Buffalo Bill's own story of his life and deeds : this autobiography tells in his own graphic words the wonderful story of his heroic career ...

Front matter

THE LIBRARY BRiGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSiir PROVO. UTAH

COLONEL WILLIAM FREDERIC CODY ("BUFFALO BILL")

"CHIEF OF SCOUTS"

Introduction

While writing principally autobiographically, I have sought to describe that great general movement westward — that irresistible wave of emigration which, arrested for a time by the Alleghenies, rose until at last it broke over and spread away across mountain, stream and plain, leaving States in its wake, until stopped by the shores of the Pacific.

The evolution of government and of civilization, and the adaptation of one to the other, are interesting to the student of history; but particularly fascinating is the story of the reclamation of the Great West and the supplanting of the wild savages that from primeval days were lords of the country but are now become wards of the Government, whose guardianship they were forced to recog- v nize. This story is one well calculated to inspire a feeling of pride even in the breasts of those whose sentimentality impels to commiserate the hard lot of the poor Indian; for, rising above the formerly neglected prairies of the West are innumerable monuments of thrift, industry, intelligence, and all the contributory comforts and luxuries of a peaceful and God-fearing civilization; those evidences that proclaim to a wondering world the march of the Anglo-Saxon race towards the attainment of perfect citizenship and liberal, free and stable government.

For the small part I have taken in redeeming the West from savagery, I am indebted to circumstances rather than to a natural, inborn inclination for the strifes inseparable from the life I was almost forced to choose. But to especially good fortune must I make my acknowledgments, which protected me or preserved my life a hundred times when the very hand of vengeful fate appeared to lower its grasp above my head, and hope seemed a mockery that I had turned my back upon. Good fortune has also stood ever respon-

V vi

IKTUODUCTION.

sive to my call since I first came before the public, and to the generous American and English peoples, as well as to kind fortune, I here pour out a full measure of profound thanks and hearty appreciation, and shall hold them gratefully in my memory as a remembrance of old friends, until the drum taps "lights out" at the close of the evening of my eventful life.

Preface

There are tears, and sighs, and tender words today for the strong, brave man, Colonel Cody.

The Indians, who had been his foes and then became his loving friends, called him, in their child-of-nature way, affectionately "Pahaska" — man of long hair.

To the white men of his comradeship, he was ' ' Buffalo Bill, ' ' and he has gone Over the Divide.

To the Indians, "Pahaska" has gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds.

To the boys and girls of America and Europe, Colonel Cody, "Buffalo Bill, " " Pahaska, ' ' has gone up yonder where the light of heaven shines through the stars.

This is why there are tears, and sighs, and tender words today for the strong, brave man.

Pahaska 's going away left a deep sorrow in the hearts of millions of people. Even the Indians loved him and grieve because he has gone, and yet Pahaska was one of the greatest Indian fighters. He only fought them when they were doing wrong, and they knew that. A-t other times he did much to show them how to keep in the right dnd often when they had troubles among themselves or with the white people, the Indians would send for Pahaska — Buffalo Bill — to help them to settle the troubles among themselves by coming to them and "arbitrating" for them, or in sometimes going to Washington City to talk to the Great White Father for them.

Today they are mourning far more for Pahaska than they would for even a great chieftain, because Pahaska knew better how to help them, and did it.

All over the civilized world white people, especially boys and girls, are mourning because Buffalo Bill has passed away.

Every boy and girl in America and all of Europe should know whatever they can about the famous scout and pioneer, "Buffalo

vii

Viii PREFACE.

Bill," whose real name was William Frederic Cody. He was a truehearted man who loved all children, and nearly everybody else. He delighted to have children about him ; strong, healthy boys and girls, and he often sent carriages and automobiles to orphan asylums and to the asylums for crippled children and had them brought by hundreds to enjoy his show. He spent the best part of his young manhood to make homes for boys and girls as well as grown folks, by doing all that he could to open up a vast wilderness where they could have gardens, and orchards, and parks to play and dance and skate in, and where they could have schools, churches and theaters, with all the good that these bring to boys and girls for life.

