Like many other people in the ‘Wild West’, William Cody had little schooling and could just about write his name. From the age of 11, he helped to support his family, working as a mounted messenger on wagon trains travelling to the West, and looking after livestock. These jobs helped him become a very good rider. After serving in the American Civil War (1861–1865) he made his living supplying buffalo (bison) meat to railway workers. At that time great herds of buffalo roamed the American prairies, and Cody's skill at shooting them gave him his nickname of ‘Buffalo Bill’.
Because of his riding and hunting skills, and also his knowledge of Native American ways, Buffalo Bill was in demand in the 1870s as a scout with the cavalry who were fighting the Native Americans. His skill at this and his various adventures – it is said that he killed and scalped a young chief called Yellow Hair – made him famous as a Western folk hero.
In 1872 he started appearing in stage shows about himself. Then from 1883, he started organizing his Wild West Show. This exhibition included horsemanship, shooting skills, mock battles, a buffalo hunt and lots of cowboys and Native Americans. The show featured such stars as Annie Oakley and, from 1885, Chief Sitting Bull. Buffalo Bill continued to star in this show until just two months before his death.
Because of his riding and hunting skills, and also his knowledge of Native American ways, Buffalo Bill was in demand in the 1870s as a scout with the cavalry who were fighting the Native Americans. His skill at this and his various adventures – it is said that he killed and scalped a young chief called Yellow Hair – made him famous as a Western folk hero.
In 1872 he started appearing in stage shows about himself. Then from 1883, he started organizing his Wild West Show. This exhibition included horsemanship, shooting skills, mock battles, a buffalo hunt and lots of cowboys and Native Americans. The show featured such stars as Annie Oakley and, from 1885, Chief Sitting Bull. Buffalo Bill continued to star in this show until just two months before his death.
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