kill him, and upon learning of his settlement at the Falls, immediately re- solved themselves again into a body of intentional mur- derers. By a lucky chance, one of the hired men on Mr. Cody's homestead overheard the threats of the mob and lost no time in conveying his information to Mrs. Cody. With true wifely devotion, she considered only the safety of her husband. Billy, her oldest boy, now nine years of age, was her reliance, and to him, with trembling heart, she quickly said : 14 2 2 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. " Billy, my dear boy, hitch up Prince (the pony) inv mediately, and ride with all your might to your father ; the mob have again organized to murder him, and you must reach him before they do, to warn him of his danger." There were great big tears in her eyes when she gave this injunction ; a husband's safety was in the balance on one side and the life of her little boy on the other ; it was the hour for sacrifice, and brave little Billy, filled with resolution, threw fear under his pony's feet and a moment after was dashing away toward Grasshopper Falls. Seven miles from the post he suddenly ap- proached a body of armed men, by whom he was immedi- ately recognized and commanded to halt. The boy, so young in years, comprehended the situation and instead of obeying the order, only quickened the pace of his pony, making a detour on the prairie, hotly pursued by the mob ; but he was riding to save the life of a loving father, and could not afford to be captured. After a chase of a few miles the mob drew rein and permitted the boy to ride so far ahead of them that when they reached Grasshopper Falls Mr. Cody and his brave boy were enroute for Lawrence to join Jim Lane again. A1< this time Lawrence was the territorial capital and thft famous Lecompton Legislature was being organized, of which body Mr. Cody was chosen a member. After the first session of the Legislature he was called to Ohio in the interest of the Free State advocates, where he remained during a period of several months. After the departure of his father, Billy, with three com- panions, returned to Grasshopper Falls ; but while en- route, they were ambushed by a party of renegades and one of his companions killed, while Billy himself escaped only through good luck and a fleet horse. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 238 Upon meeting his mother, whom he had not seen since leaving home to warn his father of the mob's in- tentions, he handed her a letter from Mr. Cody, which fully relieved her mind from the dreadful anxiety she had so long suffered ; overcome with joy, she fell upon the neck of her brave boy- and could only manifest her thankfulness with bounteous tears. During Mr. Cody's absence his family was subjected almost daily to some outrage ; gangs of cut-throats were almost constantly hovering about the premises trying to surprise Mr. Cody and kill him, or steal his stock and provisions. But amid all this threatening condition of affairs, and despite the persuasions of Elijah Cody, who offered her a home with his family in Missouri, Mrs. Cody was determined to remain at the home place and en- dure whatever persecutions the pro-slavery men could in- flict. She was a woman of unusual bravery, well suited for a pioneer's wife, and yet a lady well educated and used to the refinements of the most cultured society. After Mr. Cody's return from Ohio he served his term in the Lecompton Legislature and then resumed his la- bors at Grasshopper Falls. But the wound he received at the meeting near Rively's store had never healed and continued to give him so much trouble that he was forced to his bed again. While lying in this helpless condition one of the neighbors, a violent pro-slavery man of the lowest and most despicable proclivities, stole Billy's fa- vorite little pony, Prince, and a few days afterward he again visited the unfortunate family and expressed a deter- mination to kill Mr. Cody, who was confined to his bed in the upper story of the house. The murderous wretch, however, was in such a maudlin condition, from the deep potations in which he had indulged , that after ordering Mrs. Cody and her daughters to get him some dinner, he 234 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. forgot the purpose of his visit and rode off again. It was fortunate for him that he made no attempt on the life of Mr. Cody, as Billy had overheard his threats, and with heroic resolve had taken a station at the head of the stairs, with pistol in hand, determined to shoot the in- truder the moment his head should appear above the second-story floor. In the spring of 1856 an attempt was made by the old mob to blow up the Cody residence, to accomplish which purpose two kegs of powder were secretly deposited in the cellar, with a long fuse attached, but the villains were foiled by the bravery of Mrs. Cody and her heroic little boy, who managed to bluff the crowd that came to the residence to light the fuse, by declaring that the house was full of armed men who would fire on the intruders if they did not immediately abandon the premises. It was this life of constant peril that Buffalo Bill led through the years of his youth, which was almost liter- ally a baptism of blood and persecution ; from the boc- cario he developed into the cavallard driver, and from this latter occupation he speedily became a recognized leader in the most thrilling adventures. CHAPTER E. IN the summer of 1855, when ten years of age, Billy became a herder or cow-boy for Mr. Russell, to ac- cept which position he ran away from home, returning again at the expiration of two months with the sum of fifty dollars, all in new silver coins, which he gave to his mother, who needed his assistance now, since Mr. Cody LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. $85 wag still suffering from his wound and unable to con- tinue his labors. The settlement about the Kickapoo Agency having in- creased rapidly, in 1856 a log school house was built and an excellent teacher employed, by subscription, to give instruction to the youth of that immediate section. Al- though this was the first regular school in the district, Billy had been under the instruction of a Miss Lyons, who was engaged by Mr. Cody to come to his house and teach the children, of whom there were seven, five girls and two boys, so that he was considerably advanced, for a pioneer boy, when he was enrolled as a pupil of one of the first schools started in the territory. For some time Billy made excellent progress ; was esteemed a model scholar and in every respect won the favor of teacher and fellow pupils. But his troubles began right where he expected to find happiness, thus, for once, following the usual plot of love stories. Mary Hyatt, a flaxen-haired, pretty little miss, with roguish smile and cunning eyes, was also a pupil in the log school-house and sat on a seat so near Billy that she became his dear charmer and condensed all his ambitions in the one desire to gain a reciprocal feeling. By his own admissions he became almost hopelessly stricken, the arrow of love cleaving the right ventricle of his heart clean through. The school-house was located on the bank of a creek where the woods grew luxuriantly, and afforded sylvan retreats for young lovers to build bowers of foliage and flowers. Billy, ever regardful for the happiness of Mary, with dextrous hands built arbors to shelter his young love, just large enough to hold two, the reserve spa@e being, of course, intended for himself. But Billy was not without competition, his rival being a larger and older boy named Stephen Gobel. The latter, 236 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. instead of resorting to honorable means for winning Mary, by trying to build a more delightful retreat for his sweetheart, ruthlessly tore down the arbors constructed by Billy and defied the school-mate he had wronged. A fight was the consequence, in which adverse fortune attended Billy, for he was compelled to acknowledge his defeat, which fact coming to the notice of the teacher, both combatants were brought under pedagogical disci- pline. The course of poor Billy's love was, therefore, undisputably rough, but though his spirit was humiliated, his affection remained none the less strong. Like the spider that, with industrious will, rebuilds again and again the web destroyed by vengeful circumstance, so Billy returned to the wreck of his little bower and care- fully reconstructed the arch, with greener twigs and fresher flowers. But again the domineering Stephen destroyed the romantic little shelter and thus precipitated another fight. In this second encounter the ruthless boy again humbled his rival, but by chance Billy thought of a small dagger he carried, and during the fight it fell out of the scabbard convenient to his hand. With this he contested successfully by thrusting its keen point into Stephen's hip, bringing a copious flow of blood. The wounded boy cried out, "I'm killed, I'-m killed ! " with such piteous voice that the scholars ran to inform the teacher, while Billy, frightened at what he had almost unconsciously done, ran off with all possible speed, closely pursued by the teacher, but not closely enough to be caught. He continued his flight until he overtook a freight team driven by an acquaintance named John Willis, to whom he hastily related the cause of his hurry, not for- getting, of course, to justify the act he had committed. "Well," responded Willis, "you served him right; gt up in the wagon and go with me to Ft. Kearney ; LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 237 the trip will take forty days, and I want you for a caval- lard driver. " This proposition suited Billy, for his adventurous spirit caused him to long continually for an engagement that would take him over the plains among the buffaloes and tfoyotes ; but he could not go without first seeing his mother, to whom he was most ardently attached. Willis therefore consented to camp and go back with him at night to see his mother and endeavor to gain her per- mission. Mrs. Cody had already heard of the trouble in which Billy had became involved, but, like her boy, she did not know the extent of Gobel's injuries, imagining them to be greater than they were. After much reflection and (in expression of poignant regret, Mrs. Cody at last gave her consent to Willis* proposition, and with tears stream- ing down her cheeks bade her little boy good-bye, not neglecting to implore him to be a good boy, and ever keep in mind the lesson he was now learning : that all wrong was sure to entail punishment. It so happened that Gobel's wound consisted of a very slight cut, which, having drawn blood, was sufficient to excite grave fears in the wounded lad. But Billy felt that he had committed a terrible crime and very natu- rally wanted to get out of the country to escape the fury of Goble's father who, he rightly suspected, would fol- low him. On the following day, while Billy was sitting beside Willis on the wagon, en route for Kearney, he discovered old man Gobel, accompanied by two others, who had got onto the trail and were after him. Adopting Willis* suggestion, Billy got down into the wagon-bed and hid himself securely among the freight, leaving his friend to represent him. Willis was a plucky fellow, and being 238 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. well armed he bluffed the pursuing party and carried Billy through safely. This incident was perhaps the turning point in William Cody's life, for it proved to be the initiatory ceremony which conferred on him the first degree as a Knight of the Prairie, and caused him to adopt the wild, romantic life he has ever since led. After completing the journey to Kearney, Billy entered the employ of Russell, Majors & Waddell again as a cow-boy, which employment he followed for several months. Having become somewhat emboldened by the length of his absence, he at last returned home, where he was rejoiced to find his own and the Gobel family on ex- cellent terms of friendship, and Stephen ready to extend the palm of forgiveness. In the winter of 1856-5T Mr. Cody had so far recov- ered that he was again able to leave his bed and travel, and in company with another Free-State man named Boles, went to Cleveland to bring out a colony to Kansas, which he accomplished, settling the new emigrants near Grasshopper Falls. But directly after his return a se- vere cold, contracted during the journey, aggravated his old wound and in the April following he died, leaving a large family illy provided for, with Billy, who was now twelve years of age, the main support. With a heroism which has blossomed like the everlast- ing flower throughout his life, the young plainsman shouldered the burden that had thus fallen upon him, and one month after his father's death he sought and O found employment with the great freighters, Russell, Majors & Waddell, and departed with his mother's bless- ings. He was assigned to duty under Frank and William McCarthy, brothers, who were engaged to drive a large herd of beef cattle to Salt Lake City, which were t* LIFB OF BUFFALO BILL. 239 serre as food for Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson's army, then operating against the Mormons. To appreciate the dangers which such a journey invited at that date of Western settlement it is only necessary for the reader to know the fact that in addition to the occu- pation of the country by Mormons, hundreds of different warlike tribes of Indians infested every ravine and moun- tain pass, many of these pests of the great West being employed by the Mormons to massacre overland freight- ers and emigrants. It therefore required eternal vigi- lance upon the part of the travelers to prevent themselves from falling into hands as unmerciful as the iniquitous inquisitors. Men of iron nerve and desperate pluck were the only ones who attempted the perilous journey, and even these never departed from their border homes with- out taking a melancholy farewell of their kith and kin. Little Billy, by which familiar and no less euphonious ap- pellation the youthful Buffalo Bill was universally known until after he became of age, was the only boy up to that time that had ever been permitted to accompany a team across the plains, as an assistant, but though fully ap- prised of the dangers of such a trip, he ran up the black feather and shouldering a Mississippi Yager manifested the greatest pride in being accepted as one of the volun- teers for such a hazardous undertaking. He sought danger for the spice it afforded. The company, comprising cooks, drivers, herders, etc., numbering twelve persons, proceeded, with three hun- dred head of cattle, as far West as the South Platte, beyond old Ft. Kearney, before they met with any inci- dent of note. Stopping at this point in the evening, to go into camp, they met with a surprise which came near ending in the annihilation of the party. Billy was busy- ing himself carrying wood preparatory to cooking sup- 240 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. per, while three of the herders were rounding up the cat- tle in the corral ; the others were distributed around the camping place preparing the tents and getting things ready for the night. Suddenly, yelling and shooting was heard out where the herders were, and with the first volley three men were killed, having been taken by com- plete surprise by a band of fifty Indians. The men in camp gathered their arms instantly, just in time to meet the charging Indians as they came pell-mell over the hill directly for the wagons, yelling all the while like infuri- ated demons. Billy was quick in comprehending the situation, and though his heart may have become more violent in its pulsations, he never stopped to pray or ask advice ; but gathering his gun in common with the others got behind the wagons and began pouring swift lead into the Indians. This prompt action, resulting as it did in the death of several braves, served to repel the charge. The Indians, however, soon rallied, and flanking on both sides came back in a rainbow movement, which promised greater success. The McCarthy boys, appreciating the danger of their position, ordered the men to break for Plum Creek, the banks of which could be used as a pro- tection and breastwork. In this retreat one of the party was shot in the leg, the wound being so severe that his companions had to carry him to prevent him from falling into the hands of the red demons. Beaching Plum Creek, which was only fifty yards from the place of encampment, the men tried to check the Indians, but their movements were anticipated and in order to prevent being entirely cut off, the McCarthys advised a retreat down the stream toward Ft. Kearney. The wounded man was placed on a log fortunately found at the water's edge and allowed to drift with the current, which chanced to be rapid by reason of recent rains. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 241 The men by excellent markmanship, kept the Indians at a distance, and thus the march continued for about twenty miles, until they reached a jun ction of the creek with the North Platte. But keeping close to the bank, the party continued on down the stream throughout th e night. Billy, being so young, became very much exhausted by so long a march, carrying a large gun, and permitted the others to get nearly a hundred yards in advance. The night, now approaching morning, was made beautiful by a bright full moon, and in closely watching the banks Billy's quick eye fell upon the decorated head-dress of a big Indian as he was peering over the bank looking for a favorable shot. Quick as thought, without challenging the enemy or shouting to his companions for help, the brave boy raised his gun and fired. There was no cause for conjecture regarding the effect of his aim, for with a leap like the stricken deer, head-dress and Indian came tumbling down the embankment, rolling over and over in the descent, and fell dead at Billy's feet. To say that the youthful Indian slayer was surprised affords no concep- tion of his feelings ; he was frightened with astonishment, and when his companions rushed back to determine the cause of the shooting, they found Billy standing beside his victim with looks indicative of victor and vanquished, too puzzled at first to explain his act ; but the dead In- dian was explanation sufficient and Billy was at once complimented with such generous enthusiasm that he soon realized what a heroic deed he had accomplished. After the loss of their inquisitive companion the Indians drew off and left Billy and his party to pursue the re- mainder of their journey unmolested. It was long after the first morning hours when the footsore party reached Kearney, but upon arriving at the /ort Frank McCarthy made due report of the Indian at- 242 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. tack, not forgetting to elaborately describe the bravery of Billy and how scientifically the lion-hearted lad had slain the " biggest Indian in the outfit. " A company was at once mounted on mules and sent out from the fort, taking a howitzer with them, to re- cover the cattle and if possible punish the dusky ma- rauders. Billy was allowed to accompany the soldiers, as his capabilities were now reckoned at more than par. This force, upon reaching the scene of attack, found the mutilated remains of the three herders, to which they gave proper burial and then pushed on in pursuit of the Indians, but the trail was lost in crossing Republican river, and further efforts of the company were directed to recovering the cattle. But even this object of the ex- pedition had to be abandoned, as it was found that the cattle not driven off by the Indians had been stampeded with buffaloes, thus rendering their recapture impossible. The first expedition, therefore, in which Billy had been engaged terminated disastrously, but it brought to him a full measure of adventure and notoriety. The fame so soon won had preceded him on his return, so that when he arrived in Leaven worth, on his way home, there was an enterprising reporter awaiting to interview him. Billy, though by no means vainglorious, told the story of his adventure with much satisfaction, and on the following day he found the substance of his relation under a bewil- dering, pyrotechnical display of sensational head lines, in which he was heroized with a veneering of eulogistic ex- pressions impossible of analysis. In the language of Buf- falo Bill, this incident has been attached to his name like a tin kettle to a dog's tail, and ever since he has been pur- suing life with this appendage clattering at his heels. Many men, however, have been made famous by circum- stances much loss interesting and meritorious. LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 243 CHAPTER HI. BILLY did not remain at home long before another opportunity was offered him to cross the plains. With most boys a trip replete with experiences such as he had encountered at Plum Creek would have satisfied their craving for further adventure in that direction, but to him the effect was to increase his longing for the plains, to share the perils, hardships and life of danger-loving prai- rie free-rovers. The opportunity referred to earne in an offer made him by a wagon boss named Lew Simpson, who was in the employ of Russell, Majors & Waddell, to accompany a freight train to Salt Lake as an " extra." Mrs. Cody was decidedly averse to her boy making another trip over a route she was now convinced led through the greatest dangers, and when Simpson begged hard for Billy, pledging to return him in safety, she pos- itively refused. No one can fail to appreciate this poor mother's decision ; she saw in the proposed trip a certain absence of nearly one year even should no evil attend her promising son, but more than this, she could not avoid the belief that should he go, no one could protect him against the perils that he must encounter. Finding her decision so firm, Billy at length told his mother that, while he regarded her desires and loved her devotedly, and sought to render true filial obedience, yet he must needs follow some occupation that would yield a necessary subsistence for the family now dependent upon his exertions ; that he must therefore go. He accordingly arranged the payment of his monthly salary ($40.00), so that Mr. Russell could turn it over to her on the first of each month during his absence. 244 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Seeing that nothing could deter him frona his purpose, Mrs. Cody implored Simpson to watch over her boy with tender regard ; that he was not only a son in whom her affections centered, but her staff of life upon whom she was now compelled to lean. Mr. Russell also requested Simpson to protect little Billy at all hazards, and these promises being given, the young hero was suffered to de- part on the dangerous journey, leaving a weeping and praying mother behind him. Before proceeding to a relation of the incidents during the trip, it is needful to give a description of overland freighting, and also some idea of the business conducted by the great freighters, Russell, Majors & Wad dell. The wagons used for this purpose vrere built specially by a large firm in St. Louis, and #ere constructed with a storage and carrying capacity tfi 7,000 pounds. To haul these wagons, when loaded; V,)ually required from eight to ten yoke of oxen, according to the weight of the cat- tle. A train of prairie schooners consisted of twenty- five wagons in charge of the following "officers and sea- men,'* so to speak i The wagon-master, who acted as captain ; then came the assistant wagon-master, then the extra hand, then the night herder, then the cavallard driver, whose duty it is to attend the extra cattle. Be- sides these each team has a driver, so that the full com- plement for a complete train is thirty-one men. Among these men a language is used peculiarly their own ; the wagon-master is called the " bull-wagon boss,*' the teamsters are " bull- whackers," and a train is called a "bull outfit." Everyman is expected to be thorough- ly armed, and each knows where to " fall in " when an attack is made, which at that date was anticipated at any time while passing over the route to Salt Lake. trail, as described by Buffalo Bill, ran as follows : LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 246 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. " Through Kansas northwestwardly, crossing the Big Blue river, then over the Big and Little Sandy, coming into Nebraska near the Big Sandy. The next stream of any importance was the Little Blue, along which the trail ran for sixty miles ; then crossed a range of sand-hills and struck the Platte river ten miles below old Fort Kearney ; thence the course lay up the South Platte to the old Ash Hollow Crossing, thence eighteen miles across to the North Platte, near the mouth of the Blue Water, where Gen. Harney had his great battle in 1855 with the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. From this point the North Platte was followed, passing Court House Rock, Chimney Rock and Scott's Bluffs, and then on to Fort Laramie, where the Laramie river was crossed. Still following the North Platte for some considerable distance, the trail crossed this river at old Richard's Bridge, and followed it up to the celebrated Red Buttes, crossing the Willow Creeks to the Sweet Water, passing the great Independence Rock and the Devil's Gate, up to the Three Crossings of the Sweet Water, thence past the Cold Springs, where, three feet under the sod, on the hottest day of summer, ice can be found ; thence to the Hot Springs and the Rocky Ridge, and through the Rocky Mountains and Echo Canon, and thence on to the great Salt Lake valley." In order to take care of the business which then offer- ed, the freight for transportation being almost exclu- sively government provisions, Russell, Majors & Waddell operated 6,250 wagons, for the hauling of which they used 75,000 oxen, and gave employment to 8,000 men ; the capital invested by these three freighters was nearly $2,000,000. In their operations, involving such an immense sum of money, and employing a class of laborers incomparably reckless, some very stringent rule* LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 247 were adopted by the firm, to which all their employes were made to subscribe. In this code of discipline was the following obligation: "I, , do hereby solemnly swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am in the employ of Russell, Majors & Waddell, that I will, under no circumstances, use profane language ; that I will drink no intoxicating liquors of any kind ; that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employe of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as will win the confidence and esteem of my employers, so help me God." This oath was the creation of Mr. Majors, who was a very pious and rigid disciplinarian ; he tried hard to en- force it, but how great was his failure it is needless to say. It would have been equally profitable had the old gentleman read the riot act to a herd of stampeded buf- faloes. And he believes it himself now. Among the bull-whackers who accompanied this train with Billy was J. B. Hickok, who afterward became the noted " Wild Bill," and between the two an intimate ac- quaintance soon sprang up which ripened into the strong- est friendship, enduring year after year until the latter 's assassination in 1876. In fact, as Buffalo Bill declares in his autobiography, " Wild Bill was my protector (refer- ring to the time when his first overland trip was made,) and intimate friend, and the friendship thus begun con- tinued until his death." The route as described was the same as tnat taken by Billy and the McCarthy boys only a few months before, and when the train reached Plum Creek, having met with no adventure worthy of note, a halt was made for one day to rest the oxen and take a buffalo hunt. 15 48 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Big game was so abundant in that section of country that writers as far back as 1860 asserted that there were enough buffaloes on the "Western prairies to feed the whole world for a century, and that ten thousand hunters shooting day after day for a hundred years could make no perceptible diminution in the number. Shortly after the oxen were herded and the wagons lo- cated a large drove of buffaloes were discovered bearing toward the camp with a party of California emigrants in the rear. On they came in a mad stampede, and no amount of shouting and shooting could swerve them from their course. A few minutes later the whole herd of more than one thousand crazed animals rushed like a wave of thunder into the camp, over the wagons, oxen and other impediments, crippling themselves but making sad havoc of the train. Wagons were overturned and broken, the provisions scattered and trampled, and when the animated wave had swept over and by there was desolation in the wake. The train men had found a great many more buffaloes than they had intended hunt- ing. It required two days of hard work to repair the injury so that the train could proceed. On the following day, after leaving the Plum Creek camping grounds, the train-men met Joe Smith, Jr., who was acting as a spy for the Mormons, ascertaining the number and character of the " outfits" on the road, and preparing for their capture. As no one in the train know him he had no difficulty in obtaining all the information he desired. After remaining with the men for one day, Smith made a plausible excuse for leaving them, and then rode rap- idly to an appointed rendezvous where the Mormons, nearly two hundred strong, were awaiting his orders. When the train had reached the Rocky Mountains, LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 249 within eighteen miles of Green River, suddenly the men were surrounded by Joe Smith and his well-armed fol- lowers, who, being whites, did not arouse any suspicion upon the part of the train-men until they found them- selves covered by Mormon rifles. Resistance, under the circumstances, was impossible, and Simpson, after roundly berating the apostles, was forced to submit. The result of this adventure was that, after rifling the wagons of whatever provisions they were able to carry, the Mormons set fire to the train and drove off the oxen. The train-men, however, were allowed to retain their arms and one wagon and six yoke of oxen and sufficient provisions to last the party until they could reach Fort Bridger. After reaching the fort, it being far in November, the party decided to spend the winter there with about four hundred other employes of Russell, Majors & Waddell, rather than attempt a return, which would have exposed them to many dangers and the severity of a rapidly-ap- proaching winter. During this period of hibernation, however, the larders of the commissary became so de- pleted that the men were placed on one-quarter rations, and at length, as a final resort, the poor, dreadfully ema- ciated mules and oxen were killed to afford sustenance for the famishing men. Fort Bridger being located in a prairie, all fuel there used had to be carried for a distance of nearly two miles, and after their mules and oxen were butchered the men had no other recourse than to carry the wood on their backs or haul it on sleds, themselves taking the part of draught animals. Starvation was beginning to lurk about the post when spring approached, and but for the timely arrival of a westward-bound train loaded with provisions for John- $50 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. son's army some of the party must certainly have fallen victims to deadly hunger. Arrangements having been made for a return to Fort Leavenworth, all the employes at Fort Bridger deter- mined to accompany the returning cavalcade, and Simp- son was chosen brigade wagon-master of the new ' ' out- fit, 3? which consisted of two trains and four hundred men. When the trains approached Ash Hollow, Simpson de- cided to leave the main road and make a cut-off by fol- lowing the North Platte down to its junction with the South Platte. In traveling the two trains had become separated with an intervening space of fifteen or twenty miles between them, the latter train being in charge of Assistant Wagon-Master Geo. Woods, under whom Billy was acting as " extra." Simpson, accompanied by Woods, desiring to reach the head train, ordered Billy to " sinch"( saddle )up and follow him. Tke three rode rapidly for some time until they reached Cedar Bluffs, when they suddenly dis^ covered a score of Indians emerging from the head of a ravine less than half a mile distant, bearing down upon them at great speed. " Dismount and shoot your mules," was the quick order issued by Simpson, who was at once alive to the situation. As the jaded and stricken animals dropped in their tracks, the three men or rather two men and one little boy crouched down behind the mules which lay together in a triangle, and using their dead bodies as breast-works, opened fire on the Indians with Mississippi yagers and revolvers, killing three and wounding two ponies. The red-skins, surprised at the hot-bed they had struck, circled around and sped away again, halting iwvfsr&l hundred yards distant, evidently for consultatkix- LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 251 This gave the beleaguered trio time to reload their weapons and prepare for a second charge, which they felt sure would be made. The Indians were armed with bows and arrows, which of course required close range to be effective, and this gave the little party an advantage which partly com- pensated for the superior number of their enemies. Little Billy showed so much pluck in the dangerous position he occupied that Simpson could not help prais- ing him, and by way of further encouragement he said : " My brave little man, do you see that Indian on the right, riding out from the party to reconnoiter?" " Yes, I'm watching him," was the reply. " Well, suppose you give him. a shot just by way of experiment." Billy at once extended himself and resting his gun on the body of the mule before him, took steady aim and fired. "Bully boy! a splendid shot!" shouted Simpson as he saw the Indian topple from his horse, struck evidently in the side, as the wounded savage commenced trying to crawl, his hand pressed over the injured spot. The dis- tance was fully three hundred yards. After a long parley the Indians scattered, and came charging back again whooping in a delirium of excite- ment. When they had approached within less^than one hundred yards, the besieged party turned loose on them, shooting two more out of the saddle ; but the Indians rushed on discharging a shower of arrows, one of which pierced Geo. Wood's right shoulder, producing a very painful wound. More than a dozen other arrows struck in the bodies of the dead mules, but inflicted no other damage. For a second time the red warriors were re- pulsed and when they drew off again it was evidently for 282 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the purpose of resorting to other tactics. Getting be- yond the range of the yagers, the Indians formed in a large circle, tethered their ponies and disposed themselves for a siege, with the evident intention of starving out the brave trio. About three hours afterward, however, the cracking of bull-whackers' whips was heard, and soon the advancing train was seen coming over a hill. The Indians appre- ciated what this meant, and gaining their ponies rode down on the little party again, discharging another flight of arrows and receiving a volly of bullets in return. No damage was inflicted on either side in the last charge, and the three were saved. Their safety, however, was due entirely to the prompt and decisive action of Simp- son, who was a man exactly suited for working out des- perate circumstances to his own advantage. After bandaging Wood's wound the train started again and met with no further detention or accident, reaching Leavenworth in July, 1858. Wild Bill had been a special companion of Billy's during the entire trip, and so warm had become the attachment between them that the latter gave him a pressing invitation to go with him to his home for a short visit, a request which Wild Bill acceded to. During this visit he was treated with so much attention that he became as one of the family, and ever after, until the death of Billy's mother, he called her "Mother Cody." Billy had been at home scarcely one month before he engaged himself as assistant wagon-master to another train which was made up at Ft. Laramie to carry supplies to a new post just established at Cheyenne Pass. In this, his third trip, he met with no stirring adventure and got through without losing a team or man. This result waC in pleasing varience with his two former trips, both of LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 258 which had been so full of stirring incidents and disas- trous consequences. Upon his return to Laramie from Cheyenne Pass he entered into an engagement with a Mr. Ward, the post- trader, to trap for beaver, mink and otter on the Chug- water, and poison wolves for their peltries. This enter- prise, yielding little or no profit, was abandoned after a two months' experiment, and Billy returned to Laramie, where, a few days after, in company with two others, he started back to Leaven worth. Upon reaching the Little Blue, the three were jumped by a party of Indians, who chased them for several hours, and doubtless would have captured them had not dark- ness intervened to assist them in escaping. After " los- ing" the Indians the trio discovered a cave, in which they resolved to spend the night, but upon lighting a match they were horrified at finding the place tenanted by the bones and dessicated flesh of murdered emigrants, who had gone the way of hundreds of other unfortunate pil- grims seeking gold and fortune in the far West. Without waiting to make an investigation, the three now badly-frightened travellers broke camp, and regard- less of the cold and snow, pushed rapidly forward. After journeying all night they reached Oak Grove, and there taking in a fresh supply of necessaries, resumed their homeward march, reaching Leav.enworth in February, 1859. 254 HEBOES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER IV. BILLY, who had now reached the age of fourteen years, and was unusually large for one of that age, having been almost wholly without schooling, following his mother's entreaties, concluded to attend a school which had just been opened in the neighborhood of Grasshopper Falls. The pretty little Mary Hyatt, however, had removed from that section, and Stephen Gobel had forgotten the rivalry which resulted in broken arbors and a bloody se- quel. His attention being diverted by no love episodes, Billy applied himself with becoming diligence during the session, which lasted for a period of ten weeks, and made a most gratifying progress. This was the longest term of school he ever attended, and it is doubtful if all the schooling he ever received would aggregate six months, though he is now comparatively well educated, acquired almost wholly by extensive travel and association with polished people. When spring returned and the warm rays of a conge- nial sun freshened the brown grass on the prairie, turning it into an emerald sward as boundless almost as the sky overhead, the old impulse seized on Billy again and he determined to seek the far West where adventure and danger incite the restless spirit of brave men. In addition to the promptings of his own nature there was a further motive in the recent discoveries of gold at Pike's Peak. Who that is thirty years of age now will forget the wild excitement occasioned by the delirium- producing stories which floated as generous as the air into every nook of America, declaring the illimitable store- house of gold just laid bare at Pike's Peak? There was magic in the very name, and I distinctly recall to mind LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 255 now, though a small boy at the time, that the whisky bottles used then had the figure of a pilgrim with pack and pick on his shoulder, blown in one side, with the declaration, "Bound for Pike's Peak," underneath. Why, since I come to think of it, my mother is using one of those old Pike's Peak bottles at this very day as a recep- tacle for camphor. Billy, young in years, though now a man in size, in common with thousands of others seized a pick and set out for the wonderful diggings. He located on Cherry Creek where there was a camp called Aurora, on the site now occupied by the city of Denver. After digging around Aurora for a few days, the ignusfatuus led him further up the mountains to Black Hawk, where he set- tled and worked most assiduously for a period of two months without finding as much as a handful of pay dirt. In the meantime provisions were so high that it took a Jacob's ladder to reach the smell of cold beans. Billy became not only tired but disgusted with the re- sult of his mining labors and resolved to get out of the country. He had no difficulty in finding others in camp of the same turn of mind as himself, and such as he de- sired as companions he induced to accompany him back. Of the numerous caravans and individuals who adopted as their motto, "Pike's Peak or Bust," Billy and his party fell back on the latter end of the bold legend. They were so badly "busted," in fact, that the only convey- ance left them was their legs. Setting out on these the party proceeded on foot to the Platta river, where the idea possessed Billy that they might make the remainder of their journey to Leavenworth on an improvised raft. By various means, but chiefly by killing game along the way, the party subsisted comfortably while they floated down the stream on a rickety collection of logs. 256 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Matters were satisfactory enough until they reached Jule's ranche, or Julesburg, where having met a swifter current the raft struck a snag and went to pieces with a suddenness no less astonishing than the bath which in- stantly followed. Fortunately, though the North Platte is a broad stream, it is generally shallow, and the party had to swim but a short distance before they found a footing, and then waded ashore. Everything having been lost with the raft, including their arms and such provisions as they had, the party stopped at Julesburg to wait for something to turn up. It so happened that the great Pony Express had just been established between Omaha and Pike's Peak, and other far Western points, including San Francisco. This route ran by Julesburg where the company had an agent in the person of George Chrisman, who was well ac- quainted with Billy, the two having freighted together for Eussell, Majors & Waddell. Finding Billy out of employment and express riders being scarce, Chrisman offered him a position as rider, which was gladly accepted. The requirements for this occupation w~re such that very few were qualified for the performance 01 the duties. The distance and time required to be made were fifteen miles per hour. Only boys could be employed on ac- count of the weight to be carried, and such laborious rid- ing could be endured by very few. Nevertheless, Billy was an expert horseman and having the constitution and endurance of a broncho he braved the perils and duties of the position and was assigned to a route of forty-five miles. After riding for several months he received a letter from his mother urging him to return home and give up a position which would surely destroy his health. But he LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 257 continued in the employ of the express company until an- other letter came informing him of the severe illness of his mother ; his filial love being stronger than any other trait of character, he immediately resigned and hurried to the bedside of his beloved parent, whom he was rejoiced fx> find growing better. CHAPTER V. REMAINING at home scarcely one month Billy received an invitation from an old friend, named Dave Harring- ton, to accompany him on a trapping expedition up the Republican river, which, with hasty preparation, he gladly accepted. The two started out from Salt Creek valley with an outfit consisting of a wagon filled with traps and provis- ions drawn by a yoke of oxen. It was near the middle of November when the two started on the expedition, Mrs. Cody standing in the door when the team moved off, wiping the tears from her eyes and giving bounteous blessings to her beloved boy, watching with painful emotions until the white cover of the wagon which sheltered her dearest treasure became hidden by the prairie undulations in the distance. The two made excellent progress and met with no de- tention, arriving at the mouth of Prairie Dog Creek early in December. Here they found an abundance of beaver and trapped with such success that they secured three hundred beaver and one hundred otter skins before the severe weather interfered with their occupation. Having obtained a full load of peltries it was decided 258 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. to remain in the dug-out which they had constructed un- til the beginning of spring, when the return trip could be made without dangerous exposure. During the period of waiting the two occupied much of their time shooting elk, large numbers of which were roaming constantly within convenient proximity. On one occasion while out hunting and in pursuit of a large herd of elk, while passing around a large rock projecting over a small ravine, Billy made a false step and was pre- cipitated onto the rocks below, the fall breaking his leg between the knee and ankle. This accident, always se- rious, was doubly so under the circumstances, when no surgical aid could be had, nor any but a miserably insuffi- cient attention could be given to mitigate the injury. To add still further to the misfortunes of the suffering boy, only a few days before this accident one of the oxen had broken a leg and Harrington had been compelled to shoot the animal. Here the two trappers were, in the midst of winter storms, without a team, and Billy rolling in an agony which his partner was unable to relieve. After discussing the situation for some time Harring- ton said : " Well, Billy, this is a bad box, and the only way to get out is for me to reach the nearest settlement and get a team to haul you home." The poor boy, though he well knew that the nearest place from which succor could be obtained was fully one hundred and twenty-five miles distant, and appreciated all the terrors of a long and painful waiting alone, among the hungry wolves and bands of equally ferocious Indians, told Harrington to do as he thought best about making the trip. It is no less pathetic than astonishing, the devotion wbich is so often found among the Western pioneer* LIFE OP BUFFALO BILL. 259 whose uncouth language and grizzly garb, if taken as ail index to their true character, would lead to the inference that they are destitute of that human kindness which re- deems mankind and compensates our vices. Brave Dave Harrington, just like Cody himself, big- hearted, noble, generous, self-sacrificing, immediately prepared for the tedious winter journey. Collecting about and within convenient reach of Billy, plenty of dried beef, water and other provisions needful for the sufferer's subsistence, Dave set out on the long trip, bid- ding his companion be cheerful and to expect his return in twenty-one days. Finding himself utterly alone, poor Billy I say 4 'poor" because the facts cannot fail to arouse the deepest pity nnd make us sympathize with him even now in remem- brance, because sensibly affected by the realization of Ms terrible situation inside a rude " dug-out," the trapper's home, consisting of an excavation in the side of a hill boarded up inside, and a single door for entrance and ventilation, Billy lay on his rude litter nursing the inflamed and painful fracture ; nothing to relieve his lone- someness save the howls of prowling wolves scrambling about the chimney, peering down through the mud and sticks and sniffing at the chink under the door. Nothing else to disturb his sombre reflections, save the whistling winds which came sweeping over his rude habitation rattling at the puncheon door and making the trees out- eide groan in consonance with the biting cold. Day after day, time, like a foot-sore and weary pilgrim, jogged slowly and drearily along until the tenth day had departed since Harrington left on his mission for help. The shades of mid-winter were just gathering in the dark- ening fold of eventide when Billy was aroused from his revery by a singular noise outside the door of his abode. 260 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. There were shuffling feet near the entrance, and then a moment of silence, followed by voices which his experi- enced ears told him proceeded from Indians. Uninvited, more than a dozen Sioux, headed by chief Rain-in-the< face, forced an entrance into the dug-out as though in- tent upon rifling the place, thinking the owners were ab- sent. But Billy rose up from his pallet and when the In- dians' eyes fell upon him a murmur of confused voices followed, which he interpreted as a prelude to the ter- mination of his earthly career. A stroke of good fortune, however, came to the suf* fering boy in his direst extremity. Old Rain-in-the-face chanced to be an acquaintance of Billy's, having met him frequently at Laramie, and this acquaintance saved his life. The old chief told Billy that the Indians had in- tended to kill him, but he had prevailed on them to spare his life on account of his youth. This was joyful news, but the Indians remained in the dug-out all night, feast- ing themselves on the provisions left for Billy's use, and when they departed on the following morning took with them nearly everything in his larder, besides all the fire- arms. He was thus left in a more trying situation than before, with many days yet to elapse before he could expect Harrington's return. To add still further to the ordeal of suffering he waa compelled to endure, a terrible snow-storm began on the fifteenth day after Dave's departure and continued until the snow had fallen to a depth of nearly three feet, blocking the entrance to his hut, and as he well knew, must seriously delay Harrington, perhaps cause him to lose the way or furnish a trail for a band of murderous Indians. These forebodings almost crazed him, for in addition to the probable loss of his friend, starvation threatened him, and his injured limb had become daily more painful from enforced neglect. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 261 At last the twenty-first day dawned, Billy having com- puted the time by marking on the wall each day as it passed. Every passing sound he felt sure was the foot- step of his friend, but disappointment and hope came and went like the pendulum of a clock ticking : fortune, disaster ; fortune, disaster. It was thus that the day came and died, and another dawn succeeded only to arouse the same feelings of hope and dejection. The fire had expired for lack of fuel to replenish it, and the faint, hungry, now almost hopeless boy, was forced to gnaw the few remaining chunks of frozen venison left him, from which it was possible to obtain barely enough to keep from starving, but never enough to stay hunger. It was not until the twenty-ninth day after his depar- ture that faithful Dave Harrington arrived at the old hut, his approach being heralded by deep, sonorous commands addressed to the yoke of oxen he had driven through the snows and perils of a northern winter when every bill and valley was the bivouac of depredating Indians. When the grateful sounds of Dave's voice fell on Bil- ly's ears the famishing boy believed it was the first warn- ing of delirium, admonishing him to prepare for the last horrors of starvation. But soon he heard that same voice ring out clearly before the snow-embarred door : 4 < Hello, Billy ! are you alive yet?" " Yes, Dave, still alive, but nearly gone." Tjhen the brawny hands of Harrington fell to work clearing away the snow with such exertions as he would have employed to rescue a friend buried alive. It was but a few moments ere the door was pushed open, and rescued and rescuer fell into each others arms, weeping with the joy of reunited friends after passing through the valley of tribulation. After rehearsing to each other the incident* that had 262 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. transpired during the painful separation, in which Har- rington told how he braved dangers few men could survive, tumbling into snow-drifts, wading treacherous streams, etc., the two made preparations to return, though the perils of the journey over a territory beset with so many uninviting prospects were sufficient to deter any but the stoutest hearts. A bed was carefully made in the wagon of furs and blankets, on which Harrington placed Billy, and bidding good-bye to the old hut in the hillside, the two set out for Junction City. Directly after their departure, the sun came out warm and revivifying, and in three days the snow had melted so rapidly that they experienced no further difficulty in traveling. Reaching the place from whence Harrington had hired the team to bring Billy away from the dug-out, another yoke of oxen was purchased, being paid for in peltries, and the latter end of the journey was accomplished with- out further incident. Arriving at Junction City, Dave and Billy sold their furs at a most satisfactory price, and also the team, for which they had no further use, as government mule trains were almost daily passing that point, bound for Leaven- worth, with which transportation was easily arranged. The two trappers reached Leavenworth in March, 1860, and Billy, unable to get about, begged his friend to ao company him home, for at least a short visit. Harring- ton, who was warmly attached to his now helpless com- panion, assented after small persuasion, arriving at Salt Creek Valley after a delay of one day at Leavenworth. Mrs. Cody was overcome with joy when she received her boy, but cast down again with grief at seeing his condition, which, with a mother's natural solicitude, she at first magnified into a aerious injury. Upon learning LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 263 the noble, generous part acted by Harrington toward Billy, with tears of thankfulness and gratitude she mani- fested her appreciation and obligation to the brave man who had submitted to all danger and privation to secure the safety of her darling boy. Harrington remained with Billy at Mrs. Cody's home for several days, treated with the consideration his sacri- fices deserved ; but after the lapse of a week, thinking he had been idle too long already, he set about perform- ing some needful work on Mrs. Cody's premises. While planting trees on a cold damp day in the latter part of March the exposure, though not to be compared with what he had so recently passed through, was such that he contracted a severe cold, which speedily grew into pneu- monia. Despite the most careful attention from Mrs. Cody and the services of a physician from Leavenworth, poor Dave Harrington, one of the noblest of God's creatures, died, after an illness of one week. Far from home and relations, he yielded up his brave spirit sur- rounded by most devoted friends who mourned him as a brother, and laid him away under a sod freshened with their tears. Even to this day to speak of Dave Harrington in Buf- falo Bill's presence will turn him from the merriest mood and bring tears to his eyes. There is a large place in Cody's heart reserved for the memory of his dearest friend. 16 264 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER VI. BILLY remained at home until his injured leg had be- come thoroughly strong, and it being now the long and tedious days of summer, he determined to cast about again for occupation somewhere in the great wild West. Proceeding to Leavenworth he there met Lew Simpsoa to whom he made known his wishes, and received in re- ply an invitation to accompany a train just then being made up for Ft. Laramie. But "bull-whacking" was not exactly the employment most desirable, and Billy asked Simpson's influence in securing the position of pony-express rider again. The result of this application was Billy's departure for Atchison, where he met Mr. Russell, proprietor of the Express, who gave him a letter to Alf. Slade, who was superintendent of the route between Rocky Ridge and Juleeburg, with headquarters at Horse Shoe Station, neai Laramie. Having to go overland almost to Laramie, Billy con- cluded to accompany Simpson's train, thereby making the necessary trip a profitable one. Upon reaching Horge Shoe he presented Mr. Russell's letter to Slade, who, af- ter critically examining the youthful applicant, said : "My boy, you're a mite too young for the business ? I'm afraid you couldn't stand it more'n a week." "I'd like to try again," responded Billy. "I rode Bill Trotter's division for two months last year and stood the shaking all right, so I don't see why I couldn't do as well now, as I'm a year older." "Are you the young one who rode that route and was called the youngest express rider in the West?" " That's me," replied the anxious Billy, " and I'd like to do it again." LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 265 " Then I'll take you," answered Slade, " and you can go right to work between Red Buttes and Three Cross- ings." Thus the engagement was concluded and Billy entered upon active service the following day. Red Buttes was a station on the North Platte, and Three Crossings was a point seventy-six miles west, on the Sweetwater. This route, a very long and dangerous one, ran by the site now occupied by the town of North Platte, and through what is now the main street of that place. During a visit I made to Buffalo Bill, at his home, in May, 1881, while riding with him, we crossed the U. P. railroad bridge over the North Platte river, and from this point of observation he showed me where the express crossing of that stream was made. Although the North Platte is generally quite shallow it is more than half a mile wide, and in some places quite deep. The crossing, which was always made on horseback by the express riders, was only two or three hundred yards south of the present railroad bridge, and near the west shore where the channel runs, the water is about twelve feet in depth, besides being very swift. The reader can readily imagine, from this superficial description, the nerve required in a rider over this perilous route, where an average of fifteen miles per hour, including changes of horses, had to be made. Coming to the North Platte, regardless of the frequent swollen and turbulent condition of the stream, Billy had to plunge in and take his chances of getting to the other shore. Time and again he was carried down on the roaring waters, his horse's feet swept from under him, and met with disasters from which escape seemed impos- sible ; but he always gained the shore and lost very few horses by drowning. 266 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Only a short time after entering upon his duties, upon reaching Three Crossings he found that the rider on the next division, who had a route of eighty-six miles, had been killed during the night before, and he was called on to make the extra trip until another rider could be em- ployed. This was a request the compliance with which would involve the most taxing labors and an endurance few persons are capable of, nevertheless Billy was promptly on hand for the additional journey and reached Rocky Ridge, the limit of the second route, on time. This round trip, of three hundred and twenty-two miles, was made without a stop, except for meals and change of horses, and every station on the route was entered on time, the longest and best ridden pony express journey ever made. During his occupation as an express rider Billy met with many adventures, not alone in crossing the North Platte, but in running through a country infested with hostile Indians. Fortunately the country was an open one so that an ambush was impossible, but more than a score of times the Indians swarmed down upon him, and he escaped only by the superior swiftness of his horse, and his usual good luck in avoiding bullets and arrows. After the poney express had become a thoroughly es- tablished institution, frequently transporting money and other valuables, the Indians killed several riders whose packs yielded sufficient revenue to make a systematic robbery along the route profitable to the otherwise unem- ployed red devils. These -depredations at length became so great that it was deemed advisable to withdraw the poney express for a time and run stages only as occasion demanded, until the Indians could be punished and made to abandon their robberies and murders. The condition of the country along the North Platte LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 267 had become so dangerous that it was next to impossible for the Overland Stage Company to hire stage drivers, although very high wages were offered. Billy, now being out of employment as a rider, prof- fered his services as a stage-driver, which, notwithstand- ing his youth, were gladly accepted. Directly after be- ginning this hazardous occupation he met with an adven The Attack on the Stage Coach. ture, which, though it may not have given him a genuine fright, certainly did not contribute any to his estimation pf the good times on the plains. While driving a stage between Split Rock and Three Crossings he was suddenly set upon by about five hun- dred Sioux whose arms, fortunately, consisted only of bows and arrows. Lieut. Flowers, a brave fellow who was then acting as assistant division agent, sat on the HBBOES or THE PLAINS. "boot" beside Billy, and the stage was occupied by half a dozen well armed passengers. A terrible fight ensued, which for a time seemed to threaten certain de- struction to the occupants of the vehicle. Billy gave the horses tke line while Lieut. Flowers applied the whip, leaving the passengers to look to the defence. Arrows fell around and struck the stage like hail, piercing the sides, striking the horses and dealing destruction gener- ally. Two of the passengers were killed and Lieut. Flow^ ers was badly wounded in the shoulder. Billy grabbed the whip from the wounded officer and kept applying it briskly, shouting defiance in the meantime to his pursu- ers, and succeeded in driving into Three Crossings with- out further damage. This last trip had proved so disastrous that it was de^ termined by the stage company not to rely any longer on the U. S. troops stationed at various posts in the West, but to use their own volunteer employes in an administra^ tion of frontier vengeance on the murderous Indians. To accomplish this, requests for volunteers were made, which found response in all the men communicated with, about fifty in number. This force was placed under charge of Wild Bill and was accompanied by Billy. The expedition moved swiftly into the enemy's country as far as Clear Creek where the Indians were found encamped, unconscious of any lurking danger. Waiting until nightfall the impetuous stage employes descended upon the hostiles, charging through their camp with revolvers in hand. As the astonished Indians poured out of their wigwams they were met by a furious firs which literally swept up the entire camp, leaving scores of dead Indians around the smouldering fires and causing those that escaped the revolver to flee precipitately to the hills and hollows, where, owing to the darkness, they eould not be followed. