Class £ ^LZLtt Book »1^9_&. Copyright N? COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT: HEROES OF THE PLAINS OR Lives and Wonderful Adventures OF Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill, Kit Carson, Capt. Payne, "White Beaver," Capt. Jack, lexas Jack, California Joe, AND OTHER Celebrated Indian Fighters, Scouts, Hunters and Guides INCLUDING A TRUE AND THRILLING HISTORY OF GEN. CUSTER'S FAMOUS "LAST FIGHT " ON THE LITTLE BIG HORN, WITH SITTING BULL; ALSO A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SITTING BULL, AND HIS ACCOUNT OF THE CUSTER MASSACRE, AS RELATED TO THE AUTHOR IN PERSON. By J". ^A7\ BTTIEIL,, Author of "Russian Nihilism and Exile Life in Siberia," "Mysteries and Miseries of America's Great Cities," "Border Outlaws," etc., etc. PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATE D. ST. LOUIS AND PHILADELPHIA : HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1883. Copyright, 1883, by J. W. Buel. AUTHOR'S PREFACE. The work of preparing a brief history of the greatest of plains-heroes has been one of especial pleasure to me, although at times many obstacles interposed themselves which only perseverance could remove. But the labor, nevertheless, has afforded me no little enjoyment, as it brought to my immediate consideration deeds of prow- ess, cunning and endurance, putting to a test the meas- ure of man's possibilities in a particular field of action. It is our natural disposition to admire true heroes, and not only to admire, but to exalt their acts, and this uni- versal feeling, perhaps exaggerated in myself, was one of the motives which impelled me into a preparation of "Heroes of the Plains." While this volume abounds with thrilling adventures, sanguinary encoun- ters and personal combats of the most startling charac- ter, yet through every page there is observed a thread of wholesome justice, upon which is strung every deed recounted, preserving a forcible and moral influence beneficial to young and old alike. In compiling these personal histories I have adhered strictly to facts without florid coloring. I was well ac- quainted with Wild Bill for several years before his death, and in 1879 wrote a pamphlet sketch of his life, but dis- covered afterward that while it contained comparatively few of his adventures, there were several mortifying er- l 10 AUTHOR'S PREFACE rors,a correction of which influenced me to write another sketch of the famous scout, and this labor developed into "Heroes of the Plains." I was fortunate in securing Wild Bill's diary from his widow, Mrs. Agnes Lake Hickok, of Cincinnati, from which I have drawn my facts concerning him, that there might be no* mistakes or Omissions in recounting the marvelous exploits of his life in this publication. Buffalo Bill, who now stands unchallenged as the greatest plainsman living, was an intimate friend of Wild Bill, and the two, so long connected in their won- derful careers, deserve a conjunctive position in history, such as I have here given them. The other heroes, Kit Carson, Capt. Jack, Gen. Custer, Capt. Payne, California Joe, and Texas Jack, have each made their private mark over the wild expanse of West- ern wilderness, in the highway they so ably assisted in preparing for civilization and its peaceful pursuits : teem- ing harvests, happy homes, the building of cities, exten- sion of commerce and all attendant blessings. They fought the fight whose victory has moved the center of wealth and population Westward, and therefore deserve the exultant recognition of every American whose patri- otism extends from the heart to the soil of his nativity. J. W. B. ILLUSTRATIONS. ILLUMINATED TITLE. Page. J. B. Hickok (Wild Bill), .... 20 Wild Bill's Birth Place,- - - - - -22 Disembarking in a Kansas Mob, ... 27 Wild Bill Driving into Santa Fe, - - - 31 Wild Bill and his Men Charging the Indian Camp, 35 WILD BILL AND THE CINNAMON BEAR, - - 39 WILD BILL'S FIGHT WITH THE McCANDLAS GANG, 45 A Close Shave, - - - - "5^ Wild Bill in Disguise, - - - - ' - 67 Wild Bill Surprises the Sleepy Sentinel, - - - 71 Man -to-yu kee (Conquering Bear), ... 77 WILD BILL'S DUEL WITH CONQUERING BEAR, - 83 Wild Bill and Mrs. Rogers in the Park, - - . - 89 Wild Bild Satisfies the Natives, - - - 94 A Duel with Four Men ----- 97 WILD BILL KILLING BLACK KETTLE, - - - 101 Scenery on the Route Traveled by the Wilson Party, - - 109 The Principal Amusement at Hays City, .-•-■■> Hi WILD BILL'S FIGHT WITH FIFTEEN SOLDIERS, - 119 The Aboriginal Part of the Outfit, _ - - - 129 The Bear and the Sausages, . - - 131 A Street in Abilene, - - - - - 134 A Ride for Life, - - - 154 Wild Bill Accidentally Kills a Friend, - - - 1 36 PUNISHING A BOGUS CHARACTER, - - - 165 The Cabin in the Black Hills, - - - - 171 Wild Bill and the Fox, - - - - 173 Taking Desperate Chances, - - - - 177 Wild Bill's Miraculous Escape from the Indians, - - 179 Dead wood in Embryo, - - - - - 186 ASSASSINATION OF WILD BILL, - - 189 Execution of Jack McCall, ... - 205 Wild Bill's Grave, - - 209 Gen. Forsyth and his Beleaguered Scouts, ... 222 Pony Express, ------ 223 Hon. Win. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), 224 Stabbing of Buffalo Bill's Father, ... - 230 Battle of Ash Hollow, ----- 245 The Attack on the Stage Coach, - 267 Inside the Robbers' Dug-Out, - 271 BUFFALO BILL WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP, - - 297 AMBUSHING THE INDIANS, 303 " Hi yi-yip-yah" — The Attack, - 313 Beaver Creek, the Trapper's Elysian, ... 317 BUFFALO BILL IN CLOSE QUARTERS, - - 322 Buffalo Bill Tries a Shot at Long Range, ... 329 Major Frank North, - 332 Silver Bricks awaiting Shipment, .... 336 Death of Tall Bull, - - ... 344 Two Indians at One Shot, ----- 347 The Marriage Ceremony, - - - 353 "How! How! " - - - - - 356 The Grand Duke's First Buffalo, 358 11 12 ILLUSTRATIONS . Residence of Hon. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Rill) at North Platte, Neb., 37, Brevent Major-Gen. Geo. A. Custer, ... 37; Gen. Custer's Interpreter Addressing the Assembled Sioux, - 38c • DEATH OF GENERAL CUSTER, - - 3 8< The Monument where Custer Fell, ... 39; BUFFALO BILL'S DUEL WITH YELLOW HAND, - - 39 A Shot that Beat William Tell's, 40J California Joe, ------ 41: CALIFORNIA JOE AT THE STAKE, - - - 423 The Indians Receiving the White Girl into their Canoe, - - 435 CALIFORNIA JOE ATTACKED BY A PANTHER, - 446 California Joe Saves his Friend, - 448 "Ugh! White Man," ----- 451 Kit Carson and his Blind Horse, ... - 458 Kit Carson Employed as a Horse Tamer, ■ - - 463 Treed by a Hungry Grizzly, - 472 Hunting the Trail, ----- 474 Carson's Duel with the Frenchman, - - - - 478 Kit Carson Saves his Fallen Comrade, - - - 481 Carson's Fight with a Mexican Lion, - - - - 483 Kit Carson's Indian Wife, - 484 Carson and the Wounded Buffalo, ... - 489 Scene in Taos, N. M., - - - - - 494 Capt. D. L. Payne, ._--.. 498 THE MURDER OF MRS. BLINN, - - - 509 Marching Through the Snow, ... - j I2 Departure of the Cheyennes, - - - - 5 X 7 A Cheyenne Warrior, - 525 Colonel Cnppinger Visits the Camp, - 5 2 9 Drilling the Colonists, _._-._ 532 White Beaver (Dr. D. F. Powell), 534 White Beaver Charging the Indians, - 543 A Ghastly Duel, _-.,-- 546 White Beaver's Desperate Fight for Life, ... 554 The Fight in Massacre Canon, ... - 557 Combat with the Norwegian, - 5 01 Punishment of an Indian Adulteress, ... 564 Sitting Bull, - - - - - - 572 Surrender of Sitting Bull and his people, ... ^77 Rain-in-the-Face, ------ 581 Crow King, ------ 585 Gall, ------- 589 Low-Dog, ------ 591 Diagram of the Custer Battle-Field, - - - "594 Final Charge of the Indians on Custer's Men, - - 597 Custer's Last Shot, ----- 598 Capt. Jack, the Poet Scout, - - - - boo Oura, ------- 605 Texas Jack, ------ 607 Jack Holding the Indians at Bay, ... - 609 Flagging Antelope, - - - - - OI1 CONTENTS. LIFE OF WILD BILL. ' PAGE. CHAPTER I.— Birth— Family History— Early Life— Youthful Hunting Adventures — Desperate Fight on a Towpath — Leaves Home to take part in the Kansas War — Receives the Title of "Shanghai Bill" — Lively Times in Kansas, 21 — 30 CHAPTER II. — Stage Driving across the Plains — Trouble with the Indians — Bill Leads an Expedition against them — Desper- ate Fight and Brilliant Victory — Freighting to New Mexico — Terrific Fight with a Cinnamon Bear — Biil Cleans out the McCandlas Gang at Rock Creek, and wins the Title of "Wild Bill," ...... 30—50 CHAPTER III.— Wild Bill Enlists in the Union Army— Remarka- ble Shooting at Pea Ridge — Becomes a Spy for General Curtis — Makes his way to the Confederates and becomes an Orderly to Gen. Price — Desperate Adventure with Jake Lawson — A Ride for Life — An Unprofitable Horse Race, 50 — 63 CHAPTER IV.— Wild Bill again enters the Confederate Lines- Humorous Adventure with an Old Darkey — Assumes the role of an Arkansaw Traveler — Is Detected and Condemned to be Shot — Escapes by Killing his Guard, - - 63 — 72 CHAPTER V. — Bill Declines longer to serve as a Spy — Remarkable Adventure with Three Bushwhackers — Black Nell — Bowie- Knife Duel with Conquering Bear, ... >j 2 — 85 CHAPTER VI.— Mary Logan, the Beautiful Indian Girl— Her Singular Infatuation for Wild Bill — The Romance of Love — Mary Logan Poisons her Husband and Disappears For- ever — Duel with Dave Tutt, in which Bill " Satisfies the Natives," ..._-. 36 — 95 CHAPTER VII.— Wild Bill Fights a Duel with Four Men— Expedi- tion Against Black Kettle — Desperate Battle on the Wachita — Bill Kills Black Kettle, - - . - 96 — 103 CHAPTER VIII.— Wild Bill Visits Chicago— Some Roughs try to Tame him — Ignominious Failure of the Attempt — Bill Re- ceives a Letter from Vice-President Wilson — Serves as Guide for the Vice-President's Party, and is Presented with a Pair of Ivory-Handled Pistols — Bill is Elected Marshal of Hays City, ..... . 103—112 13 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX.— Jack Strawhan's Fatal Mistake— Bill Mulvej- un- dertakes to "Run the Town" — But Runs against Wild Bill's Pistol — Desperate Fight with 16 Soldiers, - 113 — 124 CHAPTER X.— Wild Bill's Buffalo Speculation— Captures a Herd of Wild Buffaloes and Exhibits them at Niagara — Result, Bankruptcy — Bill becomes Marshal of Abilene, Kan. — Fatal Row with Phil Cole— Wild Bill and the Professor of Pugilism, --.._. I2 4 — 139 CHAPTER XL— $5,000 offered for Wild Bill's Heart— Eight Texas Desperadoes Accept the Offer, but fail to Deliver the Goods —Death of Bill Thompson— Wild Bill Kills and Scalps Phil Cole's Cousin, - 140 — 149 CHAPTER XII.— Mrs. Lake Finds a Champion in Wild Bill— Who Makes a Speech in her Favor — Bill Visits Kansas City — Description of that Place in its Early Day? — Bill Tames a Rash Young Man, ..... 1 ^ — ^5 CHAPTER XIIL— Wild Bill as an Actor— The Tricks he played on the "Supes" — Settles a Crowd of Roughs, who were Spoiling to Fight the entire Combination — Adventure with a Party of Merchants at Portland, Maine — Wild Bill makes s> Decided Hit — Cleans out a Bogus Theatrical Troupe for using his Name without Authority — Goes West again — Is Attacked by Two Villains and Kills them Both, - 156 — 169 CHAPTER XIV.— Expedition to the Black Hills— Adventure with the Silver Grey Fox — Bill's Companions Attacked and Killed by Indians — His own Marvelous Adventures and Final Escape, ... ... 170 — iS CHAPTER XV— Wild Bill Accidentally meets Mrs. Lake— Pro poses Marriage, is Accepted, and the Wedding takes place — Pleasant Visit to Cincinnati — Sketch of Mrs. Lake and her Daughter Emma, - 180 — 185 CHAPTER XVI.— Bill's Last Expedition to the Black Hills— Affec- tionate Letter to his Wife — Assassination of Wild Bill by Jack McCall, ...... 185 — 192 CHAPTER XVII.— The Murderer's Trial and Acquittal, - 192—198 CHAPTER XVIIL— Funeral of Wild Bill— California Joe's Warn- ing to the Murderer — Capt. Jack's Poem on the Burial of Wild Bill, 198—203 CHAPTER XIX,— Second Trial of Jack McCall— His Conviction and Execution — Pathetic Letter from his Sister, ( - 203 — 207 CHAPTER XX.— Removal of Wild Bill's Remains, which are found to be Petrified — "Wild Bill's Grave" — Peculiarities of the Great Scout — His Love for Black Nell — His Wonder- ful Dexterity in the use of Fire Arms — Gen. Custer's Opin- ion of Wild Bill, ..... 207 — 221 CONTENT8. 15 LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. CHAPTER I. — Birth and Early Life — Experiences with Mormons and Frontier Characters — The Kansas Troubles — Attempt- ed Assassination of Billy's Father — Billy Rescues his Father from a Mot) — Attempt to Blow up the Cody Residence with Powder, ------ 225 — 234 CHAPTER II. — Billy runs away from Home to become a Herder — Returns with his Pockets full of Silver, which he gives to his Mother — Goes to School — His First Sweetheart — Fight with his Rival — "I'm killed! I'm killed!" — Billy again Leaves Home to Escape Imaginary Dangers — Is Followed by his Rival's Father — But Escapes his Fury — Death of the Elder Mr. Cody- -Billy's Efforts to Help his Mother— His First Fight with Indians — The Retreat — Billy Slays the "Biggest Indian in the Outfit" — Returns Home to Find himself Famous, ----- 234 — 242 CHAPTER III.— Billy " Goes West" again— Description of Over- land Freighting — A Singular Obligation — "Bull-Whack- ers " and " Cow-Boys " — The Camp Wrecked by a Buffalo Stampede — Captured by Mormons — Who Rob tha Train, but Release the Men — Perilous March across the Plains — Desperate Fight with Indians — Billy Shoots a Warrior at Long Range — The Rescue — Trapping — Camping in a Grave Yard, ------- 243—253 CHAPTER IV.— " Pike's Peak or Bust "—" Busted "—The Re- turn — Adventures on a Raft — Billy becomes a "Pony Ex- press" Rider, ----- 254 — 257 CHAPTER V. — Billy and Dave Harrington as Trappers — The Ac- cident — Alone on the Prairie — Visited by Indians — Twenty- Nine Days of Lonely Suffering — Help at Last — The Return — Death of Noble Dave Harrington, - - 257 — 263 CHAPTER VI. — Stage Driving — Narrow Escape from Massacre — Battle of Clear Creek, - 264—269 CHAPTER VII.— Billy's Adventure with the Robbers— Kills one of the Band and Escapes by Shrewd Strategy, - 269 — 275 CHAPTER VIII.— The Great Civil War—" Red Legs " and " Bor- der Ruffians" — Billy's Service as a Soldier and Scout — Adventure in Southern Missouri, - 275 — 280 CHAPTER IX.— Close of the War— Billy falls in Lore and is Mar- ried — Wedding Trip to Kansas — The Boat Attacked by Bushwhackers — Ovation at Leavenworth — Housekeeping — Scouting for Gen. Custer, - 280—285 16 CONTENTS. CHAPTER X.— The " Colored Troops" fail to Fight Nobly— But Unlimber Themselves and "Light Out" — Saved by the Darkness — A Town Speculation — Rome " Howls " — Dr. Webb and his Little Scheme — Rome does not prove to be an Eternal City — Buffalo Hunting — Cody Wins the Title of "Buffalo Bill," 285—291 CHAPTER XI.-The Great Buffalo Hunting Contest— Numerous Visitors — Great Excitement — Magnificent Display of Skill in Riding and Shooting — Buffalo Bill Wins the Stakes, 292 — 299 CHAPTER XII.— Bill is Captured by Indians— But Escapes through Strategy and the Fleetness of his- Mule — The Ambush — Marvelous Riding as a Dispatch Carrier — The "Govern- ment Mule," --..._ 2 gg 3U CHAPTER XIIL— Gen. Forsythe's Desperate Battle with the Indi- ans — Buffalo Bill as Scout and Hunter — Drives a Herd of Buffaloes into Camp and Kills them — Fighting Indians — Close Quarters, ..... ^n — 320 CHAPTER XIV.— The Battle with Black Kettle's Band— Pursuit of Horse Thieves — "Throw up your Hands, or I'll Kill You," .... . . 320 — 327 CHAPTER XV.— Buffalo Bill Kills an Indian at Long Range- Major North and his Pawnees — Numerous Indian Fights, 32S — 339 CHAPTER XVI.— Scouts and Battles— Buffalo Bill shoots Tall Bull — Camp Life, ..... 339 — 345 CHAPTER XVII.— Buffalo Bill's Wonderful Horsemanship— He Kills Two Indians at One Shot — The Pawnee Sentinel — Buffalo Bill as a 'Squire — A New Way to "Replevin" a Stolen Horse — The Wedding Ceremony, - - 345 — 353 CHAPTER XVIII.— Buffalo Bill Serves as Guide for Distinguished Hunting Parties — The Duke Alexis — Spotted Tail and his Indians — The Duke Kills his First Buffalo — Bill Treats him to a "Western Stage Drive"- — Buffalo Bill Visits New York on the Invitation of Prominent Citizens — Another Brush with the Indians, .... 354 — 363 CHAPTER XIX.— Buffalo Bill is Elected a Member of tl.e Legis- lature — Ned Buntline Makes him an Offer to go on the Stage — Bill and Texas Jack Learning their Parts — Splendid Success, ..._._ 263 — 372 CHAPTER XX.— Acting and Scouting— Death of Little Kit— Prep- arations for the Little Big Horn Expedition, - 373 — 3S2 CHAPTER XXI. — History of the Unfortunate Expedition to the Little Big Horn — Custer's Last Fight and Death, - 382 — 393 CHAPTER XXII.— Buffalo Bill's Duel with Yellow Hand—" The First Scalp for Custer," .... 393 — 392 CONTENTS. 17 CHAPTER XXIII.— Scouting on a Steamboat— The Bad Lands- Marvelous Ride and Narrow Escape — Viewing an Indian Buffalo Hunt from Ambush — A Bridle of Indian Scalps — Success on the Stage — $48,000 Cleared in One Season — A Shot that Beat William Tell's, ... 400—408 CHAPTER XXIV.— The Author visits Buffalo Bill— The Famous Scout's Home and Family — His Great Popularity at Home — Wonderful Riding and Shooting — Buffalo Bill's Liberal- ity — A Humorous Incident at Church — An Indian's Con- tempt for a Watch — Other Incidents and Anecdotes, 408 — 416 LIFE OF CALIFORNIA JOE. CHAPTER I.— Who was California Joe ?— The Mystery that En- shrouded him — The Indian Massacre — Captured and Con- demned to the Stake — Rescued by a Party of Trappers after the Fire is Kindled, .... 415 — 425 CHAPTER II. — A Romance of Love — Capt. Jack's Poem — Joe Rescues Hazel Eye, - 425 — 436 CHAPTER III. — Service as Scout During the War — Scouting on the Plains — Gen. Custer's Description of California Joe — "An Ambulance Man er a Hoss Man" — Silent Jack Corbin — Joe and Jack's Ride — A Bear Hunt — Ambushing the Indians — "Boys, you kin hev the Fixtures, but the Scalps are Mine," .---.- 436 — 444 CHAPTER IV. — Joe's Terrific Combat with a Mexican Couger — California Joe and Jack Corbin in the Black Hills — Joe Saves his Friend's Life—" Ugh ! White Man ! " - 444—452 CHAPTER V. — Joe's Weakness — Must have "Pie" — His practical joke on the Big Soldier — "The Grave of Poor Amos Billings " — Incidents and Anecdotes — Murder of California Joe, 452—457 LIFE OF KIT CARSON. CHAPTER I. — Personal Characteristics — Uncertainty of Kit's Birth Place — Early Days in Missouri — Expedition to Santa Fe — Becomes a Mexican Horse Tamer — Engages in Trap- ping — Trip to California— Pursuit of Digger Indians — Charging through their Camp in the Darkness — Kit kills a Mexican — Fights with Indians, - 459 — 469 CHAPTER II. — Hunting and Trapping in Colorado — Kit pursues an Indian Horse Thief — Overtakes and Kills him — Treed by a Grizzly Bear — Trailing Indians in the Snow — A Council 18 CONTENTS. that Ended in a Fight — Kit Carson is badly Wounded in an Effort to Save a Comrade — Carson's Duel with the Arro- gant Frenchman, ----- 469 — 478 CHAPTER III. — Expedition into the Blackfeet Country — Threaten- ed with Starvation — Combats with the Blackfeet — Carson Saves a Fallen Comrade — Trapping on the Great Salt Lake — Terrible Fight with a Mexican Lion — Kit Carson's Indian Wife — Her Death and Kit's visit to St. Louis — Serves as Scout in the Fremont Expedition — Graphic De- scription of a Buffalo Hunt — Carson's Narrow Escape from a Wounded Buffalo, ----- 479 — 490 CHAPTER IV. — The Second Fremont Expedition — Exploring the Great Salt Lake — Terrible Hardships and Sufferings, 490 — 493 CHAPTER V. — Carson's Service in the Mexican War — Saves a Party of Americans from Annihilation — Close of the Mexi- can War — Carson's Home in New Mexico — Commissioned Brigadier General — Death of Kit Carson, - - 493 — 497 LIFE OF CAPT. D. L. PAYNE. CHAPTER I.— Early Life— Goes West to Fight the Mormons- Unprofitable Speculation in a Saw Mill — Hunting on the Plains of Kansas — Payne's intimacy with Kit Carson, Wild Bill, Buffalo Bill, California Joe, and other Noted Plains- men — Service in the Cival War — The Pompous Dutch In- specting Officer — Payne as a Sailor — The Joke he played on a couple of Starchy Officers — A Gallant Adventure at the Battle of Prairie Grove, - 498 — 507 CHAPTER II.— Close of the War— Scouting on the Plains— Capt- ure of Three White Ladies by Indians — The Pursuit and Re- capture — Terrible Sufferings during the Expedition — Ten Cheyenne Chiefs in a Close Place — Payne and the Lively Mule — Surrounded and Hemmed In — Saved by Daring and Skill — Capt. Payne's Election to the Kansas Legislature — The Oklahoma Movement — Payne's Arrest and Trial — Per- sonal Characteristics, - 507 — 533 LIFE OF WHITE BEAVER. CHAPTER I. — Character of the Hero— His Indian Mother — Early Life — His Inherited and Acquired Knowledge of Medicine — Death of Mrs. Powell — First Adventures on the Plains — "Follow Me Who Will." - 534 — 542 CHAPTER II.— A Fierce Fight With Twenty Sioux— Sends Him- self to the Louisville Medical College — A Pistol Duel in a CONTENTS. 19 Ghostly Dissecting-room — Return to the Plains — Buffalo Bill's Story of Powell's Noble Nature — How He Saved Chief " Rocky Bear's" Daughter — Bestowal of the Name "White Beaver" Upon Him by Rocky Bear, - 542 — 550 CHAPTER III.— To the Rescue of An Unfortunate Girl— His Duel With the Royall Brothers — Joins a Band of " Cut Off" Sioux — Dreadful Fight With Arrapahoe Indians — Desperately Wound- ed With a Lance — Saved by Rocky Bear, - - 550 — 550 CHAPTER IV. — Terrible Sight In Massacre Canon — Discovery of the Cheyenne Camp — White Beaver Heads the Charge — A Terrible Alternative — '"The Chief Must Be Cured or White Beaver Shall Die" — He Cures the Chief, and is Made Medicine Man of the Nation — Removal to Lanesboro — Desperate Fight With a Norwegian — Encounter With a Member of Crazy Horse's Band — How He Killed the Indian, - - 555 — 565. CHAPTER V.— Marriage of White Beaver— His Estimable Wife and Her Influence — He Joins Buffalo Bill's Combination — White Beaver Suppresses an Indian War Dance in Chicago — And Cracks " Long Trailer's" Skull — His Removal to LaCrosse, Wis. — Established as Proprietor of a Surgical Insti- tute — His Extraordinary Success and Practice in Surgery — Besought by Numerous Indian Tribes to Return and be Their Medicine Chief— His Skill as a Rifle and Pistol Shot, - 565 — 571 SITTING BULL'S STORY OF THE CUSTER MASSACRE. CHAPTER I.— Sitting Bull's Taciturnity— The Author's Visit to the Great Warrior — A Cordial Reception — Sitting Bull not a Chief But a Prophet — A Brief History of His Career — Attending an Indian Funeral — Back into Camp With Sitting Bull — The Author's Interview with the Distinguished Chief — Graphic History of a Painful Memory — How the Last Survivor Died — A Story that Melts the Heart With Pity — Identification of a Skeleton by Teeth With Gold Fillings, - - - 572—588 CHAPTER II. — Story of Lakotah, the Squaw-warrior, Who Fought Against Custer — Lakotah, the Wife of Chief Spotted Horn Bu'.l— Her Fierce Fight with Chief Gall— The Author's Introduction to Lakotah — Her Willingness to Tell the Story of Custer's Defeat — Explaining the Battle by Means of a Diagram — Reno's First Attack — An Inexcusable Retreat — First Appearance of Custer on the Scene — Caught in an Ambush — A Storm of Death — Not a Soldier Left — What Shall the Heroes' Portion Be? .... 588—599 Sketch of Capt. Jack, the Poet Scout, - - 600 — 606 Sketch of Texas Jack, (J. B. Omohundro), - - 607 — 612 J. B. IIICKOK, (Wild Bill.) Heroes of the Plains. LIFE OF WILD BILL. (J. B. Hickok.) CHAPTER I. It is a noticeable fact that nearly all our sturdy f ron= tier characters are natives of the West; there is, appar- ently, something in the atmosphere, in the wild winds which freight the air with primeval perfume ; an unde- fined elemental principle which inoculates Western chil- dren with a desire for adventure. Our hero, of course, belongs to that longitudinal nativity where the prairies bathe their feet at the margins of eastern forests, and then roll away to the Occident, resting at that great ridge which rises ruggedly into the vertebrae of a continent. James Butler Hickok, known to history only as "Wild Bill," was born in La, Salle county, Illinois, near the country village of Troy Grove, on the 27th of May, 1837. His parents were both natives of Vermont, from which State they removed, directly after marriage, to New York. After following farming for some time in the Empire State, and meeting with indifferent success, in 1834 the family, now consisting of the parents and two children, packed up their few possessions and re- moved to Illinois, going overland in a " mover's wagon," as was the customary mode of traveling in that early period. A place for settlement was chosen in Putnam county, but two years afterward a more desirable location was found in La Salle county, the homestead then selected 21 22 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. and entered proving so satisfactory that it is still occu* pied by two survivors of the family. The house in which Wild Bill was born was built in 183G and stood, fronting east, upon a prairie one-half mile from the timber skirting little Vermillion creek. The house is still standing, and occupied, but the progress of rapid settlement in Illinois has reared the village of Homer about the pioneer's home, and the birth-place of our hero is now situated in the southeast corner of block m?m^( Wild Bill's Birth Place. number thirteen of that town. The cut of the house as here produced, was made from a drawing executed by H. D. Ilickok, in March of the present year, and therefore illustrates the place of to-day, though there have been no material alterations made m the building since its first erection. The family consisted of six children, four boys and two girls, whose names and ages are as follows : O. C. Ilickok, was born in New York in 1830 : he is now a'resi- Life of Wild bill. 23 dent of California, and is the trainer and part owner of St. Julian, the greatest horse, perhaps, now on the turf. Lorenzo B. was born, also in New York, in 1832 ; Horace D. is a native of Putnam county, Illinois, having been born there in 1834 ; James B., Celinda D., and Lydia M. were born at the old homestead near Troy Grove. Celinda, born in 1839, married a gentleman by the name of Dewey, and is still living in La Salle county, while Lydia, being two years younger, married a farmer named Barnes and is living in Decatur county, Kansas. Lorenzo and Horace are still living on the old homestead. The father died in 1852, and the mother in 1878 after reach- ing the venerable age of seventy-four years. All the children are living with the exception of James (Wild Bill) whose marvelous career and tragic death will be found fully recorded in the subsequent pages, constitut- ing a leaf in history a parallel to which can be found neither in the annals of fact nor romance. James, it is said, was peculiar in his ways even in child- hood. His earliest desire was for fire-arms, and by bar- tering a number of childish trinkets, at the age of eight years he became possessed of the greatest treasure his youthful fancy had ever pictured — a little single-barreled pistol. In his eyes this weapon, though a flint-lock and of imperfect make, represented the sum total of earthly wealth ; he would not have exchanged it for all the gold of the richest Peruvian Inca, and if staked against his soul there is no doubt but that he would have taken great risk of losing that before parting with his almost price- less treasure. By dint of cunning exchange and bar- ter the youthful sportsman procured powder, and when lead was difficult to obtain he used pebbles, and thus accoutered all his leisure hours were spent in marksman- ship, in which, despite the primitive character of his ' ' out- 24 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. fit," he occasionally killed a cat, wounded a pig, winged a chicken, or stung a coyote. These foibles sometimes brought a prominent admonition of Solomon into active operation, at great expense to his youthful posterior ; but if these corrections made the embryo hunter's sitting posi- tion difficult they apprised him, at the same time, of the more comfortable employment of walking, and this was sure to lead him again into the commission of other acts equally indefensible in the eyes of his parents. At about the age of fourteen James secured an excel- lent pistol and shortly afterward, by the assistance of his father, he purchased a rifle, and thus armed he remained in the woods almost constantly. At this period the few settlers were greatly annoyed by the ravages of wolves, so much in fact that the State offered premiums for the scalps of these destructive animals. This furnished a remunerative occupation for James who, every evening, - returned home with a belt full of bloody prizes which brought him no small revenue at the end of every month when the scalps were carried to the county clerk, as the law provided. His opportunities for schooling were entirely consistent with his other advantages ; country schools had occa- sional sessions in his district, but a regular attendance was prevented, both by the grait distance of the school- house and the irregularity, or rather in frequency, of the sessions. However, he managed to acquire a rudimental education. At the age of fifteen chance threw in his way a copy of Peters' "Lifcof Kit Carson,*' and -The Trap- per's Guide," two books which lie read with the greatest interest. The former made such an impression upon him that he declared to his brothers that he would " one day beat anything Kit ('arson ever did or attempted." Two years after familiarizing himself with Carson's ex- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 25 ploits, James obtained employment as a tow-path driver for the Illinois and Michigan canal. Soon after engaging in this occupation he had a difficulty with a driver named Charles Hudson, which resulted in a fistic contest lasting more than an hour. The two began the fight on the tow path, but gradually rolling towards the canal they both finally tumbled into the water, and then it changed from blows into an effort each to drown the other. Hudson was a large man, whose physical abilities were far super- ior to James', but the hitter's cat-like agility fully com pensated for his deficiency in strength ; in addition to a remarkable activity his endurance was another point of superior excellence, and through these he at length gained such a decided victory that Hudson was taken out of the canal in a lifeless condition, but by dexterous manipulation he was resuscitated. This ended James' canal experience, and he returned home. Thus passed the youth of Wild Bill, but who can tell his longing for wider fields of adventure, his craving for escapades in which danger becomes the source of pleas- ure ? When he reached the period of responsible man- hood, eighteen years, though the avenues of communica- tion were few and narrow, yet there was brought to his ears stories of the incipient struggles between Missouri and Kansas. As the strife grew fiercer in aspect James decided to seek the arena of conflict ; he may have grasped the ideas which actuated the Kansas settlers in repelling all efforts to make their State a territory privi- leging slavery, but the elements of his nature rather in- cite a belief that he was moved alone by the knowledge that Kansas soil was vegetating bloody broils, and that the great need of that section was heroes. In the spring of 1855 our thirsting adventurer, collect- ing together what money he could command, bade adieu 2S HEROES OF THE PLAINS. to his old home, which nestled tamely in the wilderness of prairies, and set out on foot for St. Louis, which city he reached after many days of painful traveling. The world was almost as strange to him as one of the planets, for his intercourse had been confined to such a limited stretch of changeless country, that beyond the village store his vision had never wandered over the scenes of business life. St. Louis was to him a painted pano- rama, as mysterious as the labyrinths of the pyra- mids ; the steamboats were novelties like the palaces of necromancers, and this new life to him had such a strange aspect that it was very like a second birth. The river business was, at that time, very large, and the Missouri was crowded with steamers plying between St. Louis and Omaha. After much deliberation James engaged pas- sage on the steamer Imperial for Leavenworth, a small acquaintance with city life having infused a new longing for adventure and stimulated him for greater concerns. After a tedious voyage the boat reached Leavenworth, but at the landing met with a reception least expected. Ex- citement had seized upon everyone and the determination of the people seemed to be the disorganization of society and the formation of a universal mob. James, an unsophisticated country lad, but withal pos- sessed of a mother aeutenes.s which led him to carefully con- sider the best means for his own security, carefully noted the excited throng which, without the least show of reason. except exaggerated suspicion, forbade any of the passengers coming on shore. Thetown of Leavenworth being his des- filiation, however, James determined to leave the boat . and to do this he resorted to a cunning expedient. Tying a large bandana kerchief about his neck, with his pants stuffed carelessly into his boot-legs, and being a deck pas- senger, he readily assumed the labor of a roustabout and LIFE OF WILD BILL. 21 began to carry off freight. While in this occupation he had no difficulty in slipping away through the crowd and gaining the center of the town, where he at once cast about for means of employment. Disembarking in a Kansas Mob. 28 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Jim Lane, who had recently come from Indiana with a body of two hundred men, was then the recognized leader of what was known as the " Red Legs," or anti-slavery forces in Kansas, and at this time had his headquarters in Leavenworth. His band consisted of a little more than three hundred men, armed with such weapons as their individual means afforded. James gravitated natu- rally towards Lane, and within a week after his arrival in Leavenworth he had joined his fortunes with those who were under that leader's generalship. A few days after his enlistment the regiment was called out on the commons west of town for drill and rifle practice. The range was one hundred yards, and the guns used were common squirrel rifles. In the contest of marksmanship James easily beat every other man in the command, and indeed made such excellent scores that Lane personally com- plimented his accuracy in the most flattering words. While this little ceremony was being conducted, a crow chanced to fly overhead, and, greatly elated at the distinction be- ing shown him, James drew a pistol from his pocket and shot the bird, then carelessly replaced his weapon with- out remark as to the excellence of the shot. The crowd of men, however, set up a wild cheering, and for several minutes the confusion was so great that Lane could not make himself heard. When the noise had somewhat abated he renewed his flattering compliments, and putting a hand on James' shoulder, he said to his band: "This man, my newest recruit, will one day excite the wonder and admiration of America, and I shall watch his course with the greatest interest and solicitude." After this little incident the regiment gave James the title of "Shanghai Bill," a name which clung to him until after his great fight at Rock Creek, nearly five years after- wards. I can readily conceive the origin of the appella- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 29 tion of " Shanghai," because James was, at this time, no less than six feet in height and uncommonly slim, though very lithe and willowy, but how he came to be called " Bill," instead of "Jim," I have been unable to discover. His most intimate acquaintances are at a loss for the rea- son, and his diary makes no mention of anything except the time and circumstances under which the " title" was bestowed. "Bill," as I shall hereafter very properly call him, served with Lane for nearly two years, through the most trying days when Kansas was building a wall on her east- ern border out of the blood and bodies of her noblest sons, to keep out Slavery. He fought only as a brave and excellent soldier, always recognized by Lane as the most effective man in the command. In the early part of 1857 Bill entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of the finest land in Monticello township, Johnson county, Kansas, and though he was not yet of age, his reputation was such that almost immediately after set- tling; in that section he was elected constable. But he was not permitted to live in peace in his new home. The "Border Ruffians" of Missouri, who had suffered defeat, held a special grudge against Bill and in their predatory incursions on Kansas soil they visited Monticello township and during the absence of their enemy they burned his cabin. Being unable to revenge this out- rage because of the secret identity of the men who did it, Bill went to work again and soon had another comfortable house erected on his premises. His duties as constable called him from home so frequently, however, that the marauders had no difficulty in a second time applying the torch and laying the new house in ashes. The insecurity of his possessions admonished Bill that his labors would never avail him , as a farmer in Johnson 30 HEROES OF 7 HE PLAINS. county, and before the yc ar expired he abandoned his claim and accepted a position as driver for the Overland Stage Company. In this capacity he crossed the plains several times, driving from St. Joseph, Denver, and points in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, to Santa Fc, New Mexico, and Salt Lake City. As a driver he was apparently reckless and yet no man ever got through his route so frequently with as few accidents. Coming into his destination Bill usually treated his passengers to "a shaking up," as he called it,, " in order to jolt the cricks out of their joints.'' The last stretch of road entering Santa Fe was a slight decline and over this 'Bill almost in- variably turned the horses loose and gave them the lash. The bio: Concord coach would bound along like a wounded monster, lurching the passengers from side to side, dish- ing up dyspeptics, phlegmatics and rollicking dispositions indiscriminately, and bowling into the town finally the centre of a dust bank and the object of excited interest to everyone in the ancient Mexican city. CHAPTER II. The Overland Stage Company, like the great freights ers, Majors, Russell & Waddell, had its routes over the cntiic West. It was a very easy matter at that time, and in that peculiar civilization, for a man, so disposed, to make a record. In fact, it was more difficult for him not to make one, for he was soon put down as either an arrant coward or a man of nerve. Every station was located by a saloon and every stage employe was practi- cally an animated skin-full of fighting whhsky. Desper- ate rows were as common as wax-weed Saftwers on the LIFE OF WILD BILL. 31 32 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. prairie in spring-time, and the man who had failed to snuff out a life was like a bashful fellow at a country dance — wofully out of place. But Shanghai Bill's record was recognized in the bud, for his physical ability had been demonstrated in many social encounters, and while he had gone through the ordeal of more than a score of fights his master had not yet been found. Being also acknowledged as the best shot on the plains and fortified with a wonderful self-possession under trying circum- stances, full of cunning, strategy and pluck, he was already a hero by general consent of all who knew him. In the fall of 1858 the Indians broke out of their res- ervation on the Sweetwater and began their depredations to the serious injury of the stage compaivy. Several set- tlers had been massacred, two pony express riders killed, and, being emboldened by their success, they at length attacked a stage coach near the three crossings on Sweet- water creek. In this encounter the driver and three passengers were killed and the assistant division agent escaped with a serious wound. In addition to this out- rage the Indians stole a large number of horses belonging to the stage company and rendered its bus'n. ."*> so ex- tremely hazardous that for nearly two months the express and stage were suspended on that division. The com- pany, being thus enjoined from operations, and appreci- ating the necessity of some decisive action, sent for Bill. He promptly responded and meeting the officers at St. Joseph they went into council to consider the best, means of proceeding against the Indians. Bill was the first to offer a proposition looking to a solution of the troubles. Said he: "You have got enough men here, if they are turned loose right, to clean out all the Red Devils along the route, and all the men now idle would consider it a frolic to go into the Indian service for a short time." LIFE OF WILD BILL. 33 He was requested to perfect his plans and given full authority to conduct the proposed operations according to his own wishes. Bill at once had the men called to- gether and in his own pithy phrases related to them what was wanted ; a hearty disposition to engage in the expe- dition was manifested by every one, and on the following day preparations were made to leave. About fifty men enlisted, all of whom were well provided with the best of arms and good horses ; before starting they unanimously chose Bill as their leader, promising implicit obedience to his orders. The well equipped and organized body set out on the 29th day of September, pointing directly for the Powder River. When they reached that stream, along which they expected to find the Indians encamped, they saw nothing but an indistinct trail leading westwardly. This the company followed for three days, finding it growing constantly fresher, when suddenly they found, upon reaching Crazy Woman's Fork — a small stream usually dry during summer and frozen solid in winter — that the Indians whom they were so successfully trailing, had been joints by another party in war paint numbering not less than one hundred. Here was a dilemma which caused several in the command to falter, for it was now evident that the whole band of Indians comprised fully two hundred, and to meet with such an overwhelming force seemed like charging the guns at Balaklava. But Bill gave his men no opportunity to talk about the in- creasing danger of the expedition, for he proposed to shoot the first man who attempted to return. This bold threat may not have been needed, for though there were some expressions concerning the judiciousness of follow- ing so large a band of Indians, yet every one under Bill was full, up to the chin, with dare-devil courage, and 34 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. they could be depended on to fight a ten-acre field full of grizzly bears with only a tooth-pick for a weapon if they were only put to it. Finding the trail decidedly fresh, the party, with Bill always in the lead, proceeded w r ith due circumspection, gaining the high knolls cautiously, and sweeping the land- scape to discover if the enemy were in view. At Clear Creek the crossing was apparently made but two or three hours before, and almost immediately after this discov- ery, the day being well advanced, Bill commanded a halt, and pointing directly north, he said: "Do you see that little blue vapor hanging on the tree tops? Well, that means an Indian camp. You boys just stop right here and I '11 locate the game." So saying he left the trail and rode like he was making to the windward of a herd of buffaloes, taking a broad circuit in order to reach some high ground from which he could discover the exact strength of the Indians, how their camp was pitched, where their stock was stationed and whether tethered or corraled. All this information was soon gathered by Bill, who returned and ordered his men to rest until dark, get themselves in good readiness and be prepared for a dashing fight after night-f all. The company remained in camp, without fire, until nearly ten o'clock, getting a good rest and permitting their horses to recover from the tiresome inarch. When Bill called his men to the saddle each one responded with alacrity. His instructions then were for each man to fol- low him into the Indian camp and to fight only with the pistol; to make for the stock which, being in a corral, w r ould be easily stampeded and run out, so it could be collected and secured. These instructions were obeyed to the letter ; the party rode cautiously toward the camp, which being found unpicketed was easily approached, LIFE OF WILD BILL. 35 and then a dash was made for the corral by twelve of the men while the others rode into the camp and as the half stupefied Indians came out of their tents, not realizing what the confusion meant, they were shot down until the at- The surprise was complete ; tack became a slaughter. 8G HEROES OF THE PLAINS. while the deadly revolvers in the hands of those who so well knew how to use them, did fearful execution. All the horses were secured except a few scrub ponies, and then it was an easy matter to get off, for there was noth- ing left on which the Indians could make pursuit. The men returned with all the horses stolen from the stage company, together with more than a hundred head of those belonging to the Indians. After getting hack to St. Joseph the brilliant results of the campaign superinduced a general big drunk in which all the stage employes participated, and, though very strange to assert, yet none the less true, the row which followed as a mat- ter of course, resulted in the killing of only one man, a stage driver, by Alf. Slade, one of the company bosses. Severing his connectin with the Overland Stage Co., in 1859, Bill engaged with the great freighters, Majors & Russels, to drive between Independence, Mo., and Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was while thus employed that he met with a unique adventure which cost him very dearly but taught him a very useful lesson. Matt Farley was his companion on one occasion during this long over- land trip, and but for him the name of Wild Bill would never have been heard. While passing through the Socooro range with his team two miles ahead of Farley, Bill discovered a large cinnamon bear with her two cults directly in the road ahead of him. The bear, instead of manifesting any fear at Bill's approach, but moved en- tirely by her maternal instincts, boldly disputed his pas- sage, and with further advance of the team she growled fiercely and showed her intention to attack him. Bill be- ing provided with 1 wo excellent pistols and a targe bowie- knife gave himself no concern for the result of the en- counter, thinking it an easy matter to kill the bear — a presumption in which he was most seriously mistaken. LIFE OF WILD BILL 37 When the bear approached within twenty feet of him he fired one of his pistols, the ball striking her squarely in the forehead, but the accurate aim instead of proving fatal had no other effect than to put the beast in a more desperate rage, for the cinnamon, like thegrizzley, has a brain protection so thick that the ball from an ordinary rifle will produce no impression on it. In fact, many experienced hunters claim that the cinnamon is much more dangerous than the grizzley, because of its greater activity and equal vitality. Bill at once discovered, from the bad result of his first shot, that he had an antagonist bent on a mission which might well afford serious appre- hensions. His first feeling of security prevented him from taking safety on the top of his wagon and now he was cut off from that means of escape. In fact he had no lime to think of retreat after the first shot was dis- charged, for the bear was fairly on him in the next instant ; he discharged his second pistol and succeeded in injuring the animal's left foreleg, as he intended, but as he jerked his long knife the bear reared on her hind legs and grappled him. The struggle which now ensued was one of the most desperate ever known. Bill buried the knife rapidly in various parts of the bear's body and cut her throat, but while doing this his shoulder was torn dreadfully, his left arm crushed from the elbow, his breast furrowed by the long, poniard-like claws, and his left cheek was split open. But he never regarded his terrible wounds, standing up in the agonizing embrace of the infuriated animal until the ground on which they fought was saturated with blood. Bill finally slipped and fell, the bear falling squarely on top of him and holding his left arm in her mouth. This fall, was, how- ever, a most fortunate circumstance, for the position was easily reversed and Bill could use his knife with greater 38 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. effect ; while, in a standing position, although injured in one of her forelegs, yet the bear could with this member seriously interfere with the execution of Bill's single free hand. Before the fight was concluded he had literally disembowled the dangerous animal and her feet became so tangled in her intestines that she thus assisted in her own quick destruction. The combat lasted nearly half an hour and at its close it was difficult to decide which presented the more horri- fying spectacle, Bill or his dead antagonist ; they were both saturated with blood and their flesh was in shreds in several places. However, Bill survived, but when his companion, Farley, came up he was barely able to point to the dead bear and his own desperate lacerations. Bill was hauled to Santa Fe and there placed under the charge of Dr. Sam Jones, an excellent frontier surgeon, who, by good attention, was able to so far restore his patient in two months' time as to permit Bill's return to Indepen- dence. But it was not until several months after his dis- charge from the surgeon's care that Bill was able to re- sume work again, and the scars from the wounds iv ceived in that encounter he bore to his grave. In the latter part of 18(>0, Bill left the employment 01 Majors & Russel to accept a position tendered him by the Overland Stage Co. as watchman and hostler at Rock Creek Station, a point on the Old Platte route fifty miles west of Topeka. The stage company, which ran its coaches between St. Joseph, Mo., and Denver, had estab- lished Bock Creek as a relay post and had built stables for the accommodation of about twenty-five horses, which number was almost always found there Bill had a com- panion with him known as Doc. Mills, a small Irishman, who did the cooking and assisted in the care of the horses, in fact performing a greater part of the menial duties, as 'ICO BILL AND TMT C!>i«*M»N BEAR. