The Cheyenne Daily Leader

Buffalo Bill's "Writ-of-Replevin."
From His Autobiography.
One morning a man came rushing up to my house and stated that he wanted a writ of replevin to recover possession of a horse which a stranger was taking out of the country. I had no blank forms, and had not yet received the statutes of Nebraska to copy from, so I asked the man:
"Where is the fellow who has got your horse?"
"He is going up the road and is about two miles away," he replied.
"Very well," said I, "I will get the writ ready in a minute or two."
I saddled up my horse, and then taking my old reliable rifle, "Lucretia," I said to the man: "That's the best writ of replevin that I can think of; come along, and we'll get that horse or know the reason why."
We soon overtook the stranger, who was driving a herd of horses, and as we came up to him I said:
"Hallo, sir; I am an officer and have an attachment for that horse," and at the same time I pointed out the animal.
"Well, sir, what are you going to do about it?" he inquired.
"I propose to take you and the horse back to the post," said I.
"You can take the horse, but I have not the time to return with you."
"You'll have to take the time, or pay the costs here and now," said I.
"How much are the costs?"
"Twenty dollars."
"Here's the money," said he, as he handed me the greenbacks. I then gave him a little friendly advice, and told him that he was released from custody.
He went on his way a wiser and poorer man, while the owner of the horse and myself returned to the fort. I pocketed the twenty dollars, of course. Some people might think it was not a square way of doing business, but I didn't know any better just then. I had several little cases of this kind, and I became better posted on law in the course of time.