Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-10-26

was drinking took good look at the man
1t was Wild Bill. He shot Q quick glance at
me. But had grown since he last saw me
and In my disguise he did not recognize me-
! waited till he had finished his meal and
followed him to the road AS he prepared to
mount his horse ! stepped close and said In
low tone Bill. don't you remember mer 1
thought saw CLEAN Of recognition In his
eyes. but he said simply. No, I don't I'm
Billy Cody said. Well, WELL returned Wild
Bill. are you little Billy Cody?
Then he gave me q dressing down. You
haven't any business in this part Of the coun.
try he said You ought to be in the Union
army How do you know I'm notY asked.
You In the Union armyr he said. Maybe I
am answered. What are you doing in those
clothes. thenY he asked. I suspect I'm doing
the same as you replied Bill smiled. Get
on your horse he said And We rode together
back into the Union lines For the remainder
OF the war We did much scouting together in
Missouri and the southwest
when joined General Sheridan as chief
OF scouts In the campaign against the lndianss
OF the northwest in 1868 found Wild Bill with
the command. I went to General Sheridan
and General said. Wild Bill is the best
scout, the best shot and the bravest man in
the western country. He is seven or eight
upon him as my superior in everything that
goes to the making OF q plainsman. I don't
like to give orders to such a man. | wouId
rather serve under him. Make him chief of
scouts
well. won't said General Sheridan. You
are chief OF scouts Of the United States army
When you get ready to give Wild Bill an or.
der. give IT.
II went to Wild Bill and told him how felt
about the situation and what the general had
said"
why. that's all right. Billy Wild Bill said.
I'm soldier and III take lorders from anyone
who has the right to give me orders. I'd just
as lief work under you as anybody ! know.
I'll obey you as my ranking officer as readily
as I'd obey the commanding general OF the
United States army
"And he did He did fine work under me
through that stirring campaign. He held in
check that turbulent spirit that brooked dicta-
ton from no one and obeyed my orders like
the soldier that he was
Il first entered the show business in 1872"
Buffalo Bill continued. General Sheridan had
been ordered to Chicago to take command OF
the Department OF the Lakes and went with
him as Inspector Of horses Ned Buntlirs.
whom I had known out west. had written
drama Of the border named Scouts OF the
Plains. He offered me $500 O week to take
the leading role. I hesitated to ask General
Sheridan for permission for fear he would
laugh at me and perhaps refuse. finally got
Col Mike Sheridan. his brother, to prefer my
request. 1t was granted readily
The drama was produced in Nixon's ampi-
theater, which used to stand near the site OF
he modern Hotel Sherman. On the opening
night when was to make my bow before the
.ootlights for the first time the immense the
>kaAf 10 fnA oil nAun I'd
ian and all the officers OF the post occupied
boxes In all the glory OF full-dress uniforms.
! was worse scared as stepped out OF the
wings and faced that great audience than
sver was in an indian fight with bullets and
lrrows singing about my ears. But l carried
I OF as bravely as l could. What | didn't
rnow about acting made up for by strutting
,bout the stage. storming out my lines and
iring my navy revolyers after every other SEN
ence. There was an amazing amount OF gun
,owder burned In that play. After It was all
,ver imagined had scored a triumph. Next
lay the Chicago papers said the play was so
Dad It was good But We packed the theater
Nightly and the reserve police had to be called
tut to quiet the crowds that fought at the doors
or admission.
The management offered me $1,000 week
o go to st. Louis. where our success was TO
,eated.
ueCiueu NJ lue opcniuB VI INC hcAt poo5oH
hat II would be a money-making scheme to
lave Wild Bill a. member OF our troupe.
Ie was then In Hays City. where he had killed
Ieveral people. and l wrote him telling him
" the money he could make by appearing ON
he stage. You won't have to do much acting
told him You will only have to shoot and
pose around He wrote back that he would
accept my proposition. I wrote him he would
have to agree to stop fighting and killing
while he was with the show. He sent me an
agreement to that effect by return mail Then
sent him money to come to New York, where
he show was to open. In this last letter !
rave him instructions as to what he must do
when he reached the city.
at am stopping at the Brevoort hotel
wrote him. and you will land In New York at
he Fortysecond street depot. To avoid get.
ling lost In the big city. take cab at the
iepot and you will be driven to the hotel In