The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-03-04


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 'T3.
In the summer of III he guided the Big
Horn expedition, terminating his SER
vices for the season in the Wind River
mountains. At the general uprising of
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, a 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 Oh 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
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 drama of the late
war. and spent q 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 a 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 a thousand men,
he is unobtrusiye and quite reserved; /;
yet, on acquaintance, is an affable con-
versationalist and man of good solid
sense. He is keen, constant, quiet OBJ
server, and measures people at sight, al
though his opinions are generally re-
served, except those that betoken u
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 in long,
we'll .kempt waves, and not unbecomingIy
npon his broad shoulders. He wears q
heavy mustaehe and goatee, otherwise
his fnce is clean -shaven and the picture
OF good health and eontentment. 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 q girl, and
lives on the sunny side OF life enjoying
the humorous, and waiting upon the
serious with cool deliberation and q
Judgment that has, always served him
successfully. His apparel, aside from
the characteristic sombrero, 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 tep
PAGES with his trusty rife. DR.. Powell
held a silver half dollar between his
| thumb and finger and permitted Cody to
| urlf0 d bullcb tllFOuSll IL db tllc ulStduCG
above named. Mr.. Geo. Z. Powell al
| lowed him to shoot the ashes from his
cigar, while smoking it, at ten PAGES.
! Upon the confidence of these people /
will not animadvert; but Bill did the
shooting SO unerringjy and gracefully
| that his auditors were spell-bound.
Cody leaves to-day for Davenport, To-,
at which place he opens his dramatic
season, taking with him from Lanesboro
a character little less noted than himself,
in the person of DIR. d. f. Powell, man
highly educated and master of his pro-
fession, both physician and surgeon, and
s,'ainsman OF no mean note. Powell is
an admiring friend of the Indian, speak.
in the language of the Sioux fGently.
anu that of the Winnebagoes quite as
well. He was few years ago chosen by
the latter nation as its medicine chief,
and is well known among the Indians as
White Beaver. He is man upon whom
nature has lavished her gifts, inteilectu-
ally, physically and socially. While in
the service of the government as pnst
surgeon in the department Of the Platte
he made the acquaintance of Buffalo
Bill, and they have ever remained fast
! friends. The strikingly resemble each
other in general appearance, and it is
| perhaps fitting that they join fortunes
| upon the stage. O. G. w.