The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-02-20
CODY WAS SCARED
One Occasion When Buffalo Bill
Was Shy on Courage.
TYING A MARRIAGE KNOT.

AZ New Justice Of the Peace He Had
to Perform the Ceremony, but He
Didn't Like tbs Job-one of His Close
Calls az 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
Her days as an Indian fighter, scout,
overland freight guard and pony ex-
press rider.
When the Kansas Pacific railroad
was building to the coast 1t employed
VIII 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 justice Of
the peace.
@Why. general" protested the scout,
II 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.
Ills first task was to perform wed
ding ceremony. A wedding was q
great event at Mcpherson. and the
whole fort resolved to attend.
| In vain his wife and sisters tried to
coach Buffalo Bill. Nobody could fnd
! 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 trembled.
Yet at first the ceremony moved
without reproach. The bride and
| groom were counseled In the conven-
donal manner until the close Of the
| ceremony, when Buffalo BIZ startled
the congregation by announcing:
Whom God and Buffalo BIZ hath
Joined together let no man put asun-
| derr'
| As a marrying justice he was voted
| a 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 1.06e
| miles.
| WIN Cody was twice in the employ
] OF the pony express as one Of the relay
| riders In the western wilderness. II
was during his second engagement
that he saved his life by his knack OF
shooting straight and thinking quickly
VIII was riding from Red Butte, on
/ the North Platte, TO Three Crossings
/ on the gweetwater, distance of sew.
| enty-six miles, when 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 q
fresh pony and dashed out Of the sta.
j, ton with his mail sacks.
!: Plainsmen learned early to keep their
eyes open. As VIII Cody rode he scan
ned the country ahead Of him with tire.
!, less gaze. Every rock and hummock
had bis attention.
| 1t was a 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 of to one side. Two rife re
ports came simultaneously. and from
behind the rock sprang two unmount
/ ed indians.
At the same time score Of Indians
on ponies burst from the timber OF
the opposite side Of the valley and
/ rode toward him.
Ahead lay a narrow pass leading Il
! safety. The race began.
i Only one rider threatened the express
messenger. He wore the headdress Of
/ chief, and bis pony was deetest.
Close together the horses sped to
ward the pass, and the Indian wal
] gaining steadily.
/ Cody turned Ia bis saddle.
/ The Indian chief had lifted an arrow
to his bow and even then was sighting
his target.
| Like a fash Cody drew bis revolver
| Seemingly he fred without aim. 81
quick was the action. The IndiaI
dropped from his saddle, and the pony
express sped on safe. Kansas CITY