"Buffalo Bill" risked his life thousands of times and suffered years of hardship and danger to make the great "Wild West of America the land of homes that much of it is now. When he began this work he was but a boy himself. At that time there was on the map of the United States in every schoolboy 's geography a big white spot on the left side, between the ]\Iissouri River and Pacific Ocean, that was named ' ' The Great American Desert. ' ' It was a vast stretch of plains, in some places bare and arid, in other places covered with a growth called Buffalo Grass. Over this wilderness roamed mighty herds of buffalo and other v/ild animals, and the savage Indians, who mostly lived upon the flesh of these animals.

Buffalo Bill and his associates, pioneers, plainsmen, scouts and guides, spent many years in driving away the savages and leading civilized people to this land that has been made to bloom with gardens, fields and orchards, where are the homes of millions of happy people.

Buffalo Bill wrote his own story in this book up to a certain period of his life, and to that has been added, by one who knew and loved him for fifty years, the further interesting history of the big-hearted, warm-souled, brave and daring, but kindly man, who, from an uneducated boy on the far western plains, became the friend and associate of sovereigns and rulers of nations, governors of states, writers of books, captains of industry and leaders of civilization in all that exalts and embellishes enlightened life.

At the time when the Kansas Pacific Road was being constructed

PREFACE.

ix'

from Kansas City to Denver, I was engaged as "the staff" on the Kansas City Journal of Commerce (afterwards the Journal).

During this period I frequently went out upon the construction of the Kansas Pacific Kailroad for the purpose of obtaining "stories" for our paper. Colonel William Frederick Cody — then called Will Cody — had been engaged by the contractors to supply buffalo meat to feed the graders. Thus I often met Cody, who, by this employment, gained the pseudonym of "Buffalo Bill."

During the many years following my association with Colonel Cody on the plains, he and I were intimate and devoted friends, and I would like to record here my deep sorrow at his taking off, which seems untimely to me for the reason that I am more than three years his elder.

In all the years that followed, I frequently met Colonel Cody, and particularly during his engagement at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Often when he was with The Wild West in the neighborhood of Chicago, he would telegraph me to join him and be his guest. Notably was this the case at the time of his engagement at Buffalo during the Panama- American Exposition, where I remained almost constantly in his company, and afterwards at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, of which I speak more in detail in the following pages.

There are some persons of the generation just grown into manhood who naturally enough did not comprehend the character of William Frederick Cody. In their generations he was known to them only as a showman. It was impossible for them to even understand and appreciate to the fullest extent the powerful object lesson which he was then bearing to them in The Wild West Exposition. For this they are not to be blamed. His greatest days were before their days.

The fact is that from a boy brought up on the plains of the far west, without the advantages of academic education, he became, from a messenger between wagon trains on the route from the IMissouri River to Pike's Peak, the close friend and intimate of men of the better class all the way from simple, everyday manhood to the most exalted sovereigns and rulers of earth's nations.

He was one of the pony express riders who carried the mails on

X

PREFACE.

horseback from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Cal., and whose trail was afterward followed by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, every mile of the distance between the two cities named, except the short distance between St. Joseph, Mo., and Kearney, Neb., and Omaha and Kearney, the road taking that latter route because of a peculiar incident that occurred during tlie intervening time.

Mr. Lincoln was president of the United States, and among his prerogatives was that of naming the point from which the transcontinental road should start westward. In St, Joseph one day some young men whose political proclivities in the war time were more intense than their judgment was good, climbed to the postoffice in that city and tore down and destroyed the American fliag. This angered Mr. Lincoln and his cabinet to the extent that when the railroad was to be started, Omaha was named as the initial point, and this did much toward the building of Omaha.

As is shown plentifully throughout this book, "Buffalo Bill" served his country as a soldier ; his services as one of the most notable of scouts was demanded by the best Indian fighters of the West, and he became the ''Chief Scout" of the American Army.

After all of his valuable services as soldier, scout, guide, he gathered whatever evidences he could of the wild life of the West and presented it forty years for the education of three generations of Americans and Europeans as the greatest object lesson in ethnology that has ever been seen in the world.

That such a man's life history should be demanded is the belief of the publishers of this book, and to help the boys and girls of the world, as weU as the grown-ups, to know all the truth about this mighty man, now so deeply mourned, the book is published.

Respectfully yours,

William Lightfoot Visscher.

Chicago, Januai-y 25, 1917.

