William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody

William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917) was an American showman in the late 19th century. He earned his nickname after allegedly slaughtering over 4,280 bison in eight months.

In Martian Dreams, Cody was transported to Mars in the accidental launch of Percival Lowell's space bullet at its exhibition at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. As the group stranded on the red planet acclimated to their fate, he and Martha "Calamity Jane" Cannary Burke set up a trading post by Arsia Mons to provide supplies and oxium to the humans on the planet. At this trading post, Cody was responsible for trading ammunition and "trail goods," while Jane sold clothing and oxium.

When the Avatar first spoke with him in Martian Dreams, Cody complained of dwindling supplies of oxium, owing to the fact that their regular supplier, Cooter McGee, had been missing. Jane suggested that the hero's company head over to Cooter's dwelling at Noctis Labyrinthus to find out what became of him. To supply the party for the trek to the prospector's home, Jane asked Cody to give them a small supply of oxium to keep them in good condition. He also furnished them with a quantity of purple berries to allow them to telekinetically move the wooden planks needed to bridge the chasms in the caves.

Trivia

 * In 1893 (the year in which the fictional Lowell expedition takes place), Cody was, in fact, present for the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The promoters of the event rejected Cody's request to exhibit his Wild West show at the exposition proper, so Cody set up shop next door to the fair.
 * In 1895 (the year in which Martian Dreams place) Cody was instrumental in working towards the founding of the city of Cody, Wyoming. Presumably, in the game's chronology, he set to work on this project after his return from Mars.