February 26, 2005
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Buffalo Bill’s Birthday
William Frederick Cody was born February 26, 1845 in Scott County, Iowa.At 15 years of age William Cody was employed as a Pony Express rider
and given a short 45-mile run from Julesburg to the west. After some
months he was transferred to Slade’s Division in Wyoming where he made
the longest non-stop ride from Red Buttes Station to Rocky Ridge
Station and back when he found that his relief rider had been killed.
The distance of 322 miles over one of the most dangerous portions of
the entire trail was completed in 21 hours and 40 minutes using 21
horses.(Source: Saddles and Spurs, the saga of the Pony Express by Settle and Settle)
Cody earned the nickname Buffalo Bill while working as a scout during
the Civil War. After George Armstrong Custer’s defeat at the
battle of the Greasy Grass, he rode with the Fifth Cavalry on its
misson to avenge Custer. At Warbonnet Creek he killed and scalped
the Cheyenne chief Yellow Hand. That was the point where Cody the
man became Buffalo Bill the legend.
Ned
Buntline’s dime novels made his name a household word in the East and
forever mingled the facts and fiction about Bill Cody in the public’s
mind. We know some facts about his early life, and much of his
later life with the traveling Wild West Show is documented. The
legend that lies in the middle is a matter of scholarly research and
debate.Whoever Bill Cody was, the life he lived and the things Ned Buntline
and others made up about about him have been a great influence on how
the world perceives the American frontier. His instincts and
ambitions carried him into many of the central events of his time:
gold rush, Indian wars, cattle drives and traveling shows. His
wits and reflexes got him through a long succession of close
scrapes. I wonder how he’d adapt to the world today.
Comments (6)
well, i imagine. he embodies that sense of opportunistic innovation and ruthless ingenuity that America prides herself on.
i think he’d adapt pretty well … the army’s still around … as well as cattle ranches and rodeos … i don’t know if he was musically inclined but the idea of him being ted nugent’s bass player and hunting partner doesn’t seem that outlandish … people like him are versitile and adaptable … i can’t imagine him in a business office, though …
heh … how about alaskan bush pilot?
“Opportunistic innovation and ruthless ingenuity.” *nodding slightly* Well, that’s one way of putting it. A little more flattering than I tend to be… *shrug*
It would be interesting to know, wouldn’t it?
RYC: I lived there back in the early 80′s ~ like 82, 83 time frame, and stayed about 6 years….I loved it then. I love Berkely and SF — and can’t leave out my most favorite ~ Napa!