Chapter I

Incidents of My Childhood — Iowa in the Early Days — Removed to Kansas — Boyhood Experiences in Kansas — A Barbecue to the Indians — The Tide of Immigration — Warfare on the Border — The Stabbing of My Father — Father's Escape from a Mob — Renewed Efforts to Kill Father — Efforts to Make Kansas a Slave State — My Engagement with the Great Overland Freighters — A Mob Outwitted by My Mother — Another Attempt on Father's Life 15-34

Chapter II

My First Love Affair — A Bloody Affray at School — Pursued by the Wounded Boy 's Father — In Service on the Plains — My First Fight with Indians— How I Killed My First Indian — A Feeling of Relief — On the Road to Salt Lake — Description of a Bull Outfit — The Trail — ^A Buffalo Stampede — Captured by Danites — Burning of the Train by Mormons — On the Point of Starvation — Attacked by Indians — A Timely Rescue — Engage in Trapping — A Horrible Discovery — Off for Pike's Peak — Engagement as Pony Express Rider 35-62

Chapter III

Accidents and Escapes — Trapping on the Republican — I Break My Leg — My Partner Goes in Search of Help — A Desperate Situation — Objectionable Company — Indians Take Possession of My Dug-out — Return of Harrington — A Joyous Meeting — Our Return Home — Death of Brave Harrington. . . .63-70

Chapter IV

Adventures on the Overland Road — A Pony Express Rider Again — Pursued by Indians — Attack on a Stage Coach — A Charge through the Indian Camp — A General Drunk but Only One Murder — A Hunt for Bear — A Robber's Haunt Discovered — In a Tight Place — Killing One of the Robbers — My Escape — A Newly-Made Brave 71-83

Chapter V

An Inglorious Service — Bushwhacking in Missouri — A Meeting with Wild Bill — Busted at a Horse-race — A Duel in the Street 84-87

CHAPTER VL

How I Became a Soldier — With the Jayhawkers — A Singular Meeting with Wild Bill — Acting as a Spy — A Pleasant Little Episode — A Wonderful Escape 88-94

Chapter VII

Courtship and Marriage — My Bridal Trip — Taken for a Desperado — A Party of Our Own — A Close Call — Keeping an Hotel — Acting as a Guide to Custer — A Fight with the Indians — A Cholera Outbreak 95-103

Chapter VIII

A Millionaire in Prospective — A Howl from Rome — A Gentleman that Just Dropped in — Contractor on the K. P. R. R. — A Little Sport with the Hostiles — Brigham to the Front — A Pretty Buffalo Drive — A Big Surprise for the xii

Contents

Officers — In Pursuit of Indians — An Excited Colored Gentleman — How I Received the Title "Buffalo Bill"— A Race for My Scalp— A Great Shot- Sauce for the Gander — Run to Cover by Indians — Sending up a Signal for Help 104-120

Chapter IX

Champion Buffalo Killer — A Match with Comstock — A Dash into the Herd — An Exhibition for the Ladies — Riding a Naked Horse into the Herd — Tragic Death of Comstock — Brigham and I Part Company — A Trick of Brigham's 121-128

Chapter X

Acting as Special Scout — Captured by Indians — A Clever Ruse Secures My Escape — Stretching My Mule — Ambushing the Pursuers — Chief Satanta Threatens the Post — Going on the War-Path — Dispatch Bearer — Off in the Dark — Stumbling onto a Hornet 's Nest — An Interview with Sheridan — A Long Ride — A Dangerous Undertaking — A Provoking Mule — Getting Satisfaction 129-147

CHAPTER XL

My Appointment as Chief of Scouts — Running into a Band of Indians — Bringing Live Buffaloes into Camp — A Scared Irishman — A Lively Shaking Up — In Search of Indians — A Crack Shot — On the Trail — Out in a Dry Country— Surprised by Indians 148-159

Chapter XII

A Hard Winter's Campaign — A Rough March — Making a Break Down a Canyon — A Turkey Hunt with Clubs — Rescue of a Starving Command — Intercepting a Beer Train — A Free Fight among the Scouts 160-167

CHAPTER XIIL

Accused of Selling Government Horses — Arrested and Thrown into the Guard House — Captured by the Colored Troops — Dispute over a Telegram — In Pursuit of Horse Thieves — The Thieves Run Down — Escape and Wonderful Flight of a Thief — An Extraordinary Run for Liberty — A Successful Break in the Dark — Breaking up the Gang 168-180

