The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-07-30
faio Biil'S Display,

A crowd of over 5000 persons greeted
the first performance of Buffalo Bits
Nv lid West at the Gentlemen Dri-
wing Park yesterday, aud sat delighted
throu4ho the two hours representa-
ton of life on the Western frontier.
Tie present company is the largest of
its kind that has ever visited an Eastern
city, and includes a score of COWBOYS, n
dozen Mexican vaqueros, bauds of
Pawnee, Sioux, Cheyenne and Arrapa-
hoe Indians, aud several scouts and
lrontersmen whose names are known
to every settler from the Missouri to
the Rockies.
The parade, the cques trian entree.
the quarter-mile race between Mexi-
cans, COW boys and Indians the pony
express and l0O-yard race between an
Indian on 3 horse and one on foot fol-
lowed in quick succession Buffalo
Blll's appearance or the track, grace
fully riding an IRON gray horse, was the
signal for loud applause. He wore
buckskin trousers and a black silk Jack
ct. bclted at the waist and embroidered
on the arms, back and chest. His ex-
hibition of skill with the rifle while riding
at full speed was the most remarkable
of the many daring things he did during
the day. Buffalo Bill and a compan-
ION came tearing down the track on a
full gallop. and as fast aa the latter
conld throw composition balls into the
air the former would break them with
his rifle.
The shooting of Captain Bogardus
and his four sons was quite as remark
able in its way The Captain broke
twenty clay pigeons in fifty-cight sec
onds, and gave other exhibitions of his
skill which were quite remarkable. His
eldest son, Eugene, bl oke nine out Of
ten composition balls thrown into the
air, and when two balls were thrown up
at once he succeeded in breaking both.
This shooting was done with a rifle.
The Captain showed his confidence in
the skill of his 9-year-old boy by hold
ng ball in his hand for the youngster
TO break with his rilie
Much amusement was caused by the
bucking ponies. These animals cannot
be ridden, and as soon as man mounts
one it will start on bucking run,
jumping sideways, rearing and jumping
stiff legged. This last trick viii throw
any but the most experienced rider
The buckiny mule Suicide was the pet
Of the crowd. On the first attempt to
mount the mule fell over on his side aud
his would-be rider landed on the earth
Then he turned a backward half somer-
sault and came down square on his
back, with feet kicking in the air. lie
has been known to turn seven of these
somersalts in one day, and on more
| than one occasion a would-be rider has
narrowly escaped being crushed.
| The stage coach attack was as realis-
tic as it was interest ting One Of the
old stages that ran on the line from
Cheyenne to Deadwood was exhibited.
| Fred Matthe VS., an old Deadwood dri-
yer. handled the reins, and Frank Viii
| ting, who on one occasion defended the
same vehicle from an attack of road
agents when it carried a load of gold
dust, sat on the boot A few specta-
tors We're permitted to ride inside.
When the coach had gone half way
round band of yelling redskins came
out of their ambuscade and gave chase
\ running fight ensued, and as the coach
was almost overpowered a band OF
trien1ly cowboys came to the rescue
aud oon put the Indians to fight.
| Tie concluding attraction was the at
tack on settlers cabin. The scene
began with the return Of the hunter
with an antelope thrown over his horse S
back. AS the family were at supper
two Indians could be seen quietly steal
/ ing through the grass toward the cabin
and soon a band appeared on horseback.
Z Iha1 tho -irht IpOan rvl and 9<
the denizens Of the plain were about to
apply the torch the friendly cowboy
again opportunely appeared on the
scene. The crash Of fifty rifles, the
yclls from as many throats and the pic
ture of the galloping horsemen made an
interesting sight.