Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1881 — A Story of “Wild Bill.” [ARTICLE]

A Story of “Wild Bill.”

The surrender of Sitting Bull recalls one of the “genuine Indian scouts” of Gen. Custer. He was a fellow of. most singular temperament, and was known on the plains as Wild Bill, albeit his actual name was James Hickok. Wild Bill, under circumstances of particular aggravation, shot and killed a desnerado in Missouri. Years became a member of “Buffalo Bill'd droll theatrical cenppany, and, in compliance with the stofy nlay r had to repeat every night upon stage the killing, which as a made him famous. “Bill’ watched £ "* first rehearsal patiently, thetrhe v J to the stage manager: “I can’t k-L that thar chap, no how,” quoth “Why .not?” inquired the manager/ “Well,” said Bill, tranquilly, “Buffalo slings him around in the first act, and Maeder , clips him in the ear in the second act, and Mrs. Maeder drives him out of the ranch with a broom in the third act. Then I have got to kill him after r\ll in the fourth act. Why, I never killed such a coyote as that in my life! It’s all wrong, partner! It’s all wrong making him out such a squaw man as all .that. By goll, sir, he was the biggest gen tie mau I ever shot!” Although he' carried a dozen bullets, more or less, deeply imbedded in his flesh, “Wild Bill” never sustained an internal wound. He was killed while playing cards by a scoundrel, who for SSOO blood money paid him by a gambler, sneaked up behind Bill and blew his brains out. Bill was, strangely enough, a very honest and courageous fellow, vl>o, in his office of Marshal, was the terror of the “crooked” gamblers of the territory. Tlie post-mortem examination of his remains explained bis immunity from tire penetrative builet wounds- It was discovered.that his ribs were welded together, t|ie Intel costal cartilegcs and muscles having ossified. His lungs and heart, therefore, were naturally protected by a cuirass of bone. Such was »the wonderful rapidity withwhich “Bill” could draw his pistol that even in the sudden death which befel him, he had time enough and sense enough to put his hand on the butto f his re,velvet.