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL The expedition was a complete success, for besides so severely punishing the hostiles, about two hundred head of horses were captured and brought safely to Sweetwa- tar Bridge. CHAPTEE VH. BILLY having performed such excellent services for the Express Company, upon his return from the Clear Creek expedition Alf. Slade tendered him the position of " extra," in which he was required to ride pony-express only during the times when an extra man was needed, which was so seldom that more than two-thirds of his time was unoccupied save as he himself chose to employ it. His pay, however, remained the same as that re- ceived by the regular riders. Located at Horse Shoe, in the center of a country abounding with large game, it was here that Billy first developed a desire for hunting, and by the constant use of firearms thereafter became the best rifle and pistol shot, as he confessedly is, of America to-day. The only competitor he acknowledged in the use of a pistol in 1876 was Wild Bill, whose superior perhaps never lived, and when that wonderful scout, guide and spy was assas- sinated there were none, and are none now, to dispute with Buffalo Bill the honors of superior marksmanship. On one occasion, during the period of comparative idleness, Billy concluded to go upon a bear hunt, large numbers of bear being readily found in the adjacent hills. So, saddling his horse and taking a large rifle and fcwo revolvers with him, he departed early in the mom> }ng and proceeded up the Horseshoe Valley. An abund- 270 HEEOES OF THE PLAINS. ance of smaller game, such as antelope, sage-hens and jack rabbits, were constantly passing within gun-shot, but of these he had already killed great numbers, and consequently they were now left unmolested. Late in the evening, having as yet, found no bear, Billy decided to camp and renew his hunt on the mor- row, rather than return without some trophy of his suc- cess as a bear hunter. After building a fire he shot two sage-hens for supper, but just as he was in the act of picking one of the birds a horse's whinney was heard further up the mountain- side, which gave him serious apprehensions. Scattering the fire-brands he secreted his horse and went upon a tour of investigation to discover the character of his neighbors. It had now grown quite late, so that the gathering darkness gave some secrecy to his movements, and ap- proaching cautiously the spot indicated by the horse's signal, he soon discovered a dug-out, and several horses tethered about the abode. Approaching still nearer he heard the voices of several persons inside, conversing in a familiar tongue, so that he at once concluded they were trappers or hunters, and being white men, of course friends. Advancing to the door of the dug-out, Billy rapped on the puncheon entrance and received in reply the chal- lenge : ' Who's thar?" "A white friend," Billy replied. At this the door was opened and by the light of a large fire blazing on the ample hearth, there was disclosed to his astonished gaze eight characters whose faces would have been an admirable study for the horrible-loving Dore. It was not only villainy pictured on their fea- &IFE OF BUFFALO BILL 271 tares, but an iniquity of human nature which migtit find comparison only in the darkest caverns of Hades, wherein sit the most hideous deformities of vicious wickedness. Long, grizzled beards, blearing eyes, flaring and beaked noses, mouths like caves of despair, dark complexions, massive forms and bell-mouthed, deep, portentious voice*. HEROES OF ?HE PLAINS. Two of these faces Billy had seen before and knew they were worn by men discharged from the employ of the Overland Stage Company ; further than this, intui- tion admonished him that he had struck a den of horse- thieves. " Come in, don't be back'ard," was the invitation ex- tended, arid appreciating the situation Billy had to appear at ease in order to conceal his real anxiety. " Whar 're you from, and who's with you?" " Oh, I'm from down the country ; been a bear hunt- ing by myself and hearing the whinneying of one of your horses as I was going into camp for the night, thought I'd see who was around ; so here I am." Billy delivered his information in a most unconcerned manner, though he could see serious trouble ahead un- less he could get out of the thieves' clutches by some strategy. "Well, whar's your hoss?' "I left him tied right down here a few hundred yards, where I was camping. If you don't object I'll leave my gun here and go back and bring him up, for I prefer company and would like to stay with you to-night." The cunning of this speech could not have been sur- passed by the oldest strategist in a frontier settlement. Parting with the gun Billy esteemed a small sacrifice if by o doing he could save himself and horse. But the scheme, though never so clever, did not suc- ceed as the youthful hunter expected. Two of the vil- lains at once proffered their services to accompany him and assist in bringing the horse to the dug-out. This social proposition took away at least two-thirds of Billy's nerve, but he had to consent, and the three started oJ, going directly to th boy's cairqHng place and securing the horse* LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 273 61 There are a couple of sage-hens by the fire, which I vras preparing to cook when I heard your horse nicker ; I guess I'll take them along for our supper.'' Thus speaking, Billy picked up the birds, and then the thieves led off, leading the boy's horse, toward their den. Billy fully realized the danger of his situation and knew that the adoption of some desperate expedient could alone save him from a terrible fate, for the thieves would certainly kill him rather than permit his escape and the certainty of his giving information of their ren- dezvous. So after debating with himself for a few mo- ments, he decided upon a plan which was put into imme- diate execution. Purposely, and yet as though by acci- dent, he dropped one of the sage-hens, and in picking it up so managed as to let his two villainous companions get slightly ahead. Quick as lightning he struck one of the thieves a stunning blow from behind with the butt of his heavy pistol, and as the other turned about to help his companion Billy shot him dead. Grabbing his horse, he leaped into the saddle and fled back down the moun- tain. The way, however, was so rugged, abounding in large stones and brush, that his progress was very slow. The shot was heard by the robbers in the dug-out, and they hurried down to discover the cause. Coming upon the spot, they found a dead companion, and the one that was knocked down had sufficently recovered to explain the attack. Pursuit was begun at once, and as the thieves could travel much faster than Billy on horseback, contending with the obstacles of a mountain descent, they soon ap- proached so close that the brave boy leaped from hk horse, giving the animal a smart stroke on the quarter which sent him scrambling on, whil Billy secreted him- self behind a large tree, where the villains soon passed 274 HEROES OF THE PLAINS him in their pursuit of the fleeing horse. A few momenta later the shots from their revolvers convinced Billy that his pursuers believed they were still on his track, and hoped either to disable the horse or kill him in the sad- dle. When the sounds of the pursuit had died away he abandoned the sheltering tree and set off with all possible speed for Horse-Shoe, which he reached in an ex- hausted and almost famished condition after twelve hours hard travel. Eeporting the particulars of his adventure to Slade, a party of ten was made up at once, headed by Slade him< self and guided by Billy, to go in pursuit of the thieves. A rapid travel of six hours brought them to the scene of conflict, where a new-made grave was found which covered Billy's victim, but upon reaching the dug-out they found that place abandoned and nothing left to indicate an in- tended return. After trying in vain to find the trail, the party abandoned the idea of catching the robbers and re- turned to Horse-Shoe. Billy was complimented in a most deserving way for the cunning and bravery he displayed in eluding the thieves, and especially for expending a pis- tol cathartic on one of the number. Directly after this incident he was put on the road again as express rider, his alternate being Wild Bill. These two rode between Three Crossings and Eed Buttes, mak- ing better time than any other riders ever on the road. Both, however, had grown so rapidly that their weight exceeded the limit required by the express company, and on this account they were discharged. But after a thirty days' experiment the company found that it was impos- sible to get other riders who could make the time, so thai Billy and his particular friend, Wild Bill, were again em- ployed, riding under an exception to the general order. Here they remained until the tocsin of civil war summoned LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL 275 brave hearts to the front and changed nearly eyeiy man's occupatioa. CHAPTER MUCH excitement having been created in eastern Kan- sas by the Ft. Sumpter attack, and also learning of his mother's general ill health, these two causes induced Billy to give up his position as an express rider and hurry home. Mrs, Cody entertained strong Union sentiments, being greatly influenced therein by the outrages she had been compelled to endure at the hands of pro-slavery men, all of whom were now pronounced Southern sympa- thizers on account of the slavery issue. A number of Free-State men who had suffered perse- cution from Missouri pro-slavery incursionists, concluded that the inauguration of war, involving much of the issue that had been fought out between Kansas and Missouri, gave them license to cross the slave State border for re- taliatory purposes . In pursuance of this conclusion Capt. Chandler enlisted twenty-five men, Billy being one of the number, to invade Missouri and capture promising horses. This design, though having some of the appearances of a criminal purpose, cannot affect Buffalo Bill's honor now for several reasons, chief among which was the very strong feeling that existed among the Free-State people of Kansas against the Pro-Slavery party of Missouri. No family ever suffered more from iniquitous mobs than the Cody family ; robbed time and again ; insulted day after day; Mr. Cody foully murdered; their stock driven off; maturing crops devastated and suffering 276 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. everj conceivable outrage, it was not only natural bul proper that the remaining members of the Cody family should regard retaliation as righteous. Further thaw this, Billy was young in years and influenced by the spe- cious representations of Chandler who gave to his intended acts all the color of law and justice ; these several considera- tions moved him to become a member of this independ' ent band and share alike its fortunes and reverses. In the latter part of July, according to a preconcerted arrangement, Chandler's company met at Westport, Missouri , and having received their orders every man went upon a forage through the neighborhood, returning at night with nearly fifty head of first-class horses, taken promiscuously from people in Jackson county. After this bold confiscation the company made their way over into Kansas at Wyandotte where the party separated with an agreement to meet again at the expiration of one week in Leaven worth. After two or three similar incursions the government took a part in the suppression of the enterprise, and Mrs. Cody learning the true nature of the forays counseled with Billy against lending his aid to such undertakings j admonishing him that the occupation was dishonorable and he must abandon it. This kind and excellent advice served to enlighten him as to the demerits of such retali- ation and he refused to accompany subsequent expe- ditions. Later in the fall he earned dispatches between Leavenworth and Ft. Larned, Kansas, and afterward assisted George Long in purchasing horses for the government. Succeeding this employment he became a member of Capt. Tuff's Red Legged Scouts, which was a company composed exclusively of scouts and well-known irontier characters. This organization did most effective LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 277 service in the protection of Kansas and fighting the bor- der guerrillas. When not in active duty on the field they were employed in carrying military dispatches between Forts Leavenworth, Lamed, Gibson and Dodge. In the spring of 1863 Billy was engaged to conduct a merchant train from Leavenworth to Denver, which being conducted through safely, he received a letter on the day of his arrival there informing him of the serious illness of his mother. Instantly he saddled his horse and made all possible speed homeward, riding almost day and night until he reached the bedsid s of his beloved parent. He was deeply distressed to find his mother quite ill, but not so ill as to banish hope for her recovery. But her sick- ness gave him such anxiety that he refused to leave home, remaining to minister to her comfort and necessi- ties. When the cold winds and sudden changes of fall ushered in the new season, Mrs. Cody gradually grew worse despite the most unremitting care, and on the 22d day of November she died. Billy could find nothing to console him for the loss of a parent so well beloved ; there was a void in his nature which no engagement could fill ; aimlessly he wandered about the old homestead with the face of his dead mother, pale and pitiful, ever before his confused eyes ; there, before him, were her noble acts ; her brave, self- sacrificing disposition, the source from whence he drew the very nourishment of his existence, the goodly counsel that made his manhood. How many tears he shed over her grave ; how many fresh flowers he planted in the coming spring ; how many hours he spent beside her last earthly resting place and bedewed it with copious offer- ings welling up from the springs of his heart ! There, under the prairie sod, > here the winds gambol ceaselessly with waving grasses and spontaneous flowers ; under the 278 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. branches of a tree planted by the hands that once carried water to her feverish lips and were clasped with hers in prayer, sleeps a pioneer's wife and a true hero's mother ; waiting the judgment day ; waiting that last reunion and forgetting the sorrowful experiences of this eventful life. The family, bereft of a mother, was not separated, for one of Billy's sisters having been married in the early part of the preceding spring, her husband settled on the homestead and kept the sisters of the family together. But Billy was now doubly anxious to do something that would divert his mind from the loss which gave him such heart-breaking grief ; and yet there seemed to be some- strange influence trying to hold him near the sacred earth which enclosed the remains of his soul's affection. Some weeks after this most melancholy incident Billy went to Leavenworth and there for the first time in his life, acting under the false impression that inebriety would mitigate his grief, deliberately drank to excess and naturally fell among wicked and depraved characters. While on a protracted spree and unconscious of what he was doing, he joined Jennison's Seventh Kansas Jay- hawkers, which had recently been organized for operation in Missouri, but they were soon called upon to perform some hard service in Tennessee and Mississippi. In the spring of 1864, Billy moved with his regiment to Memphis and from there to Tupelo, Miss., where, Gen. A. J. Smith having command, he participated in a hard fought battle with Gen. Forrest, the Confederates being badly whipped. After some skirmishing in Mississippi, Billy's regiment was ordered back to Missouri, entering the State at Cape Girardeau. The Confederate General Price had just entered upon his great raid in Missouri, and Jennison's regiment was ordered to push forward and either intercept the enemy or harass his rear until LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 279 Gen. Curtis could operate in conjunction with Gen. Smith. The courage, cunning and woodcraft displayed by Billy had not escaped the soldierly eye of Gen. Smith, and as brave and strictly reliable men were now urgently needed, he was made a non-commissioned officer and placed on detached service as scout. In this position he did not conime himself to the usual duties of scout, but voluntarily performed the additional and more dangerous service of spy, for which he was well qualified. Serving in this double capacity he obtained much valuable in- formation and soon became the pride of Gen. Smith's corps, and was regarded as one of the best general utility men in the whole army, never hesitating to perform a service however great the danger might be. While riding through Southern Missouri an incident occurred which well illustrates the magnanimity of his character. Being more than a mile in advance of the command, he came to a thrifty appearing farm-house at which he alighted for a drink of water. The only occu- pants of the house at the time were an elegant elderly lady and her beautiful daughter. These two ladies were at first very much frightened at the appearance of a Yan- kee, but nevertheless exhibited their courteous dispo- sitions by giving him water and setting out a chair with genuine hospitality, in which they asked him to rest. The elderly lady, in questioning Billy concerning the Union forces, was informed that the army was now less than one mile off and would soon march past the house. At this much fear was entertained and expressed by the ladies lest the soldiers should sack the premises and do violence to the place, knowing they were in an enemy' si country. But he quieted their solicitude by begging them to be unconcerned, as he would see that they were not molested. 17 280 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. As the army came up, preceded by the commander and staff officers, Billy placed himself at the entrance of the house to act as sentry and guard to protect the premises. A moment later several soldiers attempted to enter, but he ordered them to stop , declaring at the same time that he had been placed there to protect that property from mo- lestation. Not doubting his authority the soldiers pass- ed on and not a thing was taken from the place. The ladies felt so grateful to their protector that they prepared an excellent dinner for him, to which his hunger was paying tribute when suddenly three men sprang into the house and leveled their guns at him. " Hold on; don't hurt this gentleman; he is our friend !" cried the ladies to the three men, who were the husband and two brothers of the family. The guns were immediately lowered and when the situ- ation had been explained to them each of the men shook Billy warmly by the hand and thanked him heartily for his kind interference. The dinner being concluded under the happiest circumstances, Billy bade adieu to the family and by fast riding soon overtook the command. CHAPTER IX. YOUNG Cody remained with the army in Missouri, en- gaging in the conflicts between the Union forces and Gen. Price until the winter of 1864-5 put an end to the military operations and both armies went into winter quarters. During this period of inactivity Billy visited St. Louis and by good luck was detailed for special service at head- quarters. E OF BUFFALO Winter is always a gay season itt tliC (Sty \vitli its ti5- atres, balls, society gatherings, sleigh-riding and various recreative sports, and Billy being of a most entertaining and jovial character was very soon introduced to many charming ladies of St. Louis society. Among the large number of elegant and beautiful girls whose acquaintance he made was one specially attractive to him, she being the center of a large group of admirers, all of whom were striving for the honor of her smiles and preference. The young lady's name was Louisa Frederici, and she was the daughter of an old and influential citizen. Not only was she well connected and a lady of most admirable character, but she also possessed a beauty of face and perfection of form which were well nigh irresistible ; large, lustrous, brown eyes, beautifully arched with ele- gant brows ; skin fair as the lily, a mouth which seemed to invite kisses, and hair prof use as a Naiad's and black as a raven's wing. It is only proper to say that the first time Billy met the beautiful Louisa he fell in love too deep to ever hope for escape. But always a man of fortunate circumstances, his good luck did not forsake him in his love-making. It is unusual to descant upon the beauty of a man, but I will not be charged with hypercritical enthusiasm when I say that Billy was then, as he is now, certainly one of the handsomest men in America, a claim which I am sure all the ladies will maintain, gathering their opinion from the portrait given of him in this book. Miss Louisa thought she had never met a finer-appearing gentleman, and to say that Billy's all-absorbing affection was reciprocated is but to declare what the sequel proved. Before the winter expired he had made a frank ac- knowledgment of his love and elicited a response which led to an engagement, but while overjoyed at his excel- 282 HEROES or THE PLAINS. lent success he realized that he was illy prepared to take care of a wife just then ; so without fixing the date for their marriage the lover went back to his duties and re- mained with his command until the war closed. He then accepted the situation of stage driver proffered him by Bill Trotter, who was agent for that division of the road between Kearney and Plum Creek, the route which led over the same ground where Billy killed his first Indian. He continued to drive the stage until he had saved up several hundred dollars, and feeling now that he was in proper position for a consummation of his great desire, returned to St. Louis, where, on the 6th of March, 1866, he was married to Miss Frederici, the ceremony being performed at the bride's residence before a large assem- blage of friends. After receiving many congratulations, the couple tool^ passage on a Missouri river steamer for Kansas, whiclj was to be their home. During the bridal trip Billy was recognized by three o\ four passengers who had been pro-slavery men before th< war and Southern sympathizers throughout that event ful period. Hate and vengeance still rankled in theii bosoms, and though afraid themselves to attack the brave young Benedict, they found means to commu- nicate with some of their guerrilla friends that Bill Cody, the scout and fighter, was on board and might fall an easy prey to them. When the steamer landed at a desolate point on the river seventy-five miles west of Lexington, to take on a fresh supply of wood, more than a dozen guerrillas ap- peared on the bank and tried to board the boat, but the captain frustrated their designs by ordering the stage- plank drawn in and then backing the steamer out before the guerrillas could gain the deck. Several shots were LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 283 fired at the boat, but no special damage resulted. Billy had anticipated trouble, owing to remarks he had over- heard from a party that had engaged passage at Lexing- ton, and when the guerrillas appeared on the bank, in- stead of keeping himself close in his stateroom, he took a position at the head of the cabin stairs, and with a pistol in each hand, stood unconcernedly waiting for the approach of his enemies. Had they succeeded in getting on board there would have been one of the liveliest fights since Wild Bill met the McCandlas gang. When Cody and his beautiful bride reached Leaven- worth they were met at the landing by a long Kne of carriages, which they were soon apprised contained nearly a hundred of his friends, who, having learned of his marriage and passage on the steamer, had made large preparations to give him a grand reception. A band of music headed the carriage procession and the party were driven directly to the house of one of Billy's married sisters, where the day and evening were spent in a truly Western jollification, feasting, dancing and music, the festivities being participated in by the best society of Leaven worth, among whom Billy enjoyed great pop- ularity. Without wasting more time in a bridal tour, young Cody went to Salt Creek Valley, where he rented the house once occupied by his mother, and established a hotel known as the Golden Kule House, which he con- ducted with profit until the following September, when his old desire for the freedom and stirring adventures of the plains induced him to sell out and seek employment as a scout. At this time the Kansas Pacific railroad was in process of construction and had reached a point as far west as Salina, which had become an active place, and thither 284 HEROES OF THE PLAIHS. Billy directed Ms way. Beaching Junction City, he met Wild Bill, who was then scouting for the government, with headquarters at Fort Ellsworth (Fort Harker). By advice of the latter he proceeded to the post at Ells- worth, where his application for the position of scout was favorably received and he at once went on duty. While scouting and guiding parties between Fts. Ells- worth and Fletcher, in which service he was employed for a period of several months, he met Gen. Ouster, who had been ordered to accompany Gen. Hancock on an In- dian campaign. Ouster, with ten men, was at Ellsworth and desired a guide to conduct him to Ft. Lamed, a dis- tance of sixty-five miles. Cody was selected by the commanding officer of the post to accompany the General, who was to start on the following day. When the time for departure arrived Cody appeared riding a small, mouse-colored mule while Gen. Custer and his escort were mounted on fine, high-mettled steeds that were champing their bits with impatience to be off. Geu. Custer laughed heartily at the scout's sorry-looking pal- frey and declared that it would be impossible for the " lit- tle mouse" to travel as rapidly as he wished. Billy, however, insisted on riding the mule, and after a few hours of fast traveling the little animal began to show its bottom by keeping the advance and at length put so much distance between him and the fine war steeds that Billy had to rein up from time to time in order that the General might overtake him. The best laugh, therefore, was with him who laughed last, and Custer was so aston- ished that he wanted to trade his fine horse for the sorry little mule, for with Custer the chief consideration was rapid travel regardless of the means employed but he couldn't get the mule. Billy's social disposition and contagious good humor LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 285 won the admiration of Ouster, who expressed much anx- iety to engage his services, telling him that a position would he open for him at any time he desired to join the command. The friendship thus formed was cultivated in after years and was intimate until the pathetic but heroic death of that singularly brave officer. CHAPTER X. HAVING guided Gen. Ouster and his staff to Ft. Lamed Cody, on his return, was ordered to report at Ft. Hays. About this time a large band of Indians had at- tacked the working force on the Kansas Pacific railroad and besides killing six men they had driven off a hundred head of horses and mules. Major Ames of the Tenth Cavalry ( colored ) was or- dered to take one company and a mountain howitzer and pursue the marauders. Cody was selected as scout and guide to the expedition, which set out on the trail leading along the Saline river: . On the second day after leaving Hays the Indian camp was discovered on the opposite side of Saline river and preparations were hastily made for the attack. An oppor- tunity was now to be offered for the colored troops to manifest their pluck, a large amount of which they seem- ed to carry on their tongues which wagged continually with expressions of impatience to get * ' turned loose on de red coyotes." The Howitzer was stationed on a knoll overlooking the Indian camp and placed under a guard of twenty men, while the main portion of the com- pany crossed over to begin the attack. Scarcely had the HEROES OF THE PLAINS. crossing been made when a terrible yelling was heard in the rear, and upon looking back Major Ames beheld the colored flower of his army fleeing with all possible haste, hatless and without arms, before a hundred Indians that had charged on the guard and were now dancing around the captured howitzer. Major Ames had to take up just a little of the precious time in swearing at his cowardly men who had fled at the approach of the enemy without firing a gun ; but he soon ordered a charge back up the knoll and easily re-took the gun, but the Major was bad- ly wounded in the attack and the command thereafter practically fell on Cody. There were more Indians than had been anticipated, and the command was not sufficient to cope with them ; so af- ter a hard fight of about two hours it became a serious matter, not so much how to disperse the enemy as how to manage an escape, of which there seemed for a time small probability. A retreat was begun in which the colored troops unlimbered themselves in fine style, mak' ing good progress despite the dodging they practiced. Night approached at last like a generous friend and by the protection the darkness afforded about one-half the company succeeded in reaching Hays, the remainder having fallen victims to the victorious Indians, who, however, had suffered the loss of a goodly number of their warriors. Returning from a decidedly disastrous expedition Cody declared that he never wanted to go " hunting Indians again with colored poachers." From Ft. Hays he carried dispatches to Ft. Harker, and having nothing special to engage him there, he vis- ited Ellsworth where Wild Bill still made his headquar- ters. While on this visit he made the acquaintance of a Western character named William Rose, a railroad con- tractor and a man of many schemes. His hobby just at LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 287 this particular time chanced to be the location of a town, along the railroad, in which he expected to make a for- tune selling corner lots. He disclosed his enterprise to Cody, whom he knew by reputation, as did every other person in the West, and the matter was presented with such ingenious argument that Billy entered into the scheme inflated with the promises of the undertaking. Accordingly a sight was selected on the west side of Big Creek, one mile from Ft. Hays, which was duly laid out into blocks, with a large public square in the center, the whole being handsomely drawn on a plat of gorgeous colors. To give the place a start the two enterprising enthusiasts built the first house, which was a store, and stocked it with a good line of general merchandise. The town was then duly christened " Rome," because the place was expected to "howl." A lot was donated to uvery one who would erect a building thereon and this generous proposition had a most gratifying effect, for building began with such a rush that in one month's time there were two hundred frame residences, four stores, and about twenty saloons. Lots were selling rapidly for fifty dollars each and things were swimmingly prosperous with the firm of Cody & Rose. Visions of incalculable riches hung before their delighted imagina- tion and happiness was pictured by an approaching abil- ity to buy up the country, including the railroad then under construction. Rome was howling ! But just as fche dream was approaching realization, a gentleman aamed Webb Dr. Webb stopped in town and enquir- faig for the proprietors of .Rome, was directed to Cody & Rose's store, where he found the two gentlemen, as , figuring their prospective gains. ** Got a booming town here I we," said Dr. Webb by of introduction. HEBOES OF TUX FLA2VS. 44 Yes, got the best town now and the biggest city here- after on the road. Want to buy some lots?" responded Cody. " Well, I don't know as I want to buy any lots, but I would like to go into partnership with you." * * Partnership ! why, great heavens , man, we don 't want any partners." " I thought you might want to take me in since I ain agent for the K. P. road sent out to locate towns on the route." " That's all right, but we've got the bulge on you here and can take care of this town by ourselves." 44 Well, if that's your decision, I guess I' 11 have to start another town alongside of you just by way of compete tion." On the following day Dr. Webb went one mile west of Rome and laid out a town which he named Hays City. But Rome being altogether better situated than Hays and having such an admirable beginning, the Doctor made a proposition to donate two lots in his new place to every one who would erect a building thereon, and in addition to this, speakiu>g as if by authority of the railroad officials, he made the announcement that the company intended to locate and bu ;1 d their machine shops, round-house and depot at Hays City, leaving Rome in a permanent de- cline. These flattering representations so seriously affected the firm of Cody & Rose that during the next few days, when they saw the whole town of Rome either on rollers or on wagons moving over to Hays City, they would have closed out their prospects for two cents and a half on the dollar perhaps much less even than that. Very soon the two dispirited town-owners were sitting in front of their store, now the sole remaining building of the once LIFE OF BTTFFALO BILL. 281 flourishing town of Rome, contemplating the mutability of human expectation ; the presto, change ! from riches to the dull, solemn fact of comparative poverty. How many times they said to themselves and to each other, " Had we only taken Webb in as a partner ! " However, it was some consolation to receive from their successful rival a deed to four of the best lots in Hays, but this generous and balsamic application to their wounded anticipations did little to mitigate their feelings of poverty. During the short period that Rome was on the rise Billy had fitted up the rear part of his store and occupied it with his wife and infant daughter, Arta, but when the bankrupting hegira to Hays City set in Mrs. Cody paid a visit to her relations in St. Louis, where she remained for some time and until a comfortable home was prepared for her at Hays. Abandoning all hope of making anything out of town enterprises, Cody and his friend Rose took a sub-contract for grading five miles of road west of Big Creek, and while prosecuting this work Cody came into possession of a horse which afterward figured conspicuously in his interesting adventures. As Rose thoroughly understood railroad contract work he was left to boss the men while Billy performed an equally important work, furnishing them with meat. To procure these provisions it was necessary to hunt almost constantly, relying entirely on buffaloes, which were less plentiful in that section than in the country through which he had ridden the pony express. On one occasion as he was starting out on his favorite horse, Old Brigham by name, he saw half a do^en well- mounted officers approaching from Ft. Hays, who were for a buffalo hunt. Billy carried with him a breech- HEROES OF THE PLAINS. loading needle gun which he called " Lucretia Borgia," an excellent weapon ; but old Brigham's caparisons con- sisted solely of an ancient blind bridle. To the officers, who ascertained that Cody was also out after buffaloes, this " outfit," a sleepy, angular, old horse, without sad- dle, bottle or other accessories, appeared so ridiculous that they accosted him : " Young man, ain't that a sorry team you're driving? You don't expect to ride down any buffaloes with an old crow-bait like that, do you?" "Don't know, might catch up with the calves by pushing hard on the reins," answered Billy. The party had ridden out on the prairie scarcely two miles when they discovered a herd of eleven buffaloes making rapidly across the country toward a branch of Big Creek. The well mounted officers started after the game with all the speed they could get out of theii fine horses, expecting to run the buffaloes down within two or three miles. Instead of following the officers , Billy pulled the reins on Old Brigham, who uncoupled himself in fine style, and struck out at full speed on a dif- ferent course from that pursued by the other party. Cody knew from the direction and speed of the buffaloes about the point they would strike the creek, so heading for an objective point he struck the game fully a mile in ad- vance of the officers. Throwing off the old blind bridle he let his well-trained horse come alongside the herd, and when he would shoot a buffalo Brigham would run alongside another, and working thus as if by rule Billy killed the entire herd in twelve shots before the aston- ished officers came within firing distance. " You see," said Cody, as the well mounted amateur hunters came up to where he had dismounted and was now standing by his unbridled horse, " I pushed well on LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 291 the reins, a thing which you, perhaps, neglected to do. However, as I have got all the game, I don't want you to go back empty handed, so just help yourselves to tongues and tenderloins." The superior officer in the squad then remarked : " My name is Graham, Captain of the Tenth Cavalry ; now I want to know your name." ' ' Want to know my name ? Why, it' s nothing but Bill Cody." "Bill Cody I that they call Billy? Good gracious! I've heard of you more than of any other man in the West. Well, I am truly glad to see you. Let me introduce you to Lieutenants Ezekiel, Reed and Emmick, they all be- long to my regiment." " Glad to meet you, gentlemen, for I'm something of aft army man myself." " I want to say, Billy, or Mr. Cody, that I have heard much concerning your peculiar qualifications as a rider, hunter and fighter, but heretofore I have been inclined to discredit the stories told of you. But let me say now, that after seeing you perform the remarkable feat of kill- ing eleven buffaloes in about three minutes, fro in a horse without bridle or saddle, that I am prepared to believe al- most anything." " Why, Captain, that is no trick at all on my part, for old Brigham (that's my horse's name) is the one that did the hunting, I only did the shooting." This manner of conversation continued until the wagons gent out from Billy 'scamp came up to haul off the buffa- loes. But before separating the officers extended a very cordial invitation to Cody to visit them at Ft. Hays, where they expected to be stationed during the summer. 292 HEROES OF THB PLAINS. CHAPTER XI. completed the contract for grading five miles of road-bed, Billy was looking for another engagement when he received a proposition from the Goddard Broth- ers, who were boarding twelve hundred construction em- ployes, to furnish them with meat. The amount required was five buffaloes per day, to procure which involved hard riding, but the labor was small compared with the danger to be incurred from the Indians who were killing every white man they could find in that section. Never- theless, an offer of five hundred dollars per month for the service made Billy unmindful of the exertion or peril, and he went to work under contract to supply all the meat required. During this engagement he had no end of won- derful escapes from bands of Indians, not a few of whom he sacrificed to secure his own safety. By actual count he also killed, under his contract with theXroddard Broth- ers, four thousand two hundred and eighty buffaloes. To appreciate the extent of this slaughter, by approximate measurement, these buffaloes, if laid on the ground end to end, would make a line more than five miles long, and if placed sideways, on top of each other, they would make a pile over two miles high. By special arrangements all the heads of the largest buffaloes killed by Bill were preserved and delivered to the K. P. railroad company, by which they were turned into excellent advertisements for the road. Many of these heads may still be seen in prominent places marking the center of an oval board containing the advertisement of the road. So well had Billy performed his part of the contract that the men connected with the Kansas Pacific road gr ve LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 295 him the appellation by which he is still known through- out the world, " BUFFALO BILL." A record of all his battles with the Indians during this period of professional hunting would be so long that few could read it without tiring, for there is a sameness connected with attacks and escapes which it is difficult to recite in language always sparkling with interest. But Buffalo Bill being a brave man under all circumstances when bravery is essential, and cautious when that element subserved the purpose better, was almost daily in a posi- tion of danger, and many times escaped almost like the Hebrew children from the furnace. So justly celebrated had Buffalo Bill now become that Kit Carson, on his return from Washington City in the fall of 1867, stopped at Hays City to make his acquaintance. Carson was so well pleased with Bill's appearance and excellent social qualifications that he remained for several days the guest of the celebrated buffalo killer and scout. Upon parting, the renowned Kit expressed the warmest admiration for his host and conveyed his consideration by inviting Bill to visit him at Fort Lyon, Colorado, where he intended making his home. But the death of Carson the following May prevented the visit. Like every other man who achieves distinction by su- perior excellence in some particular calling, Buffalo Bill (who had now shed the familiar title of Billy), had his would-be rivals as a buffalo killer. Among this number was a well-known scout named Billy Comstock, who sought to dispute the claim of champion. Comstock was quite famous among the Western army, being one of the oldest scouts and most skillful hunters. He was mur- dered by Indians seven years after the event about to be recorded, while scouting for Custer. \o Bill was somewhat startled on day upon re 294 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ceipt of a letter from a well-known army officer offering to wager the sum of $500 that Comstock could kill a greater number of buffaloes in a certain given time, under stipulated conditions, than any other man living. This was, of course, a challenge to Buffalo Bill, who, upon mentioning the facts, found hundreds of friends anxious to accept the wager, or who would have put up any amount that Bill's claim to the championship could not be successfully disputed by any person living. The bet was promptly accepted, and the following conditions agreed to : A large herd of buffaloes being- found, the two men were to enter the drove at eight o'clock, A. M., and employ their own tactics for killing un- til four o'clock, p. M., at the end of which time the one having killed the largest number was to be declared win- ner of the wager and also the * champion buffalo killer of America." To determine the result of the hunt, a referee was to accompany each of the hunters on horse- back and keep the score. The place selected for the trial was twenty miles east of Sheridan, Kansas, where the buffaloes were so plenti- ful that thousands could be found without difficulty, and the country being a level prairie rendered the hunt easy and afforded an excellent view for those who wished to witness the exciting contest. There was so much excitement created by a general publication of the match that when the day arrived several hundred visitors were present, among the crowd being an excursion party of one hundred people from St. Louis, which was accompanied by Buffalo Bill's wife and youngest daughter. Comstock was well mounted on a strong, spirited horse and carried a 42-calibre Henry rifle. Buffalo Bill appeared on his famous horse. Old Brigham, and in this LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 295 he certainly had great advantage, for this sagacious ani- mal knew all about his rider's style of hunting buffaloes, and therefore needed no reining. The party rode out on the prairie at an early hour in the morning and soon discovered a herd of about one hundred buffaloes grazing on a beautiful stretch of ground just suited for the work in hand. The two hunt- ers rode rapidly forward accompanied by their referees, while the spectators followed a hundred yards in the rear. At a given signal the two contestants dashed into the center of the herd, dividing it so that Bill took the right half while Comstock pursued those on the left. Now the sport began in magnificent style amid the cheers of excited spectators, who rode as near the contest- ants as safety and non-interference permitted. Buffalo Bill, after killing the first half-dozen stragglers in the herd, began an exhibition of his wonderful skill and strategy ; "by riding at the head of the herd and pressing the leaders hard toward the left, he soon got the drove to circling, killing those that were disposed to break off on a direct line. In a short time witnesses of this novel contest saw Buffalo Bill driving his portion of the herd in a beautiful circle and in less than half an hour he had all those in his bunch, numbering thirty-eight, lying around within a very small compass. Comstock, in the meantime, had done some fine work, but by attacking the rear of his herd he had to ride di- rectly away from the crowd of anxious spectators. He succeeded in killing twenty-three which, however, lay ir- regularly over a space three* miles in extent, and there- fore while he killed fewer than his rival, he at the same time manifested less skill, which, by contrast, showed most advantageously for Buffalo Bill. All the party having returned to the apex of a beauti- 18 296 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ful knoll, a large number of champagne bottles were pro- duced and amid volleys of flying corks toasts were drunk to the buffalo heroes, Buffalo Bill being especially lauded and now a decided favorite. But these ceremonies were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of another small herd of buffalo cows and calves, into which the two contestants charged precipi- tately. In this "round" Bill scored eighteen, while Comstock succeeded in killing only fourteen. The superiority of Buffalo Bill was now so plainly shown that his backers, as well as himself, saw that he could afford to give an exhibition of his wonderful horse- manship, while continuing the contest, without fear of losing the stakes. Accordingly, after again regaling themselves with champagne and other appetizing acces- sories, the cavalcade of interested spectators rode north- ward for a distance of three miles, where they discov- ered a large herd of buffaloes quietly browsing. The party then halted, and Buffalo Bill, removing both sad- dle and bridle from Old Brigham, rode off on his well- trained horse, directing him solely by motions of his hand. Reaching the herd by circling and coming down upon it from the windward quarter, the two rival hunters rushed uponf" the surprised buffaloes and renewed the slaughter. After killing thirteen of the animals, Buffalo Bill drove one of the largest buffaloes in the herd toward the party, seeing which many ladies who were among the interested spectators became very much frightened, show- ing as much trepidation , perhaps, as they would have man- ifested hud the buffalo been an enraged lion. But when the ponderous, shaggy-headed beast came within a few yards of the party Bill shot it dead, thus giving a grand coup d'etat to the day's sport, which closed with this magnificent exhibition of skill and daring. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 299 The day having now been far spent, and time called, it was found that the score stood thus : Buffalo Bill, sixty-^ nine ; Comstock, forty-six. The former was therefore declared winner and entitled to the championship as the most skillful buffalo-slayer in America. CHAPTER XH. AFTER the great buffalo killing match the name of Buffalo Bill became familiar all over the country, and his exploits, generally, were a topic people never grew tired of discussing. All his great battles with the Indians and valuable services as a scout were re-told, not only at the fireside, but also by the military operating in the West. He was beginning to be appreciated. In the spring of 1868 a violent Indian war broke out in central and western Kansas, which assumed such a serious aspect that Gen. Sheridan, in order to be on the field, took up his headquarters at Hays City. Directly after making this move the General sent for Buffalo Bill and in person tendered him a position as scout and guide, which was immediately accepted. He was then ordered to report to Capt. Parker, at Fort Lamed, for services. Knowing that he would be absent from home for a long time, he sent his wife and child to Leaven worth, where he would have better opportunities of visiting them than elsewhere. Reaching Ft. Lamed Bill was appointed a special scout to Gen. Hazen who had just arranged for a trip to Ft. Sarah, thirty miles distant. Near Larned there were sev- eral bands of Comanche and Kiowa Indians who had not 300 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. yet joined their hostile brothers, but were seeking a pre- text for so doing, especially as the fort was garrisoned by only two companies of infantry and one of cavalry. The head chief of these restless Comanches was Satanta, an old villain who has since figured in Texas outrages and been duly hanged according to a righteous law. Gen. Hazen started for Ft. Sarah in a six-mule wagon under an infantry escort of twenty men , with Buffalo Bill as guide. The trip was made in safety, but as the General concluded to go on to Ft. Harker without a guide, Bill was ordered to return to Larned. Mounting his mule he was making good time toward the post, when about half way, near Pawnee Kock, forty Indians came rushing down on him . Instead of presenting their arms , however, they presented their hands, saying, " How I How ! " with such warmth of feeling that Bill accepted their greeting, but instead of shaking his hand they jerked inm with such violence that he was almost unseated, while others in the party grabbed the reins of his bridle and started to lead the mule off. Bill was at an unreasonable disadvantage, but nevertheless he was ready for a fight regardless of the odds. Fortunately for him, as it proved, when he at- tempted to draw his pistols one of the Indians struck him a violent blow on the head with a tomahawk, render- ing him so nearly insensible thatthiey easily disarmed and bound him. All this time the Indians were howling their war cries and otherwise indicated their purpose of going on the warpath, so that Bill very naturally supposed he was to be one of their first victims. His captors led him for nearly two miles down a creek, where they reached another body of Indians apparently in council. Old Satanta, whom Bill knew by having seen once before, occupied the chief council seat, and be- fore this old veteran thief and murderer he was brought. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 301 At this juncture a marvelously cunning expedient came to mind and was at once adopted by Bill. He knew that the Indians were nearly out of meat and were expecting a large herd of cattle which had already been promised them by Gen. Hazen. In reply, therefore, to the first in- quiries of Satanta, Bill, speaking in a very bold and osten- tatious manner, said : ' ' I have been after a big heap lot ' who-haws ' for your people. Why have your young warriors acted to ward me like a pack of hungry coyotes?" This announcement caused the old rogue to change his facial expression from a demure, murderous look to a broad , happy grin ; and after questioning the cunning scout until he had elicited more specious prevarications than can be heard in a Turkish court, Satunta tried to outlie Bill by declaring that his young men had meant no harm by their acts, intending only to have some sport by testing his bravery. He now asked Bill to drive the cat- tle down to the opposite side of the creek where they could herd and graze them, proffering an Indian escort if he desired. Bill promptly told him that he needed no escort but would drive the cattle to the spot indicated, as that was in pursuance of instructions from Gen. Hazen. His mule having been returned to him Bill mounted and rode toward the creek, reflecting on the excellent suc- cess of his expedient and the probability of being fol- lowed. The creek was quite broad but easily forded, so that it was no barrier to pursuit if the Indians should suspect the falsity of his representations. Upon reach- ing the opposite bank he was therefore very much alarmed at seeing a dozen of the Indians riding toward him as if to determine the accuracy of his statements. It chanced that the land on that side of the creek which 302 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. he had now gained was considerably depressed, so that af- ter passing over the bank he was hidden from view until the Indians gained the apex. This advantage he used so well, by putting the mule at his highest rate of speed, that when the suspicious Indians gained the bank's sum- mit he was fully one mile in advance and riding furiously toward Ft. Larned. Upon seeing the fleeing scout there were no further grounds for suspecting his motives, so the Indians, who were mounted on excellent ponies, dashed after him as though they were impelled by a promised reward of all the whisky and bacon in the Big Father's commissary for his scalp. Bill was trying to save his hair and the Indians were equally anxious to secure it, so that the ride prompted by these diametrically opposed motives was as furious as Tarn O'Shanter's. After running over about three miles of ground Bill turned his head only to be horrified with the sight of his pursuers gaining rapidly on him. He now sank the spurs a little deeper into his mule, let out another inch of the reins and succeeded in increasing the speed of his animal, which appeared to be sailing under a second wind. It was thus the chase continued to Ash Grove, four miles from Ft. Larned, at which point Bill was less than half a mile ahead of the Indians, who were trying to make line shots with him and his mule as the target. Reach- ing Pawnee Fork he dashed into that stream and as he gained the opposite shore and was rounding a thick clump of trees he was rejoiced to meet Denver Jim, a promi- nent scout, in company with a private soldier, driving a wagon toward the post. A moment spent in explanation determined the three LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 305 men upon an ambush. Accordingly, the wagon was hastily driven into the woods, and posting themselves at an advantageous point they awaited the appearance of the red-skinned pursuers. "Look out!" said Bill, "here they come, right over my trail." True enough, the twelve painted warriors rode swiftly around the clump of brush, and the next instant there was a discharge of shots from the ambush which sent two Indians sprawling on the ground, where they kicked out their miserable existence. The others saw the danger of their position, and making a big circle, rode rapidly back toward their war party. When the three men reached Larned, Buffalo Bill and Denver Jim each displayed an Indian scalp as trophies of a successful ambush, and at the same time apprised Capt, Parker of the hostile character of Satanta and his tribe. On the following day about eight hundred warriors appeared before the fort and threatened to storm it, but being met with a determined front they circled around the post several times, keeping the soldiers inside until their village could move off. Considerable fear was entertained at the fort, owing to the great number of hostile Indians who practically invested it, and it was deemed by Capt. Parker as of the utmost importance to send dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, informing him of the situation. Fort Hays was sixty- five miles distant from Fort Larned, and as the country was fairly swarming with the worst kind of * ' bad ' L Indians, Capt. Parker tried in vain to find some one wh& would carry the dispatches, until the request was made of Buffalo BilL This expedition was not within Bill's line of duty, and presented dangers that would have caused the boldest man to hesitate ; but finding all the couriers absolutely refusing to perform the necessary 306 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. service, he agreed to deliver the message, provided he could select the horse that he wanted to ride. Of course this requirement was readily assented to, and at ten o'clock at night, during a terrible storm, the brave scout set out, knowing that he had to run a very gauntlet of hostiles, who would make many sacrifices if by so doing they could lift his coveted scalp. The profound darkness of the night afforded him some security from surprise, but his fears of riding into an In- dian camp were realized when he reached Walnut Creek. A barking dog was the first intimation of his position, but this was speedily followed by several Indians pursu- ing him, being directed by the sounds of his horse's feet. By hard riding and good dodging, however, he eluded these, and meeting with no further mishap than being thrown over his horse's head by reason of the animal suddenly stepping into a gopher hole, he reached Fort Hays shortly after daylight and delivered the dispatches he carried before Gen. Sheridan had arisen from bed. After delivering the message Bill went over to Hays City, where he was well acquainted, and after taking some refreshments, lay down and slept for two hours. Think- ing then that Gen . Sheridan might want to ask him some questions regarding the condition of affairs at Larned, he returned to the fort and reported to him. He was some- what astonished to find that Gen. Sheridan was as anx- ious to send a dispatch to Ft. Dodge, ninety-five miles dis- tant, as Capt. Parker had been to communicate with his su- perior at Ft. Hays, and more surprised was he to find that of the numerous couriers and scouts at the fort not one could be induced to carry the General's dispatch, though the sum of five hundred dollars was offered for the ser- vice. Seeing the quandary in which Gen. Sheridan was placed, Bill addressed that official and gaid * LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 307 "Well, General, I'll go over to the hotel and take a little more rest, and if by four o'clock you have not secured some one to carry your dispatches I will undertake to do it ." The General replied : " I don't like to ask so much of you, for I know you are tired, but the matter is, of great importance and some one must perform the trip. I'll give you a fresh horse and the best at the Fort if you'll undertake it." " "All right, General, I'll be ready at four o'clock/' re- sponded Bill, and he then went over to the hotel, but meeting with many friends and the irrigating ' ' being good, he obtained only the rest that gay compan- ionship affords. At the appointed time Bill was ready, and receiving the dispatches at the hands of Gen . Sheridan he mounted his horse and rode away for Ft. Dodge. After his departure there was much debate among the scouts who bade him good bye respecting the probability of his getting through, for the Indians were thick along the whole route, and only a few days before had killed three couriers and several settlers. Bill continued his ride all night, meeting with no inter- ruption, and by daylight the next morning he had reached Saw-Log Crossing, on Pawnee Fork, which was seventy- five miles from Ft. Hays. A company of colored caval- ry under Major Cox was stationed here, and it being on the direct route to Ft. Dodge, Bill carried a letter with him from Gen. Sheridan requesting Major Cox to furnish him with a fresh horse upon his arrival there. This the Major did, so after partaking of a good breakfast, Bill took his remount and continued on to Dodge, which point he gained at ten o'clock in the morning, making the ninety-five miles in just eighteen hours from the time of starting. 308 HEEOES OF THE PLAINS, The commanding officer at Ft. Dodge, after receiving the dispatches, remarked : " I am very glad to see you, Cody, and I'll tell you that the trip just made is one of the most fortunate I know of. It is almost a miracle how you got through without having your body filled as full of holes as a pep- per box. The Indians are swarming all around within fifty miles of here, and to leave camp voluntarily is al- most equal to committing suicide. I have been wanting to send a message to Ft. Larned for several days, but the trip is so dangerous that I can't find any one who will risk it, and I wouldn't blame the bravest man for re- fusing." " Well, Major, as I didn't find any Indians between here and Hays, I think I might get through to Larned ; in fact, I want to go back there and if you will furnish me with a good horse I'll try to carry your message." " I don't think it would be policy for you to make the trip now, especially since you have done so much hard riding already. Besides, the best mount I could give you would be a government mule." " All right, Major, I don't want the best, second best is good enough for me, so trot out your mule. I'll take a little nap and in the meantime have your hostler slick up the mule so he can slide through with me like a greased thunderbolt should the reds jump us." Bill then went off, and after * liquidating ' ' in true Western style, lay down in the Major's quarters where he slept soundly until nearly five o'clock in the evening, when, having replenished his canteen, he mounted the pa- tient mule and set out for Ft. Larned, which was sixty- five miles east of Ft. Dodge. After proceeding as far as Coon Creek, which was nearly half way, Bill dismounted for the purpose of get- LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 309 ting a drink of water. While stooping down the mule got frightened at something and jerked loose, nor did the stupid animal stop to consider how essential his service was to his rider, for he at once set off in a trot down the creek. In vain did Bill coax the mule with promises of oats and green pastures ; the stupid descendant of Ba- laam's admonisher could not be fooled with that sort of flattery, and the chagrined and weary scout had to follow in the rear, hoping that the animal would step on the loosened reins and thus check himself. But mile after mile did the dismounted and now infuriated scout follow that irritating mule. Time and again did he decide to shoot the tantalizing animal, but the decision did not pre- vail against his better reaaon; for though useless as a conveyance the mule still carried the saddle and bridle and it were better to make him bear th-> burden of these to Ft, Lamed than attempt to carry them himself. Thus the two traveled in the direction of Ft. Larned all night, both keeping in the main road despite the dan- ger which it threatened . In the morning just as the sun was peeping over the hazy hilltops Bill and the mule reached a high knoll at the bottom of which lay the fort. " Now," said the scout to himself, " I'm going to manage the rest of this journey, in as much as it is less than half a mile long," and with this he raised his gun with venge- ful deliberation and fired a slug into the rear abutments of that incomparably malicious mule. One shot did not afford the complete satisfaction he desired, and it was really grateful to him to see the animal die so slowly. So much sin required a dreadful amount of atonement, and while the mule was in the atoning business it was expedi- ent that he should do as much of it as possible. So died the ass that looked back with scorn, and no man knoweth 310 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. how much evil perished with him ; yea, even unto this day knoweth no man. After reaching Larned carrying the bridle and saddle himself Buffalo Bill spent several hours in refreshing sleep, and when he awakened he found Gen. Hazen try- ^ng to induce some of the couriers to take his dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, at Ft. Hays. Having been warmly and very justly praised for the long and perilous rides he had just completed, Bill again proffered his services to perform the trip . At first Gen . Hazen refused to despatch him on the mission, saying, "This is like riding a free horse to death ; you have already ridden enough to kill any ordinary man, and I don't think it would be treating you properly to permit you to make this additional jour- ney." But when evening came and no other volunteer could be engaged, as a matter of last resort Bill was given a good horse and the dispatches entrusted to him for trans- mission. It was after nightfall when he started on this last trip and by daylight the next morning he was in Ft. Hays, where he delivered the dispatches. Gen. Sheridan was profoundly astonished to see Bill before him again in so short a time, and after being informed of his wonderful riding during the three days, the General pronounced it a feat that was never equaled, and even now Gen. Sheridan maintains that no other man could accomplish the same distance under similar circumstances. To this day the rides here described stand on record as the most remark- able ever made. They aggregated three hundred and fifty-five miles in fifty-eight riding hours, or an average of more than six miles an hour including an enforced walk of thirty-five miles. When it is considered that all this dis- tance was made during the night time and through a coun- try full of hostile Indians, without a road to follow or a LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 311 bridge to cross the streams, the feat appears too incredu- lous for belief were it not for the most indisputable evi- dence, easily attainable, which makes disbelief impos- sible. CHAPTER XHL GEN. SHEKIDAN was so favorably impressed by the self-sacrificing spirit and marvelous endurance of Buffalo Bill, and being already acquainted with his reputation as a brave man and superior fighter, that he called the noted scout to his headquarters directly after receiving Major Hazen's dispatches, and said : " Cody, I have ordered the Fifth Cavalry to proceed against the Dog Soldier Indians who are now terrorizing the Republican River district, and as the campaign will be a very important one I want a first-class man to guide the expedition. From my brief acquaintance with you I am convinced that you are the person best suited for this service. I have therefore decided to appoint you guide and also chief of scouts of the command. I hope the place will be acceptable to you, for it is particularly de- sirable that the very best guide and scout should fill this position, and I am frank to say I have thorough confi- dence in your abilities." Giving his big sombrero a careless whirl on his left hand, Bill answered in his usual indifferent manner : " I thank you, General, for this compliment ; I am al- ways ready to execute your orders, and if you consider me the best man for the place, why, then, I'm off without 312 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Only two days before this occurrence a body of twenty scouts, under Gen. Forsythe, had returned from the Re- publican river, where they had been engaged in one of the most desperate battles ever fought with the Indians. The original force of the scouts was fifty men, but being corraled by five hundred Indians on the Arickaree they had to fight this overpowering number from breastworks made of their dead mules for a period of six days. In order to sustain life they fed on the bodies of their dead animals, and when at last relieved by a detachment of cavalry under Col. Carpenter, there were only twenty of the original number left, the others having been killed outright or died from neglected wounds. On the third of October, nearly a week after Buffalo Bill's appointment, the Fifth Cavalry arrived at Ft. Hays, where he was directly introduced to the officers and it was but a short time before he had won the friendship and admiration of them all. In two days after their arriva* the regiment was put upon the march, going by the most direct route toward the infested country. The transportation facilities com- prised seventy-five six mule wagons, with a full comple- ment of ambulances, the whole outfit when stretched out on the prairie making a caravan most imposing in ap- pearance. During the first four days of marching no Indians were seen and nothing occurred beyond the usual inci- dents of camp life ; but on the evening of October 10th, as the command was preparing to go into camp on the Saline river, when all the horses were unsaddled and the wagons corraled, the regiment was surprised by several hundred Indians who rushed down from neighboring hill upod the unprepared expedition and created great excite- ment. A cordon of men was quietly thrown around thes LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 313 wagon* to protect the camp and afford time for the troops to get their horses readv and mount. The Indians cir* ^. ~< p- I > cled around the bustling command, assuming various atti- tudes on their ponies and shooting at the same time, but 314 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. they were met with such an effective fire from the cordon that they retreated, leaving several dead bodies on the field. Buffalo Bill was the first man to get his horse in readiness, and mounting in advance of all the rest, led the van several hundred yards in pursuing the Indians, two of whom he killed and wounded the horse of another. Feeling safe from attack now, the regiment returned to camp, intending to follow the trail made by the attacking party early the next morning. It was scarcely daylight when the command was put in motion, following the trail sharply, which led to the South Fork of Solomon river, where it scattered. Here the expedition went into camp again, and as it was scarcely yet three o'clock, p. M., Col. Royal requested Bill to take a short circuit over the prairie and try to kill a few buffaloes, as their fresh meat supply was almost exhausted. 4 'All right," responded Bill, "send a wagon along with me to haul in the carcasses." " It is not a custom of mine to count profits before beginning business. Kill your game first, and then I'll send out the wagons," the Colonel replied. Without saying anything more, Bill mounted his horse and rode away toward the north, unaccompanied. After an absence of nearly two hours, some of the soldiers discerned a number of moving things, evidently advanc- ing toward them. Closer and closer came the .singular objects, until at last there was discovered a horseman, riding in the rear of six large terror-stricken buffaloes. In another moment the animals had charged directly into camp, where they were shot down by Bill. Col. Royal, hearing the agitation outside his tent, rushed up to Bill, who he discovered was the cause of the excitement, and vigorously embellishing his language, LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 315 by what authority he had aroused so much con- fusion in the camp. In a most lugubriously penitential way Bill replied : "I didn't mean any harm, Colonel; but as you wouldn't send out a wagon to haul in my game, I thought It would be an accommodation to you if I made the buf- faloes furnish their own conveyance. Allow me to pre- sent you with some choice tongues." The Colonel could not face this ingenious reply, and his anger was at once succeeded by a hearty laugh ; nor did he refuse the buffalo tongues proffered him by the seem- ingly reckless hunter. The expedition resumed its march on the following day, but reached Buffalo Tank on Saline river without meeting any more Indians. Here the command was turned over to Gen. E. A. Carr who had been sent out from Ft. Hays with the Forsythe scouts. Upon pro- ceeding to Beaver Creek a large, fresh Indian trail was discovered, which being followed for a distance of eight miles brought about two hundred Indians in view, who occupied a position on the bluffs. Company M was or- dered forward, which being commanded by an impetuous and daring French Lieutenant named Schinosky, the In- dians were driven over the bluffs for more than a mile. Suddenly they were reinforced and company M. found itself fighting over four hundred red-skins without the least protection. It looked for a short while as if there were no escape from the murderous fire poured upon them by the Indians. Buffalo Bill hearing the rapid fir- ing over the bluffs, knew there was desperate work be- ing done, and he spedl away in advance of the main com- mand which was hurrying up to Schinosky' s assistance. Gaining the environment, he shot two Indians and then wheeling back he returned to headquarters and so accu- 19 316 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. rately described the position of the savages that Gen. Carr moved two companies so as to surround the enemy, when a combined attack was made with such fury that the battle was soon ended. The Indians being repulsed fell back with the soldiers pursuing until a second force of about six hundred war- riors came into view, who had been in reserve to protect their village, while the others deployed to bring the sol- diers into an ambush. But the cavalry force was much greater than the Indians had anticipated, and after mak- ing two insignificant charges they precipitately retreated. Night was now rapidly approaching and Gen. Carr or- dered the tired soldiers into camp, where a good rest was necessary for the movements of the morrow. On the following day the expedition raised camp at an early hour and taking up the trail where they left it at the village, pushed forward so rapidly that about three oVock they sighted a large force of Indians who turned back the moment they were discovered and gave battle. But they fought very shy, their purpose being to check the cavalry advance so as to permit their village to es- cape. Finding that a battle front would not serve their purpose, they set the dry prairie grass on fire, but it was too short to burn rapidly. A running fight continued until the occupants of the village had abandoned all their mo*e cumbersome materials, such as lodge-poles, kettles, robes, bedding, etc. They now traveled much more rapidly, so that the troops rarely came within gun-shot distance. The pursuit continued for three days until the Indian* had scattered so badly that it was impossible for an army to follow them any longer. Having abandoned pursuit of the Dog Soldier Indians the expedition set out for the headwaters of Beaver Creek. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 317 After traveling about thirty-five miles Gen. Carrrode for- ward until he overtook Buffalo Bill, who as guide and chief of scouts, was riding considerably in advance of the command, and addressing him said : " Cody, all the Forsyth scouts declare you are going in the wrong direction , and also that we are not likely to strike any water to-day by proceeding on this, route ; that if you should strike any of the branches of the Beaver you would certainly find them dry at this season." Beaver Creek the Trapper's Elysian. Bill answered : " I've been over this country several times, General, and notwithstanding what the other scouts say, I think we will find plenty of good water within eight miles of here, and that we are making directly for the point you wish to reach." "All right ; but remember that the matteris too serious to admit of mistakes ; the responsibility is now all your own," and so saying General Carr rode back to the com- mand. 318 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. After marching seven miles further the Forsyth scouts again declared that they were wandering in the wrong di- rection, but notwithstanding their forebodings, within the distance asserted by Bill a beautiful stream of water was discovered purling along the ravines, almost hidden by the trees which lined its banks. A level, grassy spot having been selected, about four o'clock in the evening everything was put in preparation for camping in an enemy's coun- try. This stream, which was a branch of Beaver river, having no location on the then existing maps, was named by Gen. Carr Cody's Creek in honor of his distinguished guide, a name by which it is now known on all the topo- graphical maps of Kansas. On the following morning camp was broken early and the march toward Beaver Creek resumed. Buffalo Bill 9 as was his custom, had ridden nearly a quarter of a mile ahead of the command, and first striking the Beaver at a wide point was riding along the bank seeking a safe cross- ing. As he emerged from a thick covert in abend of the creek he suddenly confronted a party of Indians who fired on him, shooting his horse dead. Bill was taken by such complete surprise that as his horse fell he went tumbling headlong into a thicket, from which it took some moments to extricate himself. As he arose another volley of bul- lets came zipping into his retreat, but bringing his faith-* ful rifle into position he shot one of the Indian's ponies and held the whole party at bay until the command reached him. Company I, under Lieutenant Brady, was sent in pursuit of the Indians, and being accompanied by Bill, who had been furnished with another horse, a lively battle was soon precipitated. But the Indians beat a retreat, followed by the soldiers, who succededin killing several and capturing a large quantity of Indian equip- age. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 319 The expedition continued beating the skirts of Beaver Creek for some days, but finding no more Indians, and supplies running short, Gen. Carr ordered the command to Fort Wallace, where it remained for several days. During this period of quiet, Bill amused himself by pursuing his favorite sport, buffalo and antelope shooting. Having met with uniform success on these hunts, three of the other scouts concluded to accompany him, and the party, all being excellent marksmen, a wagon was given them to haul in their game. The quartette of hunters had proceeded seven or eight miles from the foit, when they discovered a large herd of buffaloes, running rapidly toward Beaver Creek. Pursuit was, of course, given, and the sport became so exciting that the hunters took no concern or thought of danger until they discovered about fifty Indians bearing down on them, shutting off a retreat toward Wallace. The boys saw they were in for a hard fight, and Bill, being recognized as a boss fighter and stayer, was looked to for advice. 