Buffalo Bill Rides Back Into St. Joseph, St. Joseph News-Press, April 2, 2010
Entry/Object ID
AM2010.6.2
Scope and Content
Buffalo Bill Rides Back Into St. Joseph, St. Joseph News-Press April 2, 2010. News story & news photos on Buffalo Bill look-alike contest held in conjunciton with 150th Anniversary Celebration of Pony Express. Byline: Kristin Hopper.
A Colorado man won look-alike contest as Buffalo Bill. That man was R. D. Melfi. Before the death in 1917 Buffalo Bill Cody made a name for himself as one of the best-known Pony Express riders, and that legend continues today.
The Pony Express Museum held a Look-alike contest at Patee Park. The men were judged on likeness, showmanship, character, acting and their answers to trivia questions. R. D. Melfi was the victor. He also won $500 in gold coins. Buffalo Bill came back to St. Joe in 1914 and helped honor the memorial they set up for the Pony Express. Tom Doroff came from Minnesota and took second place winning $100 in gold coins.
The Pony Express events will conclude Saturday night April 3, 2010 with a concert by Michael Martin Murphey at the Missouri Theater.
On the front page on the newspaper is a new photo of some of the look -a-likes. Rus Ehart of Leavenworth Kansas stands along with 11 other dressed as Buffalo Bill. This contest was part of the Pony Express Sesquicentennial. On page A6 is a picture of Lance Michels of Colorado Springs who has been portraying Buffalo Bill for six years. Mr. Michels won the people's choice award at the Buffalo Bill look-alike contest.