WILLIAM FREDERICK CODY “BUFFALO BILL” Celebrated American plains-day express rider, hunter, guide and army scout, who before he was fourteen years of age had won credit for man’s pluck and shrewdness. In his youth a dutiful and helpful son; in his later years an exhibitor of Wild West scenes, with which he has toured the world. Early known as “Will,” “Little Billy,” “Pony Express Bill,” “Scout Bill Cody”; by the Indians termed “Pa-he-haska” (“Long Hair”); but, the globe around, famed as “Buffalo Bill.” Born on the family farm near LeClaire, Scott County, Eastern Iowa, February 26, 1845. Father: Isaac Cody. Mother: Mary Ann Cody. Childhood spent in Scott County, Iowa: at LeClaire and at Walnut Grove. When eight years old, in 1853, is removed with the family overland to Kansas. In the Salt Creek Valley, near the Kickapoo Indian reservation and Fort Leavenworth, Eastern Kansas, Mr. Cody takes up a claim and is Indian trader. Young William is reared among the Free State troubles of 1853–1861, when the slave men and the anti-slave men strove against one another to obtain possession of Kansas. Mr. Cody, the father, was of the Free State party. Aged 10, summer of 1855, Billy engages at $25 a month to herd cattle, just outside of Leavenworth, for the freighting firm of Russell & Majors. Gives the money, $50, to his mother. Is instructed at home by Miss Jennie Lyons, the family teacher; attends district school. Aged 11, summer of 1856, makes his first trip into the plains, as herder for a Russell, Majors & Waddell bull train. Continues his cattle herding; and aged 12, in May, 1857, makes another trip across the plains, as herder for the cattle with a Russell, Majors & Waddell outfit bound for Salt Lake, Utah. Has his first Indian fight. The same summer of 1857, is “extra man” with another Russell, Majors & Waddell wagon train for Utah. Returning, has his second Indian fight. Arrives home again, summer of 1858. Becomes assistant wagon master with a fourth train, for Fort Laramie. Fall of 1858, aged 13, joins a company of trappers out of Fort Laramie. Winter and spring of 1859, attends school again, to please his mother. To the Pike’s Peak country for gold, 1859. Returns home to see his mother; and then spends winter of 1859–1860 trapping beaver in central Kansas. Rides Pony Express, 1860–1861. The youngest rider on the line. Ranger, dispatch bearer, and scout in the Union service, in Kansas, Missouri and the Southwest, 1861–1863. Enlisted in Seventh Kansas Volunteer Infantry, 1864, and serves with it until close of the war. Stage driver between Kearney, Nebraska, and Plum Creek, 35 miles west, 1865–1866. Marries, March 6, 1866, Miss Louisa Frederici of St. Louis. Proprietor of Golden Rule House hotel at his old home in Salt Creek Valley, Kansas, 1866. Government scout at Fort Ellsworth, Fort Fletcher, and Fort Hays, Kansas, 1866–1867.