, 1927-07-20
y. S. Senator John B. kendrick Pays
G Tribute To His Friend Colonel Cody
The Museum Association Publishes Complete Text
of His Observation-Disclosures

There have been so many and
such constant requests, both from
Cody and the Buffalo Bill country,
as well as from away, for the full
speeches delivered at the dedication
of the Buffalo Bill museum on July
4th hat the Museum association
has decided to publish in full the
various speeches. This week the
brilliant tribute to Colonel Cody,
the town and state builder, the de-
voted friend of Wyoming, rs given
at the dedication by his very close
friend of many years. Senator John
B. Kendrick of Wyoming, is pub
lished in full. Senator Kendrick
and Colonel Cody, both ranch men.
keen for the growth and success of
the young. state of wyoming,
formed a close relationship in the
early days and for many years were
working together for the state.
When Keudrick became Governor
he at once made Colonel Cody a
general of the state troops. and this
honor so pleased Cody that he had
the commission framed and carried
it about in a place of honor in his
private car. Senator Kendrick has
always been prompt to sponsor any
honor for Colonel Cody. and he
made a special effort to get here for
the dedication, at which time he
spoke for the state and its rela-
tionship to the last of the great
scouts, William Frederick Cody, as
follows:
Colonel Cody
ut is a privilege for me to join
with you today in dedicating this
splendid museum to the memory of
our friend, the late Colonel w. F.
Cody, and L endorse in a few
words the splendid tribute reflect
ing upon his life and work, to
which we have been listening.
"In the presence of many OF you
who knew Colonel Cody and claimed
him as a friend no words of mine
could add to his record or to his
fame. l shall, therefore, detain
you but a brief time in referring
to a few impressions gained from a
personal acquaintance and friend
ship extending over a neriod of sew
eral years.
Unique N Striking Character
"It is not an e~xaggeration to say
that we are commemorating the life
of one of the most unique and
striking characters produced by the
incidents and influences surround
ing the settlement of the west.
Life Typical of West
"A record of genuine service gave
Colonel Cody fame as a scout. Thru
his spectacular success in portray
ing and dramatizing the life of the
west he came to be accepted as
typical of that region. 1t was but
natural under such circumstances
twined with the songs and romances
of the time and territory in which
he lived.
Life an Epochal One
TT is equally true hat his life
was in a sense epochal. He saw
the beginning and the end OF the
historical movement which resulted
in the settlement of the white race
in the great empire west Of the Mis-
souri, river. 1t was his privilege to
render definite service in aiding and
promoting that movement. He was
instrumental in creating the atmos-
phere typical of that time.
Remembered as a Builder
while famous as a scout, sue
cessful as a Snowman. those who
-.vw Colonel Cody best are COM
relied to believe that 1t was az a
builder that he would be remem-
bered. with prophetic vision he
realized early the possibilities of
growth and development of our new
commonwealth and the last years
of his life gave ample evidence of
his devotion to Wyoming by invest
ing every available dollar he had
within her borders.
Citizen of Wyoming
Though recognized as a national
character, we of Wyoming may with
consistency assert our rights to
claim him as a citizen over other
states. For many years before his
death he claimed this community
as his home.
Love of the Frontier
at Is eaGy TO believe that he was
actuated in locating in this com
munity because he recognized 1t az
one of the last sections in which
the frontier spirit prevailed.
Pioneer in Work of Reclamation
His influence upen the develop
ment Of the state can hardly b'
overestimated. He was one OF the
first to build permanently. Tn
canal that bears his name was a
the time a daring venture to b'