Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show Hits Erie!

Written and researched by Adam Macrino

[Evening News Inspired Music Intro written and recorded by Adam Macrino]

Newscaster Voice: Hello everyone, and welcome to Hurststories. My name is Nathan de Panda. On this edition of Hurststories we bring you a story out of the town of Erie, Pennsylvania. On the night of Saturday, July 9th, 1898, the sleepy town was brought to life with the whoops and hollers of Cowboys and Natives as Buffalo Bill Cody and his Congress of Rough Riders paraded into town. The members of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show were greeted by the citizens of Erie, who lined the streets, as the long caravan of performers made their way into the town. This was one of 7 times that Buffalo Bill and his Rough Riders brought their skill to showcase to the town of Erie. Here to bring you more details is Hurststories correspondent, Brian Pedactor.[1]

Narrator Voice: Thank you, Nathan. To understand what a spectacle this would have been for the citizens of the day, we at Hurststories want to familiarize the audience with the man called Buffalo Bill. Before obtaining the infamous nickname, William Frederick Cody, was born in Scott County, Iowa, in 1846. He migrated west with his father, where the young Cody was witness to an awful altercation between his father and a mob of pro-slavery sympathizers. An argument escalated out of control, resulting in the mortal wounding of Cody’s father. The London Times reported in William Cody’s obituary that when this occurred, “Young Cody turned to the assailant saying, ‘You have killed my father. When I’m a man I’ll Kill You.’”[2]

[Announcement Chime]

Public Service Announcement: Hurststories would like to take this opportunity to condemn revenge killing. We are a Catholic University and would not support revenge killing even to avenge our own father.

[Ending Announcement Chime]

Narrator: Cody relocated during the gold rush of the 1860’s but did not strike it rich. Instead he obtained a job as a package runner for the Pony Express. This was an extremely dangerous occupation due to the lawlessness of the West. Bandits would ambush package carriers during their trek, stealing the valuable parcels that they were carrying. It was this job that taught William Cody what it took to live out on the trails of the Wild West. Eventually, Cody would take on a job as a scout for a trapping expedition. It was during this expedition that William Cody was credited with killing his first bear. It is also during this expedition that Cody had an encounter with a Native that ended with violence.  The Native was killed, and Cody was adorned with the name “Boy Indian Slayer.” [3]

[Announcement Chime]

Public Service Announcement: Hurststories would like to take another moment to acknowledge the awful treatment that the Native Americans received, and if there was a way to go back and time and prevent that from happening, we at Hurstories would certainly do so. This has been another Hurststories Condemnation Moment.

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Narrator: During the Civil War, Cody joined up with the US Army. His reputation as a skilled horseman was confirmed as Cody ascended thru the ranks of the 5th Cavalry, achieving the rank of Chief Scout. Cody continued serving in the US Army after the War, earning the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars.  The rapid expansion of the railroad systems created a great demand for food supplies to feed the giant workforce that a project of that magnitude required. Contracts were offered from these railroad companies to anyone who could provide enough food to meet the demand.[4]

Narrator: This will be how William Frederick Cody obtains his nom de guerre, Buff-

Newscaster: Eh, Adam, what is that, nom de gur?

Narrator: yes, it means a nickname.

Newscaster: no no no, none of that

Narrator: Ok, okay, this will be how William Frederick Cody gets his sobriquet, Buffalo Bil

Newscaster: What! Now what is that?

Narrator: Sobriquet, it’s synonymous with nick-name

Newscaster: Listen buddy, no one’s ‘gonna know what these words mean. You sound condescending. Honestly your whole tone is coming off as condescending.

Narrator: Wow, I didn’t know. I'm sorry. I just, wanted to spice it up, ya know. Put some pep on it.

[Sad Music]

Newscaster: Listen, I was kind of hard on you, go ahead, you can put a little pep on it. Just a little.

Narrator: Ok, So, This will be how William Frederick Cody, the famed adventurer from Scott County Iowa, the man who slayed a bear with his own hands, the man who as a boy was called Boy Indian Slayer, for this next coming tale will be how that man will obtain his eternal cognomen, Buffalo Bill.

