The Ely miner., 1933-01-06

plenty Of old timers who at one time another
killed buffalo, the majority of the professional
hunters have already followed their quarry over
the Great Divide. But the passing Of this one
Of 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 a record of
wasteful, ruthless slaughter by nation of peo-
pie, unparalleled in history.
AS for the record of individuals in that whole
sale 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
sobriquet by which he became world-famous-
Buffalo Bill"
In 1867 the Kansas Pacific railroad was being
built west through Kansas and the firm of God
dard Brothers, who had the contract for feeding
the army OF 1000 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" Hckok 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 a sal
ary of $500 month agreed to provide the hind
quarters and humps of II buffaloes per day.
Cody worked for Goddard Brothers a little
less than IS months and in that time, accord
ing to his own count, he killed a 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 kill
And the company pays his buffalo bill.
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 a 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 were
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 who should
kill the greater number of buffaloes from
horseback In that time was to be declared the
winner
The match took place In 1868 and was staged
east of the 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 it,
each one killing as many as possible. referee
was to follow each of us on horseback when we
entered the herd and count the buffaloes killed
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
gum a breech-loading Springfield rife-calibre
50-it was my favorite old Lucretia Borgia';
while Comstock was armed with Henry rifle,
and although he could fire few shots quicker
than could yet I was pretty certain that it
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; Comstock
took the left bunch and 1 the right. My great
forte in killing buffaloes from horseback was to
get them circling by riding my horse at the head
of the herd, shooting the leaders, thus crowding
their followers to the left till they would final
ly circle round and round
ION this morning the buffaloes were accom-
modating, and I soon had them running In a
beautiful circle, when dropped them thick and
fast until I had killed So; which finished my
run Comstock began shooting at the rear Of
the herd which he was chasing, and they kept
%, but they were scattered over distance Of
three miles. while mine lay close together. had
'nursed' my buffaloes, as billiard player does
the balls when he makes big run. -.
while taking a short rest. we suddenly spied
another herd of buffaloes coming toward US. It
was only a small drove. and we at once prepared