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 41 Bill was employed, chiefly, to guard the stock, owing to the depredations of horsethieves who were very numerous in that section. The two occupied a small log hut, hav- ing but one room, which was divided, however, by the suspension of an old horse-blanket, back of which was their bed. The roof of the hut was thatched, and being built on the side of a steep hill it was easy to walk from the hill directly on to the roof. It was what is univer- sally called in the far West a "dug-out," there being but one entrance, in the front, and not a single window. To the right of the " dug-out " were the stables, built of heavy logs and so secure that when the big puncheon doors were locked it would require the services of a pro- fessional safe-cracker to effect a violent entrance. It was here that Bill and his chum spent the autumn days, in the very heart of the dreariest solitude between Mis- souri and the Rocky Mountains. But even away up in this wild place the news of an approaching struggle be- tween the North and South had penetrated and as the daily coach rolled up before the cabin door Bill always anxiously inquired for papers and information. In the same neighborhood, not more than thirteen miles west of Rock Creek, there was a rendezvous known as the McCandlas ranche. It was located in a barely access- ible spot, and well known to Bill as a corral for stolen horses. The two McCandlas boys, Jack and Jim, had long been a terror to the central part of Kansas ; had killed more innocent men and stolen a greater number of fine horses than any other two thieving cut-throats that ever figured in the annals of Western outlawry. They had enlisted about one dozen of equally desperate horse- thieves, and this band laid enforced tribute upon every farmer in that section, and when horsestealing grew dull or unprofitable the McCandlases turned their talents — 42 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. which were decidedly versatile — to highway robbery, oc- casionally stopping a stage, or murdering a party of trav- elers. They had so overrun the country and asserted their power that no attempt was ever made to arrest them, the officers of the several adjoining counties fairly standing in awe of the McCandlas name. Kansas, although one of the strongest Union States, nevertheless furnished some recruits for the Confederate service, and among the active sympathizers with the South, in the central part of the State, the McCandlas gang was particularly prominent. By what authority he acted was never discovered ; perhaps it was by none, and that his assumed authority was but a pretext for bolder robbery ; but it is certain that Jack McCandlas asserted his special employment to collect horses, and enlist recruits for the Confederate service. About five miles from Rock Creek station, toward the head of the branch, lived an old man named Shapley, a good old soul who, with his aged wife, was known for kindness of heart and a wholesome sympathy. As occa- sion sometimes offered he would preach at points in the neighborhood when as many as a dozen persons could be collected together, a circumstance which the sparse set- tlement very seldom afforded. This occasional occupa- tion gained for him the titular honor of parson, so that he was always called Parson Shapley by those who knew him. Notwithstanding his grey hairs and naturally peaceful disposition, when the threats of rebellion struck his ears, the parson was not slow to show the blood, at least, of his fighting ancestors. lie was a pronounced Union man and like a true Westerner spit out his mind without regard for results, and by an unconcealed patri- otism rendered himself specially obnoxious to the Mc- (_ Candlas thieves. On the 16th day of December, 1870, LIFE OF WILD BILL. 43 Wild Bill, whose title of "Wild" was so soon to be gained, saw coming down the stage road a party of four horsemen headed by Jim McCandlas, who was leading the venerable old parson by a lariet fastened about his neck. The sight aroused Bill's sympathy, but while he was well disposed to assist the aged man yet discretion admonished him of the f ruitlessness of such an undertak- ing under existing circumstances. When the party came abreast of the "dug-out," McCandlas in a most audacious and authoritative manner spoke to Bill as follows : " Look a here, I mean business ; I am a gatherin' up horses for the Secesh service and I want yer to jist git them thai* horses in yer stable ready for me when I come back here, which will be about three or four o'clock this arternoon. This old hypocritical devil I've got here has been a havin' of his say a little too free around here and I concluded to take him along and show him the needsessity of keepin' his mouth shet." In addition to this burst of mandatory language Mc- Candlas endeavored to persuade Bill to join him and enter the Confederate service, but the reply was one of those fearless expressions which Bill knew so well how to give. Said he : ' ' You go to h — 1 ! when you want these horses come and take them, and if you want me, you'll have no diffi- culty in finding me here." Bill then withdrew into the dug-out, while McCandlas and his men rode on toward their rendezvous. Now it happened that Doc. Mills had left the cabin only a short time before, and gone down the creek some distance, taking a shot-gun with him to kill quails or other game he might find, to provision the place with meat. Thus Bill was left alone, with no one even to consult re* garding the most desirable method of defense. In the I I HEROES OF 'THE PLAINS. cabin there were .several weapons, however, consisting of a Mississippi Yager — a rifle of very large bore — two re- volvers and two bowie-knives. Finding these in good condition Bill determined to give the party, on their re- turn, an interesting reception and trust to luck for the outcome. The stables were securely closed and the dug- out put in a state of defense. Directly after three o'clock in the afternoon, true to their promise, the McCandlas boys, with eight of their desperate followers were seen approaching in a smart trot. As they came up to the stables, finding the doors locked, they called to Bill to "come out of his shell" and deliver the horses, accompanying the command with a threat that if he refused there would be a small murder at Rock ('reek and the stage company would have to en- gage another watchman. Bill shouted hack to his beleaguers that he would shoot the first man who attempted to open a stable door, and if there were any murdering done at Bock Creek there might :ilso be more than one victim to bury. The ten villains were really elated with this reply, be- cause they had a spite which found in this answer suf- ficient pretexl for satisfying; in short, they wanted to '.ill somebody in addition to increasing their horse corral, and Bill, single handed, would make such an easy and choice victim! Leaving their horses, which they first methodically tied to swinging limbs. Jack McCandlas ordered hi- men to bring forward a log, which lay near the premises, and with this they began battering the door of the dug-out, which succumbed after a few heavy thrusts had been delivered. Bill stood partly behind the old blanket, with the Yager in hand and his other weapons lying on a rude table beside him, convenient to his grasp. When the door splintered and fell in Jim LIFE! OF WILD HILL. 47 McCandlas with a large revolver in one hand and a bowie- knife in the other, with a yell leaped across the thresh- hold, pressed by the others behind him. But the volun- tary leap ended in an involuntary spring into enternity, for Bill received him with a discharge from the heavy rifle, sending an ounce ball directly through the despera- do's heart. Jim never struggled after he fell, only drawing up his legs slightly, as if to give more room for the entrance of his comrades. Scarcely was the blaze from the rifle extinguished before Bill had seized his pistols and killed three more of his assailants before any of them reached him. The combat now became truly furious, for the six remaining cut-throats had gained the rear of the cabin and grappled with Bill who continued pouring shots from a pistol while he began cutting right and left with his bowie. The gang were equally active, discharging bullets into Bill's body, but owing to their number they fought to great disadvantage. One of the desperadoes struck Bill over the head and knocked him backward across the table, and immediately flack McCandlas leaped on the prostrate and badly wounded man, and with knife uplifted was in the very act of sheathing the keen blade in the heart of his victim, but ere the thrust was accomplished Bill shoved his pistol into McCandlas' breast and fired. The knife descended with great force, but the aim was deflected so that it struck in the table. McCandlas trembled for a momenl with the chill of death that shot through his body, and with fierce but glazing eyes he dropped dead upon the floor. The bowie in Bill's hands now did desperate work, plunging from one heart into another, and draw- ing great fountains of blood which spurted about until the floor was fairly flooded ; but his own life current assisted largely to swell the bright red streams, for his 48 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. body was punctured by bullet holes and knife thrusts, but the recesses of his life had not been touched and his strong arm continued to do its deadly work. Six of the men who came to make of Bill an easy victim now lay dead upon the floor, while two were desperately wounded and only two remained unharmed. Finding in their foe such wonderful vitality and precision of deadly aim with pistol and knife the four beat a retreat, rushing out of the cabin pursued closely by Bill. The two uninjured gained their horses and fled precipitately while another ran down the hill carrying such desperate wounds that he was unable to mount. The other could barely reach the foot of a large tree fifty yards from the cabin and there he was shot to death by Bill with the gun wrested from Doc. Mills, who came upon the scene at this moment. The wounded man who escaped by running down the hill ( Bill being unable to pursue him because of his own desperate wounds,) managed by some means to reach the town of Manhattan, several miles distant, where he died soon after from his terrible injuries. After the tight was ended Bill, who had kept his feet only under the stimulant of excessive excitement, at once relapsed into an unconscious condition and was carried into the dug-out by his partner, and laid on the bed, which was sat mated with blood. In about one hour afterward the western stage rolled up, containing six pas- sengers, among whom was Capt. E. W. Kingsbury, who is now a resident of Kansas City, holding the position of Chief of U. S. Storekeepers for the Western District of Missouri, who afterward became one of Bill's most intimate friends. The sight which presented itself to the gaze of the stage passengers, all of whom entered the cabin to view the havoc which one man had wrought, was most distressing to ordinary sensibilities. There lay, in LIFE OF WILD BILL. 49 hideous death, six repulsive featured men, full of gaping wounds. Bill remained in a semi-conscious state for some time, until one of the passengers, who chanced to be something of a surgeon, resuscitated him by means of brandy and cold water applications ; and after awhile he regained suf- ficient strength to give some of the particulars of the des- perate fight. While telling, in broken sentences, hoiv he had been forced into a defense of the place, he used this expression : "When six of the crowd piled on me and one struck me with his gun, I thought my day had come, so I just got wild and slashed about, like a bear with a death-wound, and I guess that is how I came to get away with them." From that moment he was given the name of "Wild Bill," which afterward so effectually super- ceded his real name, as well also as that of " Shanghai Bill," that he went to his grave with that appellation and left all his deeds to history under that most appropriate nom de guerre. A careful examination of his wounds disclosed the fol- lowing, nearly any one of which it would appear was quite enough to kill an ordinary man : A fracture of the skull — the frontal bone ; three terrible gashes in the breast ; his left forearm cut through to the bone ; four bullets in his body, one in his left hip and two through the fleshy j^art of his right leg ; his right cheek cut open, and the skin of his forehead cut so deeply that a large portion of the scalp dropped down so far over his eyes as to almost blind him. A surgeon was sent for, who came directly from Manhattan, about seven miles distant, and old Mrs. Watkins, a five-mile distant neighbor, hearing of the encounter, came down to the cabin directly and volunteered to nurse the w r ounded hero through his dan- gerous extremity. For one month afterward his im- 50 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. provement was almost imperceptible, but after that time his condition took a more favorable turn and his wounds healed so rapidly that in June following ho was able to walk about, and was removed to Denver, and in less than one year after the fight his recovery was complete. The stage company paid all of his expenses during the period of his confinement, but never otherwise recognized his faithfulness in defending their property. This combat, of one man fairly whipping ten acknowl- edged desperadoes, has no parallel, I make bold to say, in any authentic history. The fight has been described more than a hundred times in newspapers and poriodieals, - and was illustrated in Harper's Magazine, but all accounts heretofore have been marred by much fictioD and gross inaccuracies. The particulars as here recorded are un- questionably correct, for they were obtained from Oapt. Kingsbury, who heard Bill's first recital of the facts right on the battle-ground ; Jolly, the man who escaped but died a few days afterward at Manhattan, corroborated Hill's statement of the facts, and Dr. Joshua Thorne, one of the most prominent physicians in Kansas City, who attended upon and was one of Bill's confidantes, repeated to me the same story as he himself had heard his pa- tient relate it. These direct and most reliable sources, each affirming the same facts, leave no room for doubting the correctness of this account. CHAPTER III. Leaving Denver, Wild Hill went directly to Leaven- worth, and his name being in nearly every person's mouth as the greatest lighter that had ever made a record, owing LIFE OF WILD BILL. 51 to his annihilation of the McCandlas gang, Gen. John C. Fremont, in command at Fort Leavenworth, sent for him immediately upon hearing of his arrival, and offered him the position of Brigade Wagon Master. At this time the great civil war had overshadowed everything else, and the adjoining borders of Missouri and Kansas had become the theater of a truly direful conflict. Men of nerve and cunning were in great demand, for murder, under the color of justifiable war, was beginning to point its shivering finger at every highway where the blood of men had quenched the thirst of the earth. Bill accepted the position, though not under enlistment, and directly thereafter he was ordered to conduct a provision train from the Fort to Sedalia, Missouri. On the third day after their departure, a few miles inside the# Missouri line, the train was suddenly attacked by a company of Confederates under Capt. Blunt, who, owing to the al- most unexampled cowardice of the men under Bill — though numbering scarcely more than one dozen — cap- tured the outfit without meeting any resistance! How- ever, while the Confederates easily made prisoners of his men, Bill refused to surrender, and single-handed opened fire. Being well mounted, he turned his horse toward Kansas City, followed by fifty of the enemy. The chase continued for several miles, with a rapid exchange of shots, in which flying encounter Bill killed four of his pursuers and escaped himself without injury. Col. Jen- nison had a considerable force under him at Kansas City, and Bill, reporting the circumstances of the capture of his train, two companies were hastily mounted and sent out to recover the property. Bill accompanied the sol- diers, and by fast riding the Confederates were struck within fifteen miles of the place where the first attack was made. A charge was at once ordered, at the head 52 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of which rode Wild Bill, who, considering the fact of his new commission, felt that he had been dishonored by the loss of his first charge. The fight was a short and de< cisive one, for the Confederates, being taken by surprise, in return, speedily scattered and thus let their new acqui- sition again fall into the possession of the Union troops. Bill was very much elated over the result, and in triumph conducted the train into Sedalia and immediately after- ward offered his services to Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, who was acting under orders of Gen. Halleck, and who con- tinued him in the position to which Gen. Fremont had appointed him, until the spring of 1863. During his engagement as wagon master, conveying supplies for Curtis' army, which was operating against the Confederate forces under Gens. VanDom, Price and McCulloch, the battle of Pea Ridge was fought (March 6th, 7th and 8th, '62), in which Bill became a voluntary participant, taking the part of a sharp shooter. He ob- tained an eligible location on the hill overlooking Cross- Timber Hollow, and from behind a largo log, where he lay concealed for nearly four hours, he killed, by actual count, thirty-five of the enemy, among his victims being Gen. McCulloch. This dreadful execution served to direct the attention of a Confederate company which de- termined upon dislodging and killing him. The company charged up the hill, firing so rapidly that Bill's fortifica- tion was punctured by bullets like a pepper box, and but for the timely relief of one hundred comrades who had recog- nized his dangerous position and charged down from the apex of the hill to the rescue, hcAvould certainly have soon resembled his friendly log. The two companies met not more than one hundred yards from the spot where Wild Bill lay, and an engagement followed which was by far the hottest of the entire battle, for the encounter came LIFE OF WILD BILL. 53 hand to hand ;r.id the ground was so bitterly disputed that more than one half of each company was killed. Soon after the battle of Pea Ridge Gen. Curtis, discov- ering the qualifications Wild Bill possessed, and knowing his history as a fighter on the plains, engaged him as a spy, with instructions to enter Price's lines and collect necessary information as to the immediate and ultimate intentions of the Confederate general. Price had already laid waste a large portion of Western Missouri, besides recruiting his forces by the acquisition of many men and horses. He had been so successful in the campaign that the Government was seriously alarmed, especially as Mis- souri was never regarded as a loyal State, and it was gravely feared that a series of Confederate successes in- side her borders might serve to carry the State out of the Union, a proposition already seriously debated. It was for these reasons that Gen. Curtis had been specially em- ployed to operate against Price and drive him from the State. Immediately after Bill's employment as a spy he was given a fine horse and directed to use his own means for entering the Confederate lines. Accordingly, he as- sumed the name of Bill Barnes and making a wide circuit through Kansas and Indian Territory he entered Arkansas below the western center and made directly toward Lit- tle Rock. Arriving there he enlisted in a Confederate company of mounted rangers which he knew was organ- izing under Price's recruiting service to join the operating force in Southwest Missouri. In the latter part of September the company joined Price, who, a few da}\s after, formed a junction with Gen. Joe Shelby on Elk River, in Newton county. Here it was decided to make a stand and await the coming; of Curtis who was following swiftly after with a force slightly inferior to that of the combined commands of Price and Shelby. 54 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Bill received the appointment of orderly to Gen. Price within ;t week after his enlistment, a position which offer- ed special opportunities for acquiring information of the greatest value to Curtis. On the 28d day of October the Union forces drove in the Confederate pickets on the north side of the river — or more properly creek — and at once the command prepared for battle. Shelby lay on the extreme left, while Price occupied the right, from which, being first f in the command, he was to direct the engagement. While the armies were thus tying looking into the face of each other, separated only by a narrow creek and the rapidly approaching twilight which admon- ished each side to postpone the right until the morrow, Gen. Price placed sonic dispatches in Bill's hands and or- dered him to deliver them to Shelby at once. The posi- tion of the daring spy had now become critical in the ex- treme. From the moment Shelby had joined Price, Bill had been very anxious to communicate with Curtis, but no opportunity was offered. But now that preparations had been made for battle it was more than important that he should gain the Union lines, and he resolved to reach Curtis at all hazards, a determination which he accom- plished by having recourse to the following dangerous strategy. In the company that had been recently recruit- ed at Little Rock was a large, lank Arkansas desparado named Jake Lawson. lie was A 1 at drinking, shoot- ing, culling and bloviating. His reputation for being a "rough customer" had caused him to be chosen ser- ■ geant of the company, and the manner of his boasting Led all his comrades to expect something brilliantly dar- ing from him during the campaign. Taking the dis- patches from Gen. Price, Wild Bill, with a courteous sweep of his hand, mounted his horse and rode directly toward the left of the lines, but when he reached the LIFE OF WILD BILL. 55 center, out of Price's sight, he halted before his company and called forLawson. When the big bully came out of his tent Bill, in a loud voice, so that all his comrades might hear the dialogue, addressed him as follows : " See here, Jake, let's have a little fun ; these fellows have never been under fire, so suppose we give 'em a sample of our pluck so as to encourage them for to- morrow." " Well," responded Lawson, "what do you want to do ? Do you want to fight me with pistols at three paces, or do you prefer the bowie with the two ends of a hand- kerchief held in our teeth over the back of a chair? " " Oh, no," said Bill, "nothing so bad as that, but I'll make you take water on a less dangerous experiment. I'll wager my horse against yours that I can ride closer to the enemy's line than you can." Lawson looked at Bill a moment, and then tossing his head, as an evidence of disgust, walked again into his tent, when a laugh from those near the two caused him to stop. "'What's the matter with your nerve?" asked Bill. " You ain't afraid, are you, Jake? " "No, I aint afeerd," responded Lawson, " but what's the use trying such infernal nonsense? " " None at all," replied Bill, " if you haven't got the sand to accept the challenge. I only wanted to see the real color of your character." At this the boys began to laugh again, and several were bold enough to remark that it did look very much as though Jake Lawson was a bogus desperado. Being pressed and taunted Jake at length agreed to put his mettle as well as his horse against that of Bill's, and the two mounting rode out, followed anxiously by the eyes of the entire company, until they came to an open 56 HEROES OF THE TLAINS. space directly in view of the Union forces. " Now, come on," cried Bill, who, putting spurs to his horse, dashed down toward the creek with Lawson abreast, but about two rods west of him. The Union pickets seeing the riders coming toward them, began firing, which brought into line the forces of both armies. Upon reaching the bank of the stream Bill, being in great danger himself s*cH-*y- A Close Shave. from the bullets of his friends, cried out: " Hold your fire, I'm Wild Bill, trying to get into the lines." This remark, while it revealed him to his friends, also ex- posed his purpose to Lawson and the Confederates. See- ing now thai lie h:i tery. The motive which prompted this remarkable ride can- not be divined. Of course Bill had important information to convey to Gen. Curtis, but other means might have been employed, more consistent with good judgment, to reach the Federal lines. It was, however, no less singular that Bill thus comported himself at all times during his service as a spy ; though wonderfully strategic yet he took chances which no other spy w T ould have tolerated in a companion, for he exposed himself almost constantly to detection, and trusted to boldness, swiftness, and his ac- curacy of aim for escape ; and with these, or good luck, he managed to avoid the usual penalties of indiscretion. After getting back from his second expedition as a spy in the Confederate lines, Bill requested a short vacation, and returned to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he met William Cody who had not yet gained the well-known title of "Buffalo Bill." The two had met before the war and an intimacy had sprung up, growing out of an incident which occurred directly after Cody first entered the em- ploy of Russell, Majors & Waddell, as camp boy in 1857. " Billy," as he was called, being at that time only twelve years of age, though brave as a young catamount, became the special object of aversion to oik; of the bull-drivers, a great big, blustering, overbearing desperado. Under a slight pretext this bully struck " Billy" one day while LIFE OF WILD BILL. 61 in camp, knocking him backward over a log. Wild Bill witnessed this unprovoked assault and, making two steps forward, he struck the bully a blow in the face which sent him sprawling ten feet away while the blood spurted from his nose in a torrent. It was a clean knock-down which took the overbearing brute with such surprise that he scarcely realized from whence the blow came. But he saw Wild Bill standing over him, and took excellent heed of the admonition "never to lay hands on that boy again . ' ' When Wild Bill met Cody in Leavenworth he was un- der engagement to take a government train to Rolla, Missouri, and he asked Cody to go with him, which the latter was glad to do. After reaching Rolla the two con- tinued their companionship to St. Louis, taking with rhem a fine race-horse that Bill had used in scouting ser- vice, intending to enter the St. Louis races which were advertised to take place in September. Bill and Cody had been saving up some money, and between them they counted up about $750, principally in paper money of State bank issue. The two went out to the race-course in fine spirits, confident of securing a goodly stake, be- cause they harbored the suspicion that their horse was very deceptive in his appearance and that this advantage they would turn to good account. Their only concern was in getting their bets taken, for they felt so certain that " Old Mountain," as the horse was called, could easily run away with any animal the St. Louis jockeys could produce that a perfectly natural anxiety was felt for the prime consideration — bettors. Bill conducted the negotiations, Cody having entrusted him with this part of the business, laying his last cent in his comrade's hands. There were no combinations or pool selling, the races being conducted on a regular, 4 62 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. old time basis. Bill moved around among the crowd making offers, and his success in getting takers filled him with happiness, " for you know," said he to Cody, who believed him implicitly, " we've got a dead sure thing." After putting up all their money they next wagered the horse against $250, and having exhausted all their portables the race was prepared for. Cody, a spare, but trimly made young fellow, one of the best riders that ever sat on horse-back, was stripped to handle "Old Mountain." The race was with a little black mare owned by a party from Peoria, very neatly coupled, with all the marks of a genuine courser, and was ridden by a negro boy. The preliminaries being arranged the two horses were brought up before the judges and sent off inelegant style, no advantage. " Old Mountain," however, had not de- ceived the St. Louis boys so much as he had drawn the wool down over the eyes of his backers, and as the little black mare sped away, lifting up the dust so that it fairly hid " Old Mountain," Cody gathered the impression, dis- agreeable as it was, that "the dead sure thing" had been transferred to other parties. How he did try to unlimber his favorite ! and he was now as unsparing of the whip as ho had been before the race in laying his wagers. When they passed under the home-stretch Bill and Cody looked, for all the world, like the fellow who has bought a gold brick, — "it was stolen you know, and here is a fortune for a few dollars" — but finds on in- spection that there has been a slight mistake — a veneer- ing of gold over a genuine brick of brass. Our two heroes were woefully " busted," and away out of their clement, because they did not know a single person in St. Louis. Sorry enough plight, but, like a clause in the Declaration of Independence, " When, in LIFE OF WILD BILL. 63 the course of human events, it becomes necessary to beard the lion in his lair, the Indian in his wigwam, or the wood-chuck in his hole — when you're out of meat," etc., our two knights of the empty pocket-book passed appro- priate resolutions which, being acted upon, resulted in Wild Bill going up to military headquarters where he en- gaged himself as scout. Being well known by his repu- tation, he was forced to put this in pawn for twenty dol- lars, which he turned over to his badly damaged protege, Cod} r returned to Leavenworth while Bill went directly to Springfield and from this point located and again joined Curtis, where we find him in the adventure described in the following chapter. CHAPTER IV. Curtis was continuing his operations down along the Arkansas river in 1863, and Wild Bill having reported for duty Curtis again employed him to strike the Confeder- ate lines and especially to learn the designs of Van Dorn and Price, who were so quiet that Curtis suspicioned they were meditating plans for another invasion of Missouri. One of his chief concerns, and which gave rise to this con- clusion, was the success of Quantrell and his band of guerillas, who were laying waste the western counties of Missouri and pillaging the people of eastern Kansas. Taking up the burden of this third dangerous mission Bill rode directly across the country until he struck the old Santa Fe trail, which he followed three days, bring- ing him into the western part of Kansas ; then striking due south he passed through the Indian Territory and en- 64 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. tered Texas, going thence east along the border to the southwestern corner of Arkansas where, after reaching Texarkana, he stopped a few days, representing himself as a Texas drover. From this point he rode eastward until he came to the house of an old negro near the post- office of Buffalo, in Ouachita county. Reaching the lit- tle old log cabin late in the afternoon, Bill dismounted, and entering into conversation with the aged darkey he discovered the house was occupied by only the old fellow and his wife. A series of questions soon convinced Bill that the negro was loyal at heart and could be depended on to keep a' secret. Shortly after his arrival supper was prepared by the old negro woman, consisting of genuine hoe-cake and crisply fried bacon,' and the meal being concluded Bill interviewed his guests regarding the conditio! of their' part of the country and the location of Confederate forces. He was pleased to learn that while these old people appeared extremely ignorant yet they had been very anxiously observant of the Confederate and Federal movements, and therefore were possessed of much in- formation valuable to him. On the following morning Bill arose early and going out to a stable on the premises, his own horse having been stabled the evening previous by the old darkey, he discovered a jackass of ancient countenance standing in th.it reverential and resigned position which only an ass can assume perfectly. An idea of great consequence im- mediately moved Bill to return to the house, disclose a part of his purposes to the sable old uncle, change his habit of dress, and make a goodly provision for safely entering the Confederate lines. Said Bill to his colored host : " I see, uncle, } r ou have a jackass in the stable, does he belong to you?" LIFE OF WILD BILL. 65 "Yes, sah," responded the old man, " I'se had dat dare animule fo'de last ten yeahs ; but he's gittin' a good deal like his marster now, not milch 'count, sah ; but I reckon ef he hadn't been so used up do Confeds would a had 'im afore dis." "Yes," said Bill, ' I guess that is so; he don't look like a very valuable brute, but at the same time he is such a curious looking specimen that I've got an idea he would suit me for a purpose I now have in view. How would you like to trade your jack for my horse? " "Well, now, dat is a funny propersishan foh'youto make, case I haint got nuffin' to give you to boot." " But I don't want any boot ; you bring out the jack and let my horse stay in the stable, if that kind of a trade will suit you." "Yah, yah, yah; why, marster, you doan mean dat, does you? Afore God dat would be de mos' curiousest bargan I'se hearn on; why, I declaar ef the Confeds would see dat hoss in my stable dey'd want to know how I got 'im right away, and I guess dey would take me too in order to settle de title." " I'll tell you how to do ; if anybody wants to know anything about that horse, you tell them that he is a stray that you have taken up, and that you're expecting the owner along every day." "Now, if you is a foolin' me go away, but ef you is in yarnest, why dar is de jack and I'll try and keep de hoss." "Well, I'll just charge you one thing to boot, and that is, if you have an old suit of clothes about the house that you don't care to use much longer, I will take them ; will you agree to that?" "Yes, sah, I'll call de old woman and see what she's got tucked away in de loft. Nancy ! oh, Nancy I" yelled 6Q HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the old darkey. Hearing herself called, the old woman left her corn cake on the clapboard before the fire, and thrusting her bandana covered head through the door, responded: " What does you want, Silas?" "Why, I wants you to look on de peg by de chimbley and get me datdar last Sunday-suit of geans, and bring it hayer." The clothes were brought out in obedience to this com- mand and submitted to Bill for inspection. There was a pair of pants of saffron complexion, with a respectable rent in the left knee ; the vest was an indigo blue re- lieved by cross stripes of flaming red, and the coat was made with due regard for the ground color of the vest, but in matter of ornamentation the coat took a decided precedence, for, although the buttons bore a diversified character, they were, nevertheless, genuine brass and large enough for shields. The clothes fitted Bill quite as well as he desired, and with a big hat made of course unbleached straw he was ready with his patient jackass for the campaign. lie had purposely allowed his Avhiskers to grow to considerable length and his hair had put off the neatly combed polish by which he was so well known. Having so completely disguised his usual appearance Bill felt that it would be impossible for anyone to distin- guish him in a crowd of corner-store natives ; so, setting out mounted on his novel conveyance, and carrying an old shot-gun, he traveled without fear of detection until ho reached Pine Bluff, where a division of Van Dorn's army was stationed. After looking around the place one day he \\*ent up to head-quarters and offered his services as a private in the Confederate army. Upon presenting himself to a recruiting sergeant that official could not re- ts o frain from laughing heartily at the astonishing and grotesque figure standing before him. LIFE OP WILD BILL. 6T "Well, sir," said the sergeant, " where the devil did you come from ? ' ' ' ' Oh, ' ' responded Bill, ' ' I got a little cabin up here in the Ozarks, where I've been livin' in a patch o' clearin' with this here jack and Bowlegs for the last twenty year." " Who is Bowlegs? " asked the sergeant. "Why, look a here, mister," replied Bill, " haven't you P; Wild Bill in Disguise. never hearn o' Bowlegs, the greatest wildcat and bar kill- er in the whole o' Arkansaw? Bowlegs is my dog, and ef you'd a seed him two months ago tackle a catamount, up on huckleberry hill, bigger' n my jack, you'd a bet the last bristle on yer back that he could whip anything that ever wore hair or straddled the Devil's Backbone. You see, the neighborhood had been a losin' o' pigs an' calfs for a long time, though pigs an' calfs is a scarce article up on the hill, an' " — 68 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. " Well, never mind the dog," growled the officer ; "we haven't time now to hear your account of Bowlegs ; we'll take for oranted that he is the best fighter on the Devil's Backbone (the Ozark range of mountains is sometimes thus called), but we want men now that can fight just like your dog. Do you harbor the suspicion that you can do as good fighting as Bowlegs, especially if we should set you on a drove of Yankees ? ' ' " I think I mought make a full hand ef you'll fernish me with the amernition ; I got plenty caps jest now, but my powder an' shot is kinder run low," replied Bill. At this unsophisticated remark the sergeant and all those about him broke out in an almost uncontrollable fit of laughter, which lasted for several minutes ; but during all their cachinations Bill stood in mute astonishment, as if he had done something which conclusively established the fact that he was the most stupendous fool on earth. Recovering himself at length, the sergeant asked: "You don't suppose our soldiers fight with shot-guns, and such weapons as that you have in your hand, do you?" Opening his eyes in apparent wonder, Bill replied : "On course I do, case hain't shot-guns better ner squirrel - rifles by a d urn' d sight?" The conversation finally terminated by the enlistment of Bill and the appraisement of his jackass, everyone supposing that the droll ignorance of the new recruit would furnish a constant diversion for the company to which he should be assigned. After some weeks were spent in camp the division was ordered to Pine Bluff, Bill being a private in Co. I, under dipt. Leverson. Curtis, leading his army of the frontier, was also marching in the direct ion of Duvall's Bluff witn the intention of cutting off and destroying the Confederate supplies collecting at that point. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 69 Before reaching the Bluffs, marching overland, the Confederate troops were reinforced by three hundred men who had been reconnoitering in advance of Price. Oil the following day after this junction was made a cor- poral who had been with Price in the engagement near Perryville and was a witness to the famous ride made by Bill and Nat. Tucket, being attracted by the assumed eccentricities of the spy, finally discovered, under all his cunning disguise, the daring Wild Bill, whose name was on the lips of every Confederate in Missouri and Arkan- sas. The corporal lost no time in reporting his discov- ery, and in a trice a detail of twelve men dropped their loaded guns and covered the body of Bill so effectually that any attempt at escape would have resulted in certain death. A court-martial was at once organized and the spy placed on trial. His conviction was secured in an hour's time and he was sentenced to be shot on the fol- lowing morning. In a memorandum Bill made concerning this event he says : "The Rebs convicted me on mighty little evidence, and here I am now in a bad pickle ; it may be that they will shoot me to-morrow, but somehow I feel that some means of escape will offer. Curtis must be very near, for he has been reported, in camp, as coming like the devil beating bark, on a straight trail for the Bluffs. Something tells me that I will get out of this, and this feeling gives me nerve. I'll keep a lookout and see what's what." How this entry was made in his journal, while he was under a close guard, is not explained, but it is probable that he wrote it after his escape to indicate his feelings while under conviction, when the chances of escape were least favorable. Immediately after the trial was concluded — it being held in the evening while the division was encamped, — 70 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Bill was removed to a small log hut, and to prevent the possibility of escape, as Van Dorn assumed, his arms were securely pinioned and a guard set over him to watch every movement. About midnight a dreadful storm of wind and rain began, which raged with great violence until morning. Bill's guard being very much fatigued, owing to the long march during the day, and trusting too much in his ability to rouse himself at the slightest movement made by the prisoner, sat down beside the closed door and gradually dozed off to sleep. Bill, having his hands strongly tied, saw how easily he could escape had the gyves about his wrists been a little less tightly drawn ; but every twist of his hands only served to break the skin under the unyielding thongs. This painful suspense and lapsing opportunity continued until nearly three o'clock in the morning, when golden fortune, who always gives her hand to the brave in their last extremity, disclosed to his sight the very slightly protruding handle of an old case- knife, the blade of which was hidden in the depths of an auger-hole. Most glorious vision ! the bright portal of life ! the realms of beatific possibility ; aye, the smoothe pathway leading from the black shadows of death out into the gorgeous light of salvation ! How precious must have appeared that old, worn-out, rusted, broken piece of steel ! to the condemned spy it was worth more than all the castles of polished ivory that the fabled Arabian Magi could have created, "for what will a man not give to save his own life?" Stealthily creeping from the corner in which he was seated, Bill drew himself by inches toward the old knife, while the. beating of his heart sounded to him like the long roll call. Gradually he grew nearer and nearer, until at last, crouching for a moment, he arose with his back LIFE OF WILD BILL. 71 against the log walls and seized the rusty handle in his pinioned hands. But still he was not free ; unable to make much available use of his hands, he withdrew the knife and then pushed the handle into the auger-hoie, leaving a small part of the blade out ; he then began rub- bing the ropes between his wrists across the dull and rusted blade, until after what seemed to him an a«;e of Wild Bill Surprises the Sleepy Sentinel. hard labor he felt the cords loosen ; they were cut and he was now a man with all the vigor God had so bounteously lodged in his well developed sinews. Bill did not wait long after cleaving the ropes which bound his hands, to put into execution one of those bold and desperate methods which serve to make his nameim- 72 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. perishable. Taking the old case-knife in his right hand, he sprang upon the slumbering guard and in an instant the rusted blade was thrust into the throat of the sleeping victim and his neck almost severed in twain. Not a word escaped from the unconscious sentinel as the rusty knife flashed across his throat and let out the life-blood. Bill quickly stripped the dead guard of coat and hat, and placing them upon himself, with musket in hand, he stealthily left the log house and by aid of the darkness made good his escape, gaining Curtis' army on the fol- lowing da^. This really marvelous escape from death impressed every one acquainted with the circumstances, with the extraordinary good luck and strategy which seemed never to forsake Wild Bill, but this impression was specially conspicuous among Van Dorn's men, many of whom, be- ing almost as ignorant as Bill had professed to be in joining the Confederate forces, honestly believed he was leauued with the devil and that he could not be killed. CHAPTER V. After finding himself secure in the Federal lines again, Bill immediately called on (leu. Curtis and imparted a great deal of useful information which resulted in much advantage to the Union forces, for the army moved at once and intercepted Van Dora before In; reached Du- vall's Bluff. Here a hot battle was fought in which the Confederates were routed, a large amount of their stores captured, and the supply post occupied by the victorious Federals. But Bill positively refused to enter the ene- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 73 my's lines again, because he was now so well known in the Confederate army operating west of the Mississippi that to make another such attempt would be subjecting himself to almost certain death. He continued scouting, however, for some time afterward, and frequently went in the guise of a Confederate officer in order to secure the confidence of southern sympathizers, from whom much useful knowledge concerning the movements of Confederate troops was from time to time obtained. In 1864 Price made his second invasion into Missouri and Gen. Daviess was ordered to harass his rear until Curtis could return and reorganize a second campaign against the invaders. Southern Missouri had become the camping ground of Confederate detachments, and to operate against these bands Gen. Daviess established his headquarters at Rolla. Wild Bill, being well acquainted in Rolla, visited that place in the summer of 1864 and re- ported to headquarters for a commission to scout in the southern part of the State. Daviess was glad to secure his services, for several of the adjacent counties were seriously infested with independent bushwhackers clain> ing authority for their acts under Confederate commis- sions. While the camp was quietly waiting for Curtis to re- port from some point in Missouri where a junction might be formed, on the 25th of July Bill mounted his horse and without acquainting any one with his purpose, re- solved to make a private expedition through the so athem part of Phelps county. He accordingly set out unaccom- panied and rode directly south, passing by Pilot Knob and through Elk prairie, meeting no one and finding no evidence of hostile occupation. Near the post village of Lake Spring, in the timber skirting a tributary of the Meramec river, however, he suddenly came upon three 74 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. men well mounted and carrying carbines, wit}, pistols in their outside belts. The trio, without proceeding by in- terrogatories to learn anything about Bill, commanded him to dismount, accompanying the order with a threat to shoot him if he delayed an instant. Without attempting any parley or considering the odds against him, Bill threw up his pistol, which he had in his right hand hang- ing on the off side of his horse, out of sight, and almost in the glance of an eye, he shot the three with such pre- cision that each tumbled to the ground with a mortal wound. One of the bushwhackers, however, while in the throes of death, summoned enough strength to raise on his elbow and fire at Bill, the bullet striking Ms sad- dle bow but doing him no personal injury. The three now riderless horses, frightened by the fir- ing, ran away, but fortunately all kept close together. Bill went at once in pursuit of the animals, one of which was a beautiful little black mare which he was specially anxious to possess. The chase continued for nearly six hours before Bill succeeded in capturing the three horses, but as they were running in the direction of Rolla, no time was lost. Tying the heads of the animals together he led them back to camp as prizes of war, making due report to his commanding officer. Gen. Daviess, not having been made acquainted with Bill's expedition, was at a loss to determine what had be- come of him, when suddenly witnessing his re-appear- ance vnth three horses, he at once concluded that Bill had been engaged in making reprisals from non-belliger- ants. Assuming a stern look the General enquired of him : •* You have been out of camp for four days without leave; where have you been operating, and where did you get those horses?" LIFE OF WILD BILL, 75 Bill looked for a moment steadily at the General, whose gaze, instead of relaxing, bore sterner evidence of his be- lief that the horses had been stolen. Feeling keenly the suspicion, Bill answered in an imperious manner, " I'm not a private soldier, and as a scout I go where I please. The horses have been turned over to you, therefore I must say it's none of your d — d business where I got them." This insubordinate attitude and insulting language threw Gen. Daviess into a violent fit of anger, and in- tending some severe punishment he ordered Bill's arrest and confinement in the guard house. The command was promptly obeyed and the cavalier scout was hur- riedly conveyed to prison. On the same evening, about nine o'clock, as the General was riding around the post he was astonished at seeing Bill salute him from the sidewalk. Without saying a word to the mys- teriously liberated scout he rode directly to the guard house and in a thundering tone demanded of the guards why Will Bill had been permitted to escape. His aston- ishment greatly increased, however, when they assured the General that Bill was in the guard house ; but an ex- amination soon showed that they had been cleverly deceived ; for it was soon discovered that one of the other prisoners, whose term of service expired that even- ing, had changed clothes with Bill and himself remained in durance in order to give the popular scout his liberty. This devoted comradeship so affected Gen. Daviess that he at once pardoned the man who had contrived Bill's escape, and ordering both men to be sent to his headquarters, he repaired there himself to give them an unexpected greeting. When Bill and his devoted friend entered the General's office they were received with the greatest cordiality and, 76 HEROES OF THE PLAINS invited to fill up on some extra cogniac used by the Gen- eral only on special occasions. After speaking in the most feeling manner of the value of true comradeship, and complimenting the friendship which prompted one of his guests to sacrifice his own liberty to secure that of the other, the General turned to Bill and in a courteous and defferential manner asked him to relate the adventure by which he had come into possession of the horses. First excusing his hasty and insubordinate reply made during the day, Bill told The General all the circumstances of his pri/ate expedition, and in proof of his assertion he asked Gen. Daviess to send a party of men with him back to the spot where the tight took place, agreeing to produce the bodies of his victims. Accordingly on the following day a detail of his men accompanied Bill back to the banks of the Meramac tributary where the bodies of the three bushwhackers were found and properly buried. After the events here recorded Gen. Daviess became one of Bill's warmest friends, and had many other proofs of his great valor and services before the campaign of 1864 closed. The little black mare captured from the bushwhackers, by Bill's urgent request, he was permitted to retain, and this animal afterward became one of the most famous horses ever bred in America. Being black as a raven, with limbs rounded with all the beautiful symmetry seen in the choicest blooded animals, she would attract marked attention among all the horses of the world. Bill gave her the name of Black Nell, and giving much care to her training, she became the heroine of many adventures, which will be recorded in a subsequent chapter. Early in January, 1 *<*>">, (Jen. Curtis, having again driven Price and Shelby out of Missouri, established his headquarters at Fort Leavenworth, where he could more LIFE OF WILD BILL. il readily observe the movements of guerrillas who contin- ued harassing convoys, couriers and weak posts in east- ern Kansas and western Missouri. Wild Bill remained in the service as chief of scouts, but he was employed a greater part of the time in Missouri. in February, Man-to-yu-kee (Conquering Bear), one of the sub-chiefs of the Sioux Indians, a friendly tribe Man-to-yu-kee (Conquering Bear.) under the command of Gen. Jim Lane, came into Fort Leavenworth and reported to Gen. Curtis the encamp- ment of five hundred Choctaw warriors ten miles west of Lawrence, on the Kaw river. The Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, also some of the Creeks and Osages, were employed as soldiers by the Confederates, and although they performed very little service, yet the entire country, 78 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. especially eastern Kansas, was dreadfully excited over an anticipated Indian massacre of whites. Consequently, when Conquering Bear became the messenger of such news, reporting the fierce Choctaws in such close prox- imity, there was no little apprehension created even in the mind of the gallant Curtis. Sending for Wild Bill, whose acquaintance with the Indian character was thorough, Curtis recited the facts as reported by Conquering Bear, and then asked him what course of action he would advise. The reply was fully characteristic of the man's readi- ness to brave any danger where his services might prove of value. Said Bill : " The Indian is a mighty uncertain animal, and those that profess the greatest friendship are very frequently the most deadly enemies. I'll tell you my idea : You send me back to the Sioux camp with this chief, and before I return, you can depend on it I will know how many Choctaws arc near Lawrence and what they are up to. If I'm not back here in four days, just put it down that I've dropped my scalp." Curtis replied : " It looks to me as though such a trip would be very hazardous if the hostile Indians are really near Lawrence, unless you should take one or two hun- dred men with you." " I don't want any one with me," answered Bill, " ex- cept Conquering Bear, and if he deceives me or is trying to lay some devilish trap, then one of us will lift the other's hair. No, I will only take Black Nell, and am prepared to Leave here for the Indian camp early to-morrow morning." " Well," responded Curtis, " if y-u think it possible to penetrate the Indian camp, or learn the exact location and intention of the Choctaws, I think the importance LIFE OF WILD HILL. 79 of learning these facts warrant me in sending you ; there- fore, whatever you may require it shall be provided, aiiq^ I can only hope for your safe return." Bill sent for the Indian chief, and after acquainting him with Gen. Curtis' desire, said : "I shall go with you directly to your people, and then I shall expect you to guide me to the hostile camp ; but remember, if you de- ceive me in the least thing, one of us will have to die." The Indian made many assuring promises that his loy- alty to the Union and enmity to the Choctaws alone prompted his desire to lead the Federal troops into the enemy's camp. On the following day, pursuant to the arrangements, Wild Bill and the Indian started for Lawrence, which place they reached the same evening, and shortly after- ward went through the Sioux camp. Leaving there after night, the two proceeded westward until suddenly, in the darkness, Conquering Bear gave a singular whoop, and, hiding quickly in the bushes, left Bill surrounded by a band of Choctaws. The treachery of the Sioux chief was now plainly apparent, and Bill saw that he had been pur- posely led inside the hostile pickets. The Indians rushed out from every side, but the darkness was so profound that Bill was screened from his enemies, three of whom lie killed when they came too close. His little black mare, with the intelligence of a scout herself, was so obedient that by a tap of the hand she lay down or ran from covert to covert as Bill desired. The Indians, in the meantime, ran upon one another in the darkness, being unable to locate their would-be victim, and by a series of strategies, such as giving the Indian whoop and other signals which Bill well knew, he managed to elude the Choctaws, and finally escaped without receiving the least injury. After an absence of nearly four days Bill returned to Fort Leavenworth and made due report to Gen Curtis 80 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. of the circumstances of his trip, and thereupon asked for a, leave of absence for one week. His request being granted, Bill went directly to Lawrence and began active endeavors looking to a personal meeting with Conquering Bear. Being well acquainted with the language and pe- culiarities of the Sioux, Bill soon found opportunity for sating his revenge. A young warrior from the tribe be- ing seen walking the streets of Lawrence, Bill approached him cleverly and by a liberal treatment to whisky and gew-gaws soon gained his confidence and friendship. Through this intermediary Bill was not long in reaching Conquering Bear, who, through promises of a secret re- ward awaiting him at a spot three miles east of the town, wa.s easily allured to a sequestered place unaccompanied except by the } r oung fellow who had faithfully followed Bill's instructions. The two Indians were proceeding slowly as if expect- ing to meet with some persons bearing rich rewards, when suddenly Bill rose out of his hiding place and confronted the dusky traitor. For a moment they stood perfectly s! ill, eyeing each other, one filled with fear, the other with desire for revenge. Drawing from his belt two pis- tols Bill threw one to Conquering Bear and told him to defend himself ; but the Indian knew the deadly aim of his antagonist and refused to fight with the pistol. Bill then told him he had either to fight or suffer the death of the dog he was. Conquering Bear tried to parley, but being forced to accept immediate terms for a fight, he at length chose the knife, the long, keen-pointed bowie, with a blade two inches in width and an edge sharp as death's visage. Men on the '>order invariably carry this desperate weapon, and Conquering Bear was an expert in its use, but not more proficient than was Bill ; each could threw the blade through the body of a one-inch sapling LIFE OF WILD BILL. 81 at the distance of ten paces, and in the manual exercise with a bowie they were truly professional. Bill quickly accepted the terms proposed by the Indian and in a cool and calculating manner selected a level spot and then instructed the Indian youth to prepare it for the duel. This he did by kicking off the leaves and twigs and drawing a circle ten feet in diameter in which the contestants were to meet each other. The arrange- ments having been perfected, Bill stepped inside the cir- cle and called to Conquering Bear, but the Indian acting as though fear had transfixed him, stood motionless until Bill threatened to shoot him dead in his tracks if he did not engage in combat at once. This threat aroused him, and with a lithesome spring he leaped inside the imagin- ary enclosure, his great knife gleaming in his right hand, which was raised to a level with his face. The two mor- tal enemies as they stood for a moment calculating the opportunities for a first deadly thrust, were objects of really magnificent terror. Such beauty of physical pro- portions and such an exhibition of marvellous courage were doubtless never before witnessed in a personal com- bat as, with breasts bared to the steel, the two antago- nists glared at each other a moment before commencing the deadly onset. Bill was the first to make a motion, stepping forward quickly one pace and delivering a feint ; the Indian drew back, but partly stooped as if to make a rush, then like two enraged lions they sprang at each, other, meeting in the center of the ring, and catching the points of their knives they remained clashed together for several minutes. There now succeeded a violent strug- gle, their dreadful weapons remaining edge to edge, while the left hand of each was around the other's body, every muscle standing out in great ridges, evidencing the terrible strain produced by the efforts of each to throw 82 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. or disadvantage the other. Like two fighting bull-dogs C DOS when both secure a strong hold, clinging tenaciously un- til exhaustion forces a relinquishment of the r • rn ; it was thus that Bill and his antagonist bv ,, ^er until tired nature caused a s< taration. - /' / i0 ^ ever, kept faithful watch during v. brief Ule in «. " encounter. After a lapse of fully ten minutes the u > havi no . recovered from his first fright, was the i a ^aQce for a re-engagement, but Bill showed equity ^ „o begin the desperate work, and both being in J ely en- raged the second encounter produced frightful results. They came together with terrific force, but wit 1 marvel- lous dexterity each expert caught the knife of the other on the edge of their respective weapons. But they did not clinch this time, for they now foresaw only ex- haustion in such tactics which might permit an almost resistless execution of the one of the least endurance, each doubting his own superiority. A few moments were spent in feints, change of positions, backing and advancing until conceiving his opportunity, Bill gave a terrible thrust at the Indian's heart, but a buekle on the swarthy warrior's breast diverted the blow from its pur- pose ; the knife was deflected slightly after striking, but went downward with such force thai it cut through the Indian's jacket and opened a fearful gash, several inches in length, in his side, from which the blood gushed in tor- rents. But in gh ins his enemy this dreadful wound Bill did not escape without serious injury. Seeing the thrust made, the Indian struck hard at Bill's heart, but the knife was caught in the scout's left arm and struck to the hone near the shoulder point and stripped the flesh half way to his elbow. From these two wounds the ground soon became covered with blood, and yet the fight WILD bill's duel with conquering bear. