Page 17 - MFM Mar Apl 2021.indd

William F. Cody

Ernest J. Goppert, Jr. PGM - Wyoming

Th e 110th Annual Communication of the Grand According to Mrs. Cody, when she saw him at Fort
Lodge Of Wyoming was held in Cody Wyoming McPherson, for the fi rst time, he was wearing long
in August, 1984, and was dedicated to the memory hair, moustache and goatee the style of prairie scouts
of the town's founder, Pony Express Rider, scout, of those days. In September, while buff alo hunting
Frontiersman, showman, Brother William F. 'Buff alo with Major Frank North to supply the garrison with
Bill' Cody Th is Short Talk Bulletin has been adapted meat, Cody and North were surrounded by Indians
from one of the presentations at that memorable and barely fought their way back to the command.
Annual Communication. With the 5th Cavalry, they then pursued the Indians
for ninety miles to Standing Rock Agency, Dakota.
A child, destined to great fame, was born on a farm Finally, the expedition returned to Fort McPherson
in Le Claire, Scott County, lowa, on February 26, on October 28.
1846 to Isaac Cody and Mary Leacock Cody. Isaac
abandoned his farm to work as a stage driver and the Within less than three weeks, Captain W. B. Brown
family moved to the vicinity of Fort Leavenworth, organized in his quarters the Platte Valley Lodge No.
Kansas. At the age of eleven, Bill lost his father in the 32 of the A.F.& A.M. under the jurisdiction of the
Kansas border war. Bill's mother was a woman of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. Cody and Brown were
highest character and developed in him nobility of close friends, and it is likely that Cody petitioned
soul, fortitude and courage which endeared him to right away for membership. One of the offi cers of
the hearts of all who were destined to meet and know the Lodge was the post's physician, Dr. David Frank
him. She died when Bill who was still in his teens was Powell. Powell, later known as 'White Beaver,' became
serving with the Kansas Cavalry. fast friends with 'Buff alo Bill' and eventually died in
Cody, Wyoming. On his 24th birthday, Cody was
Following his father' death, Bill secured employment elected to membership. He was initiated March 6,
as a 'carrier boy' on a supply train. Later at age fourteen 1870 and passed April 2, 1870.
he obtained a lucrative job as a rider for the Pony
Express. Bill made the longest trip on record. Upon During 1870, Cody was involved in only one offi cial
reaching Th ree Crossings he learned that the rider at Indian fi ght. However, he was kept busy hunting and
Sweetwater had been killed and he was requested to guiding visiting dignitaries. One of those dignitaries
ride the next leg. He made a trip of 321 miles without Professor Othniel Marsh, a Yale paleontologist, was
stopping except for meals and to change horses. on his way to the Big Horn Basin to do some dinosaur
bone hunting. It is Marsh whom Cody credited for
At seventeen, Bill enlisted in the 9th Kansas Cavalry. exciting his interest in the Big Horn Basin country.
Later he served as a Scout in Tennessee and as a Trooper Cody also served in the capacity of Justice of the
in Missouri. In 1866 he married Louisa Frederici in St. Peace at Fort McPherson. He had been appointed
Louis. Bill contracted with the Goddard Brothers to by the army commander because he was the most
furnish the Kansas Pacifi c Railroad with all the buff alo reliable of the local civilian employees. In addition to
meat required to feed the laborers engaged in road performing routine chores such as marriages ('whom
construction and in eighteen months (1867-68) killed God and 'Buff alo Bill' have joined together let no man
4,280 buff alo which earned him the name by which put asunder'. Cody also served as a sort of unoffi cial
he is best known as "Buff alo Bill'. From September, detective and policeman. Certainly one of the biggest
1869, when he fi rst caught the notice of General Phil events in his life was the birth late in the year of his
Sheridan by some daring riding through Indian only son, Kit Carson Cody.
country, until December, 1872, when he resigned to go
on the stage, Cody was continuously on army payrolls On January 10, 1871, Cody was raised to the sublime
as a civilian scout. In July, 1869, he achieved some fame degree of Master Mason. Within a few months, he
for guiding the 5th Cavalry to its spectacular victory was cited for 'conspicuous and gallant conduct' for
at Summit Springs, Colorado. Th e troops returned in a skirmish on Bird Wood Creek, Nebraska. He also
August, 1869, to Fort McPherson, Nebraska. Cody felt began to achieve wider national fame as a guide for
sure enough of his employment to send for his wife. distinguished hunting parties. In September, 1871, he
Montana Freemason Page 17 March/April 2021 Volume 97 No. 2