The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-18

Mathewson was known all up and down
the plains. and by no other name than
Buffalo Bill. The sobriquet was gained in
this manner: In 1860 there was drouth
in Kansas and the settlers were on short
ratiohs. To get food to subsist on they
were forced to go into the plains for buff
falo meat. They soon found il required
skill and experience TO kill the animals.
and Mathewson from the kindness of his
heart gave up considerable of his time
from September to February to killing
buffalo. often as high as eighty day. and
loading the settlers wagons. No one knew
their benefactor's name. and on returning
home would say 1.-The buffalo killer. Bill,
gave ii to u.s. Soon his name of Bill be-
came known. and to distinguish him from
other Bills they naturally added Buffalo
Bill. This was six years before Cody was
heard Of. He was thus known by that
name only, as William Griffenstein was
known as Dutch Bill for years. In 1866 the
Kansas Pacific was building. and Cody
with a party contracted to supply the Ia
borers and workmen with buffalo beef
and during that season slaughtered 5000
buffalo; and his name being Bill he also
soon became known as Buffalo Bill-six
years after Mathewson's exploit
So it appears that both men are logic
ally entitled to their titles, and each in
dependent OF the other. and for like rea-
sons. Mr.. Mead of this city. the fairest
minded of men. and who knew personally
both men for years, speaks in the highest
terms of the worth of Cody his natural
gifts and ability. but adds that in point OF
priority the title. of course, belongs 10
Mathewson.
In 1872 the Grand Duke Alexis, brother
of the late car of Russia, came to this
country TO hunt buffalo. and the govern
ment hearing iof Cody turned the honored
guest over into the care of the intrtpid
scout with instructions to take him safely
through the ranges and extend all courtesy
to him. This of course gave him addi-
tional renown. His fame became world
wide, while Mathewsons' was limited and
local. Only the friends of the two men
were everijealous of their title, and it was
they who have kept up the controversy.
rushing into print ITO defend the claims Of
each. Last Tuesday Buffalo Bill Mathew
son, who owns the ground on which Buff
falo Bill Cody's show was tented, walked
quietly and alone over the grounds. Mourn
fully and sadly he stood among the painted
Sioux Indians. conversing with them in
their own tongue and the sign language.
He looked at the trim limbed ponies. the
lassos. the saddles and camp accoutre-
ments, and his mind wandered back over
the years of the long ago when these
things were to him an everyday life. The
half century of his stirring career appeared
before him in the panoramic effects Of
the retrospective, and with a grim smile
of painful regret he seemed to view the
passing of civilization g|le and never
to return again, and which he was so
active in bringing about He seemed. as
he stood there in the warm autumn sun
the personality of another era, the con-
-recting link as 1t were between the lite'ess
present and the triumphant past Soon
he will go and the last of his race will,
have passed over the Great Divide. Soon
he and his kind will live only in history.