ALS signed “Col[onel],” one page, 8.5 x 11, Cody-Dyer Mining and Milling Co. letterhead, March 17, 1912. Letter to fellow Wild West legend G. W. ‘Pawnee Bill’ Lillie. In part: “I want to thank you for your splendid letter of Mar 3rd. You are a wonder and you will allways [sic] have my thanks. And ernest [sic] endeavor to help and do my part. I am here at the mines trying to straighten out things. That these thieving Getchells got me so into. I may have to send young Getchell to the Penn yet…They made their big steal in the purchase of Southern Bell property. I made them cough up part and am going after them for more. Dick Brady the cattle man was in on the steal and I am going after him. We are mining a little opening up. We won’t attempt to have much expense here this summer until I get out of debt. But we have a valuable property. I get to Cody Wyo[ming] 26th and 27th and be there few days.” In fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Cody’s hand.
Lewis Getchell was an Arizona resident who had convinced Cody and wealthy businessman Daniel Burns Dyer to invest in an Arizona mining operation—a deal “these thieving Getchells got me so into” and that proved to be less than profitable. Much to their surprise, Getchell was notorious for promoting worthless commercial property and then spending the cash Cody would forward, thinking it was earmarked for business expenses. It was Dyer who eventually requested an evaluation of the operation by a qualified mining engineer, and discovered the truth. “I made them cough up part and am going after them for more” Cody here tells Pawnee Bill, though in the end, the biggest harm to befall Getchell was losing his ‘free money’...a fear of adverse publicity kept Cody from filing any charges, and Getchell never paid a penalty. Fantastic letter as Buffalo Bill seeks to preserve his reputation—and that of his show—while expressing his lament. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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