Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-11-06

low Hand
Hon. William F. Cody, better known
as Buffalo Bill, the Indian fighter and
scout, departed for his ranch in the west
the other day. He was attired In his
picturesque costume, his long hair fall
ing gracefully over his shoulders, when
a reporter for the Null and Express cor |
raled him IN the corridor Of the Hoffman
house. The man who killed IN a duel
Chief Yellow Hand and scalped him I'M
der fire from the Indian braves, led the
way to quiet reading room and sat
down. He took of his sombrerO and
placed it on the table, revealing clearly
the handsome face and piercing eyes
that have been seen by so many thou
sands the past summer at Staten Island.
He said that he wanted to 60 west and
breath fresh air upon the plains before
he began work at Madison Square Gar
den this winter. He expressed himself
highly satisfied with his season, and init
mated that his show at the garden would
be odd and thoroughly typical Of west
ern life. The conversation drifted to his
experience in the past and how he OBJ
tanned the sobriquet Of Buffalo Bill. His
story was interesting.
81 earned the title Of Buffalo Bill by
killing buffaloas on the PLAINS. The
Kansas Pacific railroad was being built
through the heart of the buffalo country
In 1867. Some ], 500 hands were en-
ployed at the end of the route. The In
dams we're constantly on the war path,
and fresh meat was difficult to obtain.
Hunters were engaged to kill buffalOes
for the firm who had the contract for
boarding the employees Of the road. 1
had some little reputation as a good shot,
and especially at lVs cattle, so L was en-
gagged at a salary of $500 per month to
Kill buffaloes. Twelve OF these animals
were required each day. Nothing but
the hams and humps were eaten. L knew
the work would be dangerous because
the Indians were riding all over the
country, INDUCING IN their favOrite
Port of killing white men when they
caught one alone on the prairie. But
agreed to furnish the meat, Indians OF
no Indians. 1 knew 1 would often be five
or ten miles from the road and was liable
to be attacked by the redskins. My sue.
cess as a meat prOvider was so great the
road hands used to call me Buffalo Bill
and the name has remained with me
Many stirring adventures occurred tC
me during the seventeen months 1 hunt
ed bufful0es for the Kansas Pacific road
I killed 4 $50 buffaloes, besides some In.
dams. My favorite hunting horse was
Brigham, who was trained to dash into &
heard OF wild buffaloes and chase them
until had slain almost as many as de-
sired for the day In tie Spring Of 1865
Twas riding Brigham in gallop trying
to reach Smoky Hill river. 1 never shall
forget that day. After twenty miles Of
fast riding 1 reached the top of hill and
gazed down upon the smiling valley and
the beautiful river in the distance. My
attention was attracted towards some
moving objects In the distance. They
we're half a mile distant, and as they be-
gan to mount their horses 1 saw they
we're Indians and intended to capture
me if possible.
"My horse was somewhat fatigueC
from the rapid pace had been travelling
and I doubted whether he would be able
to keep ahead of the fresh horses Of my
pursuers. / resolved to run and fight
The horse seemed to know my life de
pended upon his speed. he sprang
away at brisk rate The Indians fol
lowed. After crossing a ravlne halted
a few seconds and sized up as it were
the crowd after me. They were Indian
braves well mounted and armed with n
hes. If Brigham had been fresh
would have had no fears whatever abOu
escaping, but how it would result ate
my long morning ride / had no idea
After i've miles OF fast riding, / discoV
cred that niue or ten Indians were only
two hundred yards behind, strung on
for a distance of two miles My horsa
made a spur, and for two or three miles
did the finest running of that kind OF
record. The Indians had good horses
and one who rode & spotted horse gained
me far ahead of the rest. He had a II
fe and sent several bullets around niS
that gave warning that my time had
come to make a stand or get shot in the
back / think Brigham knew the time
had arrived to face about and fight Sud
denly wheeled my horse and quick
raising my rifle TO my shoulder / sent &
bullet into the head of the spotted ami.
NAL at the crack Of my rife, horse and
Indian fsIl In a heap. suppose they
were some eighty yards distant. ] did
not wait, but dashed away with the speed
Of the wind ny short stop to shoot
gave the other Indians time 60 gain on
me- aad soon they began popping away a
me-. i turned in my saddle ana hreo
back occasionally and aucoeedad r
breaking horses Lag. rms 1876 only