The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 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 lad
to Perform the Ceremony, but He
Didn't Like the Job-One of His 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 a 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 rider
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 Buf-
| 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 a 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 wed
ding ceremony. 4 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
sembIed Cold sweat stood in beads
on the brow OF the Indian tighter His
hands trembled
Yet at first the ceremony moved
without reproach The bride and
| groom were counseled In the conven-
| tional manner until the close of the
ceremony, when Buffalo Bin startled
the congregation by announcing
Whom God and Buffalo Bin hath
| Joined together let 40 man put asun-
der
AS a marrying Justice ne 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 1866
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.
VIII was riding from Red Butte, on
the North Platte TO Three Crossings,
on the Sweetwater distance of sev-
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
tion with his mail sacks
Plainsmen learned early to keep theiI
eyes open. AS VIII Cody rode he scan
ned the country ahead Of him with tire.
less gaze. Every rock ana hummock
had his attention.
1t was q grim, wild country he rode
through Great cliffs oyerhung 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 a Sigh
movement behind a large bowlder tha
lay ahead of him. 1t needed no NOR,
than that to tell the pony express ridel
of danger. Riding at Top speed toward
the danger zone. he made his plan
Cody was almost upon the rock be
fore he sweryed his horse sharply anC
dashed off to one side. Two rifle re
ports came simultaneously. and from
behind the rock sprang two unmount
ed IndiaLs.
At the same time score of Indian
on ponies burst from the timber ol
the opposite side of the valley ant
rode toward him
Ahead lay a narrow pass leading t.
safety. The race began.
Only one rider threatened the express
messenger. He wore the headdress o
a chief, and his pony was Geetest.
Close together the horses sped to
ward the pass and the Indian wa
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 fred without aim, s
quick was the action The Indial
dropped from his saddle. and the pom
express sped on safe. Kansas Cit
Star,
Described.
PA, what is meant by a reminiscen
nood?"