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 85 continued while the strength of each flowed rapidly away. The Indian grew weak very fast now, and realiz- ing that if victory came to him it must be through an effort speedily made, he thrust at Bill with great violence and precision, but the dextrous scout skillfully parried the effort and the next instant his knife went through the neck of Conquering Bear, splitting through the tendons, and cutting the jugular vein. With a convulsive twinge of the body and straightening of the right arm the In- dian fell forward, burying his tightly clutched knife in the ground to the hilt. The young Indian who had remained a horrified spec- tator of this most terrible of all personal conflicts, seeing the chief fall dead went up to Bill at once and bandaged his wounded arm, so that £he flow of blood was partly stopped. Bill returned to Lawrence and on the same day left for Kansas City, where he placed himself in charge of his old physician and friend, Dr. Joshua Thorne. But the wound was an obstinate one, and caused him pain and annoyance for years afterward. This memorable battle was fought on the 22d day of January, 1865. The object of Conquering Bear's treachery in trying to compass the death of Wild Bill, was, no doubt, to obtain a reward that had been offered by some of Bill's enemies to accomplish their cowardly purposes. These rewards were very frequent immedi- ately after the close of the war, some of which and the circumstances under which they were offered, will be described in subsequent chapters. The Indian boy who had served Bill in this matter was duly recompensed ; in addition to a liberal receipt of money, Bill took him to Kansas City, gave him many advantages and finally went back with him to the Sioux, upon the Niobrara river, where their reservation lay. 86 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER VI. After the close of the civil war, Wild Bill decided to quit the States for a while and pass a season on the Nio~ brara trapping for beaver and otter. He was encouraged in this decision by the young Indian who had aided him so materially in satisfying his vengeance against Con- quering Bear. This young buck whom Bill, in his diary, calls Joe, had returned with his tribe, after the close of their operations along the Kaw river, to their res- ervation in Nebraska, and had frequently begged Bill to pass a season with him on the Niobrara. After the kill- ing of Man-to-yu-kee, the Sioux entertained a very ex- alted opinion of Bill, particularly because the dead chief had been exceedingly unpopular among his own people. These several circumstances, added to which game for the trap was reported as being abundant on the Niobrara, which ran through the Sioux reservation, influenced Bill to depart for that country in the fall of L865. Among the Sioux was a sister of Indian Joe, named Mary Logan, whom Bill declares was a direct descendant of the great chief of that Dame, though there was a goodly amount of white blood in her veins. This girl was about eighteen years of age when Bill first became acquainted with her, and he rarely mentioned her with- out going into raptures over her beauty. Within a few days after he first met Mary Logan he could not avoid observing the love which was lighted in her heart ; she lingered about him as though influenced by some magnetic or mesmeric force; hungered for the honey of his words and her eves bespoke the admiration in which she held him. Her bounteous hospitality and persuasive words, together with the persistent solicitations LIFE OF WILD BILL. 87 of her brother Joe, finally induced Bill to make her home his own during the season. This home was only a little I02; cabin containing a sino-le room, with a large fire- place, before which hung, almost constantly, many pieces of jerked venison, antelope and buffalo meat. It was not such a place as love usually selects to build her bowers, but this Indian maiden admired the white face, and more especially the comely, symmetrical features of Wild Bill, whose fame as the most daring of Western heroes, had been disseminated among every Indian tribe west of the Mississippi river. Being unable at last to endure his absence, Mary Lo- gan begged Bill to allow her to accompany him on his rounds in examining his traps, and to be with him on his frequent hunts, a privilege, which he gladly permitted, for the girl was very handsome, excellent company, and so devoted to him that her constant care was for his happi- ness. The cabin in which the Logans and Wild Bill lived, was so circumscribed in its limits that the single room was made to subserve all the purposes of an Indian fam- ily, which are, of course, but few. This intimate com- panionship continued for a period of six months, during which time Bill had taught the girl how to read and write, indifferently but yet intelligibly. Notwithstand- ing this truly remarkable intimacy, in many particulars equally close as the most devoted man and wife, Bill always declared that the girl never lost her virtue, that her honesty was almost phenomenal, for she would readily have sacrificed her life rather than have forfeited the jewel of her chastity. There is something in this poor Indian girl's character which is pathetically beauti- ful ; an uncultivated bud in the great garden of God's diversified creation ; reared in her own simplicity and 88 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. protected by no words of wise counsel or warning, noth- ing but the shield of her innate innocence. Her love was pure as the fountain at its source, as sweet as the nectar of heaven's own distillation, as coy and confiding as the soul that gives itself into the keeping of a loved one. The trapping season having closed and spring time drawing on apace, Wild Bill bade his prairie maiden adieu and returned to Missouri , but before proceeding to a description of his subsequent adventures it is interest- ing to follow the now despondent Indian girl, for her life took on many grievous vicissitudes after her parting from her white lover, who was the ideal of noble manhood in her estimation. In the succeeding fall (1866) a fellow named Kogers, from St. Louis, found Mary Logan among her people, still on the Niobrara, and being captivated by her beau- tiful face and figure proposed marriage, which she ac- cepted, not because his affection was reciprocated, but solely because he promised to take her with him to St. Louis where they would make their home. The poor irirl had never ceased grieving for Wild Bill and she be- Lieved that, living in Missouri, whither she knew he had gone, she would find opportunities to see him often. Mary Logan therefore sacrificed her maidenhood and went to the States as Mrs. Rogers. By singular coincidence very soon after reaching St. Louis she did meet Wild Bill in one of the numerous parks of that city, and in the meeting her joy was bound- less. When he left her again it was with the promise that a correspondence should be maintained between the two. Several months elapsed, during which time a weekly exchange of letters passed between Mrs. Rogers and Bill without the husband entertaining even a suspicion of LIFE OF WILD BILL. 89 such a fact. Much evil, however, was destined to flow from this pleasant correspondence. Bill's letters were so precious in her sight that, instead of prudently destroy- ing them, she kept each one as though it were a priceless treasure. One of these communications at length fell into the hands of the husband, and as the language was of a decidedly affectionate character, the justly jealous husband at once accused his Indian wife of infidelity, treachery, duplicity and outrageous conduct ; all this she bore with perfect resignation, but when he began the Wild Bill and Mrs. Rogers in the Park. same kind of abuse against Wild Bill she flew at him with all the inflamed indignation of her nature and a do- mestic scene ensued. Still they lived together, but shortly afterward removed to Kansas City, where a second letter of Bill's being discovered, the same scene was re-enacted as that which had transpired over the first discovery at St. Louis. Rogers having severely chastised his wife and threatened Wild Bill Avith death, Mary re- solved to kill her husband. To accomplish this she had 90 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. recourse to poison, mixing it with his coffee, and soon after Rogers had drank the fatal potion he was a corpse. All these facts she wrote to Bill and then disappeared, going back to her former Indian life, it is supposed, but so completely did she conceal her identity that Bill never again heard of her. It is possible that the sore heart which gave her such great distress — finding that she could never become the wife of the man she loved dear- est of all on earth — finally admonished her to find rest and peace in a suicide's death. Upon his return to the States Wild Bill went directly to Springfield, Mo., where he soon after engaged in a duel with one of the most desperate men that ever start- ed a graveyard. At this time (18G7) Springfield was the place of rendezvous for scores of roughs, gamblers and dangerous characters generally. In one respect it was a meeting place for the desperado element created by the civil war. The southern half of Missouri had been strong- ly inclined toward secession, and the Confederate forces had been augmented by many companies recruited below the Mason and Dixon line, and especially from the dis- trict immediately adjacent to Springfield. When the war closed, of course these discharged soldiers returned to their homes with the spirit of Southern sympathy still uppermost, while defeat had only served to increase their bitterness toward those whose political sentiments were in sympathy with the North. Wild Bill was known (if not personally, at least by reputation) to every man, woman and child in and about Springfield, and his enemies — bitter, uncompromising, deadly foes — were numbered by scores; yet he lingered about the place as though the danger in so doing had become an irresistible allurement. Bui one of the prin- cipal attractions about Springfield, to him, was the mire- LIFE OF WILD BILL 91 stricted gambling carried on in nearly every other house on the business streets. The place had literally become a paradise for sporting characters, of which class Bill was not only a member in good standing, but occupied a dis- tinguished position. He gambled with all the naturalness that characterizes a duckling when it first strikes water — not so much for profit, perhaps, as for the excitement it afforded. Though he was constantly surrounded by numerous enemies who would have given half their future for his life, yet they stood in awe of his cool intrepidity, the precision of his aim, the charmed life which seemed to have preserved him for more gallant acts, and the proud carriage of his person which told so plainly that he knew nothing of fear. Any other man than he would have been dragged to the nearest tree and throttled, while a crowd of jeering desperadoes would have either lent a ready hand or stood by and applauded the deed ; but the bark of his pistol meant the bite of a bullet, and men rarely become so lost to discretion as to fail in their respect for leaden pellets. Some time during the summer, a terror to the neighbor- hood, named Dave Tutt ( formerly a spy in the Confeder- ate service), came to Springfield — some said for the ex- press purpose of killing Bill — and at once threw himself into the gambling element of the place, and per conse- quence, soon met Wild Bill. The two engaged in a fifty- dollar limit game of poker in the second-story of a build- ing fronting the north side of the public square. Bill played in bad luck and lost several hundred dollars, and on the last hand he called when the bet was twenty-five dollars more than he could put up. Being unable to dis- charge the debt at that moment, he made a memorandum of the amount and bade Tutt good-night. 92 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. After Bill had retired to his room he resolved never to play in a game with Tutt again, as the suspicion just then dawned upon him that he had been cheated. But he kept his own counsel, and on the following day bor- rowed fifty dollars more of Tutt, and with this money he soon afterward raised another handsome stake. Three evenings after his first game with the ex-Con- federate spy Bill was in the same gambling room and there he again met Tutt, who proposed another game of poker To this Bill objected, but in such manner as led Tutt to believe that he was no match for such a dexterous player. Tutt then offered to stake a friend against Bill, and this proposition being approved the two began to play. Before beginning the game, however, Bill drew a large gold watch from his pocket, and laying it on the table before him, said to his partner: ''Now I'll play you a twenty-five dollar limit until one of us is broken, or until twelve o'clock ; at that time I must quit, and there- fore want this fact understood at the beginning." Bill played this time in such excellent luck that Tutt's friend required frequent slaking, and in a couple of hours' time his winnings were over five hundred dollars. Tutt began to show signs of reluctance in putting up any more for his unlucky friend, and in a tone betraying much anger said : " Bill, you are now ahead of this game enough to pay me that fifty dollars I loaned you, and also that forty dollars I Avon off you Tuesday night, and I want the money right now," at the same time striking the table with his fist. "All right, Dave," responded Bill, "here is the fifty dollars I borrowed, and now here is the f /rent //-Jive dol- lars I owe you on the bet 1 called Tuesday night." "That Avon' t do, Bill," replied Tutt, "you owe me LIFE OF WILD BILL. 93 fifteen dollars more, and I intend to have it right here, or you won't get this watch again," taking up Wild Bill's watch and shoving it into his pocket. Bill arose from the table and looking Tutt in the eye very coolly remarked : " Well, Dave, I'll pay you every cent I owe ; here is my memorandum book and you saw me enter the amount I overbet at the time ; it was twenty-five dollars, not forty." Tutt now began to manifest great rage and called Bill several vile names, while all in the room fairly held their breath in anticipation of a mortal combat. But they were disappointed. Without betraying the least excite- ment, Bill replied to Tutt: "I don't want any row in this gentleman's house, but, Dave, you had better put that watch back on the table or somebody will get badly hurt. I'll leave this matter to the boys who were present when you won the twenty-five dollars, and if they say it was forty dollars I'll pay you the money, but not other- wise." Tutt only pursed up his lip at Bill, and turning about started out of the room, at the same time saying : " I'll just keep this watch all the same, and if you want it bad enough you can meet me in the public square to- morrow morning at nine o'clock, for I intend to carry it across the square at that hour." " You'll never get across that place with my watch unless dead men can walk," replied Bill; and thus the two parted, Tutt taking the gold time-piece with him. This singular dialogue astonished the gamblers present as they were never before. Some began to think that Bill's courage was chiefly on paper, and that he was really afraid of Tutt. But the true reason an encounter was not preciptated in the room at the time was undoubt- edly the fact, which both realized, that even an attempt 94 HEROES OF THE TLAINS. to draw a pistol would have resulted in the certain death of each; because they were both skilled in the use of weapons and death wound would not have prevented a return shot. On the following morning (Saturday, September 12th) nearly the entire male population of Springfield and vicinity, hearing of the threatened duel, assembled about the public square at an early hour. The law-abiding and peace-preserving class was too small, or indisposed, to restrain the two men from fighting to the death in the Wild Bill Satisfies the Natives. . most prominent spot of the town. In fact any attempt at interference would not have been tolerated. The event promised altogether too much amusement for the crowd to endure a postponement. Promptly at nine o'clock Dave Tutt stepped out from the crowd on the west side of the square, and holding up the watch so that every one could see it, made some- bravado remarks and started toward the center of the then enclosed place, carrying a large navy pistol in his right hand. Bill was equally prompt, and advanced LIFE OF WILD BILL. 95 toward Tutt briskly, scarcely showing the ivory-handled pistol which he nearly covered with his hand. When within ten paces of each other Tutt was the first to raise his pistol, and instantly there were two reports which rang out in su<)h quick succession as caused many who were unable to secure a good view, to believe, for a moment, that only one shot had been fired. There was no doubt concerning the result, however, for Tutt dropped his pis- tol, and clapping both hands over his heart fell forward without uttering a word. The bullet from his pistol whistled harmlessly by Bill's head and buried itself in an opposite building, where the mark may still be seen. The instant his pistol was discharged, and without noting the result, Bill wheeled in his tracks and, pointing his pistol at Tutt's friends, coolly asked, "Are you satis- fied?" He expected a general attack from his old enemies, and was therefore fully prepared to face any consequences, but while they showed their weapons there were none in the crowd bold enough to appeal the result before them. Bill was arrested directly after the shooting, but even in a place where he had few friends and many enemies, the respect for his daring nature was such that at a pre- liminary examination he was discharged upon, the ground of self-defense, and the grand-jury never took cognizance of the tragedy which was played so true to nature before a town for an audience. 6 96 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER VII. Leaving Springfield, soon after the killing of Tutt, Bill went to Nebraska, where he again engaged in trap- ping, but only for a brief period, owing to an incident which made it judicious for him to leave that country, and which may be described as follows : Having tried for beaver on several of the creeks of Nebraska without meeting favorable results, he changed his quarters with the intention of testing some of the branches in the southeastern part of the then Territory. Reaching Jef- ferson county Bill chanced upon a country saloon which derived a patronage from wayfarers and cow-boys. Hitching his horse he went into the saloon and called for a drink. In the place at the time Avcre half a dozen herders, all in a partial state of intoxication — that con- dition which invites either a fight or a treat with the same desire. In response to Bill's order the bar-keeper set out a glass and the usual black bottle, at the same time giving such a look as indicated the inquiry, "See here, stranger, what are you a doin' in these here diggins?" Four of the cow-boys, seeing Bill in the act of taking a treat all to himself, got up from the boxes on which they had been sitting and began to interview the new-comer. Bill gave no heed to their insults, but just :is he was in the act of raising the glass to his lips one of the herders, anxious to test the stranger's pluck, gave Bill such a sudden push in the back that the liquid was dashed all over his face, his hat fell off, and in the momentum he struck the counter so hard that it was nearly turned over. Without uttering a word BD1 wheeled about and struck the curiously inclined fellow a blow that sent him on the LIFE OF WILD BILL. fly over three or four boxes, and into the corner, where he lay limp and bleeding like a stricken ox. The other herders were now in for a fight and were bound to have it ; Bill tried to pacify them and show the justification of his act, but his mild language only excited them the more. Seeing that some shooting had to be done, Bill proposed to fight any four of the men with pistols at a distance of five or fifteen paces, just as they might choose. This proposition was readily accepted, with the provi- sion that the bar-keeper should act as umpire, giving the A Duel with Four Men. word when to fire. A distance of fifteen paces was duly marked off and the four men took positions five feet apart, each parly being allowed to shoot when the word •' fire" should be given, and- then to advance and fire at will. The bar-keeper, who was a bald-headed, cross-e}^ed specimen of uncivilized villainy, pronounced the affair a delightful little sporting event, and with a doubtful smile on his ugly face stood in the doorway of his saloon and shouted : 4 'Are you all ready? One, two, three — fire ! " 98 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Before the last word had died from his lips Bill had killed the man on the left, but at the same time he re- ceived a wound in the right shoulder which caused his arm to fall uselessly by his side. It required but an instant, however, to snatch the pistol in his left hand, and being ambidextrous his fatal precision dropped the other three men with as many shots. Examination disclosed the fact that three of the men were shot in the brain and must have died instantly ; the other was struck in the right cheek and a large portion of his jaw was carried away, but he survived, and was living three years ago (1878) in Kansas City. The names of the four men were Seth Beeber, Jim Slater, Frank Dpwder, and Jack Harkness, the latter being the survivor of that terrible fight. Bill's wound gave him much pain, but notwithstanding this and the apparent kindness of the bar-keeper and others in the saloon, who carefully bandaged the in- jured limb, Bill very wisely concluded that the locality was now decidedly too insalubrious for him to remain thereabouts. On the same day he set out on his favorite black " Nell " for Kansas City, where he arrived on the 2 ( Jth of December, seven days after the fight occurred. His wound had become very much worse owing to neg- lect, and for two months he was confined to his room, suffering great pain in the meantime, but before spring his recovery was so far accomplished that he was able to join the expedition against Black Kettle. This expedition was organized to punish the Chcy- ennes who had left their reservation and stalled upon a career of brutal atrocities. They had murdered many settlers in western Kansas, participating with their northern brothers in the dreadful massacre on the Re- publican river, and then separating continued their dep- redations along the Wachita and Canadian rivers. LIFE OF WILD 1ULL. 99 Two commands, one under Gen. Primrose and the other under Gen. Carr, were sent out after the perpetra- tors of these malignant, inhuman crimes. Wild Bill was made chief of scouts under the former, and Buffalo Bill filled the same responsible position under Gen. Carr ; subsequently, however, the two commands were consoli- dated, and Wild Bill was made first assistant chief of scouts under Buffalo Bill. The Indians were hotly pur- sued for more than one month before a decisive engage- ment could be precipitated. Early in March, '69, the Cheyennes were brought to bay on the north side of the Wachita river, nt>ar the Antelople Hills in Indian Terri- tory, and a memorable battle was the result. The In- dians were found encamped in a thick woods, and so strong was their position that the most desperate fighting was required to dislodge rhem. Black Kettle, one of the ablest chiefs that ever led a body of rapacious Cheyennes, was in command of the Indians, and so powerful was his very name that many renegades from the Arraphoes and Kiowas, under Little Raven and Satanta, had joined their fortunes with him. The fight was begun by a charge from the front under Primrose, while Carr executed a simultaneous flank movement and attacked the Indians in the rear with such force that they were driven from their first position. This advantage the troops followed up speedily, and though the loss had been very severe, every man in the command felt the importance of now doing his full duty, however great the sacrifice. The woods resounded with the y ells of charging squadrons, and soon squads of Indians were flying from covert to covert like frightened animals in a corral of hunters. Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill were the heroes of that day, and their deadly rifles did the execution of an entire com- pany ; without regard for the danger they incurred, each 100 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. rode into the very midst of the Indians, and with such destructive effect that they are credited with having killed no less than fifty of the red-skins. But it was reserved for Wild Bill to win the greater honor. Black Kettle, realizing how disastrous had become the battle, sought safety in precipitate flight ; but he was espied by Wild Bill, who ran a gauntlet of spears, tomahawks and rifles, and, catching the famous chief, plunged a bowie-knife through his back and heart. But in performing this desperate feat, Bill was struck through the left hip with a spear and nearly unhorsed. So pressed was he by more than a hundred Indians, that the trophy of a chief's scalp could not be secured ; and but for the plucky aid of Buf- falo Bill, who plunged in among the Indians and dealt death with a lavish hand, Wild Bill would certainly have been killed. His wound soon became so painful from the effects of the poison with which the spear was dipped, that after the battle was concluded it became necessary to convey him back to Ft. Hays in an ambulance. The In- dians were so badly beaten that very few escaped, and those few soon afterward came in and surrendered. All the squaws and children of the tribe were taken, among the number being a sister of Black Kettle, who was after- ward killed at Hays under peculiarly lamentable circum- stances, as will be found described in the life of Capt. Payne. Wild Bill's condition did not improve, and being in great need of complete rest for some time in order to insure recovery, he resolved to visit his old home in Illinois. The wound received in his Nebraska duel had not yet entirely healed, and the fistula formed from the cut received in his tight with Conquering Bear was still sup- purating and painful. On the 3d of April Wild Bill returned to the LIFE OF WILD BILL. 103 home he had left in his approaching manhood, more than thirteen years before. His aged mother was in the doorway to welcome him, but there were so many changes in the appearance of mother and son that only the same hearts remained to give recognition. From the boy whose prowess and adventure had never extended beyond the occupation of wolf-scalping before his departure, James Hickok had been transformed into "Wild Bill," whose wonderful deeds were on the lips of every American and had interested every reader of border history. The proph- esy he made when first reading the life of Kit Carson had been fulfilled and a world had recognized his intrepid daring, his unexampled strategy and his peerless charac- ter in the civilizing process through which the great West was passing. He had returned, laden with his honors, to rest a while under the roof which had sheltered his in- fancy, and to stray along the Vermillion's banks, wooing remembrance of his youthful days and looking backward over the path which ambition had made him travel. Un- der the loving care of his mother and affectionate kin- dred, Wild Bill soon felt returning strength and conva- lescence. CHAPTER VIII. Two months passed pleasantly away with Bill, for from the hard service he had so long endured, the delicate attention he now received was like soothing balm to his wounds, and there was a rapid recovery. But the rest- less spirit soon became conscious of its restrictions in the old home of his nativity, and with recovery came the 10* HEROES OF THE PLAINS. desire for new adventures on the wild wilderness of the Western prairies. Before returning West, be concluded to visit one of his boyhood friends named Heman Bald- win, who was a resident of Chicago. Upon reaching that city Baldwin, having been apprised of his intended visit, met Bill at the depot and gave him a warm reception, after which the two drove around to the principal places of interest, and Bill was introduced to several of the most prominent gentlemen in the city. On the evening of the second day after Bill's arrival in Chicago, in the company of his friend Baldwin, he went into the billiard hall that was attached to the St. James hotel. Being dressed in the genuine garb of a frontiers- man, buckskin clothes trimmed with leather fringe, he naturally attracted much attention everywhere on the streets, but at no place did the curiosity of Chicagoans display itself so much as in the billiard hall ; men actu- ally left off in the midst of their games to gaze enquir- ingly at the singular stranger, and Bill soon found him- self the cynosure of all eyes. Among those who made up the crowd in the saloon were seven compatriots of hoodlumism, fellows whose airy tongues, swaggering style, and noses bedizened with the torch-light of whisky's ensign, indicated plainly their belligerent and crime loving proclivities. They fixed their gaze on Bill with curious interest until the seven • •(included it would afford them much satisfaction and re- dound no little to their reputation to give the stranger a severe threshing — just by way of illustrating how tame Chicago boys could handle the wild plainsman. In order to introduce the social affray one of the party accosted Bill in the following manner: " Say, you, leather breeches, where did you come from?" LIFE OF WILD BILL. 105 ' ' I came from a section of country where everybody minds his own business, a place you never saw," re- sponded Bill. " Why, the Indian scalper is a little sharp ; but there are some feathers in his wings that ought to be cut," another of the roughs suggested. To this second insult Bill paid no attention because he anticipated the object of the crowd and was anxious to avoid trouble. A third one, however, considering his turn had come to say something witty, addressed Bill : ' ' I suppose that everybody in your country dresses in raw-hide and washes every morning in a pot of fresh blood ; ain't that so, Wild-Bull-of-the-Woods ? " " Well, a country of that kind is better than the one you came from, where there isn't a fellow who knows his own father," replied Bill. This cutting rebuke created a perfect tempest among the irascible hoodlums. Another quickly walked to- ward Bill and fairly spit out between his teeth the in- quiry : " Do you mean to say that our mothers are not honest women?" " I mean," answered Bill, "if they are it was d — d bad business they got into when you were begotten." The words were scarcely out of his mouth before the bullies gathered billiard cues and assailed Bill with an ex- pressed determination to take his scalp in a manner pe- culiar to the lake-side city. Although still lame and sore from the wounds in his hip and arm, Bill forgot these in the fight which ensued. In a second he had grabbed a cue, which was as quickly broken convenient to his hand, and then the trouble be- came at once very serious. The fight, in fact, was a counterpart of Gilhooley's affair at Tim Finuigan's 106 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. wake, when a shillalah was worth a crown a second. Baldwin, Bill's friend, was, of course, engaged and did splendid service as a reserve, wielding a cue with much dexterity. Bill was struck several times on the head and arms, one of the strokes cutting a long, deep gash in his forehead, but he fought with the same cool desperation which had brought him so much glory and a decisive victory at Rock Creek. At the end of ten minutes the seven Chicago braggarts were extended on the floor, each nursing bruises and cuts the evidence of which will abide with them through life. They had thoroughly interviewed "leather breeches" and definitely determined the product of that queer coun- try from whence the stranger had come. They each felt like the little barefooted boy who delivered a vicious kick at an old plug hat only to find that under it were purposely concealed three big bricks. Bill returned to Troy Grove on the following morning with his head well bandaged, wearing painful mementoes of his Chicago visit. While recuperating before starting for the West again, he received a letter from Vice-Presi- dent Henry Wilson, as follows : Washington, D. C, May 17th, 18G9. James B. Hickok, Esq. : Dear Sir : A party consisting of several gentlemen, ladies and myself, desire to spend a few weeks in the far West during the warm season, and 1 hope it will be our fort line to secure your excellent services as our guide. I have heard much concerning your wonderful exploits in the West, and of such a character, too, as commend you highly for efficiency in the scouting service of the govern- ment . If it he possible for you to accompany our party as guide some time during the following month, please write me at once al Willard's Hotel, Washington, indi- cating what compensation you will expect, and also from what point in Kansas we had best start on the tour. I LIFE OF WILD BILL. 107 shall leave to you the selection of a pleasant route, as your general acquaintance with the places of interest be- tween the Missouri river and Kocky Mountains better quali- ties you for deciding the trip that promises the most at>- tractions. Hoping to hear from you at your earliest convenience, I am, yours truly, Henry Wilson. On receipt of this letter Wild Bill replied at some length, giving Mr. Wilson a brief description of many in- teresting places, a visit to which it would be profitable for the party to make. He fixed his compensation at five hundred dollars for the trip indicated in his descriptions, and feeling sure of an acceptance of the proposition, he made provision for returning west. In this connection it is but proper that reference should be made to another trip Bill had made as guide to a party of officials, during which, however, no incidents of special interest occurred : In the spring of 18G6 a party of government officials, appointed in compliance with a special act of Congress for the purpose, made a visit to all the Indian tribes then on government reservations. Wild Bill was chosen to guide this party, and acquitted himself so well that each member of the commission paid him the highest compli- ments. Henry M. Stanley, who has since distinguished himself by his African explorations, accompanied the commission as a special correspondent of the New York Herald, and in that capacity he epitomized the life of Wild Bill and sent many columns of matter to his paper descriptive of the great scout's valor, quiet humor, wonderful acumen as a guide and Indian trailer, and above all his marvellous accuracy of aim. These stories possessed much interest for readers of the Herald, and in fact for readers generally, as they were all copied by many other papers, and served to make the name of 108 HEJIOES OF THE PLAINS. Wild Bill as familiar as that of Daniel Boone and Davy- Crockett. Harper' 8 Magazine devoted several pages to a description of his adventures, a number of which were appropriately illustrated. But it is only necessary to pay a passing allusion to these facts, as the important inci- dents are already given more fully in the preceding pages. On the twentieth of June the Wilson party, with Bill as guide, left Hays City, well provided with teams, spring vehicles, and a well stocked commissary. The gentlemen in the party, with the exception of the Vice President, were dressed, singularly enough, in a style of garments peculiar to the Washington modes ; that is, tight-fitting pants, cut-away coats and stiff hats. Bill could not help making some remarks about this, to him, odd manner of dress, especially as he saw how inconvenient, if not un- comfortable, it must prove upon a journey of the char- acter they were about to make. Mrs. Wilson and the ladies had more wisely prepared themselves with easy, unconventional dresses, at once evidencing the fact that they appreciated the admiration of their escorts less than the comforts they desired while traveling on the plains. Mrs. Wilson being a woman of superior wit, and jolly under almost any circumstances ; in fact the evanescent life of a party, on the day of their departure engaged Bill in an agreable conversation, and the two speedily became well acquainted. kk Now," said she to Bill, "you are with an unsophisticated crowd of Yankees who know ju-t as much about life on the plains as they do about the person who first discovered there was a man in the moon; there is no doubt , too, but thai some of these younger ones are badly in love, and this only serves to make their simplicity more apparent. I want you, Mr. Ilickok, to keep a protecting eye on the party, LIFE OF WILD BILL 109 110 HEROES OF THE TLAINS. discover their good and indifferent points if you can, determine which are most courageous, etc., and see that none of them get into trouble." Of course Wild Bill readily assented to this request from so amiable and elegant a lady ; and the party set out with bright prospects under his watchful guar- dianship, traveled over a large extent of territory, camp- ing at night beside cool streams, roamed through the canons of the Arkansas, and visited the spot on Repub- lican river where the Cheyennes had perpetrated ono of the most terrible massacres that is recorded in Indian warfare. Bill interested the party in many ways, giving them examples of his skillful marksmanship with pistol and rifle, pointing out places memorable for some excit- ing incident, and at night regaling them with stories of his life. The weather was delightful during the entire trip, game abundant and nothing occurred to mar the perfect pleasure of anyone in the social expedition. Nearly five weeks had slipped by before the party re- turned to Hays City, but the time had been so pleas- antly employed that there was a general regret expressed for the termination of the tour. On the day the tourists were to leave for the East the Vice-President had a dinner prepared at the hotel, to which Bill was invited, and at the conclusion of the feast the distinguished head of the party addressed Bill in the most complimentary language, referring to his reputation and pronouncing him one of the characters most essential ui the settlement of the great West, where brave men were needed to curb the ferocious elements met with in all new countries ; then opening a beautiful case contain- ing two elegant ivory-handled pistols, he presented it to Bill as a souvenir of " the most pleasant trip he (the Vice- President) had ever made." LIFE OF WILD BILL. HI Hays City was, at this time, one of the liveliest towns on the frontier. It contained a population of nearly two thousand souls, and nearly every ''soul" in it was a lively character. The people were essentially a sporting The Principal Amusement at Hays City. class, with a gambling den for every dozen of the males, and a saloon — well, the whole town was practically a drinking shop. Fights, murders and drunks were the incidents which enlivened the otherwise stupid place — » 112 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. not much stupidity about such a place, the reader will at once decide. But in fact, outside of the demoralizing deviltry of the citizens, Hays City was only a little spot sitting uneasily in the centre of a quiet prairie. On Sun- day, as well as on every other day, the voice of the keno caller could be heard in its monotonous cadence, as well also as the exclamation "O! shucks," from those whose numbers were all crossed — but one. Faro had its vo- taries even more numerous than keno, and the street walker could any time hear the euphonious refrain, " I'll copper on the tray," or, " busted ag'in, gimme a drink." It was a singular civilization, that of Hays City in the fall of 1869, and as every one enjoyed the sensation of hourly expecting a call from an enemy bent on fight, the population consented to have a marshal, whose services they expected would be that of a mutual protector, guard- ing one enemy from the surprises of another. Wild Bill being universally regarded as the very per- sonification of reckless courage, and therefore being ac- cordinglv popular, was elected City Marshal of Hays City on the 8th of September, 1869. He went into of- fice at once, and while every disorderly character consid- ered himself exempt from interference, he nevertheless expected the marshal to interfere with every other per- son, so that there was great satisfaction felt, and really salutary influences were looked forward to, in the newly created office. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 113 CHAPTER IX. Directly after assuming his official duties Bill was called to perform an act which, involved the destruction of one of the most noted desperadoes on the border, — Jack Strawhan, — who had started a half-dozen fresh graveyards in as many different places, and boasted of his ability to clean out Hays City and its new marshal . Some years before the occurrence about to be related took place, Capt. Kingsbury, at that time sheriff of Ells- worth county, had occasion to arrest Strawhan for violent conduct and outrages committed in the town of Ells- worth. But the desperado was too powerful for one man to handle ; besides his herculean strength he was well armed and quick to use his weapons. Knowing this Capt. Kingsbury called his deputy, named Charles Whitney, and also Wild Bill, who chanced to be in Ellsworth at the time, to his assistance. The three approached Strawhan in such a manner that he saw resistance would result in his certain death, and therefore quietly sub- mitted to arrest. But as there was no jail in Ellsworth he was tied securely for a short while until manacles could be provided. During the time of arrest Strawhan made oath by declaration that he would kill Wild Bill, Whitney and Kingsbury when the first opportunity offered, and the character of the man justified belief that his public threat would be carried into execution. Learning that Bill was discharging the duties of City Marshal at Hays City, Strawhan paid a special visit to that place with the avowed purpose of getting even with him, a warning which soon reached the ears of his in- tended victim. 7 114 JlEROES OF TJlfi PLAINS. On the nineteenth of October, 1869, while Bill was in Tommy Drum's saloon with a party of friends, his alert eye caught the form of Strawhan entering the room by a side door. As his acquaintance with the desperado had never extended beyond the circumstantial meeting hi Ellsworth, Bill appeared to take no notice of him, though in fact the quick glances of his watch- ful eyes kept him duly informed of every movement his enemy made. Strawhan strolled up toward the bar in an apparently indifferent maimer until within ten feet of Bill, when, conceiving that his opportunity had arrived, he jerked out a heavy navy pistol, but when in the act of raising it, Bill, with lightning-like quickness, drew one of his small derringers, and with the same movement sent a slug squarely into Strawhan' s left eye and through the brain. The shot was so instantly fatal that the man was stone dead on his feet, falling forward on his face without even a twitch of the muscles. Without eriving the sli"\:t- DO est heed to his desperate work Bill turned to the bar a. id extended the familiar invitation to all in the house : "Come up, boys, let's all take a drink,*" and il is only a titling conclusion to this description of an " official exe- cution" to say, that none in the saloon refused. The body of Strawhan was "sat on" by a " crown- cr's jury," the verdict of which was, " served him right, and SO we declare." At night some of the boys got up an improvised string band and gave Bill a serenade in true Western style, which ended, as did everything else in Hays City at that time, in a general free-for-all drunk, with a few bad fights by way of siyce for the occasion. Whitney did not di by the hands of Strawhan, but in 1873 he became engaged in a brawl with a Texas despe- rado named lien Thompson, in which he was shot to LIFE OF WILD BILL. 115 death. Capt. Kingsbury is still living in Kansas City, respected by all who know him. In December following the event just narrated, Hays City became the objective point of Bill Mulvey, a no- torious thug, prize fighter, cut-throat and demoralized character generally, whose home was in St. Joseph, Mo. Mulvey was a "terror" in his own neighborhood and had fallen into the pernicious custom of running St. Joe whenever his skin became thoroughly impregnated with whisky, which was, generally, on an average of seven times a week. When Mulvey reached Hays City he wanted only a few drinks of that tantalizing, heroizing, belligerent liquid peculiar to the far West, to put him in proper condition for carrying out his old custom in the new town, and he was not long in supplying the want. It may be proper to explain here that, while every per- son in Hays was a "bad crowd" on general principles, yet there was no single individual in the place who had ever assumed the responsibility of running the town, or believed he was equal to such an undertaking. But Bill Mulvey was an importation, and therefore excusable for arrogating to himself a capacity which no man indig- enous to the place thought of claiming. When Mulvey got up a pressure of about three hun- dred pounds to the square inch he moved in his old style, and began howling like a Dervish , swearing like a recent senator from Missouri, and making the town shake with resolutions to clean out every "son of a whale " who showed himself on the streets. Not satisfied with threat- ening, he secured a club and began a promiscuous on- slaught on windows, boxes, doors and everything he could find that was breakable. At length a constable and jus- tice of the peace trained their official batteries on him and tried to place him under arrest, but with such poor 116 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. success that their prisoner brought up his reserve and with raised club ran the two dignitaries nearly a mile out of town. Things were now ir;ettini2; altogether too interestino; for comfort, for Mulvey, emboldened by his successful raid on (lie two officers, took possession of the town so completely , .uit wherever he went there seemed to be, judging from the ready obedience everyone yielded him, a perfect resignation to his authority. At the time these depre- dations were being committed Wild Bill was in another part of the town and did not learn of Mulvey' s dis- turbances until the west end was given over to his pleasure. Word was brought to Bill, by a little boy, concerning the troubles of citizens dealing with the des- perado, and going at once to the place of difficulty he soon found Mulvey, who had a pistol in each hand and was si ill yelling like a tribe of victorious Comanches. Approaching him in a quiet manner Wild Bill said: "Stranger, 1 shall have to arrest you for disorderly conduct ; come with me." Raising his two pistols in Bill's faee Mulvey replied ■ "Well, now stranger, suppose you come with me, I hold the winning hand." "That's so," responded Bill, "I can't beat that pair." " No, I guess you can't, and since you are so fresh it will be a good thing for me to hang you up till you dry. March !" was the command given by Mulvey. Before Hill turned Ik; backed off two or three steps and raising his hand as if to warn Mulvey againsl an at- tack about to be made; on him from the rear, said: " Don't hit him boys, he's only in fun." The strategy was perfectly successful, for Mulvey im- mediately turned about expecting to confront a new ad- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 117 versary, but this act was the last in his career, for Wild Bill secured the drop in an instant and shot Mulvey in the head, killing him with that rare skill for which he was remarkable. Everyone in Hays rejoiced at the result of Bill Mul- vey's " big tear," and instead of holding an inquest over the dead body it was at once carted out to the nearest burying spot and slung into a hole. Wild Bill was con- gratulated with words full of unctious flattery and the citizens directly wanted to see him elevated to the highest pinnacle of fame, for they observed that he was civilizing and protecting the neighborhood. The duties of marshal were easy enough foi several months after the killing of Strawhan and Mulvey. Bill was regarded with great popularity as a conservator of the peace, without specially interfering with the morale of the town ; his acts met with great favor because they were recognized as the execution of a stern but whole- some justice. During the campaigns of 1869-70 Gen. Phil. Sheridan had his headquarters at Ft. Hays, a station one mile west of Hays City. After the success of the Indian expeditions along the Wachita, Arickaree Fork and Canadian rivers, the troops returned to Ft. Hays, making a garrison for the time being of about two thousand soldiers. These enlisted men paid frequent visits to the town, and soon became the source of no small annoyance, as they were in the habit of filling up on pioneer whisky and then turn- ing things literally inside out. Wild Bill had arrested several of the more turbulent soldiers from time to time, which developed a bitter hatred on the part of the men against him. He anticipated trouble from these unreason- able, reckless volunteers, and was constantly prepared for emergencies. 