Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill Cody (center), what a character! He got his name as just one of many who participated in the mass slaughter of our nation's wild bison herds. These herds once numbered over 100 million animals and they roamed the west in great north-south migrations. The herds and their activities supported a complex chain of life that included prairie roaming wolves and grizzly bears. Unfortunately, by the late 1800's, people like Buffalo Bill had nearly wiped them out.

Bill was also a famous scout for the US Army and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in 1872. While a scout, Bill cautioned the government to never make a promise to Native Americans that it did not intend to keep. (Too bad the government didn't listen.) In his later years, Buffalo Bill formed a traveling "Wild West" show. Understanding the folly of his ways with the buffalo, he purchased some of the last remaining bison, included them in his show, and, thus, protected them from slaughter. (But, don't be fooled, it was really the formation of Yellowstone National Park that saved the wild American bison.) Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show gave starts to notable performers of the day such as Annie Oakley. The show also provided odd jobs for some washed up western heroes including "Wild Bill" Hickock. Hickock was so bad at delivering lines on stage that he was quickly dropped from the show but parted with his friend Buffalo Bill on good terms.

Buffalo Bill died in 1917 and is buried near Golden, Colorado.

-- Charlie