4 'Make for that ravine ; if we reach that in time we san stand them off for a while anyhow." This was his first order, and it was obeyed with such alacrity that the party not only reached the ravine, but had also dismounted in time to send such a destructive volley into the charging Indians that four were unseated. This checked the advance, but only for a moment, when they again came pouring down upon the hunters, yelling like the materialized spirits of hades. But again the repeating guns of the four brave hunters played upon them so disastrously that the Indians fell back. Sally- ing, however, after a council of several minutes, they made another charge, coming so close this time that one of the hunters was wounded and three of their horse* 320 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. were killed. But the attack was again successfully re- pulsed, with such loss to the Indians that they retreated, and riding rapidly due north were seen no more. The four hunters had reason to rejoice at the victory they had won, but though they had only three sound horses and a wounded companion, the hunt was not yet abandoned. Another herd of buffaloes being found, the wounded man remained in the wagon, while the others set off: after the gams, and killed as many as their means of transportation justified. Having now succeeded as both fighters and hunters, the party returned to the fort with trophies of their adventures and received well deserved compliments from Gen. Carr for their deeds. CHAPTER XIV. AFTER leaving Fort Wallace, Gen. Carr's forces were ordered to winter along the Canadian river, in which portion of the country Indians were occasionally com- mitting depredations. Proceeding, therefore, to Fort Lyon, the command was duly equipped for the approach- ing season, and then set out, intending to overtake and consolidate with Gen. Penrose, who had departed toward Camp Supply three weeks previously. Buffalo Bill was especially anxious for the consolidation, because Wild Bill, his old friend, was Gen. Penrose' s chief of scouts. Winter was now near at hand, and reaching Freeze Out Canon, they found the snow so deep that it was almost impossible to march through it. To overcome this obsta- cle the command, as far as practicable, was put to work ihoveling and beating a roadway for the teams, which LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 321 were brought through only with the greatest difficulty. After a very long march, full of hardships and suffer- ings, Gen. Penrose's camp was found on the Palodora in a most distracted condition. Their provisions had long been exhausted and life had been sustained by eat- ing the carcasses of their draught animals. After a lib- eral distribution of rations among the famishing men, Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill covenanted together for a good time of their own, to accomplish which they tapped a beer train which was being driven through by a party of Mexicans to Camp Evans to trade to the soldiers at that point, which was only twelve miles from the Palodora station. Indulging to their full capacity, the soldiers were not forgotten , and there was hilarity in camp o'f the most in- spiriting character, changing all factious grumbling into a hearty good time, in this sense proving a positive ben- efit to the two suffering commands. Arriving at Camp Evans, Wild Bill was despatched to Camp Supply, two hundred miles distant, and the armies settled in tempo- rary quarters to await his return. The trip was made in an almost incredibly short time, his celerity being due to orders from Supply informing Gens. Penrose and Carr of Black Kettle's depredations on the Wachita, and order- ing them to pursue him . Following out these in structions the consolidated commands moved rapidly along the Cimarron until they discovered the Indians, when a ter- rific battle immediately ensued. In this fight Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill did almost the work of a regiment ; braver men never went into an action, both fighting as though they were invulnerable. In the fury and rout which followed the first charge Wild Bill gave chase to Black Kettle, head chief of the Cheyennes engaged, and overtaking the fleeing red war- 322 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. rior, stabbed him to death. But the accomplishment of this heroic action would have cost him his own life had not Buffalo Bill ridden with impetuous daring into the very midst of fully fifty Indians who had surrounded Wild Bill intent on either his capture or death. These two daring and intrepid scouts plunged furiously into the midst of the Indians, each with a revolver in either hand, and literally carved their way through the surging mass of red skins, leaving a furrow of dead Indians in their wake. Such fighting, such riding, and such marvelous intrepidity combined, were doubtless never equaled, and if but this act alone could be credited to the valor of Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill their names would deserve inscription on Fame's enduring monument. Having broken the strength of the Cheyennes, killed their famous chief and captured so many of their best warriors, Gen. Carr, who was chief in command of the consolidated forces, returned toward Camp Supply, but owing to heavy snows it was considered more advisable to pitch their tents on the Canadian river, especially as the country abounded with game. During this latter encampment a serious feud was cre- ated between fifteen Mexican scouts with Gen. Penrose's command and an equal number of American scouts en- gaged with Gen. Carr. What provoked this nationalized quarrel was Buffalo Bill's appointment as chief of the combined force of scouts, with Wild Bill as assistant. The quarrel increased in bitterness from hour to hour until at length one day, while the opposing forces were congregated before the sutler's store, the long anticipated fight was precipitated by Buffalo Bill knocking one of the insulting Mexicans an honest furlong. A moment after he was attacked by the entire force of Mexican scouts, whom he fought with great success, but was not LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 323 alone, for Wild Bill soon put in his oar, followed by the other American scouts, and for nearly half an hour there was the best imitation of the row at Tim Finnigan's wake ever attempted on American soil. Every man did his level best and the circus was consequently a big suc- cess for the American scouts. The command remained in camp along the Canadian until March had approached, when seeing there were no prospects of finding any more turbulent Indians, Gen. Carr moved up to Ft. Lyon. Reaching this post, Buf- falo Bill obtained a thirty days' leave of absence to visit St. Louis where his family was then temporarily living. He rode to Sheridan, distant one hundred and forty miles, on a government mule, and taking the train there reached St. Louis in due time, where his reception was very cordial. Upon his return to Ft. Lyon, Gen. Carr immediately accosted him as follows : " Cody, you have returned at a most opportune time, for your services are just now badly needed. During our stay here several of our best horses have been stolen, and though I have sent out several parties, hoping to capture the thieves or recover some of our stock, not one of them has met with the least success. Now I want you to make an effort/' "All right, General, I'll try." This was the only reply returned by Bill, but he at once sought those who had been after the thieves, in or- der to question them regarding the trails, if any had been found. Bill Green, an old scout who had accompanied parties sent out by Gen. Carr, informed him that he had discovered a trail leading by Old Fort Lyon, but could not follow it on account of the high grass it led through. On the folio wing morning Bill started after the thieves, 324 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. accompanied by Green, Jack Farley and another scout whose name cannot be recalled. The party was led by Green to the spot where high grass had prevented him from following it further, and then Bill began a search- ing investigation for hoof prints. These he found, and taking up the trail where Green had lost it, followed on for several miles until he reached a thick clump of timber, where he found numerous evidences of a recent corral of horses. But singularly enough, not a single hoof print could be discovered leading in any direction from the corral. "Well, boys," said Bill, "we are after experienced h'orse thieves ; that I know, because of the perfect man- ner in which their trail is covered. We've got to divide up here and each man make a five-mile circuit, coming together again at this place to report." The men immediately diverged in search of the hidden trail, which Bill found in the sand hills, and discovered that the thieves were moving with eight horses and four mules. The party having met again as agreed, they started out on the rediscovered trail and followed it with- out difficulty to Denver, reaching a point four miles from that town on Thursday. "We have got to stop here," remarked Bill, "because I know that the thieves are in Denver, and as Saturday is the great horse sales day in that place, we will wait here until Friday night so as to avert suspicion, and catch them when the horses are put up for sale." Early on Saturday morning Bill rode into Denver with his three assistants and put up at the Elephant Corral, overlooking the yard where all the auction horse sales were made. After taking a survey of his position he walked out into the yard, where he soon had the pleasure of seeing one of the old packers in Gen. Carr'g command LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 325 ride into the corral on a racing mule, belonging to Lieut. Forbush, and leading another. Bill waited for several minutes, expecting to see the thief's confederate put in an appearance, but as the mule was being bid on action could no longer be deferred. Pushing through the crowd, Bill approached the thief, firho , recognizing him, attempted to escape, but the keen- .gyed scout divined his intention, and seizing him, cried : " Stop, or I'll have to kill you here ; come along with /ne." This action was a surprise to those attending the auc- tion, and they demanded an explanation, which being given, the thief, whose name was Williams, was taken off three miles down the Platte river. Here, having found a dense thicket suited for their purposes, Bill pre- pared a noose with which he intended to hang Williams if he refused to reveal the whereabouts of his confed- erates. Seeing that his captors were in earnest, Williams made a complete disclosure of his operations, telling the party that he had but one partner in the horse-stealing enter- prise, and that he might be found at a deserted cabin about four miles further down the river. The rope was now taken down from the limb which suspended it, and taking Williams along with them, the party proceeded on down the river until the place they had been directed to was reached. At the moment Green discovered the old cabin, Bill's alert eyes fell on ten head of the stolen horses, all tethered and grazing close about the house. A-s the party rode up, the occupant, hearing unusual noises, came to the door with pistol in hand. But Bill's rifle instantly covered him and the command, " Throw tip your hands, Bevins, or I'll kill you," made the thief yield at once. 32(5 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This confederate of Williams' , whose name was Bev\ ins, had also been a packer in Gen. Carr's expedition and was well-known to Buffalo Bill, and, it may be added, he also knew Bill, and it was this mutual recog- nition which convinced the thief how useless it would be to make any show of resistance. A search of the old cabin resulted in the recovery of several saddles, lariets, blankets, and two Henry rifles. All the recovered horses and mules were then tied to- gether, and with Williams and Bevins well secured, the party returned to Denver. Passing one night in that place they started out for Ft. Lyon, making seventeen miles the first day and camping at Cherry Creek. Notwithstanding it was late in April the weather was very cold, and a big fire was made up before which all but a single guard lay down to sleep. At one o'clock in the morning it began to snow quite hard and an increase of covering was necessary. The prisoners were apparently sound asleep, and there being a constant guard it was not deemed necessary to tie them. At three o'clock, while Farley was on watch, Bevins, seizing upon the opportunity, struck the guard a violent blow and leaping over the fire sped swiftly away. The noise awakened Cody just as Williams started to join his companion, but Bill knocked him down and then sent an ineffectual shot after the escaping thief. In the flight Bevins accidently dropped one of his shoes and was therefore barefooted, a condition which put him at great disadvantage in the pursuit which followed. Leaving Williams in charge of Farley and the 'other scout, Bill and Green quickly saddled their horses and set out after Bevins. They found his trail hard to fol- low in the darkness, but had no difficulty after daylight, owing to the imprints in the snow. After going several LIFE OF BUFFALO BELL. 327 miles the blood stains clearly showed that the fugitive's unprotected foot was being lacerated by the sharp stones and prickly-pears, but notwithstanding this he was mak- ing fast time. The pursuers had traveled rapidly for more than twelve miles before they came in sight of the fleeing thief, on a ridge, near the Platte river. Bill commanded him to halt, under pain of being shot, and knowin g who was handling the rifle drawn on him, Bevins at once sat down and be- gan pulling the sharp needles from his terribly lacerated feet. Taking their recaptured prisoner back to the Cher- ry Creek branch (Bill allowing Bevins to ride his own horse out of compassion for the painful condition of his feet), the party took up their march again toward Ft. Lyon. On the following night Williams made his escape while the scout whose name is not remembered was on duty, and though earnest pursuit was given he was not recap- tured. With the remaining prisoner the party reached Ft. Lyon, and after turning over the recovered stock to Gen. Carr, Bevins was placed in charge of the civil authorities. He was confined in a log jail at Boggs' ranch, from which he escaped in a few days, just as Bill had predicted. In 1872, however, Bevins was captured again, together with several other notorious outlaws of his gang who had been robbing stage coaches in the country north of the Union Pacific railroad, and he is now serving a life sentence in the Nebraska penitentiary. 328 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XV. IT was only a few days after Buffalo Bill's arrival at Ft. Lyon with the stolen horses and his prisoner, that the Fifth cavalry was ordered to proceed to Ft. McPherson, in Nebraska, for operations in the department of the Platte. The command prepared for the march at once, Bill taking the advance and maintaining it throughout the entire journey. After marching several days the regi- ment approached the valley drained by the north fork of Beaver creek where Cody discovered fresh and numerous Indian signs from which he estimated there were not less than four hundred lodges, or three thousand Indians, in the immediate vicinity. Riding back to Gen. Carr he requested him to halt in the valley and wait until he could reconnoitre and locate the savages. Accordingly Lieut. Ward, with twelve men, was sent out on the trail with Bill and followed it along the creek bank for a distance of twelve miles. Then leaving their horses, Bill and the Lieutenant crawled carefully to the apex of a high knoll, from which point of observation they discovered a very large Indian village not more than three miles distant, while to the left less than half a mile was an Indian hunt- ing party riding ponies heavily laden with buffalo meat. Examination convinced the two white men that their position was not particularly safe, as the Indians seemed to be running in every direction. Bill hastily wrote a dispatch which he gave to Lieutenant Ward, asking its immediate transmission to Gen. Carr. One of the sol- diers was detailed for the purpose, but he had ridden back less than a mile when several shots were heard and soon the dispatch courier was seen riding for life around the bend of the creek, closely pursued by 6*ve Indians. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 329 Bill and the Lieutenant, followed by the soldiers, dashed out after the red-skins and giving a well-directed volley, killed one of them and drove the others across the creek. As the badly scared messenger came up to the party, Bill said sharply : Buffalo Bill tries a Shot at Long Range. " Lieutenant, give me that dispatch, I'll carry it through," and taking the message, he rode rapidly to- ward the regiment, but had proceeded only a short dis- tance when he discovered a dozen Indians carrying buf- falo meat on their ponies. In order to make thm 330 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. lieve he was accompanied by a large force, Bill acted oa the aggressive and delivered a shot at long range. The Indians at first showed no inclination to fight, but seeing only one man they cut loose their burdens and dashed after the bold scout. But pursuit on already jaded po* nies was useless, and Bill, after drawing them as far as pos- sible, dashed off, leaving the Indians far behind and get* ting safely into camp, delivered the message to Gen. Carr. Eight companies were instantly ordered to saddle up, the other two being left in charge of the train. They rode swiftly to the relief of Lieutenant Ward, but met him returning, within three miles of camp ; he reported an engagement with fifteen Indian hunters, one of whom he had killed, and wounded one pony. The companies kept straighten, however, and after going two miles further they met a force of one thousand Indians, pre- pared for battle, approaching up the creek. Gen. Carr ordered an immediate charge, accompany- ing the order with instructions to break through the line of Indians and charge on to the village without stopping. The French Lieutenant, Schinosky, unfortunately, failed to comprehend the order, and instead of charging through with the command, vigorously attacked the In- dians' left flank, where he was quickly surrounded by a large body of the enemy with every assurance of being annihilated. Gen. Carr discovered Schinosky 's danger barely in time to charge back to his rescue. But in thL. fiasco several soldiers and horses were killed and the In* dian village given time to get so far away that further? pursuit was impracticable that day, which was already nearly spent. Couriers had been sent back, ordering the detail of two companies to follow up with the supply train, but as they LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 331 did not appear it was gravely feared that they had been surrounded by Indians and were either besieged or had fallen victims to a terrible fate. It became necessary therefore to return to the camp. Singularly enough, this order had been also misunderstood, and the night was spent in Beaver Valley. On the following day pursuit was renewed and kept up for two days, when a war party was again discovered by an advance company, and some lively fighting ensued. 1 The Indians were now pressed so hard that they threw away all their camp utensils and equipage and left behind them several head of exhausted ponies. As a last resort, the village separated, taking so many dfferent trails that pursuit was given over and the command went to Fort McPherson, to prepare for another expedition along the Republican river. While encamped at McPherson the command was rein- forced by three hundred Pawnee scouts, under command of Major Frank J. North, one of the best executive officers, as well also as one of the bravest men that ever carved a route through the great West. In this connec- tion I cannot help indulging what I know will be a par- donable degression, in order that some of the qualities of this brave officer may be at least alluded to. Major North, though born in New York, March 10, 1840, is nevertheless a thoroughly Western man in all his training. His father removed from New York to Nebraska, settling near Columbus, in the winter of 1856- 57, and directly thereafter was frozen to death at Emi- grant Crossing, on Big Pampillion Creek, while trying to secure wood for his suffering family. Shortly after the death of his father young North joined a party of trappers, McMurray, Glass and Mes- senger, and began taking beaver and otter on the tribu- 20 332 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, tarieg of Platte river, but meeting with indifferent suc- cess, returned to Columbus and engaged in anything that promised remuneration, as the family was almost entirely dependent on him for support. In 1860, being now twenty years of age, Frank pro- cured employment with Agent DePuy, at the Pawnee Indian Reservation. Here, while performing his other duties, he acquired such a thorough knowledge of the Maj. Frank J. North. Pawnee language that in the following year he waa engaged as interpreter by Mr, Rudy, son-ia-law of the Indian Commissioner. At the breaking out of the Sioux war in 1864, Gen. Curtis, commanding the Sixteenth and Twelfth Kansas Cavalry, commissioned Mr. North to organize the Paw- nee scouts, who were not only friendly to the Govern- LIFE OF BUFFAJLO BILL. 333 ment but inveterate foei of the Sioux. Under this au- thority he enlisted seventy-seven young warriors and organized a company of which he was made First Lieutenant. This was the first enlistment ever made of Indians for regular Government service, and while Lieut. North is entitled to this honor, it is with regret I have to add that he never received a cent for his services, neither did his Indian warriors receive any pay, though they were promised by Gen. Curtis, upon enlistment, that they should receive the same as cavalrymen. In the latter part of October following, acting under orders from Gen. Custer, Lieut. North enlisted one hun- dred more Pawnee warriors, who were then equipped like the regular cavalry, and North was commissioned Captain. On the thirteenth of January, 1865, the company was mustered into service, the delay being due to difficulties regarding their acceptance by the Government, but when regularly put on the muster rolls Capt. North began ac- tive operations. Learning of depredations being made by the Sioux in the neighborhood of Julesburg, he took forty of his Pawnees and proceeded directly to the scene of trouble. On the route to Julesburg he was horrified to find the bodies of no less than fourteen white persons, pilgrims on their way to Pike's Peak, mutilated beyond recognition ; their scalps torn off, tongues cut out, legs cut open and bodies full of arrows. Julesburg had also been attacked and the garrison was on the point of yield- ing when rescued. North now pushed after the Sioux with all possible speed, and meeting with twenty-eight of the incarnate devils, he fell upon them with such irresist- ible force that not a single Sioux in the party escaped his vengeance. These Indians whom North had thus annihilated were 334 HEROES OF THB PLAINS. a predatory band from Red Cloud's forces, and had done an inestimable amount of damage through the section they had invaded. Only a few days previous to their disastrous meeting with Capt. North, this same party had suddenly attacked Lieutenant Collins, with fourteen men, and killed the entire party. Shortly after this successful sortie Captain North was ordered to pursue a body of twelve Cheyennes and pun- ish them for atrocities committed in the neighborhood of Ft. Sedgwick. Taking twenty of his Pawnees he got on the Cheyenne trail and after following it about thirty miles, came up with the enemy whom he found in line of battle. At the first volley, however, the Cheyennes fled, followed bard by Capt. North. In this pursuit the Pawnees were unable to keep up with their captain, as their horses were too badly jaded to endure extra riding ; Capt. North, however, was mounted on a superior animal, and being full of desperate pluck, was deter- mined to kill one Cheyenne at least. Looking back, at length, he saw his men fully a mile behind him, and sev- eral of them dismounted. Realizing the danger of his position, he took deliberate aim and fired at the Chey- ennes, one of whom tumbled from his pony dead. At this the other Indians turned on the Captain and he was compelled to flee for his life. The Indians rode rapidly after him, shooting con- stantly, until a bullet struck the Captain's horse in the side, rendering him unfit for further travel. Leaping to the ground, Captain North used his horse for a breast- work, from which he fired until the position had become too dangerous. He then started to run, but after getting several yards he remembered the two holsters on the saddle, each containing a loaded revolver, and he boldly returned for these. With these pistols he fought tbf i LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 335 Uheyennes nearly half an hour longer, and until relieved by Lieut. Small. This fight, one of the most daring ever made, is still spoken of, and the story frequently told over and over again among Western men, who almost reverence the name of Frank J. North. At the conclusion of the Tongue River campaign in 1865-66, the Pawnees were mustered out of service and Captain North was appointed Post Trader at the Pawnee Reservation, where he spent the winter of 1866-67. In March following, while acting under the orders of Gen. Auger, Captain North raised a battalion of two nundred Pawnees, who were divided into four companies and taken to Fort Kearney, where they were equipped for cavalry service. He was then given a Major's com- mission, and with his Indian soldiers guarded construc- tion trains on the Union Pacific Railroad until its com- pletion to Ogden. In this service he was engaged almost constantly with depredating Sioux and Cheyennes, who descended on the construction trains at every opportu- nity. After the road had reached Utah, large shipments of silver were being made almost weekly, and as this precious metal was brought into stations in large bricks, which, for want of other storage, was usually piled up on and about the platforms to await shipment, Major North's Indians had also to perform the duty of guarding the precious metal. When the road was completed, Major North retired to a ranche on Dismal River, sixty-five miles north of North Platte, where he went into the cattle raising business. He needed some quiet occupation, because of a disease asthma which had been slowly sapping his existence for several years and which he had lost all hope of re- lieving. Buffalo Bill, after his first meeting with Major florth. at Fort McPherson, served with him on several HEROES OF THE campaigns, and in this service a very warm friendship prang up between them, which led to the formation of a copartnership in the cattle ranche on Dismal River, which still continues. The firm of Cody & North is Known among cattle men in every part of America ; they now have seven thousand head of cattle and four hun- Silver Bricks Awaiting Shipment Ired head of horses, and to every one who calls at th Dismal Ranche there is a hearty, white man's welcome. Major North, aside from his reputation as an Indian fighter and brave man, is a gentleman of the most gen- erous and noble instincts ; popular with all classes, and a friend honest and honorable to the end. LIFE OF BUFFALO BIUL. 337 Returning to the regular narrative, Buffalo Bill remain- ed at Ft. McPherson for several days, during which time he made the acquaintance of all the officers of that post, among whom was Lieut. Geo. P. Belden, the " White Chief/' whose wonderful adventures have been so graph- ically recited in a large work written by Gen. James S. Brisbin, U. S.A. Belden, being a crack rifle-shot and having heard much concerning Buffalo Bill's skill, became anxious for a con- test in order that the excellence of their marksmanship might be determined. It was therefore scarcely an hour after they were introduced to each other before Belden had challenged Bill for a rifle match, which was as prompt- ly accepted. The terms and arrangements were that they should first shoot ten shots at a distance of two hun- dred yards, without rest, for fifty dollars a side. Fol- lowing this should be another match at one hundred yards on the same terms. Buffalo Bill won the first wager on an excellent margin, but Belden brought up his averages well by winning the second match, and with this standoff the crowd of spectators pronounced them both such supe- rior shots that neither could be beaten . Gen. Carr, before leaving McPherson, desired to man- ifest his appreciation of the valuable services rendered him by Buffalo Bill, and as the command was soon to start on another long expedition, it occurred to him that it would be an honor and excellent service to the army at the same time to have Buffalo Bill appointed chief of scouts in the Department of the Platte. Accordingly Gen. Carr made the necessary recommendation to Gen. Auger who at once issued the commission, allowing Bill a large increase of pay over the amount he received as chief of scouts in the Department of Missouri. This rec- ognition of his services greatly pleased the heroic scout, 338 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. especially as the appointment was made without his solic- itation or knowledge that it was even thought of. It was late in the summer when the command started on an expedition through the Kepublican river country, and the heat interfered somewhat with its progress. It was certainly an interesting, as well as laughable, sight to see Major North's Pawnees equipped for cavalry service. To quote from the autobiography of Buffalo Bill: "The Pawnee scouts were also reviewed, and it was very amus- ing to see them in their full regulation uniform. They had been furnished with a regular cavalry uniform, and on this parade some of them had their heavy overcoats on, others their large black hats, with all the brass accoutre- ments attached ; some of them were minus pantaloons and only wore a breech-clout. Others wore regulation pantaloons but no shirt, and were bareheaded ; others again had the seat of their pantaloons cut out, leaving only leggins ; some wore brass spurs, but had neither boots nor moccasins. With all this melange of oddity they understood the drill remarkably well for Indians . The commands, of course, were given to them in their own language by Major North, who could talk it as well as any lull blooded Pawnee." After the expedition had been moving for several days they approached near the mouth of Beaver Creek, where, the day being far advanced, the command went into camp. A herd of the draught mules was driven down to a convenient watering place several hundred yards from the camp ; as the herd was drinking, a party of fifty Sioux made a rapid descent on the herders, one of whom they shot and then stamped the mules. Buffalo Bill instantly leaped on his horse, bare-backed, and started for the scene of trouble, regardless of Indians or thought of danger. As he dashed down through the LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 389 woods he was astonished to see the Pawnees come flying by him, whooping, and in red-hot pursuit of their im- placable enemies. The Sioux had seen the men go into camp but had not the remotest suspicion that any Paw- nees were present. They therefore considered it fun to make a sortie on the herd, stampede the mules and do other damage, and then flee away before the cavalry could get ready to follow them. The Pawnees, however, unlike regular soldiers, did not wait for orders, but see- ing a band of Sioux their enmity overleaped the bounds of discipline and they were bound to fight, which they did over a distance of fifteen miles, killing more than a dozen of the Sioux. After this little skirmish the expedition continued the march up Beaver and Prairie Dog rivers, but finding only small bands of apparently harmless Indians, at the end of twenty days the command returned to Ft. McPherson. This expedition, though proving of little advantage to the army, resulted most advantageously to Buffalo Bill, as it was the running fight at the mouth of the Beaver that threw into his way "Old Buckskin Joe," ahorse which afterward gained great notoriety in connection with Bill's exploits. CHAPTER XVI. THE command under Gen. Carr- did not remain long inactive at Ft. McPherson, for within one day after their return news was received of fresh depredations on Re- publican river, and the restless spirit of the troops, who were anxious to accomplish something more glorious than 340 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. marches and counter marches, was sufficient excuse for the General to order them into the field again. The command moved westward up the Republican, preceded by two companies of Pawnees under Major North. Reaching Black Tail Deer Fork the expedition went into camp, but before the shadows of night had fallen, the Pawnees, who had not been heard from for some days, came riding down the winding stream toward camp, yelling their victorious exultations, and waving many reeking scalps above their heads. After they had alighted the information was speedily acquired, that Maj. North and his Pawnees had run into a foraging party of Sioux, several of whom they had killed. But a much larger body, composing in fact an extensive village, was discovered traveling northward, which being too strong for the Pawnees to attack, Maj. North had ordered a quick return to the camp for the purpose of forming a junction and entering upon a pursuit. On the following morning the troops were put in mo- tion, Buffalo Bill, with a squad of six Pawnees, taking the lead and going ahead far enough to warn the com- mand, by courier, should the Indians be discovered, thereby giving ample time to prepare for a charge. The Sioux trail was followed for two days, when, pass- ing several dying camp fires, each showing a more recent kindling, Bill was admonished that he was rapidly gain- ing on the moving village. Coming, at length, to the sand hills, a careful and cautious survey discovered the Indians encamped at Summit Springs. Bill immediately posted his Pawnee squad and rode back to Gen. Carr, who was ten miles in the rear, with report of the Sioux position. There was much bustle among the troops when the or- der was issued to * tighten saddles." Every cavalryman LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 341 knew what that order meant, and the Pawnees under Major North could scarcely be constrained. Everything having been put in readiness, the command pushed for- ward rapidly aftei Buffalo Bill, who led the way in a sharp gallop. Reaching within a, mile of the unsuspecting Sioux, Bill changed horses, mounting his reliable " Buckskin Joe," which had given substantial evidence of being the swiftest horse with Gen. Carr's expedition. He then told the General to follow after him and he would lead the command between the village and South Platte River, by which movement the intervening hills would enable them to approach so near as to give the Indians a complete surprise. Buffalo Bill's suggestions were adopted, and with such success that the charge was not sounded until the entire command was within a thousand yards of the Indians, who were just preparing to move on, most of their horses being already in readiness. For a moment the Sioux seemed to be struck dumb with astonish- ment at beholding such an array of cavalry bearing down upon them. A few attempted to meet the charge, but only for an instant, when they wheeled and the entire village fled precipitately. But luggage and incomplete preparation impeded their flight, and ere they had gone half a mile, the troops, following Buffalo Bill, were among them, shooting right and left with terrible effect. The pursuit continued until darkness made it impossi- ble to longer follow the Indians, who had scattered and were leading off in every direction like a brood of young quails. The expedition went into camp along the South Platte, much exhausted by so long a chase, and though very tired, every trooper seemed anxious for the morrow. it was nearly sunrise when " boots and saddles " was 342 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. sounded, breakfast having been disposed of at break of day. The command started in a most seasonable timot but finding that the trail was all broken up, it was deemed advisable to separate into companies, each to follow a dif ferent trail. The company headed by Buffalo Bill struck out toward the Northwest over a route indicating the march of about one hundred Indians, and followed this fc? nearly two days. At a short bend of the Platte a new trail was dis- covered leading into the one the company was following, and at this point it was evident that a junction had been made. Further along the evidence of a reunion of the entire village increased, and now it began to appear that further pursuit would be somewhat hazardous, owing to the largely increased force of Indians. But there were plenty of brave men in the company and nearly all were anxious to meet the Indians, however great their numbers might be. This anxiety was appeased on the third day, when a party of about six hundred Sioux was discovered riding in close ranks near the Platte. The discovery was mutual and there was immediate preparation for battle on both sides. Owing to the overwhelming force of the Indians, extreme caution became necessary, and instead of advancing boldly the soldiers sought advantageous ground. Seeing this, the Indians became convinced that there had been a division in Gen. Carr's command and that the company before them was a fragmentary part of the expedition ; they therefore assumed the aggressive, charg- ing the soldiers who retired to a ravine to act on the de- fensive. The attack was made with such caution that the soldiers fell back without undue haste, and had ample opportunity to secure their horses in the natural pit, which was a ravine that during wet seasons formed a branch of the Platte. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 343 After circling about the soldiers with the view of meas- uring their full strength, the Indians, comprehending how small was the number, made a desperate charge from two sides, getting so near that several of the soldiers were badly wounded by arrows . But the Indians were received with such withering fire that they fell back in confusion, leaving twenty of their warriors on the ground. Another charge resulted like the first, with heavy loss to the red skins, which so discouraged them that they drew off and held a long council . After discussing the situation amorig themselves for more than an hour they separated, one body making off as though they intended to leave, but Buffalo Bill understood their motions too well to allow the soldiers to be deceived. The Indians that remained again began to ride in a circle around the soldiers, but maintaining a safe distance, out of rifle range. Seeing an especially well mounted Indian riding at the head of a squad, passing around in the same circle more than a dozen times, Buffalo Bill decided to take his chances for dismounting the chief (as he proved to be), and to accomplish his purpose he crawled on his hands and knees three hundred yards up the ravine, stopping at a point he considered would be in range of the Indian when he should again make the cir- cuit. His judgment proved correct, for soon the Indian was seen loping his pony through the grass, and as he slackened speed to cross the ravine, Bill rose up and fired, the aim being so well taken that the chief tumbled to the ground while his horse, after running a few hun- dred yards, approached the soldiers, one of whom ran out and caught hold of the long lariet attached to the bridle, and thus secured the animal. Bill returned to the company, all of whom had witnessed his feat of killing an Indian at a range of fully four hundred yards, and by 344 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. general consent the horse of his victim was given to him. Tnis Indian killed by Bill proved to be Tall Bull, one of the most cunning and able chiefs the Sioux ever had, anc. uis death so affected the Indians that they at once re- treated without further attempt to dislodge the soldiers. Some days after this occurrence Gen. Carr's command was brought together again and in an engage- ment with the Sioux, more than three hundred warriors and a large number of ponies were captured, together with several hundred squaws, among the latter being Tall Bull's wi& ow, who told with pathetic in- terest how the Prairie Chief * had killed her husband. But instead of being moved with ha- tred against him, as most civilized women would have been under like circumstan- ces, she regarded him with special favor, and es- Death of Tall Bull. teemed it quite an honor that her husband, a great war- rior himself, should have met his death at the hands of so mighty and celebrated a person as the Prairie Chief. She ever afterward regarded Buffalo Bill with a feeling akin to tender affection, or as near that sentiment as an Indian squaw could be expected to approach, and invari- ably availed herself of every opportunity to show her esteem for him. "Buffalo Bill is known among all Northern Indians as the Prairie Chief. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 345 The expedition having succeeded in thoroughly break- ing the power of the Sioux, Gen. Carr went into bar- racks at Ft. Sedgwick, where the soldiers, elated with the trophies of their success, indulged in merrymaking until a* jollier camp was never seen than that around Jule's old ranche. One special feature of this glorious celebration was horse racing, in which Buffalo Bill backed his new acquisition, which, in honor of his dead owner, Bill generously called Tall Bull, against all the horses of the regiment, and put up all his available cash, even to the last paper five-cent piece. His winnings amounted to just seven hundred dollars in cash, three jack knives, two scalps and a two-stringed fiddle. CHAPTER XVII. GEN. CARR having received a leave of absence, hi command reached Ft. McPherson Gen. W. H. Kmory took charge of the Republican River District, and the Fifth Cavalry went into regular quarters. Buffalo Bill being assured that the command would remain at McPherson as a reward for the long and severe labor performed by the regiment, had a house built, and then sent for his wife and daughter, who were in St. Louis, to come to him, as McPherson would now be their home. Two years passed without the occurrence of any eveut of special interest connected with Buffalo Bill, his time being spent in hunting and home occupations. In the winter of 1869-70 Bill accompanied two parties of wealthy Englishmen upon a hunting expedition, in 346 HEROES OF THE PLAINS . which he acquitted himself with such credit and satisfac- tion that upon returning home the Englishmen sounded his praises so earnestly that letters began to pour in from other wealthy gentlemen of England propounding hun- dreds of questions appertaining to hunting on the great Western prairies. During the visit of the Englishmen, a horse race was arranged at Ft. McPherson, to take place between Buf- falo Bill, who was to ride Tall Bull, and a cavalryman who owned what he considered a fast horse. There was a singular feature about this race, however, which was a stipulation that while running Bill should leap from his horse to the ground and then remount again eight con- secutive times before completing the course, which was one mile in length. His advantage seemed so great that every one bet on the cavalryman ; in fact, few believed Bill was circus man enough to perform this feat, and none believed it less than the Englishmen . But the race was run according to programme, and Bill won it easily, together with several hundred dollars from his foreign guests. Leaping and remounting from a running horse is an act as easy for Buffalo Bill to perform as it is p or a profes- sional bareback rider to assume a standing osition on a moving horse. In the spring of 1870 a party of Indians nade a de- scent on a stock ranche near McPherson and succeeded in running off twenty-one head of horses, and coming closer to the post during night, also got away with an- other fast horse owned by Cody, which he called Powder Face. * The moment this loss was discovered, Company I was ordered to pursue the thieves, Buffalo Bill being sent with the soldiers as trailer. An early start was made and so fast did the company move that they covered sixty LIFE OP BUFFALO BILL. 347 miles before sundown. An encampment was made within four miles of Red Willow Creek, on the banks of which Bill expressed his earnest belief that the Indian thieves were camped. But to verify his suspicions he made an investigation, unaccompanied, during the night, and sure enough he found them, with guard posted, about four miles from the company's camp. Having located the Indians, he returned to the camp jmd posting the soldiers, arranged matters for an attack Two Indians at One Shot Ufore daylight on the following morning. His pro- gramme was carried out with such success that the cavalry, wtich he headed, rode with shout, pistol afcd saber into the Indian village just as the gray dawn was appearing. Sharp work succeeded, in which there was a rapid deci- mation of the red race. Several Indians, however, suc- ceeded in mounting ponies and a pursuit ensued in which Buffalo Bill took a specially interesting part, as in 348 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Ms Powder Face carried one of the fleeing thieves. Dur- ing this interesting race Bill ran down two Indians who were riding the same pony, and by a skillful shot sent a rifle ball through both their bodies, felling them to the ground still locked together. But Powder Face being the swiftest horse among the cavalry, Bill was compelled, with chagrin and mortification, to see the thief who rode him disappear in the distance. The pursuit terminated with excellent results, for all the stolen horses were recovered except Powder Face, and more than a dozen Indian scalps were brought back ao a compensation for that loss and they all belonged to Bin, too. Soon after this most successful surprise an expedition was organized to again penetrate the Republican river country, the command being entrusted to Gen. Thomas Duncan, who was first officer under Brevet Maj. Gen. Emory. Now, it chanced that Gen. Duncan, while one of the best and bravest soldiers, was a rigid discipline rian, and at the same time full of eccentricities. In fact he had but to be sounded when immediately there would escape so much good humor and infectious jokes that the whole regiment would be almost paralyzed with uncon- trolable laughter. There was fun ahead for the boys, though duty was always imperative with their commander. The expedition was accompanied by Maj. North's Paw- nee scouts, who, while they had done genuine fighting service, had never been placed on guard duty. But Gen. Duncan was determined that they should be in every sense thorough soldiers, and consequently the Pawnees must be initiated. Of course, being with white men only for a short season, and having an officer over them who was fluent in their own language, the Pawnees were abso- lutely ignorant of English, save to repeat, like a parrot, LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 340 a few words which they heard frequently used. But thi fact was ignored by Gen. Duncan, who ordered the guard stationed around camp and that every post should call each hour of the night as it was sounded, thus : "Post No. 1, ten o'clock, all is well." "Post No. 2, ten o'clock, all is well," and so on, until the entire guard had made the call. This order was explained to the Pawnees by Maj. North, but with all his explanations they could not com- prehend the meaning, or if comprehending, their igno- rance of English prevented them from executing the or- der with intelligence. The result was as follows : The hour being called by one of the soldiers, the In- dian occupying the adjoining post would sing out through a distorted remembrance : "Ploss numbler five cent* o'clock go to h 1 don't care, big chief." Another would try to repeat and stumble onto : "Ploss numbler half past How! he; drink." They started out right, but after the first two recollection came to them only in expressions which they had previously fixed in their minds. This system, while it was superbly ridiculous, fur- nished food for laughter, and every night came to be a regular love-feast of fun ; but, like a joke frequently told, it at length grew tedious and Gen. Duncan was compelled to countermand the order, which relieved the Pawneei from guard duty, much to their satisfaction. The expedition after remaining out for several days, met a party of Indians, who had massacred the Buck sur- veyors, and had a running fight with them. Buf- falo Bill had a whip shot from his hand and a bullet went through his hat, but he killed two Indians by way 350 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of compensation for his narrow escape. Meeting with no further adventures, the command returned to Ft. Mc- Pherson, where, upon arrival, Bill received from his wife the celestial gift of a first son, whom he named Kit Carson. Peace being now restored, and all the troublesome In- dians having returned to their reservations, Ft. McPher- son became a quiet place, save for the usual disturbances indirectly chargeable to sutler's stores. Bill, though still chief of scouts, performed little scouting service except between quarters and refreshment stations, which is always a congenial occupation to good trailers. One day, as he was cracking jokes, spinning yarns, and keeping things about the post in good humor and condition, Gen. Emory approached him and said : Iv, I am annoyed very much by the petty thiev- 3 going on about here, nearly every day having ^aplaints from persons who have either lost ^vis or other personal property. We need a Justice of the Peace very badly, and I have decided to bestow that office on you." " Good gracious ! General, I appreciate the compli- ment, but if you can pick out any one of the Government mules about here that knows less of law than I do, then I'll give him my recommendation for the appointment." "Well, you are not required to know much law 5 rather to discriminate between right and wrong, and mete out proper punishment." "I know," answered Bill, "that it's wrong to get drunk ; in fact, against the law military but just what written law I couldn't tell." " I can, perhaps, deal with drunkenness in eamp ; T want you to deal with the thieves." LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 351 'All right, General, I can string a thief without mercy, and if that's the purpose of my appointment, why, just put your fist to the commission." Bill was duly appointed 'Squire, and hi about fifteen minutes after receiving his authority, a party living at McPherson, sought him with tha following complaint : " Say, 'Squire, a yaller-legged ranchero, that lives up on the Beaver, has jist stole one o' my hosses an* I want a writ o' replevin." " Want a writ of replevin? why, don't you want your horse ? What good would a writ of replevin do you with- out you first had the horse?" " I don't know, they told me down here at headquar- ters that you was the 'Squire, and to ax you for a writ o* replevin." " Where is your horse now?' " Why, old yaller-legs is a drivin' or him like h 1 to'ard Beaver. Bill turned around, and taking Lucretia Borgia, his rifle, from the rack, went out, mounted his horse, and told the complainant to lead off in the direction taken by " Yaller-legs." The two rode rapidly for several miles, until they aught up with the thief, who was driving several head of horses. Bill accosted him : " Hello ! you've got a horse in that herd that belongs to this complainant ; that piebald on the off side he says belongs to him." " Well, what are you going to do about it?" "I'm going to make you cut out the horse, put a rope around his neck and deliver him to this man," an- swered Bill, at the same time bringing his rifle to a posi- tion suggestive of slaughter. The thief obeyed the order with alacrity, but after 352 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. turning over the horse, Bill told him there were some damages to settle, and if the settlement were not made at once, he would take him back to McPherson. " I can't go back there, my time is too precious ; what are the damages ?' ' " Twenty dollars," replied Bill, which sum was imme- diately paid over and duly credited to Buffalo Bill's " of- ficial" account. Soon after this incident, the knowledge of there being a 'squire in McPherson prompted a sample resident of the place to call on Bill and arrange terms with him f 01 performing a marriage ceremony. " How much money have you got, young man," asked Bill. "O, I h'aint got much, but maybe I could raise ten dollars." "Ten dollars goes," replied Bill ; "bring over the gul and I'll hitch you according to the law and the prophets." After the applicant had departed, Bill got down a copy of the Nebraska "tatutes and for more than an hour tried with becoming assiduity to find the form prescribed for marriage, but it was worse than hunting for Indians dur- ing a dark night in high prairie grass ; he couldn't find it. Thus unprepared, Bill was soon called on by the in- tended groom and bride, both of whom were apparently bwed down with either the gravity of the situation, or an innate diffidence, which was greatly increased by the motley crowd that stood around in the room waiting to witness the ceremony. Bill infused some courage Into the bewildered couple by saying : "Are you the parties who want to get married?" A feeble " yes" came from the groom. "Well, then, brace up and answer the questions the law makes it my duty to ask you." LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 353 To the bridegroom ' * Do you take this woman to b? your wedded wife ; to honor, support and protect her through life?" "Yes, sir." To the bride < * Do you accept this man for your law- ful husband ; to love, cherish and obey him, through good and ill report?" "Yes, sir." The Marriage Ceremony. "That's good ; now join hands while I pronounce the benediction : I now declare you man and wife, and let me add that whomsoever God and Buffalo Bill join together let no man put asunder. May you live long and prosper, Amen !' The ceremony being completed, Bill kissed the bride, after which . there was an adjournment for irrigating purposes. 364 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XVHL EARLY in September, 1871, a grand hunt was projected by Gen. Sheridan, whose intention was to afford some of his Eastern friends the excitement of a buffalo chase. Accordingly invitations to participate in the hunt were issued to and accepted by the following gentlemen: James Gordoo Bennett ; Gen. Anson Stager, of the West- ern Union Telegragh Company ; Charles Wilson, editor Chicago Journal; Lawrence R. and Leonard W. Jerome ; Gen. H. E. Davies ; Gen. Fitzhugh ; Gen. Rucker ; Capt. M. E. Rogers ; Carroll Livingston, and Surgeon General Arsch. This party having announced their coming, were receiv- ed at Ft. McPherson by a cavalry company escort under Gen. Emory and Major Brown. Almost immediately upon their arrival Gen. Sheridan sent for Buffalo Bill whom he introduced with flattering remarks to each one in the hunting party, after which he told Bill that the gentlemen had come to McPherson with the expectation of taking a big hunt under his special guidance and direc- tion. In anticipation of the arrival of these distinguished and wealthy gentlemen, Bill had taken considerable pains to present a slick appearance, having, as he expressed it, " curled my front teeth; brushed up a new buckskin toga ; put on my Sunday moccasins combed out the fringe on my trousers, and left nothing undone save ' banging ' my front hair." In a very interesting pamphlet of sixty-eight pages which Gen. Davies afterward wrote, describing the inci- dents of this pleasurable hunt, under the title, " Ten Days on the Plains,'* he mentions the fact that at his meeting LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 355 with Buffalo Bill on the occasion referred to, he thought the scout was the handsomest man that had ever trod the prairies ; such a perfect type of physical manhood, com- bining a powerful physique with such rare symmetry and harmony of feature, which perfections were brought into greater prominence by the extraordinary grace of his movements. The party hunted over a large extent of territory for a period of ten days, killing many buffaloes, turkeys, jack rabbits, antelopes, etc., and having an excellent cook with them the cuisine was equal, if not superior, to the epicu- rean dainties set at Olympian feasts. Early in January, 1872, Gen. Forsyth and Dr. Arsch, both of Gen Sheridan's staff, visited Buffalo Bill at Ft. McPherson for the purpose of arranging with him the preliminaries of a grand buffalo hunt which the Grand Duke Alexis , who was then visiting the United States, had express a desire to participate in. As the royal guest of the nation deserved, by reason of his position, special recognition, Bill at once conceived the idea of en- gaging a large number of Indians to take part in the hunt, and add to the Duke's pleasure by giving exhibitions and ceremonies which would acquaint him with their peculiar life. Acting upon this idea he visited Spotted Tail's camp Sioux on the Bed Willow, where he readily in- fluenced one hundred of the leading chiefs and warriors to accompany the Duke, and by his further request they assembled at Government Crossing, on the Red Willow. After obtaining the consent of the Indians, Capt. Eagan with a company from the second cavalry was despatched to the meeting point to arrange for the Duke's reception. The ground was cleared and leveled, a large wall tent erected and plenty of stores were carefully packed away sufficient to last the Duke's party during the hunt. 356 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. On the 12th of January, the royal guest and his party arrived at North Platte, over the Union Pacific Eailroad, where they were received by Buffalo Bill, Captain Hays and a company of cavalry under Captain Eagan. There were also in waiting six ambulances and twenty extra saddle horses. Gen. Sheridan accompanied the Grand "How!" Duke and introduced him to Buffalo Bill, whereupon Bill tendered His Highness the use of Buckskin Joe, a famous buffalo horse, and an hour afterward the party were mounted and riding southward across the South Platte toward Medicine River., LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 357 Beaching the rendezvous on Red Willow, all necessary arrangements were found completed, and the Indians were in waiting, ready for the ceremonies expected of them. Several members of the party were introduced to Spot- ted Tail, who appeared clad in government clothes, but which, it was evident, were never made for him. He wore a U. S. belt, with the buckle upside down, and as he advanced with extended hand, saying "How," he was a good model for a caricature artist. In the afternoon, the Duke was highly entertained with exhibitions of wonderful horsemanship, lance throwing, bow shooting and sham fights, and in the evening the [ndians gave a grand war dance, in which many of their singular ceremonies were introduced . On the following day, Bill rode beside the Grand Duke and instructed him in the manner of shooting buf- faloes, until looking away to the south nearly two miles, a large herd was discovered: crossing the party's intended route. In a moment the Duke became very much excited and anxious to charge directly toward the buffaloes, but Bill restrained him for a time, until getting around to windward and keeping behind the sand hills, the herd was gradually approached. "Now," said Bill, "is your time; you must ride as fast as your horse will go, and don't shoot until" you get a good opportunity. ' ' Away they went, tearing down the hill and throwing up a sand storm in the rear, leaving the Duke's retinue far behind. When within a hundred yards of the fleeing buffaloes the Duke fired, but unfortunately missed, being Hnused to shooting from a running horse. Bill rode up close beside him and advised him not to fire until he could ride directly up on the flank of a buf- falo, as the sport was most !n the chase. 358 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. The two now dashed off together and ran their horse* on either side of a large bull, against the side of which the Duke thrust his gun and fired a fatal shot. He was very much elated at his success, taking off his cap and waving it vehemently, at the same time shouting to those who were fully a mile in the rear. When his retinue came up there were congratulations, and every one drank to his good health with overflowing glasses of cham- pagne. The hide of the dead buffalo was carefully re- moved and dressed, and the royal traveler in his journey- The Grand Duke's First Buffalo. fogs over the world has no doubt often rested himself up- on this trophy of his skill (?) on the plains of America. An encampment was now made, as the party was quite fatigued, and the evening passed with song and story. On the following day, by request of Spotted Tail, tho Grand Duke hunted for a while beside " Two Lance," a celebrated chief, who claimed he could send an arrow entirely through the body of the largest buffalo. This feat seemed so incredulous that there was a general de- nial of his ability to perform it ; nevertheless, the Grand LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 359 Duke and also several others who accompanied the chief, witnessed, with profound astonishment, an accomplish- ment of the feat, and the arrow that passed through the buffalo was given to the Duke as a memento of Two Lance's skill and power. On the same day of this performance the Grand Duke killed a buffalo at a distance of one hundred paces, with a heavy navy revolver. The shot was a marvelous scratch. After the hunt was concluded, Buffalo Bill, upon invi- tation of Gen. Sheridan, took the reins of an ambulance team and showed the Duke how old stage drivers set their horses " afire." But the drive was not appreciated suf- ficiently to applaud, for the Duke was an occupant of the ambulance. As they went down hill toward the Medi- cine at the rate of sixty miles a minute more or less there was a tuft of royal hair sticking up like a sugar loaf, while his coat-tails were flapping and cracking like the whips of an army of bull-whackers. North Platte was reached after a week's absence, and upon taking the train for the East, the Grand Duke in- vited Bill into his car where, as a recognition of his re- gard and appreciation, he gave him numerous and valuable presents, concluding by extending him a cordial invita- tion to visit Eussia, where he promised to receive him royally. Soon after the Grand Duke's departure, Buffalo Bill received an invitation from a large number of leading men of New York City, to visit the East ; among those who desired to extend him their hospitalities were James Gordon Bennett, August Belmont, Leonard W. Jerome, and many others of equal prominence. At the earnest solicitation of Gen. Sheridan, Bill at length concluded to accept the invitation, and made preparations accordingly. 360 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Gen. Stager provided him with railroad passes and ar ranged for him to stop at Chicago, Niagara Falls, Buf- falo and Rochester. At all these places a committee of reception was appointed to receive him with becoming honors, and he was introduced into the best society of ar these cities. Upon arriving at New York, Bill was received by a committee who escorted him directly to the Union Club, where he met the wealthy gentlemen who had sent the invitation. He was now taken in charge by the members, who gave him one ceaseless round of dinners and parties. Invitations came in on him so rapidly that it was con- fusion worse confounded, and he was in a very whirlpool of demoralization. One of the largest dinners given in his honor was prepared by James Gordon Bennett, but Bill was in such purturbation of mind, owing to the hun- dreds of invitations which lay before him, that he was un- able to decide which had precedence, and consequently the Bennett dinner had to be postponed. Mr. August Belmont then prepared a dinner for Bill, which was one of the most elegant affairs known in New York even to this day, and it is good to remember the fact that Bill graced the occasion with his presence, and Bennett was also there with forgiveness in his righ/ hand for Bill's delinquency. During this visit Buffalo Bill had the pleasure of attend- ing the Bowery Theater, where was being produced a play entitled " Buffalo Bill, the King of Border Men," thereby seeing some of his noted adventures mirrored by an ex- cellent actor named J. B. Studly. The play was a decid- ed success, and as it became known among the audience that the real hero occupied a private box in the theatre, a shout went up which would not abate until the manager led Bill out on the stage for a speech. The house was LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 361 Mrly filled to overflowing, and as the great scout had never appeared in the role of public speaker, he was worse embarrassed than the diffident couple he had mar- ried several months previously at Ft. McPherson. The fact is, he never felt so badly corraled in his life as he did on that occasion, and after muttering a few unintelligible Words he retreated in disorder behind the scenes. But notwithstanding his embarrassment, the manager offered him five hundred dollars a week to take the leading role in the performance. But this amount was insufficient to counteract his extraordinary "want of cheek,'* and he declined the offer. After indulging in an uninterrupted round of festivities for twenty days, Buffalo Bill visited some of his relatives in Westchester, Pennsylvania, whom he had never seen, and after spending a few days, in obedience to a tele- gram received from Gen. Sheridan, he returned to Ft. McPherson where his services were needed. Directly after his arrival at the post, a party of Indians made an attack on McPherson Station, five miles from the fort, and after killing three men ran off several head of horses and cattle. Captain Meiiihold was at once ordered out with his company to pursue the depredating Indians, and Buffalo pill was, of course, expected to accompany the command as trailer. On this expedition he had an assistant scout with him in the person of J. B. Omohundro, known throughout the United States as " Texas Jack," of whose career some mention will be made before concluding the adventures of Buffalo Bill. For two days the command moved slowly on account of the indefinite trail, which the Indians had taken suck pains to cover that it was almost impossible to follow it. However Bill's fertility of well-directed suspicions car- 362 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ried the expedition to a point on the South Fork of the Loupe, where a camp was prepared at which all the sol- diers, except four, halted, while Buffalo Bill, Texas Jack and the detail of four men pushed forward to reconnoitre a heavy strip of timber in which Bill thought the Indians were secreted. Proceeding only a few miles and gaming the summit of a high ridge, Bill surveyed the country within his vision and saw encamped at the timber edge about one dozen Indians and near them several head of horses were grazing. He immediately proposed to charge the sav- ages rather than take the chances of their escaping dur- ing his return to the command. All his men being of like mind, Bill rode down toward the Indians, keeping well behind the brush until he approached within a few hundred yards. He now ordered a charge which was made with such impetuosity that he was carried directly through the camp. The Indians, after firing a single volley, broke for their horses, but being too closely pur- sued tried to make another stand. Bill shot down two of them before they rallied, and killed a third cne as he was trying to cross the Loupe. There were thirteen In- dians in the original party, but three of them being killed the odds were now only six to ten. Some of them had crossed the river and these Bill pursued, expecting his men to follow, but instead of so doing, they rushed after seven of the Indians who remained on the north side of the river. Suddenly he found himself alone and at the same time saw two of the fugitives turn and ride di- rectly toward him, shooting and yelling. He was struck by one of the shots in the left side of the head, produc- ing only a scalp-wound, but drawing so much blood that he was almost blinded by the flow. With a swipe of his band he cleared his face for a moment so as to fire, and LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 363 with the shot an Indian fell dead. The other one now turned to run, but Bill pushed his horse forward and when within a few yards, he raised himself in the stir- rups and shot the Indian dead, thus scoring five Indians himself in a fight of only a few minutes, the scalps of which he secured and also recovered all the stolen stock. Capt. Meinhold, hearing the firing, ordered his compa- ny into the saddle, but when the soldiers approached the scene of battle they found only the spoils of victory ; seven dead Indians, as many bloody scalps, and twenty horses. CHAPTER XIX. RETURNING from this expedition Buffalo Bill was en- gaged to accompany the Earl of Dunravenon an elk hunt, which lasted three weeks, to the infinite delight of the Earl, who was an excellent sportsman. Before complet- ing this hunt, however, a party of wealthy gentlemen of Chicago went out to Ft. McPherson with letters from Gen. Sheridan, inviting Bill to guide them on a hunt, and so pressing was their invitation that he placed the Earl in charge of Texas Jack and accompanied the Chicago gen- tlemen, among whom were E. P. Green, Alexander Sam- ple, Mr. Mulligan, of Keath & Mulligan, and a number of others. During this excursion the pleasure party was jumped by a band of Indians and had to run for a dis- tance of six miles back to camp and the way they push- ed on the reins was interesting to see. Following this hunt came another with several mer- ehants, judges and lawyers from Omaha. U. S. District 22 364 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Attorney Neville was one of this party, and was a novelty of no insignificant pretensions. He wore a plug hat and swallow-tailed coat which gave him a most amusing ap- pearance when pursuing buffaloes. After getting fairly upon the hunting grounds, at the request of the party, who were anxious to see so strange and dextrous a feat performed, Bill lariated a large buffalo bull, while on a tight run r and then tied the animal to a tree, a thorough captive. But throwing the lasso was an easy employment for Bill, as he had practiced the art for several years and acquired a dexterity rarely to be mot with, even among Mexicans. In the fall of 1872 a convention of Democrats was held at Grand Island for the purpose of nominating a candi- date to represent the Twenty-sixth Legislative District. Every county in the State was overwhelmingly Republi- can, and the Twenty-sixth District was as one-sided as a jug handle. Nominations were made by the Democrats, not with the view of electing their candidates, however, but for the purpose of maintaining their party organiza- tion. In the convention referred to some one proposed the name of Wm. F. Cody for representative, and with the proposition a cheer went up forthwith which resulted in placing his name formally before the convention, where his nomination was instantly made unanimous. No one was ever more surprised than Bill when he was informed of the convention's action, nor would he believe that his candidacy had really been considered until offi- cial information made the fact incontestible. He felt that it would be cowardice for him to refuse to make the race, as some one must be immolated for party's sake, and justice impressed him with the belief that he might as properly be the victim as any other man. