Grave of Sam Cody – Long Grove, IA
N 41° 41.738 W 090° 35.000
15T E 701100 N 4618805
“Buffalo Bill” Cody’s older brother.
Waymark Code: WM306N
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 01/19/2008
Views: 80
Sam Cody was the older brother of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody. He died from injuries as a result of a horse riding accident. In later years, his younger sister Helen Cody Wetmore, wrote in “Last of the Great Scouts”
“Of the good, old-fashioned sort was our family, numbering five daughters and two sons -- Martha, Samuel, Julia, William, Eliza, Helen, and May. Samuel, a lad of unusual beauty of face and nature, was killed through an unhappy accident before he was yet fourteen.
He was riding "Betsy Baker," a mare well known among old settlers in Iowa as one of speed and pedigree, yet displaying at times a most malevolent temper, accompanied by Will, who, though only seven years of age, yet sat his pony with the ease and grace that distinguished the veteran rider of the future. Presently Betsy Baker became fractious and sought to throw her rider. In vain did she rear and plunge; he kept his saddle. Then, seemingly, she gave up the fight, and Samuel cried, in boyish exultation:
"Ah, Betsy Baker, you didn't quite come it that time!"
His last words! As if she knew her rider was a careless victor off his guard, the mare reared suddenly and flung herself upon her back, crushing the daring boy beneath here.”
On September 11, 1853, Sam Cody died from his injuries.
Sam’s death devastated his mother and a change of scene was advised. Soon after, the Cody family moved to Kansas.