The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-09-25
COL. CODY TALKS.
He Favors rlcKinley's Election :
Tells of FRIDAYS Attendance.


Tells of Fridays Attendance.
Another big crowd was out to see
Wild West last night, estimated 1900
people. The northwest wind set in
strong and cold after supper and it
grew colder every minute during the
performance, although the tenting
over the seats served to break the
force of the wind. 1t was uncomfort-
ably cold, however, and very few
cared to remain for the concert. The
side show was we'll patronized. The
main entertainment was given prac-
tically as it was in the afternoon, and
was very satisfactory. Twenty-seven
arc lights and two electric search
lights lighted up the arena fairly
well.
Before the evening performance, a
FREE PRESS reporter found his way
to Col. VIM. F. Cody's private tent,
and a knock brought cheerful
'come in" and the scribe found him.
self in the presence of the famous
Buffalo Bill. A fire was burning and
the tent was warm. Col. Cody pulled
out a box of good cigars, and half to
three-quarters of an hour was passed
in pleasant conversation, the Colonel
refusing to allow his visitor to depart
inside of that time. COL Cody is be-
coming gray, but his magnificent
physique remains unchanged by the
passing years, his age now being fifty
years, and his spirits are as youthful
and bouyant as ever.
Col. Cody was we'll pleased with the
size of the crowd which visited his
show during his stay in Mankato, and
says that he was surprised to find so
large and fine city there. He esti-
mates the afternoon attendance at
from 10000 to $4,000. 1t was profit
able day. Today's performance was
given at Sheldon, Iowa, and the show
will work south.
When asked as to whether he con-
templated taxing his show to Europe
again soon, Col. Cody replied that
it would all depend on the outcome
of the presidential election, In case
Bryan is elected. he expects to go to
Europe next spring, but if Mckinley
is successful, he will not go for two
years. He said that he favored Nc
Klnley's election, expecting that his
success would mean better times,
while victory for free silevr would
have an opposite result. When the
times are prosperous, people have
more money to spend and his show
is better attended, and naturally he
was in favor of such a condition of
the people, for his own interests as
well as theirs.
Col. Cody has large property inter
ests, including one farm of 5000 acres
in Montana. At his various possess
sions, farms, hotels and summer re-
sorts, he employs 1000 people besides
those in his show. He has 5000
horses on his Montana ranch. Yes
terday morning before leaving his
Car he dictated sixty letters to his
stenographer, and this is a sample
of his usual morning work. Notwith-
standing his labors. he has only miss
ed four performances on account of
ill health during the twenty-six
years that he has been in the BUSH
ness.
In speaking about the bucking
bronchos, he said that they are per-
fectly useless at any other work. They
were spoiled in breaking, and are like
balky horse going up hill, when
person mounts one of them.
Col Cody exhibited number of
Photographic views of his various pro.
perties, including lake resorts, hunt
! ing cabins, etc.