William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody was born on February 26th, 1845, near LeClaire, Iowa. William was born to Isaac and Mary Cody, and had a brother named Samuel who died from falling off a horse when he was seven. He grew to become an American soldier, and a famous buffalo hunter. He was also famous for his Wild West show.
Samuel’s dead definitely took it’s toll on Mary. Her health was so poor they were relocated to Kansas. Kansas was still pro slavery, though Isaac and his family were opposed to slavery. Isaac spoke to a crowd about anti-slavery and infuriated them so much that they formed a mob and Isaac was stabbed. Isaac was forced to spend much of his time away from his home due to threats from slavery – supporters. When a group learned he had a planned trip to visit his family, they made a plan to kill him on his way there. William overheard this and rode 30 miles on a horse to warn his father. His father died later in 1857 from the after – effects of his stabbing.
At age 11, William Cody was forced to get a job due to financial struggling in his remaining family, and so he became a message runner on a wagon train. He then joined Johnston’s Army and helped control a falsely – reported rebellion in Salt Lake City.
At 14, Cody was hit by the gold fever trend, and headed down to the gold fields. On his way there he met an agent for the Pony Express, and became a rider until he was called home to tend to his ill mother. She recovered, and he became working with a United States freight caravan wich ran materials to Fort Laramie.
In 1863, Bill’s mother died, and he enlisted in the 7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment and fought on the Union’s side during the Civil War. After being discharged, he met and got married to Louisa Frederici while stationed in St. Louis. They didn’t have a happy marriage, and though they had four children Bill sought a divorce. The attempt to divorce was unsuccessful, and two of their children died young.
He became a scout for the U.S. Army in 1868, and received the Medal of Honor in 1972 for “gallantry in action.” The medal was revoked after his death due to a new set of guidelines for receiving the medal. The medal was restored to him by the U.S. Army in 1989.
In 1883 Bill created a show like today’s Barnum and Bailey Circus. He titled it “Buffalo Bills Wild West.” He performed in 1887 in London to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria. He continue to tour into 1893, when he set up an exhibition near the Chicago World’s Fair. His show became famous when he got a new manager named Nate Salsbury.
Wild west continued to tour North America over the next 20 years, and grew to include over 1000 performers. He had many skill acts, sideshows and included people like Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Calamity Jane, and ‘Wild Bill’ Hickock now and again. At the turn of the 19th century, many claim Buffalo Bill Cody was the biggest celebrity on the planet. He died on January 10th, 1917.
Buffalo Bill Cody was very important in the late 1800’s – early 1900’s. He pushed for the rights of women, and for American Indians. Though he was a buffalo hunter, he spoke out against hide – hunting and also pushed for a hunting season. He became a legend and his character was portrayed in many shows, such as Annie Get Your Gun, during the mid 1900’s. He hired many American Indians and offered them a better life. He once said: “Every Indian outbreak that I have ever known has resulted from broken promises and broken treaties by the government.” He was the king of the Bills, and was idolized in many late 1950’s Western movies.