118 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. On the 12th of February, 1870, a body of soldiers visited Hays and began their usual orgies, which, of course, called for Wild Bill's interference. Among the disturbers of the peace was a large, double-jointed ser- geant from the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, who had a goodly reputation as a boss shoulder-striker, and his ability to "curry" the best man in the regiment was generally conceded. This fellow (whose name is not given in Bill's diary for the reason, perhaps, that he never learned it), on the day named, was in Paddy AYelch's saloon smashing up things with an abandon which did him infinite credit as a desperate character. "Wild Bill learned of the disturb- ance and was soon at his post of duty. Soldiers were standing around watching the hilarious occupation of their sergeant and evidently enjoying the privilege of practicing any deviltry their fancy dictated. Bill Avalked into the saloon and laid his hand on the sergeant, at the same time repeating his invariable command: " Stran- ger, I shall have to arrest you for disorderly conduct ; come with me." The sergeant, taken by surprise at what he conceived to be a piece of remarkable cheek and impudence, re- sponded : " How much do you weiirh, Mr. Long Hair?" " I weigh only one hundred and sixty-five pounds," replied Bill, "when I'm in a good humor, but my fight- ing size is a fraction more than a ton ; you come along with me." "Hold on!" said the sergeant, " I'm not going with you just now ; but I'll tell you what I will do: Til fight you a fair fight right here in front of this saloon, and if you lick me then Tin your meat, but if I lick you then you're my meat ; how do you like the proposition, eh?" Before Bill could reply more than a dozen soldiers sur- LIFE OF WILD BILL- 121 rounded the two men and began shouting: "Fight, fight, let 'em fight," etc., so that but one of two alter- natives was left, either get out of the crowd like a coward, or fight like the brave man he was. It was therefore agreed that Bill and the sergeant should leave their weapons with Paddy Welch and engage in a fair battle to determine squarely their respective claims to the other's "meat." Although the sergeant was much larger, he was by no means a match for Bill. When the two men faced each other, stripped of their coats, they showed abundant mettle and lost no time in getting to work. The ser- geant led off, but made such a bad miscue that his. right- eye lit heavily against Bill's fist and his nose followed suit countering against the kick of the marshal's second blow. Bill fought all round him, and in less than half a minute had the big sergeant down, in a dreadfully de- moralized condition. Fourteen of the soldiers seeing their officer in the grip of a threshing machine with small chance of getting out without much assistance, ran in and began to club and stone Bill. Paddy Welch, realiz- ing the great danger of his friend, at the imminent risk of his own life gathered up Bill's pistols and, pushing through the crowd, succeeded in placing them m their owner's hands. Now the fun did begin with renewed in- terest. Bang ! and with the discharge down went one of the boldest soldiers. Then the crowd shouted, " Look out ! he's got a pistol !" but before they got away, two more of their number were shot dead The remaining soldiers then drew their pistols and began firing with such accuracy that Bill was struck no less than seven times. He retreated firing, wounding three more of his antagonists, which permitted him to escape by swimming Smoky river. When he reached the other side, how- 122 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ever, his wounds gave him so much pain that, fairly drag- ging Ins injured body to a buffalo wallow, he secreted him- self therein and tore up his clothes to bandage his hurts. Three balls had passed through his arms, three more en- tered the fleshy parts of his legs, and one had penetrated the flesh of his left side. None of these wounds were serious provided they could have received proper atten- tion, but he was now compelled to undergo an exposure which not one man in a thousand, perhaps, could survive. While on his feet the blood had run down into his boots until they were nearly full , he was, therefore, compelled to cut them off, especially as one of the wounds was in the calf of his leg which the boot top rubbed, producing the most violent pain. Bill lay in the wallow for two days, so stiffened and in such agony from his injuries that he could not summon up courage to attempt a change. The weather was very cold in the meantime, and from this he suffered as much as from the wounds ; his clothes — the few that remained on him — were frozen to the ground, and the bandages, now stiff from frozen blood, seemed to gnaw at his injuries like ingenious in- struments of torture. On the third day, half-frozen, weak from loss of blood and fasting, sore in every muscle, and suffering from the most poignant anguish, Wild Bill arose, with the crotcheting motion of Rip Van Winkle from twenty years of sleeping, and by dint of incomparable resolution gained his (n-i. lint being unable to put on his boots he wrapped his undershirt about his feet and struggled away from that bed of terrible suffering. Moving al a painfully slow pace he nevertheless managed to reach Ben Williams' ranche, five miles from Hays, and there he remained under the care of a kind friend for several days. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 123 Knocking at the cabin door where Williams lived, his friend answered the summons, hut, with a startled look, said : " Why, my God ! Bill, what is the matter? Come in and tell me what I can do for you." " Well, Ben," slowly responded Bill, " I am in a bad fix ; shot all to pieces and suffering worse than I did with them hurts I got up at Rock Creek. Didn't you hear of the tight up at Hays, three days ago? " "Yes," replied Williams, "I heard about the fight, but I never knew you got shot ; I am afraid, Bill, they will catch you here, for they are scouring the country for you." " Why, who is after me now? " eagerly enquired Bill. " Good gracious ! oldpard," replied Williams, " don't you know that Gen. Sheridan has ordered out a whole company with instructions to bring you in dead or alive ? ' ' "No," answered Bill, "is that so? Well, they can take me here, then, for I can't go any further ; I'm almost dead from pain and hunger." " They'll not take }^ou if I can prevent it; I've got an old pallet up in the loft of this cabin, and I guess they'll hardly find you up there," were the assuring words of Williams. Bill was at once assisted up a ladder that stood in a corner of the cabin, and he there lay secreted and was properly cared for by his friend for more than three weeks. It transpired that Bill had effected his escape from the soldiers without any of them supposing he was wounded, and after Gen. Sheridan had issued his stern order to capture and bring in the daring marshal " dead or alive," it was reasonably supposed that only a long chase would accomplish that result ; consequently the soldiers who were sent after Bill did not look for him in the immedi- 124 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ate vicinity, and were therefore unable to execute the order. After nearly a month of hiding, under the care of "Wil- liams, Bill had so far recovered that he left the ranche in the company of his friend Whitney and went to Ells- worth. But through fear of detection at this point, he left there in a box car on the Kansas Pacific road and went to Junction City, where he remained until his wounds had entirely healed. CHAPTER X. Tiie vicinity of Hays City being decidedly insalubri- ous, "Wild Bill, after easting about some time for a con- genial and remunerative occupation, at length decided upon a novel speculation, in the firm belief that he saw a fortune awaiting him in such an engagement. lie rightly divined that Niagara Falls was a place of popular resort for fashionable people and that these visitors, having plenty of money, were willing to pay liberally for their amusement. Now, thought he, what could afford so much interest as a buffalo chase — real, shaggy, untamed buffaloes, with Comanche Indians to lead the sport? The idea did appear pregnant with large profit, and but for some mismanagement would, no doubt, have paid very handsomely. Having made up his mind, Bill at once determined to secure six line buffalos and four Comanche Indians, and with this outfit he proposed to visit Niagara during the summer. Accordingly, in .May, he set out, for the buf- falo feeding grounds on the Republican river, intent upon the capture of animal- for the forthcoming exhibition. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 125 Reaching Culbertson, a small village in Nebraska, now the county seat of Hitchcock county, Bill employed three assistants and with them went southwest one hundred miles. Here he found a large herd of buffaloes grazing on the prairie a few miles north of Beaver Creek and made ready for the capture. A very laughable circumstance was connected with the exploit about to be related. Bill had killed scores of buffaloes, understood their habits and was an expert hunter, but he had never undertaken to capture one of these huge, unwieldy animals alive. After duly consid- ering the matter, he adopted the most ludicrous scheme that ever entered a man's mind. He knew that a drove of horses could be easily managed by tying their heads together, and this knowledge prompted him to use the same means for controlling the desired number of buf- falos. In pursuance of his resolution, he prepared a number of lassoes and, having everything ready, started on a fleet horse for the drove. By riding and driving judi- ciously, he soon got into the center of the herd, which numbered about five hundred, but with all his persever- ance he could not satisfactorily adjust his lassoes, on account of the low position in which a running buffalo carries his head. Seeing that little could be accomplished while on horseback, he decided to abandon his horse and ride the buffaloes, which were pressed so closely together that he could easily slide from one to the other. Acting upon this determination, he removed the bridle from his horse, so that the reins might not fall and become entan- gled in the feet of the horse or the buffaloes, and with his gun in one hand and lassos in the other, he jumped upon the nearest buffalo. But now finding his gun an encum- brance, he rode the buffalo while tying the gun on his 126 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. back, and then began the adjustment of his lassoes - Bill presented a most comical appearance astride of a lumbering bull, which plunged and snorted with fright as though Satan himself were breaking him in. But the work of maintaining a proper position, while managing his gun and lassoes, was a truly perplexing and difficult task to Bill, which only one accomplished in expert horse- manship could possibly perform. The assistants kept pace behind, laughing at the rare sport now developing, and feeling pretty certain that the fun must continue for some time, as Bill had worked into the herd until they could see no means for escape out of the rushing ava- lanche, unless he could shoot an open furrow through the stampeded buffaloes. But he had only one gun and his pair of pistols, so this idea was impracticable, and with this reflection Bill's assistants grew suddenly grave over the possibility of his destruction. They therefore rode around the herd, shouting and shooting, with the hope of sepa- rating them, but Bill objected to this; shouting through the dust and roar of the affrighted animals, " Keep back ; let 'em run, and I'll lariat the whole drove." After riding a buffalo thus furiously for several miles, and having become far removed from his horse, that was running with the herd, Bill concluded, since it was quite impossible to throw the lasso successfully, that he would place his lariats around the horns of at least six large buffaloes running abreast, and take his chances forgetting out from his uncomfortably close position, and securing his prize afterward. It was a comparatively easy matter for him to thus se- cure the required number of animals, though the security extended no further than binding their heads together. But he reasoned rightly that tin* six thus tied, being unable to freely move their heads, would soon tire and LIFE OF WILD KILL. 127 become separated from the herd, a supposition which was soon verified. Then his assistants came up, seeing him ride one of the selected buffaloes, and throwing a Ions: lasso the animals were soon in the grip of their captors. Bill's horse was easily recovered, for the moment the herd separated he returned to the horses ridden by Bill's assistants It was a long way back to a settlement, however, and a much greater distance to a railroad station. How to drive the buffaloes was then the conundrum. It was finally determined that two men should ride on each side of the herd with lassoes attached so as to pull the buf- faloes in any required direction. But the brutes proved unruly as a contrary pig, and ran from one side to the other, backward and forward, until the horses and men were tired out. To obtain a necessary rest, the buffaloes were tied to a tree and kept there for nearly two hours, until the horses had been fed, watered and well rested. During this breathing spell the idea occurred to one of the assistants that the buffaloes would drive much better if they were hobbled. " Well," said Bill, when the sug- gestion was made, "it is singular I hadn't thought of that before ; suppose you prepare some hobbles and put them on.'' But he was not so much surprised at the suggestion as he sought to make his assistants believe, for it was the hope that some of his men would try the experiment that prompted him to reply in the manner he did. One of the men was a herder and understood hobbling a steer or mule, but it is, nevertheless, certain that he did not know anything about hobbling buffaloes — until after his first experience. Having everything prepared he approached one of the animals which, though its head was fast, had the free use of its hind quarters. Just as 128 HEROES OF TITE FLA INS. the cow-hoy was in the act of slipping the noose around the buffalo's fore-leg the brute whirled its quarters and planted its hind foot on the shoulder of the aston- ished hobbler. Did you ever see a professional tumbler turn backward handsprings around a circus ring, observ- ing how rapidly he revolved ? That cow-bow resembled an expert tumbler for all the world. He just literally got up and spun through the air, as though he had been reeled off a spinning-wheel by a country maid. And when he lit there stood the buffalo about fifteen feet away looking as demure and melancholy as though he had lost his hind leg more than a week before. These men never laughed more heartily nor did one ever feel so grieviously humbled as was that quartette of buffalo catchers. The animals were not hobbled. After two weeks of the most tedious work the six buf- faloes were brought to Ogallala, and from thence over the Union Pacific to Omaha, where they were kept until Bill could conclude arrangements with the necessary number of Comanche Indians, of southern Indian Terri- tory. Four excellent specimens of that tribe were secured, one of whom had a cinnamon bear and another a large monkey; as these two animals were deemed curiosities which mighl be advantageously used in the Niagara entertainment, they were also engaged, and the menagerie moved from Omaha for Niagara Falls on the twenty-second of June. After leaching has destination Wild Bill set about con- cluding arrangements for the entertainment. A large lot of ground was secured on the Canadian shore and a suit- able enclosure erected. During the time these prepara* tions were being made the Indians exhibited their bear and monkey, deriving considerable profit therefrom. The chase being duly advertised for the 20th of July, LIFE OF WILD RILL. 129 an immense crowd of people assembled to witness the novel sight. As the enclosure was necessarily very large, Bill did not deem it advisable to build a high board fence to obstruct an outside view, thinking that the people who were interested in the exhibition would contribute quite as liberally if he passed his hat around among them. ;§a|||§j| §gg||||j| g The Aboriginal Part of the Outfit. The buffaloes were brought out in cao-es and at the appointed time were turned loose, with the Indians, who were decked in war paint, leather breeches and eagle feathers, in full pursuit, mounted on ponies. Several gentlemen, visitors at the Falls, having provided them- 130 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. selves with horses, also entered the chase, and a hundred yelping pet curs and poodles lent their assistance to make the occasion excitingly interesting. The Indians, yelling as only Comanches can, chased the affrighted buffaloes round and round the enclosure, showing at the same time their superb horsemanship, by executing the most difficult feats, to the great delight of the crowd. During the chase Bill moved among the spectators with his big som- brero extended, giving every one a chance to contribute. But after filing and pushing through the assemblage of nearly five thousand people, he emerged with the pro- ceeds of his expensive exhibition , and found that the en- tire contribution amounted to just $123.86 ; the expenses at the same time were $1,279.30, leaving a balance sheet shoving a loss of more than $1,000. When the Indians had returned again with the recap- tured buffaloes, Bill was confronted with a bill of expenses — novel but importunate. During the excite- ment the hear had been left muzzled and tied to a stake, and the monkey in his cage. Of course these curiosities had their votaries, and some one, in a spirit of mischief , had removed the muzzle and unloosed the bear, hoping to get up a counter attraction in the meantime. The mischievous fellow, whoever he. was, did not suffer a disappointment. There was a heavy bearded Italian in the crowd selling Vienna sausages, and another dressed in sailor's garb stood on a box singing songs, for which he expected a small consideration. When the peddler came up near the hear the smell of fresh sausage was too much for the r hungry animal to forego investigating, and being loose, he turned quickly on the Italian with the intention of capturing the savory meats. The poor fellow, frightened to the limit of his senses, ht go his platter and tried to run, hut the hear grabbed him in its large paws and tore LIFE OF WILD KILL. 131 his checked ovcrshirt into shreds, though giving his body only a few scratches. Some of the bystanders rushed to the rescue, and one bolder than the rest seized the bear Ii!l!!lIinil[l!!llllli!ll1i!lll!ll!lllll!Illllllllllill!ll!l!JiJII!lllll!!l!!' ill -flB lib II The Bear and the Sausages. in his arms and held it fast until the sausage man recov- ered the full use of his heels. Having been raised from a small cub by its Indian owner, the bear developed no 132 HEROES OF THE TLAINS. dangerous qualities and was tied again without difficulty. When Bill came in he was told of the side-show which had opened doors during the chase, and the trembling Italian greeted him with a demand for damages. After some parleying Bill purchased a new shirt for the irate but still badly scared fellow and then exhausted his de- tective ability in an effort to discover who unloosed the- bear — but he failed signally. The pecuniary failure of the buffalo chase now brought with it many troubles for Bill. He had not only spent every cent he could raise inaugurating the enterprise, but still owed sundry bills for hotel accommodations, care for his animals and entertainment for the Indians. He was hopelessly "busted," and just there, as if to add insult to his other mortifications, a dapper Englishman, wearing a single eye-glass, sauntered up to him and su- perciliously accosted him with : " See 'ere, my friend, h'are you h'an Indian h'or a white man?" In a perfect frenzy Bill struck the impudent foreigner a blow in the glass eye that sent him plowing up the ground ten feet away, following the blow with the re- mark : " That's the kind of a man I am ; do you want to ex- tend the acquaintance any further?" It is only proper to state, in order to satisfy the cu- riosity of the reader, thai the Englishman manifested no disposition to become better acquainted, as the intimacy had already been disagreeably close. Being unable to satisfy any of the demands made against him, Bill was left no other recourse than that of transferring the ownership of his buffaloes. The Indians were compelled to part company with their bear and monkey. With the balance left them, after paying all LIFE OF WILD BILL. 133 bills, they were enabled to accompany Bill back to Kan- sas, and return to their reservation. The pleasure of the trip, which had enabled them to see so much of the white man's civilization, seemed to fully satisfy them for their services, for they made no demand on their employer for compensation. When Wild Bill reached Kansas he found, to his de- light, that Gen. Sheridan and the Seventh U. S. Cavalry had left Hays City, and he was, therefore, relieved of any apprehensions regarding his personal safety in that section of country. It was his intention, after learning this fact, to resume his duties at Hays, provided he could again secure the office of marshal ; but, stopping at Abilene a few days to see some friends, he was sur- prised by an offer to make him marshal of that place. As the salary was entirely satisfactory Bill concluded to accept the position, especially since adverse circumstances had entirely exhausted his exchequer and immediate oc- cupation was therefore essentially necessary. When Bill became the custodian of the peace at Hays City he found a town just about as full of iniquity as he thought it possible to discover on the continent ; but while Hays was only comfortably full of the Devil's emis- saries, Abilene was running over and bursting out at the side with the very double distilled essence of depravity. The town, with less than one thousand permanent resi- dents, was filled with so much vileness that the very at- mosphere appeared impregnated with the odor of abomi- nation ; murder ran riot, drunkenness was the rule, gam- bling a universal pastime, fighting a recreation, and the mischief to pay generally the engrossing occupation. There was one chief reason why Abilene reveled in greater wickedness than any other Kansas town, and her citizens are in a measure excusable because they were 134 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. helpless. The place was one of much importance, owing to the fact that it had become the central shipping point for the cattle raised in Texas, New Mexico and Indian Territory. Every day great herds of cattle were driven in, and accompanying the herds were scores of reckless cow-boys and owners, who regarded nothing with so much favor as the meanest brands of tight ing whisky. After filling the pens these men invariably traveled to some s.-iloon, on as straight a line as the honey-laden bee, and like a dry fish thrown back into its element, they absorbed vitriol-adulterated liquids until some desperate act was LIFE OF WILD BILL. 135 almost certain to conclude the spree. The large cattle transactions at the pens made money abundant at Abilene, and as money is the root of all evil, every one in the place managed to secure a large portion of the root. Gambling followed as a consequence, and, preserving the natural sequence, shooting and stabbing became of daily occur- rence. This was the condition of society in Abilene when Wild Bill received his commission and began to carry a club as the insignia of his office. Of course there was much in his favor, for, though rhapsodizing sentimental- ists may enquire, "What's in a name?" it was very ap- parent that in the name of Wild Bill many bullies intui- tively saw a grim harbinger of their fate if their carnival of crime remained unchecked. Among the most desperate men on the border, who had killed several men and "stampeded" nearly all the West- ern towns, was a small, black-eyed, professional gambler, named Phil Cole. He had no regular abiding place, but striking Abilene he found that town so well suited to his calling and disposition that, to use a Western phrase, "he got his washing done in that hole" for several months. Within two days after Bill's appointment as marshal, Phil Cole, in company with another desperado named Jack Harvey, got on one of his accustomed tears, and regardless of the new officer, he began his usual indis- criminate destruction of property, smashing windows, kicking in doors, insulting women, firing his pistol, and sundry other malicious acts which demanded Bill's inter- ference. Jack Harvey was a companion of Cole in all these villainous proceedings and the two were permitted the free exercise of their devilish proclivities until Bill, in company with his deputy, Jim Mc Williams, put in an 13(5 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. objection. McWilliams was well acquainted with Cole and knew that some one would get badly hurt unless the gambler could be pacified. Approaching him in a friendly spirit he tried to induce Cole to give up his pis- tols, but in doing this Bill, standing off a few feet, ordered the gambler to surrender. This order only served to precipitate the conilict, for Cole immediately Wild Bill Accidentally Kills a Friend. tiled at Bill, but as McWilliams had hold of his arm the shol proved ineffectual. Bill now drew his own pistol and tired at Cole, but at the same instant the gambler in wrestling with McWilliams threw him in front in such manner thai the faithful deputy received the bullet in his heart and fell over dead; Cole now again raised his pis- tol, but er« he pulled the trigger a shot from Bill's LIFE OF WILD BILL. 137 weapon penetrated the gambler's brain, marking him for the second victim. Up to this time Jack Harvey had re- mained a mute spectator of the tragic proceedings, but seeing his partner in the agonies of death he pulled his pistol and fired at Bill, the ball passing through his hat and cutting oft' a lock of hair. But this proved Harvey's last shot; he had falsely reckoned, and for it paid the usual penalty. The smoke had hardly swept out of the muzzle of his weapon when the deadly aim of Wild Bill accomplished its work. Poor Jack, a good fellow under ordinary circumstances, forfeited his right to Bill's clem- ency and when he went down there was a bullet-hole through his heart. No act of Bill's whole life ever caused him such an- guish of mind, such poignant grief, as the accidental killing of Mc Williams. The two had been old friends — bosom friends in fact — and that his death should come in such a manner was abundant reason for the inex- pressible sorrow Bill felt. Years afterward tears would start instantly in Bill's eyes at the mention or remem- brance of his friend's death. The killing of Cole was regarded by the community as a " Christian act," because it was like ridding the coun- try of a ferocious and destructive beast ; but to make the act yet more righteous Bill raised the necessary money with which to give his victims decent burial. On one occasion, during a visit of Wild Bill to Hays City, after assuming the conservatorship of Abilene' s peace, he met with an adventure which has in it all the elements of an anecdote. At the time referred to it chanced that a professional pugilist named Patterson, from New York, had become a Hays City transient and had organized a school for training the combatively dis- posed people of that town in the art of pugilism. He 138 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. had several ambitious scholars who made such progress that the Professor decided to give an entertaiment in the place and thus demonstrate the results of his instructions. Among those in attendance — and the whole population was present — to witness the miniature arenic bouts on the improvised stage was Wild Bill, drawn thither by a natural curiosity. The novel entertainment proved a grand success ; so much in fact that several new scholars were enrolled for the succeeding term. After the exhibition had concluded, the Professor took a stroll down town — which means that he paid a visit to the most popular saloon for a " night cap " before retiring. In the saloon he found the usual crowd, and of course a conversation was at once started on pugilism and the qualifications of noted Western char- acters. "Wild Bill was mentioned as being the handiest man out West, a good shooter, skillful lighter, and brave to rashness. In reply to the panegyrics offered by the crowd on Bill, the Professor said : " Now, look here, I've heard a great deal about this man Wild Hill ; I would like very much to meet him, and if he's got the pluck to stand before me I'll show you how little he knows about the manly art.*' One of the party responded : "If you would like to see him, just look overtoward that corner (pointing to Bill); that man wearing a sombrero and drinking with Buffalo Bill LS the person you want." "G6od enough,*' answered the Professor, and step- ping to Bill he touched our hero on the shoulder and addressed him : "I understand that your name 18 Wild Bill, and that you carry around in your clothes the reputation of being the DOSS tighter in the .Ve>1 ." "Where did you - •: your information?" responded BUI. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 135) "Why, all the boys declare you have got away with every one that has tackled you yet. But I want to say that while I am in this country I am boss ; that's my business, and I'm ready to demonstrate my claims." "Well," said Bill (drawing two pistols), "I'll just shoot a hole through each of your ears, so that we'll all know you hereafter ; the boss ought to carry his private mark." "Hold on, hold on," said the Professor, "I don't mean that I'm a pistol fighter ; I'll grant you the de- served reputation as the best pistol shot on the plains ; but I can prove my claim as the best man on the muscle, and if you doubt my ability drop your pistols and sine your castor." The bantering; tone of the Professor made Bill mad as a wounded catamount, and giving his weapons to Buffalo Bill he sailed into the pugilist like a red-hot ball from a columbiad. For several minutes the furniture in the room flew about, mixing with legs and arms, while the boys stood around deeply interested in the fight. Tim Finnegan's wake was like a candy-pulling compared with the music of this memorable battle, for it developed into a veritable cyclone of furious laughter. Is it necessary to tell the reader that Wild Bill was victorious? Of course not, for if he had been as badly whipped as the Professor was no mention would have been made of this encounter. The fact is, the Professor was so outrageously threshed — like the game cock of many victories, who, after one bad defeat, never plumes his feathers with the oil of courage again — that it spoiled all the reputation on which he had so successfully traveled, the proper thing he realized was to indefinitely postpone the ensuing school session and search for new fields, which, let us hope, he found more fruitful for his purposes. 140 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XI. There was comparative peace in Abilene, after the Cole triple tragedy, until the holidays, when another tight occurred in which there were several seriously dam- aged skulls, but no deaths. On the 2Gth of December, 1870, a dozen Texan cattle men concluded to take the municipality by storm, as it were, and their preparatory arrangements, as a matter of course, consisted of an ample tilling up with Abilene whisky. Among this num- ber of " thoroughbreds," as they styled themselves, was the owner of one of the largest ranches in the Lone Star State. His name is withheld for obvious reasons, as he is still living, and a publication of the incidents about to be recorded, together with his real name and the impious part he subsequently played, would, certainly, be followed by legal perplexities. These interferences would not be regarded but for the fact that the necessary witnesses would be hard to find if indeed they could be at all. l>ut the facts will not be departed from one jot or tittle, and in order to preserve the identity of this individual, he will be called " Assassin Bledsoe." This bloody-minded twelve began their carousals by breaking into a harness shop, brutally beating the pro- prietor and stealing a number of bull-whips. With these they sallied out and attacked everyone they could meet on the street, cutting right and left, administering the severest punishment on several individuals and defying the authority of the entire town. None of them display- ing any weapons, 1 his fact led Wild Bill tO believe that the unruly crowd might be controlled without bloodshed, lie therefore called a few citizens to his assistance and undertook the difficult job of arresting the drunken partv. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 141 By chance Bill first accosted Assassin Bledsoe in his usual manner, using mild but pointed language. Instead of obeying the injunction, "Come with me," Bledsoe curled the bull-whip he carried over his head and strik- ing Bill on the arm, it cracked with a pistol-like report. The whip-stroke cut almost like a knife, and the pain it produced was just enough to make Bill feel like killing- some one, especially Bledsoe. Raising his club he dashed at the Texan and delivered a blow that laid open the skin on Bledsoe's head for a length of three inches. This precipitated a general light in which the citizens who were deputized and the Texan crowd mixed indiscrimi- nately. Clubs and stones were the only weapons used, but in the hands of infuriated men these were very dan- gerous and the result was something terrible enough for the most morbid appetite. Blood was streaming from numerous heads, arms were broken, bodies frightfully bruised and demoralization was pictured on every par- ticipant. Bill was the central figure in the fight, for be- ing regarded as a kind of standard bearer the Texans were anxious to take his colors. But he displayed the cool intrepidity which had made his name so celebrated, and though struck hard with stones, he kept his feet and wielded a club like Hercules before the Hydra. The deputies being reinforced by a number of other citizens, at length closed the battle with acknow lodged victory. The wounded were carried to the nearest houses and nec- essary surgical attention given them. The most serious injury was that received by Assassin Bledsoe, who was compelled to keep his bed for nearly two weeks, and the greatest care was required to prevent inflammation of the brain, from which he would have certainly died. During this period of dangerous illness, Bledsoe de- clared to his attendants, under oath, with uplifted hand in 142 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. attestation of his determination, that if life were spared him he would have Wild Bill's heart. When this threat of vengeance was conveyed to Bill he gave it no special concern, as perhaps a hundred others had vowed to satisfy the same revenge ; it was only another ad. nonition for him to be always on the alert and watchful against the strategies of his enemies. After Assassin Bledsoe had fully recovered from his wound he returned directly to his home in Texas and conceived one of the most dastardly, cowardly and vil- lainous purposes ever brought forth by a naturally infernal mind. Being well acquainted with all the miser- able, sneaking characters of his neighborhood, some of whom were dependent upon him for employment ; men whose desires and ambitions never rose above a full whisky bottle, and to whose plastic natures a trilling consideration was sufficient for killing any man from a covert by the highway. Knowing, as he did, eight such persons specially qualified for his designs, Bledsoe scut for them and contrived a meeting in an old barn which stood some distance from his house. These eight mon- sters of iniquity met their cowardly employer as per agreement, and that the design might lose none of its black hideousness the meeting took place under the cover of darkness. A jug of whisky played the part of a needful accessory, and when its influence became per- ceptible Bledsoe disclosed his purpose. With what words lie addressed his coterie of criminals no one knows but themselves, but it is definitely known that Bledsoe acquainted these men with his desire to possess the heart of Wild Bill, and that he therefore offered them the sum of $."),()()() in gold if they would kill him and take out his heart as an evidence thai the deed had been consumma- ted. He first bound them by a terrible oath not to LIFE OF WILD BILL. 143 divulge a word of the compact about to be made nor of anything connected with the meeting in the barn. The terms of this desperate contract were that, under no cir- cumstances, was his name to be discovered to anyone as the employer of their services for this dark deed ; that the sum of $50 should be given to each man to pay ex- penses of the trip to Abilene, and that in addition to this money $5,000 in gold was to be divided equally between them on the day that Wild Bill's heart should be de- livered to Bledsoe, and that the place of meeting for the completion of the contract should be at the old barn. To all these articles of the agreement the eight villains readily assented, and being at once provided with monejr for the trip, on the second day thereafter they started for Abilene. Reaching that town, instead of waylaying Bill, as Bledsoe expected, the impious crowd of hired assassins, never having had so much money at one time before dur- ing their existence, could not resist the temptation of so many saloons, and gave way at once to the cravings of their unnatural appetites ; as a consequence they drank until every one became hilariously drunk. While in this condition one of the men disclosed (though in disjointed sentences) the object of their visit to Abilene. A friend of Bill's hearing the asseverations of the drunken assas- sin plied him with such questions as brought out the en- tire scheme for the murder ; and being satisfied that the plan had been truthfully revealed, though by an irre- sponsibly drunken fellow, he lost no time in acquainting Bill with the purposes of the eight men. Bill received the information with thanks, but exhibited no uneasiness. He instructed his friend to return to the crowd and by some means which would not excite suspi- cion, inform them that he (Wild Bill) was going down to Topeka on the nine o'clock express. This information 144 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the friend duly imparted to the Texans, at the same time dropping several hints that his pistols had become useless and he was going to Topeka for the purpose of purchasing anew pair. .This little piece of clever strategy worked with such great success that their discomfiture was complete. Bill became a passenger on the east bound express train, and chuckled as he saw the hired murderers take the coach next the baggage car. Their idea was that Bill could be readily influenced to pass from one car to the other upon an invitation to join them in a game of cards, or a pre- tended acquaintance, and while on the platform it was arranged that he should be stabbed and thrown from the car. If this very choice scheme had not miscarried, the band of assassins could have left the train at the first sta- tion and walking back to their victim cut out his heart without there being a witness to their consummate villainy. Bui the scheme did not work. About an hour after the train left, Abilene, or shortly after ten o'clock at night, Bill concluded that now was the time for him to act, as most of the passengers would be asleep. Know- ing aboul where his would-be murderers sat, Bill walked through the car, opened the door and drew his two ivory- handled pistpls. Reaching the door of the car in which the eight sat , he peeped through a moment to discover their exact positions; he then threw open the door and walked quickly up the passageway. In another moment the assassins saw him, and as they also saw a large pistol in each hand, their impious hearts fluttered with the fear which immediately possessed them. Bill drew his wea- pons so as to cover the band, and then in a voice which indicated his resolution, he said : '• Now, vou infernal coundrels, gel out of this car in- stantlv or I'll make buzzard foodof your carcasses. Get LIFE OF WILD BILL. 145 #ut, and off this train or I'll kill you as I would a pack jf cowardly wolves. If it wasn't for disturbing the pas- sengers I'd kill you in the car, but I'm going to either make you jump off this train or I'll shoot v you off." While addressing them in this threatening manner, he drove the men before him, and as they believed he would shoot anyhow, the entire eight stampeded in their efforts to get out of the car, and when the platform was reached they leaped off into the cut through which the train was running at a speed of thirty miles an hour. In the fall one of the villains was killed and three others so seriously hurt that they had to be carried off by their comrades. This ended the efforts made by Assassin Bledsoe to secure Wild Bill's heart, notwithstanding his desperate oath ; neither did he have the gratification of attending his enemy's funeral ; in fact, after this, he lived for nearly six years in constant dread lest Bill should find and kill him. On Bill's return from Topeka, after this novel adven- ture with eight cowardly villains, be stopped two days at Ellsworth for the purpose of visiting a somewhat noted beauty of that place, named Emma Williams, whose charms had made an impression on the softer portion of his heart. Visiting this gay siren of fatal beauty at the same time was a big bully named Bill Thompson, and thus the two Bills met under circumstances especially favorable for the excitement of a fresh killing. Added to this jealous ri- valry, Thompson was moved by a spirit of revenge for having suffered arrest at the hands of Wild Bill nearly a year previously. Miss Williams, finding two dangerous lovers at her shrine, and both equally importunate for her favors, was compelled to choose between them. Fortu- nately for Bill, his handsome face and physique secured 14() HEROES OF THE PLAINS the coveted favor, while the coarse, uncouth, brutal physiognonvy of Thompson was relegated to the realms of woman's rejection. This decision could but culminate in a tragedy, for, as is usual with men of the base charac- teristics which distinguished Thompson, they almost in- variably resort to foul means when fair efforts are un- availing to accomplish their object . At the dinner hour, on the 17th day of February, 1871, Wild Bill entered a restaurant in Ellsworth and called for an oyster stew ; tin* tables of the restaurant were situated between small partitions, as are still frequently noticed in country ice-cream* saloons in the West. lie thought- lessly took a seat with his back to the door, a position, it is but proper to say, he never afterward assumed. As the waiter returned, bearing the stew in a bowl on a platter, Bill saw him exhibit a sudden fright, and turning quickly in his seat discovered Thompson approaching and almost in the verv act of firing on him. Sliding out of his chair with the celerity of a Hash, the movement was executed with such rare fortune that the ball from Thompson's pistol struck the dinner plate on the table before Bill, shattering it into a hundred pieces. Bu1 ere the jealous desperado could lire again Bill had jerked a small der- ringer from his breeches pocket and scut a slug squarely into Thompson's forehead. His plot to kill Bill had only turned upon himself. The waiter's frighl at this sudden and traffic meeting of the rivals was so great that soup, bowl and platter fell from his nerveless grasp, rattling in fragments on the floor, adding, by the noise, much to the general confu- sion which ensued. I»ill coolly resumed his position at the table and ordered the trembling waiter to bring him the gfitew, giving no heed to the unconscious victim on the floor; but the waiter showed no such indifference, stand- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 147 ing in dumb astonishment and fright until the restaurant tilled with the curious of the village. Being unable to obtain the desired stew, Bill coolly arose, tiled through the morbid crowd and hunted up another restaurant, where he feasted according to his pleasure. His arrest followed soon after, but at the preliminary hearing a clear case of "justifiable homicide" was established, so that his detention was not for more than two hours, and at night he returned to Abilene. In June, 1871, Wild Bill was appointed U. S. Marshal at Hays City, or was rather reappointed, for he first served in that position a short time during 1869 ; but as nothing of special importance transpired worthy of record among his spirited adventures during that period, the fact was not mentioned in chronological sequence. Two months after entering, for the second time, upon the discharge of his duty circumstances required his going to Wichita, Kansas, where he expected to arrest an of- fender who, it was reported, was infesting that town. There being no stage nor rail route to Wichita, Bill was compelled to make the trip on horseback, a style of travel- ing, however, wellsuitedto his disposition and preference. Upon arriving at Wichita, being wholly unacquaint- ed in the place, he directed his course to a saloon, before the door of which he alighted and tied his horse. Enter- ing the saloon, he was somewhat surprised to find it con- tained not a single soul — the proprietor, even, having" absented himself from the business for the time being. However, desiring to rest himself and possibly obtain some essential information concerning the offender of whom he was in search, Bill sat down and commenced reading a newspaper in order to pass the time until the proprietor should return. While he was thus engaged his attention was attracted by a horseman who was just 148 IIKIiOKS OF THK PLAINS. dismounting preparatory to entering the saloon. Bill looked up from his paper as the stranger stepped upon the threshold, for he supposed the man to be some ac- quaintance of the neighborhood, and passed the usual salutation : "llowd'ye." " How are you?" returned the stranger; "is your name Wild Bill?" "That is what I'm generally called," replied Bill. "Take that, then," said the stranger, accompanying the words with the instant production of a pistol which he fired so close in Bill's face that the skin was scorch- ed. The bullet, by rare good fortune, only struck his scalp, cutting a furrow more than three inches in length and grazing the skull. It was a desperately close call, but another fortunate circumstance was in the fact that Bill was so badly stunned by the shot that he fell to the floor as if stricken dead. The stranger, thinking that he had secured his victim beyond a doubt, did not deem it necessary to fire another shot into his body, but feeling concerned for his own safety speedily mounted his horse and rode swiftly away to the south. In a moment after the shot was tired the saloon pro- prietor returned, and seeing Bill lying on the floor in a dazed condition, quickly dashed a cup of water in his face ; then attempted to examine the wound, which was bleed- ing profusely. But Bill soon rallied, and gaining con- sciousness he eagerly inquired for the stranger. Finding thai his assailant had tied, he refused all offers of surgi- cal attention, and with the blood streaming down his fade, saturating his clothes and rendering his appearance gory in the extreme, he gave pursuit, Brs1 learning the direction taken by the would-be murderer. Being well mounted he gave rapid chase, though his horse ,vis well -pent by the trip jusi made. The stranger, after riding T/TFTC OF WILD I'.IIX. 149 with much speed for several miles, reined up, thinking pursuit would hardly be given soon by any officer, and least of all by the person who he felt sure was dead. But the pursuer pushed rapidly on, and soon came in sight of his man, who permitted him to approach within a few hundred yards before discovering that it was Wild Bill leading a chase. Notwithstanding his horse was nearly exhausted, he urged him to his best efforts, while the pursuit and flight developed into a furious ride, one for life, the other for vengeance. Finding that it was impossible to overtake the stranger, Bill had recourse to his weapons, and tiring as he rode soon disabled the assassin's horse and directly afterward shot the man through the back, producing a slow and terribly painful death. To make his revenge more complete, Bill raised the head of his dying victim and with the long, keen bowie he carried cut from the stranger's scalp a strip of hair and flesh such as he considered would correspond with the portion extirpated from his own. With this ghastly trophy he returned to Wichita and there had his own wound property attended to. Subsequently Bill learned that his unknown assailant was a cousin of Phil Cole — also a noted gambler, — who had made many threats to avenge his kinsman's death, and had sought for opportunities to execute his purpose, only to find at last that in seeking revenge he had become the vietim of a more fatal vengeance. As a reminder of this bloody adventure Bill carried the piece of scalp cut from his victim's head for many years. His brother, in communicating with the writer, stated that Bill kept this ghastly memento in his pocket- book until it became as hard as a piece of dried buffale hide, and it is possible, if not indeed probable, that he kept it until death divided his possessions. 150 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XII. In August following Wild Bill's return from Wichita an incident occurred which resulted, some years after- ward, in his renouncing his previous declarations to re- main a bachelor, and the taking unto himself of a wife. The circumstances which culminated in so great a change were romantically singular and are well worthy of record in these otherwise sanguinary chronicles of stirring ad- ventures. The incident referred to grew out of the exhibition of Lake's Circus in Hays City during August, 1871. It was a rare occasion to see a circus so far West at that time, owing to the sparsely settled condition of middle and western Kansas, and when the caravan began to pitch tents preparatory for exhibition not only the citizens of Hays betrayed great curiosity, but every one within a radius of more than twenty miles came into town, by a variety of conveyances, to see the show. Lake's Circus had been a standard entertainment for many years in the East and South, and in addition to the excellent reputation it bore it was well advertised by a novel free exhibition which became the rage even in the East — a grand balloon ascension just before opening the doors. The town council, like every one else in the neighborhood, though anxious to see the performance, held a meeting on the day preceding the time fixed for exhibition, and decided to charge Mi's. Lake, the pro- prietor Of the cirCUS, a license fee of (i ft v dollars ; but before the municipal body adjourned Wild Bill stepped up and asked to be heard a moment. Permission having been granted, the town councilmen lit their pipes, passed the bottle, and leaning back in their chairs posed them- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 151 selves while Bill expressed himself substantially as fol- lows : " I never made a speech in my life and I don't want to begin now, but I never went back on a woman, and I'm going to give you some plain talk. You fellows live so far outside of civilization that your hearts have dried up like small potatoes left out in the sun, and as you can't read the papers of course you don't know nothing about what's going on east of the coyote's range. "This circus that's advertised to show and furnish a little amusement for us heathens is owned by a woman, one whose pluck catches my sympathy every time. Her husband, Bill Lake, one of the best clowns that ever sung a jolly song, was murdered down inGranby, Missouri, by a cowardly villain, named Jake Killian, on the 24th of August, 1869. The brave little widow, after burying her husband, had to either sellout or go on the road with the circus, and circumstances advised her to carry the show. My opinion is that any woman capable to run a circus is a darned sight bigger curiosity in these parts than the leather heads of this village ever heard of, and when I see so much pluck shown by a little woman I just feel like throwing in and helping her. "Now, if you fellows that run this town knowed how to appreciate a good thing for the place, instead of charg- ing Mrs. Lake a license, you would vote an appropri- ation to pay her for coming out here to show us heathens a first-class circus. If I've got any author- ity in Hays, Mrs. Lake ain't going to pay this town a cent of license for showing, and if any man attempts to stop the show then just put it down that he's got me to fight. That's all I've got to say now, so drive on and we'll see who pays the fiddler." 