Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-14
HUNTING WITH
BUFFALO BILL
INCIDENTS OF CELEBRATED
CHASE RECALLED
HOW HE PLOTTED GRAND DUKE
AND PHIL SHERIDAN
General Custer Another Member of
the Party That Assisted the Dis
tinguished Russian to
Royal Sport

The coming of Buffalo Bill this week
recalls one of the most notable incl
dents of his career which did much to
make his fame more than provincial
the celebrated buffalo hunt on which
he guided Grand Duke Alexis of Rus
sia and Gen. Philip Sheridan.
The hunt occurred in the early winter
of 1872. From the files of the New
York Herald Of that time is taken the
following telegraphic account of the
start which the hunting party made
from North Platte, Nebraska:
NORTH PLATTE, Neb., Jan. 1S, 1872.
AS the duke alighted from the train
the rustic natives of North Platte
formed in line along the platform and
almost tnvoluntarily and simultane-
ously removed their hats in honor of
the distinguished visitor. Little Phil''
was master of ceremonies, and he was
bound that not a moment should be
lost in starting for the camp fifty miles
distant.
Across the Plains
He had arranged with genial and dar-
ing buffalo BilP' to be on hand and
act as guide, and the renowned scout
was promptly on hand in all his ele-
ment He was seated on a spanking
charger, and with his long hair ana
spangled buckskin suit he appeared as
the feared and loved by all for miles
around. White men and barbarous In
dians are alike moved by his presence,
and none of them dared to do aught in
word or deed contrary to his rules of
law and civilization. After the ducal
party had alghted Gen. Sheridan beck
oned the notorious Bill to approach.
He advanced carelessly, yet respect
fully. Your highness," said the gen
eral, this is Mr.. Cody otherwise and
universally known as Buffalo Bill
BILL this is the grand duke
Il am glad to see you," said the hero
of the plains. "You have come out
here, so the general tells me, to shoot
some buffalo"
yes" answered Alexis, land I hope
to have a fine good time. / have heard
of you before and 1 am glad to meet
you here
THANK you, thank you" said Bill,
with a smile as honest and sweet as
that of a maiden. IF the weather
holds good We'll have one of the finest
hunts that ever was on this con-
tinent."
Buffalo Bill Leads the Way
Buffalo Bill is a famous western
scout employed by Sheridan for Indian
service and one who is efficient and
reliable. Bill is about 80 years of age,
is about six feet in height and, with
other proportions, he has a pleasing
face and fine address and would have
been prominent in other walks of life
had not circumstances made hin
famous as a western hunter. The tales
that are told of Buffalo Bills hunting
experiences since he was old enough to
ride a horse-for Bill was born and
brought up on the plains-are truly
wonderful to hear. related as they are
around our blazing campfire and in the
presence of all the paraphernalia Of
frontier life upon the plains. Bill was
dressed in a buckskin suit, trimmed
with fur, and wore a black slouch hat,
his long hair hanging in ringlets down
upon his shoulders.
Alexis and Little Bill
AS he dashed out from the railroad
station he was closely followed by the
grand duke in an open wagon drawn by
four powerful horses, which carried the
distinguished representatives of two
powerful nations at a fearful rate of
speed over the rugged prairies.
Very eagerly in the morning Buffalo
Bill went out to see what the prospect
was. Before 10 o'clock he returned with
tidings that about eighteen miles dis
tant was a herd of buffaloes browsing
on the grass that grows on the bluffs
between the Red Willow and the Madi-
son. This was pleasing news to the
grand duke and all the other sports
men. Orders were given at once to
make the necessary preparations to fol-
low and find them.
The grand dukes hunting dress was
appropriate and simple. 1t consisted of
jacket and trousers of heavy grade
cloth, trimmed with green, the buttons
bearing the imperial coat-of-arms. He
wore his boots outside his trousers; the
cap was an Australian turban with a
cloth top. He carried a Russian hunt
ing knife and a Smith & Wesson re-
volver, recently presented to him and
bearing the coat-of-arms of the United
States and Russian government on the
handle.
General Clusters Appearance
Gen. Custer appeared in his well
known frontier buckskin hunting cos
tune, and if instead of the conical
sealskin hat he usually wore he had
only feathers fastened in his flowing
hair, he would have passed in the dis
tance as a great Indian chief. Buffalo
Bills dress was something similar to
Clusters.
When the three started off from camp
together, the duke, Custer and Buffalo
Bill, all large and powerful and all
hardy hunters, they attracted the at
tentiOn and admiration of EVERYONE.