The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-16

scouts in this department for four years.
During this period he participated in
fifty-two Indian engagements. In 1872
he was appointed by Gen. General Sher-
idan as guide for the Grand Duke Alexis
in his famous buffalo hunt, and not until
after this, service was he ever past
the Mississippi river. James Cor
don Bennett, the Jeromes, j. G.. Hexer,
Stager and others, who made the
acquaintance of Cody while on
an extensive buffalo hunt in the fail of
1871 formed an attachment for him and
pressed him to visit the city of New York
as their guest The invitation was ac-
copied when opportunity offered, and
the entertainment was as royal in Gotham
as it had been wild and exciting on the
plains. Previous to this visit Ned Bunt
line, the we'll known novelist, had writ
ten Cody up in serial for New York
story paper. The story was dramatized
and put on the boards as Buffalo Bill,
the King of Border Men, and on this
visit to our chief city, Cody attended a
theater and witnessed the play in which
another man personated himself, to the
amusement and chagrin, of our plains
man. The play was great success fl
nancially, and the manager offered Cody
$500 per week to go on the stage
and take his own part. This was
| temptation hard to withstand; but
while the salary as chief of scouts was
only $50 per month, Uncle Sam was
noted as a good paymaster, and the fiat
tering offer was declined. sAt the end of
his forty day leave of absence Buffalo
Bill returned to the plains, resumed his
duties and followed the trail during the
succeeding summer. But he was pressed
by Ned Buntline and others to go upon
the stage, and finally did so, making his
debut in Chicago in the winter OF 10.
In the summer of IA he guided the Big
Horn expedition, terminating his SER
vices for the season in the Wind River
mountains. At the general uprising OF
the Sioux in rs Gen. Crook selected
Cody as his chief OF scouts. The season
was one of many thrilling adventures,
among which was mortal combat be-
tween Bill and Yellow Hand, trouble
some chief of marrauding Cheyenne
band, Cody being the victor and present
ing Gen. Custer with the scalp of the of
tending savage. Gems. Crook and Terry
consolidated their commands on the
Rosebud river, and the trail of Sitting
Bull was followed by the allied forces
until the Indians separated, the
better to elude their pursuers. The
command put in at the mouth of Powder
river for supplies. Here Gen. Crook
returned with his command to the head
quarters of his department, Gen. Terry
pushing northward towards Fort Peck.
Cody joining Gen. Terry on the return
of Crook. The campaign against Sitting
Bull having terminated for the season,
Cody formed dramatic company of ma
tive savages, with a drama of the late
war. and spent season of eight months
in the eastern cities. The startling
events of the year preceding his appear
ance upon the stage with his native
troupe, gave great impetus to the sue
cess of his undertaking; and in the eight
months he cleared handsome fortune.
The season over, he returned to his home
on the plains North Platte, Neb., and
in company with Maj. Frank North, chief
of the Pawnee scouts, started large
cattle ranch. in which he still retains his
interest.
Buffalo Bill is man of marked char
acteristics, and, although he would at
tract attention among thousand men,
he is unobtrusive and quite reserved;
versationalist and a man of good solid
sense He is keen, constant, quiet oh
server, and measures people at sight, al
though his opinions are generally re-
served, except those that betoken a
kindly nature He is man of fine phys
ique, standing six feet and two inches in
height, and weighing 210 pounds. His
hair is long and black, and falls III long,
we'll -kempt waves, and not unbecomingly
upon his broad shoulders. He wears a
heavy mustache and goatee, otherwise
his face is clean -shaven and the picture
of good health and contentment. His
border life has not alienated him
from society, or rendered him rest
less among progressive and refined
people. On the contrary, he en-
tertains as gracefully as a girl, and
lives on the sunny side of life enjoying
the humorous, and waiting upon the
serious with cool deliberation and a
Judgment that has always served him
successfully. His apparel, aside from
the characteristic som brero, is not
strikingly different from that ordinarily
worn by citizens who consult good taste
and comfort.
Some OF his feats of Workmanship
here, for The amusement Of few curious
observers, were simply thrilling. For
instance, lady placed potato on her
head, which he blew to atoms at ten
PAGES with his trusty rifle. DIR. Powell
LII .:lxo. hale 1D1Iar hot his