1.32 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. When Bill concluded his "talk" the council of four decided to reconsider their action and remit the license, though this was, in the eyes of some, an extraordinary opportunity for starting a town treasury. Mrs. Lake, learning of Bill's disinterested kindness, senl for him and expressed many thanks, after which she introduced him to all the members of her troupe, includ- ing her little daughter, Emma. After seeing the para- phernalia of the circus and shaking hands with the per- formers, Bill turned again to Mrs. Lake and said : "Well, now, all this is fine enough, but do you know the greatest curiosity about this canvas is yourself; I never saw a woman before that could run anything, except with a broom handle, and to find one managing a bii> - cir- cus like this is a bigger sight than Calif ornia Joe when he was tackled by a panther down in the Wachitas. I used to think that women never amounted to much outside of being mother-, and I guess I wouldn't give them that much credit if it hadn't happened that I had a mothei myself, and a good one, too. But I've changed my opin- ion now, for if I could hitch up with such a business girl as yourself I'd go in search of the parson to-morrow." This language, though full of rather profane meta- phors and tempered with phrases little suited for kk lute- like lovers' lips." nevertheless expressed in homely truths Bilks real sentiments, for he fell in love with Mrs. Lake, cot only <>n first sight, but even before the meeting; he was caughl on the hook of her reputation. Mrs. Lake, 1 hough nof fully understanding the somewhat incoherent address of her determined suitor, yet saw be- neath his rough exterior a kind and healing sympat h v, and a heart ever brave ami willing to protect the weak. His face and form, too, were strikingly handsome, while his dress wa> that of a gentleman. In short, he excited tl e LIFE OF WILD BILL. 153 affection of her nature, having already Avon her admira- tion. But they parted without avowals, and nearly three years passed before they met again, when admiration ripened into a warmer feeling, as will be seen in a subse- quent chapter. Becoming tired of the life which Hays City afforded, Bill resigned his position as U. S. Marshal, and in the spring of 1872 went to Kansas City, where he found a place bristling with sports and excitements well suited to his disposition. About the same time the writer; who had been occupying an editorial position on the Fort Scott Daily Monitor, accepted an offer made him by the proprietors of the Kansas City Journal and took up a residence in the Bluff City, where he became intimately acquainted with the heroic scout and learned much con- cerning his marvellous career. Kansas City was a brisk town in 1872. It contained a population of nearly 30,000, and was the parent block off which was chipped all the gambling towns along the Kan- sas Pacific railroad. Games of chance, cards, keno, faro, roulette, dice, cock-mains, dog fighting and kindred means for hazarding money ran day and night. On the west side of Main, between Fourth street and Missouri avenu^, there was nothing in the upper stories of the buildings except gamblers and gaming outfits. But this district was peculiar only in presenting an unbroken chain, as it were, of gambling dens. Fifth street, between "Walnut and Main, was equally bad, even worse, because the rooms were less inviting and patronized by a more disrep- utable class. The lower end of mam street and the levee were given over to brothel houses, about which a first-class item could nearly always be found. The writer now recalls to mind one evening when he was de- tailed to report three murders and one suspicious death. 154 HEROES OF THE TLAINS. But to-day the infamies and demoralizing characters which once filled the streets of Kansas City exist only in the history of her progress, and the hum of her commerce has long since displaced the sonorous voice of the kino caller and the death-crack of the revolver. Notwithstanding the lawless, turbulent elements that gave character to Kansas City during the period of Wild Bill's residence in the place, he kept himself aloof from them, in his quiet, dignified, reserved way, and thus LIFE OF WILD BILL. 155 never had occasion to unloose the tiger that slumbered beneath his culm exterior. The peaceable tenor of Bill's way was disturbed on but one occasion while he remained in the Bluff City, and even this circumstance developed into a ludicrous rather than a sanguinary scene. Joe Siegmund, now proprietor of a railroad eating-house in Malvern, Arkansas, was at that time owner and keeper of the St. Nicholas Hotel, on the west side of the public square. Attached to the hotel was a bar and billiard room, which gathered an excellent patronage from the gambling gentry, and was nearly always full of excited young bloods taking their initiatory lessons in broils and drinking. On the occasion referred to, September 17, 1872, Bill walked into the saloon with an acquaintance and took a seat near one of the billiard tables, to watch a game then in progress. He had been in the saloon only a few minutes when four " larks," two-thirds full of Western cussedness, and the other third full of whisky, straggled around the room and stopped in front of Bill. One of the quartette, desirous of establishing a reputation for belligerenc}^, having heard much about Wild Bill, and knowing him by sight, in a most insulting manner halloed out to his com- panions : "Here, boys, is the great wild man of the prairies; the mighty untamable giaftycutus that eats three men every night before retiring and rises so hungry that he sometimes chews up a whole town for breakfast. Look out, I tell you, its just about his meal time now." This harangue very naturally excited Bill's anger, but with apparent indifference to the insult he only re- plied : " See here, young man, I'll lift you with the toe of my boot if you don't get away from here in five seconds." 156 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. The young fellow was spoiling for a row, and showing the butt of his pistol he abused Bill in a manner ab- solutely unbearable, calling *him every vile name that a wicked native was capable of uttering. Persuading efforts only serving to increase the belicose fellow's pro- pensities, Bill at length got up, and catching hold of his shoulder, administered a stunning blow on the young man's head which brought him to a realizing sense of his assailant's true nature. Then holding him by one ear. Bill boxed the impudent fellow's face until howls for mercy preserved him from a more severe beating. The lesson thus imparted was productive of excellent results, for the abashed " larker," with tears in his eyes, slunk away, followed by his amazed companions. After the crowd had departed Bill expressed many re- grets for having to use the young man so roughly, hut every one present pronounced the whipping a most de- serving ad, as it would probably serve to make the fel- low more respectful and considerate in his future con- duct. CHAPTER XIII. Jxthe fall of 1872 Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack had accepted a proposition made by Ned Buntline (Judson) to go on t lie stage and make a theatrical lour of the Stales in a play which he proposed to write for them. The en- terprise proved such a decided success thai for the season of 1873-4 the Buffalo Bill Combination, as it was called, made several flattering offers to Wild Bill to join them, and he was eventually induced to appear before the foot- lights in the bloody Indian drama entitled "Scouts of the Plains LIFE OF MILD BILL. 157 His first appearance on the stage was made in New York City, the cast for the play being as follows : BUFFALO BILL W. F. Cody. TEXAS JACK J. B. Omohundro. WILDB1LL J. B. Hickok. PALE DOVE ( Wife of Texas Jack) Mile. Morlacehi. Jim Daws, a renegade horse thief Frank Mordaunt. Aunt Annie Carter Miss Jennie Fisher. Ella Miss Lizzie Safford. Lotta Miss Eliza Hudson. Uncle Henry Carter, a friend of the scouts J. V. Arlington. Nick Blunder, with song and dance Walter Fletcher. Tom Doggett, in cahoot with Daws W. S. McEvoy. Ebenezer Louglank, gov't peace commissioner A. Johnson. Tall Oak, a Kiowa, but on the square W. A. Reid. Big Thunder, a Comanche Chief B. Meredith. Bear Claw, Comanche Brave H. Mainhall. Raven Feather J. W. Buck. The performance was lacking in many features essen- tial to what is called "smoothness," and especially in the part taken by Wild Bill. Buffalo Bill, in his autobiography, describes Wild Bill's acting in the following manner: " Although he had a tine stage appearance, was a hand- some fellow and possessed a good, strong voice, yet when he went upon the stage before an audience, it was almost impossible for him to utter a word. He insisted that we were making a set of fpols of ourselves, and that we were the laughing-stock of the people. " Wild Bill was continually playing tricks on the mem- bers of the company, and it was his especial delight to torment the ' supers.' Quite frequently, in our sham Indian battles, he would run up to the ' Indians ' (supers) and putting his pistol close to their legs fire and burn them with the powder instead of shooting over their heads. This would make them dance and jump, so that 158 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. it was difficult to make them fall and die — although they were paid twenty-five cents each for performing the ' dying business.' " Of his career during the period of his engagement with the Buffalo Bill Combination, Wild Bill left no memoran- da from which his exploits might be gathered for publi- cation, but several interesting adventures are given in Buffalo Bill's autobiography, to which the writer is in- debted for many important facts concerning Wild Bill, from which the following extracts are taken: "One day at Titusville, Pennsylvania, while Burke, the business agent, was registering our names and mak- ing arrangements for our accommodation, several of us started for the billiard room, but were met by the land- lord, who stopped me and said that there was a party of roughs from the lower oil regions who were spreeing, and had boasted that they Avere staying in town to meet the Buffalo Bill gang, and clean them out. The land- lord begged of me not to allow the members of the troupe to enter the billiard,-room, as he did not wish any fight in his house. To please the landlord, and at his suggestion, I called the boys up into the parlor and ex- plained to them the situation. Wild Bill wanted to go at once and tight the whole mob, but I persuaded him to keep away from them during the day. "In order to entirely avoid the roughs the members of the company entered the theatre through a private door from the hotel, as the two buildings joined each other. While I was standing at the door of the theatre taking tickets, the landlord came rushing up and said that Wild Bill was having a tight with the roughs in the bar-room. It seemed 1 hat Bill had not been able to re- sist the temptation of going to see what kind of a mob it was that wanted to test the pluck of the Buffalo Bill LIFE OF WILD BILL. 159 party; and just as he stepped into the room, one of the bruisers put his hand on Bill's shoulder and said : " ' Hello, Buffalo Bill ! we have been looking for you all day.' " ' My name is not Buffalo Bill : you are mistaken in the name,' was the reply. " ' You're a liar !' said the bruiser. " Bill instantly knocked him down, and then seizing a chair he laid out four or five of the crowd on the floor, and then drove the rest out of the room. All this was done in a minute or two, and by the time I got down stairs, Bill was coming out of the bar-room, whistling a lively tune. '"Well! said he, 'I have been interviewing that party that wanted to clean us out.' "' I thought you promised to come into the Opera House by the private entrance ?' " ' I did try to follow that trail, but I got lost among the canons, and then I ran in among the hostiles,' said he; ' buj,. its all right now; they won't bother us any more.' " We heard no more of them after that." When the company reached Portland, Maine, to fulfill an engagement, another incident occurred wherein Wild Bill again distinguished himself, though not in a personal combat. The leading members of the troupe stopped at the United States Hotel, a large caravansary at which boarded several bachelor merchants of the town. On the night succeeding the first performance, Bill retired to bed shortly after twelve o'clock, feeling unusually tired, owing to a Ions; walk he had taken during the dav. Before lying down he discovered that the room adjoining his was occupied by several persons engaged in some amusement which caused them to make considerable 100 HEROES OP THE PLAINS. noise ; he retired to bed, however, and tried to sleep de- spite the tumult of his neighbors, but finding, at length, that the noise increased with no likelihood of abating soon, he got up with the intention of cither suppressing the racket or having a first-class row. In partial undress he knocked at the door of his unknown neighbors only to find that the room was occupied by five of Portland's leading business men, and that their noise was the result of a game of poker, spieed with liquid refreshments of savory perfume. Before making known the purpose of his visit the party invited him to join them in the game and partake of the bottle which was now well nigh empty. Nothing ever afforded Bill so much pleasure as a game of poker, and to indulge this gratification he was always ready to sacrifice a night's rest. He therefore entered into the sport of the game and after playing until the party were fairly exhausted both in body and purse he got up from the table seven hundred dollars better off than when he sat down. In order that such pleasant company might not separate without some benefit he gen- erously gave them this parting advice : " Gentlemen, I appreciate your hospitality, and espe- cially the good luck in which I have played to-night, therefore I will tell you a little secret, for it may prove VGTy valuable to you all hereafter: never wake up a Stranger, destroy his rest, and invite him to take a hand in a game of poker with you. Good night." Buffalo Bill, in conversation with the writer, told the following amusing story, which 1 will try to repeat near- ly in his o\\ n language : "When I had arranged terms with Wild Bill to ap- pear with my company, we were in New York playing an engagement, and I was stopping at tic Metropolitan Hotel. Bill arrived in New Fork after dark, and being Life of \\ (n> i n.i. 161 Unacquainted with the city — this being his first visit there — he took a hack, instructing the driver to take him to the Metropolitan Hotel. Upon arriving at the house, Bill asked the driver his charges. " ' Five dollars, sir,' was the reply. " ' And you wouldn't accept anything less, would you? ' asked Bill. " ' No, sir, that's the charge, and nothing less.' ' ' Bill then handed the driver five dollars, at the same time striking him a blow in the face that sent him plowing up the settlings of the gutter. A policeman very soon came after Bill, but bail being furnished by me, he was kept out of the tombs ; but the next day I paid a fine of $10 for him. This was his first experience in New York. "We had two or three rehearsals together before Bill made his appearance, and even then he was required to say only a few words. The first scene in which he was cast represented a camp fire, around which Wild Bill, Texas Jack and myself were sitting telling stories. In order to carry out the scene so that it should be a faith- ful counterfeit of the reality, we had a whisky bottle filled with cold tea which we passed from one to the other at the conclusion of each story. When it came Bill's turn to relate an adventure I passed him the bottle, and taking it in the way with which he was so familiar, he commenced draining the contents. I say commenced, because he stopped very suddenly and spurted the tea right out on the stage, at the same time saying, in a voice loud enough for the audience to hear him : ' You must think I'm the worst fool east of the Rockies, that I can't tell whisky from cold tea. This don't count, and I can't tell a story under the temptation unless I get real whisky.' I tried to remonstrate with him, while the audience fairly shook down the galleries with their cheers . At first I was greatly 1G2 kkkoks OF THE PLAINS. mortified, but it did not lake long to convince me that \Yild Bill had unconsciously made a big hit. I therefore sent out for some whisky, which Bill drank, and then told his story with excellent effect." Wild Bill remained with the combination until the spring of 1874, when, at Rochester, N. Y., he parted abruptly from the combination. But before deciding to cancel his engagement he met Mrs. Lake, who, by chance being in Rochester, went to see the per- formance. Buffalo Bill had frequently heard Wild Bill declare his admiration for this lady, and when he discovered her in the audience he immediately informed "Wild Bill of the fact and offered to introduce him again. The result was that Mrs. Lake and Wild Bill met and in the few moments they were together Bill said: "Mrs. Lake, I don't know how to court, because I never did any of it in my life, but I've been thinking about you ever since we met in Hays City. Fact is, I'd be mighty glad to hitch up in harness with you, because I think we'd make a splendid team." Mrs. Lake replied, " I don't know, .ill, how well we would suit each other, but at the present time my busi- ness is in such a condition that I couldn't think of mar- rying." " How soon do you suppose you could straighten up matters so that we could go to the parson together?" en- quired Bill. "Well, it will require two years probably to settle my affairs, but your proposition conies so suddenly and un- expectedly that I should have to think about it, for I don't know that it Mould he proper for me to many again," was Mrs. Lake's reply, indicating that she was not indifferent to the offer made her. " I don't want to insist, but at the same time you suit LIFE OF WILD BILL. 3 63 me to a dot, and I'd give my eyes to marry you ; there- fore I'll give you time to consider. I've got to go on the stage now to kill a few Indians to please this congre- - gation, but when the show is out, maybe I might see^ you over at the Osborne House." Bill thus left Mrs. Lake, but contrary to his expecta- tions, did not see her again until 1876. When he was called for his part during the same even- ing's performance, he resumed his old annoying practice of singeing the " supers " legs, and carried the trick so far this time that Buffalo Bill remonstrated so sharply that, without saying a word, Wild Bill doffed his buck- skin suit, and resuming his usual dress, walked out of the theatre, refusing to appear any more with the combi- nation. Before he left Rochester, however, Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack made up a purse between them of one thousand dollars and gave it to him as an evidence of their continued friendship. Being considerably flush for a scout, Wild Bill went to New York, and while there, in a very laudable effort to break a faro bank, got himself ingloriously "busted." In this condition a theatrical manager approached him with a liberal proposition , so that for a second time he became a votary of Thespis, coming again before the public with the Wild Bill combination. But he had evidently struck a blind pocket of ill luck, for after a few fitful Aveeks of uncertainty the concern became pecuniarily defunct. After Bill had left the new combination the manager immediately reorganized his troupe and replaced Wild Bill by a cheaper character. Everywhere the company performed they advertised the renowned Wild Bill as their leading star, a member of the troupe being engaged to personate the distinguished scout on and off the stage alike. Wild Bill was not Ions; in learning of this trick 10 ° ° 164 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. and at once decided to get satisfaction by undeceiving the deceiver. Accordingly, learning that the company was to appear at Binghamton, N. Y., he went there to witness the performance. Waiting until the plot was developing much interest to the audience, when the bogus Wild Bill was shooting and slashing his way through a hand of howling Conianchcs, he leaped upon the stage, and grab- bing the manager, flung him bodily into the orchestra, and then knocked the personatorof his character through the scenes, regardless of the knives and pistols and tom- ahawks carried by the Indians. This novel procedure precipitated an intermission, during which Bill unconcernedly resumed his seat and shouted to the company to proceed with the show. Information of the interruption having reached the municipal officers) a policeman was sent up to arrest Bill. He Mas easily found, but when the officer asked him to consider himself under arrest the reckless scout replied : " How numerous ate you?" " I am alone ; why do you ask? " " "Well. I would advise you to call up some assistance.' ' The policeman took his ;( <1\ ice and went out and soon returned with a brother oiiic- . The two then approached Bill and asked him to accompany them. "How numerous are you hpw r ? " Bill asked. " There arc two of us.' "Then I would advise you to go out on another recruiting expedition.'' The two policemen, anxious to avoid a conflict with the noted scout, then called the sheriff, who (requested Bill to submit to arrest, and had do difficulty in taking him out of the theater and keeping him in charge until the following morning, when his trial took place before the city jud^e. The circumstances of the row having LIFE OF WILD BILL. 167 been detailed Bill was fined three dollars and '-osts, but his satisfaction in punishing the bogus character more than compensated him for his expense and trouble. Leaving the East, Bill went directly to Kansas City and from there to Cheyenne, a place he had not visited for several years. Here he drifted to a faro bunk which was run by a gambler named Boulder. Bill had only tAvo hundred dollars with him and he commenced the game by staking small amounts. Losing all these, he played up for an average by doubling. Staking fifty dollars he also lost that, but immediately put down an- other fifty dollar bill. Boulder, who was banking, told Bill, who was a stranger to him, that the limit was twenty-five dollars and that he couldn't play above that sum. "Why," enquired Bill, "didn't you just lake fifty dollars of my money?" "Well," answered Boulder, "I won't let you play that amount any more." " You won't?" replied Bill, " then I'll see why ; that fifty dollar bill lays on the tray, and if my card don't turn, the money is yours, but if it does come out, then I'll have fifty dollars of your money or there '11 be fun here, that's all." From this a war of words followed, until Bill struck Boulder on the head with a heavy walking cane, which rolled him off a substantial seat. Several bouncers for the establishment rushed upon Bill, but he knocked them iu a most artistic manner, until finding the fighting too progressive he jumped into a corner and jerked out two pistols. At this juncture the bar-keeper, attending the saloon down stairs, hearing the noise, ran up and discov- ering the situation, cried out : "Look out, boys, that's Wild Bill !" 168 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This information acted like magic ; the tempest was becalmed, and a moment later Bill was alone. • On the following day Boulder, although still nursing a badly damaged head, called on Bill and producing cham- pagne and cigars, the two settled their difference ami- cably. Some time after the killing of Phil Cole, his brother, a well-known character in the far West, came to Hays City with the expressed determination of avenging his rela- tive's death. Wild Bill had only a few days before gone to New York to join the Buffalo Bill Combination. Learning this fact, Cole professed to be deeply chagrined, saying : k ' Yes, that is just my luck. I've come one thousand miles to kill Wild Bill, only to find Unit the coward has left the country ; but I'll just lay for him a while in these regions, and if he does come back we'll decide who is the handiest with pistols." Weeks passed by, with Bill still in the East, wholly unconscious of Jim Cole's intentions, until at length, as already described, Wild Bill severed his connection with the troupe and returned West, going to Cheyenne. He had scarcely reached that place when he was apprised by a friend writing from Hays City that Jim Cole was on his track and was about ready to leave for Cheyenne to meet him. Bill gave little heed to this information, because such threats as ( 1 ole was making had Grown old to him. About two weeks after his arrival in ClHvvenne, how- ever, Hill suddenly became conscious of the danger which threatened him. This discovery was made in the follow- ing manner: He was sitting in Luke Murrin's sa- loon reading, when his attention was directed to two strangers who, entering, walked up to the bar and called for a drink. The order was given by Jim Cole, and LIFE OF WILD BILL. 169 though Bill had never seen this man, he instantly recog- nized in his voice a similarity to that of Phil Cole's, and was thus brought to a realization of his danger. By chance, at the time of this meeting, Wild Bill's only weapon was a small double-barreled pistol which Buffalo Bill had given him in New York ; but still more disad- vantageous was the fact that it contained but a single cartridge. Behind the bar was a very large looking glass, and as the faces of Cole and his partner were turned toward the glass, Bill could study their features and keep himself prepared (though indifferently) for the emergency soon to arise. By a preconcerted signal the two men turned and drew their pistols simultaneously, but Bill was too quick for his assailants. With the one shot he killed Cole and almost at the same instant he threw the empty pistol with such force in the face of Cole's partner that he succeeded in rendering his aim harmless. To follow up this advantage and prevent the stranger* from shooting again, Bill grabbed him and with a dexterous effort trip- ped him and threw him with such force that his head struck the counter and broke his neck. The coroner " sat on" the two bodies the same day, and Wild Bill was duly arrested. A preliminary exami- nation was had a few days after, and such positive testi- mony was adduced proving Cole's threats and determi- nation, as well also as the circumstances of the attack made by the victims, that Bill was released on a verdict of justifiable homicide. 170 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XIV. Wild Bill remained in Cheyenne only a short time, for meeting with a party of friends who were wandering about in quest of adventure, he proposed a visit to the .Hack H'ils, which section w:is just then beginning to attract attention on account of important discoveries of gold. Two of the party — Tom Busey, of Laramie, and Doc McCregor, an old trapper, who had just left his season camp en the Nebraska river — were delighted with Bill's proposition, and a few days later, having packed their mules with provisions and mining utensils, the three started for the Hills. After leaving Cheyenne there was but one practicable route to the point of destination, and this led along Sage Creek to the confluence of Cheyenne river, and followed the main stream to French ('reek. After reaching this small water way the route lay through several huge canons, under the brow of one of which, on a level spot only a few hundred yards from the creek, the party pitched their camps. After a few days' hard work a comfortable cabin was constructed and prospecting began. In comparatively comfortable quarters the three men continued their explorations for gold, meeting with much success and living luxuriously upon the abundant game with which the forests abounded. Notwithstanding the war-like tendencies of the Blackfeet and Sioux Indian; who possessed that section of country, the party lived for a period of several months without interruption, nor were any Indians seen in the vicinity of their camp. in the early part of April, 1875, however, while the party was still in camp. Bill met with an adventure which deserves to rank with the most marvelous of his many LLFE OF WILD BILL. 171 escapes. Winter was still holding the creek in icy fetters and the ground remained covered with a crust of snow. The evening had been spent, as usual, in smoking and The Cabin in n ack Hills. 172 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. reading wen-worn books. Over the fire hung a pail of boiling beans and above the cheerful, blazing house logs were the rifles and wide-spreading antlers of a mon- strous buck. This completed a perfect picture of fron- tier happiness, for such contentment is rarely found even in the most sumptuous elegance of metropolitan mansions. Before supper was prepared — or rather before the beans were boiled sufficiently — Bill, who was acting as cook, discovered that more water was required to finish the cooking, and that the water bucket was empty. Putting on his coat, he took the bucket and a canteen — the only vessels in the camp used for holding water — and started for the stream. The moon was shining with scintillating lustre, lighting up the canon and throwing out long shadows from the trees overhead. As Bill was stooping to dip the water from a hole cut in the ice, chancing to glance about him he saw a large, silver-gray fox trotting on the ice up the creek. This was a prize of no inconsiderable value, the pelt being mar- ketable readily at from fifty to sixty dollars. In a mo- ment Bill pulled his pistol and fired at the animal, but succeeded in only breaking one of its hind-legs. The creek made a sharp turn at this point and in order that he might not lose the prize, Bill set out in pursuit, ex- pecting soon to secure another shot. Every moment, just as an opportunity appeared on the point of being of- fered for a shot, the fox would dart behind some interven- ing object, so that it was useless for Bill to fire, and yet the distance between them continued only a few yards. In this manner the scout was lured mile after mile, uncon- scious of the distance he had traveled, until the large canon rose up before him in black and singular grand- cm-. The moon had now gone down behind the tower- ing hills, leaving the creek an indistinct line difficult to LIFE OF WILD BILL. 173 follow. With all his persistent pursuit and lengthy journey he failed to capture the prize for which so much time and effort had been expended ; for the growing darkness had enabled the fox to elude his pursuer and hide somewhere about the roots of the numerous trees which fringed the stream. Retracing his steps again, Bill had proceeded but a Wild Bill and the Fox. short distance when he was startled by an unmistakaolt- sound emanating from the direction of the camp. It was the distinet war-whoop of northern Sioux, and immedi- ately apprehensions arose in his mind for the safety of his comrades. Anxious to render aid when it was doubly valuable, Bill ran down the creek with all possible speed, but before arriving near the camp he discovered a bright tinge in the atmosphere which told him that the cabin 174 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. was on fire. Still running swiftly he did not pause until reaching the opening leading down to the creek, when he saw a band of twenty or more Indians dancing around the burning timbers of his home and consuming the whisky which they had found in a keg in the cabin. There was presented before him a panorama replete with destruction and broken hopes. lie saw the bleeding scalps of his comrades displayed as trophies of this mur- derous depredation, and realizing that there was nothing left for him to do but to lock after his own safety, he decided to leave the country at once, on foot, as the stock of his party was now in the hands of the Indians, and make directly for Ft. Fetterman. The well known cunning and suspicion peculiar to the Indians Bill knew would lead to an examination of the vicinity to discover if there were any others belonging to the camp whom chance had led away, and this examina- tion he felt certain would result in a discovery of his trail and lead to pursuit. Acting on this belief he trav- eled with what speed he was capable, never stopping for rest during the entire night. After daylight, on the following morning, observing no indications of a pursuit, and being almost worn out with fatigue, he lay down beside a tree and immediately fell asleep. It was fully an hour past mid-day when he awoke, and being as hungry now as he was tired before, he at once cast about with the hope of finding some kind of game upon which to satisfy his gnawing appetite. Fortune threw in his way a sage-hen, which a single shot dispatched, and upon this he soon made an excellent meal. Scattering 1 he embers of the lire he laid built that ii might not readily afford fresh evidence of his trail, should it be pursued, Bill resumed the southward march, hoping to gain Ft. Fetterman in the two days succeeding. LIFE OF WJLD BILL,. 175 On the evening of the second day, while ascending to the summit of a knoll which lay in his route, looking away to the northwest, Bill discovered some suspicious spots on the rim of the horizon which bordered the prai- rie. Studying these for a few minutes, his keen sense of perception told him that the moving figures were those of Indians, while the direction indicated that they were on his track. South of the place where Bill discovered his trailing enemies was a strip of heavy timber which he thought overhung the banks of upper Beaver Creek. Being less than three miles distant, he hoped to gain this covert and by wading in the stream throw the Indians off his track, which was now easily followed by impressions in the thin crust of snow still covering the ground. Hurriedly he set off, knowing that no time was to be lost, for the Indians were evidently riding at a fast pace, and were, perhaps, less than ten miles distant. He had approached to within about one mile of the strip of woods when a troop of fifteen or more. Sioux dashed over the knoll that had hid them from Bill's sight, and seeing the fleeing man they urged their horses to a run, shouting with exultation over the promise of a fresh victim. Unfortunately for Bill, when he left the camp, harbor- ing not the remotest suspicion of meeting with any ad- venture, he had taken with him but a single pistol, of six chambers, and even this weapon he had retained only from custom. Two chambers of the pistol had been emptied, and what defence he could now make lay in the four loads remaining. A lively chase ensued, Bill running at his greatest speed, but it soon became apparent that his chances for escape were exceedingly small. To add to his emuar- 171) HEROES OF THE PLAINS. rassment, having reached the timber several hundred yards in advance of his pursuers, he discovered that the stream, which was of considerable width and evidently deep, ran along the edge of the timber next to him, and that the bank was a ledge of shehing rocks fully fifteen feet in height. The creek was frozen over, to what thickness Bill had no means of ascertaining, but he was afraid to leap from the precipitous bank lest the ice should not be sufficiently strong to sustain his weight, and in that event results from the fall would either have killed him outright or caused such bodily injury as would have made him an easy victim to the Indians. Bill had faced many dangerous dilemmas during his adventurous life, but for the time being he thought this on,e offered the least chances for escape. Had he been armed sufficiently, he thought, it were 1 possible for him to seek the cover of some friendly tree, and thus par- tially protected fight with at least a faint hope of saving his scalp ; but having only four bullets it was impossible to use them with sufficient economy for his present needs. On came the whooping savages, but without discharg- ing an arrow or tiring a shot, evidently bent on capturing the fugitive and reserving him for the stake. Seeing that to run along the towering brink would only hasten his end, the intrepid scout turned upon his pursuers when []jcy were within a few yards, and discharging every load in his pistol, saw three of his enemies fall dead and an- other wounded, apparently mortally. At this the Indians drew down their guns and hows, realizing that they had caught an obstinate Tartar that it were safer to kill than to capture. But Bill was too quick for them ; taking desperate chances, as he discharged his last shot, and still holding his pistol in a position as if intending to LIFE OF WILD BILL. 177 fire, he threw himself over the dangerous brink into the stream below. It is singular how fortune follows the daring, but even more singular how lucky circumstances almost always arose to deliver Wild Bill when surrounding dan- gers seemed to offer no hope for escape. So it again transpired in descending from the stony ledge overhang- ing Beaver Creek, for instead of being dashed to pieces Taking Desperate Chances. or seriously crippled, Bill fell into an air-hole, and beyond the chill of a submersion, he escaped all serious results. The water was very deep, but he managed to keep well concealed from the Indians, and clambering under the ledge soon got onto the ice, which he found to be more than a foot in thickness. The red-skins, loth to lose a victim who had, for the time, so singularly 178 HEROES OF TTIE PLAINS. escaped them, rode up the bank of the stream, LDping to find a less precipitous place, where a safe descent might be made on horseback, and following back under the bank, yet capture the fugitive, or find his mangled body, from which some trophy might be obtained. Bill continued his journey down the stream, always keeping under the protecting ledge. He expected the Indians would soon appear, and with this fear continual- ly harassing him, he looked on every side for some shelter in which to hide. But there was nothing to help him out of the position which strange circumstances had forced him into. Darkness had now intervened, and this alone offered any hope ; but even this seemed to be of little value after several hours of rapid traveling, when he still found no place at which he could ascend out of the canon. On either side the bank rose in perpendicular walls, growing gradually higher as he advanced, and towering above him like grim monsters anxious to topple over and make sure of his destruction* Having had nothing to eat since dining on the sage- hen, he again became very hungry : but the chances of geiting anything to eal were only equal to his chances of escape and reaching Ft. Fetterman. All night long, therefore, he journeyed on the ice, maintaining a watchful regard for every cleft and crevice in the canon, fearful of each, lest it might be a passage-way for the Indians, and hoping that it might permit his ascent, for in following the devious ways of Beaver Creek he knew th.it, instead of going toward to the Fort, he was fre- quently traveling in an opposite direction. As day began to break on the following morning, Bill discovered tin- protruding trunk of a large cedar tree, by which there was a very rugged hut possible ascent up the side of the canon. Being exceedingly tired, he concluded LIFE OF WILD BILL. 179 to rest a while on the tree trunk, behind which he could screen himself from the observation of the Indians should they appear on the ice, and in which place he felt secure from detection by any one above him. The weather had moderated so much during the night that with the first rays of the morning sun not a trace of snow was left on the ice or ground, which was a kindness of nature toward the fugitive as grateful as it was unexpected. With a Wild Bill's Miraculous Escape from the Indians. feeling of partial relief, he gave way to exhaustion, and fell asleep hugging the trunk of his friendly shelter. When he awoke, several hours afterward, the sky was overcast with angry, threatening clouds, while a succes- sion of heaven's cannonading presaged the terrible storm which was rapidly approaching. The rain soon began to fall in great drops, and in a short time afterward he 180 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. heard in the distance the mighty roar of rushing water as it came down the canon. Appreciating the danger of his position, he was on the point of clambering up the rugged bank to escape the rising waters who 11 his atten- tion was attracted by the yells of Indians. Looking in the direction from whence the sounds proceeded, he wit- nosed with intense relief the struggles of his now fated enemies, tossed on the seething crests of the torrent as it tore down the canon, lashing the rocks with the bodies of horses and Indians, stilling their despairing cries and sweeping them remorselessly in the dreadful billows. Fortune had again favored him. His enemies were buried in the destroying foam of the avalanche of grind- ing ice and water, and a sure way for his escape was opened at a time most opportune. The Indians had evidently gone many miles up the creek bank before they found a place permitting their descent onto the ice, and they had followed down the stream only to be caught by the torrents of water which CUt off all chances for their escape. Bill climbed with great difficulty to the top of the bank, and marking a straight line southward reached Fort Fetterman in an exhausted and famished condition four days after leaving his desolated camp. CHAPTER XV. Wild Bill was well received by the soldiers garrisoned at Fetterman, and after relating the story of his wonder- ful advent ures in t he Black Hills there was great desire manifested to at once organize a campaign for the purpose pf punishing the tribe thai was responsible for the per- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 181 petration of such an outrage. But Gen. Curtis, who had command of the troops, could not move without orders from Gen. Sheridan, and Bill therefore returned to Kansas City. His five months stay in the Hills, how- ever, convinced him of the rich deposits of gold which that section contained, and he decided to organize an ex- pedition from the States, with the view of leading a force into the auriferous region of such strength as would pro- vide security against molestation from the Indians. In furtherance of his scheme Bill visited several cities, but the season was now so far advanced that those whom he found willing to join such an expedition, prevailed upon him to wait until the following spring, 1876, when the trip could be made more advantageously. Returning to Kansas City he remained for some time inactive owing to an attack of ophthalmia superinduced no doubt from the exposure he underwent while in the Black Hills. Dr. Thome treated him for several months with such success that his eyesight, which was for d time entirely destroyed, was partly restored, but he never again regained his perfect vision. In the latter part of February, 1876, Wild Bill again visited Cheyenne with the view of perfecting necessary arrangements with some of his friends of that place, for entering the gold region with his proposed expedition. By a singular coincidence (each being wholly unaware of the other's whereabouts,) Mrs. Lake also appeared in Cheyenne at the same time, visiting one of her relatives, Mr. S. L. Moyer. Each had been in the town nearly two weeks before either was aware of the other's pres- ence, as no one in the place knew of the tender regard that existed between them, or even of their acquaintance. One evening, while in conversation with an intimate friend, Bill spoke of his admiration for Mrs. Lake, and 11 182 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. forthwith he was struck with astonishment by the decla, 1 ation of his friend : "Why, Mrs. Lake is in the city now; didn't you know it?" " Oh, you're joking," answered Bill; " if I was cer- tain this town held her now, you could just prepare for a wedding, and that mighty quick, too." " No, I'm not joking, and if you'll go over with me to Mr. Mover's, to whom I'll introduce you, I'll show you Mrs. Lake." This proposition satisfied Bill, and the two immedi- ately started for Mr. Mover's house, where, happy realiza- tion, Bill met his future wife. Becoming directly acquainted with the affectionate re- lation sustained between Bill and Mrs. Lake, Mr. Mover and his family withdrew and left them alone. Wild Bill then renewed his suit, and pressed his claims with such persistency that the engagement was perfected and ar- rangements concluded for the wedding, which it was agreed should take place on the following day. Several intimate friends of Bill were surprised to re- ceive invitations, on the morning of March 5th, to wit- ness the wedding ceremonies of J. B. Iliekok, (Wild Bill) and Mrs. Agnes Lake Thatcher, in the afternoon of the same day. Of course they all responded, and when the contracting parties stood up it was before an audience numbering about twenty persons. The Rev. W. F. Warren, a .Methodist divine of Cheyenne, performed the service at Mr. Meyer's residence, and after receiving many congratulations the couple took the evening train easl and went direct lv to St. Louis, where, after spend- ing a few days, tiny proceeded to Cincinnati, where nu- merous relatives of Mrs. Lake lived. Here they were received with many kind manifestations from all who LIFE OF WILD BILL. 183 knew them, and their new life thus began under au- spicious promises for future happiness. In this connection it is proper to give the reader an in- troduction to the new wife of our hero, especially since Mrs. Hick ok is a lady whose name has been prominently before the people of both continents for many years. The widow of Wild Bill is a native of Cincinnati, where she was born in 1832 ; her maiden name was Agnes Thatcher, and her parents were persons of eminent standing. At the age of fifteen she married William Lake who soon afterward became proprietor of a circus and followed the life of a showman until his unprovoked murder in 1869. As an arenic clown Lake had few equals and his name was sufficient to pack a canvas. Mrs. Lake, at an early age, manifested a talent for the profession which her husband so fittingly adorned. She was the original " Mazeppa," and played this great character throughout P^urope and America ; she also ap- peared on the theatre boards in many other starring parts, always with success. After joining her husband's circus she became the greatest slack-wire performer in America, and was the first person to execute the daring feat of trundling a wheelbarrow, on a small wire, over the centre-pole of a circus tent. But her most distin- guished performances were in equestrian acts, and especially as a manege rider. In this she never had an equal until her own daughter, Emma, arose to a position of prominence when the mother had retired from the arena. In her travels — 1867-8 — she visited the largest cities of Prussia, and in Berlin she appeared as "Mazep- pa" at the Victoria Theatre, rendering the part in the German language. So well pleased was the Emperor William, who witnessed the performance, that he sent h^r an autograph letter of thanks, and recommended her 184 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. as the most finished actor then in the Empire. For a time she also performed the daring feat of entering a den of lions twice each day, and was known -as " Senorita Agnes, the Lion Queen." After the death of her hus- band, for more than three years she successfully man- aged the Hippo-Olympiad Circus, attending to all the managerial details of the business and taking the part of a regular performer also. An interesting book of itself might be written concerning the life of this excellent woman, who now, nursing the grief which misfortune bequeathed her — lamenting the loss of two loving hus- bands, both of whom were the victims of foulest murder — she lives only in the ambition of her beautiful daugh- ter, her only child, who now delights the Western world with her electrical horsemanship. Miss Emma Lake, though only twenty-five years of age, is a phenomenal circus rider, whose reputation has spread over both hemispheres. She is indisputably without an equal on horseback, especially as a manege rider. Beautiful of face and figure, lithe and sinuouS as the mother of grace, indomitable and delighted with her profession, she lias achieved a rank which the most am- bitious woman can never hope to excel. In addition to her achievements in the ring she is a lady of extra- ordinary intelligence and culture, possessing a finished education and most refined sensibilities. Her literary efforts have found a conspicuous place in the leading journals of America, and some of her poctieal pro- ductions exhibit decided talent. Miss Emma Lake, as she is known among those of* her profession, is the wife of Gil. Robinson, jr., son of the celebrated John Robin- son, of circus fame. She has been traveling, however, with P. T. Barnum's Exhibition for several years, re- ceiving the largest salary of any person employed by that LIFE OF WILD BILL. 185 well-known showman. Her residence is in Cincinnati, where she has an elegant home. She has one child, a beautiful little girl, who is the pride of the neighbor- hood, and with her lives Mrs. Hickok, whose every want is administered to with true filial devotion. CHAPTER XVI. Wild Bill remained with his wife in Cincinnati nearly two weeks, and then giving her an affectionate good- bye, went directly to St. Louis for the purpose of get- ting his proposed expedition organized. Excitement over the Black Hills discoveries was now at fever heat, and a lively business was being done at Bismarck and Cheyenne in fitting out parties who were rushing into the gold region with reckless haste. A great number of those intent on reaching the Hills went by boat from St. Louis to Bismarck and then overland. But Bill con- sidered the route from Cheyenne as the most expeditious and practicable ; and his company was organized to pro- ceed that way, where outfits could be had much cheaper than at Bismarck. It required several days to make up the desired num- ber of men, as Bill had fixed upon not less than one hun- dred and fifty, and during this period of organization he daily visited the writer, who was then city editor of the Evening Dispatch, and reported the progress of his scheme. In the latter part of March about one hundred persons had joined the expedition at St. Louis, and nearly as many more had enlisted under Carpenter at Kansas City, so that the two companies were consolidated and started 186 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. to the Black Hills via Cheyenne on the 12th of April. The party was guided through safely, reaching the Hills in the first part of May. In the* meantime the town of Deadwood had sprung into being and was filling up with the rapidity only known to mining towns. Rough shan- ties and tents dotted the hillsides; creaking wagons marked out the streets by establishing roadways, and a hundred saloons and other evil concomitants loomed up in swelling the town's importance. YII.W OF DEADWOOD. Having settled the men, or rather discharged his duties as guide, Bill established himself in Deadwood to watch for an opportunity to make a profitable strike. He had Located several claims and was making arrangements to complete i he necessary assessment work bv trading claims for labor. Deadwood, like every oilier big mining town that has yet been located in the West, was full of rough charac- LIFE OF WILD BILL. 187 ters, renegades, cut-throats, gamblers and the devil's agents generally. Night and day the wild orgies of de- praved humanity continued ; a fiddler was an important personage, provided he would hire out to saw all night in a saloon, and the concert singer was a bonanza, especially if the voice were clothed in petticoats. The arbiter of all disputes was either a knife or pistol, and the graveyard soon started with a steady run of victims. Sodom and Gomorrah were both dull, stupid towns compared with Deadwood, for in a square contest for the honors of moral depravity the Black Hills' capital could give the people of the Dead Sea cities three points in the game and then skunk them both. Wild Bill indulged his projiensities more or less while in Deadwood, but continued to prospeo ; and avoided difficulties of every character until the day of his murder. In my first " Life of Wild Bill " I was led into mak- ing a very unjust allusion, which was as far from the truth as the poles are apart. This arose from informa- tion which I believed trustworthy but which I definitely ascertained sometime afterward, was a malicious report, and the pleasure I now have in correcting the evil which I unconsciously committed by that act is such that I should be glad to extend the excuse and correction far beyond the limits of this book, and make my assurances of regret in person. The allusion referred to was in doubting the affection of Bill for his wife and asserting that a final separation had occurred between them before Bill left for the Hills. The facts are, no man ever loved a woman more ardently than Bill did his wife ; she was in his very soul ; her spirit was his ruling mentor and all his ambition was centered in her happiness. How true this is may be in- 188 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. f erred from the following letter, the very last Bill ever wrote. I copy from the original, which is at present in my possession : Deadwood, Dakota, \. . .876. My Own Darling Wife Agnes : I have but a few moments left before tin ^er starts. I never was as well in my life ; but you would laugh to see me now — just got in from prospecting. Will go away again to-morrow. Will write again in the morning, but God knows when the letter will .start. My friend will take; this to Cheyenne if he lives. I don't expect to hear from you, but it is 11 the same ; I know my Agnes and only live to love her. Never mind, Pet, we will have a home yet, then we will be so happy. I am almost sure I will do well here The man is hurrying me. Good by« , dear wife. Love to Emma. r. Y>. HlCKOK. This letter is copied verbatim. It will he seen that he promises to write again on the following J .', but he either neglected to f nihil the promi.