The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-06-06
Buffalo Bill-A Strange and Varied Career.

Buffalo Blll-A strange ana varied Career.
This celebrated scout, 50 well known by
his fame US exploits and the pen of Ned
Bmtline, was born in Scott county, Iowa,
in 1889, and received the Christian name
of William F. Cody. At ten years of age
he removed with his father, Isaac Cody, to
Kansas. The elder Cody was elected a
member of the first Kansas Legislature,
which met at Lecompton, and was one of
the most active settlers in the struggle that
made "bleeding Kansas" free State. His
life was sacrificed to the cause, as lie was
killed in 1856 during the border ruffian
war by the pro-slavery party.
William, in order to support his sisters
and widowed mother, although only fif-
teen years old, entered the service of Rus
sell, Major 6 Waddell as freighter across
the plains, and continued in that employ
ment until the establishment of the pony eX-
press, in which he was the first rider that
started on the route. He left this business
when the telegraph superseded it, and en-
tered the army as scout under General
Blunt, and served in the noted company
known as the Red-legged Scouts. Al,
though not out ofhis teens, his reputation
as dare devil scout, who feared neither
hostile Indian nor trcacherous white man,
was widespread. He served during the war
of the rebellion as a scout in the army of
the West, and performed marvellous feats
of daring, which won for him many encomi-
ums from the commander of that depart
ment.
At the close Of the war he was employed
as hunter for the Kansas Pacific railroad
at salary of $500 month and found, and
during his eighteen months service killed
1880 buffalo, as recorded on the books of
the company, which earned for him the
sou6riquet which has made him name and
reputation wherever his native tongue is
spoken, and which has placed him among
the favored list at the Imperial Court at
St. Petersburg.
Subsequently he challenged any man in
the world to kill that description of cattle
with him, and his defiance was accepted
by man named Comstock. Arrangements
were accordingly made, and the match
took place on Kansas plains. and was wit
messed by nearly one thousand persons, who
hied thither from all parts. The contest
was $500 side, lasted an entire day, and
when the slain cattle were counted at night
it was found that siXty-nine had met death
at the hands of Bill, while his antagonists
score numbered only fifty-four.
At the breaking out of the Indian war
of 1867, he became General Sheridans
scout and guard. During the winter of
1868 he was attached to General Carr's
command, and since that time until within
about three months, has served as scout
to General Sheridan. His thrilling adj
ventures during his career are too numer-
Gus to mention in detail, but it may be
truly said he has never turned his back to
mortal foe, and many redskin has taken
passage to the happy hunting grounds on
through ticket, furnished through the
smooth barrel of his unerring rifle. AS q
horseman, and as man, Buffalo Bill may
be said to be the King of the Prairies.-
In personal appearance Mr.. Cody is a
model of manly beauty.
--4bout six feet in height, straight us an
arrow, perfectly proportioned, with fine,
waving hair falling down on his shoulders,
large, clear, brown eyes that look calmly
upon the most frightful SCIENCES, he is one
to win the admiration Of the fair sex, or
lead his fellows in the fiercest conflict
Naturally enough, in all his conflicts he has
not passed unscratched, and many scar
and wound bears silent witness of his
bravery, one of which in his leg, still trou
bles him severely.
He was married at st. Louis in 1865, and
to-day is the proud father of three children
two girls and boy. His son, the eldest,
is named Elmer Judson Cody, and that the
sprig is fashioned after the parent tree may
be inferred, when it is known that Elmer is
famous among his playmates as exit Car.
son." as his father is among his friends as
Buffalo Bill"
AS before mentioned Mr.. Cody was,
during the war, iavorite guide for Sheri
dan and Custer, and won the firm personal
friendship, not only of those distinguished
military men but all with whom he was asso-
ciated. When the Grand Duke Alexis
was afforded opportunity to hunt buffalo
upon the prairies, Mr.. Cody was detailed
as his especial guide, and received from
the Imperial visitor substantial tokens of
his regard.
At the recent State election he was
chosen member of the Nebraska Legis-
lature, but his taste not being in that di-
rection he resigned to undertake the tour
of the Eastern States with his friends
Calonal hudson and TeYae lack