Newscaster: At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

[Announcement Chime]

Public Service Announcement: Sorry us again, We at Hurststories would like to take a moment to condemn the last thirty seconds of the podcast. It was far too silly and we promise not to do it again. This has been another, Hurststories Condemnation Moment.

 [Ending Announcement Chime}

Narrator: Right, So William Cody accepts the contract for supplying the Kansas Pacific Railway with meat for its employees while the railroad line is being constructed. Cody’s hunting prowess was forever immortalized in the fitting moniker, “Buffalo Bill”, as Cody killed 4,820 buffalo in 18 months.

Newscaster: Now That is how he obtained his nickname. But why was he known to all Americans at that time and able to travel from town to town performing his little show for everyone.

Narrator: These shows were not little, they very impressive. They were advertised as, “the most intensely interesting and strangest entertainment ever... dreamed of.” and, “...a mirror of heroic manhood.”

Newscaster: Well.

Narrator: Buffalo Bill’s shows would include luminaries from the American West. Sharpshooter married couple Annie Oakley and Frank Butler dazzled audiences with their feats of marks-person-ship. Sitting Bull with 20 members of his tribe joined the show for a time. Buffalo Bill’s show lasted for so many years that he had a rotating cast of the who’s who from the American West joining for brief stints as they pleased. Calamity Jane told tales of the past, Wild Bill Hickok, who was prone to bouts of stage fright, once shot at the spotlight operator for focusing the spotlight on the bashful performer during an early show. Native Americans were an integral part of the experience. Although they often portrayed the villain in re-enactments, famous Native Americans like Sitting Bull participated in these shows and this allowed them the ability to showcase their customs and way of life to interested audiences all over the world.  In fact, performers from all over the world were featured. One advertisement featured in the Erie Herald for a show in July of 1901 promises Cossacks, Boers, Beodouins and Britons, all wearing the uniform or dress of the nation or tribe from which they represent. These shows were living museums. They were very well attended because they showcased a lifestyle that was ceasing to exist. By the end of Buffalo Bill’s entertainment career, you could argue that it had disappeared. [5]

Newscaster: No, I think we have done enough arguing today. And one thing we can all agree on here at Hurstories is, those Erie citizens certainly were entertained anytime Buffalo Bill came to town. 

Narrator: Yes, We certainly can. Before we go Nathan, I would like to say some more about Buffalo Bill. You see, contrary to his rough and tumble attitude, Buffalo Bill despised being thought of as a brawler or a ruffian. He fought for justice and righteousness. One time another person named Buffalo Bill was shot by a lawman after stealing the sherrif’s horse in Pensicola, Florida. In response to the publication of this story, Buffalo Bill wrote to the New York Herald, telling them that the person who perpetrated such an act was a person different than himself, telling them “When I die it will be maintaining honor-that which constitutes the safeguard of society, whether it apply to man or to woman.” [6]  There was a nobility and grace that Buffalo Bill seemed to carry himself by. He knew the importance of reputation in these times and was careful to portray himself in an honorable light. That will be all for me. This has been a Hurststories special report.

Newscaster: Excellent work, Brian. Brian Pedactor, everyone. I am Brian De Panda and from all of us here at Hurststories, ad libb’d goodnight.

[Sweet outro music written and recorded by Adam Macrino]

 

[1] “The Living Heroes of the Romantic Era Buffalo Bill Advertisement”, Erie Evening Herald (Erie, PA), July 2, 1898.

[2]“Death of ‘Buffalo’ Bill.’” 2017. Times, The (United Kingdom), January 28,1917. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.mercyhurst.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=7EH121178931&site=eds-live. 

[3] “Death of ‘Buffalo’ Bill.’” 2017. Times, The (United Kingdom), January 28, 1917. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.mercyhurst.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=7EH121178931&site=eds-live.

[4] “Death of ‘Buffalo’ Bill.’” 2017. Times, The (United Kingdom), January, 28, 1917. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.mercyhurst.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=7EH121178931&site=eds-live.

[5] “Just What It Is Buffalo Bill Advertisement”, Erie Evening Herald (Erie, PA),  June 15, 1901

[6] Sagala, Sandra K. Buffalo Bill on Stage. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2008. Pg. 78.