- or tin- ter mis- carried, for the one here reproduce < as the ast Mrs. Ilickok ever received from him. The last act in the lif< of Wild Bill wa rast approach- ing when this letter was written. Thou- 1 .n> lived in apparent peace with evi .v one in Deadwood, far re- moved as he was from the scenes < f 1"' personal con- flicts, where he looked for enemk saloon kept by Nuttall & Mann, and engaged in a game of poker. His opponent in the game was a fellow he had LIFE OF WILD BILL. 191 never seen before, named Jack McCall. This man had been at work for three or four different parties in the Hills, and as his previous history was unknown, he pass- ed for a "gentleman," to use the term in a qualified sense. The two played for several hours and until the game was concluded by Bill having won largely from McCall — about five hundred dollars. But though the play had been a very disastrous one for Jack, yet he ap- peared in no wise ill-humored, and acknowledged that he had been beaten in a fair game. In the afternoon of the second day (Wednesday, August 2d), after his successful bout with McCall, Bill again engaged in a game of poker at the same saloon, with Carl Mann, Charley Rich and Captain Massey, a Missouri river pilot. The quartette of gamesters were all laughing and joking as the game progressed, indicat- ing that none had lost so heavily as to disturb the equanimity of temper. About three o'clock P. M. Jack McCall was seen entering the saloon in a careless man- ner, so that not the least suspicion was created as to the cowardly, villainous purpose of his visit. But with that calculating carefulness with which an arrant coward always conceals his designs, McCall walked up to the bar and around behind his victim. Then, with an anxious glance lest some one of the party might detect his move- ments, he jerked out a large pistol and placing the muz- zle within a yard of Wild Bill's head, fired, exclaiming at the time, but in a subdued voice : " Damn you, take that!" The ball went crashing through the back of Bill's head and came out at the center of his right cheek ; but before it had spent its force it struck Capt. Massey in the left arm, shivering the bone, and was so firmly embedded that it had to be cut out. Wild Bill dropped his head forward, the cards fell from 192 HEROES OF THE TLAINS. his relaxing grasp, and, in a succession of slow move- ments, he slipped out of the chair and then fell prone upon the floor. The murderer's work had been thor- oughly done, for his victim died without a convulsive shiver mid lay before him covered with a growing pallor ; but on the face, though the shattered cheek was crim- soned with a flow of richest blood, the last smile still lingered, as if to proclaim the triumph of his manhood, in showing how bravely he could die. After firing the fatal shot McCall drove the crowd before him out of the saloon and resisted arrest until the fear possessed him thai some avenging friend of Bill's would slay him. It was then the assassin offered to sub- mit to a trial and accept the consequences of his act. He was taken to a building in the lower part of the town, where a volunteer guard was placed over him. Within an hour after the murder the whole of Dead- wood was in a furore of excitement. A coroner's jury was soon empannclcd with C. H. Sheldon as foreman, which, after a short inquiry, rendered a verdict in accord- ance with the circumstances as here related. CHAPTER XVII. After receiving the verdicl of the coroner's jury, im- mediate preparations were made for the trial of the mur- derer. McDaniel's theatre was chosen as the most suit- able place for conducting (Ik- proceedings, as it was cer- tain a very large crowd would be in attendance. There was no regular court at Deadwood, and in the absence of duly qualified officers it was determined to conduct the LITE OF WILD BILL. 103 trial according to the usages of self-constituted courts outside the pale of established legal jurisdictions. A meeting of citizens was held at the theatre during the evening, at which preparations were made for the trial. Judge W. L. Kuykendall presided over the as- semblage, and after stating the object of the meeting he was unanimously chosen as Judge in the trial of the mur- derer. Isaac Brown was elected sheriff, and one deputy and twelve guards were appointed by the presiding of- ficer. After proceeding thus far an adjournment was had until nine o'clock the following day, in order that some time might be had for necessary preparations, and to convey an announcement of the results of the meet- ing to the miners of the Whitewood and Deadwood dis- tricts. At the appointed hour, on Thursday, the meeting was called pursuant to adjournment, when the action of the preceding meeting was submitted in a report read by J. A. Swift, and adopted. Col. May was chosen to con- duct the prosecution while the prisoner selected A. B. Chapline to defend him, but as Chapline was quite ill at the time, Judge Miller was named instead. A commit- tee of three, consisting of Mr. Eeid, of Gayville, Jos. Harrington, of Deadwood, and Mr. Cain, of Montana City, was next appointed by the chair, whose duty it was to select the names of thirty-three residents from each of their respective districts, and from the names thus sub- mitted the jury of twelve Avas to be drawn. Having now completed all the necessary arrangements another adjournment was ordered until two o'clock P. M. when the trial was to begin. The excitement on the streets continued to increase and sentiments of every character were fully expressed. Some favored a lynching before trial, a few deemed the 104 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. act justifiable, while a greater number were disposed to abide the finding o,f the jury after a fair trial. Promptly at the hour appointed the chosen officers filed into the theater building, the prisoner being con- ducted by the sheriff and guards. The improvised court room, however, was fairly packed an hour before, and the officers therefore had to elbow their way to the plat- form. Jack McCallj as he took a seat on the right of Judge Kuykendall, presented a most forbidding appearance. He was twenty-five years of age, but dissipation and a low life had painted their stains on his ugly features. His brow was low and retreating, as a sign of his cow- ardly and brutal propensities, while sandy hair, small moustaches and cross-eyes completed the unmistakable evidences of his villainous character, lie attempted to appear indifferent and assume the role of a desperado who had been accustomed to acting such parts, but de- spite this effort the chicken liver he possessed made his flesh creep and the blanche and color of his cheeks come and go like a patient badly overcome with intermittent fever. The first proceeding was a selection of jurors. The ninety-nine names submitted by the committee were written on slips of paper and placed in a hat, from which they were drawn by the deputy sheriff. As each name was called the person responding thereto was examined touching his qualifications to serve as a juror in the case. Nearly all had either formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt of the prisoner, and the venire was therefore almost exhausted before the necessary panel of twelve was chosen, and which consisted of t lie following persons : John Mann, J. J. Bumfs, L. I ». Brokow, lid ward Burke, L. A. 'udd, .!. II. Tbomuson, Charles Whitehead, John E. LIFE OF WILD IJILL. 195 Thompson; Geo. S. Hopkins, K. F. Towle, J. F. Cooper and Alexander Travis. The jury being sworn, the trial proceeded. The witnesses examined were Charles Rich, Carl Mann, Samuel Young, an employe at the saloon, Geo. M. Shingle, who was also a witness of the tragedy, Isaac Brown, who arrested the prisoner, Patrick H. Smith, H. H. Pitkins and Ira Ford. The last three were introduced on behalf of defendant to prove his character as a peaceable man. The evidence was all in accordance with the facts of the tragedy as reported, except that considerable time was consumed in eliciting opinions of witnesses respecting the character of both Wild Bill and his murderer, and of course a great variety of opin- ions were expressed. After the testimony was concluded, the prisoner was asked if he desired to make any statement. "Yes," was his response, "I have a few words to say," and stepping down from the perch on which he had been sitting into the auditorium, he placed one hand inside the front opening of his- woolen shirt, and throw- ing back his head in an imperious manner, delivered him- self as follows : "Well, men, I have but few words to say. Wild Bill killed my brother, and I killed him. Wild Bill threatened to kill me if I ever crossed his path. I am not sorry for what I done ; if I had to, I would do the same thing over again." He then returned to his place on the stage. The prosecuting attorney, instead of making an open- ing argument, used the time in bringing out the testi- mony of a number of persons who swore that Wild Bill had been much abused and a reputation given him for atrocious deeds which he never deserved ; that in every instance when he killed any one the act had always been declared as justifiable by every fair-minded person. 100 HEROES OF TUT, PLAINS. Judge Miller, the defendant's counsel, than followed, making a very able appeal in behalf of his client ; though not a scintilla of evidence had been produced showing that Wild Bill had killed McCall's brother, yet he used the assertion made by the prisoner with telling effect. He eloquently enlarged on the intention of the defendant, who, as he asserted, had not considered the act as mur- der, but a just revenge for the killing of his brother ; that Bill's dexterity in the use of firearms rendered it impossible for the prisoner to meet his victim ' ' on the square," as such an attempt would have been almost equal to suicide. In addition to this kind of argument the Judge closed with the following appeal to the jury: "Men, comrades, you have been chosen to decide the guilt and punishment of one of your own companions ; look upon the honest countenance of this poor boy who is being tried for his life because he struck down the assassin of a dearly beloved brother; note, particularly, that unflinching and innocent eye, which could not possi- bly belong to a man who could do any wrong," and con- tinued for nearly half an hour in coining similar extrava- gant qualifications which were a \i'\-y parody on the brute who was on trial : or as a correspondent who was present at the trial said, in his comments on the Judge's panegyric, "the eye, the face, and in fact everything about the prisoner, denoted villainy and iniquity as an innate pari of his nature." The Judge certainly deserved credit for making so able an effort when there was no real basis upon which to rest a valid defense. Col. May made the closing argument on behalf of the prosecution, and those who knew him best declared it the ablest speech of his life. After rehearsing the facts of the case he declared that " if this be not murder then LIFE OF WILD IilLL. 197 there never was murder committed. The deceased in his bloody winding-sheet, from his mountain grave, de- manded that a proper punishment be meted out to his villainous assassin." He called attention to the fact that no testimony had been adduced to show that Wild Bill had ever done a single unlawful act, but contended that in every instance where he had shed human blood that he was justifiable in so doing, and that no evidence had been submitted to show that he had threatened the life of the prisoner. " It is strange," said the Colonel, "if the prisoner has been living for years with a sworn deter- mination to kill Wild Bill, that only two days ago he should have been pleasantly engaged playing cards with him." He appealed for justice in the name of law and civilization, and begged the people not to suffer such an atrocious and unprovoked crime to go unpunished lest the barbaric code of the Indians become the arbiter of disputes. The trial was not concluded until six o'clock in the evening, at which time the case was given to the jury, and they repaired to a wing of the theatre to prepare their verdict. As was afterward ascertained, when the jury first voted there were eleven for acquittal and one for conviction. Some debate then followed among them, when another juror proposed that the prisoner be fined in the sum of twenty dollars and then released, or be committed until the fine should be paid. After an hour and thirty minutes of discussion the jury came to a compromise conclusion, and when they returned into court, which remained in session awaiting a verdict, the foreman handed to the clerk their finding, which read as follows : " We, the jurors, find the prisoner, Mr. John McCall, not guilty. " Charles Whitehead, Foreman." 198 HEROES Ol? THE PLAINS. The prisoner was immediately released, and some few who sanctioned this endorsement of one of the foulest, premeditated and utterly indefensible murders ever com- mitted, had the audacity to congratulate McCall on his acquittal. Thus ended this self-constituted farcical court, and the citizens who attended the trial at once went to their homes and cleaned up their weapons. If the society of Deadwood permitted one man to slaughter another with impunity in the manner McCall had killed Wild Bill, then every person in the place recognized the overshadowing importance of being prepared for emer- gencies. CHAPTER XVHI. After the inquest on the remains of Wild Bill the body was given in charge of Charley Utter (Colorado Charley) whose friendship for the dead man had existed for many years. A bier, or litter, was made by laying some boards across two poles, on which the body was placed and carried by a procession of friends across the creek to Uttcr's camp. Here the final preparations for the funeral were made, and that too with a hand which took this last means of demonstrating the depth of its friendship. Charley was much affected by the death of his old comrade, and like a true brother during life, his love and admiration intensified when death severed the bond of companionship. A romantic and beautiful arbor was constructed at the foot of the most majestic trees in the gulch by Utter' s camp, under which the body of Wild Bill was laid, while a fine coffin was ordered, and the following funeral notice LIFE OF WILD BILL. 199 was printed and distributed among all the miners of the district : FUNERAL NOTICE. Died in Deadwood, Black Hills, August 2d, 1876, from the effects of a pistol shot, J. B. Hickok, (Wild Bill ) , formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held at Charley Utter' s camp on Thursday after- noon, August 3d, 1876, at three o'clock, p. m. All are respectfully invited to attend. At the appointed hour, notwithstanding the large num- ber who were in attendance at the trial, fully fifty friends and admirers of the deceased assembled at Utter' s camp ready to pay the last rites of respect to him whose life had been such a fitful dream. The mortal remains of Wild Bill now reposed in a handsome coffin mounted with silver ornaments and covered with black cloth. The body was handsomely dressed in the best clothes obtain- able in Deadwood. A more complete picture of perfect rest and resignation was never seen than that which the dead scout presented. The gaping wound in his cheek had been deftly closed and was scarcely noticeable ; his long, beautiful, chestnut hair lay parted evenly across his forehead and fell gracefully over his broad shoulders. The face was a study for any beholder ; instead of mani- festing the agony of death, there was nothing but peace and contentment on his features ; the lips were slightly parted as if still smiling at the last joke which was pass- ing around the table when the fatal shot was fired. Be- side him, in his coffin, lay his carbine rifle that he had carried for many years, and was now to be buried with him according to a wish he had often expressed. A grave had been prepared in a most romantically lovely spot on the mountain side, over which spread the foliage of redolent pine trees, and around which was a profusion of wild flowers, freighting the air with deli- 12 200 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. cious perfumes. On every side, making the landscape replete with nature's grandest effects, were towering boulders, from between the crevices of which peeped out fragrant sweet wnliams and violets, mingling their in- cense with the concert of warbling voices in the branches overhead. It was such a spot as the brave sleeper would have selected for his sepulcher, for he loved the forest solitudes, and made companionship with the wilds of the wilderness. Here, under the bright arch of an auspicious heaven, under the arbor nature had prepared with lavish hand, Wild Bill w T as laid in that sleep which, perchance, is eternal waking, and with him were all his animosities, his desires for revenge, his ambitions, and his expecta- tions. A clergyman read an impressive funeral service over the grave, after which the earth's warm, virgin sod, full of bursting seeds and growing flowers, soon covered the remains of the greatest scout, spy and fighter any nation, perhaps, ever produced. A large stump stood at the head of the grave, and upon this was rudely carved the following : "A brave man, the victim if an assassin, J. B. Hickok (Wild Bill), aged 48 years ;* murdered by Jack McCall, August 2, 1876." The funeral ceremonies having been completed, those who had assisted in the last services went directly to the theater building where the trial of McCall was still in progress. After hearing the verdict read and seeing the murderer liberated, California Joe, an old friend of Bill's, who chanced to be in Deadwood when the assas- sination occurred, stepped up to McCall and said: *At the time of his death Wild Bill's age was 39 years, IO months and 12 days. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 201 " Look a here, young chap, these here regions haint very healthy for you jist now ; so you'd better lose no time in clearing outen these diggins, eryer skin won't hold water no morn'n a camp sieve inside o' twenty-four hours." At night several of the murdered man's friends held a seciet meeting, at which it was decided to lynch McCall, but their plans were frustrated by the assassin having taken California Joe's warning, as he found the climate suddenly very oppressive and injurious. The following beautiful poem was written by Capt. Jack Crawford, the poet scout, one of Wild Bill's most intimate comrades, a sketch of whose life will be found in the latter part of this work. It was dedicated to Col- orado Charley and commented on by the press generally as one of the finest specimens of Western poetic senti- mei?' ever published : BUKIAL OF WILD BILL. [Written for the N. Y. Clipper.'] Under the sod in the prairie land We have laid him down to rest, With many a tear from the sad, rough throng, And the friends he loved the best ; And many a heartfelt sigh was heard As over the sward we trod, • And many an eye was filled with tears As we covered him with the sod. Under the sod in the prairie land We have laid the good and true — An honest heart and a noble scout Has bade us a last adieu. No more his silvery voice will ring, His spirit has gone to God ; Around his faults let charity cling, While we cover him with the sod. 202 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Under the sod in the land of gold We have laid the fearless Bill ; "We called him Wild, yet a little child Could bend his iron will. With generous heart he freely gave To the poorly clad, unshod — Think of it, pards — of his noble traits- While you cover him with the sod. Under the sod in Deadwood Gulch You have laid his last remains ; No more his manly form will hail The Red Man 011 the plains. And, Charley, may Heaven bless you ! You gave him a " bully good send ;" Bill was a friend to you, pard, And you were his last, best friend. You buried him 'neaththe old pine tree, In that little world of ours, His trusty rifle by his side — His grave all strewn with flowers ; His manly form in sweet repose, That lovely silken hair — I tell you, pard, it was a sight, Tiiat face so white and fair ! And while he sleeps beneath the sod His murderer goes free, Released by a perjured, gaming set Who'd murder you and me — Whose coward hearts dare never meet A brave man on the square. Well, pard, they'll find a warmer clime Than they ever found out there. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 203 Hell is full of just such men ; And if Bill is above to-day, The Almighty will have enough to do To keep him from going away — That is, from making a little scout To the murderer's home below ; And if old Peter will let him out, He can clean out the ranche, I know. CHAPTER XIX. Jack McCall left Deadwood on the day following his acquittal and went direct to Custer City. Within a short time after his appearance in that town, unable to restrain his braggadocio inclination, he told certain per- sons how he had killed Wild Bill, and boasted of the deed as a most commendable act. He was at once ar- rested by a Deputy U. S. Marshal, and at a preliminary hearing, Judge Blair decided to hold the prisoner and send him to Yankton for trial. C. W. Bramel appeared for the defendant in the first hearing, and Attorney- General Jenkins prosecuted. McCall was taken to Yankton, without delay, by Marshal Bal combe, and there held until the U. S. District Court sat in January following, when the prisoner was put upon trial. The witnesses for the prosecution nearly all appeared without special summons, as they were anxious to see a tardy justice done at last. The trial continued but little more than one day, and as the testimony was a repetition of that elicited by the impromptu court at Deadwood, a verdict of guilty was returned almost without deliberation, and the Justice, 204 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. after a few days, passed sentence of death upon McCall, the time of his execution being fixed for March 1st, 1877. Notwithstanding the deep-dyed villainy of Wild Bill's murderer, he still had some friends who exerted all the influence they could command to save him from the fate he so richly deserved. Petitions for respite and com- mutation of sentence were freely circulated, which, ob- taining some signatures, were forwarded to the President, hoping to secure the Executive's interference ; but they all failed. When the time for the execution arrived Yankton presented a very animated appearance, as people came from many miles around to witness the first official hanging in Dakota Territory. Father Doxacher, a Catholic priest, visited the fated prisoner and administered spiritual nerve to fortify him for the scene about to be enacted. A scaffold having been erected on the open prairie about two miles north of Yankton, at nine o'clock on the morning of March 1st, the prisoner, priest and guards entered a closed carriage and drove to the place of execution. Xo time was wasted in preliminaries, as everything had been completed be- forehand. McCall, getting out of the carriage, ascended the steps of the scaffold in company with the priest, and from the platform surveyed for a moment the upturned faces of the multitude before him, but uttered never a word. The priest, shrouded in robes of white, knelt with the prisoner on the scaffold and repeated the death litany while McCall engaged in earnest prayer, kissing the uplifted crucifix as he arose. At twenty minutes past ten o'clock the black cap was adjusted over the head of the condemned man and as the marshal was fixing the noose about his neck, McCall re- quested him to " draw it tight, and make no mistake." LIFE OF WILD BILL. 205 The next moment the trap was sprung and as the body shot downward McCall was heard to exclaim, " My God !" which were his last words. Throughout all this most dreadful experience McCall never exhibited the least trepidation, dying with that stolid indifference which he manifested when addressing the jury that tried him in the Deadwood court. Execution of Jack McCall. On the evening following the execution of McCall, U. S. Marshal Burdick received the following letter: Louisville, Ky., February 25th, 1877. To the Marshal of Yankton. Dear Sir : — I saw in the morning papers a piece about the sentence of the murderer of Wild Bill, Jack McCall. There was a young man of the name of John McCall left here about six years ago, who has not been heard from for the last three years. He has a father, mother and three sisters living here in Louisville, who are very un- easy about him since they heard about the murder of Wild Bill. If you can send us any information about him we would be very thankful to you. 206 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. This John McCall is about twenty-five years old ; has light hair, inclined to curl, and one eye crossed. I can- not say about his height as he was not grown when he left here. Please write as soon as convenient, as we are very anxious to hear from you. Very respectfully, Mary A. McCall. This letter was from the sister of the man who had just paid the penalty of his crime, and with what feel- ings of sadness she received the marshal's reply can well be imagined. One version of the origin of the difficulty which cul- minated in the assassination of Wild Bill has been given so repeatedly by correspondents that, as it requires but a few words to relate, it is here repeated. Jack McCall, who was generally regarded as a gamb- ling sharp by the people of Dead wood, challenged Bill to a game of poker. As the latter was particularly fond of this sport an immediate acceptance was the result. The game lasted for some hours, to Bill's great advan- tage, until McCalPs money having become exhausted he overbet his hand. Bill in calling the bet discovered that McCall had only $7.50 to make good his bet of $10. lie mildly remonstrated with him by saying: "You don't want to overbet your money; that's no way to play poker." McCall then admitted that he had not an- other cent, whereupon Bill gave him $5.00 with which to pay his lodging and breakfast, and thus tin* two separa- ted without a word indicative of harsh feelings. This version is generally accepted as furnishing the sole rea- son for the murder. With regard to the killing of McCall' s brother by Wild Bill in Hays City, as was claimed by McCall, the story is evidently without foundation. All the serious difficulties Bill had while at Hays City, or elsewhere, LIFE OF WILD BILL. 207 have been faithfully recorded in the preceding pages, and unless Jack Strawhau was McCall's brother there cannot be even the remotest suspicion that the assassination was prompted by the motives claimed. In addition to this, McCall never made any attempt to prove that his brother had been killed by Wild Bill, nor does the letter of Mary A. McCall, the sister, intimate any reason for her brother's deed, as she certainly would have done had her brother fallen a victim to Wild Bill's vengeance. CHAPTER XX. Deadwood improved so rapidly during the latter years of the seventies that it became necessary to remove the bodies which lay in the first grave-yard. Building after building had sprung up on the hill sides ; the primitive forest fell before the axe of progress, and all natural beauties which originally surrounded Wild Bill's grave were torn away to give place for improvements. On the third day of August, 1879, Charley Utter and Louis Shoenheld, old friends of Bill's, keeping ever green the memory of their departed comrade, having decided to give their precious dead a more fitting resting place, repaired to the grave and with heads uncovered, exhumed the remains of Wild Bill. Upon removing the coffin lid, assembled friends of the deceased were sur- prised to note the few changes that had taken place in the features. Save a very slightly discernible shrinkage of the jaws and eyes and a darker color of the skin, Wild Bill lay resting, after his three years' sleep, just as he was laid away. The same smile lingered on his lips, lighting up a countenance of such perfect repose that the 208 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. sleeper seemed moved by some pleasant dream. His rifle still lay beside him in thorough preservation, not even a speck of rust being perceptible on the polished barrel. Upon lifting the remains from the grave, an extra- ordinary weight was detected, which was unexplainable until, in clipping off a lock of hair, Charley Utter's hand came in contact with the face of his dead friend, when a singular hardness of the flesh was felt. A closer ex- amination then revealed the fact that, though the body retained a natural appearance, yet it was in process of petrifaction. At the time of death Wild Bill's weight was about one hundred and seventy-five pounds, but at the exhumation the body weighed nearly three hundred pounds. After the remains were exposed for several hours to the gaze of numerous friends, they were coin-eyed to Mount Moriah Cemetery, where a lot and grave had been prepared by (.'hurley Utter, and there given a second burial. A handsome Italian head-stone was also creeled at the head of the grave by Mr. Utter, upon which the following inscription was engraved: WILD BILL (J. B. Ilickok), Killed by the Assassin, Jack McCall, in Deadwood, August 2d, 1870. Pard, we will meet again in the Happy Hunting Grounds, to part no more. Good-live. Colorado Charley. Here let the brave heart rest in the solitude of a fron- tier scpiilcher ; rest from the strife with which his life was >o familiar; rest from the labors of a sturdy pio- neer. The highway which he blazed by indomitable bravery and consecrated with the most sacred sacrifice he could give, is still followed by the advancing hosts of an expanding empire, dispelling primeval sounds and touch- L1FF OF WILD BILL. 209 ing the virgin forests with the magic wand of a perfect civilization. The birds which carol their morning and evening concerts over his grave are drifting westward and will soon be seen no more, while in their stead will be heard the whir and hum of a busy life. The rough sounds and strife of a border settlement will give place to the sweet home melodies of cultured maidens, and coming generation, like repeating waves which wash out the footsteps from the beach, will destroy the landmarks Wild Bill's Grave. of the early settlers and point to Wild Bill's grave as the spot where sleeps a hero-pioneer ; whose heart in life was gentle as a child's prayer, and yet brave as God could make it. An appreciation of the services which this noble scout rendered the builders of a Western em- pire belongs to those of unborn generations. " No man is appreciated until he is dead." The following poem, another tribute of friendship 210 IFEROES OF THE PLAINS. from Captain Jack Crawford, who delights in embower- ing the memory of his dead comrade with the most fra- grant of poetic garlands, will appropriately conclude this history of Wild Bill's death and burial : WILD BILL'S GRAVE. [Written for the Virginia Evening Chronicle, August 4, 1877.] BY HIS PARD, CAPTAIN JACK. On the side of the hill between Whitewood and Deadwood, At the foot of a pine stump, there lies a lone grave, Environed with rocks, and with pine trees and redwood, Where the wild roses bloom over the breast of the brave. A mantle of brushwood the greensward encloses; The green boughs are waving far up overhead; While under the sod and the flow'rets reposes The brave and the dead. Did I know him in life? Yes, as brother knows brothei I knew him and loved him — 'twas all I could give, My love. But the fact is we loved one nnother, And either would die that the other might live. Rough in his ways? Yes, hut kind and good-hearted; There wasn't a flaw in tlie heart of Wild Bill, And well I remember the day that he started That graveyard on top of the hill. A good scout? I reckon there wasn't his equal, Both Fremont and Custer could vouch for that fact. Quick as chain-lightning with rifle or pistol — And Custer said, " Bill m >•< r backed! " I le culled me his " kid "— Buffalo Bill was his " boy " — And in fact he knew more than us both : And, though we have shared both in sorrow and joy, Nary an oath. And now let me show yon the good that was in him — The letters he wrote to bis Agnes — his wife. Why, a look or a smile, one kind word could win him. Hear part of this letter— the last of this life : LIFE OF WILD BILL. 211 "Agnes Darling: If such should be that we never meet again, while firing my last shot I will gently breathe the name of my wife — my Agnes — and with a kind wish even for my enemies, I will make the plunge and try to swim to the other shore." Oh, Charity ! come fling your mantle about him , Judge him not harshly — he sleeps 'neath the sod ; Custer, brave Custer ! was lonely without him, Even with God. Charge, comrades, charge ! see young Custer ahead His charger leaps forth, almost flying. One volley ! and half his comrades are dead — The other half fighting and dying ! , Let us hope while their dust is reposing beneath The dirge-singiug pines in the mountains, That Christ has crowned each with an evergreen wreath And giv'n them to drink from his fountains. In the foregoing chapters the writer has described, as he believes, every important adventure in Wild Bill's life ; the commonplace incidents, however, have been omitted, such as inconsequential personal difficulties; long and tedious journeys ; his career as a pon} r -express rider; overland trips to Salt Lake, and such other events as happen to nearly all men engaged in frontier service. His life was so full of daring acts that to record the or- dinary incidents with the extraordinary adventures in which he participated would destroy the interest and im- pression the writer has sought to produce in this humble effort. But before concluding this biography of the greatest scout and fighter, perhaps, of whose life history furnishes any authentic record, it is important to briefly describe Wild Bill in his social relations, removed from the influ- ences which called for an exercise of his recklessly brave spirit. Socially, among those of cultivated taste and refine- 212 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. merit, Wild Bill was very agreeable company, laying aside at once every uncouth habit and .showing the in- nate gentlemanly qualities of which he was possessed. He had but few intimate friends, the most prominent of whom were W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), and Capt. Jack Crawford, whose lives ran in the same channels as his own ; and Dr. Joshua Thorne a^id Capt. E. W. Kings- bury, both of Kansas City, among the limited number of his associates in the more peaceful walks of life. Dr. Thorne was Bill's physician for many years and to him he confided his most sacred secrets ; Kingsbury was ' a Captain in the Second U. S. Cavalry during the time that Bill was acting as jmide for the regiment through the Indian campaigns, and it was in this service that they be- came very intimate. AVild Bill acted the part of an elder brother to Buffalo Bill and the two were so warmly attached that an insult would have been resented much more promptly by one when directed against the other than if pressed upon himself. Their relations were those of devoted comradeship and each was gladdened by praise bestowed upon the other. At times harsh words might pass between them, but each would submit to any language offered by the other without thinking of retali- ation, while the slightest rebuke from anyone else would be sure to precipitate a row. Wild Bill had no well defined religious belief, though his convictions, judging from assertions he had been heard to make to his best friends, were those of a Spir- itualist. To Dr. Thorne he asserted that, when sur- rounded by imminent dangers, he was influenced by spiritual agencies who kept him cool while they discon- certed his enemies. It was to this influence he ascribed his presence of mind on the most trying occasions. Another \< rv singular characteristic Bill possessed was LIFE OF WILD BILL. 213 that of excessive grief following all his fatal encounters. While never directly evading a fight, he always gave way to great sorrow for its consequences. Nearly all his victims were given proper burial at his expense, and Bill was the chief mourner at all the funerals when he had furnished the corpse. After his great fight at Rock Creek he learned that Jim McCandlas had left a widow with several children in destitute circumstances. From that time until Mrs. McCandlas' death he contributed to her support, sending remittances of money whenever he was in condition to do so. Dr. Thome informed the writer that he had removed eleven bullets from the body of Wild Bill, nearly all of which were shot into him at the Rock Creek fight, but that during all of the painful operations Bill gave ex- pression to none other than sympathetic words for the ferocious enemies he had slain in that memorable en- counter. Though livino; the life of a bachelor within a few months of his death, Bill was nevertheless excessively fond of children, and so great was his influence among the smallest infants that he could pacify the most peevish ones better than a mother. America has given birth to many a skillful marksman, but there can be no question that Wild Bill was the most expert pistol shot that this or any other country ever produced. To him this accomplishment was a gift of nature, which he greatly improved by years of persistent practice. Nearly all the leading magazines and news- papers have published elaborate articles descriptive of his marvelous accuracy and skill in the use of a pistol, but it is not inappropriate in this connection to recall some of the excellencies of his pistol practice. On one occasion, during his residence in Kansas City, 214 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. he gave Dr. Thorne examples of his wonderful shooting. It was on a sultry Sabbath afternoon, when the two were sitting out in the side yard connected with the Doctor's residence engaged in desultory conversation. A flock of chickens were strolling about the place, among the num- ber being a large rooster whose propensity was for chas- ing every other gallinaceous male off the place. Dr. Thorne having informed Bill of the troublesome qualities of the fowl, expressed a wish that, as it was too old to eat, some one would kill it out of compassion for the other male chanticleers. Thereupon Wild Bill remarked : "I'll bet you five dollars, Doctor, that I can cut the rooster's throat with my derringer, at thirty paces, with- out breaking his neck or touching the head or body." " You can't do it ," responded the Doctor, "and I'll take the bet.*' The chicken was chased to the required distance, and while it was still walking Bill raised his pistol and fired, without even bringing the weapon to his eye. The rooster ran a short distance and then drop- ped and fluttered about until it died. Upon examina- tion it was found that the chicken's throat and windpipe had been cut with the same cleverness as if a knife had been used, while its neck was evidently not touched. This shot, surely as perfect as could be made, so as- tonished the Doctor that he claimed it was an accident. Bill then, to convince him that it was not, fired several times from the two cartridge derringers he carried, first at small objects and then at sparrows in the trees ; each shot went directly to the mark, not a single miss being made. The Doctor was satisfied. Among the great number of fancy shots Bill was accus toined to make in amusing his friends, was one driving the cork through the neck of a bottle and knocking the bottom out without breaking the neck. This shot was also performed at a distance of thirty paces. LIFE OF WILD BILL. 215 For a lucrative pastime, at which he won no incon- siderable amount of money, Bill would get up a shooting match and then take bets of from one to ten dollars that he could shoot a hole through a silver dime at a distance of fifty paces. This seemed so utterly impossible that there was but little difficulty in getting a number of such bets, until he demonstrated his ability to perform the act nine times out of ten. Of course, at such a distance, it is almost impossible to see so small an object as a silver dime, but this difficulty was readily overcome by placing the money in such a position that the sun's rays would be gathered on its surface, thus presenting a brilliant spot for a target. In rifle shooting Bill was also an adept, but at short spaces he was much more dextrous with the pistol. In using the former weapon he took deliberate aim, while with the later he fired at seeming random, the bullet, apparently, going straight to the mark of its own voli- tion. In the early part of 1864, during his service as a scout under Gen. Daviess, as has already been related in chap- ter V, Wild Bill came into possession of a beautiful young mare to which he gave the name " Black Nell." This animal was a filly with a pedigree which it is to be regretted Bill never learned, as she was captured in a fight with three bushwhackers, but her exquisite beauty fur- nished a true index of her lofty descent. She was black as a raven and full of spirit ; her neck arched with the grace of a rainbow ; her eye was soft and clear as a vir- gin's, and her limbs were as symmetrical as those of the trinity of graces. During all his leisure, Bill gave at- tention to the care and training of this animal until at length she became the wonder of all who witnessed the performances through which he so frequently put her. 13 21() HEROES OF THE PLAiNS. He first trained the mare to obey his commands given by whistles ; to everyone except Bill she appeared fierce and unmanageable, but to him she was the very soul of sa- gacity and docility. Whether grazing, feeding at the trough, or lying down, Bill had only to blow a single whistle and she would come running to him with the eagerness of a dog anxious to greet his master. A snap of his fingers would send her galloping away, but the whistle would always cause her immediate return. Another trick Bill taught his beautiful mare afterward proved the means of saving his life. Biding her at the swiftest speed he had only to drop his hand so that the mare could see the act, and instantly she would stop and prostrate herself on the ground, remaining in that po- sition until she was bidden to rise again. On the occa- sion referred to, where this trick saved his life, Bill was riding through the northern part of Greene county, Mo., on a scouting tour. While passing through the tall prai- rie grass he was pursued by a body of bushwhackers. After fleeing before them for several miles he crossed a low piece of ground which temporarily hid hi:n from the sight of his enemies. In tins place Bill made a turn and moving his hand before Black Nell she instantly dropped down and remained perfectly quiet while the pursuing party rode by within fifty y-A\-i\> without discovering him. During a visit of Wild Bill to Springfield, Mo., in 18G7, meeting with many old friends, he became decid- edly convivial under the influences usually indulged in that town. He had his famous mare with him, and after explaining her good qualities and sense, offered to Avager treats for the crowd that he could make Black Nell leap onto a billiard table and from that perch drink a quail of whisky. Some one accepted the bet, chiefly because they desired to see the act performed. Bill at once removed LIFE OF WILD HILL. 217 the bridle and saddle from Nell, and going into a saloon which contained an old billiard table, told the mare to follow him. Nell, obedient as a poodle, walked so closely behind her master that her nose rested on his shoulder. Approaching the billiard table, he bade the mare mount. Nell at once reared up and deposited her forelegs on the table, but it was only after a long and persistent effort that she could raise her hind feet so high -, in fact the strain came near disabling her for life ; but she accom- plished the feat, and then drank the whisky with as much relish as her master ever exhibited. This wonderful mare, famous among the most cel- ebrated horses of America, died near Kansas City in 1869. Wild Bill manifested the most poignant grief at the loss of his sagacious friend and buried her with ap- propriate funeral ceremonies, and afterward made many pilgrimages to her grave. Having now discharged my duties as biographer of Wild Bill, and given '> him the character of a brave, honest and true man, worthy a position in the annals of American frontier history, lest the reader should ascribe to me undue admiration for the man whom I have sought to justly heroize, I will close this history with two published opinions of men capable of judging his true character. The first, as here given, is from a writer in 8cribner , s Magazine for October, 1876 : " * * * I had been in town only a few moments when I met Charley Utter, better known in the West as 'Colorado Charley,' to whom I had a letter of introduc- tion, and who at once invited me to share his camp while I remained in the region. 218 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. "On our way to his tent, we met J. B. Hickok, 'Wild Bill,' the hero of a hundred battles. Bill was Utter's 'pardner,' and I was introduced at once. Of course I had heard of him, the greatest scout in the West, but I was not prepared to find such a man as he proved to be. " Most of the Western scouts do not amount to much. They do a great deal in the personal reminiscence way, but otherwise they are generally of the class described as ' frauds.' In Wild Bill I found a man who talked little and had done a great deal. He was about six feet two inches m height, and very powerfully built • his face was intelligent : his hair blonde, and falling in long ring- lets upon his broad shoulders ; his eyes, blue and pleas- ant, looked one straight in the face when he talked ; and his lips, thin and compressed, were only partly hidden by a straw-colored moustache. His costume was acu- riou.-l\ blended union of the habiliments of the border- man and the drapery of the fashionable dandy. Beneath the skirts of his elaborately embroidered buckskin coat gleamed the handles of two silver-mounted revolvers, which were his constant companions. His voice was low and musical, but through its hesitation I could catch a ling of self-reliance and consciousness of strength. Yet he was the most courteous man I had met on the plains. On the following day I asked to see him use a pistol, and he assented. At hi- request I tossed a tomato can about fifteen feet into the air, both his pistols being in his belt when it left my hand. lie drew one of t hem and fired two bullets through the tin can before it struck the ground. Then he followed it along, firing as he went, until both weapons were empty. You have heard the expression 'quick as lightning.' Well, that will describe. Wild Bill. He was noted all over the country for rapid- ity of motion, courage and certainty of aim. Wherever LIFE OF WILD KILL. 219 he went he controlled the people around him, and many a quarrel has been settled by his simple announcement, 'This has gone far enough.' Early in the forenoon of my third day in Deadwood word was brought over to camp that he had been killed." The following is extracted from Gen. G. A. Custer's " Life on the Plains " Wild Bill was for a long time 'engaged as scout for Gen. Custer, accompanying him in several important campaigns against the Indians, and was repeatedly specially mentioned in the army reports for gallantry : "Amon<» the white scouts were numbered some of the most noted of their class. The most prominent man among them was Wild Bill, whose highly varied career was made the subject of an illustrated sketch in one of the popular monthly periodicals a few years ago. Wild Bill was a strange character, just the one which a novelist mio-ht gloat over. He was a plainsman in every sense of the word, yet unlike any other of his class. In person he was about six feet one in height, straight as the straio-htest of the warriors whose implacable foe he was ; broad shoulders, well-formed chest and limbs, and a face strikingly handsome ; a sharp, clear, blue eye, which stared you straight in the face when in conversation ; a finely-shaped nose, inclined to be aquiline ; a well-turned mouth, with lips only partially concealed by a handsome moustache. His hair and complexion were those of a perfect blonde. The former was worn in uncut ringlets fallino- carelessly over his powerfully formed shoulders. Add to this figure a costume blending the immaculate neatness of the dandy with the extravagant taste and style of the frontiersman, and you have Wild Bill, then as now the most famous scout on the plains. M Whether on foot or on horseback, he was one of the 220 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. most perfect types of physical manhood I ever saw. Of his courage their could be no question ; it had been brought to the test on too many occasions to admit of a doubt. His skill in the use of the rifle and pistol was unerring ; while his deportment was exactly the opposite of what might be expected from a man of his surround- ings. It was entirely free from all bluster or bravado. He never spoke of himself unless requested to do so. His conversation, strange to say, never bordered either on the vulgar or blasphemous. His influence among the frontiersmen was unbounded, his word was law ; and many are the personal quarrels and disturbances which he has checked among his comrades by his simple announce- ment that ' this has gone far enough,' if need be fol- lowed by the ominous warning that when persisted in or renewed the quarreler 'must settle it with me.' "Wild Bill is anything but a quarrelsome man ; yet no one but himself can enumerate the many conflicts in which he has been engaged, and which have almost invariably re- sulted in the death of his adversary. I have a personal knowledge of at least half a dozen men whom he has at various times killed, one of these being at the time a member of my command. Others have been severely wounded, yet he always escaped unhurt. On the plains every man openly carries his belt with its invariable ap- pendages, knife and revolver, often two of the latter. Wild Bill always carried two handsome ivory-handled re- v '>lvers of the large size; he was never seen without them. "Where tins is the common custom, brawls or per- sonal difficulties are seldom if ever set lied by blows. The quarrel is not from a word to a blow, but from a word to the revolver, and he who can draw and lire first is the best man. No civil law reaches him ; none is applied for. In fact there is no law recognized beyond the frontier LIFE OF WILD BILL. 221 but that of 'might makes right.' Should death result from the quarrel, as it usually does, no coroner's jury is impanneled to learn the cause of death, and the survivor is not arrested. But instead of these old-fashioned pro- ceedings, a meeting of citizens takes place, the survivor is requested to be present when the circumstances of the homicide are inquired into, and the unfailing verdict of 'justifiable,' ' self-defence,' etc., is pronounced, and the law stands vindicated. That justice is often deprived of a victim there is not a doubt. Yet in all of the many af- fairs of this kind in which Wild Bill has performed a part, and which have come to my knowledge, there is not a single instance in which the verdict of twelve fair- minded men would not be pronounced in his favor. " That the even tenor of his way continues to be dis- turbed by little events of this description may be inferred from an item which has been floating lately through the columns of the press, and which states that ' the funeral of " Jim Bludso," who was killed the other day by Wild Bill, took place to-day.' It then adds: ' The funeral expenses were borne by Wild Bill ! ' What could be more thoughtful than this? Not only to send a fellow mortal out of the wo (d, but to pay the expenses of the transit 1 ' ' '•■] 222 HON. WM. F. CODY, . (Buffalo Bill.) LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. (Hon. William F. Cody.) Relating the Adventures and Incidents in the Ca- reer of the Most Famous of Living Plainsmen. Comprising Descriptions of his Desperate Encoun- ters, Narrow Escapes, Indian Battles, Wonder- ful Rides, Great Hunts, and Conquests On and Off the Mimic Stage. CHAPTER I. The peculiarities of American civilization are seen to jrreat advantage in the anomalous character of Hon. William Frederick Cody, known throughout the Eng- lish speaking world as Buffalo Bill. He is the very embodiment of diversity, and a representative type of the antipodal phases of society ; on the plains and in camp he becomes the essence of pioneer hardihood, inured to privation, and the exponent of song and story ; while in the salons of the aristocracy he is none the less a kid-gloved society gallant, versed in all the subtle- ties of polished etiquette, full of vivacity and courtly witticisms. In short, there is no nature so readily con- formable to all the ways of life as his, and under all cir- cumstances there is always a sparkling effervescence of spirit about him which can only find comparison in a newly opened bottle of extra-dry champagne. These un- exampled traits of character will be distinctly evidenced in the following history of his singular life and adventures. 