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 365 Being absent from home more than nine-tenths of his time, he made no canvass whatever of the district, yet his personal popularity was so great that nearly every one in the district, whether Democrat or Republican, gave him their votes, and his election was a triumph few men ever achieve. It was a testimonial to his honor, ability and noble qualities of such priceless value that what would not any man give to be the recipient of a like esti- mation ? But however great the honors, beyond the gratitude he felt he indulged little of the pride of his position, for about the time of taking his seat in the legislature a proposition was made him which his best interests dic- tated an acceptance of. Ned Buntline, who only a few years previously had met Buffalo Bill and made fame for both by his stories concerning the scout's adventures, published in the New York Weekly ', being greatly im- pressed with the popular qualities of his hero, made him a flattering offer for his services as a leading theatrical attraction. The proposition, when first made, very naturally appeared somewhat ridiculous to Bill, who thoroughly appreciated his imperfections and lack of experience, and was especially haunted by the remembrance of his confu- sion during his appearance at the Bowery Theater. But Buntline put a silver lining to all his persuasive words and covered his promises with a heavy veneering of gold. The final result was that Bill resigned his seat in the legislature, and in the latter part of November he sent his letter of resignation to Gen. Reynolds as chief of scouts. Having settled matters in the West, Bill took his fam- ily and started East, stopping one day in Omaha to ac- cept the recognition paid his services by the citizens who had enjoyed his company on the hunt already referred to. 366 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. A grand dinner was the means taken for affording the recognition and appreciation they desired to manifest, and an elegant time was the result. At Omaha Bill met Texas Jack, who had played the role of first assistant hero in Buntline's stories, and as Jack was anxious to accompany his old friend, Bill gladly engaged his company. They proceeded directly to Chi- cago, where Ned Buntline was stopping, while Bill's family went to their relations in St. Louis, who were not only glad to welcome Mrs. Cody but also to see the new accession, little Ora, who had been born only a short while before Bill's election to the legislature. Upon reaching Chicago, Bill and Jack were met at the depot by Mr. Mulligan, who had engaged rooms at the Sherman House, intending that the two scouts should be his guests. Buntline was so busily engaged delivering temperance lectures and preparing for the introduction of his stellary duet that it was not until the following day that he mot the two rising theatrical comets. When the three did meet, Bill and Jack were astounded upon shaking hands with Buntline to hear him spin out the following, scarcely taking time to breathe between sen- tences. ' * How are you ? glad to see you just in time got er~ erything arranged and we're going to make an immense hit come over to the Amphitheatre with me and see Nixon, he's the manager we open there Monday night and you must stir about lively so as to be ready how do you feel? when did you arrive? where are you stopping?" and thus he rattled away, like an old alarm clock just wound up, with a broken ratchet, and until he had run down somewhat neither of the scouts could reply. When Bill caught up with the machine he managed to stammer out by way of contrast : LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 367 " Well, Buntline, I don't see just where to catch on ; you don't mean to say that Jack and I are expected to make our appearance on the stage next Monday night?" 44 That's just what I mean, and I have made arrange- ments accordingly. Come with me and we'll call on the manager." The two scouts, who now perceived that they were trail- ing down a strange canon, followed their new guide and said nothing further. They proceeded to the Ampitheatre, where Mr. Nixon was found awaiting them, and to whom the scouts were introduced, after which Buntline said : "Well, Nixon, here are the boys, and they are a pat hand, all flushes and fours, I tell you. We will open up on next Monday night with a flourish that will fire the people." " So early as that, Ned? That will scarcely give the gentlemen time for preparation. Let me see your drama, and perhaps I can be of some assistance in organ- izing the company." Buntline' s reply was a very cyclone of surprise. Said he: "I haven't written the drama yet, neither have I en- gaged any company, but there are plenty of unemployed theatrical people in town who would be glad of an en* gagement." "Why, you astonish me. No company nor drama, and only four days to write a play, engage a company, study the parts, rehearse, and get out the show bills. I guess we will not go any further with our arrangements, and the contract between you and me may be considered off." This was the way Nixon received Buntline's admissions and declarations. 368 HEROES or THE PLAINS. But not in the least dismayed, Buntline replied : " All right. I believe the theater is not engaged for next week, so what rent will you charge me for the house for six nights ? ' ' " Six hundred dollars." "All right, again, I'll take it," was Buntline' s re- sponse. Having made this engagement for the theater, Buntline invited Bill and Jack over to his hotel, where a supply of pens, ink and paper was at once ordered, and three copyists engaged to record his dictations. "Now I've got it, boys," exclaimed Buntline; "the play shall bear the title, < Scouts of the Plains.' " This appeared good, and with this the inspiration seemed to possess him, for he dictated the parts with such rapidity that in three hours' time the narrative was completed, and only required proper division to be given into the hands of the performers. Bill's and Jack's parts were first copied off and given them by Buntline, with the remark : "Now, boys, I want you to pitch right in and don't leave this room until you are letter perfect ; in the mean- time I'll go out, engage the company, order the bills ami advertising, and get everything in readiness. Upon my return I'll hear you rehearse and help you on the de- livery." With this he shot out of the room, fairly running over with the business in hand, and did not return until lattf in the evening. After Buntline' s departure the two scouts abstractedly looked at the numerous lines that had been left for them to memorize, and then each turned at the same time to eye the other. Bill was the first to speak : "Jerusalem I Jack, this is worse than a village of hos* tiles. How are you on the commit? " LIFE OP BUFFALO BELL. 369 " Why, Bill, you know I never did have sense enough to remember anything but a bull-whacker's speech or an Indian's war-whoop." " Well," answered Bill, " by close calculation I've de- cided that I could muster about two lines and a whoop in two years, and at this rate I might catch onto the whole piece in about three life times." " Then don't despair," replied Jack, " for that beats me as far as McCarthy's flight beat that little party of Pawnees you told me about some days ago. Fact is, I'm in doubt about remembering my stage name, and I couldn't if Buntline hadn't considerately let me wear my old title." Finding it impossible to bring themselves down to solid fvork, they made the most of the situation and spent the day in spinning yarns. When Buntline came bustling in during the afternoon he said : " Well, boys, how are you getting along with your parts?" "Oh, the parts are all right, only they don't like us very well. I guess, Ned, we will have to foreclose on the study ; our health might give way if we continued , ' ' replied Bill. " You must not get discouraged, boys," said Buntline, " for besides the incentive you have in the golden reward that awaits your efforts, remember that I have assumed a large responsibility and therefore none of us can afford to fail." This had the effect to brace up the despondent scouts and they consented to recite some of their parts from the manuscript, but in this they made such a miserable failure that even Buntline was to some extent discouraged. But he was as patient as he was versatile, and by hard work the training at length began to tell. After drilling for 370 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. two days, Bill and Jack met the other members of th company at a general rehearsal, and things began to grow smooth, although to save their lives the scouts could not avoid a stiffness and apparent want of confidence in them- selves which seriously interfered with the rendering of their parts. Monday night came soon enough too soon for the scouts and at seven o'clock Bill and Jack went over to the theatre with the faces of chief mourners in a funeral procession. They repaired at once to the dressing room, where their buckskin suits stage-dress were adjusted, and when prepared they took a peep through the curtain, when they were horrified as well as delighted to see a packed house, with standing room at a premium. Bill's first thought after this sight was of his feelings when standing before a large audience in the Old Bowery theatre ; his knees knocked ^ogetherlike the palsy of old age, and when the curtain rang up and his appearance had to be made a more scared man actually, positively and liter- ally, never lived than Buffalo Bill. Bu-ntline was cast in the play, and but for his encour- aging presence and sustaining expedients, both Bill and Jack would certainly have dropped out of sheer stage- fright. The audience, of course, greeted their appearance with vociferous cheers, and when the noisy ovation subsided Bill had lost the trail completely, and could not remem- ber a single word of his part. But Buntline saw his em- barrassment and came to the rescue by speaking foreign to the text : " Where have you been, Bill? What has detained you so long?" At this juncture fortune knocked at Bill's door, for seeing Mr. Mulligan, with whom he had hunted only a LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 371 few weeks before, sitting in a private box of the theatre, surrounded by several friends, he answered : "I've just been out on a hunt with Mr. Mulligan, and we got corraled by a party of hostiles." This answer fairly brought down the house, as Mulli- gan was one of the best known business men in Chicago. Both Bill and Buntline saw they had struck a fortunate cue, and that the only way out of their embarrassment was by following this colloquy. Buntlkie therefore quer- ried: "Is that so? well, tell us all about the hunt and your escape." Thereupon Bill , who is an excellent story teller and knows just how much ornamentation to give his recitals concerning Indians, related at some length all the partic- ulars that a curious-loving audience could desire, and upon concluding the story there was an encore which shook the house like an explosion. Another good fortune came to Bill when he and Jack went on in the second act, for their services were required only in a desperate Indian battle which was fought out to the intense satisfaction of both the audience and com- batants. There were twenty supes dressed up like In- dians, and the way in which the two scouts slaughtered them with blank cartridges was absolutely marvelous, killing off the entire crowd without receiving a scratch themselves. On the following morning all the city papers contained lengthy accounts of the performance, and some of these were more interesting than the play itself. Of course Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack were not criticised as actors, but the drama was all split up the back, so to speak. Some asserted that if Buntline spent three hours in pre- that drama he must have been engaged in several 372 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. other occupations at the same time. Ned Buntline was killed in the second act, and some of the papers expressed the idea that it was a great oversight in the performers that they did not kill him in the first. But in spite of the criticisms, the same play continued during each evening of the week, and at every perform- ance the house was crowded with an enthusiastic audience, and Buntline' s venture proved a thorough financial suc- cess. At Mr. Nixon's solicitation he was taken in as a part- ner by Buntline, after the first week, and then the com- pany began to travel, visiting all the large cities and meeting everywhere with the same astonishing success which had met them at Chicago. The season closed in June, 1873, and after a distribution of profits, amounting to six thousand dollars each, Bill and Jack returned to the West for another big hunt. They had remained away from their familiar pastures so long that nothing ever gave them so much pleasure as the greeting of old scout- ing friends and a buffalo dash over the prairies again. In the fall they went to New York, where they reor^ ganized the company for the season of 1873-74, engaging Wild Bill as one of the stars. This second season also proved successful, more so, financially, than the first, and when they closed, in May, 1874, they had money "to throw at the birds," as Bill declared, with fortune dog- ging their footsteps. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 373 CHAPTER XX. BEFORE leaving for the West, Bill went to New York on some special business, and while there was introduced to Thomas P. Medley, a very wealthy gentleman of Lon- don. Mr. Medley had just arrived in America for the express purpose of taking a big hunt on the plains, and the moment he touched New York his correspondents and friends there told him of Buffalo Bill's presence in the city. He immediately called on the scout at the Metro- politan Hotel, and disclosing the object of his visit, en- gaged his services as guide, at a salary of one thousand dollars a month. Before starting out on the hunt, Mr. Medley told Bill that he did not want to be treated as a guest or employer ; that he proposed doing all his own cooking while on the plains, kill his own game, and go hungry if he was so unfortunate as to secure none. Some men have excellent intentions, like the sound sleeper who promises, the evening before, to rise early in the morning, only to find his resolution destroyed by the indisposition of morning sleep. But Mr. Medley kept well his determination made amid the luxuries of a fine hotel. He actually killed and cooked his game, carried wood to build the fire and the water he needed. This he did solely to acquaint himself with life on the plains. He was a generous man, and besides being a good hunter proved himself a most agreeable companion. After finishing this hunt, which lasted about six weeks, Bill was engaged by Col. Mills, of the Third Cavalry, as guide to an expedition then preparing for a trip along Powder River, in the Big Horn country. The command was equipped at Rawlins, "Wyoming Territory, and from this point crossed the Rocky Mountains and established a 374 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. supply oamp at Independence Hock, on the Sweetwater, on the route over which Bill had ridden the pony express fifteen years before. It was here that California Joe joined the expedition, being engaged as scout by Bill, who knew how to estimate this old and valuable Indian lighter's services. After scouting the country several days, the expedition surprised a band of Arrapahoes, under Lone AVolf, whom they drove back to the reservations. A few days after this event the command was ordered back to Rawlins, LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 375 Biljf retained East to reorganize his theatrical com- pany for the approaching season. Having purchased property in Rochester, New York, during his tour of 1873-74, which included a handsome residence, he now moved his family to that place, where they remained for several years and until Mrs. Cody's health, injuriously affected by that climate, admonished him to remove again to the West, his next settlement being at North Platte, Nebraska, in 1878, where he still resides. In the succeeding season, 1875-76, his combination Wtis, for the fourth time, put on the road, playing everywhere with great profit and satisfaction. It was during this tour, however, that the shafts of sorrow struck his family most severely, making such wounds as time can hardly heal. While he was performing with his company at Spring^ field, Massachusetts, in April, 1876, a telegram wa& handed him announcing the dangerous illness of his little baby boy, Kit. His ambitions, heart and nature were so interwoven with the life of this most amiable and beau- tiful child that the shock completely unnerved him, Leaving another member of the troop to act his part,. Bill immediately engaged a special car and hurried with all possible haste to Rochester. When he arrived, little Kit, who was being rapidly consumed by the fires of scarlet fever, retained barely enough consciousness to recognize his father, and putting his wan but loving little arms around his neck imprinted one affectionate kiss on his cheek, and then the spirit forsook its tenement poor little Kit was dead . There were many kind friends present to put back the long curly hair of the little one, whose feet were now treading the golden sands ; many to tell of heaven's gain, and divide the grief of that stricken household, but none 376 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. could close the bleeding wound in the hearts of the pros- trated parents. There were birds, and flowers, and sweet- scented breezes, and ainid these they buried little Kit, u? Mount Hope Cemetery, leaving at last the precious littli mound of earth moistened with the libations of their tears. Very soon after this most distressing incident, Cody received several pressing requests, by telegraph, from Gen. Carr to return West and join the Fifth Cavalry again, as chief of scouts ; the Sioux war had just begun, and the whole north-west was panic stricken. Custerand Crook were operating in the Big Horn country, and the Fifth Cavalry had been ordered to scout the vicinity of the Black Hills. Buffalo Bill, so sorely stricken with grief, was anxious to plunge into some adventure thai; would excite him to forgetfulness of his affliction. Moved by these feelings, and enjoying under all circum- stances the thrilling experiences of Indian warfare, he at once decided to accept the position offered by Gen. Carr, and went directly to Cheyenne, where the Fifth Cavalry was outfitting for the expedition. Upon arriving at that place, Bill was met at the depot by Lieut. King, adjutant of the regiment, whom he ac* companied to the camp, where he was received with a genuine ovation from all the soldiers. On the following morning the command started for Ft. Laramie, where it met Generals Sheridan, Forsyth and Frye, who were en, route for Red Cloud Agency. Bill accompanied Sheridan to that post, where the neces- sary orders having been left, they returned to Laramie, and from there the expedition journeyed northward to the South Fork of Cheyenne river. Reaching the Cheyenne country at the foot of the Black Hills, several bands of predatory Indians were met and dispersed after a few slight skirmishes. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 377 After operating in the Black Hills country for two weeks Gen. Wesley Merritt superseded Gen. Carr in command of the Fifth Cavalry, and supposing the Indians had been driven out of that section, he ordered the regi- ment back to Ft. Laramie. While returning to that post word was brought to the command by a courier, of the Ouster massacre on the Little Big Horn. With this news came an order directing Gen. Merritt to push on. rapidly to Ft. Fetterman and join Gen. Crook, who had been ordered to the Big Horn country. Brevet Major-Gen. Geo. A. Custer. In this connection it is eminently proper to introduce a description of this, the most appalling holocaust that ever occurred on the plains ; an event so disastrous that time, infinite though it is, can never make generations forget the tale of how Custer and his heroic band gave up their lives, while fighting in the desolate country drained by the Little Big Horn, There are many circumstances connected with this ter- rible battle primarily the causes leading thereto which must be left to those who write the life of Gen. Custer 378 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. in extenso, as my purpose is rather to relate adventure than explain personal grievances and mistakes. Inas- much as not a single soldier of Ouster's command escaped to relate particulars of the dreadful massacre, many of the facts connected therewith are lost forever, as the Indians who participated in the slaughter can hardly be relied on to tell the whole truth concerning the battle. What I shall report here has been collected from a variety of sources, all from scouts and soldiers whose familiarity with the country and orders under which Gen. Custer was acting, the movements of his troops, position of the Indians, and mode of fighting, qualify them for forming a most reasonable opinion of how Custer met the foe, and how he struggled to his death. The Sioux Indians have ever been regarded as the most intractable of Northern tribes ; at one time their power was so great that they might have contested successfully with all the other tribes west of the Mississippi combined, and In addition to their superior numbers they are alto* gether better soldiers, brave, athletic and of marvelous endurance. When the Black Hills gold fever first broke out, m 1874, a rush of miners into that country resulted in much trouble, as the Indians always regarded that region with jealous interest, and resisted all encroachments of white men. Instead of the Government adhering to the treaty of 1868 and restraining white men from going into the Hills, Gen. Custer was sent out, in 1874, to intimidate the Sioux. The unrighteous spirit of this order the Gen- eral wisely disregarded, but proceeded to Prospect Valley, and from there he pushed on to the valley of the Little Missouri. Custer expected to find goo'd grazing ground in this valley, suitable for a camp which he intended to pitoh there for several days, and reconnoitre, but the LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 379 country was comparatively barren and the march was therefore continued to the Belle Fourche valley, where excellent grazing, water, and plenty of wood was found. Crossing the Fourche the expedition was now among the outlying ranges of the Hills, where a camp was made and some reconnoitering done ; but finding no Indians, Gen. Ouster continued his march, skirting the Black Hills and passing through a country which he described as beautiful beyond description, abounding with a most lux- urious vegetation, cool, crystal streams, a profusion of gaudy, sweet smelling flowers, and plenty of game. Proceeding down this lovely valley, which he appropri- ately named Floral Park, an Indian camp fire, recently abandoned, was discovered, and fearing a collision unless pains were taken to prevent it, Ouster halted and sent out his chief scout, Bloody Knife, with twenty friendly Indian allies to trail the departed Sioux. They had gone but a short distance when, as Ouster himself relates : "Two of Bloody Knife's young men came galloping back and informed me that they had discovered five Indian lodges a few miles down the valley, and that Bloody Knife, as directed, had concealed his party in a wooded ravine, where they awaited further orders. Taking E company with me, which was afterward reinforced by the remain- der of the scouts and Ool. Hart's company, I proceeded to the ravine where Bloody Knife and his party lay con- cealed, and from the crest beyond obtained a full view of the five Indian lodges, about which a considerable num-' ber of ponies were grazing. I was enabled to place my command still nearer to the lodges undiscovered. I then despatched Agard, the interpreter, with a flag of truce, accompanied by ten of our Sioux scouts, to acquaint the occupants of the lodges that we were friendly disposed and desired to communicate with them. To prevent 28 380 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. either treachery or flight on their part, I galloped the re- maining portion of my advance and surrounded the lodges. This was accomplished almost before they were aware of our presence. I then entered the little village and shook hands with its occupants, assuring them, through tho in terpreter, that they had no cause to fear, as we were there to molest them, etc*!* LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 381 Finding there was no disposition on the part of Gen. Ouster to harm them, the Indians despatched a courier to the principal village, requesting the warriors to be present at a council with the whites. This council was held on the following day, but though Ouster dispensed coffee, sugar, bacon and other presents to the Indians, his advice to them regarding the occupation of their country by miners was treated with indifference, for which, he ob- serves in his official report, "I cannot blame x the poor savages." During the summer of 1875 Gen. Crook made several trips into the Black Hills to drive out the miners and maintain the Government's faith, but while he made many arrests there was no punishment and the whole proceed- ing became farcical. In August of the same year Ouster Oity was laid out and two weeks later it contained a pop- ulatian of six hundred souls. These Gen. Crook drove out, but as he marched from the place others swarmed in and the population was immediately renewed. It was this inability, or real indisposition, of the Gov- ernment to enforce the terms of the treaty of 1868 that led to the bitter war with Sitting Bull and which termina- ted so disastrously on the 25th of June, 1876. It is a notorious fact that the Sioux Indians, for four years immediately preceding the Ouster massacre, were regularly supplied with the most improved fire-arms and ammunition by the agencies at Brule, Grand River, Standing Kock, Fort Berthold, Cheyenne and Fort Peck. Even during the campaign of 1876, in the months of May, June and July, just before and after Ouster and his band of heroes rode down into the valley of death, these 6ghting Indians received eleven hundred and twenty Winchester and Remington rifles, and 413,000 rounds of patent ammunition, besides large quantities of loose pow- 382 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. der, lead and primers, while during the summer of 1875 they received several thousand stand of arms and more than a million rounds of ammunition. With this gener- ous provision there is no cause for wonder that the Sioux were able to resist the Government and attract to their aid all the dissatisfied Cheyennes and other Indians in the Northwest. Besides a perfect fighting equipment, all the Indians recognized in Sitting Bull the elements of a great war- rior, one whose superior, perhaps, has never been known among any tribe ; he combined all the strategic cunning of Tecumseh, with the cruel, uncompromising hatred of Black Kettle, while his leadership was far superior to both. Having decided to precipitate a terrible war, he chose his position with consummate judgment, selecting a central vantage point surrounded by what is known as the "bad lands," and then kept his supply source open by an assumed friendship with the Canadian French. This he was the better able to accomplish, since some years before he had professed conversion to Christianity under the preaching of Father DeSmet and maintaine/d a show of great friendship for the Canadians. CHAPTER XXI. WAR against the Sioux having been declared, brought about by the combined causes of Black Hill outrages and Sitting Bull's threatening attitude, it was decided to send out three separate expeditions, one of which should move from the north, under Gen. Terry, from Fort Lincoln ; another from the east, under Gen. Gibbon, from Fort LITE OF BUFFALO BILL. 383 Ellis, and another from the south, under Gren. Crook, from Fort Fetterrnan ; the movements were to be simul- taneous, and a junction was expected to be formed near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River. For some cause, which I will refrain from discussing, the commands did not start at the same time. Gen. Crook did not leave Fetterman until March 1st, with seven hundred men and forty days* supply. The com- mand was intrusted to Col. Reynolds, of the Third Cav- alry, accompanied by Gen. Crook, the department com- mander. Nothing was heard of this expedition until the 22d following, when Gen. Crook forwarded from Ft. Reno a brief account of his battle on Powder River. The result of this fight, whicii lasted five hours, was the de- struction of Crazy Horse's village of one hundred and five lodges. Or that is the way the dispatch read, though many assert that the battle resulted in little else than a series of remarkable blunders which suffered the Indians to make good their escape, losing only a small quantity of their property. One serious trouble arose out of the Powder River fight, which was found in an assertion made by Gen. Crook, or at least attributed to him, that his expedition had proved that instead of there being 15,000 or 20,- 000 hostile Indians in the Black Hills and Big Horn coun- try, that the total number would not exceed 2,000. It was upon this estimation that the expeditions were pre- pared. The Terry column, which was commanded by Gen. Custer, consisted of twelve companies of the Seventh Cavalry, and three companies of the Sixth and Seven- teenth Infantry, with four Gatling guns, and a detach- ment of Indian scouts. This force comprised twenty- 384 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. eight officers and seven hundred and forty-seven men, of the Seventh Cavalry , eight officers and one hundred and thirty-five men of the Sixth and Seventeenth Infantry, two officers and thirty-two men in charge of the Gatlmg battery, and forty -five enlisted Indian scouts, a grand total of thirty-eight officers and nine hundred and fifty- nine men, including scouts. The combined forces of Crook, Gibbon, Terry and Custer, did not exceed twenty-seven hundred men, while opposed to them were fully 17,000 Indians, all of whom were provided with the latest and most approved patterns of repeating rifles. On the 16th of June Gen. Crook started for the Rose^ bud, on which stream it was reported that Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were stationed ; about the same time a party of Crow Indians, who were operating with Gen. Crook, returned from a scout and reported that Gen. Gib- bon, who was on Tongue River, had been attacked by Sitting Bull, who had captured several horses. Crook pushed on rapidly toward the Rosebud , leaving his train behind and mounting his infantry on mules. What were deemed accurate reports, stated that Sitting Bull was still on the Rosebud, only sixty miles from the point where Gen. Crook camped on the night of the 15th of June. The command traveled forty miles on the six- teenth, and when within twenty miles of the Sioux* principal position, instead of pushing on, Gen. Crook went into camp. The next morning he was much surprised at finding himself attacked by Sitting Bull, who swooped down on him with the first streaks of coming dawn, and a heavy battle followed. Gen. Crook, who had camped in a basin surrounded on all sides by high hills, soon found his posi- tion so dangerous that it must be changed at all hazards. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 386 The advance was therefore sounded with Noyes' battal- ion occupying a position on the right, Milk on the right icentre, Chambers in the centre, and the Indian allies on the left. Mills and Noyes charged the enemy in magnifi- cent style, breaking the line and striking the rear. The fight continued hot and furious until 2 p. M., when a gal- lant charge of Col. Roy all, who was in reserve, supported by the Indian allies, caused the Sioux to draw off to their village, six miles distant, while Gen. Crook went into camp, where he remained inactive for two days. In the meantime, as the official report recites : "Gen- erals Terry and Gibbon communicated with each other June 1st, near the junction of the Tongue and Yellow- stone Rivers, and learned that a heavy force of Indians had concentrated on the opposite bank of the Yellow- stone, but eighteen miles distant. For fourteen days the Indian pickets had confronted Gibbon's videttes." Gen. Gibbon reported to Gen. Terry that the cavalry had thoroughly scouted the Yellowstone as far as the mouth of the Big Horn, and no Indians had crossed it. It was now certain that they were not prepared for them, and on the Powder, Tongue, Rosebud, Little Horn or Big Horn Rivers, Gen. Terry at once commenced feeling for them. Major Reno, of the Seventh Cavalry, with six compa- nies of that regiment, was sent up Powder River one hundred and fifty miles, to the mouth of Little Powder to look for the Indians, and, if possible, to communi- cate with Gen. Crook. He reached the mouth of the Little Powder in five days, but saw no Indians, and could hear nothing of Crook. As he returned, he found on the Rosebud a very large Indian trail, about nine days old, and followed it a short distance, when he turned about up Tongue River, and reported to Gen. Terry what hp had 386 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. seen. It was now known that no Indians were on either Tongue or Powder Rivers, and the net had narrowed down to Rosebud, Little Horn or Big Horn Rivers. Gen. Terry, who had been waiting with Custer and the steamer Far West, at the mouth of Tongue River, for Reno's report, as soon as he heard it, ordered Custer to march up the south bank to a point opposite Gen. Gib- bon, who was encamped on the north bank of the Yel- lowstone. Terry, on board the steamer Far West, pushed up the Yellowstone, keeping abreast of Gen. Ouster's column. Gen. Gibbon was found in camp, quietly awaiting de- velopments. A consultation was had with Gens. Gibbon and Custer, and then Gen. Terry definitely fixed upon the plan of action. It was believed the Indians were on the head of the Rosebud, or over on the Little Horn, a dividing ridge only fifteen miles wide separating the two streams. It was announced by Gen. Terry that Gen. Custer' s column "would strike the blow.'* At the time a junction was formed between Gibbon and Terry, Gen. Crook was about one hundred miles from them, while Sitting Bull's forces were between th e commands. Crook, after his battle, fell back to the head of Tongue River. The Powder, Tongue, Rosebud and Big Horn Rivers all flow northwest, and empty into the Yellowstone ; as Sitting Bull was between the head- waters of the Rosebud and Big Horn, the main tributary of the latter being known as the Little Big Horn, with this knowledge of the topography of the country, it is easy to definitely locate Sitting Bull and his forces. Having now ascertained the position of the enemy, or reasoned out the probable position, Gen. Terry sent a dispatch to Gen. Sheridan, as follows : " No Indians have been met with as yet, but traces of LIFE OF BUFFALO BIL'L. 387 a large and recent camp have been discovered twenty or thirty miles up the Rosebud. Gibbon's column, will move this morning on the north side of the Yellowstone, for the mouth of the Big Horn, where it will be ferried across by the supply steamer, and whence it will proceed to the mouth of the Little Horn, and so on. Ouster will go up the Rosebud to-morrow with his whole regiment, and thence to the headwaters of the Little Horn, thence down that stream." Following this report came an order, signed by E. W.' Smith, Captain of the Eighteenth Infantry, Acting As- sistant Adjutant General, directing Gen. Custer to folio w the Indian trail discovered, pushing the Indians from one side, while Gen. Gibbon pursued them from an opposite direction. As no instructions were given as to the rate each division should travel, Custer, noted for his quick, energetic movements, made ninety miles the first three days, and, discovering the Indians in large numbers, di- vided his command into three divisions, one of which he placed under Major Reno, another under Major Benteen, and led the other himself. As Custer made a detour to enter the village, Reno struck a large body of Indians, who, after retreating nearly three miles, turned on the troops and ran them pell mell across Grassy Creek into the woods. Reno overestimated the strength of his enemies and thought he was being surrounded. Benteen came up to the support of Reno, but he too took fright and got out of his posi- tion without striking the enemy. While Reno and Benteen were trying to keep open a way for their retreat, Custer charged on the village, first sending a courier, Trumpeter Martin, to Reno and Ben- teen with the following dispatch : * * Big village ; be quick ; send on the packs." This order was too plain to be mis- 388 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. construed. It clearly meant that he had discovered the Tillage, which he intended attacking at once ; to hurry for- ward to his support and bring up the packs, ambulances, etc. But instead of obeying orders, Reno and Benteen stood aloof, fearful lest they should endanger their posi- tion, while the brave Ouster and his squad of noble he- roes rushed down like a terrible avalanche upon the In- dian village. In a moment, fateful incident, the Indians came swarming about that heroic band until the very earth seemed to open and let loose the elements of vol- canic fury, and the fiends of Erebus, blazing with the hot sulphur of their impious dominion. Down from the hillsides, up through the valleys, that dreadful torrent of Indian cruelty and massacre poured around the little squad to swallow it up with one grand swoop of fire. But Custer was there at the head, like Spartacus fighting the legions about him, tall, graceful, brave as a lion at bay, and with thunderbolts in his hands. His brave fol- lowers formed a hollow square, and met the rush, and roar, and fury of the demons. Bravely they breasted that battle shock, bravely stood up and faced the leaden hail, nor quailed when looking into the blazing muzzles of five thousand deadly rifles. Brushing away the powder grimes that had settled in his face, Custer looked over the boiling sea of fury around him, peering through the smoke for some signs of Reno and Benteen, but, seeing none and thinking of the aid which must soon come, with cheering words to his comrades, he renewed the battle, fighting still like a Her- cules and piling heaps of victims around his very feet. Hour after hour passed and yet no friendly sign of Re- no's coming ; nothing to be seen saving the battle smoke, streaks of fire splitting through the misty clouds, blood flowing in rivulets under tramping feet, dying comrades. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 391 and Indians swarming about him, rending the air with their demoniacal "hi-yi-yip-yah, yah-hi-yah." The fight continued with unabated fury until late in the afternoon ; men had sunk down beside their gallant leader until there was but a handful left, only a dozen, bleeding from many wounds, and hot carbines in their stiffening hands. The day is almost done, when, look ! heaven now defend him ! the charm of his life is broken, for Custer has fallen ; a bullet cleaves a pathway through his side, and as he falters another strikes his noble breast. Like a strong oak stricken by the lightning' s bolt, shivering the mighty trunk and bending its withering branches down close to the earth, so fell Custer; but like the reacting branches, he rises partly up again, and striking out like a fatally wounded giant lays three more Indians dead and breaks his mighty sword on the musket of a fourth; then, with useless blade and empty pistol falls back the victim of a dozen wounds. He is the last to succumb to death, and dies, too, with the glory of ac- complished duty in his conscience and the benediction of a grateful country on his head. "So sleeps the brave who sank to rest, By all his country's wishes blessed. " The place where fell these noblest of God's heroes is sacred ground, and though it be the Golgotha of a na- tion's mistakes it is bathed with precious blood, rich with the germs of heroic inheritance. " It was the last HDation Liberty draws From the hearts that break and bleed in her cause." I have avoided attaching blame to any one, using only the facts that have been furnished me of how Custer came to attack the Sioux village and how and why he died. When the news of the terrible massacre was learned, 392 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. soldiers everywhere made a pilgrimage to the sacred place, and friendly hands reared a monument on that distant spot, commemorative of the heroism of Custer and his men ; collected together all the bones audl relic* of the battle and piled them up in pyramidal form, where they stand in sunshine and in storm, overlooking the or BUFFALO BILL. 393 Little Big Horn. The engraving herewith given is from a photograph taken while a heavy snow-storm was pre- vailing. CHAPTER XXH. AFTER the massacre of Ouster's little band, there was great activity in military movements in the Northwest, and an almost consuming desire to give the Sioux and Cheyennes a touch of wholesale retaliation. With the news of the disaster came a report from Col. San ton, of the Fifth Cavalry, informing Gen. Merritt that eight hun- dred Cheyenne warriors had left the Eed Cloud Agency to join Sitting Bull on the Big Horn, and instructing him to join Gen. Crook at Ft. Fetterman. Instead of following the strict letter of the order, Gen- Merritt, with Buffalo Bill as his chief of scouts, con- cluded to intercept the Cheyennes, a most commendable purpose, which happily justified his good judgment. Selecting five hundred of his best men and horses, Gen. Merritt made a forced march toward War Bonnet Creek, which he knew the Indians must cross, and at a point, too, which he estimated it would be easy to reach in advance of them. On July 17th the command reached the creek, and Buffalo Bill was sent out to discover if the Cheyennes had yet effected a crossing, but finding no trail he con- tinued scouting for some distance, and was rewarded by seeing a large body of Indians approaching from the south. Bill rode rapidly back to camp to acquaint Gen. Merritt of his discovery, whereupon the cavalry was ordered to mount and hold themselves in readiness, whilo 394 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Bill and the General should ride out on a tour of obser< vation. Selecting a high knoll, by the use of field glasses, the Cheyennes were plainly seen riding directly toward Gen. Merritt's camp. Presently a party of fifteen Indi- ans were observed to leave the main body and ride at a furious pace northward, and scanning the surroundings critically to ascertain the cause, Bill saw two mounted soldiers, evidently couriers, trying to reach Gen. Merritt's camp. In order not to apprise the Indians of the pres- ence of the regiment, Bill suggested to the General the advisability of waiting until the couriers should come near the command, when, having led the fifteen Indians some distance from the main party, he would take the othef scouts and cut the squad off so as to insure their capture. Gen. Merritt approving of Bill's idea, the latter rode back to camp, selected fifteen men and hurried to a place of concealment, where he waited for the pursuers. It was but a few moments until the couriers dashed by with the Indians not more than two hundred yards in the rear- Bill and his men leaped out of their ambush and sent P rattling fire after the Indians, three of whom were killed ; the rest turned and ran back to the main party, which had halted upon hearing the rapid firing. After stopping for a few moments the Cheyennes re- newed their march, thinking they were opposed by a small body that would offer no particular resistance. Another advance party of twenty Indians was sent out from the main body, and as they approached near, BilJ and his men charged them, but the Indianj, seeing theii numbers were superior, made a stand, and a lively fight ensued. Each side then duw off, and while they stood studying their opportunities, one of the Indians, richly dressed in a chief's ornamentation, large war bonnet, capped with eagle's feathers, and carrying a Winchester LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 395 rifle, rode out from his squad several rods, and made the following speech, addressing Buffalo Bill, whom he had seen before, and heard much of. "Me know you, Pa-he-has-ka (the Indian for "long hair' ' ) , you great chief, kill many Indians ; me great chief, kill many pale faces ; come on now fight me." Here was a direct challenge, and Buffalo Bill was not the man to decline it. He would not have sjirunk from fighting a duel with any living man ; so he shouted back to the chief : " I'll fight you ; come on ; let Indians and white men stand off and see the Red Chief and Long Hair fight with rifles." \ This was a genuine novelty, and of such an exciting nature that the troops advanced to a position command- ing a view of the battle ground, while the Indians rode up also sufficiently close to witness the combat. When everything was in readiness, Bill advanced on horseback about fifty yards toward his opponent, and then the two started toward each other on a dead run. They Were scarcely thirty yards apart when both their rifles were discharged simultaneously. The Indian's horse fell dead, having been struck by the bullet from Bill's rifle, and at the same time thelatter's horse stepped into a hole and tumbled over; thus they were both dismounted. Bill was not hurt by the fall, and springing to his feet, he faced his recovered antagonist, now not more than twenty paces distant. Again the two fired almost simul- taneously, but the Indian missed, while Bill's aim was good, his bullet planting itself in the chief's breast. As the Indian reeled and fell Bill leaped on him and in the next instant had thrust his bowie-knife into the warrior's heart. With a skillful movement, acquired only after long practice, Bill tore the war-bonnet off his victim's head and 396 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. then scalped him in the most gentlemanly and dexterous manner. Then holding up the bonnet and reeking cap^ sheaf, he exclaimed : < ' The first scalp for Ouster /' ' Following this event, which was a display of genuine pluck very few men possess, the main body of Cheyennes charged down on Bill and would have killed him had not the cavalry been so near that they intercepted the savages before they could reach him. Finding that the Indians could not now be ambushed. Gen. Merritt ordered his troops to charge, and a running fight ensued for a distance of thirty miles, the Cheyennes retreating toward Red Cloud Agency, to which point the pursuit was continued. Upon arriving at the agency, a thousand dissatisfied Indians were found discussing the advisability of joining Sitting Bull, but they offered no hostility to the Fifth Cavalry, which stood ready to fight the entire Cheyenne tribe. At Red Cloud Bill learned that the name of his victim in the rifle duel was Yellow Hand, son of Cut Nose, one of the leading Cheyenne chiefs. Upon hearing of the death of his son, this chief sent a white interpreter to Buffalo Bill, offering four mules for the return of Yellow Hand's scalp, ornaments, gun, pistols and knife, which Bill had captured, but the messenger had to return with- out the trophies. Leaving Red Cloud Agency, Gen. Merritt started to join Gen. Crook, who was encamped near Cloud Peak, in the Big Horn Mountains. A junction was made on the third of August at Goose Creek, and after remaining in camp one day the united expedition set out for Tongue River, leaving their trains behind them. Reaching that point, they marched on to the Rosebud, where a large Indian trail, indicating seven thousand warriors, was LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 399 struck, which the command followed for several miles, but as the trail was four days old, and the Indians were traveling very rapidly, the pursuit was abandoned for the day. While on the Rosebud the command was met by Capt. Jack Crawford, whose familiar title is " Capt. Jack, the Poet Scout of the Black Hills." Jack brought dis- patches to Gen. Crook from Ft. Fetterman, distant three hundred miles, through a country as full of hair-lifting Indians as Italy is of beggars, but he got through all right, without losing a hair. After remaining in. camp one night, the command pushed on again, following the large trail down the Rose- bud for five days, but no Indians were seen. A cloud of dust and a large party of horsemen, however, caused a rapid preparation for battle, but when each side was ready for action the discovery was made that the ap- proaching party was Gen. Terry's command and some> friendly Nez Perces and Snakes. When the two armies came together Col. Weir recog- nized Buffalo Bill, and at once pulled off his hat and shouted : " Here's Buffalo Bill. God bless him! give him a cheer!" and the whole command responded in the heartiest manner. After a lengthy council between Generals Terry and Crook, the Fifth Infantry was ordered to return by forced march to the Yellowstone, and from there proceed by boat down to the mouth of Powder river, that they might intercept any Indians attempting to cross at that point. The main consolidated command continued to follow the large trail for several days, but seeing no Indians and running short of supplies, a return was made to the con- fluence of the Powder and Yellowstone rivers, where a permanent camp was established* 400 HEROES OF THE PLADT8. CHAPTER XXIIL WHILE lying in camp on the Yellowstone, Bill and a half-breed named Louis Richard were ordered to accom- pany Gen. Mills on a scouting expedition down the Yel- lowstone on the steamer Far West. This novel idea em- anated from Gen. Terry, who thought that a steamboat was a good thing to beat up an Indian trail at the cross- ings. Four companies were taken on board for both de- fensive and offensive purposes. When the boat started down the river Bill and Richard took up a position on top of the pilot house, from which point of observation a large scope of country lay before their view. But the boat proceeded as far as Glendive Creek without any Indians being seen by the " outlook- ers." At this point Col. Rice, in charge of one company of the Fifth Infantry, was met, who, the day previous, had fought a party of Indians with a Rodman cannon and killed three of their number. Having to remain over night at Glendive Creek, Gen. Mills desired to communicate with Gen. Terry, and, of course, selected Bill to carry the message, as the route was the roughest as well as the most dangerous that a man ever traveled over. But Bill performed the duty without a word of complaint, and during the night rode seventy-five miles through the bad lands, reaching Gen, Terry's camp at daylight next morning. The bad lands, so called because no worse designation could be thought of at the time by the party who named them, are a barren waste of country, over which it is most dangerous to travel, owing to the numerous broad fissures which run zig-zag and in every direction, like the cracks which appear in the basins of recently dried up ponds io LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 401 summer time ; the only difference being that in the bad lands these cracks are from two to six inches wide, some even much wider, and extending to a depth of many feet. In riding through such a country, especially during the night, the dangers may be readily understood. In the trip made by Buffalo Bill, he was thrown from his horse several times, and upon reaching Gen. Terry's camp there were bruises all over his body. As it now appeared certain that Sitting Bull had started for the British possessions, and that the prospects for further fighting were decidedly indefinite, Bill concluded to start east again for the purpose of making prepara- tions for the approaching theatrical season . He had con- ceived the idea that a drama, with all its situations based upon the Sioux war, would form a very successful enter- prise, and was determined to try the experiment. Ac- cordingly, taking his leave of Generals Terry and Crook, who were then packing up to start out on the old Indian trail on Powder River, he took the down-going steamer on the Yellowstone for Ft. Beauford ; but after proceed- ing twenty miles, another steamer was met, coming up the river, having on board Gen. Whistler, with a body of soldiers who were en route to join Gen. Crook. The two boats landed together, and among the first persons Bill met among the passengers, was Texas Jack, who had been employed as dispatch carrier for the New York Herald. Gen. Whistler interviewed Bill regarding the campaign, and learning that Crook and Terry had left the camp at the mouth of Powder River, he begged of Bill to cany some dispatches which he had from Gen. Sheridan to Gen. Terry. Being now on his journey to the East, Bill tried to avoid making the trip, but upon learning that no other person with Gen. Whistler would perform the duty, he consented, and that morning, mounted on the Gener- 402 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. al's fine thoroughbred, he started out to overtake Gren- Terry, which he accomplished before dark. After Bill had taken lunch, Gen. Terry requested him to carry a message back to Gen. Whistler. This duty he gladly performed, as it was over the route he would have to take anyhow, and at one o'clock in the morning Bill arrived at the boat. He was astounded, upon delivering the message, to hear the following address from Gen. Whistler : " Mr. Cody, immediately after your departure yester- day morning, a considerable body of Indians made their appearance in the vicinity, and have been skirmishing around the boat ever since. As my force here is insig- nificant, I am very anxious to communicate again with Generals Terry and Crook. I tried in vain, all day yes- terday, to induce some one to carry my message, and while I feel that it is asking too much of you, really, the matter is of so much importance that, as a last resort, 1 am compelled to ask you to take my dispatch. I'll give you any horse you want, and see that you are well paid for the service." " Never mind the pay, General; if your message is ready I will start back again," was Bill's answer. At two o'clock in the morning the brave scout set out on his return to Gen. Terry, regardless of the cordon of Indians that surrounded the boat. His woods-craft ena- bled him to pass through the lines unobserved, and in four hours from the time of leaving the boat, he dashed into Gen. Terry's camp just as the command was on the point of moving. After reading Gen. Whistler's mes- sage, Terry held a council with Crook, which resulted in the latter continuing on the trail, while Terry turned back to the Yellowstone, which he crossed on boats, and then pushed his forces in the direction of the Dry Fork LIFE OF BUFFALO BELL. 403 of the Missouri, Bill acting as guide at Gen. Terry's urgent request. The command marched for three days, until they reached the buffalo range, where numerous fresh signs of Indians, who had evidently been hunting, were discovered. At this point Gen. Terry asked Bill to carry a dis- patch to Col. Rice, who was still in camp at Glendive Creek, eighty miles distant. Night had already set in, and with it came a drizzling rain and a terrible wind- storm. Notwithstanding the darkness, and the further fact that Bill had never before set foot in that section of country, he set out at ten o'clock and traveled as best he could until morning, having made about thirty-five miles. As the country was full of predatory bands of Indians, he selected a place affording excellent concealment, with the intention of remaining there until night, as to have attempted a passage of the prairies during daylight on a poor horse, such as he was riding, would have been suicidal. After eating a breakfast of bacon and crackers, he lay down for a sleep, but an hour or more afterward he was awakened by a rumbling noise, and crawling to the edge of the bluff he was on, he looked out over the prai- rie below and saw a large hunting party of Indians chas- ing buffaloes, which they were killing and packing on their ponies. This they continued for fully two hours, and when their meat was secured they started off in the direction which Bill must travel to reach Glendive Creek. It was pretty certain that the camp of the Indians was somewhere along his route, but Bill never hesitated on that account to continue his journey. When the shades of night had deepened, he mounted again and set out, and by making a large semi-circle he avoided the Indians and reached Col. Rice at daylight 404 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the following morning. After delivering Gen. Terry's message Bill bade adieu to Col. Rice, and again embark- ing on the Far West, he proceeded down the Yellowstone to Bismarck, where he took passage by rail to Rochester, New York. After meeting his family, he began preparations for his next theatrical tour, by employing a gentleman to write a drama for him which would introduce the striking situ- ations of the Sioux war. The play was soon prepared , and was in five acts, nearly all of which were replete with mimic battles and scalping picnics. The performance invaria- bly filled the house and brought down the galleries, so that the season proved successful even beyond anticipa- tion. While in New York, Bill had a novel bridle made, the like of which was never before seen. In all his Indian fights he had made it a point to preserve the hair and scalps of all his victims (and they were hundreds), and with curious impulse he had a bridle made of the hair thus preserved ; it was most deftly worked by a skillful hair artist, while the bit, buckles and side stars were of bullion silver handsomely engraved. The whole, when completed, was a master-piece of workmanship, and such a novelty, besides, that August Belmont offered Bill one thousand dollars for it. But this offer was refused, as the bridle had been made for a special purpose for presentation to Miss Emma Lake, the world's famous equestrienne. It was accordingly given to this admirable little lady, who has exhibited the bridle in nearly all the leading cities of America. During the season of 1876-77, Bill visited all the East- ern cities, and then made a tour of California, where he met with unexampled success. Upon his return, he and Major North located a ranche on the South Fork of the LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL, 405 Dismal River, in Nebraska, upon which they placed a large herd of cattle, the marking and branding of which occupied him the entire summer. In the following fall Bill visited Eed Cloud Agency, where he engaged a party of Sioux Indians to accompany him on his theatrical tour of 1877-78. He then returned with these to Rochester, where, placing his eldest daughter, Arta, at a young ladies' seminary, Mrs. Cody and little Ora traveled with him during the season. During this tour Bill introduced a new drama, the inci- dents of which were founded on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, entitled: "May Cody; or, Lost and Won." This season was the most profitable of any he had en- joyed up to that time, and at its close he removed from Rochester to North Platte, Nebraska, where he is now living. Since 1878 Bill has continued in the role of profes- sional actor, introducing to the amusement-loving public for three consecutive seasons his new and best play, writ- ten by Col. Prentiss Ingraham, entitled: "The Knight of the Plains ; or, Buffalo Bill's Best Trail." How suc- cessful he has been may be estimated by the fact that during the season of 1880-81 his neb profits from the stage aggregated forty-eight thousand dollars. During the season ef 1880-81 an incident occurred which illustrates Buffalo Bill's wonderful accuracy of aim and goes far to prove the assertion that since the death of Wild Bill he is the champion rifle and pistol shot of the world, and no one is likely to ever wrest the title of champion from him. The incident referred to may be recorded as follows : During September, 1880, Bill was performing at Pope's theater in St. Louis, having with his company the cel- ebrated marksman Ira Paine, whose exhibitions of rifle HEROES OF THE PLAINS. and pistol shooting have been witnessed with delight by thousands of people in various cities of the United States. One morning, as a number of Bill's and Paine's friends, among others Capt. D. L. Payne, the scout, and Dr. Voerster, ex-Coroner of St. Louis, were engaged in friendly conversation, a dispute arose respecting the relative abilities, as marksmen, of Bill and Ira Paine. As a result of the dispute a contest was arranged to take place the following afternoon at the Fair Grounds, a wager being laid of a basket of champagne and a supper of oysters, Capt. Payne backing Bill and Ira Paine bet- ting on himself. The shooting was to consist of rifle and pistol practice, steady and snap shots, at a mark and flying glass balls. The terms and place having been agreed upon, the party, reinforced by several other friends, repaired to the Fair Grounds, where the contest took place. Buffalo Bill won with such ease in all the variety of shots, that comparison in the contest would be ridiculous. Out of one hundred glass balls thrown from a distance of forty yards, Bill broke ninety-eight and chipped another, making ninety-nine out of a possible hundred. A dis- pute arose over the one ball that was chipped, some con- tending that it was missed, while Capt. Payne maintained that it was struck, and to prove his assertion he walked out on the field, and picking up the ball, was returning with it to the crowd, when Bill shouted to him : " Hold on, Payne ; let me cut the ashes off your cigar without touching the fire." Payne stopped, and turning his face sideways, per- mitted Bill to fire. The bullet struck the ashes, leaving the fire exposed. "Now," said Bill, "I'll cut off the tip end of the cigar, so that you will only lose the fire." LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 40? 408 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Payne held himself stiff and perfectly steady while Bill performed the second feat successfully. These wonder- ful exhibitions of skill elicited great applause, as though they were made with a Winchester rifle. Payne started toward the crowd, but when within twenty yards, Bill again called out to him : "Stop again, Payne, and I'll see if I can't cut the cigar out of your mouth with this pistol without touching your lips." Payne, fearing nothing, at once turned sideways again, but the crowd thought the danger of such a shot was too great, and begged Bill not to try it. But Payne said with some warmth : " Let him shoot ; Buffalo Bill always hits what he aims at," Dr. Voerster, who is an excellent shot himself, still protested, but when he found that there was a determi- nation to attempt the feat, he walked out to Payne, and placing his hands on either side of the scout's head, stead- ied him while Bill shot. At the crack of the pistol Payne turned about and exhibited a little stump of his cigar, the part he held between his teeth. The bullet had struck under his moustache and cut off the cigar withir less than a quarter of an inch off his lips. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL, 409 CHAPTEK XXIV. CONCLUSION. BUFFALO BILL is one of the few famous scouts who has justly won the renown which encircles his name. His exploits have been so numerous, involving a display of such extraordinary daring and magnificent nerve that language cannot exaggerate them. Gen. Sheridan makes bold to assert that Buffalo BiJ has killed more Indians than any white man that ever lived. It would be no credit to the daring scout if these Indians had fallen with- out justification, but since they were the victims of legit- imate war, and were slain in the performance of a sworn duty, he may properly wear the laurels and deserve the plaudits of civilization whose effective instrument he has ever been. Before closing this narrative of his wonderful life, I cannot resist the temptation to include a few words re- specting his social relations, which are so amiable that no man can possibly be happier than he. In May, the present year (1881), I received an invita- tion from Buffalo Bill to visit him , which I accepted with much pleasure, as it afforded me the opportunity I so much desired for acquainting myself with his personal pe- culiarities and social surroundings. Upon returning from that visit I prepared a correspondence for the ' 'American Traveler's Journal," recounting mv exceedingly pleasant experiences with the celebrated scout and his family, ex- tracts from which I will here reproduce for the purpose of giving the reader an idea of his entertaining character, and the interesting nature of his surroundings : I met Mr. Cody, by arrangement, in Omaha on the 5th, 410 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. where I was received with that generous cordiality for which he is distinguished, and remained with him in that city during two days, in order to attend an entertain- ment at Brown ell Seminary, at which institution his beautiful daughter, Arta, is a student. En passant I will be excused for remarking that Miss Arta, though but fourteen years of age, is one of the most charming and interesting young ladies it has been my fortune to meet. She is accomplished both in music and rudimentary litera- ture, being a thorough student, and free from the vanity which so frequently turns the heads of much less handsome young girls. With her beauty and accomplishments, she combines that noble trait of loving devotion to her mother and father, inheriting much of the peculiarities of the latter ; especially her facility in shooting and riding, in both of which she has few superiors. On Saturday, the 7th, I departed in Mr. Cody's compa, ny for his home, which we reached at 2 A. M., to find hk wife and younger daughter, Ora, eight years of age, awaiting us with buggies, in which we rode to his beauti- ful residence, which is situated one mile west of North Platte, near the U. P. railroad track. This house, built after a design furnished by his estimable wife, combines all the elegancies of a thorough mansion. It has three large intersecting parlors, the floors are covered with luxurious carpets, and the walls bedecked with handsome paintings, the more conspicuous being pictures of his family and fron- tier friends, Wild Bill, Capt. Jack Crawford, Texas Jack, hunting scenes, Indian battles, etc. In addition to these, there is a fine piano and an organ, on both of which instru- ments Mrs. Cody and her elder daughter ^tre excellent performers. The table is beautified with taaten silver, and the cellar filled with the finest wines and choicest liquors ; for there is a constant stream of visitors, and to LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 411 entertain guests in regal style is a forte peculiar to Buffalo Bill and his elegant wife. On the morning following our arrival at North Platte, with the first intimation that Buffalo Bill had returned home, the town put on its wardrobe of congratulations ; flags went up, and the visitors flocked down on him with welcomes so hearty as to approach an ovation. His pop- ularity reverses the biblical adage, " A prophet is not without honor save in his own country." Omitting details of his reception by the citizens, de- lighted to see him again after a nine months' absence as a popular theatrical star in the East, by his invitation a party was at once collected, and on horseback we rode southward for a hunt near C. H. Groner's (the sheriff's) ranche. The season was too early for antelope, so we had to content ourselves with smaller game, such as ducks, snipe and curlews, which were none too plenty. But in addition to the pleasure of killing several birds, I met with the characters known as " cow-boys," with whose peculiar manners I sought to familiarize myself by re- maining over night at the ranche, and participating in their games and duties. A shot at a passing coyote was the only thing affording any excitement, but this very soon disappeared with the little animal, and the follow- ing day I was glad to return in a buggy sent for me. Beyond the little rifle-practice we had indulged in at Buffalo Bill's house and on the prairie, which I consid- ered creditable to the entire party participating, I had not yet seen anything of special importance, but it was reserved for me to witness remarkable sights on Tuesday, which would have compensated for a trip a thousand times greater. Early in the morning of that day, the preliminaries having been arranged the evening previous, a party consisting of Buffalo Bill and wife, ex-Congress^ 412 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. man Taft, wife and daughter, Major Heinman and wife, with the writer acting as cavalier to the rear, started out for a picnic excursion eight miles north of the town, taking guns of various calibre with us, and ammunition sufficient to provide for an incessant fusilade on glas balls, birds and game. The commissary, which wa under the immediate supervision of Mrs. Cody, was all that the most fastidious epicurean could have desired, consisting of abundant substantiate, as well as those rare and dainty delicacies which good housewives know so well how to prepare. To these we were all devoutly attached, even to the uttermost vestige of the pro vision- ary spread. When the feasting was over, Buffalo Bill consented to amuse the company for a time with some of his prairie pastimes. At first I was quite willing to lay wagers of ten cents a shot against his hitting flying glass balls, hurled by myself, with his Winchester, but as the ap- pearances very soon convinced me that if I continued the betting without hedging I would have to be sent home C. O. D., I adopted a wiser course. But I got even with him by accepting his bets that I could not hit consecutive stationary glass balls, at ten paces, with his gallery rifle. But the most exciting part of the entertainment was reserved for the last, which was a tableau of unparalleled riding and marksmanship. Mounting his gray pony, from whose back a shot had never before been fired, Bill rode out from the camp with his Winchester, I accompa- nying him on a fleet horse. Marking objects on the route by pointing to them, as the insubordination of his horse precluded the possibility of first locating the marks along a defined route, Bill put his steed upon the run and began firing right and left, shooting at a distance of fifty and seventy-five yards. At every shot the horse would LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL, 413 jump sideways so violently that it appeared impossible for the agile rider to keep his seat ; yet he seemed like a veritable centaur, so perfectly was his equilibrium main- tained while his hands were both occupied in handling the gun, which he fired with a rapidity most astonishing. Not only did he thus exhibit a truly wonderful accom- plishment as a rider, but his marksmanship was equally astonishing, for with all his rapid firing from a running, fractious horse the bullets were invariably sent with a precision which would have won honor for an expert shooting from the ground at a target. Surprise cannot express my feelings at witnessing the remarkable feats he accomplished with rifle on horseback. His tours through the country as an actor have familiarized nearly every one in the United States with his accuracy of aim, which has elicited such spontaneous plaudits from admiring audiences ; yet Buffalo Bill on the stage is but a by-play to Buffalo Bill on the plains. It is only on the broad prairies, beyond the boundaries of confinement, that his skill can be shown to advantage, and with a fleet, wild horse Buffalo Bill surpasses the most preposterous exag- gerations of the Leather Stocking stories. Socially, this genuine hero in deed and reputation is one of the most generous and noble-hearted of men. To meet him is to be his friend. He is the very soul of hu- mor and anecdote, regaling a camp with an inexhaustible fund of rare experiences and witticisms. At Omaha we met Lieut. Frederick Schwatka, the most successful of all arctic explorers, who recently found the remain 3 of thirty members of the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Schwatka and Bill have been in three different expeditions together, one as chief of scouts, and the other as lieuten- ant in the regular army, and both under Gen. Crook. The following story was told to me by the Lieutenant, 414 HEKOES OF THE PLAINS. who regards Bill with a friendship which he delights in. During the expedition of 1874 in the Big Horn country, when Gen. Crook was operating against the Si >ux, the command had pitched camp in the canons, where they were momentarily expecting an attack. Buffalo Bill, as chief of scouts, being well acquainted with the country and the peculiarities of the Indians, was given practical command of the Snake Indians, who were co-operating with the expedition. One night Bill selected one of the friendly Indians to act as corporal of the guard, giving him minute instructions to call the guard every two hours and send a relief. In order to give the Indian a better idea of the time, Bill gave him his watch, saying : "Now, take this watch, and hold it in your hand; when the big hand goes around twice and the little one moves two figures, that will show you two hours have passed, and you must then put out a new guard." The Indian, having never before seen a watch, was so pleased with it that he assured Bill he understood his in- structions, being anxious to look at the attractive play- thing, as he considered it. Taking a position by the camp-fire, the Indian held the watch carefully in his hand, listened to its ticking, arid then watched the hands. After spending five or six hours in this manner he lost all interest in the watch, and going over to Bill's tent, he awakened him and said : "D n Melican man; him fool Indian long time" (pointing to the watch) ; "big hand all right, but little hand, him d n tired," and threw the watch to Bill. The Indian had got the information badly mixed, thinking that both hands of the watch should make the circuit of the dial in the same time, and becoming dis- gusted with the "tired" movement of the smaller hand, he thought Bill had been playing a trick on him ; he there- fore refused to act as corporal any longer. