The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-21
CODY AND CUSTER.
How Buffalo Bill's MOuse-COlOred
Mule Distaneed Kentucky
Thoroughbred.

Buffalo Bill tells a new story about
his first ride with Custer. I'm 1861,
he says, Il was post guide and scout
at Fort Hays, Kansas. Before that
time | had met Gen. Custer when he
was stationed at old Fort Fletcher,
but was not well acquainted with
him. One evening early in June he
came into Hays with only a light
escort and was on a forced march to
Fort Larned, which is siXty-five miles
from the former place. At that time
there were, of course, no railroad con-
nections. When the general eX-
pressed a wish for some guide TO
accompany him the command
ing officer detailed me, and orders
were given to start at daylight
the following morning. At the time
INV best lonV-distance horse was big,
mouse-colored mule, and as had
heard what a lightning traveller Gus
ter was knew that only my best run
ner would do to keep ahead of the
'Whirlwind,' as the Indians called
him. | thought l would be prompt
and ahead of the general at daylight,
but when l arrived he was already on
the ground with his staff and order
lies. When | rode up L noticed him
eveing the animal / was riding and
when / announced that L was to be
his guide he assented, but said would
have to get better horse. 1t would,
| would find, take something better
than an old mule to keep ahead OF
him. | vigorously maintained that the
mule would get over the sixty
i've miles as quick as any
horse he had, and he seemed to be
satisfied when the post commander
spoke up and confirmed what l had
said. For the first ten miles L had to
use the spurs lively to keep the gen
eral from riding over me, but after
crossing the Smoky Hill river and
getting on into the sand hills the mule
got his second wind. He commenced
to leave Clusters Kentucky thorough
bred, and the soldier in time acknOwl-
edged that l was riding pretty good
horse. For a long time we kept up
this rapid travelling, his escort being
scattered out for miles behind, and as
the country was dangerous the gen.
errl called halt, to let his men close
up and becomes less convenient targets
for vagrant bands of Indians. When
we started again l made up my mind
to show him what good mule could
do, and l struck gait which aston
ished him so much that he did not
call for another halt. We left the
escort to follow as best they could, and
before noon the general and myself
TO lie into Fort Larned. The escort
struggled in for hours during the day.
The next day l returned to Hays,
while he took command of his regi-
ment and soon after had his big fight
at Pawnee Fork creek. met him
frequently after that and guided him
in several expeditions. Poor Custer
was thirty-hve miles from him when
he killed himself. Yes, killed himself
The Indians who were in the fight OF
the Little Big Horn say Custer killed
himself, and from the Indian religion
am convinced that they are right.
He was the only one who was not mu-
tilated on the bloody field, and the red
warrior will not mutilate the body OF
man who takes his own life. l
think that Custer fought till all his
brother officers died, and, no Reno to
support him, he then died by his own
hand and ended the career OF as brave
a man as ever wore spurs"