See quot. 1846.
1846. Our fuel for cooking is what is called “buffalo chips,” which is the deposit of manure made by the herds of buffalo that have roamed over this region in years past, and has become perfectly dry, burning with a lively blaze, and producing a strong heat.—Edwin Bryant, ‘What I saw in California,’ p. 80 (N.Y.).
1859. Buffalo-chips for fuel.—Marcy, ‘Prairie Travels,’ p. 268. (N.E.D.)
1870. We took to the plains and gathered the fuel known to plainsmen as “bull chips,” which made a very hot fire when used in sufficient quantities and, “barrin the idee,” served to cook a first-rate dinner.—J. H. Beadle, ‘Life in Utah,’ p. 221 (Phila., &c.).
1888. A fire was made of buffalo-chips, of which a great quantity was lying around.—Forest and Stream, March 15 (Farmer).
1893. The great query with them was as to how and where they were to secure fuel necessary for culinary purposes; and when informed that it would be necessary to gather and use buffalo chips for that purpose, their incredulity became manifest, and their curiosity was rather increased than satisfied.—Alex. Majors, ‘Seventy Years on the Frontier,’ p. 172.