Chapter XIV

A Military Expedition — Mixed on the Expenditures — A Big Indian Trail — Attack on the Courier — A Lieutenant in Sharp Quarters — Driving the Enemy before Us — Re-enforced by Pawnee Scouts — A Comical Sight— Battle between Sioux and Pawnees — Buckskin Joe — The Indians Think Better of Me. .181-194

Chapter XV

A Desperate Fight — A Charge through the Indian Village — Corraled by Indians — Killing of the Chief, Tall Bull — Meeting with Ned Buntline — Horse Racing in the Hostile Country — The Trick of Powder-Face — An Interesting Indian Tradition 195-207

Chapter XVI

Some Pleasing Novelties — In Pursuit of Indian Horse Thieves — Two Indians Bagged at a Single Shot — A Tough Officer — Pawnee Indians on Guard Duty — A Red Hot Situation — Appointed Justice of the Peace — A Peculiar Writ of Replevin — Performing a Marriage Ceremony — A Run for Our Lives 208-221

CHAPTER XVIL

Entertaining a Distinguished Party — Putting on a Little Style for the Occasion— An Attack on the Buffaloes — An Accident to Leonard Jerome — Charged with a Heinous Offense — Still Pursuing the Enemy — Camp-fire Chats — A Lit-

CONTENTS.

tie Joke on McCarthy — Remains of the Murdered Buck Party — Hunting with Grand Duke Alexis — A Visit to Spotted Tail— They Wanted to Lift My Hair — Giving Duke Alexis the Cue — Killing His First Buffalo — Giving the Duke a Shaking Up— Some Presents from the Duke 222-242

CHAPTEE XVIII.

Scouting in a Swallow-tail Outfit — A Great Trip East — Banqueted at Chicago— A Guest of the Union Club, New York — A Masquerade Ball — A Fellow that Looked Like Me — My Embarrassment at the Theatre — My First Appearance on the Stage — Return to the West 243-249

CHAPTEE XIX.

Again on the Indian Trail — A Charge on the Indians — A Sharp Fight — Wounded — Hunting with an Earl — A Party that Milligan iccfused to Attend — Eoping a Buffalo — Elected to the Legislature 250-257

CHAPTEE XX.

An Actor — Studying the Parts — Now, Here 's a Hov: D'do— Buntline's Versatility— The Tide Taken at the Flood — A Little Funny Business — Criticisms of the Press — Lively Experience of Wild Bill — A Hunt with Mr. Medley — Guide to the Third Cavalry — On the Road Again — Death of My Little Boy 258-271

CHAPTER XXI.

Scouting with the Fifth Cavalry — Indian Depredations — Report of the Custer Massacre — Causes Leading Thereto — Custer 's Reports — Miners in the Black Hills — Indians Supplied with Ammunition by the Government — War Declared Against the Sioux — Movement of Troops — Crook Attacked by Sitting Bull — Custer Selected to Strike the Blow — Custer Strikes the Indians — Hoping Against Hope — The Massacre — After the Murderers of Custer — A Challenge — My Duel with Yellow Hand — A Moment of Great Danger — The First Scalp for Custer — Again in Pursuit of the Sioux — A Little Dust Causes an Excitement — Again on the Trail 272-295

CHAPTER XXII.

Dangerous Work — Scouting on a Steamboat — A Ride Through the Bad Lands — A Terrible Journey — Lying Low — Return to the Mimic Stage — On a Round-up — Putting Real Indians on the Stage 296-306

CHAPTER XXIII.

An Ambitious Enterprise — Opening of the Wild West Show — Nate Salsbury Joins Me as a Partner — A Sketch of Salsbury 's Active Life — A Bigger Show Put on the Road — The Show Dumped into the Mississippi — Our Losses in New Orleans — A Season in New York — A Hazardous Undertaking — Seeking New Worlds to Conquer — We Sail for England — Immense Excitement Created in London — Visit of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria — Her Majesty Salutes the American Flag — A Race for $2500 — An Enthusiastic Farewell — Sailing for New York — A Pathetic Incident at Sea — Reception upon Our Arrival at New York — The Joy of Stepping upon the Soil of Dear America Again —

Happy Meeting with Friends 307-337

CHAPTER XXIV.

World's Columbian Exposition — Other Visits to Europe — A Knight of the West — Love and Devotion to His Mother — Pahaska Friend of the Indians — Buffalo Bill Not a " Cusser "—Death and Burial 338-352

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

BUFFALO BILL