Letter from William F. Cody to George T. Beck

Col. W. F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill) President.
Nate Salsbury, Vice Prest & Manager.
John M. Burke, General Manager.
Albert E. Sheible, Business Manager.
Jule Keen, Treasurer.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World.
The Largest Arenic Exhibition known in History.

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Col. W. F. Cody

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Nate Salsbury

Season of 1895.
Staff of Jas. A. Bailey, Director of Tour.
J. T. McCaddon, Superintendent.
W. H. Gardner, Gen'l Agent.
M. Coyle, R.R. and Excursion Manager.
George O. Starr, Press Agent.
C. R. Hutchinson, Treasurer.
New York Office, No. 106 W. 37th St.

Mar 26 1895 [1] My Dear Beck

Went to Cheyenne [2] and fixed up a water bond [3] which I hope will proove allright. Am sweating blood trying to get President [4] to sign contract. have every assurance he will do it this week. State contract is ready soon as President signs. I have Burke in Washington And have sent fifty telegrams there— I appreciate the fact but I dont presume annother member of this Co does that there is several things that have to be rushed. Have you spoken to Rumsey how short we are for funds— is his Brother [5] coming in? Or are you checking out and giveing no one any warning until checks go to protest? I have no idea what your expenses are this month. Why dont you ask some one to write me? Some one from that end should keep the

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Col. W. F. Cody

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Nate Salsbury

different members of the Co. posted of whats being done— then when we call on them for money there would not be such a howl of where the money has gone— George— you see I nor no one can form an idea how long its going to take to get through or arround those red bluffs [6] where you take the water out of sulphur creek [7] — or the cost— So I cant arrange for any more settlers as I dont know if there can be water put on it this year.

Mead will be up in a few days to help you out— Then if a man could be found who would write.

Yours— Cody

Omaha- 30 th -31-1st
Chicago 2-3d 4 th
Washington 5
New. York 6-7-8-9-
After that Philadelphia till Apr 25 [8]

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Col. W. F. Cody

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Nate Salsbury

PS. George. I wrote you to Sheridan that if I had the ready cash I would send you 3000 at once—I am putting every dollar I make with this show into Black America [9] As Salsbury is still dangerously sick. cant sign a check so I have to put up. But as soon as I can I will help you out—

Yours— Bill

Note 1: Letterhead is imprinted with "1895;" Cody does not inscribe the date, but Routes List and letter context determine the year as 1896. [back]

Note 2: The Wyoming government body overseeing the Carey Act was the State Land Board in Cheyenne. [back]

Note 3: "Water bond" likely refers to Cody seeking to secure water rights from the State of Wyoming to sell to the German migrant families who intended to settle in the Big Horn Basin. [back]

Note 4: "President" is likely President Grover Cleveland, whom Cody was hoping would soon sign over the lands for reclamation and settlement in the Big Horn Basin under the Carey Act of 1894. [back]

Note 5: Bronson Rumsey's brother was Laurence Dana Rumsey, Sr., 1849-1917. [back]

Note 6: Red Bluffs is a hill formation to the south and west of Cody, Wyoming, whose red color stands out among the mountainous formations. [back]

Note 7: "Sulphur creek" is a natural streambed located west of Cody, Wyoming, flowing north toward the Shoshone River along the base of Cedar Mountain. [back]

Note 8: The schedule Cody lists is his itinerary for late March to April 25: Buffalo Bill's Wild West opened the 1896 season in Philadelphia April 18-25, 1896. [back]

Note 9: "Black America" was the traveling show staged by Nathan Salsbury in 1895 as a representation of Southern life; the troupe numbered 300 people and was the largest African American show ever put on a stage. [back]