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 415 During the same expedition the Lieutenant and Bill left camp one afternoon to bathe in the Sweet water. While they were in the stream the Lieutenant discovered a sage- hen in the brush on the bank, and as fresh meat had be- come an exceedingly scarce article in that section, the two were very anxious to kill the bird. They had but one pistol between them, and both wanted to do the shooting, trusting in their respective abilities to kill the hen. The Lieutenant, however, secured the first shot, but missed. Bill then grabbed the pistol, saying, " You can't shoot for cold beans ; I'll show you how to profit by this opportunity." Taking fair aim, Bill fired, but he also missed. He considered the miss an accident, howev- er, and refusing to give the Lieutenant another chance, he kept firing until the six chambers of the pistol were emptied without touching the bird. Incensed at his bad shooting, he then hurled the pistol at the bird and lucky circumstance killed it ! This joke has been following Buffalo Bill ever since the return of the expedition, and it will probably dog his trails so long as he continues to be a crack shot. While I was in North Platte I heard another excellent joke on Bill, which furnishes too strong a temptation for me to resist relating : It is well known that he is the most liberal giver in Nebraska. Although far from bo- ing a church-goer, he nevertheless, contributes to th church with a wonderful liberality. When the first fine church building was completed in North Platte, proposi- tions were made for opening it with grand dedicatory ceremonies. Mrs. Cody was anxious to have her hus^ band attend, and continued to persuade him until he consented-* not, however, until he had warned her that he was almost certain to make a "bad break in meeting." In opening the song service the choir occupied a choral 26 416 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. gallery in the front part of the church, and the leader chanced to be a lady who, while she was an excellent organist, had a screechy voice tuned in so high a key that no one could follow her. Nevertheless it devolved on her to start the tune, both by voice and instrument. She began : " My soul's in arms ten thousand foes arise ; " but she saw the key was pitched up about seven octavea above the door-step of heaven, so she halted a moment, and again started : " My soul's in arms ten thousand foes arise." But she got it down not more than a single note, which left the other portion of the choir and audience on theii tip-toes, and even then they wanted several feet of reach- ing the summit of the air. Bill turned half-way round in his seat, and looking up toward the aerial singer, cried, " Start it at five thousand, and maybe we can get in." The audience were unable to control their risibili- ties, while Bill accepted his wife's invitation to retire. Such jokes as these are numerous as blades of prairie grass about North Platte, Buffalo Bill always figuring as the chief character. I never enjoyed a visit so much as the brief one I paid Buffalo Bill, and not more to him than to his most estimable and handsome wife am I indebted for courtesies which I shall ever regard as souvenirs of a jolly time in North Platte. The success of Buffalo Bill's theatrical enterprises has been surprisingly great; I say surprisingly because he has scarcely an equal in the mimic arena, being now reck- oned the third richest actor in America, notwithstanding the fact that his personal expenses are perhaps greater than those of any other character on the stage, and UIB career dates only since 1873, He combines many rare qualities of conception, organization and management, LIFE OP BUFFALO BILL. 417 which force success where all others would fail. His ingenuity and business judgment has long been pro- nounced ; but his flattering reputation in this respect has been far transcended by an enterprise which he originated in the summer of 1883 ; one that is at once so grand and ambitious that in speaking of it P. T. Barnum was lead to declare Buffalo Bill the greatest organizer of successful combinations to please public taste in the world. The enterprise of which I speak is a vivid illustration of what he calls " Wild Life in the Far West." In it he has associated with himself Dr. W. F. Carver, the ac- knowledged champion rifle, pistol and shot-gun expert of the world. Cody and Carver are the proprietors of the combination ; they have traveling with them during the summer season sixty Indians, as many horses, also herds of elk, buffalo, and the most skillful lariat throwers to be found either in the West or Mexico. Their entertain- ments are in the open air, being usually given in fair grounds, and consist in shooting, reckless riding, lasso- ing elk and buffalo, illustrating Indian attacks on stage coaches, in canons, and on settlements. In short, giv- ing a realistic panorama of the wild life through which Buffalo Bill has passed. This brilliant conception is thus far his crowning achievement, and to speak of it as a success does not express the real triumph it has obtained wherever the show has been given. It is a fitting con- clusion to the exciting life-labors of the only Buffalo Bill that the West is capable of bringing into world-wide noxice for genuine achievements. 418 LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. CHAPTER I. THE Man in the Iron Mask and the author of the Jo* nius letters are the great unsolved personalities of history ; but while a comparison between these and California Joe would appear, in some degree, ridiculous to the aesthetic student of human nature, yet in so far as identity alone is concerned they were not altogether unlike ; though the character of the Wandering Jew would afford an alto- gether more appropriate resemblance when considering alone the odd traits and singular adventures of this great plainsman. Who was California Joe? This question many may consider themselves able to answer, but no one, perhaps, can distinguish between the California Joes who have figured in so many escapades attributed to this enigmatic character, for there has been more than one person to adopt the title. Where was he born? No one will at- tempt to answer. The California Joe who hunted, trail- ed, fought and slept beside Gen. Custer and Buffalo Bill is believed to have been a native of Kentucky. Buffalo Bill maintains that his real name was Joseph Milmer, while Capt. Payne declares that his name was Joseph Hawkins, and, as a further proof of the claim, asserts that Joe was a distant relative of Daniel Boone, and also his (Payne's) third cousin. We are only able to say, 419 420 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. therefore, that California Joe was singularly reticent con- cerning his early life, and died at last with his full iden- tity unsolved. For what facts I here present concerning his life I am indebted to Buffalo Bill and Capt. Payne, and it is this reason which has prompted me to respect the opinions of each by giving their assertions, not, how- ever, with any desire to involve them in any further dis- cussion concerning Joe's real name. The first thrilling adventure in which California Joe participated, of which I have any information, may be described as follows : In the summer of 1849 a party of sixty-five hardy ad' venturers from Kentucky, with California Joe as their leader, attempted an overland journey to California, be- ing impelled by the golden stories of newly discovered wealth along the San Juan . They proceeded without in- terruption for several weeks, when they reached a canon near Pueblo. Here a camp was made just before night- fall, and as the party had never been initiated into the perils of Indian treachery, they did not consider the im- portance of anticipating and guarding against an attack from these prairie nomads. During the still hours of night, when the entire party was sound in slumber, perchance dreaming of vast treas- ures and the exaggerated blessings which wealth provides, a band of two hundred vindictive Cheyennes descended, likes wolves upon the fold, from the hillsides, and poured into the camp before there was even a suspicion of their proximity. Lance and arrow, tomahawk and war club, soon destroyed the bright dreams, the golden anticipa- tions, and out of the party of sixty-five only two escaped, one of whom was California Joe, but even he was badly wounded. (Two persons who were well acquainted with Joe during his life assert that his wife and two little boys were killed at the same time.) LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 421 In the darkness of the night Joe succeeded in eluding the savages while thej were mutilating and dancing over the bodies of his dead comrades, and crawling to the Ar- kansas River, one mile distant, embarked on a log, upon which he floated down to Ft. Lyon, where he was taken out of the water and cared for. Although this, his first experience on the plains, had been tempered with sore adventure, it was scarcely two months after this event when he again attempted the overland trip to California. He had with him this time but two companions, and having been chastened for his lack of precaution, he now fully appreciated the fruits of that lesson. A guard was therefore constantly main- tained, but even this did not avail against what appeared a decree of bitter fate. The three were attacked by twenty-five Utahs, as they were passing through the gateway of the Rocky Moun- tains, and after a bitter struggle Joe's comrades were killed and himself taken prisoner. The Indians bound him securely on a pony, after which they started off northward with their prisoner. The terrible forebodings which his helpless condition prompted as he rode silently beside his cruel captors, as Joe afterward expressed it, was "tearin' to a sinner's soul." Just before dark the Indians halted in a valley beside Green River and then deliberately began to make prepara- tions for punishing their victim. Joe was first taken from the pony he had been riding and laid upon the grass, where he was watched by a single warrior, while the others busied themselves gathering dry wood, which they piled in a circle about a tree. The fiendish intentions of his enemies were now re- vealed to Joe, for these preparations he knew meant death at the stake. Seeing that his life was to end in 422 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. torture, he made a desperate effort to free himself, hop- ing that his actions would cause some of the Indians to kill him at once, but knowing their captive to be well bound the savages gave no heed to his writhings. When the circle of wood was completed and ready for lighting, the savages carried their victim to the tree, and despite his struggles, bound him fast, his back being drawn tight! j against the trunk of the tree. The sacri- fice now being prepared, one of the Indians, who was evi- dently a chief, drew a large knife, with which he cut off the outer rim of each of Joe's ears, placing the bleeding flesh inside his beautifully beaded belt. When this part of the ceremony was concluded, the Indians executed a war dance around their victim , in or- der, no doubt, to torture him with the dread anticipation of his approaching fate. Darkness now had fairly settled down, as if to hide the dark and dreadful deed, and accepting this pall of nature as the most opportune time for their hellish design, the circle of wood was lighted in a dozen places, after which the Indians sat down around the fire, filled their pipes and entered upon the full enjoyment of the bar- becue. As the fire had been intentionally placed a little distance from Joe's feet, in order that he might first feel its dis- comforting heat, thereby prolonging the torture, he had time to yell vigorously, this being his only hope of rescue from sudden death, considering all the while a possibility of so provoking the Indians that they would kill him out- right. His lusty shouts, together with the illumination on the clouds from the fire about him, by extraordinary good fortune, attracted the attention of a party of trappers, who chanced to be camped on Green River, within less LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 425 than half a mile from the place where Joe was being sacrificed. Knowing that something was wrong, the trap- pers, fifty in number, rushed down toward the spot indi- cated by the cries, and approaching carefully they dis- covered the situation. With a deadly volley from their rifles, twelve Indians dropped over dead with smoking pipes in their hands. Another volley followed swiftly after the firsthand when the trappers rushed to the res- cue of Joe they found eighteen savages ready for the scalping. Poor fellow ! the fire had wrinkled his buck- skin clothes, and so burnt the skin on his lower limbs that large pieces fell off ; though the pain he suffered was most excruciating, yet the injuries were not of a serious character. He was taken to the trappers' camp and treated with all the consideration and kindness friends are capable of giving. Upon his recovery, some weeks after his wonderful escape from the most horrible of deaths, Joe became associated with the party in their oc- cupation, and followed trapping for more than a year in the company of his rescuers. CHAPTER H CALIFORNIA JOE'S courtship and marriage, as told by himself, and repeated in sweet, pathetic story by one of nature's noblemen, Capt. Jack Crawford, is unquestion- ably one of the most sympathetic and lovingly sorrowful recitals that was ever created by imagination or found in any of the peculiar phases of human life. Its reproduc- tion here will thrill the hearts of every lover of the most noble instincts of nature, and perhaps bring tears to the 426 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. eyes of many, moved by that fellow-feeling which estab* lishas a universal kinship among mankind : Well, mates, I don't like stories, Nor am I going to act A part around this camp fire That ain't a truthful fact. So fill your pipes and listen, I'll tell you let me see, I think it was in fifty, From that till sixty-three. You've all heard tell of Bridger? I used to run with Jim, And many a hard day's scouting I've done 'longside of him. Well, once, near old Fort Reno, A trapper used to dwell ; We called him old Pap Reynolds- The scouts all knew him well. One night the spring of fifty We camped on Powder River ; We killed a calf of buffalo, And cooked a slice of liver ; While eating, quite contented, We heard three shots or four ; Put out the fire and listened, Then heard a dozen more. We knew that old man Reynolds Had moved his traps up here ; So, picking up our rifles, And fixing on our gear, LITE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 427 We mounted quick as lightnin' To save was our desire. Too late ; the painted heathens Had set the house on fire. We tied our horses quickly, And waded up the stream ; While close beside the water I heard a muffled scream, And there among the bushes, A little girl did lie ; I picked her up and whispered, " PU save you, or Pll die! " Lord, what a nde ! old Bridger, He covered my retreat, Sometimes the child would whisper, In voice so low and sweet, " Poor papa ! God will take him To mamma up above ; There's no one left to love me There's no one left to love.*' The little one was thirteen, And I was twenty-two. Said I ; " I'll be your father, And love you just as true." She nestled to my bosom, Her hazel eyes so bright, Looked up and made me happy, Though close pursued that night. A month had passed, and Maggie (We called her Hazel-Eye), HEROES OF THE PLAINS. In truth, was going to leave me - "Was going to say " good-bye." Her uncle, mad Jack Reynolds Reported long since dead Had come to claim my angel, His brother's child, he said. What could I say? We parted. Mad Jack was growing old ; I handed him a bank-note, And all I had in gold. They rode away at sunrise, I went a mile or two, And, parting, said : " We'll meet again*** May God watch over you." Beside a laughing, dancing brook, A little cabin stood, As, weary with a long day's scout, I spied it in the wood. A pretty valley stretched beyond, The mountains towered above, While near the willow bank I heard The cooing of a dove. 'Twos one grand panorama ; The brook was plainly seen, Like a long thread of silver In a cloth of lovely green. The laughter of the waters, The cooing of the dove, Was like some painted picture- Some well-told tale of love. LIFE OF CALIFOENIA JOB. While drinking in the grandeur, And resting in my saddle, I heard a gentle ripple, Like the dipping of a paddle. I turned toward the eddy A strange sight met my view : A maiden, with her rifle, In a little bark canoe. She stood up in the centre, The rifle to her eye ; I thought (just for a second) My time had come to die. I doffed my hat and told her (If it was all the same) To drop her little shooter, For I was not her game. She dropped the deadly weapon* And leaped from the canoe. Said she : " I beg your pardon, I thought you were a Sioux ; Your long hair and your buckskin Looked warrior-like and rough ; My bead was spoiled by sunshine, Or I'd killed you, sure enough." ** Perhaps it had been better You dropped me then," said I; "For surely such an angel Would bear me to the sky." She blushed and dropped her eyelids j Her cheeks were crimson red ; One half -shy glance she gave me, And then hung down her head. 80 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. I took her little hand in mine- She wondered what I meant, And yet she drew it not away, But rather seemed content. We sat upon the mossy bank Her eyes began to fill The brook was rippling at our feet* The dove was cooing still. I smoothed the golden tresses, Her eyes looked up in mine. She seemed in doubt then whispered: " "Tis such a long, long time Strong arms were thrown around Til save you, or I'll die." I clasped her to my bosom- My long-lost Hazel-Eye. The rapture of that moment Was almost heaven to me ; I kissed her 'mid her tear-dropa, Her innocence and glee ; Her heart near mine was beating, While sobbingly she said : "My dear, my brave preserver, They told me you were dead. "But, oh I those parting words, Joe, Have never left my mind, You said : 'We'll meet again, Mag,' Then rode off like the wind ; And, oh I how I have prayed, Jos, For you, who saved my life. That God would send an an^rct To guard ; ou through all strife. LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOB. "And he who claimed me from you, My uncle, good and true Now sick in yonder cabin Has talked so much of you. ' If Joe were living, darling/ He said to me last night, * He would care for Maggie, When God puts out my light.' * We found the old man sleeping. "Hush ! Maggie, let him rest." The sun was slowly sinking In the far-off glowing west ; And tho' we talked in whispers, He opened wide his eyes, " A dream a dream I " he murmured, " Alas I a dream of lies I " She drifted like a shadow To where the old man lay, "You had a dream, dear uncle, Another dream to-day?" " Oh, yes ; I saw an angel, As pure as mountain snow, And near her, at my bedside, Stood California Joe." "I'm sure Tm not an angel, Dear uncle, that you know ; These arms are brown, my hands, too My face is cot like snow,- now, listen wnlle 1 tell For I have news to And Hazel-Eye is For Joe is truly here. 433 HEKOES OF THE PLAINS. And when a few days after, The old man said to me, 'Joe. boy, she ar' a angel, An* good as angels be ; For three long months she's hunted An' trapped an' nurs'd me, too ; God bless ye, boy ! I believe it She's safe along wi' you." The sun was slowly sinking, When Mag (my wife) and I Came riding through the valley, The tear-drops in her eye, "One year ago, to-day, Joe I see the mossy grave We laid him 'neath the daisies, My uncle, good and brave." And, comrades, every spring-time Was sure to find me thyere A something in that valley Was always fresh and fair ; Our loves were newly kindled -While sitting by the stream, Where two hearts were united In love's sweet, happy dream. There is another part to this beautiful sti>ry, founded as it is on fact, which, owing to its singular harmony with the sentiment expressed in this poem of Capt. Jack's, fur- ther illustrates the large-hearted devotion of California Joe, and ought therefore to be added. It is as follows : An old trapper named Reynolds, one of the rery first white men that ever set foot in the Black Hills country, LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 433 had settled on the Yellowstone with his large family of children, among the number being a very beautiful little girl eleven years of age, whose name was Maggie. She was not only of a winsome figure, lovely in feature and disposition, but also very precocious for one of her age. Young as she was, nothing so charmed her youthful ambi- tion as the chase. With a rifle, the very weight of which was a burden scarcely to be borne by such tender shoul- ders, she day after day scouted in the vicinity of the old cabin, killing deer and even attacking more dangerous game, such as bears and wolves. One day little Maggie went hunting, as usual, never straying far from home, but when night drew on apace she had not returned. The mother became somewhat anxious at her daughter's prolonged absence ; but when darkness fell, and the hours of night sped by one after another, anxiety grew into alarm and a search was insti- tuted. Father, mother, brothers, all joined in the hunt, each calling aloud, from time to time, the name of the lost one, but no response came. This search was contin- ued for several days and until the distracted parents finally concluded that the child had either been carried off and devoured by some wild animal, or had been kidnapped by the Indians, the latter supposition occurring to them as more reasonable. Some months after this sad occurrence, California Joe while trapping on the Yellowstone, visited old man Rey- nolds, and during this visit was made acquainted with the circumstances of little Maggie's strange disappearance. He at once exclaimed : "I'll bet a silver fox's skin that that ar gal is now with them thar tarnal Cheyennes ; ' fact I already hearn thar was a white face 'mong them wretches." Hearing this assertion, Mrs. Eeynolds began to lament > 26 434 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. but between her sobs of grief she pleadingly inquired it there were any means by which her daughter could be rescued. " Yer bet thar is," replied Joe, "and more than that, Mrs. Reynolds, I'll just undertake to find her myself." Joe remained over night with the Reynolds family, but on the following morning at an early hour, he gathered up his rifle and 'bidding them good bye, set off in search of the little girl. He proceeded to a spot where he knew a party of Cheyennes were encamped, with whom he had done some trading only a few days before. Finding the Indians, he selected four of the tribe he was best acquainted with, and after treating them to a large bottle of frontier whisky, he made a contract (stipulating more fire-water) with the savage quartette for the restoration of the child. These four Indians set out directly to find a large village of their tribe located near the headwaters of the Mis- souri. They not only succeeded in finding their red brothers, but getting into camp it was not long ere they also discovered the little pale face in the custody of an old squaw who was using Maggie as a servant. By skillful insinuation they at length managed to com* mumcatewith the little girl, 'and acquainted her with their purpose, arranging at the same time to meet her on the Missouri river bank at midnight with a canoe, to carry her out of the village. The arrangement succeeded most admirably, as the girl, young as she was, employed so much care and cunning that she stole away from the side of her sleeping guard and got out of the tepee without discovery. She then hastened to the trysting place, where she was received by the four waiting Indians, who conveyed her down the river in their canoe to a spot designated by California Joe. LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOEL 435 The girl was missed very soon after her escape from the village, and ten of the Cheyennes started out at once to effect her recapture, but though they made directly toward old man Reynolds' cabin, Joe had preceded them The Indians Receiving the White Girl into their Canoe. feo /ar that Maggie was restored to her overjoyed parent* before the Indians arrived. When they came up to tha cabin, intending to forcibly retake the girl, they wer$ met by a volley of bullets^froni deadly rifles in the hands 436 HHBOES OP THE PLAINS. of Joe and Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, the latter being a true frontiersman's wife, knowing how to shoot as wefl as most crack shots. A lively fight ensued, but protected by the cabin, the party inside sustained no injury, while they succeeded in killing five of the Indians. The coun- try, however, had now become too dangerous for a longer residence on the Yellowstone, and the Reynolds family speedily abandoned their home and fled southward with Joe to the North Platte. It has been asserted that California Joe married the little girl he had thus rescued, six years afterward, but it is possible that the name of the girl, Maggie, being the same as that of his wife, gave rise to this belief. The circumstances, as here related, concerning the rescue of Reynolds' daughter, are undoubtedly true, but that he married this same girl afterward is scarcely worthy of belief. Joe himself related the story of his marriage to Capt. Jack, who undoubtedly truthfully repeated it in the beautiful verses already quoted. CHAPTER HI. IN 1857 California Joe removed to Oregon, where he continued trapping and prospecting until the civil war broke out, when he returned to the States, and shortly afterward joined Berdan's sharpshooters, among whom he was regarded as far the most skillful marksman in that arm of the service. The following incident is told of him by a war corres- pondent of Harper's Weekly in reporting the first siege of Richmond in 1862 : LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 437 "A rebel sharpshooter had been amusing himself and annoying the General and other officers by firing several times in that direction, and sending the bullets in un- pleasant proximity to their heads. " * My man, can't you get your piece on that fellow who is firing on us, and stop his impertinence?' asked the General. " *I think so,' replied Joe; and he brought his tel- escopic rifle to a horizontal position. " 'Do you see him?' inquired the General. " 'I do.' ' < ' How far is he away ? ' " 'Fifteen hundred yards.' " Can you fetch him?' " 'I '11 try.' "And Joe did try. He brought his piece to a steady aim, pulled the trigger, and sent the bullet whizzing on its experimental tour, the officers meanwhile looking through their field glasses. Joe evidently hit the fellow in the leg or foot, for he went hobbling up the hill on one leg and two hands, in a style of locomotion that was amusing." The picture of California Joe given at the commence- ment of this sketch, is from a photograph taken during the siege of Yorktown, by Harper's special artist, and represents him in his position picking off the Confeder- ate gunners. The personality and situation are there- fore true to life. At the close of the war Joe became connected with Gen. Curtis, for whom he trailed and did guide service for several years, following him in the Wachita campaign, and afterward with the command scouting through Ne- braska and Dakotah. In Gen. Custer's work, "My Life on the Plains," that gallant officer gives the follow- 438 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, ing description of Joe, having reference to the time when his command was operating against Black Kettle, in the Wachita mountains : * * In concentrating the cavalry which had hitherto been operating in small bodies, it was found that each detach- ment brought with it the scouts who had been serving with them. When I joined the command I found quite a number of these scouts attached to various portions of the cavalry, but each acting separately. For the purpose of organization it was deemed best to unite them in a sep- arate detachment under command of one of their own number. Being unacquainted with the merits or demer- its of any of them, the selection of a chief had to be made somewhat at random. "There was one among their number whose appearance would have attracted the notice of any casual observer. He was a man about forty years>of age, perhaps older, over six feet in height, and possessing a well proportioned frame. His head was covered with a luxuriant crop of long, almost black hair, strongly inclined to curl, and so long as to fall carelessly over his shoulders. His face, at least so much of it as was not concealed by the long, waving brown beard and moustache, was full of intelH, gence and pleasant to look upon. His eye was undoubt- edly handsome, black and lustrous, with an expression of kindness and mildness combined. On his head was generally to be seen, whether awake or asleep, a huge sombrero, or black slouch hat. A soldier's overcoat, with its large circular cape, a pair of trousers with the legs tucked in the top of his long boots, usually consti- tuted the make-up of the man whom I selected as chief scout. He was known by the euphonious title of * Cali- fornia Joe ; ' no other name seemed ever to have been given him, and no other name appeared to be necessary. LIFE Or CAUFOBNIA JOB. 439 His military armament consisted of a long, breech-load- ing Springfield musket, from which he was inseparable, and a revolver and hunting-knife, both the latter being carried in his waist-belt. His mount completed his equipment for the field, being, instead of ahorse, a finely formed mule, in whose speed and endurance he had every confidence. * * * * * * " California Joe was an inveterate smoker, and was rarely seen without his stubby, dingy-looking briarwood pipe in full blast. The endurance of his smoking powers was only surpassed by his loquacity. His pipe frequently became exhausted and required filling, but California Joe seemed never to lack for material or disposition to carry on a conversation, principally concerning personal adven- tures among the Indians, episodes in mining life, or expe- rience in overland journeying before the days of steam engines and palace cars rendered a trip across the plains a comparatively uneventful one. It was evident from the scraps of information volunteered from time to time, that there was but little of the Western country, from the Pacific ocean to the Missouri river, with which California Joe was not intimately acquainted . He had lived in Oregon years before, and had become acquainted from time to time with most of the officers who had served on the plains or on the Pacific coast. I once inquired of him if he had ever seen General Sheridan. He answered : "'What! General Sheridan? Why, bless my soul, I knowed Sheridan away up in Oregon more'n fifteen years ago, and he wuz only a second lieutenant uv infantry. He was quartermaster uv the foot, er suthin' o' that soil, an' I hed the contract fer furnishin' wood to the post, an', would yer b'leve it? I hed a kind uv a sneakin* no- tion that he'd hurt sombody ef they'd ever turn him loose. Lord, but ain't he old lightnin' I ' 440 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. " This was the man whom, upon a short acquaintance, I decided to appoint as chief of the scouts." ****** ' * As the four detachments already referred to were to move as soon as it was dark, it was desirable that the scouts should be at once organized and assigned. So, sending for California Joe, I informed him of his promo- tion and what was expected of him and his men. After this official portion of the interview had been completed, it seemed proper to Joe's mind that a more intimate ac- quaintance between us should be cultivated, as we had never met before. His first interrogatory, addressed to me in furtherance of this idea, was frankly put as fol- lows: *' ' See hyar, Gineral, in order thet we hev no misonder- standin' I'd jist like ter ax ye a few questions. First, are ye an ambulance man er a hoss man ? ' " Professing ignorance of his meaning, I requested him to explain. " ' I mean,' said he, doyerb'lieve in catehin' Injuns in ambulances or on hossback ? ' " Still assuming ignorance, I replied, ' Well, Joe, I be- lieve in catching Indians wherever we can find them, whether they are found in ambulances or on horseback.' " * Thet ain't what I'm a drivin' at,' he responded. ' S'pose you're after Injuns and really want to hev a tussle with 'em, would yer start after 'em on hossback er would yer climb inter a ambulance and be hauled after 'em? Thet's the pint I'm a headin' fer.' " I answered that I would prefer the method on horse- back, provided I really desired to catch the Indians ; but if I wished them to catch me, I would adopt the ambu- lance system of attack. " 4 You've hit the nail squar on the head,' said he, ' I've LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 441 bin with 'em on the plains whar they started out after In- juns on wheels jist as ef they war goin' to a town fu- neral in ther States, an' they stood 'bout as many chan- ces uv catchin' Injuns ez a six-mule team would uv catchin* a pack of thievin' ki-o-tes, jist as much. Why, thet sort uv work iz only fun ferthe Injuns ; they don't want any- thing better. Yer ort to 've seed how they peppered it to us, and we a doin' o' nuthin' all the time. Sum uv 'em wuz afraid the mules war goin' to stampede an run off with ther train and all our forage an' grub, but thet wuz impossible ; fer besides the big loads uv corn an' bacon an' baggage the wagons hed in 'em, thar war from eight to a dozen infantry men piled into 'em besides. Yer ort to hev heard the quartermaster in charge uv the train try- in' to drive the infantry men out uv the wagons and git them into ther fight. I 'spect he wuz a Irishman, by Jris talk, fer he said to 'em : " Git out uv thirn wagons ; get out uv thim wagons ; yez' 11 hev me thried fer disobadi- ance uv orders for marchin' tin min in a wagon whin I've ordhers fer but ait.' ' " I have quoted somewhat liberally from Gen. Ouster, be- cause that which is repeated above affords an excellent basis upon which to form an opinion of California Joe's unique peculiarities. Old Joe was, however, of so much importance that Custer devotes several pages of his book to a rehearsal of the droll adventures of this singular character. After Ouster's fight with Black Kettle, in which a great victory was gained, breaking the power of the Cheyennes completely, Oalifornia Joe was selected as courier to carry the report back to Gen. Sheridan, whose headquar- ters were at Camp Supply. The journey was not more than one hundred miles, but it was through a country lib- erally beset with revengeful Indians. Black Kettle's 442 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, forces were, of course, dispersed in the battle and had divided up into small parties so as to facilitate their es- cape ; they had back-tracked in order to again reach the game country of the Indian Nation, and of this fact Cus- ter was well aware when he requested Joe to carry the dispatches, tendering him at the same time, a cavalry es- cort of fifty men. Custer was, therefore, very much surprised to hear Joe say that he wanted no escort and that the only companion he desired on the trip was his "pardner," Jack Corbin, whose peculiar characteristic was extreme taciturnity, the very opposite of Joe, whose loquaciousness was almost phenomenal. It was a singu- lar attachment which bound these two men together, doubtless the desire of one to do all the talking while the other was contented only while doing all the listening. But whatever constituted the bond of friendship between them it was of a material of great strength. These two men, Joe and Corbin, set out from Ouster's camping place at nightfall and reached Camp Supply in less than twenty-four hours, though they had to make several wide circuits to avoid the Indians. Delivering o the dispatches to Sheridan, they received a message for Custer in reply, and with a change of animals, returned to the latter 's camp in just forty-eight hours from the time of their departure. During the operations of Custer in the Wachita Moun- tains, and after the defeat of Black Kettle, while the command was encamped, California Joe, Capt. D. L. Payne and four of the soldiers went out several miles from camp for a bear hunt. While riding up a canon just across the boundary line of New Mexico, Joe, who uras in advance, espied seven Indians approaching up tha same canon in single file. In an instant he threw him- self sideways off his mule, which action was followed by LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOB. 443 the rest of his party. Payne, not having observed the Indians, and thinking that Joe had seen a bear, eagerly inquired : " Where is it, Joe?" ' * Look around that thar boulder and down ther canon ; thar's seven uv 'em," was his reply. Payne made the examination as directed, and then see- ing the Indians, remarked : "Those are Indians, Joe, and perhaps they are coming in to surrender themselves, or make peace. What do you propose doing?' "What do I p'rpose ter do? Why, I p'rpose to take thar scalps ; we'll jist drop behind this here boulder, an* when they come up we'll bag 'em, hide an' all." " No, no, Joe, that isn't right ; we ought to first decide whether they are hostiles or not ; the fact is, I believe they are peaceable Indians, or else they would not be riding so leisurely this near Ouster's camp." "Look a hyar, Cap, when I make up my mind to kill Injuns no man can pervent me," replied Joe, and quickly dropping his pistol so as to cover Capt. Payne in a vital spot, he concluded the sentence by saying, " an' ef I find it necessary I'll have ter drop yer first ; yer jist keep right still, er off goes yer brain-pan." "All right, Joe," Payne answered, "you have th drop on me, but I am not afraid to tackle you in a fair way, even chances, if you are sufficiently offended by my protest to want satisfaction. However, if the majority of the boys favor killing the Indians, then I am satisfied to do my part of it." The soldiers favored Joe's proposition, and they there- fore awaited the approach , with guns ready . When the sav- ages came within about thirty-five yardfi of the ambush, Payne noticed that the pony ridden by the leading Indian 444 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. began to sniff and throw his ears forward, which they invariably do when catching the first scent of a white man. "Now is your time, or we will be detected," and with this remark the six turned loose their rifles, dropping as many Indians, and as the seventh and last one turned to run, another shot wounded his pony and he was thus placed at the mercy of Joe. But the quality of that mercy was quickly illustrated, for in a moment a ball from the old scout's rifle penetrated the warrior's brain, and then there was work for the scalping knife. Joe, with a wave of his hand, said : "Now look a hyar, boys, yu can have the fixtures, but the scalps ar' mine." He then drew his large hunting knife, and mechanically raising the head of each dead Indian, one at a time, he dexterously cut out a large circular piece of scalp and hair, cramming each scalp into his waist-belt as it was extir- pated. This adventure terminated the hunt, and they returned to camp with the trophies of their conquest. Shortly afterward the command was ordered to Ft. Hays, and there Joe sold his seven scalps to curiosity lovers, and scouts who were ambitious for the reputation o? Indian killers, at the rate of five dollars each. CHAPTER IV. CALIFORNIA JOE was a born hunter, trapper and guide, but he seldom followed either of these employments for any considerable length of time, rather pursuing them in rotation as if to extract all the enjoyment that was to LIFE Or CALIFORNIA JOE. 447 be found in all. So from Ft. Hays he went to New Mexico to kill game for the outlying posts of that sec- tion. It was while thus engaged that he met with a most singular adventure, and one which came neur terminating his usefulness for anything save wolf bait. Passing under a ledge of large boulders, which were covered with a profusion of tropical vegetation, an im- mense Mexican cougar, or spotted panther, that had evi- dently been living in an enforced fast until hunger had made it fearless, sprang from its covert and lighted squarely on Joe's back. That it meant to devour him was evidenced by the manner of attack. The animal fastened its teeth deep into the flesh at the base of Joe's neck, and with terrific growls began its desperate work, rending his back and ripping his sides with its stiletto- like claws. The force with which the animal struck Joe, when it bounded upon his back, knocked his rifle several feet distant, leaving him with only his large knife for defense ; but this he used with such excellent results, notwith- standing the awkward position he was forced to assume, that he disemboweled the voracious cougar and almost cut it in two before the animal's hold was broken. He killed the powerful beast, but his own injuries were of the most serious character, and but for his great knowl- edge of the medicinal virtues contained in several plants in convenient proximity, he would surely have died of his wounds. He was still able to secure the plants needed, from which he prepared a balsamic poultice with which he bound up his neck, the properties of the plants being to stay the flow of blood and absorb the poison which always appears after the bite of an animal. But when the wound healed a very large and prominent scar re- mained, which marked him until his death. 44:8 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. In 1875 California Joe and Jack Corbin, his old partner, went to the Black Hills to try their luck in gold mining. They built a small cabin at a point where the indications were good, but after digging for seme time without reaching pay dirt, they California Joe Saves his Friend. LITE OF CALIFORNIA JOB. 449 started another prospect hole about five miles further up the mountains. Here their work was prosecuted with much vigor and some profit. On one occasion Joe had gone back to the cabin for some blasting pow- der, all their heavy articles being stored at that place, leaving Corbin alone for the time being. Upon his re- turn, and when within a short distance of the prospect hole, Joe heard his partner shouting for help. He rushed forward with all possible speed, and just as he reached an opening commanding a view of the spot where the mine was being put down, he saw Corbin down upon one knee battling with a large, powerful Sioux Indian, whose knife was being uplifted for a fatal plunge. It was scarcely an instant, so quick, in fact, that the knife had not begun to descend, when Joe raised his rifle and sent a ball crashing through the Indian's heart. After his marvelous rescue from death, Corbin related to Joe the circumstances of the attack substantially as follows : 4 ' I was working on the shale at the side of the pit, and just as I came to the top for the purpose of empty- ing the bucket, before I had a suspicion of an Indian's presence, this fellow (poking the dead Indian with his foot) leaped on me, imd as his strength was far greater than my own, I was bv f :rne to the ground and had to fight with my bare hands co prevent him from stabbing me. I maintained this unequal contest for several minutes, keeping hold of his wrists, with all my might, shouting for you all the while, for I felt that unless assistance came soon my doom was sealed. At length he released his right hand, and was in the attitude you saw him when that blessed bullet f om old ' never fail ' picked me up out of the very jaws of death." Some weeks after this incident another more was made 450 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. in search of better paying dirt, the next location being on the side of an adjacent mountain about the same dis- tance (five miles) from their cabin. It was customary for the two miners to carry their provisions and cooking utensils with them on a small burro, so that they were not compelled to return to the cabin at the close of each day's work, especially as the weather was so delightful as to permit a comfortable sleep on the ground, where, in fact, it was cooler, and therefore more pleasant, than down in the valley where their cabin was situated. Corbin was sent over to Custer City after new supplies, shortly after their last location was made, and during his absence California Joe, being unable to work in the pit without assistance, concluded to- prospect over the adjoin- ing district, entertaining a hope that he might make some great discovery by which to surprise Corbin on his return. So, packing his patient little burro, he set out up the mountain side, carrying his rifle and pistol with him. After searching for some time he found what appeared to be excellent surface indications of gold, and here he tied his little pack animal and began to work with his pick. In working around over the various places he left his gun lying on the ground some distance from him. Pretty soon his attention was attracted by an "Ugh! White man !" the voice and sound of which immediately apprised him of an Indian's presence. Joe quickly grasped his pistol, but before turning round looked over his shoulder and saw an Indian holding his (Joe's) gun, and looking at him with a very demure countenance, while some dis- tance in the background were two others watching the proceedings. Knowing with what dread the Indians re- garded him , Joe spoke out 44 Ugh I white man, yes ; California Joe. Come on fight." LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 451 By this time Joe had his pistol presented, while the profoundly astonished at meeting an adversary of such known powers, changed his demeanor, and ad- vancing, proffered Joe his hand. Instead of attacking 452 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. him as they had intended, the Indians made manj oveis tures of friendship, and returning Joe's gun, they soon afterward departed. The first Indian, who had crept up and secured the gun, evidently believed that he could intimidate the owner, who was left with nothing but a pistol to fight three Indians ; but the magic in the name of " California Joe " changed their purpose. This wonderful dread of one man, and of California Joe in particular, was illustrated before, in 1869, as will be found related in the life of Captain Payne, whose escape from a frightful death was due entirely to the belief entertained by a large body of Indians who had surrounded him and two others, that one of his comrades was California Joe. CHAPTER V. DURING Gen. Crook's expedition to the Big Hon* country, California Joe proffered his services, which were gladly accepted. All the regular army boys were warm- ly attached to him on account of his droll character and excellent fighting qualities, and when he came into camp they gave him a genuine ovation. Buffalo Bill was a special favorite of Joe's and to be with him Joe would sacrifice almost any interest. The principal reasons for this attachment were found in the rollicking freedom, gen- erosity, true grit, and infectious good humor of Bill, and chiefly, it may also be added, because of Bill's extraordi- nary good skirmishing and nosing qualities for " SOUP mash," of which grain extraction Joe was passionately fond. As Bill would divide his last cent with a comrade, LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOB. 453 he was no less noted for dividing his last " drop " with a friend, and Joe was always a solicitor for that "drop." After the command reached the Big Horn mountains and was moving in daily expectation of meeting the Sioux, Bill called Joe to his tent one evening while they were in camp, and said: " Joe, now you have been with this expedition for more than two weeks without being on the pay-roll. General Crook is glad to have your services, and there is no reason that I know of why you cannot be regularly engaged as a scout, and thus draw a salary of five dollars per day. If you would like the service I will see Crook and have you engaged . What do you say to the proposition ? ' ' "Oh, I don't know 'bout this here scoutin' with Crook ; 'pears to me I wouldn't jist like it," replied Joe. " Well, I don't see what your objection 5s ; it is only your own interest that I have in view ; the service is well organized and Crook is a splendid officer. What is the trouble?" Bill urged. " I've got reasons of my own," responded Joe. Bill waited some moments for further explanations, but hearing none he inquired : "Well, Joe, you have no objection to telling me, have you, why 4 you can't expect proper treatment from Gen. Crook?" The reply was fully characteristic of Joe. Putting on an innocent and injured look, he responded : " Fact is jist this, Bill, and I don't mind tellin' uvyou, because you are my friend and I know it won't go any further, I'll never scout for any 'tarnal government officer that won't furnish pie to his men. Now, thet's my reason." Bill was, of course, fairly convulsed with laughter at the joke Joe had thus perpetrated on htm, and the 454 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. way to get eren he at once availed himself of. So turn* ing about, he raised the lid of a "sacred" chest, and drawing from a very obscure corner thereof a dark-col- ored bottle, presented it to Joe with the remark : "Old boy, that's good. Imbibe I I'll have you put on the pay-roll to-morrow as scout, and see that you get a daily ration of * pie.' ! When Crook's command reached Independence Rock, on the Sweetwater, another incident occurred illustrative of Joe's penchant for perpetrating jokes. At this point the expedition went into camp, and the boys as the soldiers are invariably called in camp after hard march- ing, were hungry and wanted a few extras, something at least to take the part of dessert to their regular rations of hard crackers and bacon. Some new supplies were received at Independence Rock, which included a large variety of canned fruits and meats, the very appearance of which was to the privates like cool, crystal water to the traveler in a desert, famishing from thirst. Several of the boys rushed up to the commissary asking for ra- tions of canned goods, but they could be obtained only upon an order issued by the commissary sergeant, a fact which several were not made acquainted with, and conse' quently could not understand why they were refused. Joe procured the necessary order, and going to the commissary, obtained a large quantity of canned corn, tomatoes, sardines, oysters, peaches, etc., which h placed on his arm and then shuffled through the camp to his tent, taking good care to display his "rations" to those who had been refused. Presently one of the sol- diers stopped him and said : "Hold on, Joe, I want you to tell me how you got those canned goods. I've been up there begging for a few cans and they wouldn't give me a single one." LIFE OF CALIFOBNIA JOS. 455 " Oh," replied Joe, "that's ther way they treat some ttT the boys that they think will stand it. I tell you thet them thar canned goods belong to ther soldiers, and ef you'll do as I did they'll give yer all yer want." "Well, what must I do, Joe?" "Why, jist go up boldly to thet ther commissary with feher list yer want, an* ef he refuses to giv' 'em to yer, knock him down an' take what yer want. Them commis- sary fellers thinks they're 'fernal smart ; yer've got ter teach 'em thet they ain't, thet's all." Believing implicitly every word Joe had said, the sol- dier, who was a large double-jointed descendant of the Grampian stock, immediately started off to get the can- ned goods peaceably if he could, forcibly if he must. Having made out a list of what he wanted, the private < sailed on the commissary and put in his request. " Where is your order?" asked the commissary. "Here's my order, and I want it filled," replied the soldier. "We don't recognize that kind of an order here ; you QUSt ' But the sentence was left unfinished, for the great right hand bower of that enraged soldier fell so heavily against the commissary's right eye that he would have been falling yet, perhaps, if some friend had not caught him. The soldier then leaped over the counter and help- ed himself, and he took care not to be stingy about the quantity either. This soldier who was bound to have his * rights ' ' was duly arrested and brought bef ore Colonel Mills, who gave him a severe sentence, but learning the part that Joe had acted, released him after an imprison- ment of one day. The Colonel afterward asked Joe why he had so deceived the soldier, and was answered : "Oh, I didn't mean any harm ; only I wanted to hev a little fun." 456 HEROES OF THE FLAUfS. There is one more humorous incident arising from Joe's love of practical joking, that must be included before closing this brief record of his life. The Crook expedition, with Col. Anson Mills command- ing, was passing through Yellowstone Park at a late hour one afternoon, when, reaching a spot within a mile of the intended camp for the night, Joe came across an old grave, before which he stopped and reverently uncovered head, appearing at the same time to be much affected. Of course the boys who saw him in this attitude and it was nearly the entire command were anxious to know the cause of his singular action. His reply was as fol- lows : ' ' This hyar is the grave of poor Amos Billings ; I helped to bury him in this spot 'way back in '36. Yer see there wuz a party uv twenty uv us, an' we hed been up to the Black Hills a diggin' gold. We found so much uv the precious stuff thet we actually loaded ourselves down with it. Every man hed his mule loaded to the las' poun' it could carry, and besides this we all hed our pockets full. In fact we hed to leave a lot uv it behind, becos we couldn't carry another ounce. Well, when we got ter this place we went into camp ; an' thet night poor Billings took ther cramps. Lordy ! how he did suffer, is awful f er me to think uv now. We did everything in our power to help him, but, poor fellow, he died, and here is whar we buried him. As all uv us already hed all the gold we could carry, we buried Billings' gold with him, includin' what his mule was a carryin', fer none uv us considered thet we hed any right to it. Poor Amos Billings! here is [one tear more to moisten yer grave." Shortly after dark, when the command had gone into camp, the entire force under Col. Mills attacked "Poor Amos Billings' grave," and no body of men ever worked LITE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. 457 harder and with greater expectations than they. When the excavation had reached a depth of about ten feet, with a most astonishing circumference, they found nothing but some old bones ! Joe had conceived this monstrous lie almost as soon as he discovered the grave ; and though he placed the date of burial almost anterior to his own birth, the " golden story" turned the soldiers wild, and as he looked around and saw the deserted camp, he only murmured, "What 'fernal fools these fellers be !" Notwithstanding the fact that nearly every one who enjoyed his acquaintance was his friend, Joe died the vic- tim of the most damnable assassination. On the 5th day of December, 1876, while sitting in front of his cabin at Red Cloud, Dakotah, performing some little duty, a cowardly fiend slipped up to the corner of "the cabin, where, from a concealed position, he shot poor old Joe to death. It was a most terrible murder, which could find a parallel only in the assassination of his friend, Wild Bill, only four months before, and, deplorable to relate, Joe's murderer made good his escape and has since been apprehended. Kit Carson and bis Blind Horse, 458 LIFE OF KIT CARSON. CHAPTER I. No character of which history gives any account pre ents more anomalous peculiarities than that of Kit Car- son. His whole nature was enigmatic, for no two per- sons, however intimate they might have been with him, whether on the plains or in the councils of white men or Indians, could agree in their estimation of his traits of character. Like the temple of Janus, he always pre- sented two or more unlike sides, each so distinctly prom- inent that those about him were invariably diverse in their opinions respecting his disposition. He was, ap- parently, at once the polished gentleman and the rough plainsman; shrinking from and courting danger at the same time ; an adviser and the reckless mad-cap of his companions ; large in his own estimation, yet modest and most unpretentious among his associates ; a lover of peace, though still the organizer of discord. In brief, he was unlike any person save himself alone, and had it been possible his spirit would certainly have abandoned its own castle, so as to present a perfect dissimilarity. These strange peculiarities will be partly seen in the fol- lowing biographical sketch, which pretends to no other merit than that of a faithful portraiture, after a thorough consideration of all the available facts connected with his remarkable career. 4*8 460 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHRISTOPHER (Kit) CARSON'S birth-place has been va- riously located, and all authors who have attempted to write the history of his adventures have usually prefaced their labors with an argument attempting to prove their respective claims, some asserting that he was born in Kentucky, others in Illinois, and yet others claiming Missouri as his place of nativity. The opinion of the writer, gained from proofs adduced by Peters and Bur- dett, both of whom have been Carson's biographers, is, that his native place was Madison County, Kentucky, where he was born on the 24th of December, 1809. La the following year, the family removed to what was then Upper Louisiana, but what is now Missouri, settling in a region of country which, at this time, is defined as How- ard County. Gen. John C. Fremont, during his great exploring expedition through the West in the years 1843-44, em- ployed Kit Carson as his chief guide, and in giving an exhaustive report of his travels and discoveries devoted much space to a description of the renowned hunter and his wonderful adventures. The General, in this report, claims that Carson was a native of Boonslick County, Missouri, but as there is no such county in that State the assertion furnishes the proof of its own error. It is very probable, however, that Gen. Fremont meant Boone County, which adjoins Howard, and as Missouri was not organized into counties until some time after Carson's birth, being ceded to the United States by France in 1804 and admitted as a State in 1821, the causes which led to such an error are manifest. Another important fact in this connection affords a still readier means for determining the cause of the error referred to, and also the reasons which induced a removal of Kit Carson's father to Missouri, may be stated as follows : LITE OF KIT CAKSON. 461 Directly after the formation of the territorial govern- ment over Missouri, the great Salt Springs of Howard county, bearing the name of " Boonslick," in honor of Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky woodsman, became the center of attraction to all emigrants seeking homes west of the Mississippi river. Although this section of the country was occupied by numerous bands of Indians, none of the tribes offered any hostility to the settlement of white men on their lands until the encroachments inci- ted cupidity and numerous crimes. These salt works were operated by Major James Morrison, and with such success that they became the means of a rapid building up of the new territory. One of the first offices opened by the United States for the sale of lands west of the Mississippi was in the vicin- ity of Boonslick in the year 1818, when Illinois had just been admitted to the sisterhood of States. It was imme- diately thronged with purchasers of lands which, the set- tlers, however, had already been cultivating. Some of these had located themselves on the public domain as soon as it had been purchased by the United States, and fore- going personal safety and the comforts of refined society, had plunged into the wilderness and carved out homes with their own hands. Among this number was the father of Kit Carson, who became possessed of a fine tract of land on Bonne Femme creek. In the year 1810, when the infant Kit came to Mis- souri, the territory contained a population of 20,845 souls, and but a single newspaper, the Gazette, which is still running as the Missouri Republican, and is to-day the most important and influential paper published west of the Mississippi. The primitive condition of the wilder- ness in which the brave hunter was to be reared, and th causes which led to his adoption of a hunter's life, des- 462 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. tined to be so replete with adventure, can thus be readily conceived. The numerous Indian wars which engaged the settlers during the years of 1811 to 1820 it is hardly appropriate tcr describe here, especially since the father of Kit Carson rarely participated, or if he did no record is available from which the circumstances may be gathered. Kit Carson, at the age of fifteen, had already become an expert with the rifle, having manifested a passion for hunting at an uncommonly early age. Day after day he would wander through the forests, wholly unaccompa- nied, in pursuit of bear, deer and wolves, exhibiting especial delight in meeting with the largest species of the former, hundreds of which became victims to his aim before he was scarcely more than a dozen years old. He exhibited a more ardent desire for adventure as he grew older, and in 1826, hoping to find opportunity for a grati- fication of his longings, he joined a band of traders in an expedition from St. Louis to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During this trip no special incident occurred beyond the accidental shooting of one of the party, which necessi- tated the amputation of an arm. In the performance of this surgical operation Carson, because of the assistance he proffered and the nerve he exhibited, was called to act the chief part. The instruments used consisted of a razor, hand-saw and an iron bolt ; the latter being heated to high temperature and used to cauterize the bleeding cut. Although little skill was used in the operation, the wounded man recovered and served in subsequent expe- ditions. After the arrival of the traders at Santa Fe, Carson abandoned the party and went to Fernandez de Taos, where he became intimate with a mountaineer and re- mained during the following year, engaged chiefly in breaking wild horaes, which, after being caught, were LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 463 kept in haciendos until a rider could be secured to domes- ticate them. Being thrown with Mexicans exclusively, Kit applied himself earnestly to the acquirement of the Spanish language, in which, after a year of study, he be- came sufficiently conversant to fill the position of inter- preter to a rich American merchant _named Trammell, 464 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. with whom he made a trip to El Paso and Chihuahua. Leaving this service a year afterward, Carson became teamster in an expedition fitted out by Robt. M. Knight, for a trip to the copper mines on the Gila river, but re- turning within a few months he again visited Taos. Having saved a few dollars from the services in which he had been employed, Kit spent a few months in Taos, and until an opportunity was offered him to join a band of forty trappers under Ewing Young. These trappers were organized into a well armed body in order to repel the attacks of Indians, who bitterly resisted the attempts of white men to trap beavers on the waters of the Gila or its tributaries. The party proceeded directly to Salt River, one of the affluents to the Rio Gila, upon reaching which they were attacked by a body of Indians, but the engagement was short and decisive. The Indians were routed with severe loss, leaving eleven of their number dead on the ground, their flight being too hasty to permit of carrying the fallen ones with them. This was Carson's first Indian fight, but he displayed the rare presence of mind and cool de- cision of character which at once furnished the true index to the success of his subsequent adventures. After trapping with much success on the Salt and San Francisco rivers, the company broke camp and divided, one portion returning to Santa Fe and the other, eighteen in number, including Carson, started for the Sacramento Valley, California. In this dreary journey, rendered moce difficult by the dry deserts through which the route lay, the party suffered greatly for want of both food and water. So reduced did they become before reaching their destination that availing themselves of the last re- source, they killed several of their horses, drinking the blood and consuming the flesh of the faithful animals. LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 465 Reaching the beautiful valley of the Sacramento, after weeks of exhausting effort, they began trapping again for beaver, in which occupation they spent several months most profitably. Shortly before the close of the trapping season a band of Digger Indians came upon the party during the night and succeeded in driving off nearly all their horses, flee- ing with the animals to the mountains. The Mohave In- dians at the mission of San Gabriel, with whom the trap- pers had been maintaining commercial intercourse, kindly loaned the party the necessary number of horses to pur- sue the dusky thieves. Carson, though scarcely twenty years of age, had nevertheless demonstrated his marvel- ous abilities as a fighter, and to him was entrusted the leadership of the expedition for the recovery of the stolen horses. Accordingly, selecting eleven of his comrades, and leaving the remainder to protect the camp and pel- tries, he started after the marauding Indians without hav- ing the slightest idea of their number. But discovering the trail soon after, no room for doubt was left that the band comprised not less than one hundred savages. But this fact di'd not deter him in his previously formed reso- lution, for he advanced with all possible speed through valleys and over mountains until the fresh trail admonish- ed him to move more cautiously. More than a hundred miles from the trapper's camp the red skins were discov- ered during a late hour in the afternoon, just as they were going into camp for the night. Having located the Indians and taken careful note of the surroundings, the time had now come for an exhibi- tion of Carson's abilities. Twelve men set over against a hundred furnished an inequality which could only be compensated by extraordinary cunning and complete sur- prise. Kit was was fully equal to the occasion, and his 466 comrades having perfect confidence in the dexterity an<3 capacity of their leader were prompt in obedience to his orders. Carson disposed his men in such a manner that, while they remained concealed from view, they could yet read- ily distinguish every movement of the Indians ; ascertain the location of sentinels and the weak points in the camp. Maintaining this position, the party awaited the approach of midnight before making an attack, the wisdom of Which decision was determined in the result. Their pur- pose was assisted by the pall of darkness which fell on the landscape, rendering objects almost invisible except by a concentration of vision, and a previous knowledge of the position occupied by the object sought. The In- dians, not anticipating the presence of foes, wei-e not on their guard, while the little band of determined men led by Carson were directed by the knowledge they had gained before night came on. When the auspicious hour had arrived Carson led his men in a careful detour, until having approached to the position it was necessary to first reach, he made a dash, followed by the others, directly through the Indian camp, shooting into the tents as they sped by, and whooping with such vigor that the horse thieves evidently believed they had been surprised by an entire tribe of native en- emies. The direst confusion followed this sudden attack, and as the greatest advantage was now offered, Carson and his men rushed on to the corral, where they found the Indians' horses tethered. These they speedily re- leased and then stampeded, affording the party means of escape during the confusion, for Carson's good judgment told him that after the first tremor of surprise had run through the camp his enemies would recover their scattered sense* and not only give battle but f ol- low hard in pursuit. LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 467 Directing his men to secure at least one extra horse, some time was spent chasing the flying ponies over the mountains, but the darkness prevented the party from capturing any of the stampeded animals until the follow- ing day, when thirty head were secured, and the trappers then returned to their companions, who had been op- pressed with grave fears for their safety, and hailed their return with many manifestations of joy. Shortly after this event the trappers, still accompanied by Mr. Young as the leader, broke camp, and with an immense quantity of beaver skins returned to Santa Fe over the same route they had passed in going to the Sacramento and Jan Jose valleys. These products of their labors they disposed of, and upon a division of the proceeds, each man in the party was given $500 as his share. In possession of so much money, Carson was unable to restrain his bent for indulging freely in the dissipations peculiar to Mexican towns, and during this period of hilarious intercourse with the rude natives he became involved in a desperate street brawl, which terminated by his flight after having killed one of his opponents. Being forced to leave New Mexico, owing to the nu- merous threats made against his life, Carson proceeded toward Missouri, but meeting a party of trappers under James Fitzpatrick, he joined them in a journey to Utah. For a time the party trapped on the Platte, Sweet Water, Goose and Salmon rivers, but with indifferent success ; besides, the Blackf eet Indians gave them constant anxiety, as the tribe was a very numerous and hostile one, whose delight was in massacreing the whites. In the spring of 1830 Kit Carson and four others left Mr. Fitzpatrick' s party, and proceeded to New Park, on the headwaters of the Arkansas, where they continued 28 468 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. trapping in the company of Captain John Yount and twenty others, until the return of spring the following year. While wintering in camp a band of sixty Crow Indians robbed the party of several horses, to recapture which Carson was dispatched with fifteen men after the robbers. Taking up the trail he followed the Indians until h found them entrenched behind a rude fortification of logs with their horses tied within ten feet of their shelter. Carson gave his men no time to reflect on the rashness of his undertaking, but ordering an immediate charge, rushed upon the protected savages, nor did he stop until he had seized the horses and led them triumphantly away. In this attack three of Carson's men were killed, but they were brought away, while five of the Indians were slain, one of whom was scalped by Carson himself. Shortly after this daring attack, Carson and Captain Yount* s men were surprised by a force of two hundred Crow Indians, and the fleetness of their horses alone saved them from a massacre. The attack having been made after due preparation by the Indians, they pos- sessed all the advantages, not only in numbers, but also in effective fighting. No other recourse was there- fore left Capt. Yount' s party but to retreat and trust to the fleetness of their horses for escape. The flight con- tinued under a rain of arrows and bullets for nearly fifty miles, the Indians being determined to possess themselves of the scalps and property of the little band of whites. Several of the party were killed, but Carson escaped with only a slight wound. Had all the Indians been armed with rifles not one of the men would have escaped, but being able to keep a considerable distance in advance of their pursuers, the range was too great for the effec- tive use of arrows, and the few rifles the Indians pos- sessed did all the execution. LIFE OF KIT CAKSON. 