Northeast Route 2001

Calamity Jane: Heroine of the Plains

              She was known as the “Wildcats Kitten, Wild Girl and Booze Fighter.” She was also a thief, a drunk, a gambler and a prostitute. Yet she is still known as a true western heroine of the plains. Even though many aspects of her life were reckless and were woven with lies she has become a well-known and even respected legend. Her mystery intrigues us and her vivacious life thrills us to the point we need to learn more. This women has helped shape what we know as the old west and has lived a life that serves as a historical guideline to all of us. She has also successfully accomplished many of her duties while working in the army just to better serve the friends she respected.  Some who knew her say she was “part good, part bad,” but through it all her extraordinary legacy has survived and has carried on and brought forth some remembrance and recollection of her and the times in which she lived. She has most often been associated with Wild Bill and North Dakota. She serves as a bond and a golden link to the bygone days, which are sometimes dismissed and taken for granted with the tumult of our everyday lives. She is none other than the legendary Calamity Jane.

She was born in Princeton Missouri on May 1, 1852.  Her real name was Martha Jane Canary. The nickname “Calamity Jane” would be bestowed on her some years later.  Calamity was the oldest of her two brothers and her three sisters. Not much has been uncovered on this subject along with many other aspects of her life. She loved the great outdoors and had a great fondness for horses. From an early age she knew how to ride like the wind and had a stubbornness about her that would serve as a trademark throughout her life. She was the daughter of an abusive failed farmer and an unreformed prostitute. They had both been natives of Ohio. Not much has ever been said about her parents, only that they were not the ideal couple to raise a family. (Walter 51-53, “Calamity Jane” Autobiography 1)

 In the year 1864 the Canary family came out to the southwestern Montana territory to start a new life. This was a great journey for all of them but would eventually end in sorrow. They migrated with another group of people who her father knew traveling on an overland route, mostly men. The voyage began in Princeton and traveled the route that would eventually lead to Virginia City. On this journey Calamity became a renowned shot and an excellent rider for a girl of her age. She spent her days hunting with the other men from the group and gained her hardy ways. She loved anything adventurous and dangerous even if it meant risking her life. The journey took them a total of five months before  they finally reached their destination.  Five months after their arrival they uprooted again, this time to Salt Lake Utah. Then in December of the same year, the family was really down on its luck. They had fallen on hard times and had absolutely nowhere to turn. Calamity, as well as her three sisters, was forced to the streets to survive on handouts. The family either lived on streets or crammed into a rundown hotel room. The Canaries’ money problems were escalating. A short while after getting settled in Utah her father died. The family and its values completely fell apart. The children and their mother then left for Alder Gulch, thinking they could run from their problems. At some point within the years 1860 and 1865 the family left to go to the mining town of Blackfoot City. This is the place of her mothers’ death.  The parents left the children with absolutely nothing. Calamity was hurtled into the unforgiving world at age 15. This is where her perilous journey began. (Walter  51-53)

The three children then split up, homeless, without parents, money or a trace of hope. Martha then pursued the life of a prostitute. She lost track of her siblings soon after and on no account rejoined with them. She spent her younger years working in saloons. There she learned to drink, play cards, shoot, ride and create quite a reputation for herself, hence the name Booze Fighter. She got herself in quite a bit of trouble with the law for drunken rages and other violations to public property and just plain being a nuisance.  In a book by Dave Walter she states that  she acquired her name from Lieutenant James Egan in the early 1870’s. She had rescued him from sure death. He had been captured by a group of aggressive Sioux Indians and she one handedly seized him back and returned him to his fort. But not long after that he threw her off the army post because she was actually living in the men’s barracks.  The funny thing is “Calamity” and “Jane” are both slang names for venereal diseases.(Walter 52-55)

