The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-08
Il Chat With
Buffalo Bill

|
| with admlation and dollars whenever
| he comes our way. The writer of this
| Is prepared to burn incense at his
shrine to the end of the chapter and
| to look back with unusual pleas
ure upon chat with one who is dis
| tinctly a representative product OF
| America.
He didn't greet one of his humble
| admirers yesterday with n warwhoop,
neither did he give an exhibition Of
| craftsmanship by shooting the buttons
off the bell boy at the Jermyn. He
| sat down and talked very mildly and
politely and didn't seem to have any
guns or swords Immediately at hand.
The general public thinks of Colonel
Cody as the majestic figure on mag
nificent horse, the sweeping locks
falling upon massive shoulders. the
head barred. with a regal gesture, be-
for the applause OF thousands, the
superb grace and dignity of one who
has done things in the world. 1t
thinks Of him as the great Indian
fighter, the brave soldier and the man
who has perhaps received more at
tention and admiration from those Of
lofty estate on this continent and
abroad than any other American. 1t
Is often most satisfactory to see peO-
pie in professional life similar to that
of Buffalo Bill, at long range. but in
his case it may be satisfaction to
know that he is twice as interesting
at near acquaintance.
The first impression one obtains is
that of his entire simplicity. He is
not eloquent regarding his own deeds.
the marks of favor he has received
from those the world calls great, nor
of his successes Get him started on
the subject of some of his heroes and
he wakes eloquent enough. but he is
modest indeed as to himself One is
not disenchanted at close range with
regard to his appearance. Those
who seldom see him dismounted have
no idea of the stately presence of this
man with his more than six feet of
stature and the nobly poised head on
shoulders as erect and square as If
they belonged to a soldier of twenty
five. His fine silky hair although
touched with the SHOWS of years, curls
in boyish tendrils about his temples
and neck, and his eyes, so full and
kindly in their glance. have in them
the fire Of youth. How many years
young he is it is unnecessary to tell.
but although he talks of age coming
the listener feels that he will never
be old.
He has the fine. delicate complexion
of woman despite the decades of
frontier exposure and his present
mode of outdoor life. If Colonel
Cody would allow his name to be af-
fixed to some cosmetic as being "the
kind I always use," he would reap ii
fortune beyond that annually rolled
up with the assistance of Indians and
Teddy's Rough Riders. Those who
think Of him as the bluff buffalo
hunter, the Indian scout. whose keen
eye it was impossible to elude scarcely
reconcile with their tales of him the
polished gentleman with the long,
slender hands and the ease and grace
of patrcian, the manner of one
trained in kingly courts.
Yesterday he wore the brilliant
souvenir of IA famous buffalo hunt of
nearly three decades ago. when he
rode like the whirlwind Of fate over
the plains with the Grand Duke Alex
is of Russia. The souvenirs of that
great chase are wonderful heads of
buffalo, blazing with diamonds and
worn as sleeve buttons and scarf clasp
They are treasured as the gift of the
Grand Duke. whose visit to this coun-
try is recalled with pleasure by many.
Colonel Cody carries many other
marks of favor of monarchs and prin-
ces but none are more valued than
these splendid jewels.
But If you want to stir up Colonel
Cody's enthusiasm, simply mention the
name of General Miles, that is all is
needed, II the general We're the pro-
prietor of great show, he would not
require any other advance agent or
press manager than this devoted friend
and admircr.
"Why!" exclaimed the colonel. his
blue eyes flashing like steel, "he is the
greatest general of them all. There
was never anybody to compare with
him, in some respects. He fights with
his head; that's the way Miles fights.
While the other little fellows depend
on tactics and numbers and bullets,
Miles uses his brains. Why. that man
knows the condition of every horse
that every soldier rides, He knows his
men and their equipment down TO the
finest detail, He knows which COM
pany is best fitted to go here or to be
sent there; and then he knows the
roads, every inch of them. He can tell
which route is best for the artillery
and where the cavalry can make fast
est progress. He knows which one to |
pick out for the infantry and, then, he |
doesn't leave anything to chance.
THE scouts are sent out here, there |
and everywhere, and he doesn't allow |
his troops to be surprised and cut up |
In ambush. No such blunders where |
Miles is in command. l tell YOU" and |
his voice rang out like a call to arms, |
II tell you there's leader, and he will |
be our next president. They can't keep |
him down. l haven't any kick against |
this administration, it's all right, and |
| tell you, too, that man Hanna is a |
smart fellow. He's all for Mckinley, |
and it was for his interest to keep !
Miles down. They've done it. too, but
they can't keep on doing it. Some OF
the people in this country don't ap-
preciate Miles. They call him a parlor
soldier, but he is the greatest general
we have had in many year. and he
can endure hardships which most men
would shrink from. and it was TO Miles
hat every Indian chief from Sitting
Bull down has had 10 surrender.