469 CHAPTER n. EARLT in the spring of 1832 Captain Yo ant's party hav- ing met with little success during the past season, Car- son decided to begin trapping on his own account. He therefore settled with the Captain, but before starting for the new trapping grounds two others connected with Cap- tain Yount expressed their desire to accompany him, Mrhich companionship Carson gladly accepted. The three proceeded up the streams into Colorado or what is now known as Colorado where they found the beaver more abundant, and there pursued their labors with consider- able profit for nearly a year. Returning to Taos with their furs they sold out to much advantage, and imme- diately afterward Carson joined Capt. Lee in an expedi- tion up Green river. Capt. Lee's company consisted of thirty trappers un- der the direction of an old mountaineer named Robideau. This experienced trapper had engaged the services of a young California Indian as a guide and interpreter, such native assistant being rendered necessary by the hostile character of roving Indians which the trappers were con- stantly meeting. In the following October, 1833, while the party was encamped on a tributary of Green, river and meeting with much success catching both beaver and otter, the young Indian guide contrived to clandestinely secure six of the best horses belonging to the company, and made his es- cape. The theft was soon discovered, and Kit Carson, who had now become a renowned " thief -catcher," was deputed to recover the stolen animals. The thieving red skin having had several hours the start, and Carson being little acquainted with the country, 470 HEKOES OF THE PLAINS. he procured the services of a Utah Indian to assist him ia tracing the figitive. The trail was not definitely determined until the second day after Kit and his companion had started out, but once they became certain of the discovery the speed at which their pursuit was conducted, after one hundred miles had been made, disabled the Utah Indian's horse so that he could proceed no further, and being unwilling to accompany Kit on foot, returned again to the camp of his tribe. Carson, however, not to be deterred in his un- dertaking, pressed on alone and after a half -day's further ride discovered the thieving Indian riding one of the stolen horses and leading the five others. Almost at the same moment that Carson sighted the Indian the fugitive also saw his pursuer, and a fight to the death each realized was inevitable. The Indian, who carried a rifle and was re- garded as an excellent shot, besides being possessed of the courage to make his skill in an encounter most effec- tive, leaped from his horse and sought shelter. Kit fully comprehended the tactics of the Indian, and the distance being great between them he concluded to hazard a shot, knowing that he could reload before the Indian could reach him, especially since he was mounted. Therefore, stopping his horse, Kit drew a bead on the Indian as he was making for a tree, and fired. The aim was so perfect that the thief fell forward dead, with a bullet through hid body. This shot was in a measure accidental, for the distance was fully three hundred yards, and the Indian being at the time in a brisk run the aim was rendered more doubtful. The six horses were recovered and returned to the camp after an absence of six days, and for his services Captain Lee and Robideau presented Carson with a large quantity of peltries, which made the incident one of groat profit to him. LIFE OF KIT OAKSON. 471 in the following year, 1834, Caraon, in company with three excellent companions, concluded to spend a season trapping on the Laramie, a stream reputed to be fairly alive with beaver, otter and mink. The expectations of the party were fully realized a few weeks later, when they had pitched their tents on the banks of that clear, but sometimes doubtful river. In fact during all of Carson's experience as a trapper, he never met with success equal to that which he found on the Laramie. On one occasion, while he was acting as hunter, during this most profitable season, to obtain a fresh supply of meat, he met with an adventure so full of peril that he never afterward entertained the least desire to be similarly situated. Game of every kind was very abundant, and within a mile of the camp he killed a large elk, but as he was proceeding to cut its throat, suddenly there appeared, coming toward him, a species of game for which he had not been hunting. A large grizzly bear, one of the most ferocious and dreadful denizens of North American forests, moved by hunger, resolved, apparently, to make the hun- ter its victim. Time was just now very precious to Kit, so that he made all possible use of his extremities in reaching the nearest tree, leaving his unloaded gun lying beside the animal he had just killed. The bear, not dis- covering the dead elk, made directly for Kit, who man- aged, but just how he was never able to tell, to ascend a goodly sized tree in time to save himself from the vora- cious maw of the terrible beast. But his perch appeared decidedly unsafe, as the bear would rear up almost to the limb on which he was seated, opening its mighty jaws and blowing hot gusts of air through teeth nearly as long as a man's finger. At every lunge it made Eat felt that the bear would surely reach him, and he would involun- tarily hitch up his legs while all the flesh would crawl a* 472 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. though it were trying to get on top of his head. Grab- bing about for something with which to defend himself, he twisted off a branch from the tree, and this he dex- terously used in striking the nose of the grizzly whenever it reached up its head uncomfortably close. This so en- Treed by a Hungry Grizzly. raged the brute that it fell to gnawing the body of the toee, but being able to make but little impression, aban- doned that and began growling with a fierceness which made Kit quake with the most direful anticipations. LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 473 The bear kept him a prisoner in the tree until nearly midnight, when it began to circle around the spot, grad- ually extending the circle until it at length scented the dead elk, upon which it speedily gorged itself, and then disappeared in the woods. Kit got down from his anxious seat speculating on the probabilities of the bear's return, and though every bone in his body seemed to be splitting from the strain to which he had been subjected, he nev- ertheless made excellent speed toward the camp. His comrades had become very much alarmed at his pro- longed absence, and a safe return fully compensated them, for their beaver supper, from which unsavory game they had been compelled to satisfy their hunger in the ab- sence of more desirable meat. After collecting several hundred valuable peltries, Car- son and his companions went to Santa Fe, where the pro- duct of their season's trapping was disposed of satisfac- torily. But Kit did not remain idle more than a few days, for he soon found opportunity of joining another party of fifty men bound for the Blackfeet country, on the Upper Missouri. The trip was a long and tedious one, and in the end proved not only unprofitable but dis- astrous to several of the men, including Kit himself, for they had struck a country in which none of them had ever been before, and to add to their other hardships they had penetrated a section of country held by a tribe of the most treacherous and cruel Indians on the fron- tier, which made eternal watchfulness the price of their safety. Shortly after the encampment of the party on Big Snake river, a band of Blackfeet stampeded the horses of the whites and stole eighteen of their best animals. Carson, to whom the whole company looked for needful assistance, at once proposed pursuit, and taking twenty 474 HEBOES OF THE PLAINS. of the best men in the expedition, set. out after the thieves. A heavy snow covered the ground, which made the trail easy to follow until on the succeeding night, when another fall of snow began to rapidly obliterate the tracks. The pursuit was continued with all possible speed until the trail had become so nearly extinct that Kit and another experienced trailer named Markland had to leave their horses from time to time during the night and search for the tracks by the aid of small torches. Hunting the Trail. The party rode for a distance of seventy-five miles, the latter half of the journey being made through extraor- dinary difficulties, before they came in sight of the In- dians. The thieving Blackfeet, numbering about forty warriors, discovered tbeir pursuers, but instead of trying to escape, stopped and desired a parley with the trappers, which, being consented to, sometime was spent in speech-- making and pipe-smoking. The Indians declared that LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 475 they had no intention of wronging the whites, and had taken the horses because they thought the animals be- longed to the Snake Indians, their enemies. But with all their protestations of friendship, they still refused to deliver up the stolen animals. An attempt was then made by the trappers to take their property by force, which brought on the fight which Kit had anticipated. The Indians were armed chiefly with bows and arrows, but a few of them had rifles, which they had obtained at various trading posts. The Indians, therefore, while twice as many in number as the trappers, were not nearly so well armed, and the fighting advantages were about equal. Every man, red and white alike, sought the pro- tection of trees and carried on the battle with all the cunning available. Carson and Markland were bosom companions and fought from adjacent shelters. It chanced that they were directly opposed by two swarthy warriors, each of whom was also armed with a rifle. As Kit sought opportunity to fire at his antagonist he dis- covered another Indian in the act of taking a deadly aim at Markland, who was unconscious of his own danger. Kit instantly turned his weapon on the Indian and shot him dead, thereby saving his comrade's life ; but in this commendable act he came near sacrificing his own life, for the Indian he had been previously watching fired, the bullet striking Kit in the left shoulder, shattering the bone and making a terrible wound. The fight contin- ued with unabated fury until nightfall, when the Indians drew off, taking their stolen property with them. Carson was found by his companions lying in the snow perfectly conscious, but refusing to make any manifesta- tion of the great suffering he was enduring. He had gathered his coat in a lump at the shoulder, trying to staunch the flow of blood which had saturated the cloth- 476 HEROES or THE PLAINS. ing on his left side. The cold had at last stopped the ebbing life current, but not until he was so weak that it became necessary to cany him back over the long route and through the deep snow to the trappers' camp. Three others of the party were killed and four wounded, but those that were injured were fortunately able to ride. It was a terrible journey to Kit, but he endured his suffer- ings with such fortitude that those who ministered to his needs could not comprehend how severe was the pain he felt. Upon their return to camp, Capt. Bridger took thirty men and started out again after the depredating Black- feet, but though he beat the country for more than a week, he was unable to find the trail, and so returned without accomplishing anything. Soon after this unfortunate incident in the season on Big Snake river, the party left that immediate section and camped on Green river, where they were joined by a large party of Frenchmen and Canadians who were trap- ping for the Hudson Bay Fur Company. The camp, by these accessions, numbered about one hundred men, a force sufficient to afford some security against hostile Indians. Carson was not long in establishing a most favorable reputation among the men, because, while some in the party knew how courageously he had always deported himself in moments of extreme peril, they all soon learned that under all circumstances he remained courteous and obliging, hence he was esteemed by all in the party. Among the number of imported trappers was a large Frenchman named Shuman ; a man particularly fond of bad whisky, and who delighted in bullying his companions. He was rarely engaged in a fight himself, because his ar* rogant boasts had intimidated nearly all the men, but not content with his own autocratic domineering, he found LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 477 pleasure in creating discord and embroiling comrades. On one occasion, while riding about the camp with gun in hand, Shuman, among other indiscriminate insults, began a tirade of abuse directed against the Americans, pronouncing them scullions and chicken-livered scoun- drels, who merited nothing but threshings with hickory withes for their cowardice and villainy. This unprovoked language aroused the spirit of Carson, who stepped for- ward toward the boasting Frenchman and said : 44 1 am an American, and no coward; but you are a vapid bully, and to show you how Americans can punish liars, I'll fight you here in any manner your infamous heart may desire." Shuman fairly boiled over with rage at this proposi- tion from a man so far inferior to him in size ; besides he had never before had his privilege of abusing the men questioned. He therefore replied : "If you want to be killed I have no objections to shooting you as I would a dog. Get on your horse and fight me, starting at one hundred yards and riding toward each other, firing as we come together. Come on, you pale-faced little scullion !" Kit returned no answer to this arrogant acceptance of his challenge, but mounting his horse he prepared for the duel . The two first rode apart, each divining the purpose of the other, until a proper distance was reached, when they wheeled their horses as if entering a race course under stipulations, and rushed toward each other. The entire camp was, of course, speedily apprised of the duel, and every trapper came out to witness the combat, the sympathies of the men being unanimously with Carson. Shuman was an excellent rifleman and had trained him-* self to fire from his running horse by shooting buffaloes, and he therefore felt confident of putting a bullet through 478 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the head of his adversary. Kit carried a pistol, but this was from choice, as he was an expert with this weapon. The two determined men rushed toward each other like the knights of mediaeval chivalry, until within a few yards, vrhen Shuman raised himself in his stirrups, and, taking aim, fired. The bullet went so close to the mark that a lock of Kit's hair was seen to fall, cut from above his ar. But the aim, though good, had not dispatched a fatal messenger, and Shuman was compelled to take Kit's fire. Carson's Duel with the Frenchman. The smoke from the Frenchman's rifle was stilt rolling away over his head when Carson presented his pistol almost as the heads of the two horses came together, and saluted his enemy. The ball struck Shuman in the hand, and passing upward in the arm, lodged near the elbow. Though not fatal, the wound was suificient to thoroughly humble the desperado, and so change his disposition as to eliminate all braggadocio from his character. LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 479 CHAPTER IK. SOON after this incident the party of trappers returned to New Mexico, and there Carson joined Capt. McCoy, who was outfitting for another expedition to the Yellow- stone, in the Blackfeet country. This party, consisting of a dozen rneu, upon arriving at the Yellowstone, found no signs of either beaver or otter ; so breaking camp, they set out to hunt a stream affording reasonable expec- tations for success. They continued to travel through a country supporting nothing but artemesia, which barely subsisted their horses, until all their provisions were exhausted and starvation seriously threatened the whole party. Day after day went by and still neither game nor grass roots could be found until at length they were reduced to such dreadful extremities that to prevent death from star- vation they bled their horses and drank the blood. Hap- pily, when it was decided to kill one of the horses for its flesh, a body of Snake Indians appeared, from whom a fat pony was purchased and this the party killed and subsist- ed upon until they reached Ft. Hall After a rest of several days Carson, McCoy and the other members of the party equipped themselves for an- other trapping expedition, this time intending to plant their traps on Green river, but on arriving at that stream another party of nearly one hundred men was found who, meeting with no success, were preparing to leave for the head waters of the Yellowstone, and if finding no game there had arranged to follow up to the Missouri river sources. A consolidation was made between the two parties, who now selected Carson and Mr. Fontenelle as their leaders. 480 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This union of forces was made more as a precaution against the Blackfeet Indians, who were very numerous and Tin- dictive in the Yellowstone country. The winter, which was very severe, was passed among the Crow Indians, who were well provided with large lodges made of buffalo hides ; some of these were twenty feet in diameter with an opening at the top which served as a chimney to permit the smoke from the fire inside to escape. But it was difficult to provide food for the trap- pers' horses, owing to a deep snow which covered the ground during the entire winter. It was necessary to feed their horses on bark stripped from cotton wood trees, and twigs of willow, a collection of which involved almost constant work. When spring appeared the trappers started out to be- gin operations, but their first attempts were discovered by the Blackfeet, who, though greatly reduced in num- bers by small-pox which had raged among them during the winter, were still a powerful tribe. Carson, with forty men, was attacked at their traps and it was only by the most desperate fighting that they saved themselves from annihilation. The Indians were kept in check until the trappers' ammunition was almost exhausted, when a retreat was made back toward the camp. During this movement a horse bearing one of the trappers stumbled and fell in such a manner that the rider was caught and held to the earth by the weight of the animal. Five In- dians immediately jumped forward to scalp the unlucky rider ; seeing which Carson wheeled back to the aid of his comrade. He shot the foremost Indian and held the others at bay until the trapper was released, and being taken up behind Carson the two escaped. It was not long before the other trappers, who had gone off in a southeasterly direction to place their traps, heai> LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 481 ing the firing, ran to the rescue of Carson's party. With a, fresh supply of ammunition and reinforced by sixty men, Carson turned on the Indians and the fight was re- newed with great earnestness by both sides. The Indians Kit Carson Saves his Fallen Comrade. were at last defeated with a loss of so many of their warriors that they beat a retreat and never afterward molested the victorious trappers. 482 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. After prosecuting their operations for two months, a large number of peltries were secured, and the expedi- tion then broke camp and repaired to the trading post OD Nend River, where the skins were sold at a large profit. Carson's next enterprise was in trapping for beaver on the streams flowing from the Rocky Mountains into Great Salt Lake. He took with him only a single companion, believing he could operate more successfully without be- ing restricted by the limitations of a large party, as the Utah Indians regarded him with friendly feelings but op- posed the invasion of their territory by any considerable number of white men. It was while trapping in this section that he met with an adventure of a truly thrilling character. He was walking along the bank of a stream where many of his traps were set, while his companion was back in camp pre- paring supper. Carson had a large rifle with him, as was his custom, and seeing a turkey strutting along a few yards in advance, was preparing to shoot it when his at- tention was directed to a pair of fierce eyes gleaming from out the roots of a great tree. It was scarcely twenty feet away, and a moment's inspection convinced him that he was in the presence of a powerful mountain lion. To re- treat he knew would have invited the attack he felt was about to be made, so raising his rifle he fired, but there was such a profusion of snake-like roots surrounding the lion's body that his shot resulted only in an exasperating wound, as it struck the animal in the left shoulder. In the next instant the lion was upon him, roaring like its ancestral kith of African jungles. Carson had no other weapon now save the large knife he carried, and with this he defended himself most valiantly. But the sharp poniard-like claws of the ferocious beast penetrated his flesh and cut like a two-edged sword. Carson's shirt LIFE OF KIT CARSOX. 483 was ripped off him and while he slashed with his knife and thrust it to the hilt time and again in the lion's body, the infuriated animal still fought with such success that, Weakened by the loss of so much blood, Carson was fair- Carson's Fight with a Mexican Lion. ly on the point of yielding. But it is hard to give up life, and this universal human feeling impelled Kit to use his last energies in this terrible contest. Fortune at last favored him, for the lion also much exhausted, fell under 29 484 HEROES OF THE PLAINS one of Carson's blows and as it rolled onto its back with its dreadful fangs still fastened in the remnants of Kit's tattered shirt, a plunge of the knife deep into the ani- mal's throat, severing its head almost from the body, de- termined the battle in Carson's favor. But the victory was purchased at great expense, for the wounded trapper was so overcome by the lacerations of his flesh and sinews that he fainted and would undoubt- edly have died had not his comrade in camp, alarmed at his long absence, instituted a search which resulted in the discovery of the bleeding and unconscious body of his com- panion lying beside the dead lion. Kit was carried back to the camp and given all the care that one true and anxious com- rade can give another. This tender and excellent treatment renewed the life so near ex- hausted, and after a month of dangerous suspension between life and death, Carson began to recover rapidly, and in another month was able to renew his labors. After returning from his trapping expedition in Utah, which, despite his terrible fight with the mountain lion, had proved a profitable one, Carson returned to New Mexico and there made an engagement with Messrs. Bent and St. Vrain to hunt and supply the garrison at It was during this occupation that Kit Carson's Indian Wife. Bent's Fort with incut. LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 485 he married an Indian girl belonging to the Comanche tribe. This union was severed ten months after by the singular devotion of the Indian wife, who, learning of Carson's illness at Ft. Hall, immediately mounted a horse and rode the one hundred miles that separated her from him, in twelve hours. This exertion, which was made within two weeks after she had given birth to a daughter, brought on fever, from which she died in a few days. Carson sincerely mourned the loss of his young wife, who, though she was an Indian, possessed many noble qualities of heart, not the least being her soul-absorbing love for her husband. The little girl baby was well cared for by a Mexican family, and lived and grew under their Ipnd treatment. Five years after the death of his wife Kit visited St. Louis, taking his child with him for the purpose of plac- ing her in an educational institution, that she might have the advantages of excellent schooling and training. The . little girl developed into a stately and beautiful woman, and when twenty years of age she married a gentleman in St. Louis, named Boggs, who is at this time a resident of Los Animos, Colorado, where Kit Carson, Jr., also has his handsome residence. When Carson arrived in St. Louis, he was received with public demonstrations of delight, and there were none too great or rich to pay him homage, as he had long been re- garded as "The Monarch of the Plains." At the time of this visit it chanced that Gen. John C. Fremont was in the city, organizing an expedition for exploring that part of the country lying between Missouri and the Rocky Mountains. Although this was his orig- inal intention , the General made the overland trip to Cal- ifornia, and included in his report all the explorations along the entire route. 486 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. . Fremont sent fbr Carson, a* soon as the presence of the great trapper became known to him, and a long inter- view between them resulted in the employment of Carson as chief guide to the expedition, which left St. Louis by steamer the 22d day of May, 1842. The other members of the exploring party consisted of twenty-one men, principally Creoles, Charles Preuso, first assistant in the topographical survey, and Louis Maxwell, of Kaskaskia, Illinois, who was engaged as hunter. The expedition disembarked from the steamer at the mouth of Kansas river, and then struck across the broad prairies of Kansas on to the Platte river, for the explora- tion of which a large rubber boat was carried with them, which was very useful on several occasions. From the South Platte they followed the Oregon trail past Fort Laramie, and from thence on to the Rocky Mountains. Just before leaving the Platte, the monotony of the journey was relieved by a grand buffalo hunt, which Gen. Fremont describes as follows : 1 'As we were riding quietly along the bank, a great herd of buffalo, some seven or eight hundred in number, came crowding up from the river, where they had been to drink, and commenced crossing the plain slowly, eat- ing as they went. The wind was favorable ; the coolness of the morning invited to exercise ; the ground was ap- parently good, and the distance across the praire (two or three miles) gave us a fine opportunity to charge them before they could get among the river hills. It was too fine a prospect for a chase to be lost ; and halting for a few moments, the hunting horses were brought up and saddled and Kit Carson, Maxwell and I started together. The buffaloes were now somewhat less than half a mile distant, and we rode easily along until within about three hundred yards, when a sudden agitation, a wavery in the LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 487 herd, and a galloping to and fro of some which were scattered along the skirts, gave us the intimation that we were discovered. We now started together at a hard gallop, riding steadily abreast of each other, and here the interest of the chase became so engrossingly intense that we were sensible to nothing else. We were closing upon them rapidly, and the front of the mass was already in rapid motion. " A crowd of bulls, as usual, brought up the rear, and tjvery now and then some of them faced about, and then dashed on after the herd, and then turned and looked again as if more than half inclined to stand and fight. In a few moments, however, during which we had been quickening our pace, the rout was universal, and we were going over the ground like a hurricane. When at about thirty yards, we gave the usual shout (the hunters pas de charge), and broke into the herd. We entered on the side, the mass giving way in every direction in their heedless course. Many of the bulls, less active and less fleet than the cows, paying no attention to the ground, and occupied solely with the hunter, were precipitated to the earth with great force, rolling over and over with the violence of the shock, and hardly distinguishable in the dust. We separated on entering the herd, each singling out his own game. "My horse was a trained hunter, famous in tke West under the name of Provean, and with his eyes flashing, and the foam flying from his mouth, sprang on after the cow I was pursuing like a hungry tiger. In a few mo- ments he brought me alongside of her, and rising in the stirrups, I fired at the distance of a yard, the ball enter- ing at the termination of the long hair, and passing near the heart. She fell headlong at the report of the gun, and, checking my horse, I looked around for my com- panions- 488 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. * * At a little distance Kit was on the ground engaged in tying his horse to the horns of a cow, which he was pre- paring to cut up. Among the scattered bands at some distance below I caught a glimpse of Maxwell, and while I was looking a light wreath of white smoke curled away from his gun, from which I was too far to hear the re- port. Nearer and between me and the hills was the body of the herd, and giving my horse the reins we dashed after them. A thick cloud of dust hung upon their rearwhich filled my mouth and eyes and nearly smothered me. In the midst of this I could see nothing and the buffaloes were not distinguishable until within thirty feet. 1 1 They crowded together more densely still as I came upon them and rushed along in such a compact body that I could not obtain an entrance the horse almost leaping upon them. In a few moments the mass divided to the right and left, the horns clattering with a noise above ev- erything else, and my horse darted into the opening. " Five or six bulls charged on us as we dashed along the line, but were left far behind, and singling out a cow I gave her my fire, but struck too high. She gave a tre- mendous leap and scoured on swifter than before. 1 reined up my horse and the band swept on like a torrent and left the place quiet and clear. Our chase had led us into dangerous ground, a prairie-dog village, so thickly settled that there were three or four holes in every twen^ ty yards square, occupying the whole bottom for nearly two miles in length." While Gen. Fremont was making his second attack on the herd, Carson left the buffalo which he had killed and partly cut up to pursue a large bull that came rushing by him alone. He chased the game for nearly a quarter of a mile, not being able to gain rapidly owing to the blown condition of his horse. Coming up at length to the side LITE OF KIT CARSON. 489 of the fleeing buffalo Carson fired, but at the same instant his horse stepped into a prairie-dog hole, going down and throwing Kit over his head fully fifteen feet. The bullet struck the buffalo low under the shoulder, which only Carson and the Wounded Buffalo. served to so enrage him that the next moment the infuri- ated animal was pursuing Kit, who, fortunately not much hurt, was able to run toward the river. It was a race for li/ 490 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. now, Carson using his nimble heels to the utmost of their capacity, accelerated very much by the thundering, bel- lowing bull bringing up the rear. For several minutes it was nip and tuck which should reach the Platte river first, but Kit got there by a scratch a little in advance. It was a big stream, and deep water under the bank, but heavens ! it was paradise indeed compared with the hades plunging at his back, so Kit leaped into the water trusting to Prov- idence that the bull would not follow. The trust was well placed for the bull did not continue the piirsuit, but itood on the bank and shook his fists head vehemently at the struggling hunter, who preferred deep w.iv* to ti^ horns of a dilemma on shore. Kit swam around for some time, careful ly guarded by the bull, until hia position was observed by Maxwell, who attacked the belligerent animal successfully with a No. 4i slug, and then Kit crawled out and skinned the enemy. CHAPTER IV. CARSON continued with Fremont until the expedition re- turned to Laramie, after Fremont's ascent to the summit of the loftiest peak in the Rocky Mountain range. Upon leaving the expedition Carson returned to New Mexico, where, in 1843, he contracted a second marriage, espous- ing a Mexican lady, with*whom he lived happily for many years, and who gave him two children, a boy and a girl, the former, Kit Carson, Jr., reaching manhood, but the daughter died while young. Carson engaged his services again to Bent & St. Yrain, for whom he hunted and acted as courier, until, learning LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 491 that Fremont had started out on a second expedition of exploration, and was within two days' journey of Ft. Bent, he decided to visit him. When Carson came into General then Lieutenant Fremont's presence, the lat- ter, after greeting him with great warmth, said : "Carson, you are the man, of all others, I am most delighted to see. If I had known your address I should certainly have communicated my desire to have you ac- company me on the present expedition ; but since I ana so fortunate as to meet you at my camp, your services, I trust, will be given me." Carson had not thought of accompanying Fremont, but being offered a good salary, he gave his consent. First returning to Ft. Bent for a number of mules, which Fremont required, he came back to the rendezvous, after which, heading the cavalcade, the expedition moved westward for the Sacramento Valley. On the 21st of August, 1844, the party of hardy ad- venturers reached Bear river, and descending that stream twenty miles, they came upon the Great Salt Lake, which Fremont, in company with Carson and two other mem- bers of the expedition, circumnavigated in their rubber boat. From this point the journey was continued until Nez Perce was reached, which was a trading post estab- lished by the Hudson Bay Fur Company in Northern California. This was the western limit of Fremont's journey, as at this point a connection was made with Commander Wilkes, who had completed the survey east- ward from San Francisco. After a rest of several days, Fremont sent Carson to the Dalles, with instructions to prepare a number of pack-saddles, blankets, provisions and other things need- ful for a long expedition during the winter, having deter- mined to start back upon his return journey at once. 492 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Notwithstanding the fact that it was now almost mid- winter, the bold explorer had decided to pass through a new section of country, thereby adding to his discover- ies, upon the return. He therefore chose a route which would take him, first, to Tlamath Lake, and from there by a southeast course to the Great Basin ; thence to the Buenaventura river, and from thence to the Rocky Moun- tains, at the headwaters of the Arkansas, .and then strike Bent's Fort, from which place the government trail would betaken for St. Louis. This projected route for the return journey, or at least a greater portion of it, was practically h rra incognita to white men, and therefore concealed obstacles which put to the severest test man's powers of endurance. The entire party consisted of twenty-five persons, com- prising six distinct nationalities, several of them being under age, one of whom, a son of Hon. Thos. H. Ben- ton, was only a lad. Hut provision having been made, the journey Avas begun about the latter part of Decem- ber with light hearts and joyous anticipations. T\\<> Indian guides were engaged at Vancouver's to conduct the party through to Tlamath Lake, which proved to be only a shallow basin containing a little water when the snows were melting during spring-time. From this lake they started for Mary's Lake without any guide save the compasses they carried. This journey brought them into a land of desolation, in which several perished from cold and starvation, their park animals were lost, and progress made only by carving a highway through snow often twenty feet in depth. But as Gen. Fremont has himself graphically described the perils and terrible hardships of this expedition while searching for Mary's Lake and Buenaventura river, it is useless to repeat the incidents of the expedition here. LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 493 Fort Sutter was not reached until the 6th of March, at which time the horses belonging to the expedition had been reduced from sixty-seven to thirty-three, from which, and considering the men who died and were lost, the terri- ble, almost unparalleled sufferings of the men in this unfor- tunate expedition may be approximated by the reader. Those of the party who reached Sutter were so reduced by privations they had suffered on the dreary route that each man was little more than an animate skeleton of skin and bone, and their horses were so poor and weak that not one could bear the burden of a rider, so that they had to be led. CHAPTER V. UPON returning from thi: second expedition, Carson again settled at Taos, and in the spring of 1845 was com- pleting arrangements with a partner named Owens to start a sheep ranche. But before he became fully en- gaged in raising sheep, Fremont had projected a third expedition, and for the third time called for Carson's services. The two had become warmly attached to each other on their previous trips together, and an admiration for Fremont influenced Carson to again follow his old commander. The journey of this last expedition lay through the same country over which they had passed previously, but while there was no lack of suffering on this trip the par- ty experienced few trials to be compared with those met with before. After reaching Sutter 's Fort the expedi- tion recruited and marched toward Monterey, but were met 494 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. m route by Gen. Castro at the head of foui icans, who opposed Fremont's further progress and order- ed his immediate return. Although Fremont had but for- ty men, each one had been tried in the crucible of hard experience and knew how to meet any opposition, so by skillful tactics they evaded Castro and moved oil to Monte- Scene in Taos, N. M. rey, where there were a number of Americans ready to join them, appreciating the probabilities of a war between Mex- ico and the United States, which was then being prepared for. Very soon after this the war tocsin was sounded, and LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 495 . Fremont, with Carson as his first lieutenant, was duly en- listed for the fray, in which they contested with com- mendable valor and made their power felt throughout California. In 1847 Carson was sent overland as the bearer of dis- patches from Fremont for Washington, but after proceed- ing eight hundred miles on the journey he met Lieutenant Gillespie, of the United States marines, who had been despatched from Washington for the slope with thirty men. At the Lieutenant'? request Carson's dispatches were entrusted to a Mr. Fitzpatrick for transmission and he returned with Gillespie as guide to California. Camp- ing one night on an island in Salt Lake, the little party was surprised and attacked by a party of Tlamath In- dians, who brained five of the men with tomahawks as they lay asleep, one of the victims at the time lying be- side Carson. After being aroused the remainder of the men attacked the Indians vigorously and repulsed them with a loss of twelve warriors. When Carson reached California again, Fremont had attracted to his standard a body of two hundred Americans, and at Sonoma had declared the independence of the territory, and adopted the Bear Flag, which was ten- dered to Commodore Sloat, who raised the united flags over the camp. Soon after this Fremont was appointed Governor of California, and Carson was again sent to Washington with dispatches apprising the Government of the situa- tion on the slope. He performed this journey in sixty days, and then hastened his return to the field of action. While a squad of Fremont's men were maneuvering thirty miles from San Diego, they were surrounded by a large party of Mexicans, who cut off their retreat and threatened the little party' s annihilation . The Americans 496 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. took position in a clump of timber, and there resisted attack until hope seemed exhausted. When night ap- proached, Carson addressed the men, declaring that the only possible means for their escape lay in the possibility of communicating with the forces at San Diego and secur- ing their assistance. But this plan seemed anything but feasible, as the Mexicans had established a complete cor- don around the American squad and any attempt to break through the lines would certainly be detected. After counciling with the men for some time on the hopeless- ness of their situation, Carson volunteered to make the attempt at establishing communication with San Diego, and in this effort Lieutenant Beale offered to accompany him. The two therefore started out at midnight, and crawling on their hands and knees, they approached the first line of guards without detection. Their shoes were then removed to prevent noise, and again they resumed their perilous progress, over rocks and through briars, each step lacerating their feet, and the breaking of each twig exciting the gravest fears of discovery. But the outlying posts were passed, and then they made all possible haste for San Diego, which was reached shortly after daylight. The sufferings of this journey were so acute that Lieutenant Beale was for sev- eral days deranged from the effects, and did not recover his usual physical health until two years had elapsed. Carson's feet were so badly torn and bruised that for a time amputation seemed necessary, and he was unable to walk again for nearly two months. But the object of their mission was accomplished, Commodore Stockton sending relief forward, which arrived barely in time to save the Americans from massacre. After the close of the Mexican war Carson and his old friend Maxwell settled in the beautiful Rayedo valley, LIFE OF KIT CARSON. 497 fifty miles from Taos, where they each erected substan- tial and ornamental residences, at which point there is still a thriving settlement. It was while living here in 1853 that Carson received his appointment as Indian agent for New Mexico, which position he qualified for by filing the necessary bonds and entered upon the discharge of his duties as a true almoner of the Government's boun- ty to the Indians. His administration was characterized by wisdom and exact justice, for which he received uni- versal credit by his wards and all the citizens of New Mexico. In 1863 Gen. James H. Carlton directed the formation of a New Mexican Brigade, of which Carson was made Brigadier General, and in this capacity he continued his excellent services until the close of the war. The life of this noted hunter and plainsman closed on the 23d day of May, 1868, at Ft. Lyon, Colorado, the immediate cause of his death being the rupture of a large artery in the neck. Only a few months previous to the termination of his active career, he had visited Washing- ton on some important business connected with the Indian Department in New Mexico, and at the solicitation of the various trades bodies in cities along his route, he stopped at many of the important towns to receive the homage of an admiring people. Everywhere along the line of his travel flags were flying and salvos of cannon proclaimed with what estimation he was regarded by the American people. When his will was opened several days after his death, a clause was found in which he bequeathed his trusty old rifle, one he had carried through all the stirring events of his thirty-five years of plains life, to Montezuma Lodge, A, F. and A. M., at Santa F. CAPT. D. L. PAYNE, (The Cimanxm Scout.) LIFE OF OAPT. D. L. PAYNE, THE CIMARRON SCOUT. CHAPTER I. HON. DAVID L. PAYNE, generally known throughout the West as Capt. Payne, of the Oklahoma Colony Co. t was born in Grant county, Indiana, December 30, 1836. Being a lover of hunting and adventurous sports, in the spring of 1858, in company with his brother, he started West with the intention of engaging in the Mormon war which was at that time creating a furore of excitement throughout the country, and especially in the West. Beaching Doniphan county, Kansas, he found the excite- ment somewhat abating,, and inducements offering, he concluded to pre-empt a body of land and erect a saw mill. This investment, while the prospects had appeared decidedly flattering, nevertheless proved a most unfortu- nate speculation, and Payne soon found himself destitute of means. He had resources, however, which could not be readily expended, and his courageous heart and crav- ing for adventure soon afforded him occupation of a most congenial character. At the time of Payne's settlement in Doniphan county that now fertile and thickly populated section was the grazing grounds for vast herds of buffalo, deer, wolves and other wild animals peculiar to the plains. These he M < 500 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. hunted with much success and gratification, gradually ex- tending his occupation south west wardly until he had pen- etrated the Magillon mountains of New Mexico, explored the course of the Cimarron river of the Indian Territory, and become thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the great Southwest. He naturally drifted from hunt- ing to scouting, and thenceforward he was engaged con- tinually by either the Government or private expeditions, becoming the comrade of all the distinguished guides , trappers and hardy characters of pioneer life. His inti- macy with Kit Carson, Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill, California Joe, Gen. Custer, and many others with national reputa- tions, approached comradeship. When the civil war broke out, Payne was one of the first to volunteer his services, being placed in the Fourth regiment, which was subsequently consolidated with the Third, and shortly afterward the two were joined with the Tenth regiment. He served three years as a private, refusing in the time of his service six different tenders of commissions. At the expiration of his three-year term he returned to Doniphau county, and in the fall of 1864 he was elected to the Kansas Legislature, serving in the session of 1864-65, during which, while never courting the part of an orator, his influence was pronounced. At the close of the Legislature he again volunteered as a substitute for a poor neighbor who had been drafted and whose care for a household full of children was such that leaving them they would have been dependent upon the chanty of the neighborhood. Payne, upon his re-enlist- ment, assisted in recruiting a company for Gen. Han- cock's corps of veterans, and succeeded in enlisting one hundred and nine men, all hardy Westerners, who were devotedly attached to him. Again Payne refused to ac- cept a commission, preferring to remain a private com- rade with his friends. LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE 501 The division to which Payne was attached was detailed for duty at Washington City and their service was little more than a strict observance of methodical military punctilios. Every man was provided with white gloves, nobby uniforms resplendent with brilliant buttons, highly polished boots, and their guns were required to shine like the armor of de Abigail, the ladies' knight-errant. After engaging in this elegant body service for a few months the division was ordered to Trenton, N. J., where during a few days stay the following humorous incident took place : Being called out for inspection one morn- ing, every man radiant with his bright regimentals, a Dutch captain named Schmit was found to be inspecting officer, contrary to expectations . This fellow, clothed with a brief authority and fierce moustache, but without the external dress of a fancy officer, marched up in front of Payne's company with his breast thrown out like a Dutch tobacco sign, and exclaimed, " One, two, tree! front! right dress I ' ' executing the movements with a precision as if each was regulated by a vast system of clock-work inside the ample profundity of his naturally large abdo- men. Extending his ungloved hands, the officer received Payne's highly polished gun and began the inspection, when he was astonished to hear himself addressed in the following undignified manner. Said Payne : " I'd rather you wouldn't handle that gun without gloves." Turning as though he had been stuck sharply with a pin the Dutchman hissed between his teeth : " Vat you say, you veller mit so much lip?" * ' I mean that I would prefer that you would not run your big sweaty hands over that gun," replied Payne. " Teller I" said the now doubly inflated Teutonic repre- sentative of the Faderland generalissimo, " do you know 502 HEROES OF THE PLAIXS. dot you vas speaking mit an officer, und dot I vill teach you how it vas yo~u dalk like you don't know some- dings." " I know," pleasantly answered Payne, " that you are nothing but a d d Dutchman, and that I have long since learned how to talk to such roaring nobodies." With a spring like that of an infuriated bovine, the Dutchman leaped toward Payne, at the same time throw- ing the gun with such force that it nearly knocked the owner down. This so enraged Payne that he stepped out of the ranks and with the force of a catupult let fly his right fist which caught the officer under the chin, knock- ing him into the air like a trounced frog. The Dutchman lit yelling like his Hessian forefathers on the banks of the Delaware a century before. "For Got's sake, doan you kill your superior officer I I'll haf you in der gaurd house ; I make you built a whole fort, so help me by gracious ! Swgent, arrest dot man, I command you mit my power ! " Thus the sorely distressed inspecting officer cried, all the time inspecting himself rather than proceeding with that of the company. The sergeant did undertake to arrest Payne, but when the attempt was made the non-commissioned officer used his best endeavors to arrest himself in a backward flight not wholly unlike that which the Dutchman had just taken. Finding his hand now well in, while the officer continued a tirade of abuse, Payne made a second attack, and catching the already dilapidated Dutchman by the collar and a convenient place about his posterior middle, drove him against the side of a house with such force that the beer, sausage and kraut of at least twelve months were thoroughly well shaken up. Instead of attempting to rescue the unfortunate officer. LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 503 the boys in the company applauded the manual exercise with vociferous shouts of, " Give it to him!" "Knock the bung out of his beer reservoir!" "Show up the kraut 1 " " Set down on him ! " and other tender expres- sions appropriate to the occasion. When the excitement had somewhat subsided, the abject and most pitiable appearing inspecting officer was helped to his feet, and by painful persistency reached headquar- ters. On the same day Payne was arrested and placed in the guard-house, but he managed first to telegraph his predicament to Gen. Tom Ewing at Washington, who was a most intimate friend, and on the following day, before any trial was had, Ewing had influenced Secretary Stanton to send a pardon, and thus Payne escaped any punishment for humorously, but none tiie less ef- fectually, drubbing his superior. About two weeks after the incident just related, Payne's company was ordered back to Washington, and after the lapse of another week he was ordered to report, with a letter to Gen. Wenzle, at New York harbor. Not under- standing nor inquiring what the errand meant, he obeyed his instructions and was much astonished, after seeing the General read the letter, to hear himself addressed as Lieutenant Payne, for he could not divine why the title had been bestowed. Said he : "I guess you are mistaken, General. I am not a lieutenant." "Well, then," replied Wenzle, "this is strange; but maybe you have been sent to me to go on my yacht. Are you a seaman ? ' ' Payne, though he well knew his disqualifications for a seaman, nevertheless, feeling in the humor for fun and adventure, he promptly responded "yes," and being re- quested, he went down and reported to the captain of the 504 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. yacht. Now, thinking the joke, or misapprehension, had proceeded far enough, he plainly told the Captain that he knew no more about water service than a Government contracter did of the Golden Rule. Payne's astonish- ment was very much increased upon hearing the officer eay that he wanted one man at least who was ignorant of marine service, and that he would be accepted to fill that vacancy. Two days afterward, Payne and a comrade were or- dered to man one of the yacht's s;iiall boats, for the pur- pose of taking two of the naval officers, with four elegant ladies, out on a pleasure ride in the harbor. Payne knew nothing about rowing a boat, but fora time he tried hard, though his efforts only subjected him to the derision of the ladies and officers. At length, tired of his vain en- deavors, and being much piqued, he threw his oar out into the water, and then jumped in as if to catch it, but really, owing to the heat of the clay, he only wanted a bath. After swimming around aimlessly ho returned to the boat, and nearly upset it trying to get in again. All this occasioned much laughter, while Payne so infused his comrade with a spirit of mischievousness that he too threw away his oar. After the fun had proceeded sometime, the officers or- dered Payne and his companion in servitude to recover the oars and row the boat back to shore ; but this the two oarsmen peremptorily refused to do, and upon being threatened, Payne told the officers that if they made any attempt at coercion he would throw them both out of the boat just as he had the oars. Now, here was a great big dilemma for the officers, their embarrassment being spe- cially humiliating because of the presence of four beau- tiful ladies, before whom anything but a maintainance of official dignity and gallantry would be shocking. LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 505 Finding that orders and threats accomplished nothing, and the prospects appearing that the party would spend the night at sea, the ladies began a series of importun- ings with Payne ; but he was inflexible, while his sinewy arms, powerful build, large proportions and determined features admonished the officers how disastrous coercive measures would certainly prove. Every other means of gaining the shore having been fruitlessly debated, the officers at length were compelled to splash around until they recovered the oars, and then pull the boat and party to shore, while Pay 1113 and his comrade sat, one in the prow and the other in the stern, singing jolly songs for the delectation of the ladies. When they reached shore Payne anticipated results by calling at once on his friend, Gen. Tom Ewing, whose influence again procured for him a pardon ; but he never returned to the marine ser- vice, for directly afterward he was discharged with his company, and returned home. Payne's service in the volunteer army extended over a period of eight years, first as a private in company F, Tenth Reg. Kans. Infantry, from August, 1861, until Au- gust, 1864 ; his second enlistment was in company G, Eighth Reg. of Veteran Volunteers as private from March, 1865, until March, 1866 ; his third service was as captain of company "D" of the Eighteenth Kans. Cavalry, from July, 1867, until November of the same year ; and his last service was as captain of company H, Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry, in which he served from October, 1868, until Oc- tober, 1869. In the meantime he performed other duties of great service to the State, holding the position of post- master at Ft. Leavenworth, a member of the Legislature, and was, during two terms, sergeant-at-arms of the Kan- sas Senate, besides engaging in such political campaigns as gave him an acknowledged influence. He was an ar- 506 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. dent supporter of Gen. Tom Ewing, who after serving % term as Chief Justice of Kansas, sought the greater hon- or of U. S. Senator. Payne worked so hard to secure Ewing' s election that the latter, though a politician, never forgot those favors, and remains to this day one of Payne's warmest friends. During the rebellion Payne was attached to the army of the frontier under Gens. Price and Blunt, and was en- gaged in nearly all the memorable conflicts that took place in Missouri and Arkansas, distinguished for desper- ate fighting and dreadful mortality. He was a participant in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which occurred on the 7th of December, 18G4, and in this engagement he performed an act of gallantry Avhich well entitles him to a place in the honorary niche of history. In the hot- test of the fight his 1st Lieutenant, Cyrus Leland, who was at the head of his men leading them in an onslaught against the enemy, was struck hard in the right shoulder and his sword knocked several feet distant. Leland tried in vain to recover his s\vord with the right hand, but in- stead of obeying his will the arm was limp and useless. Then, like the courageous man he was, the wounded lieu- tenant raised the lifeless arm with his left hand and thrust it between his suspender and body, and picking up the sword in his left hand he continued bravely leading his men. In a few moments after receiving the wound, a bullet having crashed through hig shoulder, the gallant lieutenant fell from sheer exhaustion, though at this time the enemy had recovered from the charge, and reinforced was pouring such a deadly fire into the faces of Payne's company that the commanding officer ordered his men to fall back. Payne, seeing his brave comrade lying on the ground, while a maddened enemy was charging back ready to trample him, stepped out of ranks and lifting LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 507 the almost lifeless Lieutenant, bore him on his shoulders, like Hector of Troy, for fully half a mile, and deposited his precious burden within his own tent, where immediate surgical attention saved brave Leland's life. Such an act of devoted comradeship can only find a parallel in the Brothers-in-Arms of the time of Henry II., and deserves the richest garlands of poetry to enshrine it in history. Leland was afterward appointed Adjutant General on Ewing's staff, and is now a wealthy citizen of Troy, Kan- sas, a living evidence of Payne's heroism and devotion. During his term of service in the Legislature in 1864- 65, Capt. Payne opposed the special bounty act, upon purely patriotic grounds, and after its passage he again volunteered, but instead of accepting the bounty he per- mitted it to be credited to his county Doniphan thus manifesting his consistency and honesty. CHAPTER H. AFTER the close of the war, Payne again resumed the occupation of a plainsman scouting, hunting, trailing, guiding trains, etc. His disposition was so congenial, and possessing a courage which challenged the respect of the greatest desperado, he has ever enjoyed the popular- ity of every pioneer who knows him. The Indian Terri- tory and canons of the Cimarron, including the great salt basin, are so familiar to him that he is entitled, by precedence, to the appellation of " The Cimarron Scout." Few men are better acquainted with the Indian character, and his conflicts with the Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Kiowas and Navajoes are numerous almost beyond the limit of 508 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. description, one of which, because it is classed among the most remarkable that ever took place on the plains, will serve to illustrate his true character. In the spring of 1868, the Northern Cheyennes, under Tall Bull, made a raid along the Republican river, and near Jules City they committed a massacre of white set- tlers and travelers which will long live in the memory of Western pioneers. Their atrocities were peculiarly shocking because they spared none but two women whom they reserved for their own devilish purposes ; ripping up the other females, dashing out the brains of children and horribly mutilating the men. The two women whose lives were spared were Mrs. Morgan, a bride of only one month, and a Miss White, both of whom were en route, with their families, for Southern Colorado. A Mrs. Blinn, from St. Louis, was captured, together with her little boy, at the same time, and spared for a w r hile, but being unable to endure the march, the Indians split her head open and butchered her six-year old boy, leav- ing their bodies lying in the trail, where the skeletons were afterward found. As soon as a report of the dreadful outrage spread through the settlements, an armed band started in pur- suit of the Indians and followed them for several months, only to at last lose the trail and return home without accomplishing anything. When the settlers were first attacked, Mrs. Morgan's husband was shot down before her face, and of course she believed him dead. Miss White, as she was being carried off by her captors, still entertained some hope that her father had escaped, and would act as a guide for some relief party that she expected would make an effort to rescue her. She therefore tore her dress in pieces, and from time to time dropped small bits on the way, so LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 511 that if her father should be among the pursuers he would recognize the pieces as parts of her dress, and the party would thus be enabled to keep directly in the trail. Miss White's father, however, was killed, while the husband of Mrs. Morgan, though desperately wounded, was found by friends and by careful nursing became convalescent, but not until after some months had elapsed. When Mr. Morgan grew able to ride, he went directly to Gov. Craw- ford, of Kansas, and asked for assistance in an effort he proposed to make for the recapture of his wife. There were many who believed that Mrs. Morgan and Miss White had been murdered, and that such an expedition as the anxious husband proposed was altogether useless. However, a short time after his conference with the Governor, he received reliable information that both the women were still living and in the keeping of their first captors. Gen. Ouster was commanding a body of Gov- ernment troops in southern Kansas at this time, and learning of the expedition proposed by Morgan, he be- came anxious to enter a chase after the Cheyennes. But before any definite action was taken, Gov. Crawford Bent for Capt. Payne, for the purpose of consulting him as to the advisability of entrusting the expedition to Govern- ment troops or to a volunteer force of Kansas men. Capt. Payne at once advised a concerted movement with an organization of two or three companies of volunteers who would place themselves under the general command of Custer. This action was deemed most expedient, be- cause the Northern Cheyennes had joined their Southern L/ethren in the Indian Nation, and by a union of the two tribes had a force of fully one thousand warriors. The result of the interview was that the Governor gave Capt. Payne orders to enlist from one to two hundred men and report to Custer at Ft. Hays. Payne returned 512 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. directly to Leavenworth, and in two days' time had raised a volunteer force of one hundred and fifty men, and had collected one hundred and seventy-five head of mules for the expedition. This force, of which Payne was chosep Captain, he took at once to Ft. Hays, and on the next day after his arrival there, November 20th, the entire command was mounted and the expedition started for th LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 513 CimarroB, along the banks of which stream it was re- ported the Indians had recently been seen. The rigors of a bitter winter came on very early that year, and the expedition had moved only a very short distance, when, striking the lower ridge of the Wichita range and Cimarron canons, the snow accumulated so rapidly that it offered the most serious impediments, a large number of their horses and mules being lost. The command, numbering about twelve hundred men, con- tinued maneuvering in the Indian Territory until the February following, when, owing to the extreme weather and inability to locate the Indians, the expedition went into camp at Ft. Sill and remained for one week. At the expiration of this time the scouts brought in word that the Cheyennes, two hundred strong, had been sighted only a few miles west. This information created great excitement in the camp, and preparations were made for an immediate move. Accordingly, on the 12th of Feb- ruary, the march was begun, the force having been in- creased by the employment of one hundred scouts, who went ahead "beating" the route in order to definitely locate the Indians. Gov. Crawford had also joined the expedition, first resigning his position as Governor of Kansas in order to participate in the campaign. The Cheyennes' trail was soon found and led