Category: Top » Culture-and-society »

The Cowboy Legend of Buffalo Bill

The cowboy is a myth that has grown into the legend that it is now primarily because of the mass media, films and movies, in particular. But prior to these contemporary forms of communication, there was one man who may have single-handedly helped perpetuate the cowboys' legend. And his name is Buffalo Bill Cody, born in 1846.

Through the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, the image of the cowboy has been idealized to eventually capture the imaginations of millions of people up to today. But who is Buffalo Bill? First of all, he was not really a cowboy, but more of a frontiersman. He was a scout of the 7th Kansas Cavalry in the concluding years of the Civil War, and later a civilian scout for the Fifth Cavalry.

But even before the war, he was a Pony Express rider at age 15, indications at an early age of his coming ascent as an icon of the American frontier. Only 12, Cody was already working for a wagon train, and at 13 was among those who joined the gold rush in Colorado.

In adulthood, Cody had the reputation of a skilled marksman and expert tracker. He showed his marksmanship excellence working for Kansas Pacific, hunting buffalo for the company's work crew. It is in this line of work that Cody got his famous moniker.

He also gained recognition as a fighter, earning for him the Congressional Medal Honor for valor in action during the Indian Wars. The US Army further employed Cody's talent and expertise in guiding foreign dignitaries visiting for hunting sorties which were played up by a hungry press.

Book publishers of the 1870s too were hungry for heroes, and in 1872 Cody starred in a dime novel written by Ned Buntline. The initial success of this venture led Cody to combine with James "Wild Bill" Hickok and the Texan Jack Omohundro, two true blue Western personas, in a show business melodrama.

With his experience from this venture and the fame he gained in his many battle experiences in the army, Cody started his itinerant Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. This traveling circus is a showcase that romanticized the life of the cowboys and the Native American Indians.

Skilled riders performed in the show, wowed audiences with expert horsemanship and shooting skills, as well as dazzled them with lasso tricks. For some three decades, the Wild West Show thrilled spectators not only throughout the United States, but also audiences in Europe.

With the fortune he gained from the Wild West Show, Cody was able to invest in stock breeding and ranching (that made him a full-fledged cowboy at last!), further fortifying his association with the cowboy image and the American West.

Additionally, he sought to bring development to the West by investing in mining, movie-making, coal and oil, and publishing. He also found some noble advocacies by becoming one of the first supporters of the women's right to suffrage and of the rights of the Native Americans.

Even in his twilight years, Cody's fame remained associated with the West, having been a consultant to many American presidents on matters pertaining to the region. He rubbed elbows with famous writers and artists, and was hailed by royalty, the military and the business community - a cowboy legend to the very end.

Seed Newsvine

Rating: Not yet rated --Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

Your Name:


Your Email:


Comment

Enter the code shown

Popular Articles in this cathegory

1: Characteristics of The Perfect Fake Doctor's Note Template
2: The Secret Adult Industry Of Singapore
3: How Students Use Fake Doctor's Notes For School
4: Famous Bridal Gowns in Movies
5: Labor Day Fun Facts And Stats