b'By Jim and Bobbi Jeen Olson,WesternTradingPost.comC hris LeDoux, a world champion rodeo cowboy turnedwagon train, and delivering messages between drivers andCollaboration with Sitting Bull: Cody formed a friendship singer, once sang a line that resonates with rodeoworkmen. By 15, he became a rider for the Pony Express. and professional bond with the renowned Lakota Sioux cowboys worldwide: You pull in off the highway tochief, Sitting Bull, who, along with other Native Americans, another rodeo. To another crowd of people think its just aNickname: While initially named William Frederick Cody,participated in Cody\'s Wild West shows, providing an Wild West show. he earned the moniker "Buffalo Bill" during his stint as aauthentic touch to the events.buffalo hunter for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, supplying While you may not think much about the origins of today\'smeat to railroad workers. Cody, Wyoming: In 1896, Buffalo Bill founded Cody, rodeo, it does indeed trace its roots deep into the WildWyoming, envisioning it as an ideal settlement for settlers West show arena - with none other than Buffalo Bill CodyMilitary Service: Cody served in the Union Army\'sand tourists, reflecting his idyllic vision of the American standing as the most renowned producer of the early days. Company H, 7th Kansas Cavalry during the American CivilWest. The town served as the eastern gateway to Yellowstone War from 1863 to 1865. Post-war, he served as a civilianNational Park.The legacy of William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Codyscout during the Indian Wars.(February 26, 1846January 10, 1917) is well-documented,Famous Connections: Beyond Sitting Bull and Ned but here we\'ll delve into the Wild West aspect. Cody\'s show,Medal of Honor: In 1872, Cody was honored with theBuntline, Cody cultivated relationships with iconic figures inaugurated in 1883 in North Platte, Nebraska, is oftenMedal of Honor for gallantry as an Army scout, a rareof his era, including Annie Oakley, Wild Bill Hickok, hailed as the pioneer of its kind. It wasn\'t the first Wild Westdistinction for a civilian. However, in 1917, the award wasCalamity Jane, Pawnee Bill, and even Queen Victoria of show or cowboy contest, but it stood out as the largest andrevoked as part of Congress\'s decision to reevaluate priorEngland.most remarkable. Medal of Honor awards and make it a military distinction.Financial Ruin: Buffalo Bill\'s Wild West faced financial Buffalo Bill had already dabbled in show business priorBecoming a Legend: In 1869, Cody\'s encounters with Nedchallenges, leading to its closure in 1913. By the time of to 1883 gaining national fame through a dime novel byBuntline resulted in a highly embellished story published inhis death in 1917, Cody\'s once-substantial fortune had Ned Buntline titled "The Scouts of the Plains. In 1872, hethe New York Weekly. Buntline\'s subsequent novel, "Buffalosignificantly dwindled, marking the end of an era.began starring in a theatrical adaptation of the book. ForBill, King of the Border Men," played a huge role in Cody\'s the subsequent decade, Cody, often portraying himself,rise to become a legend in his own time. Buffalo Bill\'s enduring legacy lives on through the history participated in various plays termed "border dramas.of the Wild West show, the town of Cody, Wyoming, and These productions featured real-life frontier characters,Wild West Show: Buffalo Bill\'s Wild West shows,various books, films, and works inspired by his remarkable Native Americans, sharpshooting, and morelaying theincorporating sharpshooting, rodeo events, and theatricallife. His name remains synonymous with the American foundation for what would eventually morph into Buffaloperformances based upon his exploits on the Frontier,frontier, solidifying his place as an iconic figure in American Bills Wild West showand eventually, rodeos. toured the United States and Europe. These shows, starringhistory. Cody himself, laid the foundation for future forms of From its inception, Cody\'s show captivated audiences withpopular entertainment.portrayals of frontier events, featuring everything from a stage attack to Pony Express races and a reenactment of Custers Last Stand. They showcased cowboy skills like steer roping, rope tricks, bronc riding, and marksmanship.Jim Olson of Western Trading Post Joins Another National Cody hired actual working cowboys and frontiersmen for these events, and notable rodeo figures like Bill Pickett, WillCollectors Boards and Prepares for Wickenburg ExpansionRogers, and Tom Mix worked in Codys Wild West Show at various times. CASA GRANDE, AZJim Olson, lead auctioneer and general manager of Western Trading Post, has recently taken on a new role as a board member of In 1893, the show became "Buffalo Bill\'s Wild West andyet another prominent National Collectors Associations. For the last two years, Congress of Rough Riders of the World, growing over theOlson has been the Vice President of the National Bit, Spur and Saddle Collector years to include hundreds of cast and crew members. ItAssociation (NBSSCA), and in October 2023, he was also elected to the board of toured extensively, both in the United States and Europe,the Colt Collectors Association (CCA) during their annual convention.amassing international success and turning Cody into aOlson expressed his dedication to this role, stating, I am honored to serve the global celebrity. collecting world through these great associations. I am passionate about western Buffalo Bill\'s Wild West show influenced 20th-centurycollectibles, and I feel a strong sense of duty to bridge the gap between the depictions of the West in film and literature, also playing aoutgoing Collectors, (who are slowly aging out) and the next generation. Getting pivotal role in the birth of early-day rodeo. Many cowboythe younger generation interested and preserving the history is very important.events popularized in the Wild West arena, such as roping,Western Trading Post, situated in Casa Grande\'s historic district in Arizona, offers a diverse range of riding, and bulldogging, found a lasting place in the rodeogenuine Western Americana, Native American collectibles, and historic firearms. Its rich heritage dates arena. As the Wild West era gradually faded due to factorsback to the Arizona Territorial days of the late 19th century.like World War I, motion pictures, and changing spectator interests, rodeos emerged as condensed versions of the WildJim Olson, leading the team, has played a pivotal role in the Trading Post\'s significant milestones, West shows.including a notable auction where a squash blossom necklace set a world record and sold for $112,000, showcasing their commitment to quality Western collectibles.Buffalo Bill later had financial difficulties which eventually led to the disbursement of his show in 1913. The era of theFor two years, the Trading Post has also entertained the public through a reality TV show broadcastedWild West ended in 1917, with Buffalo Bill\'s passing, but itson The Cowboy Channel and Great American Westerns, with additional content available on their legacy lives on. Today, rodeo remains the public\'s source forYouTube channel.a nostalgic "Wild West" experience, keeping alive the spirit of the American frontier. In exciting news, Western Trading Post is expanding its reach with a new location set to open in Wickenburg in 2024. This expansion will allow even more enthusiasts to experience the thrill of live Now here are 10 interesting facts aboutauctions and the beauty of Western heritage.Buffalo Bill Cody: For more information about Western Trading Post, to watch past episodes of their TV show, or to learn Early Life: At the age of 11, following his father\'s death,about our upcoming auctions, please visit WesternTradingPost.com.Cody began working for a freight carrier as an errand boy." His responsibilities included riding along with the 32 December 2023'