The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-16


join the 5th cavalry As soout. He ex-
hibited the dispatch to General Shsr-
man. who inquired. "will you goY"
Jack replied "Yes." and the general
gave him a strong letter TO General
Wesley Merritt the colonel Of the 5th.
with which he at once started an his
return journey. Without delay he
joined the command ON the hose Bud,
IN the Big Horn mountains. the trip re-
quiTed a ride OF four hundred miles on
horseback from Medicine Bow on the
U. z. railroad. Such a trip alone
through a wild Indian country was one
Of extreme hazard which nobody other
than a brave and experienced man
would undertake but Jack accomplish.
ed II In safety and at once reported for
duty. Two months later he supersed-
ed Air. Cody as chief of scouts.
IL was shortly after his accession to
this command that Jack made the dis.
covery Of the large Indian village on
slim Buttes or Owl Greek. when with
Lieut.. Swalka (uf arctic famel and
twenty-five men he lead the charge
through the town and opened that mem
orable battle. Before the smoke had
cleared away the special correspondent
Of the New York Herald had started
Jack TO Fort Laramie with an account
of the fight The distance was three
hundred and fifty Of as tedious
and troublesome miles as the creator
ever planted on his footstool. but the
bold scout and daring horseman made
the journey in three and a half days
beating by five aud half hours hve
relays Of couriers who attempted 10
distance him. As an exhibition OF the
remarkable endurance of the man 1t Is
sufficient to say that Immediately
upon his arrival at Laramie, nOtwith-
standing his long and exhaustive ride
he immediately took possession of the
wires aud held them for FIVE hours
sending the dispatch of the Herald
special and also an extended account Of
his own Of the battle and of his rapid
ride which was full OF extreme perils,
narrow escapes and interesting Incl
dents.
He remained in this service till the
close OF The campaign and then &C.
cepted proposition from Buffalo Bill
to unite with his dramatic troup and
travel through the states. This troup
was grand success in every way,
They visited all the eastern states and
California, being constantly on the road
for eight months. The net proceeds
amounted to $4,000 which was the
first money that Cody had saved
throughout his five years Of dramatic
experience and with it he purchased
his ranch on Dismal river and stock
ed ii with cattle.
Cody's company disbanded In San
Francisco and Jack proceeded to Brit
ish Columbia and entered into mining
operations which were not particularly
successful and he soon abandoned them
and returned 10 San Francisco. 1t was
at this time that he published his
book of poems, which resulted so dis
astrously us mentioned in the proceed
ing chapter. This was In 1879
Caps. Jack then produced his new
drama at the Bush Street theatre. IL
was a grand success. 1t was witnessed
by Alfred Dampier leading manager
OF Australia who was so forcibly i'm.
pressed with its worth that he at once
engaged Jack 10 go to the third CONT
nent TO play at the Theatre Royal in
Melbourne. Damp!er declared that
this was the biggest treat he ever saw
for his people, and the terms of en-
gagement were that Jack should play
for six weeks with the privilege OF
eight for which he would receive equal
share of receipts after the first three
hundred pounds. Jack was TO furnish
besides himself his drama, horse, dog
and pictorial printing, five Indians and
an old partner scout. Dampier was to
furnish the theatre the support and to
pay all other expenses. The propo-
sition was undoubtedly good one for
on the same terms the Williamsons had
cleared seven hundred and fifty pounds
the first week. Jack went directly 10
Denver to purchase the skins, buffalo
heads and other paraphanalia neces.
sary but found that his capital was in
sufficient for that purpose and as the
Apache war was going on at this time
he could not resist the force of his in.
stincts to mix in. lie Immediately
telegraphed his services to General
Hatch, who answered, "Come at once,
and he come after hastily dispatching
to Australia caucelling date of appear.
ance there. The engagement with
Dampier is still open and Jack fre.
quently receives letters from the man.
ager still urging him TO fix up and
come on.
During the campaign In New and
Old Mexico Jack was chief of scouts