soutwest- wardly for fifty miles ; then struck directly across the Great Salt Plains toward New Mexico. This desert spot, which is from sixty to one hundred miles broad, is one of the most wretchedly dreary and desolate stretches of country on the globe. It is covered by a thick, stubby growth of wire grass, which, in turn, is covered by a heavy incrustation of salt. In marching through it the greatest difficulty is experienced, for the feet sink down just as in a twelve-inch depth of snow covered with a 514 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, strong crust of ice. In addition to this impediment^ which cuts the feet of horses and men in the most cruei manner j the salty atmosphere, through inhalation, pro- duces a constant burning thirst, while nowhere can be found in that vast expanse a drop of water. On reaching this desolate region, the expedition, being wholly unacquainted with the length and character of the march, neglected to carry a proper supply of water and provisions, a fact which every one in the command real- ized after the first day of their entrance thereon. The animals that were still alive were barely sufficient to convey arms, munitions and camp equippage, so that the men were compelled to complete the entire journey on foot. When night approached, the officers and scouts looking about for water or the shelter of some kind oasit, saw only the shimmering salt, stretching away, appar- ently, to the rim of the horizon on every side ; nothing but the trail of the Cheyennes bore any evidence that a single living thing had ever before explored the regions of this wilderness of uninhabitable desolation. The pangs of thirst began to be felt in both men and horses, which increased as the weary hours wasted, and to pre- vent death from this most terrible deprivation, many experiments were resorted to. Deep wells were sunk, but the water thus obtained was so strongly impregnated with the saline properties of the earth above that it was next to impossible to swallow it. The scarcity of provisions became another source of extreme privation, so that the command was placed on half rations, while the march was so fatiguing that it ap- peared for a time that the entire expedition would cer- tainly perish within the confines of this dreadful, barren solitude. These several exhausting and harassing imped- iments so retarded the journey that it was not until the LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 515 close of the fourth day that the advance scouts reported the appearance of trees which margined the Salt Plains. When this truly glorious sight broke upon the vision of the suffering army, every throat, though dried by thirst like crispy parchment, found voice for praise, for it was verily like the harvest of life out of death. Several of the horses died before they reached the ha- ven of growing vegetation and the purling of singing brooks. So sorely famished were the men that they broke their fast upon the dead carcasses. After reaching the Cimarron river, although there was an abundance of pure water and grasses for their jaded and starved ani- mals, yet contrary to general expectation, no buffalo or other ame was found, and the men were therefore at last reduced to the extremity of killing some of the remain- ing horses for meat in order to save themselves from death by starvation. Capt. Payne, who suffered all the privations endured by his men, was forced by the pangs of hunger to appease his appetite on the steaks of some of his faithful pack animals, and now makes the observa- tion that mule meat may not appear very palatable when included among the ample spread of a versatile menu, but on the occasion when he partook of it he felt that it was as delicious as the mauna that heaven distilled to save the chosen of Israel. After three days more of marching, bearing up under all their sufferings, the expedition reached a, section of coun- try where prairie chickens and wild turkeys were abun- dant, and a general hunt soon provisioned the army for the time being. On the 13th of March the Cheyennes were discovered encamped on a small tributary of Red river, and imme- diately upon this fact being known preparations were made for an attack. When the Indians learned theprox- 516 HEROES OF THE- PLAINS. imity of their pursuers, and finding how determined was the expedition, ten of the sub-chiefs were sent to Custer as a peace commission for a " pow-wow." Among this decemvirate of chiefs were Roman Nose, the head chief, Lone Wolf, Cross Timber, Eagle Chief and Yellow Nose, five whose names were specially loathesome to the Wes- tern settlers. When this body of treaty peace-makers came into camp Custer immediately ordered their seizure, and then sent back word to the waiting tribe that he would hold the ten chiefs as hostages, and would kill each of them if the women were not delivered up. In answer to this the Indians agreed to return the women, but declared they were not with the tribe but were in charge of the squaws at Little Robe camp, twelve miles beJow. They further asked permission to drop down to that camp, promising that they would return on the next day with the women. This request Custer granted, feel- ing confident that so long as he had possession of the ten chiefs the tribe would not kill the women, nor would they attempt an escape. This action of Custer was so bitterly opposed by all his men that only the most careful gener- alship prevented a mutiny. The Indians packed up their things, and loading their baggage, squaws and children onto sleds they departed southward. Custer, however, became somewhat anxious about the fulfillment of their promise, and to provide against possible ill-results, he followed with his entire force. When the command reached Little Robe imagine Custer 's surprise to find neither Indians nor any evidence of a recent occupation of the place. The cunning Chey- eynnes had taken advantage of the privilege and dispersed themselves like a brood of young quails when alarmed, not one being in sight. This result so annoyed the men that they all clamored LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 517 for the execution of the captive chiefs, but Custer and Payne had influence enough to prevent this. On the fol- lowing day the scouts reported the appearance of Indians lurking around the camp, and it now became evident that they were trying to discover what had become of their 518 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. chiefs. This fact led to a most sensible suggestion which resulted, happily, in the recovery of the two women. Knowing that the Indians were now fully cognizant of what was taking place in the white camp, Ouster order- ed preparations to be made for the execution of the ten chiefs. Ten ropes were thereupon adjusted to a long branching limb of a large tree and the ten nooses display- ed to great advantage ; a platform was erected under- neath the ropes, everything being suggestive of an execu- tion, and then a cordon of soldiers was stationed around the tree. Seeing these preparations, some of the Indians came in from their hiding places and offered to give up the women if the lives of the chiefs were spared. This Custer consented to do, provided the women were deliv- ered to him within two and one-half hours from that time. The strategies of the Cheyennes could not avail them now, and soon there was descried coming down a defile of the mountains, a long line of Indians, having in front of them Mrs. Morgan and Miss White, each having a buffalo robe wrapped about her person. When they had reach- ed within several hundred yards of Custer' scamp four of the Indians accompanied the ladies into the presence of Custer and formally delivered them up. The women presented a most forlorn appearance when they reached their rescuers, and told a tale of suffering, which, if it were not well verified, would certainly be dis- credited by many. Mrs. Blinn, being unable to continue the march, owing to her inhuman treatment, refused to go further, and not being able to force her, an Indian, obeying the order of his chief, grabbed her by the long hair which so beautifully adorned her head, and while another of the fiends was butchering her little boy, she was dragged a short distance, her skull split open by a tomahawk and her body horribly mutilated. LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 519 The other two ladies were given over to the care of the squaws, whose jealousy prompted cruelties as cunning as the inquisitorial torments. They were forced to perform the most trying and degrading labors of the camp, and during the winter time, when carrying wood and water, their fingers would become so cold that they could not resist the temptation to warm them by the fire ; as a punishment for this act the squaws forcibly held the hands of the ladies in the blaze until their finger ends were burned to the bone and became charred stumps ; yet even in this agonizing condition their labors were not abated, for the heavy cudgel compelled them to continue in the performance of duties almost too heavy for human endurance. Nor did the night bring them rest, for their sufferings continued until sheer unconsciousness afforded a respite. It is almost impossible to conceive how na- ture, and, least of all, feminine nature, could survive so long under such exhausting and acute pangs of mental and physical torture. The Cheyennes, who had escaped the annihilation they so justly merited, made off in a direction which caused grave suspicion that their purpose was to unite with other tribes in the territory and thus re-enforced fall upon the expedition before it could reach the sheltering forts of Kansas. This suspicion was so natural that nearly every one in the command confidently expected an attack, which, if it had been attempted by the large number of Indians whom Tall Bull 'might easily have influenced, would no doubt have proved successful. Thoroughly comprehend- ing the probable danger of his position, Gen. Ouster held a consultation with Capt. Payne, in whose judgment the entire command placed the greatest reliance. Said Ouster, addressing Payne : " Captain, we have got to send word to Ft. Hays at once ; some one must act as 520 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. courier to notify our friends of our position, and to cany the good news that the two ladies are in safety with us." Capt Payne responded : " Yes, that is my idea, and the sooner a messenger is despatched the better." " Well, then," replied Ouster, "you are the very man to make this trip ; you are thoroughly acquainted with the country, and I feel safe in entrusting you with this important mission." " All right," was the cheerful reply of Payne, not with- standing the fact that he was the heaviest man in the en- tire expedition, besides holding an official position in the command. " You can take your pick of men and horses and start at once. I think you will require about fifty men, but with these I have no fear of your getting through," ad- vised Ouster. " The fewer men I have with me the better," replied Payne, "for fifty of the best soldiers in the expedition couldn't make any headway at fighting the hordes of In- dians on the war path between here and Hays, and would only make the trip more difficult." "Well," responded Ouster, "you shall have your own way ; what men will you take? " "I'll take Jack Oowan and Charley Picard," respond- ed Payne, " and my purpose is to set out from here in about fifteen minutes." This was getting ready with despatch, but that was exactly what the circumstances demanded, and at the expiration of the time decided on, Oapt. Payne and his two trusty companions started off briskly for Ft. Hays. The expedition, having been in pursuit of the Cheyennes from November, 1868, until March of 1869, had crossed and recrossed the trail, and so circuitous had been the last month's march that from the point where the ladies LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 521 were recaptured to Camp Supply was only one hundred and thirty miles by the direct road, which ran around the northern boundary of the Salt Plains. This first ride was accomplished by Payne in eighteen hours, and reach- ing Camp Supply, a change of horses or, rather, of mules was made, and with a stop only of a few mo- ments, the three couriers started for Ft. Dodge, the next intermediate station. In making the change, Capt. Payne was somewhat annoyed to find that his new mule was a three-year old, upon whose back there had never been the presence of a seat or saddle. Here was fun for those who witnessed the antics of the untamed animal. Payne, though a man weighing nearly two hundred and fifty pounds, was unusually agile for one of his size, and cred- ited himself with an ability to ride anything that could be saddled ; but the obstreperous mule could not be sad- dled until he was violently thrown to the ground and held there till the caparisons were adjusted. By backing the animal up against a rick of wood, so that he could not shy aside, Payne at length managed to mount ; it was now that the interesting part of the performance began it was the trick mule out of the circus ring. At first this long-eared descendant of the Holy Land reared up on his fore-feet and threw his heels out with the force of a cannon ball, taking an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, as if to salute the man-in-the-moon with a ball of Indian Territory mud. In vain did this athletic com- pound of villainy and masked stupidity try to dislodge his rider by kicking ; but having inherited some of tho choice rascality, the cunning strategy of his ancestral kith, the mule plunged directly from kicking into buck- ing, and so quickly, too, was this great protean act ac- complished that, it must be confessed, Capt. Payne's last meal became dreadfully agitated over the result. 522 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Imagine the spectacle of a little mule with a back as flex- ible as an Indian's bow, and having its possibilities as thoroughly in hand. This very considerate animal would draw his back down until it resembled the trough of the the sea : then letting go the spring suddenly, it would shoot up in the shape of a rainbow, permitting the rider to explore the upper currents of atmosphere, and then replace himself with a force as undignified as it was pain- ful. The fun of this thing, it may here be properly stated, was altogether with the mule and the spectators, for the Captain was not allowed a sufficient vacation to discover the nub of the joke. This free-for-all, go-as-you-please performance contin- ued for some time without any intermission for refresh- ments, but becoming tired at last with his exertions to please the audience, this interesting mule deliberately lay down, in excellent imitation of the death scene in Romeo and Juliet, both of whom, it is well known, gave up the ghost kicking against the cruel in junctions of Montague,, or Capulet, as you please. The persuasive prod, howev- er, brought the mule to life again for the second act, which, it is but justice to his memory to state, he went through with to the eminent satisfaction of his manager. Away went the three daring couriers, each riding a mule and driving a pack animal before them who. was laden with eighteen hundred rounds of ammunition, as a pro visionary precaution in case of a siege. Shortly after dark, as the party was clambering up the hills of Western Kansas, they suddenly found themselves almost within the camp of more than a hundred scalp-loving Kiowas. Jack Cowan, in whom there was the moving spirit of the devil to dare danger, proposed riding through the camp on a run " just to see some fun," as he expressed it. Payne admonished Jack that the nature of their mission LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 523 was altogether too important for indulging in fun of that character. The three carefully backed out and went around the camp without being discovered, but on the following day, having passed Ft. Dodge and made an- other change of animals, in looking through the field- glass Payne saw a body of Indians numbering nearly one hundred and fifty, passing through a defile of the hills, evidently following the trail his little party had made. They had not long to await developments, for the paint, discovered through the glass on the faces of the Indians, plainly told the purpose on which they were bent. Payne and his comrades made off rapidly for a ravine in which they found the bank sufficiently high and abrupt to well serve their needs for a fortification. As the In- dians came riding rapidly along the hillside near the ra- vine, Jack Cowan, being unable to restrain his impulsive nature, drew his carbine and sent a bullet after the leader, but instead of hitting the Indian he struck the red-skin's horse in the head, knocking him down, and the hillside being steep the pony tumbled and rolled down so near Payne and his comrades that their mules became very much frightened and tried hard to get away. The party being now discovered, a fight ensued in which three sturdy scouts were matched against fifty times their number. Payne and Picard fired a moment after Cowan's first shot and two Indians went down, one killed dead and the other badly wounded. The Kiowas were armed with bows and arrows, and as the wind was blowing in hard gusts, they could not discharge their missiles with any accuracy at long range, and they were too cowardly to make a charge. The fight continued for nearly two hours, with the Indians occasionally riding at great speed in a circle by their dead comrades, five of whom were now on the 524 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ground, and as they came rushing by each one would throw himself on the off side of his horse, and reaching down, try to drag away one of the bodies. This peculiar occupation afforded Payne and his men no small amuse- ment, for the Indians made no serious effort to charge or dislodge the little party. Having at last secured and taken away their dead, the Indians divided, a body of about fifty crossing the ravine, which was quite broad, to make an attack from the other side. Payne at once changed his quarters so as to cover the exposed position, and so dexterously did he handle the Indians now on his side that three of the enemy and two ponies fell victim? to his excellent aim, while Cowan and Picard were equally active, and did such execution that the Kiowas drew off a while to council. In about half an hour they came back on a dead run, each of the two parties circling by the ravine and turning loose a shower of arrows, only one of which, however, did any execution ; this one struck Capt. Payne in the right shoulder, glancing, cut- ting a gash of considerable depth, but fortunately did not touch the bone. Two more Indians and one pony went down in the charge, and Cowan, moved by that impetuous spirit which always distinguished him, jumped up on the bank of the ravine, and shouting to the Ki- owas, took a long pull at his whisky bottle. Seeing this act of bravado, several of the Indians cried out, " Cali- fornia Joe!" and so holy a horror had they of this great fighter, whom they believed Cowan to be, that they im- mediately made off and were seen no more. Payne and his party met with no further adventure until the following day, when, on the Santa Fe trail, they were again struck by a party of Cheyennes who had already discovered and set upon Bo\ Wright, who was taking a freight train to Santa Fe The three fougLl the LIFE OF GAIT. PAYNE. 525 Indians so well that a respectable distance was main* tained. The pack mule, however, came near costing them very dearly ; this animal was one of those plodding creatures that, with all the belaboring Baalam could havs A Cheyenne Warrior. inflicted, would not move out of a jog-trot. It was there- fore a fight under the disadvantages of a distressingly slow retreat, with nothing oil the broad prairie to afford 526 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. shelter. Payne and his men, however, managed to reach Wright's corral without injury, only to find their friends badly frightened over the prospects. There were twelve men with Wright, whom Payne, after filling up to the exciting point with whisky, ordered out and made a dash- ing charge at the Indians, killing nearly a score and gain- ing such a decisive victory that the remainder of the band beat a final retreat. On the fourth day out Payne reached Ft. Hays, hav^ ing performed the journey of three hundred and sixty- five miles in one hundred hours, one of the swiftest rides, considering the obstacles and delays encountered, ever made on the plains. Before reaching their destination, having lost so much rest, Payne had to rub tobacco in hia eyes to keep from falling asleep on the way. Delivering his message, Payne returned at the head of two hundred men as a relief party, but found Ouster and the expedition making rapid progress and all in the hap- piest humor. No troublesome Indians had been met, and on the 22d of March the command reached Ft. Hays t with the two ladies. Mr. Morgan had been unable to ac- company the expedition, owing to his enfeebled condition, and remaining at Hays had the incomparable joy of re- ceiving his wife from the hands of her deliverers. Miss White, who was alone in the world, her father and relatives having been killed at the massacre on Republi- can river, knew not what to do or where to go. Finding her in a very disconsolate frame of mind, " Pottawatto- mie " Jenkins, an old pioneer who accompanied the expe- dition from Pottawattomie county, made a little speech to the boys at Ft. Hays, reciting their gallant acts, and concluding his remarks by calling attention to the lonely condition of Miss White, who was a pretty and highly ed- ucated lady, offered a quarter-section of fine land to any LIFE OF CAPT. PAYSTE. 527 one in the expedition who would marry her. This prop- osition was accepted by a man from near Leavenworth, whose name cannot now be recalled. The marriage cer- emony was performed on the same day, both parties ap- pearing very happy over the singular circumstances which ended in their "consolidation," and at night the event Was celebrated by a big " frolic." On the day following a subscription was started for the benefit of the two ladies, both 3trangely united to husbands, and the sum of $2,000 was raised, $1,000 each, which gave the couples a big lift over the obstacles which poverty had interposed. The ten chiefs, instead of being released, as the Ohey- ennes expected, were kept in custody and brought up to Ft. Hays with Ouster, where they were placed in the stock- ade, together with sixty-five Indian women and children who had been captured the December previous in the fight with Black Kettle, on the Wachita river. Black Kettle was killed in this engagement, but his sister, Wah- wis-sa, with her three year old child, was captured and kept in the stockade at Hays. Some time during the summer of 1869 the captive chiefs made an attempt at escape, in which they fought with such courage that three of the soldiers on guard were killed, but in return all of the chiefs received mortal wounds from the rifles of the soldiers who were near to succor the guards. In this hopeless attempt made by the chiefs, Black Kettle's sister was also killed under very distressing cir- cumstances. Ever since the day of her capture she seemed contented to remain with the whites ; she was permitted to return to her people, her child having been kept, however, at the fort ; but after a time she was offered her liberty, together with that of her child. Instead of going back to her tribe she declared her desire to live always with the white people, who treated her 528 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. much better than the Indians of her own tribe. When the chiefs broke out of the stockade and rushed on their guards this woman became so connected with the strug- gle that, under an apprehension that she was trying to assist the Indians, one of the soldiers shot her in the side fatally. She 1-ived some hours after the shooting, and being conscious up to the moment of her death, she explained that, instead of helping the chiefs, she was trying to take a knife from one of them, and had not the fatal bullet struck her she would have saved the life of one of the guards who was stabbed with the knife which the chief drew from her relaxing grasp. In 1870 Capt. Payne removed to Sedgwick county, Kansas, near Wichita, and the following year was chosen to represent that district in the Legislature. While serv- ing in the session of 1871-72, through his influence Sedg- wick county was divided and a new county formed of the northern part, which was called Harvey. In the redis- tricting of Sedgwick county one of its largest town- ships was named in his honor, * ' Payne," in which he now makes his home, owning a large ranche about ten miles northeast of Wichita. In the year 1879 Capt. Payne became interested in a movement for the occupation and settlement of a district in the Indian Territory, which is known as Oklahoma (beautiful land). This central spot in that beautiful country comprises one hundred thousand acres of the finest land on the American continent. He claims the right of white settlement on these lands under a treaty made by the Government with the Indians in 1866, by which this district was ceded to the Government as a public domain, and was afterward surveyed and set apart as such. Through Capt. Payne's personal endeavors a larg^ col- LITE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 529 ony was organized for the purpose of entering upon and settling these lands. This colony moved early in Decem- ber. 1880, and first assembled on the border of the In- dian Territory on Bitter Creek, and after organizing on a military basis, moved along the State line to Hunnewell, wJaere thev went into camp. The settlers were closely 530 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. followed by Federal cavalry under the command of Colo- nel Coppinger, who had previously warned the intending invaders that any attempt to enter the Indian Territory in the face of the President's proclamation would be for- cibly resisted . At Hunnewell, where the cavalry occupied one side of a creek and the colonists the other, the latter remained in camp for two or three days, receiving a good many recruits from the dry region of Western Kansas, where the settlers have been literally starved out for some years past. On Sunday, the 12th, the camp was crowded during the day by the inhabitants of the surrounding country, who came to inspect the throng. During the afternoon, after a dress parade by the colonists, there was a religious service conducted by the colony chaplain. An invitation was extended to the officers of the Federal troops to unite in the service, and their acceptance occasioned great satisfaction. Seats were provided for the ladies, some forty or fifty in num- ber, and the exercises opened with the grand national an- them, "America." The chaplain's text was from Exo- dus the Lord's commandment to Pharoah to let his peo- ple go and possess the promised land. The next song was: " Hold the fort for we are coming, Oklahoma still." In which hundreds of voices joined, and the religious ex- ercises concluded with the rendition of the ' ' Star Span- gled Banner," three cheers for the flag, three more for the President, and a tiger for the Federal troops. It was a novel spectacle, and none seemed to en joy it better than the officers of the army, who sat upon the anxious bench, sandwiched between the choir and the pilgrims. The stars and stripes were conspicuously displayed about the camp, while a number of the wagons were adorned with LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 531 the same colors. The wagon covers were nearly all in- scribed with " On to Oklahoma I " " No Turning Back ! " " Strike for Homes ! " " Uncle Sam is rich enough to to give us all a home in Oklahoma ! " and similar devices. On Sunday night a colony meeting was held for confer- ence as to their future course, but the only conclusion was to wait a day or two longer for some modification of the President's order, under which it would be possible for them to proceed. The Secretary of the Interior, Carl Schurz, having held that these lands were purchased exclusively for the settle- ment of negroes or of Indians who would accept the civil- izing influences of the nation, the President issued his proclamation forbidding white persons to enter upon these lands, and called upon the military to enforce the order. Receiving no answer to their petition, which the colo- nists had forwarded to the President, and getting some- what anxious, whilst many proposed entering the lands despite the military, on the 13th of, December a meet- ing was held at which Dr. Robert Wilson, of Texas, was appointed a committee of one to go to Washington to see if something could not be done at once to relieve the crit- ical situation on the border. On the 14th the colonists broke camp and moved for- ward to Caldwell, Kansas. Before starting the chaplain offered up a prayer for the success of the undertaking, in carrying the gospel and civilizatian to this hitherto barbarous and benighted land. At Caldwell, where five wagons and twenty men joined the column, the Mayor and a long procession of citizens came out to meet the colonists and escorted them through the streets, women waving handkerchiefs and men cheering. The eavalry moved along with the settlers without interfering 532 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. with their progress. The day following, at a mass meet- ing of the citizens of Caldwell, resolutions were adopted indorsing the movement to settle the lands, and asking the President to order the troops to accompany the set- tlers to Oklahoma as an escort. Being unable to accomplish anything, either through petition or by endeavoring to influence Congressional LIFE OF CAPT. PAYNE. 533 legislation, the colonists became restless, and shortly afterward Capt. Payne, having been arrested by the U. S. authorities, charged with tresspassing on Indian reser- vations, the colony disbanded temporarily. The trial of Capt. Payne occurred at Ft. Smith, before U. S. District Judge Parker, on the 7th of March, 1881. He was represented by Judge Baker, of St. Louis, who argued at great length the character of the treaty of 1866. The question raised over Capt. Payne's arrest involves directly the nature and validity of that treaty, and hence a means is afforded for testing a point upon which the Secretary of the Interior and the ablest lawyers of the country are at variance, the latter holding that Oklahoma is a part of the public domain , and subject to pre-emption and settlement like all other public lands. Personally, Capt. Payne is one of the most popular men on the Western frontier. He is a natural scout, born and indurated to the hardships of adventure and campaign service. His mother is a first cousin of the celebrated Davy Crockett, for whom he was named, and from whom he seems to have derived a character which has led him into a similar life. Unlike most heroes of the plains, Capt. Payne is a strictly temperate man, and is so far removed from the desperado and bravado that he is universally recognized as a dignified gentleman of no small talent in all the fields of labor where his services have been employed. He is in the very prime of life, of very large and powerful frame, with such a commanding presence, mild manners and agreeable deportment that he is by right esteemed as one of the most prominent men whose names are inseparably linked with the settle- ment of the West. 82 534 LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER, PR D. F. POWELL) CHIEF MEDICINE MAN OF THE WINNEBAGOSIOUX CHAPTER I. THE life of White Beaver (Dr. D. F. Powell) bears all the colors and shades of an idyllic romance ; his char- acter stands out upon the canvas of human eccentricities in striking originality, and finds never its counterpart, save in stories of knight-errantry, when hearts, names and titles were the prizes bestowed for daring deeds evolved from generous sentiments. His has been the tenor of uneven ways, with characteristics as variable as the gifts in Pandora's box. A born plainsman, with the rough, rugged marks of wild and checkered incident, and yet a mind that feeds on fancy, builds images of refine- ment, and looks out through the windows of his soul upon visions of purity and fields elysian. A reckless adventurer on the boundless prairies, and yet in elegant society as amiable as a school-girl in the ball-room ; evi- dencing the polish of an aristocrat, and a cultured mind that shines with vigorous lustre where learning displays itself. A friend to be valued most in direst extremity, aad an enemy with implacable, insatiable and revengeful animosities. In short, he is a singular combination of opposites, and yet the good in him so preponderates over his passions that no one has more valuable friend- ships and associations than these strange complexities 5S5 536 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. attract to him. He is an ideal hero, the image which rises before the ecstatic vision of a romancer, and he impresses himself upon the millions who know his repu- tation as a brave and chivalrous gentleman. Dr. David Frank Powell (White Beaver) has in his veins the blood of three races, each of which has im- parted to him a distinct peculiarity. His mother was a woman of great fertility of mind and resource, whose father was a full-blooded Indian Medicine Chief of the Seneca tribe, who were known as the Nun-da-wa Ona (Mountain-dwellers). Her mother was a Tompkins, born in Tompkins County, near Seneca Lake, New York, which county was named in honor of her people. The mother of the subject of this sketch was married at the age of fifteen years to Dr. C. H. Powell, of Kentucky, who was of Highland-Scotch descent. Their acquaint- ance and marriage occurred while Miss Tompkins, with her Indian father, was upon a hunting excursion near Seneca Lake, when, by accident, she met Mr. Powell, who was surveying that region. After marriage, the couple went to Kentucky and settled in the mountainous district near the Tennessee line, on the Kentucky River. Mr. Powell was a highly-educated gentleman, speaking several languages, and was a physician of large reputa- tion. Mrs. Powell is popularly reputed to have been a woman of extraordinary beauty, and, having an inherited liking for botany, she acquired an exceptional knowledge of the medicinal virtues of nearly every plant indigenous to the places where she lived. This knowledge she applied industriously, and became not only a great assistant to her husband, but was known and sought as a physician by thousands herself. There is no doubt but that Dr. Frank Powell has inher- ited all the striking traits of his character from his LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 537 mother, for she was a woman not alone of beauty and intelligence, but also one of great magnetism, which made her the counselor of all her acquaintances ; she was courageous almost beyond expression, firm and self- reliant, yet sympathizing, generous, noble and gentle. These traits are impressed upon all her children, who resemble her in both appearance and disposition ; even to her grandchildren have been transmitted these same dis- tinguishing peculiarities. Of the tribe of Indians to which Mrs. Powell (before her marriage) belonged, there were four branches, or clans the Beaver, Wolf, Bear and Turtle she being a member of the Beaver clan. Her grandfather, a firm friend of the whites, was a soldier under Gen. Sullivan, and received his death-wound in 1779 in a battle which took place near Niagara Falls. Dr. D. Frank Powell was born at the home in Ken- tucky, May 25th, 1847. He had no early school advan- tages, save what his parents gave him in their own log cabin, but they were both excellent instructors, and not only taught him the rudiments of an education, but also the fundamental principles of medicine, a profession which he gave youthful indications of embracing, mani- festing an aptitude said to have been almost marvelous. In the year 1855 Mr. Powell died, and soon thereafter Mrs. Powell, anxious to again see her parents, who were living at an advanced age, sold all her effects, and, with her family of three sons Frank, George and William- returned overland to New York. Here she settled again, about thirty miles from Ithica, and began farming. Meeting with indifferent success, after a few years she started with her family for the Great West, which was then beginning to attract emigrants. Getting as far as Chicago, the family stopped, and young Frank secured a 538 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. position with F. A. Bryan, a druggist, with whom he remained for two years, and until his mother decided to again remove, this time directing her course for Omaha. Here Frank was given a situation as chief clerk in a large drug-store, owned by Dr. James K. Ish. In this posi- tion his efficiency and rare medical knowledge, for his age, became so conspicuous -that they were recognized by Dr. Ish giving him a full partnership interest in the store. The firm of Ish & Powell developed a large business in the preparation of family medicines, which they supplied to nearly all the Territories. Frank was now making both reputation aud money, but the other members of the family were unsettled, and to find employment they purchased a considerable tract of land on Platte River, Nebraska, near Lone Tree, a place that is now historically known as Old Eagle Island. Here Mrs. Powell remained, using her best efforts for the advancement of her children's interest, giving both her unremitting labor and counsel until 1879, when she was seized with purpura, which ended her eventful life. The boys, with their own hands, made her a grave under the cotton woods, and, bedewing the sacred spot with a libation from breaking hearts, left her in a pious sleep. That upheaval of precious earth is still their Mecca, to which they pay homage in annual pilgrimages, to leave their offerings of filial love. While conducting his prosperous business in Omaha Frank usually spent two months of each year on the ranche with his brothers. Game was abundant, not to speak of the Sioux Indians, and this became a field of delight for his adventurous nature. He was a fit com- panion for the noblest and most noted border men, and his society being courted, Frank became a favorite of such daring plains heroes as Buffalo Bill, California Joe, LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 539 Wild Bill, Leon Pallerday, "Old Man Platte," the Ke- shaw family, Texas Jack, and a hundred others. From the inception of these friendships, they found that Frank was a brave lad among the bravest men, that with a dar- ing heart he had a generous kindness, and already was a surgeon and physician whose equal had not yet set foot upon the frontier. In -the times of which I am now writing the great plains were productive only of buffaloes and Indians, the number of each apparently being in fair distribution ; buffalo hunting was therefore an exhilarating sport, but fighting and getting away from the Indians was decidedly more exciting ; and the latter was very often a sequence of the former. There are men who cannot appreciate a pastime unless there is in it an element of great danger. It is this characteristic which attracted many reckless men to the frontier and won for them the name of heroes. Among this class Frank Powell was a conspicuous figure, but while some followed the various employments pe- culiar to the plains and incurred dangers in pursuit of a livelihood, Frank invited them as an exhilarant, met them because they were the true delight of his courageous and venturesome nature. He has been an active, front-rank participant in a hundred or more fierce Indian fights, and bears upon his person the trade-marks of not a few val- orous warriors ; if I were to describe all the battles in which he has heroized himself it would require a book equal to the whole of this work, but there are some ad- venturous incidents which the value of history demands that I record : In 1868, while Frank was out hunting with the elder Eeshaw, McCabe, the Shoshone scout, Jonathan Pugh, and eight others, the party was attacked by a band of Arrapahoes in command of Chief Friday, near Whiskey 540 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Gap, on Sweet water River. The Indians came upon them suddenly, but not until hasty action permitted Powell's party to corral their horses and make a stand in a buffalo wallow. The Indians numbered fully one hundred war- riors and were well armed, several having rifles and pis- tols, which, however, it appears they had not learned to use effectively. The fight was very spirited at the be- ginning, and for a time there were grave doubts that a single one of the besieged hunters would escape. Their horses were shot down in a short while, but this really served as an advantage to the men, for immediately the bodies were piled in a circle and used as a barricade. Indians never fight like white men, their tactics being to ride in a circle around their enemies, gradually closing in if advantage promises, instead of charging directly. It was thus the Arrapahoes kept up their attack, riding- round and round the little party of brave hunters, shoot- ing and yelling, but doing no more damage than occa- sionally wounding, with spent bullets that penetrated through the barricade, some of the hunters. But there was more execution made by the besieged, so that after the first day's fighting the Indians drew off out of range, intending to starve out the beleaguered party or compel them to abandon their defensive position by preventing them from replenishing their canteens with water. The river was nearly one mile distant, flowing peacefully by, unmindful of the service its inviting waters might give to the famishing party. For three days and nights the In- dians, feeling certain of their victims, kept their posi- tions on hillsides surrounding the hunters ; every avenue of possible escape was securely guarded ; no friendly aid could be expected ; there was no pitying glance in na- ture's aspect, and everything seemed to forecast a mas- sacre. Of food there was an abundance, but every drop LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 541 of water had been exhausted on the first day, chiefly in bathing wounds, and thirst had now become an enemy more dangerous than Indians. No one was determined what to do until at last up spoke Powell, the youngest of the party : * I will decide this battle ; better die at once than linger from parching thirst in the terrible stench of these dead horses." " Well, what will you do?" was asked him. " Do? Why charge the red devils and trust to luck ; follow me who will ; for one I intend to leap into the crisis." These last words had scarcely left his lips when with a spring he leaped outside the breastworks and made a break for the river. With terrible yells the Indians dashed toward him ; down they came in a fierce swoop, every warrior competing for the white man's scalp. When a distance of scarce fifty yards separated them, Frank stopped and, raising his gun, fired, and the foremost Indian dropped headlong from his saddle. A rattling fire followed from the hunters, who, until now, Frank did not know had left the barricade. There was a fierce contest for a few minutes, in which so many In- dians were killed that the remainder drew off and let the brave hunters through, who reached the Sweetwater and there so intrenched themselves that they had no imme- diate fear of another attack. The wounded were attended by Frank with such skill that only one died from injuries received in the fight ; four others of the party, however, were killed outright. The Indian whom Frank killed with his first shot proved to be " Walking Crane," one of the most re- nowned braves among the Arrapahoes, whose teepee was well lined with scalps taken from those he had destroyed in battle. The reckless daring as well as decisive judgment dis- 542 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. played by Frank upon this occasion gained for him a considerable reputation among all the scouts and Indian, fighters, and his name soon became familiar throughout the northwest. CHAPTER II. SHORTLY after the battle on Sweetwater, with a party of four others, Frank was hunting on Stinking Water, and was again attacked by twenty or more Sioux. Thistime r however, he sought no protection, but, without giving his companions time to consider, he ordered a charge and rode with all speed toward the Indians ; his daring act inspired those that were with him, and a more gallant charge was never made than that which here followed, Taking the bridle reins in his teeth, with a revolver in each hand and carbine caught fast in the saddle seat before him, his appearance was sufficient to inspire anj* painter. Fierce as a wounded panther, and shooting with rattling rapidity, the five men rode up to and over the Sioux before they had time to think of their enemy's action, least anticipating anything but retreat from so small a number. Seven of the Indians were killed iu this attack and as many more were wounded. Had not the others fled their entire party would certainly have been annihilated. But of such fights I might describe scores, actual rencontres which occurred on the Beaver > Platte, Republican, Solomon, Arrickaree, Niobrara, Prairie-dog Nose, and other creeks upon which it was* the custom of Frank Powell to hunt and scout. Being a thirty-second degree Mason, even at this early age, Frank was appointed District Deputy Grand Mastei LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 543 544 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of Masons for Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming, and in 1869 conferred the Master's degree upon Buffalo Bill at Platte Valley Lodge, Cotton wood Springs. In the latter part of 1869, although Frank had neve* been to a regular school one day in all his life, he sub mitted to a competitive examination, with thirteen othei candidates, for a beneficiary scholarship in the University of Louisville. This examination was made in pursuance of a rule of the college which admitted, free of matricu- lation expense, one scholar from each state, the candidate being selected by a board of examiners in the respective states, Gen. Estabrook, the eminent jurist, being presi- dent of the Nebraska board. With the disadvantages against him, Frank carried off the honors and thus became admitted to the college as a beneficiary student. He spent the years 1869 (latter part of), 1870-71 at the medical department of the college, and by performing the duties of janitor paid his expenses ; before graduating he was made assistant demonstrator of anatomy, and upon finishing his course was pressed to take a professor- ship. But his desire for a wild life, the lonesomeness of a large city to him, and the proffer of a position as post-* surgeon from Gen. Joseph B. Brown, medical director of the Department of the Platte, induced him to decline the former honor and take the latter. As a recognition of his learning and the high social esteem in which he was held at the college, he was chosen as valedictorian of his class and acquitted himself with such merit that his address was printed in hundreds of newspapers. It was thus he started life as an M. D. ; but, aside from the prestige which his college course and graduation g^ve him, Dr. Powell owes most of his success as a physician to the teachings of his mother ; this fact is attested largely by the results of his practice before he received hia degrees - ^ LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 545 While attending college in Louisville Dr. Powell went through the ordeal of a duel with Dr. Louis Oppeuheimer, a member of the faculty of the same college, which created a very great excitement at the time and led to the publication of many accounts of the affair, few of which were correct. The facts are easily accessible, as Dr. Oppenheimer is still living and practicing medicine in Indiana, possibly in Seymour. A bitter feeling arose between the two, consequent upon an insult which it was alleged Dr. Oppenheimer gave to a lady friend of Dr. Powell's. The reported insult may have been exaggerated by officious persons, but Dr. Powell felt that it was his duty to protect the lady, and therefore, according to the ethics of Kentucky aristocracy, he sent a challenge to Dr. Oppenheimer, which was accepted. The latter, having the selection of place and weapons, chose the dissecting room of the college, which was on the fifth floor, and for weapons pistols were named. There was a ghastly feature about this duel which made it unique, but fortunately it was not fatal . The dissecting room of a college is, perhaps, of all places, the one most suitable for a reflection on death and its terrible consequences. There was a gruesome suggestiveness to Dr. Powell that his antagonist felt certain of his aim and had an ambition to dissect his victim ; but if so it did not come to pass as the challenged party hoped, if not anticipated. The combatants repaired to the room selected some time after nightfall, accompanied by their seconds. A distance of ten paces was cleared by removing tables on which reposed dead bodies in various stages of dissection, and the principals then took their places. Dr. Al. Blakely, now a practicing physician in New York, ar- ranged the preliminaries by first placing the principals back to back, with instructions that at his word they 546 HEKOES OF THE PLAINS. were to walk apart until reaching the positions assigned to them, when, at the word " fire," they were to wheel and discharge their weapons. When the two took their first positions Dr. BUikcly turned down the gas until ob- jects in the room were scarcely perceptible. When they had walked apart to their positions, the gas was turned on again and the command to fire was given. At the first discharge Dr. Powell was shot in the left forearm, while a ball from his pistol grazed Dr. Oppenheimer's cheek. Friends of both parties acknowledged satisfac- tion, but Dr. Powell demanded a second fire, which, of LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 547 course, was accorded. The same rules were again ob- served, and the result this time was more serious than before ; for, though Dr. Powell escaped, Dr. Oppen- heimer received a bullet in his right shoulder, shattering the bone and rendering his pistol arm useless. His com- batant being thus disabled, Dr. Powell could not ask for another fire, and thus the duel terminated, not fatally, but seriously. Dr. Powell carries a scar from the wound thus received, while Dr. Oppenheimer has never regained the full use of his right shoulder. After his appointment as post-surgeon, Dr. Powell was located at Fort McPherson ; he was changed from there some time afterward to North Platte Barracks, thence to Camp Stambaugh, Fort Laramie, and other posts, at each place becoming a great favorite. Tiring of garrison life in its endless and unvarying duties for a surgeon, the Doctor asked for and was granted permis- sion to take the field with the soldiers when sent out upon campaigns. This gave opportunity, for which he thirsted, to participate in numerous fights with the Indians, and so eagerly did he embrace it that his superiors found fault with him for always being in front when a battle was waging, rather than in the rear attending to the wounded. . The numerous dashing escapades in which Dr. Powell has figured, both as principal and participator, cannot be chronologically given, for the reason that he never kept a diary, nor has he ever made any attempt to preserve them in his memory ; besides, being supersensitive, it is only by the greatest exertion that he can be induced to speak of himself. Therefore, the few I here record are adventures which I have had described chiefly by others, who were witnesses of the incidents themselves, or who received the accounts from those who were. As an illustration of his sympathy and generous nature, 548 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the following is told of him by Buffalo Bill. In the year 1873, just after returning to Fort McPherson from a scouting expedition among the Sioux, and when almost exhausted from hard riding with Capt. Meinhold, of the Third Cavalry, Dr. Powell was called upon by a half- breed, who begged him to attend immediately upon the daughter of Moran, the French scout, known as Iron Leg, who had been bitten by a Massasanger rattlesnake. Without waiting to dismount, he dashed off to Moran' s ranche, two miles from the fort. Keaching the cabin, he found the girl in a rapidly-sinking condition, her leg that was bitten being swollen to twice its natural size. He took a bottle of brandy and forced it down the girl's throat, after which he made an incision into the leg where the bite was received, and, applying his lips to the wound, sucked it for nearly an hour, and until no more blood could be drawn from it. This truly heroic act saved the girl's life, but it greatly jeopardized his own. His lips, which had been chapped, became dreadfully swollen, and the poison in his system showed its work in various ways, but through his own skill in medicine he recovered. The young girl thus rescued from death gave the Doctor her pet antelope, which she prized above all other things ; a refusal to accept it seemed to cause her grief, as she de- sired to attest her thankfulness, and the Doctor therefore kept it. Having grown to womanhood, she is now a sis- ter-in-law of Leon Pallerday, official interpreter, with whom she is living, with her sister, at Rosebud Agency. For many years Dr. Powell has been known as White Beaver, a name which sticks to him with the tenacity that Buffalo Bill does to Cody. This appellation the Doctor received under the following circumstances, as he related them to me himself. Rocky Bear, a Ke-uck-se, or "Cut-Off" Sioux Indian^ LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 549 bad a daughter whom he called Muz-zas-ka, meaning White Metal, whom he loved with an affection rarely ex- hibited among the tribe. She was not so pretty as some Indian maidens are described to be, but she was neverthe- less her father's pride. This young girl, about eighteen years of age, was stricken down with malarial fever, which became aggravated by reason of the treatment which she received. It has been an ancient practice among Indians, and is so among not a few tribes even to-day, to treat their sick by incantation and noisy ceremony, attributing disease to the influence of an evil spirit, which they seek to propitiate. In the instance now being noted, the In- dians had for several days been chanting their doleful songs, and making a terrible noise with gourds, partly filled with shot, over the girl. This tumult, of course, only served to excite the patient, and arrest any natural tendency there might have been in the favorable condition of the disease. The girl, therefore, was given over to die ; she had become first delirious, and then almost com- atose. She was in this condition when Dr. Powell, by accident, came into the Indian camp. Hearing a death- chant near where he stopped, he inquired the cause, and learning all the facts, he went to the patient, and after making an examination, told Rocky Bear that the girl might be saved, which information gave the Indian great joy, and he begged the Doctor to treat her, offering every- thing he had on earth if a cure were accomplished. Dr, Powell then dismissed the chanters, and, admonishing quiet under all circumstances, treated the girl so effect- ively that he soon had her well again. The gratitude of Rocky Bear was unbounded, and to prove this he pre- sented to the Doctor a white beaver skin, which, among Indians, is regarded with reverential awe and supersti- tious veneration, similar to the estimation in which white 33 550 HEROES OF THE PLAINS, elephants are held by the Siamese. In making tb3 pres- ent, Rocky Bear also gave Dr. Powell the Indian name, *<8hoppa-8k<xS 9 the Sioux for White Beaver, which be- stowal was because his mother was known to be a mem- txa^ of the Beaver Senecas. CHAPTER III. The manner in which White Beaver, as he must now bv. known, nurses his wrath and vengeance is illustrated in the following incident, which occurred in 1867, and was correctly reported at the time for a Western paper (the clipping from which lies before me, but name detached) by an eye-witness. About the year 1865, White Beaver, being always a favorite with the ladies, was paying attentions to a very estimable young lady, not with any view to matrimony, but because her society was agreeable. In the same town were two brothers named Royall, who were handsome, well-dressed fellows, but of a dissolute character, and whose pride was in the destruction of female innocence. These two men were both seeking the ruin of the young lady referred to, who, being a widow's daughter, and without brothers to defend her, became an object of their special concern. Their character, however, was so well disclosed to the young lady by White Beaver that she re- pelled their addresses. Finding that their specious wiles were unavailing, the two concocted a diabolical plot to for- cibly accomplish their base, lecherous desires. The young lady was lured from her home by a female companion, and in a covert to which she was carried the poor girl was sacrificed. When White Beaver learned these facts, ho LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 551 sought the impious wretches, but they had flown. Day and night he seemed to hear the plead ings of that terribly wronged girl ; he took upon himself the grievance of a brother, and in the saddle he sought the villains. Years went by, and yet they could not be found ; he was anx- ious lest one or both of them might die before he could avenge the girl ; but it was not so destined. There was a day of reckoning, and it came about in this way : White Beaver was with the Indians near Sand Creek ford, on the Arrickaree, and while in camp one evening an Indian came in telling of two strangers whom he had met at a ranche a few miles distant. His description of the men led White Beaver to believe they were the Royall broth- ers. So fixed was he in this belief that on the following o morning he took up his Winchester, and started over to the ranche. Just before reaching the cabin, he saw two horsemen, and, riding near them, was gratified to see that his suspicions as to their identity were correct. He made a circuit to head them off, for they had discovered who he was, and rightly divined his intentions ; but, be- ing two to one, they sought no means to avoid a meeting. A few minutes elapsed, when White Beaver was within rifle range, and, as he was in the act of dismounting, both the brothers fired at him. Their shots, however, were without effect. Then the Beaver fired, and had the sat- isfaction of seeing one of them, Oliver, fall dead ; a sec- ond shot wounded the other one, but did not unhorse him, and he made good his escape. The shooting attracted the men at the ranche at which the brothers had stopped over night, and three of them came down to where the dead body of Royall lay, and took charge of it. White Beaver only turned the dead man over to be certain he had made no mistake, and satisfying himself, he rode again to the Indian camp, without making any explanation of 552 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. his conduct. The paper that published an account of duel condemned White Beaver, but afterward, learning all the circumstances, an article was published applauding the act. The surviving brother rode on to Elm Creek Station where he appeared four days after the affray, and there made affidavit that his brother had been killed and him- self wounded by Dr. D. F. Powell, " White Beaver," but he refused to give his name. This is the first time that the full particulars of this tragic incident have been published. After the killing of Oliver Roy all, White Beaver con- nected himself with a band of Cut Off Sioux, who were under the leadership of Rocky Bear. This branch of the great tribe was called " Cut Off"' because they had with- drawn themselves from all connection with the tribe, and literally became bandits of the prairie, engaging in pred- atory excursions, chiefly against the Arrapahoes and Cheyennes. Their object was to capture whatever of property they could take from these tribes, and their en- gagement therefore became one of war and reprisal. At this time White Beaver never expected to enter the borders of civilization again ; he had met with reverses, which came as a natural consequence ; his associations were all of the lawless class, and he drifted away from wholesome influences, until his nature blended with that of the wild savages with whom he allied his fate. The Cut Offs were desperadoes, daring to a fault, reckless and remorseless. Following these Indian devastators, White Beaver was led into many fearful contests and slaughters, frightful to contemplate. In one of these onslaughts he was badly wounded, and for a time his life was dispaired of, but a rugged constitution and excellent care from a devoted mother brought about his recovery, LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 55S and the results which followed are given in the chronicles of his after life a reformed and useful man. The details of the light referred to are briefly told : White Beaver, with Eocky Bear and his clan of Indian adventurers, was in camp on the South Platte River, in the summer of 1876, waiting, like a crafty spider for victims to fall into his web. A party of fifty or more Arrapahoe Indians were seen far to the south, crossing a prairie butte with a herd of horses. This was the game for which the Cut Offs were watching ; every one was quickly mounted and pursuit given, expecting to have a hard ride after a band of fugitives ; but the Arrapahoes refused to be intimidated, since the numbers on each side were about equal, and, as it proved, they were both war parties. A lively dash over the prairie soon brought the two tribes into a collision that was indeed war to the knife, and knife to the hilt. White Beaver was one of the bravest and most active participants, killing several Arrapahoes and scalping them in a running fight from his horse. His attention was particularly attracted to a powerful brave whose long lance was decorated with a score or more scalps, indicative of his prowess and valor ; to over- come this stalwart warrior, at oncq the hero and pride of the Arrapahoes, became W^hite Beaver's ambition, and through the excited ranks of both sides he dashed on his fiery pony towards the Indian who was striking the Cut Offs with direful execution. As White Beaver swiftly advanced, he drew his revolver and tried to shoot, but every chamber in his pistol had been discharged, a fact of which he was in ignorance, and he had no time to draw another weapon. As the horses of the two com- batants came together, the Indian made a vicious thrust with his long, keenly pointed lance, but instead of impal- ing his antagonist, as he intended, his horse reared so that 554 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the lance struck White Beaver in the left thigh, cleaving the sciatic nerve and cutting an artery from which a tor- rent of blood spouted. The first sensation was that of extreme pain, which lasted but a moment, when a dazed feeling succeeded that served to deceive White Beaver as to the extent of his injury ; he therefore continued fight- LIFE OF WHTTE BEAVER. 555 ing until almost exhausted from the loss of blood ; hi horse was shot dead , and he himself being too weak to rise again, several Arrapahoes rushed upon him to secure his scalp, but he had another pistol with which he defended himself most valorously and effectively. Rocky Bear, endeared to White Beaver by the strongest ties, for saving his daughter's life, as already described, came to the as- sistance of his suffering friend, and, having killed th<* Indian who gave him such a dreadful lance thrust, rallied a number of his braves to the rescue, and the Indians surrounding White Beaver were beaten back and the vic- tory was finally won by the Cut Offs, but at the sacrifice of nearly one-half their number, who lay dead upon the field. Being in the vicinity of his mother's home, White Beaver, now unconscious, was placed upon a swinging litter carried between two horses, and thus conveyed to his mother's ranche, where he lingered between life and death for many days, but finally recovered. Under his mother's influence White Beaver resolved to enter upon a plan of usefulness, and abandon the wild and savage career and associates from which he had been providentially separated. CHAPTER IV. DURING the time that he was post surgeon at Camp Stambaugh, a border tragedy was enacted, in which he was a principal by reason of a difficulty which was forced upon him. The Beaver, with his brother George, a man by the name of Morse, Dwight Brafit, and two others went out hunting and stopped at a stage ranche near Slade's old camp ; the party sat down in the saloon that 556 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. was kept there and began a game of draw poker. The game had proceeded only a short time when it was inter- rupted by the entry and riotous conduct of Jim Dyson and a band of desperadoes from Utah. They were determined upon a row, and in order to precipitate a disturbance they ordered the game of poker to be re- sumed and that he should take a hand. White Beaver refused to do this, whereupon Dyson drew his revolver with the determination of killing some person. He had only discharged one shot, without effect, however, when White Beaver seized his Winchester and with it struck Dyson a blow on the head, which crushed the fellow's skull so that he died within an hour. The others, seeing their leader fall by the hand of our hero, made a hasty retreat, but several were helped out of the cabin in a very familiar, not to say expeditious, manner. Massacre Canon is the name given by White Beaver to a deep gorge in the North Phitte River where was enacted one of the most atrocious butcheries that has ever found record in border history. In the spring of 1877 White Beaver was out on a scout- ing campaign with a company of soldiers from Camp Stambaugh, under command of Capt. Meinhold. The Cheyennes had become troublesome, stealing stock and occasionally killing settlers, and there were threatenings that they intended soon to go on the war-path. The expedition was intended more to intimidate than to pun- ish, as Indian war always results in the killing of not a few defenceless people, including women and children. The expedition had been out for several days, meeting an occasional burnt cabin and other evidences of Indian devilment, when at length they struck a fresh trail lead- ing up the iiv,r baiiK indicating a war party of about one hundred Cheyennes. As the trail grew plainer tne uroofs LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 557 increased that the Indians were in open hostility, their outrages being now plainly apparent. As the company reached a point overlooking the gorge referred to a dread- ful sight in the valley below .net their gaze ; there were broken emigrant wagons, a smouldering camp-fire, and no less than fifteen emigrants lying dead and frightfully mutilated. The Indians had evidently surprised the little 558 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. party and with most malignant cruelty had butchered every one of them, adding to death a horrible feature of the scalping knife. A grave was dug by the soldiers, in which the mutila- ted emigrants were placed and then covered to protect the bodies from coyotes ; this required but a short while and after its completion the company started in active pursuit of the Indians. No doubt anticipating that a ne- mesis would be on their track the Indians marched so rapidly that it was not until the second day after the massacre that Capt. Meinhold's company overtook them. The Indians were just going into camp late in the even- ing, when their presence was discovered and with a whoop the soldiers, headed by White Beaver, rushed upon the murderous red-skins. There was a rattle of small arms that meant terrible execution, and the Indians being sur- prised their defense was of little consequence.