One of the smartest things that Calamity did was joining General Custer. The army kept her out of some trouble and she received knowledgeable guidance and excellent experience in different fields.  As soon as she was in the company of other soldiers at the fort she donned the uniform of a soldier. Prior to that she had always wore the clothing of her sex but she eventually became comfortable in men’s attire.   She had arrived at Custer Fort in the spring of 1874 and remained there all summer and into the fall.  In the next few years’ different soldiers, whom she became very good friends with, almost always accompanied Calamity.  This is where Calamity served as an Indian scout and a very important dispatcher. One time Calamity was forced to ride a grueling 90 miles to deliver a very important package to Deadwood, the conditions being as harsh and wet as they were caused her to be stricken with a severe illness. This landed Calamity in the hospital for 14 long horrific days. She had ventured within an inch of her life.  As soon as she recovered she returned to employment. This just goes to show how deeply dedicated she was to her duties for the army she served. Calamity stayed in Deadwood until 1877 and then went to reside in Crook City.  She then roamed to different forts and town living a somewhat peaceful life.   She traveled amongst different cavalries and even took up a ranch and opened it to travelers needing a good nights rest and a hot meal. She did have many exciting adventures almost losing her life while crossing a river with her trusted horse when the current was a stronger force than them.  But after living that “quiet” life for a decade people were anxious to see her return to deadwood once again. Upon her return to society she gave herself the name “White devil of Yellowstone.” (“Calamity Jane autobiography” 2)

Throughout the years and into the 1950s it was said that Calamity was simply a low class prostitute. She would ride her horse after trains and ride them from town to town. It was probably at this point when the nickname Wild Girl was born. (John K. Hutchens) Still, in her lifetime she had many different types of occupations. Not all of them were law abiding but Calamity did what she knew best. From this point up until her death she pursued the life of an “Army Scout, a mule skinner, a mid-wife, a vigilante, a nurse, Indian fighter, lawman, gambler, thief, a dispatch rider stage coach driver, a drunk, a consort to Wild Bill Hicock and a Robin hood thief.” In all of these areas she had outstanding expertise. Many were respectable and she worked very hard at them.  (Walter 53)

In a book by Judith Alter, Calamity’s appearance had come across being very manly.  She had a very rough and rugged look about her. Many people who knew her have quoted her to have been “very unattractive.” She had black hair and high cheekbones.  Her looks and facial characteristics were similar to those of an Indian. Calamity was very tall, big, and muscular. Not only her visual appearance but also her physical manner was like those of a man.    When people encountered her they were intimidated by her masculinity. Her voice was a very deep down and monotonous tone and she wore rugged clothing like worn down leather chaps, long cotton shirts and old boots.  Many thought her style of riding was very inappropriate for women of that day and age. She of course had learned this manner from the living as a soldier. (Hutchens Pgs. 80 –84, Alter Pg.50)

Her family life is another immense uncertainty. Throughout her life she had thirteen different husbands. Each marriage ended almost as soon as it began.  Her lifestyle was just not right for a structured family. Her frequent moves and outrageous habits not only completely ruled out the scenario of a family and kids but any long-term relationships. I’m sure you have heard of the prominent Wild Bill Hicock. He ran the all to famous “Wild West Show” that was very successful in portraying western acts and many other forms of entertainment like the escapade of Lewis and Clark. Calamity had a life long infatuation with the great American gunfighter up until his death. In 1870 her and Wild Bill were seen riding into Deadwood together and hanging around in the same saloons.  Many people jumped to the conclusion that they were together and rumors arose. When questioned on this topic both replied, “We are just dear friends.” That year Wild Bill was tragically shot in the back while playing cards at a local saloon.  She then tracked down his assassin, the notorious Jack McCall and cornered him in Shurdys’ butchers shop. She threatened him with a large knife and spat in his face, wanting him to know she looked down on him for his disdainful murder. He was then taken to the jail to be tried and hanged but he escaped. He was soon tracked down and was hung for the murder of Mr. Hicock.  To the knowledge of the public she never had any children but the truth is, she did.  She had two daughters both were fathered by her companion Mr. Burke. Unfortunately, but not to a surprise they were given up for adoption immediately immediately.  Some years later, Janie Burke returned and claimed to be Calamities’ daughter but not all people believed her because it was not investigated completely. In 1891 she married Clinton Burke a hack driver, after living with him for seven years. Some say that between the years of 1885 and 1895 Jane lived in domestic bliss in Texas or Colorado as Mrs. Martha Burke.  This is also said to be false, most say she was at a ranch down in Wyoming trying to sober up.  (“Calamity Jane Internet article” Pgs 1-3)