225 226 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Buffalo Bill was born in a pioneer settlement of Scott County, Iowa, on the 26th day of February, 1845. His father, whose name was Isaac, was one of the original surveyors of Davenport, and a man of strong individu- ality, possessing considerable ability and the elements of leadership. Opportunities, however, being few, Mr. Cody had to adapt himself to the pursuits offered, and for two or three years he drove a stage coach between Chicago and Davenport. In 1849 Mr. Cody was influenced by the wonderful stories regarding the gold discoveries in California to make provisions for the great overland journey, but after starting, others who wore to accompany him, abandoned the enterprise and persuaded him to follow their exam- ple. During his residence in Iowa he held the posi- tion of Justice of the Peace, and also served one term in the Legislature, but having a disposition for adventure and delighting in pioneer life, he removed to Kansas in 1852, settling his family at Weston, Missouri, on the farm of his brother Elijah, and then established a trad- ing post in the northern part of Leavenworth County, Kansas, at Salt Creek Valley, near the Kickapoo Agency. At this time Kansas was occupied by numerous tribes of Indians, who were settled on reservations, and through the territory ran the great highway to California and Sail Lake City. In addition to the thousands of gold seekers who were passing through Kansas by way of Ft. Leavenworth, there were as many more Mormons in their hegira from Illinois to found a new temple in which to propagate their doctrines. This extensive travel made the business , when ten years of age, Bill}' became a herder — or cow-boy — for Mr. Russell, to ac> cepl which position he run away from home, returning again at the expiration of two months with the sum of fifty dollars, all in new silver coins, which he gave to his mother who needed his assistance now, since Mr. Cody LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 235 was still suffering from his wound and unable to con- tinue his labors. The settlement about the Kickapoo Agency having in- creased rapidly, in 1856 a log school house was built and an excellent teacher employed, by subscription, to give instruction to the youth of that immediate section. Al- though this was the first regular school in the district, Billy had been under the instruction of a Miss Lyons, tvho was engaged by Mr. Cody to come to his house and teach the children, of whom there were seven, five girls and two boys, so that he was considerably advanced, for a pioneer boy, when he was enrolled as a pupil of one of the first schools started in the territory. For some time Billy made excellent progress ; was esteemed a model scholar and in every respect won the favor of teacher and fellow pupils. But his troubles began right where he expected to find happiness, thus, for once, following the usual plot of love stories. Mary Hyatt, a flaxen-haired, pretty little miss, with roguish smile and cunning eyes, was also a pupil in the log school-house and sat on a seat so near Billy that she became his dear charmer and condensed all his ambitions in the one desire to gain a reciprocal feeling. By his own admissions he became almost hopelessly stricken, the arrow of love cleaving the right ventricle of his heart clean through. The school-house was located on the bank of a creek where the woods grew luxuriantly, and afforded sylvan retreats for young lovers to build bowers of foliage and flowers. Billy, ever regardful for the happiness of Mary, with dextrous hands built arbors to shelter his young love, just large enough to ..old two, the reserve space being, of course, intended for himself. But Billy was not without competition, his rival being a larger and older boy named Stephen Gobel. The latter, 236 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. instead of resorting to honorable means for winning Mary, by trying to build a more delightful retreat for his sweetheart, ruthlessly tore down the arbors constructed by Billy and defied the school-mate he had wronged. A fight was the consequence, in which adverse fortune attended Billy, for he was compelled to acknowledge his defeat, which fact coming to the notice of the teacher, both combatants were brought under pedagogical disci- pline. The course of poor Billy's love was, therefore, undisputably rough, but though his spirit was humiliated, his affection remained none the less strong. Like the spider that, with industrious will, rebuilds again and again the web destroyed by vengeful circumstance, so Billy returned to the wreck of his little bower and care- fully reconstructed the arch with greener twigs and fresher flowers. But again the domineering Stephen destroyed the romantic little shelter and thus precipitated another tight. In this second encounter the ruthless boy again humbled his rival, but by chance Billy thought of a small dagger he carried, and during the light it fell out of the scabbard convenient to his hand. With this he contested successfully by thrusting its keen point into Stephen's hi]), bringing a copious flow of blood. The wounded boy cried out, "I'm killed! I'm killed," with such piteous voice that the scholars ran to inform the teacher, while Billy, frightened at what he had almost unconsciously (lone, ran off with all possible speed, closely pursued by the teacher, but not closely enough to be caught. He continued his fight until he overtook a freight team driven by an acquaintance named John Willis, to whom he hastily related the cause of his hurry, not for- getting, <>f course, to justify the act he had committed. " Well," responded Willis, "yon served him right; get up into the wagon and go with me to Ft . Kearney; LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 237 the trip will take forty days and I want you for a caval- lard driver." This proposition suited Billy, for his adventurous spirit caused him to long continually for an engagement that would take him over the plains among the buffaloes and coyotes ; but he could not go without first seeing his mother, to whom he was most ardently attached. Willis therefore consented to camp and go back with him at night to see his mother and endeavor to gain her per- mission. Mrs. Cody had already heard of the* trouble in which Billy had become involved, but, like her boy, she did not know the extent of Gobel's injuries, imagining them to be greater than they were. After much reflec- tion and an expression of poignant regret, Mrs. Cody at last gave her consent to Willis' proposition, and with tears streaming down her cheeks bade her little boy good- bye, not neglecting to implore him to be a good boy, and ever keep in mind the lesson he was now learning : that all wrong was sure to entail punishment. It so happened that Gobel's wound consisted of a very slight cut, which, having drawn blood, was sufficient to excite grave fears in the wounded lad. But Billy felt that he had committed a terrible crime and very natu- rally wanted to get out of the country to escape the fury of Gobel's father, who, he rightly suspected, would fol- low him. On the following day, while Billy was sitting beside Willis on the wagon, en route for Kearney, he discovered old man Gobel, accompanied by two others, who had got onto the trail and were after him. Adopting Willis' suggestion, Billy got down into the wagon-bed and hid himself securely among the freight, leaving his friend to represent him. Willis was a plucky fellow, and being 238 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. well armed he bluffed the pursuing party and carried Billy through safely. This incident was perhaps the turning point in William Cody's life, for it proved to be the initiatory ceremony which conferred on him the first degree as a Knight of the Prairie, and caused him to adopt the wild, ro- mantic life he has ever since led. After completing the journey to Kearney, Billy entered the employ of Russell, Majors & Waddell again as a cow-boy, which employment he followed for several months. Having become somewhat emboldened by the length of his absence he at last returned home, where he was rejoiced to find his own and the Gobcl family on ex- cellent terms of friendship, and Stephen ready to extend the palm of forgiveness. In the winter of 1856-57 Mr. Cody had so far recov- ered that he was again able to leave his bed and travel, and in company with another Free-State man named Boles, went to Cleveland to bring out a colony to Kansas, which he accomplished, settling the new emigrants near Grasshopper Falls. But directly after his return a se- vere cold, contracted dining the journey, aggravated his old wound and in the April following he died, leaving a large family illy provided for, with Billy, who was now twelve years of age, the main support. "With a heroism which has blossomed like the evcrlast- ing flower throughout his life, the young plainsman shouldered the burden that had thus fallen upon him, and one month after his father's death he sought and found employment with the great freighters Russell, Majors & Waddell, mid departed with his mother's bless- ings. He was assigned to duty under Frank and William McCarthy, brothers, who were engaged to drive a large herd of beef cattle to Salt Lake City, which were to Life of buffalo bill. 239 serve as food for Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson's army, then operating against the Mormons. To appreciate the dangers which such a journey invited at that date of Western settlement it is only necessary for the reader to know the fact that in addition to the occu- pation of the country by Mormons, hundreds of different warlike tribes of Indians infested every ravine and moun- tain pass, many of these pests of the great West being employed by the Mormons to massacre overland freight- ers and emigrants. It therefore required eternal vigi- lance upon the part of travelers to prevent themselves from falling into hands as unmerciful as the iniquitous inquisitors. Men of iron nerve and desperate pluck were the only ones who attempted the perilous journey, and even these never departed from their border homes with- out taking a melancholy farewell of their kith and kin. Little Billy, by which familiar and no less euphonious appellation the youthful Buffalo Bill was universally known until after he became of age, was the only boy up to that time that had ever been permitted to accompany a team across the plains, as an assistant, but though fully apprised of the dangers of such a trip, he ran up the black feather and shouldering a Mississippi Yager mani- fested the greatest pride in being accepted as one of the volunteers for such a hazardous undertaking. He sought danger for the spice it afforded. The company, comprising cooks, drivers, herders, etc., numbering twelve persons, proceeded, with three hundred head of cattle, as far West as the South Platte, beyond old Ft. Kearney, before they met with any inci- dent of note. Stopping at this point in the evening, to go into camp, they met with a surprise which came near ending in the annihilation of the party. Billy was busy- ing himself carrying wood preparatory to cooking sup- 240 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. per, while three of the herders were rounding up the cat- tle in the corral ; the others were distributed around the camping place preparing the tents and getting things ready for the night. Suddenly, yelling and shooting was heard out where the herders were, and with the first volley three men were killed, having been taken by com- plete surprise by a band of fifty Indians. The men in camp gathered their arms instantly, just in time to meet the charging Indians as they came pell-mell over the hill directly for the wagons, yelling all the while like infuri- ated demons. Billy was quick in comprehending the situation, and though his heart may have become more violent in its pulsations, he never stopped to pray or ask advice ; but gathering his gun in common with the others got behind the wagons and began pouring swift lead into the Indians. This prompt action, resulting as it did iu the death of several braves, served to repel the charge. The Indians, however, soon rallied, and flanking on both sides came back in a rainbow movement, which promised greater success. The McCarthy boys, appreciating the danger of their position, ordered the men to break for Plum ('reek, the banks of which could he used as a pro- tection and breastwork. In this retreat one of the party was shot in the leg, the wound being so severe that his companions had to carry him to prevent him from falling into the hands of the red demons. Reaching Plum Creek, which was only fifty yards from the place of encampment, the men died to check the Indians, bul their movements were anticipated and in order to prevent being entirely cut off, the McCarthys advised a retreat down the stream toward Ft. Kearney The wounded man was placed on a log fortunately found at the water's r^'^c and allowed to drifl with the current, which chanced to he rapid by reason of recent rains. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 241 The men, by excellent markmanship, kept the Indians at a distance, and thus the march continued for about twenty miles, until they reached a junction of the creek with the North Platte. But keeping close to the bank, the party continued on down the stream throughout the night. Billy, being so young, became very much exhausted by so long a march, carrying a large gun, and permitted the others to get nearly a hundred yards in advance. The night, now approaching morning, was made beautiful by a bright full moon, and in closely watching the banks Billy's quick eye fell upon the decorated head-dress of a big Indian as he was peering over the bank looking for a favorable shot. Quick as thought, without challenging the enemy or shouting to his companions for help, the brave boy raised his gun and fired. There was no cause for conjecture regarding the effect of his aim, for with a leap like the stricken deer, head-dress and Indian came tumbling down the embankment, rolling over and over in the descent, and fell dead at Billy's feet. To say that the youthful Indian slayer was surprised affords no concep- tion of his feelings : he was frightened with astonishment and when his companions rushed back to determine the cause of the shooting, they found Billy standing beside his victim with looks indicative of victor and vanquished, too puzzled at first to explain his act ; but the dead In- dian was explanation sufficient and Billy was at once complimented with such generous enthusiasm that he soon realized what a heroic deed he had accomplished. After the loss of their inquisitive companion the Indians drew off and left Billy and his party to pursue the re- mainder of their journey unmolested. It was Ions? after the first morning hours when the footsore party reached Kearney, but upon arriving at the fort Frank McCarthy made due report of the Indian at- 242 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. tack, not forgetting to elaborately describe the bravery of Billy and how scientifically the lion-hearted lad had slain the " bijr^est Indian in the outfit." CO A company was at once mounted on mules and sent out from the fort, taking a howitzer with them, to re- cover the cattle and if possible punish the dusky ma- rauders. Billy was allowed to accompany the soldiers, as his capabilities were now reckoned at more than par. This force, upon reaching the scene of attack, found the mutilated remains of the three herders, to which they gave proper burial and then pushed on in pursuit of the Indians, but the trail was lost in crossing Republican river, and further efforts of the company were directed to recovering the cattle. But even this object of the ex- pedition had to be abandoned, as it was found that the cattle not driven off by the Indians had been stampeded with buffaloes, thus rendering their recapture impossible. The first expedition, therefore, in which Billy had been engaged terminated disastrously, but it brought to him a full measure of adventure and notoriety. The fame so soon won had preceded him on his return, so that when he arrived in Leavenworth, on his way home, there was an enterprising reporter awaiting to interview him. Billy, though by no means vainglorious, told the story of his adventure with much satisfaction, and on the following day he found the substance of his relation under a bewil- dering, pyrotcchnical display of sensational head lines, in which he was heroized with a veneering of eulogistic ex- es D pressions impossible of analysis. In the language of Buf- falo Hill, this incident has been attached to his name like a tin kettle to a dog's tail, and ever since he has been pin- suing life with this appendage clattering at his heels. Many men, however, have been made famous by circum- stances much less interest ins and meritorious. LIFE OF rUFFALO BILL. 243 CHAPTER LTI. Billy did not remain at home long before another opportunity was offered him to cross the plains. With most bo}^s a trip replete with experiences such as he had encountered at Plum Creek would have satisfied their craving for further adventure in that direction, but to him the effect was to increase his longing for the plains, to share the perils, hardships and life of danger-loving prai- rie free-rovers. The opportunity referred to came in an offer made him by a wagon boss named Lew Simpson, who was in the employ of Russell, Majors & Waddell, to accompany a freight train to Salt Lake as an "extra." Mrs. Cody was decidedly averse to her boy making another trip over a route she was now convinced led through the greatest dangers, and when Simpson begged hard for Billy, pledging to return him in safety, she pos- itively refused. No one can fail to appreciate this poor mother's decision ; she saw in the proposed trip a certain absence of nearly one year even should no evil attend her promising son, but more than this, she could not avoid the belief that should he go, no one could protect him against the perils he must encounter. Finding her decision so firm, Billy at length told his mother that, while he regarded her desiies and loved her devotedly, and sought to render true filial ooedience, yet he must needs follow some occupation that would yield a necessary subsistence for the family now dependent upon his exertions ; that he must therefore go. He accordingly arranged the payment of his monthly salary ($40.00), so that Mr. Russell could turn it over to her on the first of each month during his absence. 244 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Seeing that nothing could deter him from his purpose, Mrs. Cody implored Simpson to watch over her boy with tender regard ; that he was not only a son in whom her affections centered, but her staff of life upon whom she was now compelled to lean. Mr. Russell also requested Simpson to protect little Billy at all hazards, and these promises being given, the young hero was suffered to de- part on the dangerous journey, leaving a weeping and praying mother behind him. Before proceeding to a relation of the incidents during the trip, it is needful to give a description of overland freighting, and also some idea of the business conducted by the great freighters, Russell, Majors & Waddell. The wagons used for this purpose were built specially by a large firm in St. Louis, and were constructed with a storage and carrying capacity of 7,000 pounds. To haul these wagons, when loaded, usually required from eight to ten yoke of oxen, according to the weight of the cat- tle. A tram of prairie schooners consisted of twenty- five wagons in charge of the following " officers and Sea- men," so to speak: The wagon-master, who acted as captain ; then came the assistant wagon-master, then the extra hand, then the night herder, then the cavah rd driver, whose duty it is to attend the extra cattle. Be- sides these each team has a driver, so that the full com- plement for a complete train is thirty-one men. Among these men a language is used peculiarly their own ; the wagon-master is called the "bull-wagon boss," the teamsters are "bull-whackers," and a train is called a " bull outfit." Every man is expected to be thorough- ly armed, and each knows when 1 to "fall in" when an attack is made, which at that date Mas anticipated at any time while passing over the route to Salt Lake. This trail, as described by Buffalo Bill, ran as follows: LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 245 246 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. " Through Kansas northwestwardly, crossing the Big Blue river, then over the Big and Little Sandy, coming into Nebraska near the Big Sandy. The next stream of any importance was the Little Blue, along which the trail ran for sixty miles ; then crossed a range of sand-hills and struck the Platte river ten miles below old Fort Kearney ; thence the course lay up the South Platte to the old Ash Hollow Crossing, thence eighteen miles across to the North Platte, near the mouth of the Blue Water, where Gen. Harney had his great battle in 1855 with the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. From this point the North Platte was followed, passing Court House Rock, Chimney Rock and Scott's Bluffs, and then on to Fort Laramie, where the Laramie river was crossed. Still following the North Platte for some considerable distance, the trail crossed this river at old Richard's Bridge, and followed it up to the celebrated Red Buttes, crossing the Willow Creeks, to the Sweet Water, passing the great Independence Rock and the Devil's Gate, up to the Three Crossings of the Sweet Water, thence past the Cold Springs, where, three feet under the sod, on the hottest day of summer, ice can be found ; thence to the Hot Springs and the Rocky Ridge, and through the Rocky Mountains and Echo Canon, and thence on to the great Salt Lake valley." In order to take care of the business which then offer- ed, the freight for transportation being almost exclu- sively government provisions, Russell, Majors & Waddell operated 6,250 wagons, for the hauling of which they used 75,000 oxen, and gave employment to 8,000 men; the capital invested by these three freighters was nearly $2,000,000. ]\\ their operations, involving such an immense sum of money, and employing a class of laborers incomparably reckless, some very stringent rules LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 247 were adopted by the firm, to which all their employes were made to subscribe. In this code of discipline was the following obligation: "I, , do hereby solemnly swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am in the employ of Russell, Majors & Waddell, that I will, under no circumstances, use profane language ; that I will drink no intoxicating liquors of any kind ; that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employe of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as will win the confidence and esteem of my employers, so help me God." This oath was the creation of Mr. Majors, who was a very pious and rigid disciplinarian ; he tried hard to en- force it, but how great was his failure it is needless to say. It would have been equally profitable had the old gentleman read the riot act to a herd of stampeded buf- faloes. And he believes it himself now. Among the bull-whackers who accompanied this train with Billy was J. B. Hickok, who afterward became the noted "Wild Bill," and between the two an intimate ac- quaintance soon sprang up which ripened into the strong- est friendship, enduring year after year until the hitter's assassination in 1876. In fact, as Buffalo Bill declares in his autobiography, " Wild Bill was my protector (refer- ring to the time when his first overland trip was made,) and intimate friend, and the friendship thus begun con- tinued until his death." The route as described was the same as tnat taken by Billy and the McCarthy boys only a few months before, and when the train reached Plum Creek, having met with no adventure worthy of note, a halt was made for one day to rest the oxen and take a buffalo hunt. 15 248 HEROES OF 'THti l>LAtN8. Big game was so abundant in that section of country that writers as far back as 18 CO asserted that there were enough buffaloes on the Western prairies to feed the whole world for a century, and that ten thousand hunters shooting day after day for a hundred years could make no perceptible diminution in the number. Shortly after the oxen were herded and the wagons lo- cated a large drove of buffaloes were discovered bearing toward the camp with a party of California emigrants in the rear. On they came in a mad stampede, and no amount of shouting and shooting could swerve them from their course. A few minutes later the whole herd of more than one thousand crazed animals rushed like a wave of thunder into the camp, over the wagons, oxen and other impediments, crippling themselves but making sad havoc of the train. "Wagons were overturned and broken, the provisions scattered and trampled, and when the animated wave had swept over and by there was desolation in the wake. The train men had found a great many more buffaloes than they had intended hunt- ing. It required two days of hard work to repair the injury so that the train could proceed. On the following day, after leaving (he Plum Creek camping grounds, the train-men met Joe Smith, Jr., who was acting as a spy for the Mormons, ascertaining the number and character of the "outfits" on the road, and preparing for their capture. As no one in the train knew him he had no difficulty in obtaining all the information he desired. After remaining with the men for one day, Smith made a plausible excuse for leaving them, and then rode rap- idly to an appointed rendezvous where the Mormons, neaily two hundred strong, were awaiting his orders. When the train had reached the Rocky Mountains, LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 249 within eighteen miles of Green River, suddenly the men were surrounded by Joe Smith and his well-armed fol- lowers, who, being whites, did not arouse any suspicion upon the part of the train-men until they found them- selves covered by Mormon rifles. Resistance, under the circumstances, was impossible, and Simpson, after roundly berating the apostles, was forced to submit. The result of this adventure was that, after rifling the wagons of whatever provisions they were able to carry, the Mormons set fire to the train and drove off the oxen. The train-men, however, were allowed to retain their arms and one wagon and six yoke of oxen and sufficient provisions to last the party until they could reach Fort Bridge r. After reaching the fort, it being far in November, the party decided to spend the winter there with about four hundred other employes of Russell, Majors & Waddell, rather than attempt a return, which would have exposed them to many dangers and the severity of a rapidly-ap- proaching winter. During this period of hibernation, however, the larders of the commissary became so de- pleted that the men were placed on one-quarter rations, and at length, as a final resort, the poor, dreadfully ema- ciated mules and oxen were killed to afford sustenance for the famishing men. Fort Bridger being located in a prairie, all fuel there used had to be carried for a distance of nearly two miles, and after their mules and oxen were butchered the men had no other recourse than to carry the wood on their backs or haul it on sleds, themselves taking the part of draught animals. Starvation was beginning to lurk about the post when spring approached, and but for the timely arrival of a westward-bound train loaded with provisions for John- 250 HEROES OE THE TLAINS. son's army some of the party must certainly have fallen victims to deadly hunger. Arrangements having been made for a return to Fort Leavenworth, all the employes at Fort Bridger deter- mined to accompany the returning cavalcade, and Simp- son was chosen brigade wagon-master of the new "out- fit," which consisted of two trains and four hundred men. When the trains approached Ash Hollow, Simpson de- cided to leave the main road and make a cut-off by fol- lowing the North Platte down to its junction with the South Platte. In traveling the two trains had become separated with an intervening space of fifteen or twenty miles between them, the latter train being in charge of Assistant Wagon-Master Geo. Woods, under whom Billy was acting as " extra." Simpson, accompanied by Woods, desiring to reach the head train, ordered Billy to " si nch "(saddle )up and follow him. The three rode rapidly for some time until they reached Cedar Bluffs, when they suddenly dis- covered a score of Indians emerging from the head of a ravine less than half a mile distant, bearing down upon them at great speed. " Dismount and shoot your mules," was the quick order issued by Simpson, who was at once alive to the situation. As the jaded and stricken animals dropped in their tracks, the three men — or rather two men and one little boy — crouched down behind the mules which lay together in a triangle, and using then- dead bodies as breast- works, opened fire on the Indians with Mississippi yagers and revolvers, killing three and wounding two ponies. The red-skins, surprised at the hot-bed they had struck, circled around and sped away again, halting several bond red yards distant, evidently for consultation. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 251 This gave the beleaguered trio time to reload their weapons and prepare for a second charge, which they felt sure would be made. The Indians were armed with bows and arrows, which of course required close range to be effective, and this gave the little party an advantage which partly com- pensated for the superior number of their enemies. Little Billy showed so much pluck in the dangerous position he occupied that Simpson could not help prais- ing him, and by way of further encouragement he said : " My brave little man, do you see that Indian on the right, riding out from the party to reconnoiter?" " Yes, I'm watching him," was the reply. "Well, suppose you give him a shot just by way of experiment." Billy at once extended himself and resting his gun on the body of the mule before him, took steady aim and fired. "Bully boy! a splendid shot!" shouted Simpson as he saw the Indian topple from his horse, struck evidently in the side, as the wounded savage commenced trying to crawl, his hand pressed over the injured spot. The dis- tance was fully three hundred yards. After a long parley the Indians scattered, and came charging back again whooping in a delirium of excite- ment. When they had approached within less than one hundred yards, the besieged party turned loose on them, shooting two more out of the saddle ; but the Indians rushed on discharging a shower of arrows, one of which pierced Geo. Wood's right shoulder, producing a very painful wound. More than a dozen other arrows struck in the bodies of the dead mules, but inflicted no other damage. For a second time the red warriors were re- pulsed and when they drew off again it was evidently for 252 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. the purpose of resorting to other tactics. Getting be- yond the range of the yagers, the Indians formed in a large circle, tethered their ponies and disposed themselves for a siege, with the evident intention of starving out the brave trio. About three hours afterward, however, the cracking of bull-whackers' whips was heard, and soon the advancing train was seen coming over a hill. The Indians appre- ciated what this meant, and gaining their ponies rode down on the little party again, discharging another flight of arrows and receiving a volly of bullets in return. No damage was inflicted on either side in the last charge, and the three were saved. Their safety, however, was due entirely to the prompt and decisive action of Simp- son, who was a man exactly suited for working out des- perate circumstances to his own advantage. After bandaging Wood's wound the train started again and met with no further detention or accident, reaching Leavenworth in July, 1858. Wild Bill had been a special companion of Billy's during the entire trip, and so warm had become the attachment between them that the latter gave him a pressing invitation to go with him to his home for a short visit, a request which Wild Bill acceded to. During this visit he was treated with so much attention that he became as one of the family, and ever after, until the death of Billy's mother, he called her "Mother Cody." Billy had been at home scarcely one month before he engaged himself as assistant wagon-master to another train which was made up at Ft. Laramie to carry supplies to a new post just established at Cheyenne Pass. In this, his third trip, he met with no stirring adventure and got through without losing a team or man. This result was in pleasing varience with his two former trips, both of LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 253 which had been so full of stirring incidents and disas- trous consequences. Upon his return to Laramie from Cheyenne Pass he entered into an engagement with a Mr. Ward, the post- trader, to trap for beaver, mink and otter on the Chug- water, and poison wolves for their peltries. This enter- prise, yielding little or no profit, was abandoned after a two months' experiment, and Billy returned to Laramie, where, a few days after, in company with two others, he started back to Leavenworth. Upon reaching the Little Blue, the three were jumped by a party of Indians, who chased them for several hours, and doubtless would have captured them had not dark- ness intervened to assist them in escaping. After " los- ing" the Indians the trio discovered a cave, in which they resolved to spend the night, but upon lighting a match they were horrified at finding the place tenanted by the bones and dessicated flesh of murdered emigrants, who had gone the way of hundreds of other unfortunate pil- grims seeking gold and fortune in the far West. Without waiting to make an investigation, the three now badly-frightened travellers broke camp, and regard- less of the cold and snow, pushed rapidly forward. After journeying all night they reached Oak Grove, and there taking in a fresh supply of necessaries, resumed their homeward march, reaching Leavenworth in February, 1859. 254 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER IV. Billy, who had now reached the age of fourteen years, and was unusually large for one of that age, having been almost wholly without schooling, following his mother's entreaties, concluded to attend a school which had just been opened in the neighborhood of Grasshopper Falls. The pretty little Mary Hyatt, however, had removed from that section, and Stephen Gobel had forgotten the rivalry which resulted in broken arbors and a bloody se- quel. His at lent ion being diverted by no love episodes, Billy applied himself with becoming diligence during the session, which lasted for a period of ten weeks, and made a most gratifying progress. This was the longest term of school he ever attended, and it is doubtful if all the schooling ho ever received would aggregate six months, though he is now comparatively well educated, acquired almost wholly by extensive travel and association with polished people. When spring returned and the warm rays of a conge- nial sun freshened the brown grass on the prairie, turning it into an emerald sward as boundless almost as the sky overhead, the old impulse seized on Billy again and he determined to seek the far AVest where adventure and danger incite the restless spirit of brave men. In addition to the promptings of his own nature there was a further motive in tin 1 recent discoveries of gold at Pike's Peak. Who that is thifty years of age now will forget the wild excitement occasioned by the delirium- producing stories which floated as generous as the air into everj nook of America, declaring the inimitable store- house of gold just laid bare at Tike's Peak? There was magic in the very name, and I distinctly recall to mind LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 255 now, though a small boy at the time, that the whisky bottles used then had the figure of a pilgrim with pack and pick on his shoulder, blown in one side, with the declaration, "Bound for Pike's Peak," underneath. Why, since I come to think of it, my mother is using one of those old Pike's Peak bottles at this very day as a recep- tacle for camphor. Billy, young in years, though now a man in size, in common with thousands of others seized a pick and set out for the wonderful diggings. He located on Cherry Creek where there was a camp called Aurora, on the site now occupied by the city of Denver. After digging around Aurora for a few days, the ignus fatuus led him further up the mountains to Black Hawk, where he set- tied and worked most assiduously for a period of two months without finding as much as a handful of pay dirt. In the meantime provisions were so high that it took a Jacob's ladder to reach the smell of cold beans. Billy became not only tired but disgusted with the re- sult of his mining labors and resolved to get out of the country. He had no difficulty in finding others in camp of the same turn of mind as himself, and such as he de- sired as companions he induced to accompany him back. Of the numerous caravans and individuals who adopted as their motto, "Pike's Peak or Bust," Billy and his party fell back on the latter end of the bold legend. They were so badly "busted," in fact, that the only convey- ance left them was their legs. Setting out on these the party proceeded on foot to the Platte river, where the idea possessed Billy that the} r might make the remainder of their journey to Leavenworth on an improvised raft. By various means, but chiefly by killing game along the way, the party subsisted comfortably while they boated down the stream on a rickety collection of logs. 256 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Matters were satisfactory enough until they reached Jule's ranchc, or Julesburg, where having met a swifter current the raft struck a snag and went to pieces with a suddenness no less astonishing than the bath which in- stantly followed. Fortunately, though the North Plattb is a broad stream, it is generally shallow, and the party had to swim but a short distance before they found a footing, and then waded ashore. Eveiything having been lost with the raft, including their arms and such provisions as they had, the party stopped at Julesburg to wait for something to turn up. It so happened that the great Pony Express had just been established between Omaha and Pike's Peak, and other far Western points, including San Francisco. This route ran by Julesburg where the company had an agent in the person of George Chrisman, who was w r ell ac- quainted with Billy, the two having freighted together for Russell, Majors & Waddell. Finding Billy out of employment and express riders being scarce, Chrisman offered him a position as rider, which was gladly accepted. The requirements for ibis occupation w~re such that very few were qualified for the performance 01 the duties. The distance and time required to be made were fifteen miles pei- hour. Only boys could be employed on ac- count of the weight to be carried, and such laborious rid- ing could be endured by very few. Nevertheless, Billy was an expert horseman and having the constitution and endurance of a broncho he braved the perils and duties of the position and was assigned to a route of forty-five miles. After riding for several months he received a letter from his mother urging him to return home and give up a position which would surely destroy his health. But he LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 257 continued in the employ of the express company until an- other letter came informing him of the severe illness of his mother ; his filial love being stronger than any other trait of character, he immediately resigned and hurried to the bedside of his beloved parent, whom he was rejoiced to find growing better. CHAPTER V. Remaining at home scarcely one month Billy received an invitation, from an old friend, named Dave Harring- ton, to accompany him on a trapping expedition up the Republican river, which, with hasty preparation, he gladly accepted. The two started out from Salt Creek valley with an outfit consisting of a wagon filled with traps and provis- ions drawn by a yoke of oxen . It was near the middle of November when the two started on the expedition, Mrs. Cody standing in the door when the team moved off, wiping the tears from her eyes and giving bounteous blessings to her beloved boy, watching with painful emotions until the white cover of the wagon which sheltered her dearest treasure became hidden by the prairie undulations in the distance. The two made excellent progress and met with no de- tention, arriving at the mouth of Prairie Dog Creek early in December. Here they found an abundance of beaver and trapped with such success that they secured three hundred beaver and one hundred otter skins before the severe weather interfered with their occupation. Having obtained a full lo; " peltries it was decided 258 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. to remain in the dug-out which they had constructed un- til the beginning of spring, when the return trip could be made without dangerous exposure. During the period of waiting the two occupied much of their time shooting, elk, large numbers of which were roaming constantly within convenient proximity. On one occasion while out hunting and in pursuit of a large herd of elk, while passing around a large rock projecting over a small ravine, Billy made a false step and was pre- cipitated onto the rocks below, the fall breaking his leg between the knee and ankle. This accident, always se- rious, was doubly so under the circumstances, when no surgical aid could be had, nor any but a miserably insuffi- cient attention could be given to mitigate the injury. To add still further to the misfortunes of the suffering boy, only a few days before this accident one of the oxen had broken a leg and Harrington had been compelled to shoot the animal. Here the two trappers were, in the midst of winter storms, without a team, and Billy rolling in an agony which his partner was unable to relieve. After discussing the situation for some time Harring- ton said : "Well, Billy, this is a bad box, and the only way to get out is for me to reach the nearest settlement and get a team to haul you home."* The poor boy, though he well knew that the nearest olace from which succor could he obtained was fully one hundred and twenty-five miles distant, and appreciated all the terrors of a long and painful waiting alone, .among the hungry wolves and bands of equally ferocious Indian-, told Harrington to do as he thought best about making the trip. It is no less pathetic than astonishing, the devotion which i^ so often found among tin; Western pioneers LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 259 whose uncouth language and grizzly garb, if taken as an index to their true character, would lead to the inference that they are destitute of that human kindness which re- deems mankind and compensates our vices. Brave Dave Harrington, just like Cody himself, big- hearted, noble, generous, self-sacrificing, immediately prepared for the tedious winter journey. Collecting about and within convenient reach of Billy, plenty of dried beef, water and other provisions needful for the sufferer's subsistence, Dave set out on the long trip, bid- ding his companion be cheerful and to expect his return in twenty-one days. Finding himself utterly alone, poor Billy — I say "poor" because the facts cannot fail to arouse the deepest pity and make us sympathize with him even now in remem- brance, because sensibly affected by the realization of his terrible situation — inside a rude "dug-out," the trapper's home, consisting of an excavation in the side of a hill boarded up inside, and a single door for entrance and ventilation, Billy lay on his rude litter nursing the inflamed and painful fracture ; nothing to relieve his lone- someness save the howls of prowling wolves scrambling about the chimney, peering down through the mud and sticks and sniffing at the chink under the door. Nothing else to disturb his sombre reflections, save the whistling winds which came sweeping over his rude habitation rattling at the puncheon door and making the trees out- side i>roan in consonance with the biting cold. Day after day, time, like a foot-sore and weary pilgrim, jogged sloAvly and drearily along until the tenth day had departed since Harrington left on his mission for help. The shades of mid-winter were just gathering in the dark- ening fold of eventide when Billy was aroused from his re very by a singular noise outside the door of his abode. 260 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. There were shuffling feet near the entrance, and then a moment of silence, followed by voices which his experi- enced ears told him proceeded from Indians. Uninvited, more than a dozen Sioux, headed by chief Kain-in-the- face, forced an entrance into the dug-out as though in- tent upon rifling the place, thinking the owners were ab- sent. But Billy rose up from his pallet and when the In- dians' eyes fell upon him a murmur of confused voices followed, which he interpreted as a prelude to the ter- mination of his earthly career. A stroke of good fortune, however, came to the suf- fering boy in his direst extremity. Old Kain-in-the-face chanced to be an acquaintance of Billy's, having met him frequently at Laramie, and this acquaintance saved his life. The old chief told Billy that the Indians had in- tended to kill him, but he had prevailed on them to spare his life on account of his youth. This was joyful news, but the Indians remained in the dug-out all night, feast- ing themselves on the provisions left for Billy's use, and when they departed on the following morning took with them nearly everything in his larder, besides all the fire- arms. He was thus left in a more trying situation than before, with many days yet to elapse before he could expect Harrington's return. To add still further to the ordeal of suffering he was compelled to endure, a terrible snow-storm began on the fifteenth day after Dave's departure and continued until the snow had fallen to a depth of nearly three feet, blocking the entrance to his hut, and as he well knew, must seriously delay Harrington, perhaps cause him to lose the way or furnish a trail for a band of murderous Indians. These forebodings almost crazed him, for in addition to the probable loss of his friend, starvation threatened him, and L!j injured limb had become daily more painful from enforced neglect. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 20 1 At last the twenty-first day dawned, Billy having com- puted the time by marking on the wall each day as it passed. Every passing sound he felt sure was the foot- step of his friend, but disappointment and hope came and went like the pendulum of a clock ticking : fortune, disaster ; fortune, disaster. It was thus that the day came and died, and another dawn succeeded only to arouse the same feelings of hope and dejection. The fire had expired for lack of fuel to replenish it, and the faint, hungry, now almost hopeless boy, was forced to gnaw the few remaining chunks of frozen venison left him, from which it was possible to obtain barely enough to keep from starving, but never enough to stay hunger. It was not until the twenty-ninth day after his depar- ture that faithful Dave Harrington arrived at the old hut, his approach being heralded by deep, sonorous commands addressed to the yoke of oxen he had driven through the snows and perils of a northern winter when every hill and valley was the bivouac of depredating Indians. When the grateful sounds of Dave's voice fell on Bil- ly's ears the famishing boy believed it was the first warn- ing of delirium, admonishing him to prepare for the last horrors of starvation. But soon he heard that same voice ring out clearly before the snow-embarred door : "Hello, Billy ! are you alive yet?" "Yes, Dave, still alive, but nearly gone." Then the brawny hands of Harrington fell to work clearing away the snow with such exertions as he would have employed to rescue a friend buried alive. It was but a few moments ere the door was pushed open, and rescued and rescuer fell into each others arms, weeping with the joy of reunited friends after passing through the valley of tribulation. After rehearsing to each other the incidents that had 262 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. transpired during the painful separation, in which Har- rington told how he braved dangers few men could survive, tumbling into snow-drifts, wading treacherous streams, etc., the two made preparations to return, though the perils of the journey over a territory beset with so many uninviting prospects were sufficient to deter any but the stoutest hearts. A bed was carefully made in the wagon of furs and blankets, on which Harrington placed Billy, and bidding good-bye to the old hut in the hillside, the two set out for Junction City. Directly after their departure, the sun came out warm and revivifying, and in three days the snow had melted so rapidly that they experienced no further difficulty in traveling. Reaching the place from whence Harrington had hired the team to bring Billy away from the dug-out, another yoke of oxen was purchased, being paid for in peltries, and the latter end of the journey was accomplished with- out further incident. Arriving at Junction City, Dave and Billy sold their furs at a most satisfactory price, and also the team, for which they had no further use, as government mule trains were almost daily passing that point, bound for Leaven- worth, with which transportation was easily arranged. The two trappers reached Leavenworth in March, 1860, and Billy, unable to get about, begged his friend to ac- company him home, for at least a short visit. Harring- ton, who was warmly attached to his now helpless com- panion, assented after small persuasion, arriving at Salt Creek Valley after a, delay of one day at Leavenworth. Mrs. Cody was overcome with joy when she received her boy, but cast down again with grief at seeing his condition, which, with a mother's natural solicitude, she at first magnified into a serious injury. Upon learning LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL 263 the noble, generous part acted by Harrington toward Billy, with tears of thankfulness and gratitude she mani- fested her appreciation and obligation to the brave man who had submitted to all danger and privation to secure the safety of her darling boy. Harrington remained with Billy at Mrs. Cody's home for several days, treated with the consideration his sacri- fices deserved ; but after the lapse of a week, thinking he had been idle too long already, he set about perform- ing some needful work on Mrs. Cody's premises. While planting trees on a cold damp day in the latter part of March the exposure, though not to be compared with what he had so recently passed through, was such that he contracted a severe cold, which speedily grew into pneu- monia. Despite the most careful attention from Mrs. Cody and the services of a physician from Leavenworth, poor Dave Harrington, one of the noblest of God's creatures, died, after an illness of one week. Far from home and relations, he yielded up his brave spirit sur- rounded by most devoted friends who mourned him as a brother, and laid him away under a sod freshened with their tears. Even to this day to speak of Dave Harrington in Buf- falo Bill's presence will turn him from the merriest mood and bring tears to his eyes. There is a large plare in Cody's heart reserved for the memory of his dearest friend. 16 264 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER VI. Billy remained at home until his injured leg had be- come thoroughly strong, and it being now the long and tedious days of summer, he determined to cast about again for occupation somewhere in the great wild West. Proceeding to Leavenworth he there met Lew Simpson to whom he made known his wishes, and received in re- ply an invitation to accompany a train just then being made up for Ft. Laramie. But "bull-whacking" was not exactly the employment most desirable, and Billy asked Simpson's influence in securing the position of pony-express rider again. The result of this application was Billy's departure for Atchison, Avhere he met Mr. Russell, proprietor of the Express, who gave him a letter to Alf. Slade, who was superintendent of the route between Rocky Ridge and Julcsburg, with headquarters at Horse Shoe Station, near Laramie. Having to go overland almost to Laramie, Billy con- cluded to accompany Simpson's train, thereby making the necessary trip a profitable one. Upon reaching Horse Shoe he presented Mr. Russell's letter to Slade, who, af- ter critically examining the youthful applicant, said : " My boy, you're a mite too young for the business ; I'm afraid you couldn't stand it more'n a week." "I'd like to try again," responded Billy. "I rode Bill Trotter's division for two months last year and stood the shaking all right, so I don't see why I couldn't do as well now, as I'm a year older." " Are Y-£-5 put an end to the military operations and both armies went into winter quarters. During this period of inactivity Billy visited St. Louis and by good luck was detailed for special service at head- quarters. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 281 Winter is always a gay season in the city with its the- atres, balls, society gatherings, sleigh-riding and various recreative sports, and Billy being of a most entertaining and jovial character was very soon introduced to many charming ladies of St. Louis society. Among the large number of elegant and beautiful girls whose acquaintance he made was one specially attractive to him, she being the center of a large group, of admirers, all of whom were striving for the honor of her smiles and preference. The young lady's name was Louisa Frederici, and she was the daughter of an old and influential citizen. Not only was she well connected and a lady of most admirable character, but she also possessed a beauty of face and perfection of form which were well nigh irresistible ; large, lustrous, brown eyes, beautifully arched with ele- gant brows ; skin fair as the lily, a mouth which seemed to invite kisses, and hair profuse as a Naiad's and black as a raven's wing;. It is only proper to say that the first time Billy met the beautiful Louisa he fell in love too deep to ever hope for escape. But always a man of fortunate circumstances, his good luck did not forsake him in his love-making. It is unusual to descant upon the beauty of a man, but I will not be charged with hypercritical enthusiasm when I say that Billy was then, as he is now, certainly one of the handsomest men in America, a claim which I am sure all the ladies will maintain, gathering their opinion from the portrait given of him in this book. Miss Louisa thought she had never met a finer-appearing gentleman, and to say that Billy's all-absorbing affection was reciprocated is but to declare what the sequel proved. Before the winter expired he had made a frank ac- knowledgment of his love and elicited a response which led to an engagement, but while overjoyed at his excel- 282 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. lent success he realized that he was illy prepared to take care of a wife just then ; so without fixing the date for their marriage the lover went back to his duties and re- mained with his command until the war closed. He then accepted the situation of stage driver proffered him by Bill Trotter, who was agent for that division of the road between Kearney and Plum Creek, the route which led over the same ground where Billy killed his first Indian. He continued to drive the stage until he had saved up several hundred dollars, and feeling now that he was in proper position for a consummation of his great desire, returned to St. Louis, where, on the Oth of March, 1800, he was married to Miss Frederici, the ceremony being performed at the bride's residence before a large assem- blage of friends. After receiving many congratulations, the couple tool\ passage on a Missouri river steamer for Kansas, whicl\ was to be their home. During the bridal trip Billy was recognized by three oi four passengers who had been pro-slavery men before tin war and Southern sympathizers throughout that event- ful period. Hate and vengeance still rankled in their bosoms, and though afraid themselves to attack the brave young Benedict, they found means to commu- nicate with some of their guerrilla friends that Bill Cody, the scout and fighter, was on board and might fall an easy prey to them. When the steamer landed at a desolate point on the river seventy-live miles west of Lexington, to take on a fresh supply of wood, more than a dozen guerrillas ap- peared on the bank and tried to board the bout, but the captain frustrated their designs by ordering the stage- plank drawn in and then backing the steamer out before the guerrillas could gain the deck. Several shots were LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 283 fired at the boat, but no special damage resulted. Billy had anticipated trouble, owing to remarks he had over- heard from a party that had engaged passage at Lexing- ton, and when the guerrillas appeared on the bank, in- stead of keeping himself close in his stateroom, he took a position at the head of the cabin stairs, and with a pistol in each hand, stood unconcernedly waiting for the approach of his enemies. Had they succeeded in getting on board there would have been one of the liveliest fights since Wild Bill met the McCandlas gang. When Cody and his beautiful bride reached Leaven- worth they were met at the landing by a long line of carriages, which they were soon apprised contained nearly a hundred of his friends, who, having learned of his marriage and passage on the steamer, had made large preparations to give him a grand reception. A band of music headed the carriage procession and the party were driven directly to the house of one of Billy's married sisters, where the day and evening were spent in a truly Western jollification, feasting, dancing and music, the festivities being participated in by the best society of Leavenworth, among whom Billy enjoyed great pop- ularity. Without wasting more time in a bridal tour, young Cody went to Salt Creek Valley, where he rented the house once occupied by his mother, and established a hotel known as the Golden Rule House, which he con- ducted with profit until the following September, when his old desire for the freedom and stirring adventures of the plains induced him to sell out and seek employment as a scout. At this time the Kansas Pacific railroad was in process of construction and had reached a point as far west as Salina, which had become an active place, and thither 284 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Billy directed his way. Reaching Junction City, he met Wild Bill, who was then scouting for the government, with headquarters at Fort Ellsworth (Fort Harker). By advice of the latter he proceeded to the post at Ells- worth, where his application for the position of scout was favorably received and he at once went on duty. While scouting and guiding parties between Fts. Ells- worth and Fletcher, in which service he was employed for a period of .several months, he met Gen. Custer, who had been ordered to accompany Gen. Hancock on an In- dian campaign. Custer, with ten men, was at Ellsworth and desired a guide to conduct him to Ft. Larned, a dis- til i ice of sixty-five miles. Cody was selected by the commanding officer of the post to accompany the General, who was to start on the following day. When the time for departure arrived Cody appeared riding a small, mouse-colored mule while Gen. Custer and his escort were mounted on fine, high-mettled steeds that were champing their bits with impatience to be off. Gen. Custer laughed heartily at the scout's sorry-looking pal- frey and declared that it would be impossible for the " lit- tle mouse" to travel as rapidly as he wished. Billy, however, insisted on riding the mule, and after a few hours of fast traveling the little animal began to show its bottom by keeping the advance and at length put so much distance between him and the tine war steeds that Billy had to rein up from time to time in order that the « reneral might overtake him. The best laugh, therefore, was with him who laughed last, and Custer Mas so aston- ished that he wanted to trade his line horse for the sorry little mule, for with Custer the chief consideration was rapid travel regardless of the means employed — but he couldn't gel 1 he mule. Billy's social disposition and contagious good humor LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 285 won the admiration of Custer, who expressed much anx- iety to engage his services, telling him that a position would be open for him at any time he desired to join the command. The friendship thus formed was cultivated in after years and was intimate until the pathetic but heroic death of that singularly brave officer. CHAPTER X. Having guided Gen. Custer and his staff to Ft. Larned Cody, on his return, was ordered to report at Ft. Hays. About this time a large band of Indians had at- tacked the working force on the Kansas Pacific railroad and besides killing six men they had driven off a hundred head of horses and mules. Major Ames of the Tenth Cavalry (colored) was or- dered to take one company and a mountain howitzer and pursue the marauders. Cody was selected as scout and guide to the expedition, which set out on the trail leading along the Saline river. On the second day after leaving Hays the Indian camp was discovered on the opposite side of Saline river and preparations were hastily made for the attack. An oppor- tunity was now to be offered for the colored troops to manifest their pluck, a large amount of which they seem- ed to carry on their tongues which wagged continually with expressions of impatience to get "turned loose on de red coyotes." The Howitzer was stationed on a knoll overlooking the Indian camp and placed under a guard of twenty men, while the main portion of the com- pany crossed over to begin the attack. Scarcely had the 286 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. crossing been made when a terrible } r elling was heard in the rear, and upon looking back Major Ames beheld the colored flower of his army fleeing with all possible haste, hatless and without arms, before a hundred Indians that had charged on the guard and were now dancing around the captured howitzer. Major Ames had to take up just a little of the precious time in swearing at his cowardly men who had fled at the approach of the enemy without firing a gun ; but he soon ordered a charge back up the knoll and easily re-took the gun, but the Major was bad- ly wounded in the attack and the command thereafter practically fell on Cody. There were more Indians than had been anticipated, and the command was not sufficient to cope with them ; so af- ter a hard fight of about two hours it became a serious matter, not so much how to disperse the enemy as how to manage an escape, of which there seemed for a time small probability. A retreat was begun in which the colored troops unlimbcred themselves in fine style, mak- ing good progress despite the dodging they practiced. Night approached at last like a generous friend and by the protection the darkness afforded about one-half the company succeeded in reaching I lays, the remainder having fallen victims to the victorious Indians, who, however, had suffered the loss of a goodly number of their warriors. Returning from a decidedly disastrous expedition Cody declared that he never wanted to go " hunting Indians again with colored poachers." From Ft. Hays he carried dispatches to Ft. Harker, and having nothing special to engage him there, he vis- ited Ellsworth where Wild Bill still made his headquar- ters. While on this visit lie made the acquaintance of a Western character named William IJose, a railroad con- tractor and a man of many schemes. His hobby just at LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 287 this particular time chanced to be the location of a town along the railroad, in which he expected to make a for- tune selling corner lots. He disclosed his enterprise to Cody, whom he knew by reputation, as did every other person in the West, and the matter was presented with such ingenious argument that Billy entered into the scheme inflated with the promises of the undertaking. Accordingly a sight was selected on the west side of Big Creek, one mile from Ft. Hays, which was duly laid out into blocks, with a large public square in the center, the whole being handsomely drawn on a plat of gorgeous colors. To give the place a start the two enterprising enthusiasts built the first house, which was a store, and stocked it with a good line of general merchandise. The town was then duly christened " Rome," because the place was expected to "howl." A lot was donated to every one who would erect a building thereon and this generous proposition had a most gratifying effect, for building began with such a rush that in one month's time there were two hundred frame residences, four stores, and about twenty saloons. Lots were selling rapidly for fifty dollars each and things were swimmingly prosperous with the firm of Cody & Rose. Visions of incalculable riches hung before their delighted imagina- tion and happiness was pictured by an approaching abil- ity to buy up the country, including the railroad then under construction. Rome was howling ! But just as the dream was approaching realization, a gentleman named Webb — Dr. Webb — stopped in town and enquir- ing for the proprietors of Rome, was directed to Cody & Rose's store, where he found the two gentlemen, as usual, figuring their prospective gains. " Got a booming town here I see," said Dr. Webb by way of introduction. ^88 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. " Yes, got the best town now and the biggest city here- after on the road. "Want to buy some lots?" responded Cody. " Well, I don't know as I want to but/ any lots, but I would like to go into partnership with you." ' ' Partnership ! why, great heavens, man, we don 't want any partners." ' ' I thought you might want to take me in since I am agent for the K. P. road sent out to locate towns on the route." 11 That's all right, but we've got the bulge on you lizi'2 and can take care of this town by ourselves." "Well, if that's your decision, I gueco I'll have to start another town alongside of you just by way of competi- tion." On the following day Dr. Webb went one mile west of Rome and laid out a town which he named Hays City. But Rome being altogether better situated than Hays and having such an admirable beginning, the Doctor made a proposition to donate two lots in his new place to every one who would erect a building thereon, and in addition to this, speaking as if by authority of the railroad officials, he made the announcement that the company intended to locate and build their machine shops, round-house and depot at Hays City, leaving Rome in a permanent de- cline. These flattering representations so seriously affected the firm of Cody & Rose that during the next few days, when they saw the whole town of Rome either on rollers or on wagons moving over to Hays City, they would have closed out their prospects for two cents and a half on the dollar — perhaps much less even than that. Very soon the two dispirited town-owners were sitting in front of their store, now the sole remaining building of the once LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 289 flourishing town of Rome, contemplating the mutability of human expectation ; the presto, change ! from riches to the dull, solemn fact of comparative poverty. How many times they said to themselves and to each other, " Had we only taken Webb in as a partner !" However, it was some consolation to receive from their successful rival a deed to four of the best lots in Hays, but this generous and balsamic application to their Wounded anticipations did little to mitigate their feelings of poverty. During the short period that Rome was on the rise Billy had fitted up the rear part of his store and occupied it with his wife and infant daughter, Arta, but when the bankrupting hegira to Hays City set in Mrs. Cody paid a visit to her relations in St. Louis, where she remained for some time and until a comfortable home was prepared for her at Hays. Abandoning all hope of making anything out of town enterprises, Cody and his friend Rose took a sub-contract for grading five miles of road west of Big Creek, and while prosecuting this work Cody came into possession of a horse which afterward figured conspicuously in his in- teresting adventures. As Rose thoroughly understood railroad contract work he was left to boss the men while Billy performed an equally important work, furnishing them with meat. To procure these provisions it was necessary to hunt almost constantly, relying entirely on buffaloes, which were less plentiful in that section than in the country through which he had ridden the pony express. On one occasion as he was starting out on his favorite horse, Old Brigham by name, he saw half a dozen well- mounted officers approaching from Ft. Hays, who were out for a buffalo hunt. Billv carried with him a breech- 290 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. loading needle gun which he called " Lueretia Borgia," an excellent weapon ; but old Brigham's caparisons con- sisted solely of an ancient blind bridle. To the officers, who ascertained that Cody was also out after buffaloes, this " outfit," a sleepy, angular, old horse, without sad- dle, bottle or other accessories, appeared so ridiculous that they accosted him : " Young man, ain't that a sorry team you're driving? You don't expect to ride down any buffaloes with an old crow-bait like that, do you?" " Don't know, might catch up with the calves by pushing hard on the reins," answered Billy. The party had ridden out on the prairie scarcely two miles when they discovered a herd of eleven buffaloes making rapidly across the country toward a branch of Big Creek. The well mounted officers started after the game with all the speed they could get out of their fine horses, expecting to run the buffaloes down within two or three miles. Instead of following the officers, Billy pulled the reins on Old Brigham, who uncoupled himself in fine style, and struck out at full speed on a dif- ferent course from that pursued by the other party. Cody knew from tin; direction and speed of the buffaloes about the point they would strike the creek, so heading for an objective point he struck the game fully a mile in ad- vance of the officers. Throwing off the old blind bridle he let his well-trained horse come alongside the herd, and when he would shoot a buffalo Brigham would run alongside another, and working thus as if by rule Billy killed the entire herd in twelve shots before the aston- ished officers came within firing distance. "You see," said Cody, as the well mounted amateur hunters came up to where lie had dismounted and was now standing by his unbridled horse, " I pushed well on LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 291 the reins, a thing which you, perhaps, neglected to do. However, as I have got all the game, I don't want you to go back empty handed, so just help yourselves to tongues and tenderloins." The superior officer in the squad then remarked : "My name is Graham, Captain of the Tenth Cavalry ; now I want to know your name." ' ' Want to know my name ? Why, it's nothing but Bill Cody." "Bill Cody! that they call Billy? Good gracious! I've heard of you more than of any other man in the West. Well, I am truly glad to see you. Let me introduce you to Lieutenants Ezekiel, Reed and Emmick, they all be- long to my regiment." " Glad to meet you, gentlemen, for I'm something of an army man myself." " I want to say, Billy, or Mr. Cody, that I have heard much concerning }^our peculiar qualifications as a rider, hunter and fighter, but heretofore I have been inclined to discredit the stories told of you. But let me say now, that after seeing you perform the remarkable feat of kill- ing eleven buffaloes in about three minutes, from a horse without bridle or saddle, that I am prepared to believe al- most anything." " Why, Captain, that is no trick at all on my part, for old Brigham (that's my horse's name) is the one that did the hunting, I only did the shooting." This manner of conversation continued until the wagons sent out from Billy ' s cam p came up to haul off the buffa- loes. But before separating the officers extended a very cordial invitation to Cody to visit them at Ft. Hays, where they expected to be stationed during the summer. 292 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. CHAPTER XI. Having completed the contract for grading five miles of road-bed, Billy was looking for another engagement when lie received a proposition from the Goddard Broth- ers, who were boarding twelve hundred construction em- ployes, to furnish them with meat. The amount required was five buffaloes per' day, to procure which involved hard riding, but the labor was small compared with the danger to be incurred from the Indians who were killing every white man they could find in that section. Never- theless, an offer of five hundred dollars per month for the service made Billy unmindful of the exertion or peril, and he went to work under contract to supply all the meat required. During this engagement he had no end of won- derful escapes from bands of Indians, not a few of whom he sacrificed to secure his own safety. By actual count he also killed, under his contract with the Goddard Broth- ers, four thousand two hundred and eight// buffaloes. To appreciate the extent of this slaughter, by approximate measurement , these buffaloes, if laid on the ground end to end, would make a line more than five miles long, and if placed sideways, on top of each other, they would make a pile over two miles high. By special arrangements all the heads of the largest buffaloes killed by Bill were preserved and delivered to the K. P. railroad company, by which they were turned into excellent advertisements for the road. Many of these heads may still be seen in prominent places marking the center of an oval board containing the advertisement of the road. So well had Billy performed his part of the contract that the men connected with the Kansas Pacific road g ve LIFE OF BUFFALO HILL. 293 him the appellation by which he is still known through- out the world, "Buffalo Bill." A record of all his battles with the Indians during this period of professional hunting would be so long that few could read it without tiring, for there is a sameness connected with attacks and escapes which it is difficult to recite in language always sparkling with interest. But Buffalo Bill being a brave man under all circumstances when bravery is essential, and cautious when that element subserved the purpose better, was almost daily in a posi- tion of danger, and many times escaped almost like the Hebrew children from the furnace. So justly celebrated had Buffalo Bill now become that Kit Carson, on his return from Washington City in the fall of 1867, stopped at Hays City to make his acquaintance. Carson was so well pleased with Bill's appearance and excellent social qualifications that he remained for several days the guest of the celebrated buffalo killer and scout. Upon parting, the renowned Kit expressed the warmest admiration for his host and conveyed his consideration by inviting Bill to visit him at Fort Lyon, Colorado, where he intended making his home. But the death of Carson the following May prevented the visit. Like every other man who achieves distinction by su- perior excellence in some particular calling, Buffalo Bill (who had now shed the familiar title of Billy), had his would-be rivals as a buffalo killer. Among this number was a well-known scout named Billy Comstock, who sought to dispute the claim of champion. Comstock was quite famous among the Western army, being one of the oldest scouts and most skillful hunters. He was mur- dered by Indians seven years after the event about to be recorded, while scouting for Custer Buffalo Bill was somewhat startled one day upon re- 2D4 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ceipt of a letter from a well-known army officer offering to wager the sum of $500 that Comstoek could kill a greater number of buffaloes in a certain given time, under stipulated conditions, than any other man living. This was, of course, a challenge to Buffalo Bill, who, upon mentioning the facts, found hundreds of friends anxious to accept the wager, or who would have put up any amount that Bill's claim to the championship could not be successfully disputed by any person living. The bet was promptly accepted, and the following conditions agreed to : A large herd of buffaloes being found, the two men were to enter the drove at eight o'clock, a. m.j and employ their own tactics for killing un- til four o'clock, p. m., at the end of which time the one having killed the largest number was to be declared win- ner of the wager and also the "champion buffalo killer of America." To determine the result of the hunt, a referee was to accompany each of the hunters on horse- back and keep the score. The place selected for the trial was twenty miles east of Sheridan, Kansas, where the buffaloes were so plenti- ful that thousands could be found without difficulty, and the country being a level prairie rendered the hunt easy and afforded an excellent view for those who wished to witness the exciting contest. There was so much excitement created by a general publication of the match that when the day arrived several hundred visitors were present, among the crowd being an excursion party of one hundred people from St. Louis, which was accompanied by Buffalo Bill's wife and youngest daughter. Comstoek was well mounted on a strong, spirited horse and carried a 42-oalibre Henry rifle. Buffalo Bill appeared on his famous horse, Old Brigham, and in this LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 295 he certainly had great advantage, for this sagacious ani- mal knew all about his rider's style of hunting buffaloes, and therefore needed no reinine. The party rode out on the prairie at an early hour in the morning and soon discovered a herd of about one hundred buffaloes grazing on a beautiful stretch of ground just suited for the work in hand. The two hunt- ers rode rapidly forward accompanied by their referees, while the spectators followed a hundred yards in the rear. At a given signal the two contestants dashed into the center of the herd, dividing it so that Bill took the right half while Comstock pursued those on the left. Now the sport began in magnificent style amid the cheers ol excited spectators, who rode as near the contest- ants as safety and non-interference, permitted. Buffalo Bill, after killing the first half-dozen stragglers in the herd, began an exhibition of his wonderful skill and strategy ; by riding at the head of the herd and pressing the leaders hard toward the left, he soon got the drove to ciVcling, killing those that were disposed to break off on a direct line. In a short time witnesses of this novel contest saw Buffalo Bill driving his portion of the herd in a beautiful circle and in less than half an hour he had all those in his bunch, numbering thirty-eight, lying around within a very small compass. Comstock, in the meantime, had done some fine work, but by attacking the rear of his herd he had to ride di- rectly away from the crowd of anxious spectators. He succeeded in killing twenty-three which, however, lay ir- regularly over a space three miles in extent, and there- fore while he killed fewer than his rival, he at the same time manifested less skill, which, by contrast, showed most advantageously for Buffalo Bill. All the party having returned to the apex of a beauti- 18 296 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. ful knoll, a large number of champagne bottles were pro- duced and amid volleys of flying corks toasts were drunk to tb 3 buffalo heroes, Buffalo Bill being especially lauded and now a decided favorite. But these ceremonies were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of another small herd of buffalo cows and calves, into which the two contestants charged precipi- tately. In this "round" Bill scored eighteen, while Comstock succeeded in killing only fourteen. The superiority of Buffalo Bill was now so plainly shown that his backers, as well as himself, saw that he could afford to give an exhibition of his wonderful horse- manship, while continuing the contest, without fear of losing the stakes. Accordingly, after again regaling themselves with champagne and other appetizing acces- sories, the cavalcade of interested spectators rode north- ward for a distance of three miles, where they discov- ered a large herd of buffaloes quietly browsing. The party then halted, and Buffalo Bill, removing both sad- dle and bridle from Old Brigham, rode off on his well- trained horse, directing him solely by motions of his hand. Reaching the herd by circling and coming down upon it from the windward quarter, the two rival hunters rushed upon the surprised buffaloes and renewed the slaughter. After killing thirteen of the animals, Buffalo Bill drove one of the largest buffaloes in the herd toward the party, seeing which many ladies who were among the Interested spectators became very much frightened, show- ing as much trepidation, perhaps, :is they would have man- ifested had the buffalo been an enraged lion. But when the ponderous, shaggy-headed l>ca>( came within a few yards of the party Bill shol it dead, thus giving a grand coup (Vital to tin- day's spoil, which closed with this magnificent exhibition of skill and daring. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 299 The day having now been far spent, and time called, it was found that the score stood thus : Buffalo Bill, sixty- nine ; Comstock, forty-six. The former was therefore declared winner and entitled to the championship as the most skillful buffalo-slayer in America. CHAPTER XII. After the great buffalo killing match the name of Buffalo Bill became familiar all over the country, and his exploits, generally, were a topic people never grew tired of discussing. All his great battles with the Indians and valuable services as a scout were re-told, not only at the fireside, but also by the military operating in the West. He was beginning to be appreciated. In the spring of 1868 a violent Indian war broke out in central and western Kansas, which assumed such a serious aspect that Gen. Sheridan, in order to be on the field, took up his headquarters at Hays City. Directly after making this move the General sent for Buffalo Bill and in person tendered him a position as scout and guide, which was immediately accepted. He was then ordered to report to Capt. Parker, at Fort Lamed, for services. Knowing that he would be absent from home for a long time, he sent his wife and child to Leavenworth, where he would have better opportunities of visiting them than elsewhere Reaching Ft. Larned Bill was appointed a special scout to Gen. Hazen who had just arranged for a trip to Ft. Sarah, thirty miles distant. Near Larned there were sev- eral bands of Comanche and Kiowa Indians who had not 300 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. yet joined their hostile brothers, but were seeking a pre- text for so doing, especially as the fort was garrisoned by only two companies of infantry and one of cavalry. The head chief of these restless Comanches was Satanta, an old villain who has since figured in Texas outrages and been duly hanged according to a righteous law. Gen. Hazen started for Ft. Sarah in a six-mule wagon under an infantry escort of twenty men, with Buffalo Bill as guide. The trip was made in safety, but as the General concluded to go on to Ft. Harkcr without a guide, Bill was ordered to return to Larned. Mounting his mule he was making good time toward the post, when about half way, near Pawnee Kock, forty Indians came rushing down on him. Instead of presenting their arms, however, they presented their hands, saying, " How ! How ! " with such warmth of feeling that Bill accepted their greeting, but instead of shaking his hand they jerked him with such violence that he was almost unseated, while others in the party grabbed the reins of his bridle and started to lead the mule off. Bill was at an unreasonable disadvantage, In it nevertheless he was ready for a fight regardless of the odds. Fortunately for him, as it proved, when he at- tempted to draw his pistols one of the Indians struck him a violent blow on the head with a tomahawk, render- ing him so nearly insensible that they easily disarmed and bound him. All this time the Indians were howling their war cries and otherwise indicated their purpose of going on the warpath, so that Bill very naturally supposed he was to be one of their first vietims. His captors led him for nearly two miles down a creek, where they reached another body of Indians apparently in council. Old Satanta, whom Bill knew by having seen once before, occupied the chief council seat, and be- fore this old veteran thief and murderer lie was brought. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 301 At this juncture a marvelously cunning expedient came to mind and was at once adopted by Bill. He knew that the Indians were nearly out of meat and were expecting a large herd of cattle which had already been promised them by Gen. Hazen. In reply, therefore, to the first in- quiries of Satanta, Bill, speaking in a very bold and osten- tatious manner, said : ' ' I have been after a big heap lot ' who-haws ' for your people. Why have your young warriors acted toward me like a pack of hungry coyotes?" This mnouncement caused the old rogue to change his facial expression from a demure, murderous look to a broad, happy grin ; and after questioning the cunning scout until he had elicited more specious prevarications than can be heard in a Turkish court, Satanta tried to outlie Bill by declaring that his young men had meant no harm by their acts, intending only to have some sport by testing his bravery. He now asked Bill to drive the cat- tle down to the opposite side of the creek where they could herd and graze them, proffering an Indian escort if he desired. Bill promptly told him that he needed no escort but would drive the cattle to the spot indicated, as that was in pursuance of instructions from Gen. Hazen. His mule having been returned to him Bill mounted and rode toward the creek, reflecting on the excellent suc- cess of his expedient and the probability of being fol- lowed. The creek was quite broad but easily forded, so that it was no barrier to pursuit if the Indians should suspect the falsity of his representations. Upon reach- ing the opposite bank he was therefore very much alarmed at seeing a dozen of the Indians riding toward him as if to determine the accuracy of his statements. It chanced that the land on that side of the creek which 302 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. he had now gained was considerably depressed, so that af- ter passing over the bank he % •, hidden from view until the Indians gained the apex ms advantage he used so well, by putting the mule at . : s highest rate of speed, that when the suspicious Indi > gained the hank's um- mit he was fully one mile in : ranee and riding furiously toward Ft. Larned. Upon seeing the flei.ng ate»'.t there were further grounds for suspecting his nr ;s, so the T who were mounted on excellent jf< i s, dashed tta aim as though they were impelled b . promised ward of all the whisky an* 1 luux.i in the 1 Father's ci sary for his scalp. Bill was trying to save his hair and the I tuians were equally anxious to secure i( .<> that the ride prompted by these diametrically opposed motives was a ■•* -furious as Tarn O'Shanter's. After running over ahout three miles of ground Bill turned his head only to be horrified with the sight of his pursuers gaining rapidly on mm. lie r sank the spurs a little deeper into his mule, let out .mother inch of the reins and succeeded in increasing the speed of his animal, which appeared to be sailing under a second wind. It was thus tli chase continued to AsE Grove, four miles from Ft l>:i>-n<"' :tt which point Bib ^s than half a mile ah ■ 6 Indians, wlo v. er< ..^.omake line shots with him and his mule as the target. Reach- ing i* he dashed into that, stream and as lie gaii .1 ' .re and was r. .nding a thick clump of trees lie wi.s rejoiced to meet Denver Jim, a promi- nent scout, in company with a private soldier, driving a wagon toward the post. A moment spent in explanation determined the three ambushing THE INOIANS LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 305 men upon an ambush. Accordingly, the wagon was hastily driven into the woods, and posting themselves at an advantageous point they awaited the appearance of the red-skinned pursuers. "Look out!" said Bill, "here they come, right over my trail." True enough, the twelve painted warriors rode swiftly around the clump of brush, and the next instant there was a discharge oi shots from the ambush which sent two Indians sprawling on the ground, where they kicked out their miserable existence. The others saw the danger of their position, and making a big circle, rode rapidly back toward their war party. When the three men reached Larned, Buffalo Bill 'and Denver Jim each displayed an Indian scalp as trophies of a successful ambush, and at the same time apprised Capt. Parker of the hostile character of Satanta and his tribe. On the following day about eight hundred warriors appeared before the fort and threatened to storm it, but being met with a determined front they circled around the post several times, keeping the soldiers inside until their village could move off. Considerable fear was entertained at the fort, owing to the great number of hostile Indians who practically invested it, and it was deemed by Capt. Parker as of the utmost importance to send dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, informing him of the situation. Fort Hays was sixty- five miles distant from Fort Larned, and as the country was fairly swarming with the worst kind of "bad" Indians, Capt. Parker tried in vain to find some one who would carry the dispatches, until the request was made of Buffalo Bill, This expedition was not within Bill's line of duty, and presented dangers that would have caused the boldest man to hesitate ; but finding all the couriers absolutely refusing to perforin the necessary 30(5 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. service, he agreed to deliver the message, provided he could select the horse that he wanted to ride. Of course this requirement was readily assented to, and at ten o'clock at night, during a terrible storm, the brave scout set out, knowing that he had to run a very gauntlet of hostiles, who would make many sacrifices if by so doing they could lift his coveted scalp. The profound darkness of the night afforded him some security from surprise, but his fears of riding into an In- dian camp were realized when he reached Walnut Creek. A barking dog was the first intimation of his position, but this was speedily followed by several Indians pursu- ing him, being directed by the sounds of his horse's feet. By hard riding and good dodging, however, he eluded these, and meeting with no further mishap than being thrown over his horse's head by reason of the animal suddenly stepping into a gopher hole, he reached Fort Hays shortly after daylight and delivered the dispatches he carried before Gen. Sheridan had arisen from bed. After delivering the message Bill went over to Hays City, where he was well acquainted, and after taking some refreshments, lay down and slept for two hours. Think- ing then that Gen. Sheridan might want to ask him some questions regarding the condition of affairs at Larned, he returned to the fort and reported to him. He was some- what astonished to find that Gen. Sheridan was as anx- ious to send a dispatch to Ft. Dodge, ninety-live miles dis- tant, asCapt. Parker had been to communicate with his su- perior at Ft. Hays, and more surprised was he to find that of the numerous couriers and scouts at the fort not one could be induced to carry the General's dispatch, though the sum of five hundred dollars was offered for the ser- vice. Seeing the quandaryin which Gen. Sheridan was placed, Bill addressed that official and said : LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 307 "Well, General, I'll go over to the hotel and take a little more rest, and if by four o'clock you have not secured some one to carry your dispatches I will undertake to do it. " The General replied : "I don't like to ask so much of you, for I know you are tired, but the matter is of great importance and some one must perform the trip. I'll give you a fresh horse and the best at the Fort if you'll undertake it." "All right, General, I'll be ready at four o'clock," re- sponded Bill, and he then went over to the hotel, but meeting with many friends and the ' ' irrigating ' ' being good, he obtained only the rest that gay compan- ionship affords. At the appointed time Bill was ready, and receiving the dispatches at the hands of Gen. Sheridan he mounted his horse and rode away for Ft. Dodge. After his departure there was much debate among the scouts who bade him good bye respecting the probability of his getting through, for the Indians were thick along the whole route, and only a few days before had killed three couriers and several settlers. Bill continued his ride all night, meeting with no inter- ruption, and by daylight the next morning he had reached Saw-Log Crossing, on Pawnee Fork, which was seventy- five miles from Ft. Hays. A company of colored caval- ry under Major Cox was stationed here, and it being on the direct route to Ft. Dodge, Bill carried a letter with him from Gen. Sheridan requesting Major Cox to furnish him with a fresh horse upon his arrival there. This the Major did, so after partaking of a good breakfast, Bill took his remount and continued on to Dodge, which point he gained at ten o'clock in the morning, making the ninety-five miles in just eighteen hours from the time of starting. 308 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. The commanding officer at Ft. Dodge, after receiving the dispatches, remarked : "lam very glad to see you, Cody, and I'll tell you that the trip just made is one of the most fortunate I know of. It is almost a miracle how you got through without having your body filled as full of holes as a pep- per box. The Indians are swarming all around within fifty miles of here, and to leave camp voluntarily is al- most equal to committing suicide. I have been wanting to send a message to Ft. Larned for several days, but the trip is so dangerous that I can't find any one who will risk it, and I wouldn't blame the bravest man for re- fusing." "Well, Major, as I didn't find any Indians between here and Hays, I think I might get through to Larned ; in fact, I want to go back there and if you will furnish me with a good horse I'll try to carry your message." " I don't think it would be policy for you to make the trip now, especially since you have done so much hard riding already. Besides, the best mount I could give you would be a government mule." " All right, Major, I don't want the best, second best is good enough for me, so trot out }^our mule. I'll take a little nap and in the meantime have your hostler slick up the mule so he can slide through with me like a greased thunderbolt should the reds jump us." Bill then went off, and after "liquidating" in true Western style, lay down in the Major's quarters where he slept soundly until nearly five o'clock in the ('veiling, when, having replenished his canteen, he mounted (he pa- tient mule and set out for Ft. Larned, which was sixty- five miles east of Ft. Dodjre. After proceeding as far as Coon Creek, which was nearly half way, Bill dismounted for the purpose of get- LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 309 ting a drink of water. While stooping down the mule got frightened at something and jerked loose, nor did the stupid animal stop to consider how essential his service was to his rider, for he at once set off in a trot down the creek. In vain did Bill coax the mule with promises of oats and green pastures ; the stupid descendant of Ba- laam's admonisher could not be fooled with that sort of flattery, and thj chagrined and weary scout had to follow in the rear, hoping that the animal would step on the loosened reins and thus check himself. But mile after mile did the dismounted and now infuriated scout follow that irritating mule. Time and again did he decide to shoot the tantalizing animal, but the decision did not pre- vail against his better reason ; for though useless as a conveyance the mule still carried the saddle and bridle and it were better to make him bear the burden of these to Ft. Larned than attempt to carry them himself. Thus the two traveled in the direction of Ft. Larned all night, both keeping in the main road despite the dan- ger which it threatened. In the morning just as the sun was peeping over the hazy hilltops Bill and the mule reached a high knoll at the bottom of which lay the fort. " Now," said the scout to himself, " I'm going to manage the rest of this journey, in as much as it is less than half a mile long," and with this he raised his gun with venge- ful deliberation and fired a slug into the rear abutments of that incomparably malicious mule. One shot did not afford the complete satisfaction he desired, and it was really grateful to him to see the animal die so slowly. So much sin required a dreadful amount of atonement, and while the mule was in the atoning business it was expedi- ent that he should do as much of it as possible. So died the ass that looked back with scorn, and no man knoweth 310 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. bow much evil perished with him ; yea, even unto this day knoweth no num. After reaching Larned — carrying the bridle and saddle himself — Buffalo Bill spent several hours in refreshing sleep, and whew he awakened he found (Jen. Ila/en try- ing to induce some of the couriers to lake his dispatches to Gen. Sheridan, at Ft. Hays. Having been warmly and very justly praised for the long and perilous rides he had just completed, Bill again proffered his services to perform the trip. At first Gen.Hazen refused to despatch him on the mission, saying, "This is like riding a free horse to death ; you have already ridden enough to kill any ordinary man, and I don't think it would be treating you properly to permit you to make this additional jour- ney." But when evening came and no other volunteer could be engaged, as a matter of last resort Bill was given a good horse and the dispatches entrusted to him for trans- mission. It was after nightfall when he started on this last trip and by daylight the next morning he was in Ft. Hays, where he delivered the dispatches. (Jen. Sheridan was profoundly astonished to see Bill before him again in so short a time, and after being informed of his wonderful riding during the three days, the General pronounced it a feal that was never equaled, and even now Gen. Sheridan maintains that no other man could accomplish the same distance under similar circumstances. To this day the rides here described stand on record as the most remark- able ever made. They aggregated three hundred and lift v-live miles in tifty-eight riding hours, or an average of more than six miles an hour including an enforced walk of thirty-five miles. When'it is considered that, all this dis- tance was' made during 1 lie night time and through a coun- try full of hostile Indians, without a road to follow or a LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 311 bridge to cross the streams, the feat appears too incredu- lous for belief were it not for the most indisputable evi- dence, easily attainable, which makes disbelief impos- sible. CHAPTEE XIII. Gen. Sheridan was so favorably impressed by the self-sacrificing spirit and marvelous endurance of Buffalo Bill, and being already acquainted with his reputation as a brave man and superior fighter, that lie called the noted scout to his headquarters directly after receiving Major Hazen's dispatches, and said: " Cody, I have ordered the Fifth Cavalry to proceed against the Dog Soldier Indians who are now terrorizing the Republican River district, and as the campaign will be a very important one I want a first-class man to guide the expedition. From my brief acquaintance with you- 1 am convinced that you are the person best suited for this service. I have therefore decided to appoint you guide and also chief of scouts of the command. I hope the place will be acceptable to you, for it is particularly de- sirable that the very best guide and scout should fill this position, and I am frank to say I have thorough confi- dence in your abilities." Giving his big sombrero a careless whirl on his left hand, Bill answered in his usual indifferent manner : " I thank you, General, for this compliment ; I am al- ways ready to execute your orders, and if you consider me the best man for the place, why, then, I'm off without ceremony." 312 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. Only two days before this occurrence a body of twenty scouts, under Gen. Forsythe, had returned from the Re- publican river, where they had been engaged in one of the most desperate battles ever fought with the Indians. The original force of the scouts was fifty men, but being corraled by five hundred Indians on the Arickaree they had to fight this overpowering number from breastworks made of their dead mules for a period of six days. In order to sustain life they fed on the bodies of their dead animals, and when at last relieved by a detachment of cavalry under Col. Carpenter, there were only twenty of the original number left, the others having been killed outright or died from neglected wounds. On the third of October, nearly a week after Buffalo Bill's appointment, the Fifth Cavalry arrived at Ft. Hays, where he was directly introduced to the officers and it was but a short time before he had won the friendship and admiration of them all. In two days after their arrival the regiment was put upon the march, going by the most direct route toward the infested country. The transportation facilities com- prised seventy-five six mule wagons, with a full comple- ment of ambulances, the whole outfit when stretched out on the prairie making a caravan most imposing in ap- pearance. During the first four days of marching no Indians were seen and nothing occurred beyond the usual inci- dents of camp-life : but on the evening of October 10th, as the command was preparing to go into camp on the Saline river, when all the horses were unsaddled and the wagons corraled, the regiment was surprised by several hundred Indians who rushed down from neighboring hills upon the unprepaied expedition and created great excite- ment. A cordon of men was quietly thrown around tin 1 LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 313 wagons to protect the camp and afford time for the troops to get their horses readv and mount. The Indians cir- cled around the bustling command, assuming various atti- tudes on their ponies and shooting at the same time, but 314 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. they were met with such afi effective fire from the cordon that they retreated, leaving several dead bodies on the field. Buffalo Bill was the first man to get his horse in readiness, and mounting in advance of all the rest, led the van several hundred yards in pursuing the Indians, two of whom he killed and wounded the horse of another. Feeling safe from attack now, the regiment returned to camp, intending to follow the trail made by the attacking party early the next morning. It was scarcely daylight when the command was put in motion, following the trail sharply, which led to the South Fork of Solomon river, where it scattered. Here the expedition went into camp again, and as it was scarcely yet three o'clock, i\. m., Col. Eoyal requested Bill to take a short circuit over the prairie and try to kill a few buffaloes, as their fresh meat supply was almost exhausted . "All right," responded Bill, "send a wagon along with me to haul in the carcasses." "It is not a custom of mine to count profits before beginning business. Kill your game first, and then I'll send out the wagons," the Colonel replied. Without saving anything more, Bill mounted his horse and rode away toward the north, unaccompanied. After an absence of nearly two hours, some of the soldiers discerned a number of moving tilings, evidently advanc- ing toward them. Closer and closer came the singular objects, until at last there was discovered a horseman, riding in the rear of six large terror-stricken buffaloes. In another moment the animals had charged directly into camp, where they were shot down by Bill. Col. Royal, hearing the agitation outside his tent, rushed up to Bill, who he discovered was the cause of the excitement, and vigorously embellishing his language, LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 315 inquired by what authority he had aroused so much, con- fusion in the camp. In a most lugubriously penitential way Bill replied : " I didn't mean any harm, Colonel ; but as you wouldn't send out a wagon to haul in my game, I thought it would be an ace mmodation to you if I made the buf- faloes furnish their own conveyance. Allow me to pre- sent you with some choice tongues." The Colonel could not face this ingenious reply, and his anger was at once succeeded by a hearty laugh ; nor did he refuse the buffalo tongues proffered him by the seem- ingly reckless hunter. The expedition resumed its inarch on the following day, but reached Buffalo Tank on Saline river without meeting any more Indians. Here the command was turned over to Gen. E. A. Carr who had been sent out from Ft. Hays with the Forsythe scouts. Upon pro- ceeding to Beaver Creek a large, fresh Indian trail was discovered, which being followed for a distance of eight miles brought about two hundred Indians in view, who occupied a position on the bluffs. Company M was or- dered forward, which being commanded by an impetuous and daring French Lieutenant named Schinosky, the In- dians were driven over the bluffs for more than a mile. Suddenly they were reinforced and company M. found itself fighting over four hundred red-skins without the least protection. It looked for a short while as if there were no escape from the murderous fire poured upon them by the Indians. Buffalo Bill hearing the rapid fir- ing over the bluffs, knew there was desperate work be- ing done, and he sped away in advance of the main com- mand which was hurrying up to Schinosky' s assistance. Gaining the environment, he shot two Indians and then wheeling back he returned to headquarters and so accu- 19 316 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. rately described the position of the savages that Gen. Carr moved two companies so as to surround the enemy, when a combined attack was made with such fury that the battle was soon ended. The Indians being repulsed fell back with the soldiers pursuing until a second force of about six hundred war- riors came into view, who had been in reserve to protect their village, while the others deployed to bring the sol- diers into an ambush. But the cavalry force was much greater than the Indians had anticipated, and after mak- ing two insignificant charges they precipitately retreated. Night was now rapidly approaching and Gen. Carr or- dered the tired soldiers into camp, where a good rest was necessary for the movements of the morrow. On the following day the expedition raised camp at an early hour and taking up the trail where they left it at the village, pushed forward so rapidly that about three oVock they sighted a large force of Indians who turned back the moment they were discovered and gave battle. But they fought very shy, their purpose being to check the cavalry advance so as to permit their village to es- cape. Finding that a battle front would not serve their purpose, they set the dry prairie grass on tire, but it was too short to burn rapidly. A running fight continued until the occupants of the village had abandoned all their more cumbersome materials, such as lodge-poles, kettles, robes, bedding, etc. They now traveled much more rapidly, so that the troops rarely came within gun-shot distance. The pursuit continued for three days until the Indians had scattered so badly that it was impossible for an army to follow them any longer. Having abandoned pursuit of the Dog Soldier Indians the expedition set out for the headwaters of Beaver Creek. LIFE OF BUFFALO BILL. 317 After traveling about thirty-five miles Gen. Carr rode for- ward until he overtook Buffalo Bill, who as guide and chief of scouts, was riding considerably in advance of the command, and addressing him said : " Cody, all the F* rsyth scouts declare you are going in the wrong direction, and also that we are not likely to strike any water to-day by proceeding on this, route ; that if you should strike any of the branches of the Beaver you would certainly find them dry at this season." Beaver Creek — the Trapper's Elysian. Bill answered : "I've been over this country several times, General, and notwithstanding what the other scouts say, I think we mil find plenty of good water within eight miles of here, and that we are making directly for the point you wish to reach." "All right ; but remember that the matter is too serious to admit of mistakes ; the responsibility is now all your own," and so saying General Carr rode back to the com- mand. 318 HEROES OF THE PLAINS. After marching seven miles further the Forsyth scouts again declared that they were wandering in the wrong di- rection, but notwithstanding their forebodings, within the distance asserted by Bill a beautiful stream of water was discovered purling along the ravines, almost hidden by the trees which lined its banks. A level, grassy spot having been selected, about four o'clock in the evening everything vas put in preparation for camping in an enemy's coun- try. This stream, which was a branch of Beaver river, having no location on the then existing maps, was named by Gen. Carr Cody's Creek in honor of his distinguished guide, a name by which it is now known on all the topo- graphical maps