Morning journal and courier., 1885-07-17
THE WILD WEST 1mRRoeL1o.

For the Lawyers
 There was gathering of the clans in Jus tice Whedon's office yesterday morning when the time came to take w. F. Cody's deposi- tion in the Buffalo Bill and Dr. Carver Wild West affairs. Ex-Judge William B. Stod- dard appeared for John W. A11ing during his absence, assisted by Attorneys Webb and Loomis, who kept a weather eye open in be- half of Buffalo Bill, the terror of the plains. Ex-Judge Blydenburgh and Attorney Willett were on hand to see that Dr. Carver had the desired deposition to be used in his cases against his former partner. The attorneys and the court made themselves as comforta- ble as possible for very warm morning and Judge Blydenburgh proceeded to examine the Hon. MT. Cody. The deponent swore that his name was William F. Cody and that his residence was and had been since 1877 at North Platte, Nebraska. He was engaged in the purchase of cattle, land and real estate. He had also resided at Rochester, N. Y., so that his children could go to school, for year at West chester, Penn; before that from 1869 to 1872 at Fort McPherson, Nebraska. Previous to 1869 he had no permanent residence, as then he was chief of scouts in the United States army and subject to the commands of his superior officers, and served as such for two years.
 "Did you at one time," inquired Mir. Bly, denburgh, Preside at place called Salt Creek9''
 During my boyhood days my parents re- sided at Salt Creek Valley, Leavenworth county, Kansas. And you needn't laugh at it, either, for it was one of the prettiest spots Lodi ia a0 needn't laugh at it. replied Buffalo Bill.
 Judge Blydenburgh said he merely asked the question to show that what was published on one of the Carver circulars in reference to his residence at Salt Creek was true. When asked if he was an actor or performer, Cody replied: 'sI was both, an actor or performer is the same; and I was both, although I might have been d-d poor one," which created a laugh.
 MT. Stoddard objected to the answer be- ing recorded with the oath in it, but MT. Blydenburgh insisted upon the oath being inserted Mir. Whedon, however, crossed it out, although Cody said he didn't care whether it was recorded or not.
 The taking of the testimony proceeded very slowly, as both the questions and an swers had to be written down verbatim in long hand.
 His first play was known as ''The Scout of the Plains" and the leading character was
 
 In the summer of 1873 the witness went to his old home at Fort McPherson, Neb., to take out a buffalo hunting party composed of J. B. Omohundro, CtTexas Jack1 Eugene B. Overton, New York city, D. P. Green, Amsterdam, N. Y., and J. A. Scott, Chiea- go. This took up Cody's time until Au- gust when he began rehearsing for his next play Buffalo Bill, the King of Border Men. :" The piece was taken off in February 1874, after proving 8 financial success. Buffalo Bill next appeared before the public in ''Life on The Plains" In this play young girl is taken into the mountains after the murder of her father and mother by white renegade living among the Indians. MT. Cody explained that it was his part in the play to protect the innocent and persecuted and avenge their wrongs. He was asked if the girl carried off was rescued by him. That he did not remember. "I can't tell - he said, 'twhether it was in my busi- ness to rescue that girl, for someone else to do it, but the girl got back all the same, and you can bet on that"
 The next of the thrilling pieces presented by the deponent was "FLife on the Border" The time for closing the hearing was at hand and Judge Blydenburgh ask ed to have copies of all the plays presented when the case came on for trial in the Superior court. Jus tice Whedon adjourned his honorable court to 7:30 o'clock last evening and the happy family broke up and sought their accustomed places for dinner. Bill, accompanied by At torneys Webb and Loomis, under the watch ful eye of Constable Pond, went to the de- pot, took dinner and boarded the 1:16 train for Meriden.
 EVENING HEARING.
 The hearing was resumed in Justice Charles R. Whedon's office last evening at 7:30 o'clock Ex-Judge Stoddard and MT. Webb appeared for Buffalo Bill and ex-Judge Blydenburgh and Mr. Willett for pr. Carver Sheriff Keefe came in during the hearing and handed MT. Cody copy of the writ served on him in Bridgeport. "What's this, . a new dealg" inquired MT. Cody. He was that it was only copy of the paper previously served on him, which was satisfactory to him.
 When the hearing adjourned at noon Cody was describing scene in his play en- titled tsLife on the Border" as follows:
 There is gambling in 8 frontier town, where the gamblers are interested in game of draw poker with trapper whom they have inyeigled into their gambling den and broke him. Just as the gamblers are about to throw him out.
 Taking up the answer where he left off at noon, he said:
 ''I make my appearance. give the trap per fair play and make the gamblers refund the money they have robbed him of. can't recall any farther incidents of that play to mind now"
 Questions and answers then proceeded as follows:
 "Were any of the livery horses or the jack ass hired by you that were introduced in that play?"
 'I don't think we ever used any horse or jackass in the play On the Border'"
 tDid you use any buffalo on the stage in that play9"
 ''No sir, we did not''
 ''Did you in either of the plays previously referred toI"
 t'No, sir"
 "Was the author of the first play known to you by any other name than the one you have givenq'
 (Objected to by Judge Stoddard.)
 t'His nom de plume a writer was Ned Buntline" "Was he the author and the Ned Buntline known as the author of many works called and kpown as dime novelist"
 t'I never have seen dime novel written by him and have heard him say he never wrote one."
 "What works of his have you readg"
 (Objected to.)
 ''Mostly serials published in the weekly papers. One is Will Cody. the Pony Ex- press Rider now being published in Bea- He's Weekly"
 "You have known Ned Buntline ever since this first play you have spoken of was writ ten, have you notF'
 "Yes and befoTe."
 "He was interested with you in some ca- Dacity in the production of this play; was he notY'
 (Objected to.)
 ''He wns interested with me in the first play he wrote for me-"
 s'In what capacityq
 "Partner and actor"
 "How long did that partnership continuei"
 "From on or about November, 1972, to June, 1s73."
 "Is that one of the books written by Ned Buntline (handing witness a copy of Dime as you understand itT'
 'I should judge this was Ned Buntline's writing, or that it had been used by a week. y paper after being published in library form. The Smuggler Captain or the Skip l per's Crime is the name of the story" l Laid in as exhibit Al l
 "When did you finish playing Life on the l BorderT"
 ''That would be hard question to an- 'wer. as have played 1t off and on since. l Cannot tell what years or what months." "What play or exhibition were you engaged l n presenting other than those of which you | nave spoken next after your first production | of ''Life on the BorderY'
 ''I think it wal called The Knight of the | Plains.'"
 aWhat character common in western Iifa |