Shortly after the close of the great civil war Wild Bill engaged in a
novel enterprise, the result of which was a complete financial failure,
though it furnished rare amusement for a great many wealthy people.
He secured six fine, full-grown buffalos, and with four Commanche
Indians, he made a trip to Niagara Falls, for the purpose of treating
the visitors of that fashionable and famous resort to a genuine
buffalo chase. The entertainment was duly advertised and a very large
number of persons was attracted to witness real Indians, bespangled
with beads, paint and feathers, in pursuit of a genuine herd of wild
buffalos. The chase occurred on the Canada shore, and created the
greatest excitement; hundreds of gentlemen engaging in the pursuit,
mounted in excellent style, and rendering efficient aid at the close in
securing the buffalos, unharmed, and returning them to pens previously
provided. Niagara sight-seers, perhaps, never witnessed a more
interesting and exciting entertainment, but they were not willing to
pay properly for the amusement. No admission fee could be charged, as
the chase could not be conducted within an enclosure, and Bill had to
depend upon voluntary contributions, which were so meagre as to leave
him a heavy loser. He was compelled to sell his buffalos and pilot his
Commanche braves back to their reservation.
An incident occurred at the close of the chase worthy of record in this
connection. Among the many spectators was a party of English snobs, one
of whom seeing Bill dressed in buckskin breeches and generally frontier
style, asked him if he were an Indian or white man. The question was
addressed in a cockney way peculiar to English _haute tons_, and gave
such offense that Bill replied: “This is the kind of a man I am,” at
the same time striking the impertinent fellow a blow in the face which
sent him sprawling into the street.