CODY, WILLIAM FREDERICK (1846-1917 ), American scout and showman, known under the name of "Buffalo Bill," was born in 1846 in Scott county, Iowa. He was a rider of the "Pony Express," a mail service established in the spring of 1860 by the Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Company to carry the mails overland from St. Joseph, Mo. to Sacramento, Calif., a distance of 1,950m., by means of relays of ponies, each rider being expected to cover about 75m. daily. When the "Pony Express" was discontinued in 1861, upon the completion of the Pacific Telegraph Company's line, young Cody became a scout and guide for the U.S. army. In 1863 he enlisted in the 7th Regiment of Kansas cavalry, in which he served until the close of the Civil War. In 1867 he made a contract with the Kansas Pacific railway to furnish its employees with buffalo meat while the line was being extended through the wilderness, whence arose the name "Buffalo Bill." In 1868-72 he was again an army scout and guide, serving against the Sioux and Cheyennes; and in 1872 was a member of the Nebraska house of representa tives. During the Sioux-Cheyenne war of 1876 he served in the 5th U.S. cavalry, and at the battle of Indian Creek killed the Cheyenne chief, Yellow Hand, in single combat. In 1883 he organized his "Wild West Show," a spectacular performance on a large scale, his first European tour taking place in 1887. In the Nebraska national guard he again served against the Sioux in 189o-91. He died in Denver, Colo., on Jan. Io. 1917, and was buried in a tomb blasted from solid rock on Lookout mountain, tom. from Denver.