Buffalo Bill Cody – Frontiersman & Entertainer
William Frederick Cody, forever etched in history as "Buffalo Bill," embodies the spirit of the American West. Born on February 26, 1846, in the quaint town of Le Claire, Iowa, his life was a tapestry woven with threads of adventure, skill, and showmanship. From his early days navigating the vast Great Plains to his later years captivating audiences worldwide, Cody became a symbol of the frontier, a living legend whose name resonated with both Americans and Europeans alike. His journey, spanning from buffalo hunter to celebrated entertainer, is a captivating tale of a man who helped shape the popular image of the Old West.
Cody’s formative years were spent on the move. His family relocated to Leavenworth, Kansas, when he was still a young boy. The call of the open road beckoned early, and at the tender age of twelve, he left home to join a wagon train headed for Fort Laramie, Wyoming. This marked the beginning of his life as a plainsman, herding cattle and driving wagons across the expansive and often unforgiving landscape. These experiences instilled in him a deep understanding of the land, its people, and the challenges of frontier life.
In 1859, lured by the promise of riches, the young Cody joined the throngs of prospectors rushing to the goldfields of Colorado. He spent two months near Black Hawk, Colorado, diligently searching for the elusive yellow metal, but his efforts yielded little success. While his stint as a gold prospector proved unfruitful, it served as another chapter in his ongoing education of the West, exposing him to the harsh realities and the boundless opportunities it presented.
Upon his return to Kansas, Cody found himself in Julesburg, Colorado, where he was recruited to ride for the legendary Pony Express in 1860. This daring mail delivery service, relying on skilled riders and fast horses, was a crucial link between the East and West. Cody’s time with the Pony Express, though primarily spent in Kansas, occasionally took him across the northeastern reaches of Colorado, further solidifying his reputation as a capable and courageous frontiersman. The Pony Express, with its emphasis on speed and reliability, was a perfect fit for the adventurous spirit of Buffalo Bill Cody.
The year 1863 brought personal loss and a call to duty. Following the death of his mother, Cody enlisted in the 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment and served with them for the remainder of the Civil War. This experience further honed his skills and exposed him to the harsh realities of armed conflict. His service in the Civil War added another layer to his already diverse background, transforming him from a plainsman into a soldier.
On March 6, 1866, a new chapter began as Bill married Louisa Frederici in St. Louis, Missouri. Their union produced four children: Arta Lucille, born in 1866; Kit Carson, named after the famous frontiersman, in 1870; Orra Maude in 1872; and Irma Louise in 1883. Family life provided a counterpoint to his adventurous pursuits, grounding him in a world of love and responsibility.
The year 1867 marked a turning point in Cody’s life, one that would forever define his public image. He began hunting buffalo for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, providing a vital food source for the 1,200 men employed in laying track. His exceptional skill and efficiency in this role quickly earned him the moniker "Buffalo Bill." In a mere 18 months, he is said to have killed nearly 5,000 buffalo, a staggering number that underscores both his hunting prowess and the devastating impact of westward expansion on the American bison population. This period solidified Buffalo Bill Cody’s connection to the animal that would become synonymous with his name.
In 1868, the U.S. Army once again sought Cody’s expertise, employing him as a civilian scout and guide for the Fifth Cavalry. His extensive knowledge of the plains, his tracking abilities, and his fighting skills made him an invaluable asset to the military. Cody’s role as a scout placed him at the forefront of the conflicts between the U.S. Army and the Native American tribes who called the Great Plains home.
His bravery and service were officially recognized in 1872 when he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, one of only four civilian scouts to receive this distinction during the Indian Wars. General Philip Sheridan, recognizing Cody’s charisma and frontier expertise, saw an opportunity to improve the Army’s public image. Sheridan arranged for Cody to lead lavish hunting expeditions for visiting dignitaries. One such excursion involved the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia in 1872, with Cody guiding the wagon train alongside General Sheridan and Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer. Furthermore, Cody persuaded Spotted Tail, a renowned Sioux leader, and his village to participate in the hunt. According to legend, when Cody explained the trip to Spotted Tail, the Indian replied, "Great white man wants a big hunt with the Indians." These hunts, orchestrated as media events, served to glamorize both the military and Buffalo Bill Cody, further cementing his status as a national icon.
