The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-12-30

MW
killed 81 buffaloes In one day."
Although there are still living
ETY. Of old timers who at one time or another
buffalo, the majority of the professional
lers have already followed their quarry over
Great Divide. But the passing of this one
their number serves to recall what has been
characterized as ian epic chapter of American
history" but one in which Americans can take
little pride because 1t furnishes record Of
tasteful, ruthless slaughter by nation Of peo-
pie. unparalleled in history
AS for the record Of individuals in that whole
ale killing, mention of Rhea's mark of "67 buff
faloes in one day" inevitably brings to mind the
feat which won for William Frederick Cody the
sobfiquet by which he became world famous
Buffalo Bill"
In 1867 the Kansas Pacific railroad was being
built west through Kansas and the firm Of Cod
dard Brothers, who had the contract for feeding
the army Of 1900 laborers, were looking about
for hunter to provide the mainstay in the Ia
borers fare buffalo meat. At first they offered
the Job to the celebrated wild Bill" Hickok, but
he declined and suggested that they employ
Young Bill Cody. who had already won some re-
nown as an Indian fighter and guide The re-
suit was an agreement whereby Cody for sal
AIRY Of $500 month agreed to provide the hinds
quarters and humps of IL buffaloes per day.
Cody worked for Goddard Brothers a little
ing to his own count, he killed total Of 4,2S0
buffaloes. He became very popular among the
workmen, one of whom is said to have made up
the following Jingle which fixed his famous nick
name upon him:
Buffalo Bill Buffalo Bill
Never missed and will;
Always aims and shoots to kill
And the company pays his buffalo bill M
But having had the title of Buffalo Bill" thus
conferred upon him, Cody was soon called upon
to defend that title. Army officers stationed at
Fort Wallace, having seen the buffalo-killing
feats of Billy Comstock noted guide and in
terpreter who was chief of scouts at that post,
arranged match between Comstock and Cody
for wager of $500 side. The two men We're
to hunt one day of eight hours, beginning at
eight o'clock in the morning and closing at four
o'clock in the afternoon and the man who should
kill the greater number of buffaloes from on
horseback In that time was to be declared the
winner.
The match took place in 1868 and was staged
east of the new town of Sheridan, Kan. Cody
In his autobiography has given the following ac-
count of the match:
"The buffaloes were quite plenty and it was
agreed that we should go into the same herd at
the same time and make run, as we called 1t,
each one killing as many as possible. referee
was to follow each of us on horseback when we
by each man. :.
"We were fortunate in the first run in getting
good ground. Comstock was mounted on one Of
his favorite horses, while rode old Brigham.
felt confident that had the advantage of Com
stock In two things: first, had the best buffalo
horse that ever made track and second. was
using what was known at that time as the needle
gun, breech-loading Springfield rife-calibre
|k0-it was my favorite old Tucretia Borgia';
hile Comstock was armed with a Henry rifle.
Id although he could fire a few shots quicker
than could, yet I was pretty certain that it
did not carry powder and lead enough to do ex-
ecution equal to my caliber So
AT last the time came to begin the match.
Comstock and dashed into herd, followed by
\the referees. The buffaloes separated Cdmstock
*pok the left bunch and the right. My great
forte In killing buffaloes from horseback was to
Meet them circling BY riding my horse at the head
Af the herd, shooting the leaders. thus GFowding