The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-03-02
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-Cne of His Close
Calls as q Pony Express Rider.

boys, even though they be born on the
Great American desert" to believe
that Buffalo Bill was ever anything
except the star ut tent show. but old
timers know o. las pe.iious life of ear.
lier days as an Indian fighter. scout.
overland freight guard and pony ex.
press rider.
when the Kansas Pacific railroad
was building to the coast II 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 de- chief scout FOR the army and In
dim adventures became part Of his
daily routine. Tie fsue OF Buffalo Bin
spread through the army. None doubt
ed the courage and resource Of the
great scout and Indian hunter.
Yet one day ti.,s courage was sOrely
tried. There was one time when Buff
falo Bill admitted he was scared.
General Emory In command ut Fort
tiles 20 make Buffalo Bill a justice OF
the peace.
why. general" protested the s,Sut,
II don't know any more about law
than mule knows of singing
But the appointment was duly and
legally made, aud the new justice had
10 serve.
His drsi task was TO perform wed.
ding ceremony. 4 wedding was
great event nj Mcpherson, and the
whole fort resolved to attend.
In vain his wife aud sisters tried to
coach Buffalo Blll. Nobody could find
copy Of the marriage service.
The great day came. The guests AS
Sembled. Cold sweat stood In beads
on the brow of the Indian lighter. His
hands trembled.
Yet at first the ceremony moved
without reproach. The bride and
groom were counselcd In the conven.
tlonai manner until the close of the
ceremony, when Buffalo Bill startled
the congregation by announcing:
Whom God aud Buffalo Bill hath
Joined together let no man put asuD-
der
As marrying Justice hs WAS voted
a great success.
Before the DAYS OF the telegraph
news Travelled 10y the pony express
nine days from 81. Joseph. the euu of
the railroad. Ia Sacramento. Cal. The
distance over the short route was 1866
miles.
VIII 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 Swectwater, distance of sew
cnty.six miles. when station boss one
day Informed him:
There's signs OF InJins about, Billy.
Eetter keep your eye peeled"
The young rider nodded comprehen.
sion AZ he swung into the saddle on II
fresh pony and dashed out OF the sls
ton with his mail sacks
plainsmcn learned early TO keep their
eyes open. As VIII Cody rode be scan
ned the country ahead Of him with tire.
less gaze. Every rock and hummOck
had his attention,
IL was "A grim, wild country he rode
through. Great cliffs Oyerhung his mar.
row path and darkencd the way. For.
cs,s OF black pine stood thick ON tho
Urccipitous slopes of the Rockies.
His keen eye caught sight Of u slight
movement behind large bowlder that
lay ahead of him. II needed no more
of danger. Riding NJ top speed toward
the danger zone, lac made bis plan.
Cody was almost upon the rock be
fore he swerycd his horse sharply aud
dashed off to one side. Two rifle re
ports came simultaneously, and from
behind the rock sprang two nnm0unt
ed IndiaLs
Al the same time n score OF Indians
on ponies burst from the timber Oh
the opposite side ~ the valley aud
rode toward him.
Ahead lay Il narrow pass leading q
safety. The race began.
Only one rider threatened the express
messenger lie wore the headdrcss al
a chief, and his pony was ileetest
Close together the horses sped to
ward the pass. ANA the Indian was
gaining steadily.
Cody turned in his saddle
The Indian chief had lifted AN arrow
40 his bow ana even then was sighting