Deposition A.
Case of Louise M. Wynkoop, Ct. No. 359,641
    On this 11th day of Sept. 1895, at Harrisburg, County of Dauphin State of Pa., before me, Jere. Connolly, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared W. F. Cody, who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 50; occupation, show-man; P.O. address, North Platte Nebr.
    I became acquainted with soldier in 1868, when he was Indian Agent at Ft. Larned, Kans. He then appeared healthy as far as I could see; I met him at irregular intervals after that until about 10 years ago, when he was timber inspector at Denver, Colorado. I never heard him complain of any trouble of back, kidneys or bladder and never noticed any symptoms of these diseases. I was not his scout during the war. [in Many time(?)]. His widow's statement and military history did not refresh my memory.
    I freely understand given questions and my answers are correct as recorded.
    [Signed]W. F. Cody

Submitted and sworn to before me this 11th day of Sept. 1895, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
    Jere. Connolly
    Special Exr.

Source:

W. F. Cody, "Deposition A. in the Case of Louise M. Wynkoop", Edward W. Wynkoop Government Pension File, Certificate No. 359,641, Deposition dated September 11, 1895.

    The back pain Ned was suffering from at the time of his death was most probably caused by Bright's disease, and not the fall from the horse years earlier, in Denver.

    Bright's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the kidneys, the same disease that probably led to the death his older brother, George Wynkoop in 1866. Technically it's an inflammation of the structures in the kidney that produce urine. In acute cases, there is severe inflammation, renal insufficiency, swelling, increased blood pressure and severe back pain. Britannica Micropaedia Vol. 2 (1985 Ed.)

    I'd really like to thank Kevin Wynkoop, [email protected], of Visalia, California for sending me a copy of "Buffalo Bill" Cody's deposition for Ned Wynkoop's widow, Louise. The fellow who took down Cody's deposition, Jere. Connolly, had such bad handwriting that it's taken me more than three years to arrive at a semi-satisfactory transcription of Buffalo Bill's statement. Cody's statement was taken down in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania exactly four years to the day after Ned Wynkoop died.

    Kevin is one of Ned's great-great-grandsons and a fine family historian in his own right.

    (If you get the chance, Kevin, drop me a line. I don't have your current email address and I'd like to get back in touch.).

    All my best,

    Chris