Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-02-08
CODY WAS SCARED
One Occasion When Buffalo Bill
Was Shy on Courage.
TYING A MARRIAGE KNOT.
AS New Justice of the Peace He Had
to Perform the Ceremony, but He
Didn't Like the Job-One of HE Close
Calls as Pony Express Rider.

UIon't Like the Jop-One OF HE Close
Calls as Pony Express Rider.
1t is difficult for this generation OF
boys, even though they be born on the
Great American desert" to believe
that Buffalo Bill was ever anything
except the star of tent show, but old
timers know of his perilous life of ear
lier days as an Indian fighter, scout,
overland freight guard and pony ex-
press rides.
When the Kansas Pacific railroad
was building to the coast it employed
Will Cody to supply its construction
gangs with meat. One of the greatest
shots of the plains, he won his name
and his spurs killing buffalo for the
builders Of the iron trail.
During Indian campaigns Cody rose
to be chief scout for the army and In
dian adventures became a part of his
daily routine. The fame of Buffalo Bill
spread through the army. None doubt
ed the courage and resource of the
great scout and Indian hunter.
Yet one day this courage was sorely
tried. There was one time when Buff
falo Bill admitted he was scared
General Emory, in command at Fort
Mcpherson, induced the county author.
tiles to make Buffalo Bill a justice of
the peace.
"Why, general" protested the scout.
Il don't know any more about law
than mule knows of singing"
But the appointment was duly and
legally made. and the new justice had
to serve.
His first task was to perform a wed
ding ceremony. A wedding was a
great event at Mcpherson, and the
whole fort resolved to attend
In vain his wife and sisters tried to
coach Buffalo Bill Nobody could find
a copy of the marriage service.
The great day came. The guests as
sembled. Cold sweat stood in beads
on the brow Of the Indian fighter. His
hands trembed.
Yet at first the ceremony moved
without reproach. The bride and
s
tional manner until the close of the
ceremony, when Buffalo Bill startled
the congregation by announcing:
"Whom God and Buffalo Bill hath
Joined together let no man put asun-
der!'
AS marrying justice he was voted
great success.
Before the days of the telegraph
news Travelled by the pony express,
nine days from st. Joseph the end of
the railroad, to Sacramento Cal The
distance over the short route was 1.966
miles.
Will Cody was twice in the employ
of the pony express as one of the relay
riders in the western Wilderness 1t
was during his second engagement
that he saved his life by his knack of
shooting straight and thinking quickly.
Will was riding from Red Butte, on
the North Platte, to Three Crossings,
On the SWeetwater, a distance of sew
enty-six miles, when a station boss one
day informed him:
There's signs of Injins about, Billy
Better keep your eye peeled
The young rider nodded cOmprehen-
sion as he swung into the saddle on a
fresh pony and dashed out of the sta
ton with his mail sacks.
Plainsmen learned early to keep their
eyes open. AS Will Cody rode he scan
ned the country ahead of him with tire
less gaze. Every rock and hummock
had his attention.
1t was grim. wild country he rode
through. Great cliffs overhung his mar
row path and darkened the way. For
ests of black pine stood thick on the
precipitous slopes Of the Rockies.
His keen eye caught sight of slight
movement behind large bowlder that
lay ahead Of him. 1t needed no more
than that to tell the pony express rider
of danger. Riding at top speed toward
the danger zone. he made his plan.
Cody was almost upon the rock be-
fore he swerved his horse sharply and
dashed off to one side. Two rife re-
ports came simultaneously, and from
behind the rock sprang two unmount-
ed IndiaLs.
At the same time q score of Indians
on ponies burst from the timber on
the opposite side of the valley and
rode toward him.
Ahead lay narrow pass leading to
safety. The race began.
Only one rider threatened the express
messenger. He wore the headdress of
a chief, and his pony was feetest.
Close together the horses sped to-
ward the pass, and the Indian was
gaining steadily.
Cody turned In his saddle.
The Indian chief had lifted an arrow
to his bow and even then was sighting
his target.
Like fash Cody drew his revolver.
Seemingly he fired without aim. SO
quick was the action. The Indian
dropped from bis saddle, and the pony
express sped on safe. - Kansas City