BUFFALO BILL: HIS FINAL DAYS

No single individual has contributed more to the circus entertainment world than Colonel William F. Cody, Buffalo Bill of the old Wild West. Although he gained fame as a Pony Express rider, Indian scout and buffalo hunter, his greatest achievement was that of a showman. Bill Cody lived a life as active as it was varied and the massive publicity given him by ambitious dime novel writers during his time, though steeped in fiction, did much toward propelling his personality into a legendary hall of fame.

At the beginning of the year 1870 when the need for scouting and buffalo hunting declined, Cody, well groomed with the publicity he already enjoyed, started to tour the country as a theatrical performer, playing leading roles in stage plays that portrayed the rugged life on the Western Plains. To add color to his show, trick roping cowboys and dancing Indians were often included in the cast. For the next twelve years his stage shows enjoyed an enviable degree of success. His performances brought a sense of realism to remote audiences, who at best could only read about the West . . . poor people hungry for adventure knowing that they would never have the opportunity to travel and experience the rigors of frontier life.

From 1870 to 1882 the circus struggled financially due to poor management until 1883 when an enterprising and shrewd showman by the name of Nate Salisbury turn the circus into a profitable business. This marked the beginning of an era where the circus would continue to enjoy unprecedented success for the next twenty years both at home and abroad. It established a record in 1899 when it traveled over 11,000 miles with a 200 day season, setting up the show equipment in 132 different towns and giving a total of 341 matinee and evening performances.

During these years, Cody literally made and lost a fortune in a relatively short period of time. He was, by nature, a great spender and the large sums of money that rolled in during his successful years rolled out with equal ease.

1n 1902 Nate Salisbury died . James A. Bailey, also a showman and member of the famous Bailey Circus family, joined Cody as a partner and took over the duties of managing the circus. He was able to keep the circus financially sound until his death in 1907 and at the end of the season found itself in debt for the first time. The 1908-1910 season continue with its engagements but because of poor management during this period the liabilities grew and became a major concern.

At the end of 1910 season, Major Gordon W. Little (Pawnee Bill) got together with Cody, and the two conceived the idea of making a farewell tour together, a tour that was to last several years and resulted in the combining of of Lillie's "Far East" show with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Thus a partnership was formed and a new and briefly successful show, called Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Lillie's Great Far East Circus toured the country during the 1911 season making once again a profit. However, in 1912 the tables soon turned. Due to continuous bad weather and transportation difficulties and poor attendance new debts began to accumulate at an alarming rate as the circus traveled from town to town. Wild Bill Cody sought relief and signed a 6-month note for $20,000 to be paid in full in July of that year.

The 1912 circus itinerary included the town of Denver. Coincidentally the note became due and expired at the time they were to perform in Denver, and as they were to set up for the performance all activity was halted when the local sheriff served a writ attaching all of the property of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

A state of pandemonium developed as the circus closed down. Performs, many of them from far away with limited funds, found themselves without a job or funds to return home. Others like Annie Oakley, whose association with Cody had been a long and friendly one, were plunged into a darkness of sorrow and regret. During the few weeks preceding final foreclosure action, Cody and Lillie tried hard to raise enough money in order to get their circus out of its legal predicament. The odds were too great and they failed in their efforts. As a result the circus faded away in the din of a large Denver public auction. Colorful wagons, horses, show animals, tents, railroad cars and other circus accessories were sold to the highest bidder.

Although the auction paid off the $20,000 debt due his creditor, many more were demanding that their accounts be paid too and soon, Lillie sued Cody in an attempt to recover some of his loses. With his circus gone friends state that this period was one of the most depressing of periods of his entire life. He headed back home in Cody, Wyoming, badly shaken but not not ready for retirement. Over the next several years he traveled with other smaller circuses and presented plans in 1913 to make a movie with Essanay Film Studios in Hollywood playing the leading role in the reconstruction of the Battle at Wounded Knee.

At the beginning of 1914 season Cody now was 68 years old, traveled with the Sells-Floto Circus. He rode in the parade line-up and appeared in the arena where he demonstrated his marksmanship by popping clay balls. At the seasons end he became more and more dissatisfied with his part and found it difficult to play the part of a circus performer. Cody continued to travel in the circus world with other shows. He left the show for the last time in 1916 and returned to Cody, Wyoming and for reasons friends did not understand it was a mystery why he wanted to return to Denver. He took sick on the long 600 mile train ride and after receiving medical attention he was sent to another doctor, Dr. Cook) in Glenwood Springs, Colorado for therapeutic treatment in the hot mineral spring water. It was difficult trip and he collapsed after reaching Colorado Springs. The doctor took him back to Denver arriving there on January 6, 1917 and he appeared to be recovering when his condition took a relapse. He died of uremic poisoning on January 10, 1917.

Colonel William F. Cody, the Buffalo Bill of the old wild West, continues to pervade in the minds and hearts of his followers and fans on into the 21st century through their children. He was one of the greatest showman and entertainers, and his "larger than life" persona and his tales and enactments of the great frontier was his legacy and gift to a country he loved.

Excerpts taken from an article in a vintage pulp magazine: THE WEST, True stories of the old West. Dec. 66.

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