Frank and Luther North of Columbus ranked among the West's notable fighting men as leaders of the Pawnee Scouts. The Pawnee, living at their nearby reservation, eagerly cooperated with the Army against their hereditary enemies the Sioux and Cheyenne. Organized as a fighting unit in 1864, the Scouts took part in the Powder River Campaigns of 1865 and 1876-1877, the Republican River Campaign of 1869, and the protection of builders on the first transcontinental railroad from 1867 to 1869. William F. Cody, known as "Buffalo Bill" and later Frank North's ranching partner, first became associated with him in the campaign that ended with the battle of Summit Springs in 1869. Frank North commanded the Scouts and was known to the Pawnee as Pani Leshar, or Pawnee Chief, while Luther assisted on most of the campaigns. Both brothers spoke Pawnee, and mutual respect and affection existed between them and the Indian soldiers. Other Columbus men, including Lt. Gustavus G. Becher, also served as officers of the Scouts. After the Pawnee moved to Oklahoma in 1875, the North brothers lived in Columbus for the rest of their lives.