The "The Journal: Part III - 'Buffalo Bill Cody'" Story

Buffalo Bill Cody

It was an ordinary day.  Reading another story in one of my Lancaster County Historical Society's "The Journal".  This story appeared in the Summer 1995 issue and tells the true story that was transcribed by an Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania neighbor of Mr. John Roath, after he had died.  John sat with his neighbor and told her the story of his meeting his childhood hero, Buffalo Bill Cody...not once, but twice, as a teenager.  A bit of background info about Cody follows: William Frederick ("Buffalo Bill") Cody was born on February 26, 1846.  He was an American scout, buffalo hunter and showman.  At the age of 14, soon after his father had died, he became a rider for the Pony Express.  During the Civil War he served in the Union Army.  

1865 at the age of 19.

As a civilian scout, he served the US Army during the Indian Wars and received the Medal of Honor in 1872.  He got the nickname "Buffalo Bill" after the Civil War when he had a contract to supply Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo (American bison) meat.  It is said he killed 4,282 buffalo in 18 months in 1867-68.  In 1869 he met writer Ned Buntline who wrote of Cody's adventures and a legend was born.  In 1883 he founded Buffalo Bill's Wild West, a circus-like attraction that toured annually.  His show visited Lancaster on a number of occasions with the last appearance on May 16, 1913.  John's account of his visits to see the show are both interesting and humorous.  His first trip to see his hero was when he was in his early teens.  

1913 poster from an Erie, PA printing company.

He and his father took the trolley to the circus grounds in Lancaster where the show started with a parade around the grounds led by Buffalo Bill.  "He wore his white buckskin trousers, a fancy jacket and matching ten gallon hat.  His long white hair, Vandyke beard and flowing moustache made him a very striking and handsome figure.  He rode a white horse.  The silver mountings on the bridle and saddle glistened brightly in the afternoon sun."  Several acts followed with a military act part of them.  A cannon mounted on a caisson was drawn by four horses.  "After making one complete circuit around the field, they came to an abrupt halt.  Men in soldiers' uniforms sprang from their seats on the powder box and pointed the muzzle of the cannon in our direction.  

This photo dates from his later years.

There was a blinding flash and a loud roar which caused many of the adults to scream.  It frightened the daylights out of me.  My father tried to reassure me.  The procedure was repeated.  I sent up a howl that I am sure could be heard for quite a distance."  A few other acts followed until it was time for the stellar attraction which featured Buffalo Bill.  "He rode up slightly behind and to the right of an Indian who was riding a pinto pony.  The Indian carried a basket filled with small glass balls.  At various intervals, he threw the balls high into the air.  Buffalo Bill shattered one.  I didn't see him miss one ball.  Some said he was using bullets.  Even if shot cartridges were being used, he was still doing some fancy shooting from the back of his cantering horse.  The grand finale showed the attack on the wagon train."  After that show he knew he just had to meet Buffalo Bill.  Happened a few years later in 1913 when he went with a friend to see the show once again.  

1913 publicity poster of Buffalo Bill

He tells this story: "Suddenly I spied both Pawnee Bill and my hero leaning over the corral fence looking at the horses.  They had their backs to us.  Immediately I began planning a course of action.  Both men seemed to be quite absorbed in their conversation.  Just as I extended my hand to touch that beautiful jacket, Buffalo Bill turned around and confronted us.  My hero smiled and, with a twinkle in his eye, asked if there was something that he could do for us.  I stammered that I only wanted to shake his hand which he graciously held out.  I felt awkward.  After a short conversation, we left him and went to get our seats for the show."  What a thrill it must have been.  Something he never forgot his entire life and was able to share the story with his neighbor before he died.  I too would have loved to have met some of my childhood cowboy heroes, but I was never quite as lucky as John.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.