Billy Cody's parents died at a young age, leaving him and his siblings orphaned. Thankfully, by this time, the oldest sister was old enough to provide for her family.
Cody accomplished much in his long life. He was a scout for the Army, a Pony Express Rider, and railroad laborer. It was about the time that Cody was working for the Pony Express that he met Wild Bill Hickok, whom he did some scouting with to recover some stolen horses.
While he was working for the railroad, Cody earned the nickname that he is still known by today--Buffalo Bill. Through a challenge from another man, Billy killed many buffalo, eventually reaching an estimated total of over 4000.
Cody married Louisa Frederici, a woman he met in St. Louis. Eventually the two would have three children: two girls, Arta and Orra, and a son, Kit Carson Cody. Tragically, two of Billy's children died at a young age.
The man Cody seems to have been a great paradox. He was heavily responsible for the disappearance of the buffalo, yet he was also an animal conservationalist. He and Louisa had many problems throughout their marriage, at one point even discussing divorce because of his drinking and womanizing, but he avidly stood up for women's rights.
Probably best known for the Wild West show that he designed; Cody travelled the world and became a millionaire, yet he died penniless.
Billy died February 10, 1917 in Denver, Colorado. He is buried at Lookout Mountain, close to Denver.
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