- White Betivor killed no less than ten of the Cheyennes, but he was himself badly wounded in the groin, being struck with a charge from a shot-gun. This wound laid him up for nearly two months, but while the fight lasted he gave no attention to anything save the enemy, fully one-half of whom were killed, the remainder escaping through their woodscraft. The manner in which White Beaver became medicine man of the Winnebago-Sioux Indians is thus 'related by himself: "In 1876 I was on a deer hunt in the pine forests above Black River Falls. It has been my custom to take a hunt every year, and usually I visit the Indian camps to be of assistance if any is needed, and because I like to be brought in contact with the Indian character. It chanced that while on this hunt old Wee-noo-sheik, head chief of the Winnebago nation, was very sick, suffering from fever and old wounds. His medicine LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 559 men had been unable to relieve him, and, learning that I was in his vicinity, he sent out several of his tribe to search for me and beg me to come to him. I was easily found, and to their importunities I readily assented. Once within his camp he told me I should not go out again until he was cured- Inasmuch as it is not an uncommon thing for chiefs to order the execution of a medicine man who fails to cure distinguished patients of the tribe, I was not in a very rapturous frame of mind when I took charge of Wee-noo-sheik. His condition became a matter of extreme importance to me, though I betrayed no feeling of anxiety, as I did not regard the case as a very dangerous one in the beginning, but I gave him my very best professional services. He did not re- cover as rapidly so I wished, or expected, but in about three weeks the old chief was able to go out of the teepee again and resume his usual occupations, smoking and hunting. Directly after his recovery he called a council of his people, at which, with much ceremony, I was for- mally adopted into the tribe and made medicine chief of the nation, a position which I still ostensibly hold." In 1877 White Beaver removed to Lanesboro, Minne- sota, where he established himself as a practicing physi- cian, and soon there came to him more patients than he could accommodate. His fame as a skilful surgeon had grown until it spread over the entire northwest, and there was little need for him to make special efforts to enlarge his professional calls. But, like nearly all western char- acters, he had dropped into the customs of army officers, who, to dissipate the tedium of camp life, in the absence of all refining influence, dissipate themselves. This was very unfortunate for him, because of the disposition which came uppermost when under the influence of drink. He is no longer a victim of this vice, but, being 560 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. at all times as frank as his name, with never anything to conceal, he often speaks of regretful adventures which he might have escaped. Notwithstanding his occasional sprees, the people of Lanesboro were warmly attached to him, and when two years ago he decided to leave there for more fertile fields, a petition was gotten up and signed by every person in town beseeching him to remain with them. While practicing in Lanesboro he was called profes- sionally to Elliota, a small town in Fillmore County, and while there he became involved in a quarrel with a large and powerful Norwegian, a desperado of well earned reputation as a fighter and man-slayer. An insult had been given which White Beaver resented with a blow of his fist ; the Norwegian quickly drew a large dagger and made an overhand strike, but the knife was arrested by catching on the two first fingers of White Beaver's left hand, chopping a large piece of flesh from the first finger and splitting the middle one its entire length. At -the second stroke he caught the knife blade squarely in his right hand so that the guard stuck in the lorwer portion and the blade ran across, the edge inward. No one can imagine a more cruel grip, for the knife cut with a grind- ing, crunching noise, through flesh and tendon and almost through the bones themselves. Here was a test of nerve rarely, if ever before, exhibited ; a man who can hold n sharp dagger in his hand while his combatant is wrench- ing and trying to make the knife cut its way out, cer- tainly has a marvelous amount of reserve force. But White Beaver knew that his only hope lay in preventing the knife from being wrenched from his grasp, so he heroically held out until, by reaching with his bleeding left hand back and around his own body to the right side, he drew a revolver from his bek and quickly shot three LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER 561 bullets into the Norwegian's abdomen with deadly effect. White Beaver's hand will always remain badly disfigured from the knife wounds which he received in this desp<y ate encounter. COMBAT WITH THE NORWEGIAN. Jtn 1879, while still a resident of Lanesboro, a party of Indians visited White Beaver and made their camp about 562 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. hvo miles from the town, on Root River. On the night of their arrival White Beaver paid them a visit in com- pany with a young man named Mack Donaldson, now a resident of Sioux Falls, Dakota, from whom I learned the particulars of the affair which follows : The Beaver shook hands and spoke to several of the Indians in their native tongue, a language which he converses in with the same fluency as in English. All the Indians seemed de- lighted to see him, save one, who sat apart from the rest, with his features hidden under a large red blanket. Upon inquiring the cause of his sulkiness, Big Fire, a chief, told White Beaver that the man was a Sioux who had married a Winnebago squaw, and was going with them to see her at Black River Falls. The Beaver then approached the disguised Indian with a friendly salutation, to which he received the following reply : "White Beaver had bet- ter keep his voice within his throat ; Sioux braves do not talk to pale-faced long knives who feast on cut-throat blood." This expression cannot be well understood without some explanation. "Dakota," in the Sioux tongue, signifies " cut-throats," by which name the Sioux call themselves. " Melahoskas " is the Indian expres- sion for soldiers who carry long knives swords. This Indian who had made the insulting reply to White Beaver, had met him in Dakota during a war between the soldiers and the Sioux when White Beaver fought in the front ranks ; he still felt angry, ready to fight on small provo- cation and for these reasons he used the language quoted. White Beaver pulled aside the blanket which concealed the Indian's features and recognized a Sioux belonging to Crazy Horse's band, and an Indian with whom he had had some trouble in 1875. When the blanket was drawn aside the Indian, very irate at the act, drew a revolver and snapped it three times at White Beaver, but as it did LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 563 not discharge he started to run. Mack Donaldson fired a small pistol at the Indian without noticeable effect, while White Beaver ran to a log on which he had laid his rifle and as the Indian plunged into the water he fired, sending a bullet through his victim's body. All the Indians ap- peared glad that they were thus rid of a troublesome companion, who they asserted had been ugly during the entire journey. White Beaver and Donaldson recovered the body from the river and gave it secret burial, where it no doubt still lays. The Indian tribes generally, and particularly the Sioux, are governed by a strict but unwritten code of morals which appear baybaric in observance. It is an exception amounting almost to curiosity a rara avis to find an Indian who will no\ deal when opportunity offers. I, of course, refer only to Indians who have never separated from their tribal relations. It is also very rare to find one who has any conception of truth or honor. They are uncleanly, I may say filthy, have little or no regard for their conjugal partners as a rule, expose their persons without a suggestion of modesty ; and yet, with all these brutalizing instincts they observe that rigid moral senti- ment which forbids that sensual indulgence so common among all other peoples. There are such beings as libid- inously immoral Indian women, but they are singularly few, a fact which would be almost remarkable but for the punishment that is provided and practiced to force the women to be virtuous. It is not always that such cruel means are resorted to, but on the other hand the punish- ment is not infrequently inflicted. A case in point will serve to illustrate the barbarism to which I have refer- ence. In the year 1878, after White Beaver had returned to civilization again to pursue his professional calling, upon an occasion he visited a band of Sioux Indians on 564 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. their reservation near Cannon Ball Eiver. It chanced that during this visit an Indian girl was detected in a fla- grant relation with a young buck, and as the discovery was made by a rejected suitor he sought his revenge by reporting the facts to his chief. The girl was accordingly apprehended and the proofs being incontestable she was duly sentenced to death ; the manner of her execution LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 5G5 was decided by the chief, who ordered that she be torn asunder by two horses, one to be hitched to her arms and the other to her feet, and then driven apart. This exhi- bition of cruel savagery was prepared for and was upon the point of being carried out when White Beaver inter- posed all his influence as a medicine chief, to which he added threats of speedy punishment of the chief if the intended execution were not prevented. A row ensued, in which White Beaver killed one Indian and then drew his revolver upon the chief, declaring his intention to shoot if further molestation occurred. By this exhibition of bra- very, his own influence, and threats that the government would certainly bring the offenders to a dreadful justice, he at length prevailed upon the Sioux to release their in- tended victim and send her out of the camp. This rigid discipline of female morals has such an effect that what- ever the exposure or opportunity, officers and soldiers at the frontier posts have declared to me that a dissolute In- dian woman is rarely seen once in a soldier's lifetime, a statement which mv own observation leads me to believe. CHAPTEE V. IN the year 1878 White Beaver made the best invest- ment of his life, as well as the wisest ; this fortunate step being no less than his marriage to Miss Bertie Brock- way, of Minneapolis, one of the most amiable and charm- ing little women I ever met ; she is an aggregation of noble characteristics, such as serve to make the very name of woman revered by gentlemen who can appreciate so God-like a creation. The refined, cultured influence of this lady has subdued the recklessness of her husband, 84 566 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. and subordinated his superficial life to the purer and nobler nature which lay deep within him ; she has been to him like the sunlight to transplanted, precious seed that had before sent up only unattractive shoots in some rocky, shaded place. Instead of the teepee and smoke from the camp-fire which once he courted, White Beaver now lives among flower beds, rich paintings, mu- sic's soothing and elevating influence, in a home where the sunlight of a high life streams gloriously upon all his surroundings, and where the chill of discontent never en- ters. Thus has his wife brought him back to what he pined for but never before understood, love's shrine, and here he daily makes his well accepted sacrifices. In the year 1881, at the solicitation of Buffalo Bill, White Beaver consented to make a short tour as a mem- ber of the former's theatrical combination. He was cast in an important part, and though wholly without prepar- ation, he acted it with credit. It was through his influ- ence that a band of Winnebago Sioux Indians were se- cured to travel with the great scout's show, and thereby added much to the success of the season. The tour was not without its incidents ; two old time friends, scouts, Indian fighters and bordermen, such as Buffalo Bill and White Beaver could not long remain together without giv- ing some evidence or outcropping of their previous lives ; both being men of iron nerves, fearless under all condi- tions that can be mentioned, they were like a lion that, long caged, is loosed again in his native jungle : he first looks dazed, and contemplates his suroundings as in a dream, then plunges headlong into covert declaiming to the woodland round about his freedom. From stage ac- cessories the two comrades turned instinctively to stories of their wonderful adventures, and disported again in memory on the great plains which are fast becoming a LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 567 mighty harvest field. It was next to impossible for them, thus associated, to confine their attention to the enact- ment of scenes through which they had so often passed, and it was for this reason, being ever mindful of their restraints, that White Beaver returned to the practice of his profession before the season was concluded. I must chronicle one escapade, however, which transpired before he gave up his engagement : While the company w r a-s playing at the Olympic Theater, in Chicago, three of the Indians became drunk and began to have a grand war dance in the property room of the theater during the per- formance ; they created such a disturbance that several of the ladies in the audience became very much fright- ened and were beginning to leave. Buffalo Bill was in the middle of an act, so White Beaver took it upon him- self to quell the noisey savages. He thereupon ran down into the room and found Long Trailer, Decorah, and Brave Bear dancing and singing a war-song with vocifer- ous gusto. The Beaver ordered them to cease, where- upon Long Trailer made a vicious blow at him with a war club. White Beaver evaded the blow, and having a heavily loaded whip in his hand struck the hostile on the head and laid him out unconscious. The other two Indi- ans came to the rescue of their unfortunate comrade, but they received a dose fully as large ; at this juncture Buf falo Bill, who had rung down the curtain, made his ap- pearance, and in less time than the facts can be told the three Indians were bound and in a helpless condition on the floor. One of them remained with Buffalo Bill, but the other two returned to Wisconsin, where it is said Long Trailer died from the effects of the blow given him in this rencontre. In 1872 White Beaver removed from Lanesboro to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he established a large medical 568 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. institute, tnd in addition to his practice, which is larger than that of any physician in the State, he is pushing the sale of his wonderful herbal remedies, White Beaver's- Cough Cream and his Yosemite Yarrow, well known now all over America. His institute in its interior decorations. is a marvel of beauty and artistic selection and arrange- ment. He has seven large rooms for the accommodation of both sexes: two reception rooms, a large laboratory, two operating rooms, an office, and a large packing room. The two reception rooms are furnished not only sumptu- ously, but with a skill for harmonious effects. In the ladies' room is an elegant set of furniture, the richest car- pets, fine oil paintings, a playing fountain of cologne-wa- ter, large fresh bouquets and numerous bric-a-braa decorations. In the gentlemen's room there is an exhibition of rich mementoes and rare trophies, indicative of his pride, habits and proclivities. The ceiling and walls are arched, festooned and otherwise elaborately decked with memorials and souvenirs of his friends, gifts from both Indians and white men. Almost covering the ceiling is an immense buffalo hide, hairless and soft tanned, ornamented by Indian hands with colored twine and beads. There are pictures on the walls of celebrated Indian chiefs whose names are most familiar to American history. There is also the skull of Little Crow, who planned and executed the direful Minnesota massacre of 1802. There are also skulls of other Indians who have played conspicuous parts in border warfare, and Indian pipes of curious workmanship, arrows, bones, stone im- plements, mound relics, specimens of fancy bead work, buck-skin clothes, guns and pistols of both ancient and modern make, all being the gifts of friends. White Beaver still maintains his great influence among the Winnebago Indians. Those living in the vicinity of LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. 569 Black Eiver Falls, fifty miles from La Crosse, several hundred in number, consult him upon every political step contemplated by the tribe ; in this way he has several times been before the Indian Commissioner in their be- half. His word is law among them ; only a short time ago an Indian became insane and in his mad frenzy beat his mother's brains out with a club ; for this act he was regularly tried, according to the customs of the Indians; and sentenced to be shot. The facts accidentally reached White Beaver, who at once wrote a letter to chief, Bi* o Fire, advising him not to shoot the young man, who was unaccountable for his acts, but to have him sent to the insane asylum. The letter was read, and its contents be- ing imparted to the tribe they with one accord accepted the advice and acted upon it. He has been offered every inducement within the gift of any Indian tribe, time and again, to go with them and be their medicine chief. They regard him as one having direct relations with the Great Spirit and believe that if he would abide with them they could never be subject to pestilence or misfortune. Such is the power which the superior mind of a resolute, intel- lectual white man may exercise over the Indians, who still see in the disturbed or peaceful elements the wrath er pleasure of the Creator. In addition to his other qualifications peculiarly fitting him for a life on the plains, he is an expert pistol and rifle shot, in fact there are perhaps not a half-dozen persons in the United States who are his superiors ; his precision is not so great now as it once was, for the reason that dur- ing the past three or four years he has had rery little practice, but even now he would be regarded as an expert among the most skilful. For dead-center shooting at stationary objects he never had a superior ; his eyesight is more acute than an eagle's, whick enables him to dis- 570 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. tmguish and hit the head of a pin ten paces distant, and this shot he can perform now nine times out of ten. Any of his office employes will hold a copper cent be- tween their fingers and let him shoot it out at ten paces, so great is their confidence in his skill ; he also shoots through finger-rings held in the same manner. One very pretty fancy shot he does is splitting a bullet on a knife- blade, so exactly equally dividing it that the two parts will strike in a given mark ; he also suspends objects by a hair, and at ten paces cuts the hair, which of course he cannot see, but shoots by judgment. Several persons have told me that they have seen him shoot a fish line in two while it was being dragged swiftly through the water. At this writing (October, 1883) White Beaver is having made a novel target which, if he succeeds in striking, will give him world renown as a rifle-shot. This unique arrangement consists in a double circular target, one placed behind the other, with a bull's-eye in each near the periphery, or within an inch of the outer rim. The first one is stationary while the rear one revolves, and they are so placed that at each revolution the bull's-eyes are brought opposite each other for the instant. It is White Beaver's ambition, and I may say, design, to shoot through both bull's-eyes while the rear target is revolving. To do this will require quicker shooting than has ever yet been attempted. The calls on his professional service* are so great that he has no time to practice with the riflo save after nine o'clock at night, and gas-light shooting is not favorable to a rapid development of <*kill as a marks- man, so I think it is doubtful if he ever accomplishes the feat which he has set about to do. A description of White Beaver is not difficult to give, because of his striking features ; those who see him once are so impressed with his bearing that his image is never LIFE OF WHITE BEAVEE. 571 forgotten. He is just six feet in height, of large frame, and giant muscular development ; a full, round face set off by a Grecian nose, a handsome mouth, and black eves of penetrating brilliancy. His hair is long, and hangs over his shoulders in raven ringlets. In action he is mar- vellously quick, always decisive, and his endurance almost equals that of a steam engine. His appearance is that of a resolute, high toned gentleman conscious of his power, and yet his deference, I may say amiability, attracts every one to him. He is, in short, one of the handsomest as well as most powerful men among the many great He- roes of the Plains. The extraordinary popularity of Dr. Powell among the masses is well attested by the fact that he has been twice chosen Mayor of La Crosse, and each time received an overwhelming majority, though running as an independ- ent candidate. At the present writing (1886) he is still Mayor of his beautiful city, and in July, at a State Con- vention of the Workingmen's Party, he was strongly endorsed for Governor. He is no doubt the strongest candidate for the Governorship in the State, though by no means a seeker for the office, and probably could not be induced to make a canvass for the position. TATANKA-E YOTONKA. Autograph Signature. 573 SITTING BULL. A SKETCH OF THE CELEBRATED INDIAN CHIEF'S LIFE, AND His STORY OF THE MASSACRE OF GEN. CUSTER AND His MEN. ALSO, REVELATIONS OF THRILLING INCIDENTS CON* NECTED WITH THIS REMARKABLE BATTLE, BY SPOTTED HORN BULL'S WIFE, AN INTELLIGENT INDIAN WOMAN, WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS GREAT HISTORICAL EVENT, CHAPTER I. IT has been more than seven years since the tragic but heroic death of Gen. Custer and his brave band on the Little Big Horn River. The remembrance of that dire- ful day brings a tear to almost every eye, and such heart- aches to the friends of the two hundred and forty-six heroes who lay down in death together upon the wild hill- sides of a remote country. The story of how they died, fighting like the Lacedaemonians, has been told a thousand times, but never by a survivor, for of all those who stood like a rampart about their commander, not one lived through the savage hail-storm of bullets and arrows ; they left their bleeding corses, piled one upon another, with faces always toward the foe, and thus made their sacrifice complete, hallowing a spot fit for the yew tree's ahade. History after history has been compiled, and commissioners have visited the battle ground to secure 73 574 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. reliable facts concerning the fight. A court of investiga- tion was held to examine charges preferred against Major Reno, for whose coming and assistance Gen. Ouster looked so anxiously on the fatal day. But with all these efforts many important facts were necessarily omitted from all histories and reports, because they could not be gathered from inferences. Applications have been time and again made to the In- dians who participated in the fight, for particulars of the battle, but by Sitting Bull's advice they all refused to talk on the subject, believing that any admissions regard- ing the fight would criminate themselves and lead to their condign punishment. I have striven hard to procure re- liable incidents of the massacre, seeking all sources, and beyond what is recorded in previous editions of this work failed to receive anything of additional interest until the occasion which I am now about to report. After some correspondence with Buffalo Bill, several government interpreters, and commanders at various posts in the West, I decided to visit Ft. Yates Standing Rock Agency where Sitting Bull and his tribe are stationed, and make a last endeavor to learn how Custer died. This visit was made in August (1883) and so well did my en- terprise succeed that I have deemed the information then gathered of sufficient importance to add it as an appendix to " Heroes of the Plains." My route to Ft. Yates was by the way of the Northern Pacific R. R. to Bismarck, Dakota, and thence by stage, sixty-six miles south, where I crossed the Missouri River in a skiff late in the evening and took lodgings with the store-keeper, Mr. Douglass. Ft. Yates is a considerable post so far as houses are concerned, but the force sta- tioned there consists of only two hundred and fifty men, tbese beipjF portions of the Seventh Cavalry and Seven- SITTING BULL. 575 teenth Infantry. The reservation extends up and down the river forty miles, on which there are estimated to be seven thousand Sioux, all of whom, except those since born, composed the body that massacred Ouster. Sitting Bull is, of course, the central figure of his tribe, but there are many other chiefs whose valor far transcends that with which he is credited, such as Rain-in-the-Face, Low-Dog, Gall, and Crow King, who fought Ouster with such fatal results. True democracy flourishes only with the Indians ; the chiefs are chosen for their wisdom, by bands, and these bands are great or small according to the chief's popular- ity ; thus, an Indian may be chief of a band of twenty, or of two hundred, for eveiy Indian has the right to for- sake his chief and become a member of another band. It often occurs that a chief is entirely abandoned, and then he becomes, practically, " a private in the rear ranks." Sitting Bull is not a chief in the sense the term is used f but is a Moses among his people ; he has almost unlim- ited influence among all the tribe, whether chiefs or bucks ; some have pronounced him a medicine man, but this he disclaims, for he is too cunning to be subjected to a daily manifestation of his power. He claims to be a prophet ; that he is in direct communion with the Great Spirit, who visits his teepee and talks with him face to face ; and not only talks, but smokes his pipe and makes himself otherwise familiar. The career of Sitting Bull, or that for which he has credit, is eventful, if not remarkable, especially that por- tion since 1875. His war with the government opened in the spring of that year. Various depredations in the neighborhood of Fort Buford, on the Missouri River, were charged to him, but he denied them. Some settle*" 576 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. began measures of retaliation, when the prophet became greatly enraged, and, gathering about him a strong band, refused to live on a reservation, and went into camp on the Yellowstone. Then followed his siege of Fort Pease, when five hundred Indians endeavored for three months to capture the place and its defenders, forty-seven white men in all. A regiment of cavalry and some friendly Indians were sent to the relief of the garrison, but Sit- ting Bull withdrew at their approach, and as soon as the troops escorted the besieged away he returned and burned the fort. War was then declared against him, and, fail- ing to surrender within the ten days allowed, Generals Crook, Terry and Gibbon started after him in different directions. He checked the advance of General Crook by engaging his troops, slaughtered General Custer and all his band in an ambush on June 25th, 1876, and effect, ed an escape to Canada, where he lived, under the sur- veillance of Major Walsh, of the British Mounted Police, until the year 1880. On Monday, June 14th, a body of Sitting Bull's tribe, to the number of five hundred, came down from the British territory, and, crossing the Yellowstone, surren- dered to Gen. Miles at Ft. Keogh. A smaller party had surrendered to Gen. Miles in 1877, but this was because of his active campaign in which the Indians were pursued so closely that they, were unable to cross the British line. Sitting Bull, and about two hundred of his followers, surrendered on the 20th of June, together with their arms and ponies, to Major Brotherton, at Ft. Buford. He was forced to take this course to save himself and people from starvation. They found the British climate too severe, while the game of that region was so scarce that they could not sustain themselves. The cavalcade, as it entered the fort, attracted much attention. It consisted 578 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of six army wagons loaded with squaws and children, fol- lowed by thirty of Louis Legare's Red River carts well- filled with baggage. Sitting Bull himself and his chiefs rode their ponies, and refused to dismount or shake hands until they arrived at the place fixed upon for their camp. Immediately after the surrender, the Indians were placed between the Post and the steamboat landing and there re- mained secure in Maj. Brotherton's charge until a few months after, when they were transferred to Standing Rock Agency. On the evening of my arrival at Ft. Yates I made the acquaintance of several officers at the club room, among whom was Capt. McDougal of the 7th Cavalry, who was with Maj. Benteen at the time of the Custer massacre, and who, with his commanding officer, attacked the Indians so savagely that Sitting Bull was compelled to retreat. I also met Lieutenant Brennen, of the Seventeenth Infan- try, also Captain Greene, Captain Howes, Colonel Stewart and others. Announcing to them the object of my visit, they volunteered their services to make my trip a success- ful one. On the following morning I was introduced to Mrs. McLoughlin, wife of MajorMcLoughlin the Indian agent. This excellent lady is official interpreter for the govern- ment, and her influence with the Indians at the post is almost equal to that of Sitting Bull himself. Her servi- ces to me were invaluable, of which I shall speak here- after. Shortly before noon a government team was placed at my disposal, with a driver, and accompanied by Captain McDougal and Lieut. Brennen, I drove down to Sitting Bull's camp, one mile south of the Fort. Upon reach- ing the tepees we learned of a funeral which was then taking place, the body being that of Sitting Bull's nephew, SITTING BULL. 579 sixteen years old, who had died the day previous of a lung trouble contracted while he was attending school in the southern part of the territory. This opportunity I could not forego, so at my solicitation we drove over the hills two miles or more, and came upon the funeral pro- cession, if such it can be called, just as the body was be- ing deposited. It is the custom of the Sioux to hang their dead up on the branches of trees, when in a wooded country, but when their camp is on the prairie they erect* scaffolds about ten feet in height, upon the top of which their dead are laid. The corpse of Sitting Bull's nephew had been prepared for deposition the evening previous to my visit, this prep- aration consisting in swathing the body with all the cloth- ing owned by the deceased, including the allowance shortly before made him by the government, and around these were two blankets, the whole being bound with ropes, so that no part of the body was left uncovered. Lamentations were then made over the corpse all night, not, as might be supposed, by the relations, but by four old women who were engaged to do all the crying. It is a rare thing to see an Indian crying, as it is esteemed dis- graceful, so there are professional mourners who engage themselves to display the grief supposed to be felt by the friends and relatives of deceased persons. Frequently, when there is extreme grief over a death, the distressed persons will cut off a finger or toe as an evidence of their feelings. Bodies are taken to the place of final deposit by tying them on a travois*, with head toward the ground. It was thus the body we followed was conveyed to the scaf- * A travois is made of interlaced withes fastened to two poles, or shafts, the open ends being allowed to drag on the ground, and is drawn by a single horse. 580 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. fold, made ready to receive it three weeks before, when his father died and was deposited on a scaffold large enough to receive another corpse. The procession, so-called, consisted of four old women and their children, the professional mourners previously spoken of. Indian men never attend a funeral unless it is that of a chief. We arrived at the scaffold in time to see the women make a temporary ladder up which they climbed and carried the body, with extreme difficulty, and deposited it beside the remains which already lay there. I saw no other scaffold on which there was more than one body. After the deposition was made, the women threw their arms about, tossed their hair and crooned a kind of dirge which had neither time nor melody to distinguish it from an unrythmic wail ; after crying thus for a time they fell to stamping the ground and digging with a short crow-bar. We had witnessed these sights from a dis- tance, being unwilling to intrude upon so sacred an occa- sion ; as we drove up the lamentations suddenly ceased and gave place to stares of curiosity. One of the old women, engaged as mourner, told us she had been em- ployed to cry so much recently that she could scarcely see. The rheumy appearance of her eyes certainly confirmed this declaration. Shortly after our departure the old women returned to the camp and were succeeded by four others. The mourning was thus continued, by relays of women, for a period of three days. The dura- tion of such manifestations of grief is generally deter- mined by the number of ponies left by deceased to pay for the service. After leaving the cemetery we drove back to Sitting Bull's lodge, and being introduced I conducted a long conversation with him through Charles McLoughlin, a young son of the Indian agent, as Sitting Bull can scarce- SITTING BULL, 581 RAIN IN -THE- FACE. 582 HEROES OF THE PLAINS ly speak a word of English, though he signs his na & fairly well as is seen in his autograph. I found him sitting upon the ground, within his tent, with six other leading men of his tribe. Capt. McDou- gal asked for a pipe, which being produced and filled with tobacco, was lighted and smoked by the entire party. After this friendly ceremony the Captain announced to Sitting Bull the purpose of my visit, and assuring him of my good intentions toward his people, begged that he tell me, without reserve, everything he might know con- cerning the Custer Massacre. The cunning prophet made no reply for several minutes, smoking his pipe vigorously in the meantime, evidently debating with himself the advisability of his actions. At length he said : " I was not in the fight and know nothing about it, save what my warriors have told me." Again Capt. McDougal besought him to abandon his reserve, and, for the sake of history, and that justice might be done his people and himself, to disclose what he knew concerning the battle ; how it was conducted, what orders he had given, who killed Custer, and all other information he possessed. His answer I will give in my own language as it was, in effect, interpreted to me : " I need not tell you how we have been deceived by the white people, for if you are friendly you know the facts, and if you are our enemy you would not believe me. The Black Hills country was set aside for us by the government ; it was ours by solemn agreement, and we made the country our home ; we realized how our lands had been taken, our reservations circumscribed, my people driven like so many wild beasts toward a common center to be shot down by encircling soldiery. Our homes in the Black Hills were invaded when gold was SITTING BULL. 583 discovered there ; we asked for protection, which was promised, but with all our importunities the government refused to come to our aid. White thieves committed depredations and then accused my people of perpetrating the acts. Well, it is no use to tell you more. At last we resisted, and that moment the poor despised Indian raised his arm to protect his wife, children and his own, the government to which we looked for the aid that had been promised, let loose the army upon us to kill without mercy, exterminate if possible. We fought as brave men fight, with no advantages but courage to defend against usurpers, we met our enemies and honorably de- feated them. " Now it is asked, why do I refuse to talk about our fight with Custer? You cannot wonder at my silence. Every man's rifle is leveled at the Indian's heart; every white man cries out, ' let us avenge Custer,' and especial hatred is directed against Sitting Bull. I am afraid to trust myself away from my people. They have tempted me with large offers to travel in the States, but the cars would make me sick, and once wholly within their power, the white people would starve me to death, because they say I murdered Custer. " Now I will tell you the truth, after our fight at Fort Pease my people concluded to leave our country and travel into the British Possessions, where we hoped to find plenty of game and have better protection. To prepare for this great journey and change, we held our annual Sun Dance, being our offering to the Great Spirit. It is our belief that we can only come into the presence of the Great Spirit through sufferings of the flesh, but though the ceremony indicates pain to those who partici- pate, yet there is really no suffering when there is an acceptance. At the conclusion of the third day of our 584 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. dance I became unconscious of my material surroundings and was awakened in the spirit before the Great Ruler. He smoked and then gave to me the peace pipe ; we were seated together in a beautiful tepee, and after smoking, he said to me, ' Tatanka-e-Yotonka, you are being sur- rounded by your enemies ; in seven suns you will be attacked by your ancient foe, the Crow Indians, but over these I will give you a victory ; three more suns shall not set before your people will have an engagement with white soldiers ; the fight will be a terrible one, but your enemies will be slaughtered and you shall have a great victory. This prophecy you can make to your people, for they are weary and this will give them courage.' After thus speaking the Great Spirit vanished and some time during the night I recovered consciousness. I prophesied to my people as the Great Spirit directed, and that it came to pass as I uttered my people are the wit- nesses. "The Crow Indians attacked us, but were repulsed with heavy losses, so that they molested us no more. On the seventh day thereafter, as we were encamped near the Rose Bud, a body of soldiers appeared who, I have since learned, were commanded by Maj. Reno. They fired into us, but being prepared we charged upon them so briskly that the troops fled in such a panic that many lost their arms, and a large number were killed. We did not follow them for fear of an ambush, as I could not under- stand why Reno did not make a stand. We drew off and in the afternoon my scouts reported another body of soldiers approaching. After learning their probable strength I directed my warriors to form in the ravines so as to be out of view, and leave a horse-shoe gap so as to surround the troops when they should enter. " My position was across the river from where th bat- SITTING BULL. 585 tie occurred, as I took it upon myself to direct the fight and also take charge of the camp. My orders were de- livered })y courier to Spotted Eagle, Rain-in-the-Face, CROW-KING. Crow King, Low Dog, and Gall, and these chiefs partici pated in the battle. " The troops discovered my warriors before the gap was closed upon them, and with a wild yell they charged right clown a ravine toward our camp, but upon coining 586 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. up on the other side the circle was completed about them and the battle began. Now, I witnessed little of the fight myself, but was kept informed of its progress. The firing was terrific, and though the soldiers fought with desperation my braves were better fighters than they. The combat lasted I cannot tell how long, as we do not compute time like the white people, but I should judge not longer than it would require me to walk to the fort and return (two miles). The firing gradually grew less and when it had almost ceased a messenger came and told me that all the soldiers had been killed. " As I started toward the battle-ground I saw five of my braves chasing a soldier over the hills. They were on horses and all running with great speed. I watched them until they had disappeared in the distance. The pursuers, who were braves of my tribe, returned some time after and reported that they had been pursuing an officer, who being well mounted would certainly have es- caped, but that just as they were about giving over the chase, the officer drew a pistol and placing it against his head blew his brains out. The pursuers brought back with them a portion of the suicide's clothing. My braves, who had won the battle, collected what material, arms, ammunition, clothing and money they could find on the battle-ground, and then started northward. Up to this time I did not know we had been fighting Gen. Custer, and nothing ever surprised me more than the report which came to me a long time after the battle, that my warriors had killed Custer. We knew that the General wore long hair, and it was by this peculiarity we expected to dis- tinguish him. Since the return of my people to Fort Yates I learn that Ouster's coat of buckskin was stripped from the dead body of the General by one of my braves who afterward wore it until his death, and was buried SITTING BULL. 587 In it. I did not learn this, however, until after the death of t r je brave. " On the night after the battle our tents were struck an r 'J we started northward, expecting an attack on the fol- io wing day. My warriors were very tired, and had the ' /ursuit been an active one we would, no doubt, have been overcome. Had not Maj. Benteen joined forces with Maj. Reno when we had the latter surrounded in the woods, there would have been few soldiers left in the three commands to tell the story of their disaster. " No one can tell who killed Gen. Custer, it is impos- sible because of two facts : ( 1 ) None of my braves knew Custer, and (2) the tumult and smoke of the bat- tle were so great that combatants were often obscured en- tirely, and the fighting was therefore promiscuous. None of my people ever boasted to me that they had killed Custer. * ' I have now told you all that I know in regard to the fight with Custer. I can't see why the white people hold me responsible for his death ; the soldiers attacked us and we fought to defend ourselves. If all my people had been slaughtered the whites would have been glad. I am now at peace, however, and do not want to speak ill of the government. I hope our peace may endure. I have only one ambition now, and that is to live the re- mainder of my days with my children and people. I feel that my life will not long endure : a lung trouble has afflicted me for more than a year, and seems to grow gradually worse. Many offers have heen made me. to travel through the country and show myself, but no in- ducements could prevail. I never rode on the cars and fear such travel would make me sick ; besides, I would not trust myself with the whites, who would starve me. My delight is to have my children with me every day, and here among my people will I die." 588 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This closed my interview with the wily warrior, and though short, it was far more satisfactory than I had dared to hope for. Sitting Bull impresses all who see him with his genius, not particularly as a warrior but as a states- man or tactician. He has a noble, kindly face, and an eye that discloses his trait of acute observation. His stature is tail and commanding, broad of chest and strong in limb. He declared his age as forty-four, but as In- dians, as a rule, cannot compute time, his statement does not appear wilfully absurd ; I should judge his age to be about sixty-five. The story which Sitting Bull tells of an officer who was pursued and who shot himself to escape capture is authen- ticated by a discovery made by Gen. Sherman two or three years ago, when on a visit to the battle ground. Six or seven miles from the field of disaster, the General, with his party, came upon the skeleton of a man with remnants of officer's clothing still adhering to it. An ex- amination of the skull disclosed gold filling in several of the teeth, and served to identify the skeleton as that of Lieutenant Harrington, of the 7th U. S. Cavalry, who was with Custer. CHAPTER II. STORY OF CHIEF SPOTTED HORN BULL* 8 SQUAW, A PAR- TICIPANT IN THE CUSTER MASSACRE. AMONG the Sioux Indians there is a squaw, La- kotah by name, the wife of chief Spotted Horn Bull (Tatanka-ha-gle-ska), who, by her bravery and intelli- gence, has risen to a position of influence among the tribe SITTING BULL. 589 far superior to that of her husband, and second only to Sitting Bull himself. A short time before my visit to Ft. Yntes this dusky Amazon had a combat with the oreat GALL. warrior chief Gall, who so distinguished himself in the Custer fight. Report states that Gall had attempted to form a matrimonial alliance with an Indian girl regardless of the fact that his wife was still sharing .his tepee and 590 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the government allowances with him. Gall's wife is a cousin of Mrs, Spotted Horn Bull, and she took such um- brage at him for trying to displace her relative that, setting aside all attempts to reason or compromise, she challenged the chief to an encounter ; the challenged failed to afford her satisfaction, so she forced a light by attack- ing Gall in front of Mr. Douglass' Government store. The scene which followed is represented as having been exciting in the extreme. Gall first acted entirely on the defensive, but he soon became aggressive only to bring upon himself a distressing defeat, for the heroic squaw beat him so badly that, after his features were chewed out of shape, he howled for mercy, and to escape further punishment gladly promised to restore his wife and for- ever after abandon reckless courtships. Spotted Horn Bull is not generally reputed to be a brave or able chief, natural faults which his wife has long perceived, and, possibly, to the end that the family may not be wholly without honor among the tribe ; or, follow- ing an inherited inclination to seek glory in the field o'f strife, she disdain ihe occupation of her sex, and has sev- eral times been an act ive warrior in the fighting ranks of her tribe. Her last exploit was as a participant in the bloody meeting with Ouster, in which she rode a white pony that was always where the fight was hardest ; her carbine did terrible execution, and her bravery so incited the Indians that they made the massacre complete. Intrepid daring, hoAvever, is not Lakotah's only characteristic, for she is acknowledged to be the smartest member of her tribe. Un- like Sitting Bull (to whom she bears the relation of cous- in), who is always suspicious and stubborn, she is frank, good-humored, and is glad of an opportunity to talk about the Custer massacre, though never vauntingly of herself. Mrs. McLaughlin, to whom I have previously SITTING BULL. 591 referred, having told me that Lacotah could give me a better description of the fight than any other Indian, I appealed to her to arrange an interview that I might hear LOW-DOG. the squaw's interesting story. At my solicitation, there- fore, Mrs. McLaughlin drove down to the Indian camp and brought Lacotah up to her ho'jse, where, as per ar- rangement, I met her. After an introduction a 592 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ment of my purposes a request was made by Mrs. McLaughlin that Lakotah relate to me a full description of the fight as well as the antecedent and subsequent facts calculated to give a more definite idea of the dreadful massacre. With Mrs. McLaughlin acting as interpreter, the Indian woman told me the story of that horrible ho- locaust substantially as follows, conveying her meaning in my own language : "I will leave it to others to tell you of the wrongs done my people by the Government and its soldiers. Th e Custer Massacre was a consequence of this treatment, and if it teaches the father at Washington to do us justice hereafter I shall be glad, but I now fear that instead of serving to improve our miserable condition it will cause the soldiers to seek revenge by increasing the severities from which we suffer. But I will now only talk to you about our fight with Custer. " Eleven days before the battle we were encamped with- in fifty miles of the place where the engagement took place, on a small creek called Greasy Grass ; I do not know the English name for it. In this place our people held a religious ceremony, our Sun Dance, to show the Great Spirit that our hearts were always toward him and to ask for His protection. Among the number who bore the tortures of that ceremony, by piercing the muscles of his breast and thus suspending himself from the pole, was Sitting Bull. There were six other chiefs who cut themselves and were bound to the pole, but they all fainted or broke their bonds the first day. Sitting Bull remained in one attitude for two days, looking always toward the sun, and never showing any signs of suffer- ing or weakness from loss of blood. In all this time he tasted neither food nor water, but the third morning he went into a sleep and we knew he was holding a SITTING BULL. 593 cil with the Great Spirit. I forced food and water into his mouth, bathed his wounds and watched beside him until night, when he opened his eyes and then told how he had been counseled to act by the Great Spirit ; he also prophesied a battle with the Crow Indians, and with Ouster (at this point she related the same story told to me by Long Soldier, which I have given in the chapter devoted to Sitting Bull's account of the bat- tle). "Two days after the Sun Dance was concluded, and according to Sitting Bull's prophecy, a large war party of Crows attacked us, but after fighting all day they were driven off into the Wolf Mountains, several of their warriors being killed; our loss was only seven. " On the morning after the battle with the Crows, we broke camp and moved on to the Little Big Horn, where, finding plenty- of water and grass, we went into camp agai n . " To make my story more readily understood for I shall now begin to tell you about the great battle which here took place between my people and Gen. Custer I will draw a diagram of our camps and the general posi- tion we occupied when the fight began." At this point Lakotah called for my pencil, and being given a piece of paper she made the following drawing, in the execution of which I was very much surprised. " The total fighting force of the seven tribes was about five thousand, and all of these were first camped on the west side of the river, where the ground is nearly level, except at a little distance back where the ground rises in a bench six or seven feet high. On the east side of the river, however, the land is broken and hilly, while along the bank there are precipitous bluffs, the highest being marked on the diagram ' K'. Reno threw up his shallow 594 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. breastworks at ' G,' at which point the land is two hun- dred feet above the river, rising very abruptly. It was from this side of the river and over these hills the United States soldiers approached. " It was to the bluff point marked ' K' that captains Benteen and Wier rode to discover the position of Gen. Custer, but being unable to sight him, and seeing the DIAGRAM OF THE BATTLE FIELD. A Blackfeet camp. B Uncapapa camp. C Ogallala and Sans Arc camp. D Brule camp. E Cheyenne camp. F Minneconjoux camp. G Reno's breastworks. H Custer monument. /Small coolie aid stream. A' High point of bluff. L Reno's retreat crossing. M Line of first bench. large Indian camp, they fell back to support Reno. Iu the meantime, however, Reno had crossed the river . which was anywhere easily forded at * L,' and attacked the In'dians in the rear. This was on the morning of June 25th. On this same date seven Cheyenneshad been sent out to join Chief Spotted Tail ; five of this number got through, but the other two stopped on the bluff and from a high point signaled with their blankets the ap- SITTING BULL. 595 proaoh of a large body of soldiers, which afterward proved to be Custer. " When Reno opened fire from the west bank, he seemed to have little or no idea of the number of Indians to whom he was opposed. He dismounted his men, and leaving one man to guard four horses, which of course diminished his fighting forces one quarter, he rushed onto the camp. It happened that very few warriors were in camp at the time, as more than half of them were after the pony herd, so that with the first fire there was a panic among the women and children that I cannot undertake to describe. We all expected to be massacred, and there was not the least resistance manifested, when suddenly, and for a most unaccountable reason, Reno's men became panic-striken and retreated back across the river in such wild disorder that scores were killed by our men ; even little boys followed in the rout and pulled soldiers from their horses and killed them. After crossing the river the retreat continued up a hill so sleep that unless badly frightened a man could scarcely climb it. L'akotah several times repeated her disgust at the action of the whites, and the only explanation she could give for the retreat was that Reno saw, when he got into it, how large the Indian village Was and was seized with a panic greater than that among the Indians themselves. That the latter was very decided, however, was proven by the fact that the warriors hurriedly returning with the quick- ly rounded herds, met many fugitives from the camp and feared the worst on their own return. " Very soon after Reno's retreat the blare of Ouster's trumpets was heard ; messengers soon reported his prob- able force and the work of surprise and hemming him in was begun. The braves who were after the pony herd had now returned, and the whole fighting force crossed 596 HEROES or THE PLAINS. Little Big Horn and, being hidden by the hills, surround- ed Custer before he was probably aware that there were so many Indians in the vicinity. When the whites had marched under the high ledge of rocks, suddenly our force of five thousand rose up and fell upon them on every side. The whites first dismounted and fought, but seeing how they had been surrounded, and that there waa little hope for their escape, they remounted again. For nearly half an hour the fight was terrible, as our braves were all as well armed as the soldiers. The valley be- came so full of smoke that it was like a den.se fog, and the noise and confusion was dreadful. After that time . there was a gradual cessation of the firing and in less than an hour we had killed every soldier and the battle- ground was left to us. "I am not sure, but I think that I saw Gen. Custer, though I did not know him at the time, fighting desper- ately about one hundred yards from where he fell ; I certainly saw a leading officer of the troops whose de- scription answered that of Custer. This man, whoever he was, showed wonderful bravery, so that many of our warriors tried to kill him for the honor that the deed would confer, but I do not know who killed him, and 1 am almost certain that no one else knows, for the confu- sion made it impossible to tell what execution any Indian did." Custer and his command killed, the Sioux again turned their attention to the troops on the hill, and the woman, resuming the story, laughed gleefully as she told what fun the bucks had shooting at the soldiers as they ran that terrible gauntlet, down the hill to the river, for wa- ter. The Custer men were soon stripped, of course, and the only way the Indians knew they had killed the Long- Haired Chief was by his bucksk.a coat trimmed with SITTING BULL. ^s\ : ^i^^ )' I i J /f\^ 598 HEKOES OF THE PLAINS. beaver, which they found on his person. Lakotah says the Sioux lost thirty killed and more than twice as many wounded, but the loss was no doubt very much greater than this estimate. Among the killed were boys of twelve and fourteen, who, in the ardor of young Varrior- hood, rushed across the river on their ponies and into the thickest of the fight. She mentioned two boys who were wounded ; one, a young Achilles, in the heel, and another in the right arm, which was shot off. Both recovered and neither of them is yet twenty, though seven years have passed since they counted their first coups. It was with a tone of most noticeable regret that the woman told of the quantities of bank notes found and wasted, as being utterly ignorant of the value of the curiously painted parallelograms of green paper. Of course, feasting and laudation were the order of the day and night succeeding the slaughter, but the news of Terry's approach with his command compelled a hasty breaking up of the camp. She says they marched day and night for several days, and soon the whole band was safe in the fastnesses of the Big Horn mountaiw-s, where they remained some time before a separation took place, and the Uncapapas and portions of other tribes went north. The squaw's story was told straightforwardly and beyond question she believes it true, every word. Among the many brave and noble-hearted men who fell with Gen. Custer were his two younger brothers. Boston and Tom Ouster, Lieutenant James Calhoun, his brother-in-law, and Autie Reed, a young hero, his nephew ; all these dropped out at once, as it were, from the family circle. Every man in Calhoun's company died in the ranks ; there was no scattering to indicate either panic or retreat, but with the ranks all closed up the company fell as though every man had been struck SITTING BULL. 599 with one fatal bolt of lightning. Lieut. John J. Crit- fcenden, Col. Cook, Capt. Yates, Lieut. Riley, in short every one of those who participated and fell in. that dreadful fray were as gallant men as ever went forth to battle or lay life upon the sacrificial altar of their coun- try. Though mangled by bullet and arrow, discrowned by the savage scalping-knifc, divested of their country's uniform which would have been most fitting cerements for such patriotic heroes, let us believe that at the final roll- call these evidences of Indian desecration will prove their passport into the highest, holiest life. CAPT. JACK, (The Poet Scout) 600 A SKETCH OF CAPT. JACK, THE POET SCOUT. CAPTAIN JOHN W. CRAWFORD, known to fame as Capt. Jack, the Poet Scout of the Black Hills, is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, where he was born in the year 1848, of prominent parents, his mother being a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace. In 1852 the elder Crawford left Ireland for America, but shortly after his arrival in this country he fell into evil ways, and gave such license to a previously acquired appetite for strong drink that thenceforward he neglected aH hi duties as kusband and father. In 1856, however, Mrs. Crawford came orer to Amer- ica and joined her husband at Minersrille, Pennsylvania, where he was prosecuting his trade as tailor with indiffer- ent success. But a year of hard labor and economy enabled the mother to save sufficient from her scanty earnings to send for her children,, four in num- ber. The following incident, which I have taken the liberty to copy from a prefatory life sketch of Capt. Jack, pub- lished in his recent book of poems, entitled, " The Poet Scout," will illustrate the disadvantages of hia early youth, the incentive of his future actions, and the domes- tie sufferings of his beloved mother : "It was at the close of a hard day's march during Cus- ter's campaign on the Yellowstone, and the command had toiled through long miles of rough ctwrntry, in the 601 02 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. midst of a rain storm such as is known only in the Rocky Mountains. The officers were seated around the camp- fire trying to extract some warmth from the smouldering buffalo chips, when one of them produced from his sad- dle-bags a canteen of whisky, and taking a long draught, with the remark, ' this is the soldier's best friend,' passed it to Captain Jack Crawford. " ' Thank you, Captain, but I never drink.' " ' Never drink ! ' responded the officer, 4 why it is al- most incredible ; you are the first man I ever met with on the plains who refused good liquor.' " * Yes, Jack,' said several of the others who were in- terested listeners to the conversation, * tell us how it is you are so strict a temperance man.' " ' That stuff you are drinking,' responded the scout, * robbed me of a good father, made him forget his own flesh and blood, and changed him from a man to a brute. That is not my only reason. Years ago, when my poor mother was on her death-bed, she called me to her side, and holding out her thin white hand, asked me to prom- ise in the presence of my brothers and sisters, and in the invisible presence of God, that my lips should never touch the destroyer. Gentlemen, I consider that that vow is registered in heaven, and I have kept it. I do not even know the taste of liquor. Is my re&son satisfac- tory?' " The misfortune which an ungovernable desire for strong drink invariably precipitates, so wrecked the Crawford family that at a very early age little Jack was compelled to contribute to the support of his mother with all the earnings his youthful and constant labors could create. His education was, in consequence, entirely neg- lected, and BO little care was given to his instruction that not only was he never in a school-house, but at the age SKETCH OF CAPT. JACK. 603 of fifteen, when he left home to enter the Union army, there was not a single letter in the alphabet that he knew the name of. In 1863 he enlisted as a private in the 48th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving under Gen. John F. Hartranft, who afterward became Governor of that State. At the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864, Jack was in the front ranks that led a desperate charge on the enemy's works, in which he fell desper- ately wounded and was carried back to the field hospital. Some days after the battle he was sent to Washington, and transferred from there to the Saterlee Hospital in West Philadelphia. For many weeks he lay upon a bed of terrible suffering, but it chanced that he fell under the tender care of a Sister of Charity who nursed him into convalescence, and then began to give him lessons, first in the A B C's, and then led him along gradually until, under her tutelage, he learned to read and write. Hav- ing thus become possessed of the primary elements of an education, he continued in the acquisition of knowledge, unaided, and became at last fairly informed. After recovering from his wound, Jack returned to his regiment, and remained in active service until the 2d of April, 1865, T\hen he was again wounded, at Petersburg, Virginia, and had not recovered when the army disbanded at the close of the war. In the latter part of 1865 Captain Jack's mother died, and being now alone in the world, and moved by a nat- ural craving for adventure, he started West, bearing with him letters of warm recommendation from Gens. Hart- ranft ind Sherman, which introduced him favorably to frontier army officers, and he soon after found congenial service in the Western camps. He was one of the first white men to enter the Black 604 HEBOES OF THE PLAINS. Hills, and became the founder of Ouster City, Gayville, and Spearfish, in Dakotah, and was one of the original organizers that laid off the towns of Deadwood and Crook City. In the Indian campaign of 1876 Capt. Jack was second in command of Gen. Crook's scouts, and superseded Buffalo Bill as chief on the 24th of August of the same year, Bill having resigned to reorganize his theatrical company for the season of 1876-77. As a horseman and rider Capt. Jack is extraordina- rily skillful, while as a scout and Indian fighter he has honestly earned great renown. Among his more celebra- ted rides may be mentioned one he accomplished in July, 1876, when in response to a telegram he rode from Med- icine Bow, on the Union Pacific railroad, to the Rosebud and Little Big Horn, a distance of nearly four hundred miles in five days. This feat of wonderful speed and en- durance was performed, too, through a country literally swarming with hostile Indians, several of whose camps and villages he was compelled to pass within pictol shot of. On another occasion, being engaged as a social mes- senger for the New York Herald, whose special corres- pondent was with Gen. Crook's army, Capt, -,ack car- ried an account of the battle of Slim Buttes to Ft. Lara- mie, a distance of three hundred and fifty miles, in less than four days. In accomplishing this unprecedented ride he passed five couriers and arrived more than five hours in advance of the fastest, but he killed two horses in making the journey, for which the Herald allowed him $222.75, besides giving him $500 for the service. Capt. Jack's adventures have been numerous and thrilling, many of which he has related in verse, which be writes with terse fluency and rythm. In 1873 he join- ed Buffalo Bill's troupe and played a leading part for SKETCH OF CAPT. JACK. 605 two seasons very satisfactorily, but he preferred the wild Mf e of the far West and returned to his old home iu Da- kota. During the late war, in 1879, Capt. Jack was employed as scout and trailer and was engaged in several of the hot- test fights of that campaign. He was well acquainted with Chief Oura, whose friendly services he did much to seeure and through whose influence with his people hostili- ^ Oura. ties were brought to an early close, and the captive Meeker family restored to the whites. Oura's death occurred in 1880 on the Ute reservation. He was an able chief, pro- gressive, intellectual, and ambitious to bring his tribe under the civilizing and elevating influence of the white people, for whom he ever cherished a warm and friendly feeling. 606 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. As a man Capt. Jack has always enjoyed the greatest popularity ; he is a thorough gentleman, an excellent scout, good Indian fighter, and his morals have ever been regarded as phenomenal by the hardy and generally reck- less characters of the frontier. His affection for Buffalo Bill approaches veneration, and more than half of his poetic effusions are dedicated to or founded upon some incident in Bill's life. As a poet, Capt. Jack deserves the admiration of every one capable of appreciating poetic genius. Deprived of all the cultivating influences calculated to suggest the sentiment of verse, his own innate, self-created endow- ments made nature assert itself, and he has written poetry because this manner of expressing his thoughts and ideas was more natural to him than prose. There is no profound or aesthetic phraseology in his verses, but they abound in what is vastly superior : ennobling and sublime rhapsodies which reveal the God-given poetic gift beneath the uncultured exterior. His style most resembles that which distinguishes Bret Haite, which, though it is less elegantly rounded with rhetorical finish, nevertheless breathes a purer and loftier sentiment, and a more divine creation than Sierra's poet can boast of. He is still living, in the hey-day of life, and at this date (October, 3883,) is mining in Mew Mexico. Whether as chief of scouts, town trustee of Custer City, chief of the Red Rangers, poet at the banquet table, author, actor, or "poorest man on the range," Capt. Jack is always the same good-natured, accommodating, generous and geniaf gentleman, with a true heart, and the spirit of devotion for his friends. TEXAS JACK. JOHN B. OMOHUNDRO, more familiarly known by the title of " Texas Jack," was a native of West Virginia, but the exact date of his birth I have never been able to learn. At the early age of seven years, he ran away from home and shipped as a " general utility" boy on a sailing; vessel bound for Australia. This voyage proved so de- lightful to the youthful adventurer that he remained at sea until he had developed into a seaman before the mast, in which service he visited nearly all the countries of the world, but in 1858 was wrecked off the coast of Texas, and after a hard struggle for life with the angry billows, was cast upon the shore near Corpus Chris ti. After this rather " sa'ty " experience, Jack resolve^ to remain a landsman until some desirable position should offer him for an easier life. He was not long idle, how- ever, for occupation was readily found among the large 607 608 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. cattle herders of Texas, which service soon introduced him to the wild life found only on the plains, and in which there was a congeniality and fascination peculiarly suited to his disposition. Jack was employed on a ranche in the Texas pan-han- dle, near the border line of the Indian Territory, where Indian cattle thieves were accustomed to make periodical depredations. On this ranche were also many head of horses, raised chiefly for herding purposes, and these animals required constant watchfulness from the herders to prevent them falling into the hands of covetous In- dians. In fact, many cow-boys were murdered by these pests of the ranche, so that the business of herder had become extremely hazardous in the pan-handle section. When Jack entered upon the dangerous duty of ranch- man, he expected trouble with the Indians, and was, therefore, prepared for it. Nor was he in anywise sur- prised when, a few months after his engagment, a large body of the red-skins came down upon him and his part- ner, with whoop and weapons, intent upon capturing the horses under Jack's charge. But the Indians were re- ceived with a cordiality little expected. Jack at once covered the rear, and while his partner drove the horses rapidly toward National Monument, Jack poured a deadly fire into the Indians, killing several, and thus checking pursuit. For this skilful and effective resistance he was well rewarded by the owner of the stock. Afterward Jack made several cattle drives to Abilene, and became one of Texas' most renowned rancheros. When the great civil war was declared, and there was a mustering of Southern forces through the Southwest, Jack proffered his services to Gen. Floyd, by whom he was at once made "headquarters courier," and directly thereafter was promoted to chief of scouts under the eel- 609 10 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ebrated cavalry Colonel, J. B. Stuart. He served in this capacity for several years, and became noted throughout the Confederacy. At the close of hostilities Jack was employed as guide between the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers, and after pursuing this calling for several months made an extend- ed tour through Kansas and Nebraska for the purpose of o familiarizing himself with the country that he could competently guide parties through those territories (now States). In 1872 Jack was engaged as scout for the Government *nd in the following summer had charge of four hundred Pawnees who were engaged to operate against the Chey* cnnes. It was while thus employed that he made the ac- quaintance of Buffalo Bill, with whom he scouted a con- siderable time and until the two became partners in an enterprise conceived by Ned Buntline, as detailed in the "Life of Buffalo Bill." While Gen. Sheridan was organizing his campaign against the Northern Cheyennes, Jack was employed as hunter for the army, in which capacity he developed re- markable skill in killing antelope, which abounded on the prairies of Western Kansas at that time. The method employed for killing this most wary and fleet of North American game is well portrayed in the accompanying engraving. The killing of antelope is not so exciting as that of buffalo hunting, but it requires great caution and has much of genuine sport in it. During the Cheyenne war, and at the time of Ouster's death, Jack was employed by the New York Herald to carry dispatches from the scene of hostilities to the near- est points for transmission, and performed these duties with such satisfaction that he received many nattering no- tices of praise from that paper. 6U 612 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. In the early part of 1880 Jack's health became much impaired, and he went to Colorado with the hope of ben efitting his physical condition and also his fortune, astLe Leadville gold and silver discoveries were then promising large returns for small investments of capital and labor. But his anticipations were never realized, for in May he was attacked by pneumonia, a disease of great prevalence in the rarified atmosphere of that high altitude, and in June following he died. His wife, who is known on the stage as M'lle Morlacchi, was with him during his illness and nursed him with all the care and tender atten- tion that a devoted wife could give. Texas Jack was a true exponent of Western civilization : courageous, true to his friends, unfaltering in the line of duty and resolute under all circumstances. His grave is among those whose adventurous spirits led them to the auriferous fields of Leadville only to lay down their hopes and burdens beside the still waters and peaceful fields of death ; but it is kept green by friendly hands, while his name i* ever fresh in the memory of companions who cherish the traits of his noble manhood.