The Portland daily press., 1875-10-04
NED BUNTLKNE.
sketch of n Remarkable Man,


For some time past there has been seen on
the streets man who has attracted considera-
BILE attention. His dress is navy blue, with heavy
brass buttons, and owing to lameness he is
Obliged to carry cane. He stoops slightly and
is nearly fifty years of age. This man is none
other then E. 2. c. Judson, otherwise known
as Ned Buntline. He is something of re-
markable man and short sketch of his life
may be OF interest to our readers who have
heard of him so often in different places and
under different circumstances.
e. q. G. Judson-whose nom de plume
is "Ned Buntline''-was born in Delaware
County, New York. near the birth place of J.
L. Headley, and Jay Gould the banker and
financier, id 1928. He early removed to the
backwoods of Pennsylvania and was educated
at home till ten years of age, then put through
course of sprouts and general education at
school and home until IL years old. He then
got to reading Cooper, Scott, etc., and thinking
life at sea, or abroad would be romance,
he accordingly ran away and tried the first. He
shipped before the mast in the U. S. Navy, be-
fore the age of 10 had passed was promoted for
good conduct in management of a capsized cut
ter and crew in the icy-winter waters Of New
York bay, by Recommendation of Commodore
Stringham aud others. to be a midshipman.
Volunteered at once for service in boats and on
land in Florida Seminole war. Got enough 70.
nance and heap more of reality in service
there; was shot through the right lung, repor-
ted MORALLY, but was on duty in less than three
months. Served the rest of the war as Acting
Lieutenant and Acting Lieutenant Command
ing, at $500, for the last salary, and $500 for
the first. The war closed in 1912, and not
wanting to go back to regular duty and de-
creased salary, he resigned. He took good advice
and went west; first over the Plains with
Aubrey the Great Santa Fe trader. Then
Northwest with fur traders and trappers. He
learned to love Indians as he does now, about
as much as rattlesnakes. Lived. among the
cusses, got marked by spear, arrow and knife a
little more than he wanted. But liked to hunt
buffalo and some Indians!
When the Mexican war broke out he went in
for little of that He thought Mexican lead
little better than the charmed bullets or the
arrows of an Indian. He tried it but didn't like
it. When the war closed he wrote it up in
stories &C., for Flag of our Union and
other papers. He went West again--more fun
among the Reds in the way of spears and ar
rows. He then got into the editorial harness,
trying it in the South, and finding it very ex-
citing, especially in Tennessee, where pistols
without coffee were all the rage. He got laid up
by following the fashion and had to rest for
while. Then ''Bohemiated'' around writing
stories and sketches, in the cities winters, off
in the forest or on the plains summers for
years till the civil war of 81, began Then
he went to Washington with the first volun-
teers. There he met many old Portlanders
whom he had formerly known, and formed
into the old "Guard of Liberty,"-a military
native American organization in the "Know-
sonaething' days. Mr. .Judson served through
the whole war, trying both rebel lead and Steel
and getting rather more than his share being
famed and cripple1 badly; but he is ready to
try it again if! the old flag is in danger.
Since the war closed he has been constantly
writing for the New York Weekly. He has
written and put on the stage one drama which
the first season made for himself and partners
over 100000; the next season the panic came
and he lost it all and more too Mr.. Judson
has at present three new dramas which he will
put on the stage soon. One of them is founded
on facts in This vicinity; and if it should be
presented at the Museum it would awaken
great interest," as there are several we'll known
Portland characters in it,
Mr.. Judson is a member of nearly every
patriotic and benevolent order in existence,
including the Grand Army, and Patriotic Sons
of America. He has been here on business,
and it wouldn't be strange if the Museum
should soon present one of his dramas.