Tammy Wurtherington read this book to Cedric, Zeke, and Polly in book six and seven of the Wurtherington Diary series. History suggests that this may well have been the most influential dime novel in the 1800's. It was first published in the New York Weekly beginning December 23, 1869 as a serialized story. The story was reprinted many times such that Buffalo Bill became one of the most recognizable names of the era. William F. Cody capitalized upon the fame and produced Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. It quickly became a sensation that played throughout the world.The beginning part of the novel dealt with William F. Cody's life in the West and is reprinted here from a copy found in Tammy's shed.