s Nebraska's state senators return to the Unicameral
for this year's legislative session, it's a good time to
think about the state senator that Nebraska almost
elected in 1872: William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody.
Most Nebraskans know that the famous Army scout and
Western showman served at Fort McPherson and had a home
and ranch in North Platte – today's Buffalo Bill Ranch State
Historical Park. In 1872 some of his friends decided that
his name recognition would make him a strong political
candidate. They secured for him the Democratic nomination
for the 26th District seat in the Nebraska Senate. The district
included the counties of Buffalo, Cheyenne, Dawson,
Franklin, Harlan, Kearney and Lincoln, as well as some
unorganized territory.
As a Democrat, Cody had little hope of being elected
from the predominately Republican district. And he wasn't
the most enthusiastic candidate. He later wrote in his
autobiography, "I cared very little about it, and therefore
made no effort whatever to secure my election."
But the Cody name proved a powerful draw. The returns
filed with the Board of Canvassers located in Lincoln County
gave Cody a narrow but surprising victory over his opponent,
D. T. Ashburn of Gibbon. Cody won by just 44 votes.
One of the oddities of Nebraska geography is that the
city of Lincoln is not in Lincoln County. North Platte is in
Lincoln County. As it turned out, confusion on this point
made a difference in the election.
Ashburn supporters immediately contested the results,
charging that the returns were incomplete. An investigation
revealed that the county clerk of Harlan County had
mistakenly sent his returns not to Lincoln County, but to the
city of Lincoln. These additional votes gave Ashburn the
majority.
"Senator" Cody never appeared at the Capitol to claim
his seat. When the legislature convened, it awarded Ashburn
the seat. By that time, Buffalo Bill was already in New York
opening his first stage production. Cody's eventual success
in show business no doubt amply compensated him for his
"failure" in politics. ■
Visit the Nebraska State Historical Society's website at
nebraskahistory.org.
A Brief History
By the Nebraska State Historical Society
Opposite: Cody with the famous Lakota chief Sitting Bull,
circa 1880. NSHS RG3004-23-45068
A
Nebraska Senator
Buffalo Bill Cody?
William "Buffalo Bill" Cody as an Army scout, circa 1870.
NSHS RG3004-6
12 NEBRASKAland • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018