The romanticized narratives of the West, fueled by dime novels, further contributed to the legend of Buffalo Bill. Authors like Ned Buntline spun tales of heroism and adventure, often exaggerating Cody’s exploits to create a larger-than-life figure. Eastern audiences, hungry for news of the West, eagerly consumed these stories. In 1872, Buntline persuaded the then 26-year-old Cody to portray himself on stage, a decision that would ultimately lead to the creation of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. These dime novels and stage performances helped to shape the popular perception of Buffalo Bill Cody as the quintessential Western hero.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its dramatized depictions of frontier life. Over the years, the troupe included notable figures such as James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, Texas Jack Omohundro, Annie Oakley, and even Sitting Bull. "Real" cowboys were recruited from the West, alongside buffalo and other live animals, to create a spectacle that transported audiences to the heart of the American frontier. The show ran for 30 years, enchanting crowds throughout the United States and Europe.
Amidst the height of the Plains Indians’ resistance to white settlement, Cody returned to his role as a scout for the Fifth Army in the summer of 1876. Just three weeks after George Custer and the Seventh Cavalry’s devastating defeat at Little Big Horn, Cody’s regiment intercepted a band of Cheyenne warriors. Dressed in his stage attire, Buffalo Bill Cody killed and scalped a Cheyenne warrior named Yellow Hair, reportedly shouting, "First scalp for Custer!" This act, while controversial in retrospect, further solidified his image as a defender of the frontier.
Beyond his frontier exploits and theatrical performances, Cody was a shrewd businessman who invested his earnings in various ventures, including an Arizona mine, ranching, coal and oil development, filmmaking, and publishing. In 1896, he founded the town of Cody, Wyoming, leaving a lasting legacy on the landscape. He also built hotels in both Sheridan and Cody, Wyoming, contributing to the economic development of the region.
Despite his participation in the conflicts with Native Americans and his role in the buffalo hunts, Cody later advocated for better treatment of Native Americans and spoke out in favor of buffalo conservation. In 1885, he stated, "The defeat of Custer was not a massacre. Skilled fighters with orders to kill were pursuing the Indians. They had been hounded from the Atlantic to the Pacific and back again for centuries. They had their wives and little ones to protect, and they were fighting for their existence." He also asserted, "Every Indian outbreak that I have ever known has resulted from broken promises and broken treaties by the government." These statements reveal a nuanced perspective, suggesting a recognition of the injustices faced by Native Americans and a growing awareness of the importance of conservation.
By the dawn of the 20th century, William F. Cody had become arguably the most famous American in the world. He was consulted on Western matters by every American president, from Ulysses S. Grant to Woodrow Wilson. His name was synonymous with the American West, and his image adorned countless advertisements and publications.
However, competition emerged in the form of Pawnee Bill’s Wild West and Great Far East Show, operated by Gordon "Pawnee Bill" Lillie, a former employee of Cody’s. When Cody’s show began to struggle financially, he sold a one-third interest to Pawnee Bill in 1908. Eventually, Lillie acquired the remaining interest but retained Cody as a partner. The two toured together as the "Two Bill’s Show" until 1913, when the venture ultimately went bankrupt. This collaboration, billed as an entertainment triumph, traveled the world, showcasing both realistic and fantastical depictions of the Old West. After five seasons, the show closed in Denver, Colorado, in 1913.
Buffalo Bill Cody remained active until his death on January 10, 1917, while visiting his sister’s home in Denver. As per his request, he was buried on Lookout Mountain, west of Denver, Colorado, overlooking the vast Great Plains. Four years later, his wife Louisa was laid to rest beside him. His final resting place serves as a testament to his enduring connection to the land that shaped his life and fueled his legend. The legacy of Buffalo Bill Cody continues to fascinate and inspire, reminding us of a time when the American West was a land of both promise and peril.