Although her life was somewhat reckless there was still an extraordinary woman who had a willful heart and a strong soul and whose bravery was unsurpassed. Pulsating acts of heroism made her who she is and who she remains to be today. Calamities good deeds truly were astonishing but the best part was that they were true, to herself and others. When the Small Pox plaque struck down on small mining camps and towns and many miners were stricken with the horrible epidemic she helped nurse the sick when everyone else turned their backs. She moved into an isolated penthouse and fed and bathed the sufferers. She did this for months and even risked her life of getting the serious disease. There were numerous fatalities due to this plaque. She did it all for nothing, except the great feeling that she had paid something back to society. (Dorothy M. Johnson) Another event that occurred in 1876 also showed citizens Calamity wasn’t as hard-core and ruthless as her reputation had permanently, time and time again portrayed her to be. A stagecoach driver had been shot while transporting a group of people on to Deadwood.  The team of horses was out of control. They were galloping across the rundown plains and the stagecoach was very dilapidated and near destruction. Calamity soon observed the coach was being pursued by a band of Indians. At that moment Calamity Jane took action, stopping the stampeding animals and saving the lives of the six passengers on board. They of course arrived safely and right on time. (“Cowgirl” Internet article & Calamity Jane autobiography Pg. 3)

In almost every source there was a different tale, different story or legacy about her and her family. I want to bring into the light and emphasize all the uncharted paths in her life.  Hidden links to the truth. So we must begin at the very beginning, her childhood.  Was her father really the abusive drunken man he was said to be? Many facts have led up to the theory of him being a respected soldier and a good father. And her unreformed mother, she might have just been caring and loving and kept up a good home. An internet article on Women of the West states yet another story. It is that she had lived with her mother and father until she was around the age of ten.  Then one day a band of hostile warrior Sioux broke into their country home killing both her mother and father.  After that horrific episode she and any remaining siblings were sent to an army camp and raised by soldiers that had known her father well.  This is she is said to have met captain Egan and acquired her trademark habits. After living in the company of such burly men for most of her younger life she assimilated some of there manly qualities. This event would have taken its historical tole long before the tale of the families continuous moves from town to town.  Many sources don’t even know her date of birth. Was the trail of bad family fortunes, constant moves and horrible living conditions all part of the story to add to the ruggedness of Calamity? No, it was just a clash in thinking of those who told her legacy. As her live progressed so did the peoples thoughts about her. Shunned by some, praised by others, the viewpoint of her life differs from person to person, from author to author. So the truth remains hidden. Only Calamity Jane herself knows. (All “Calamity Jane” sources)

            In a little mining camp up in the black hills called Terry, Calamity Jane was living her last moments, breathing her last. Prior to her terrible illness she had been making her money selling a pamphlet on her life for a quarter.  She was worn out and run down. In 1903 she died of inflammation of the bowels. She had been sick for a long time and could not elude the inevitable. She had a horrible infection that was spreading and grew very weak with no chance of recovery. She was only 59 years old. (Hutchens) Her funeral was the largest ever to be held in Deadwood for a woman, pretty amazing considering all of the controversy. She had requested to be buried next to her life long love, Wild Bill Hicock. Her final wish was granted. She is buried right next to him at Mount Mariah Cemetery. (“Calamity Jane” Internet art. Pg 1-3, Johnson Pg. 106)

She accomplished so much yet we learned so little. In 1903 a life was just ending but her story and knowledge were just beginning to circulate throughout the country. Right after her death, even before the word was spread many people in surrounding states knew her name and recalled her accomplishments. Her great legacy was just really setting foot. At the time of her death she had no living relatives that she knew about and barely any friends. The only memorial dedicated to her was an engraved tombstone next to wild Bill in her grave sight. It was built at the time by some who thought that she did some good and need to be remembered.  They were right. Since then there has not been another remembrance or memorial built in her honor. There is however a commemorative clothing store called “Calamity Jane” completely dedicated to her style of clothing.  It is almost sad that there has not been another monument dedicated in her tribute considering she may have changed the history of some peoples live and their generations of family yet to come.  (“Calamity Jane” art. Pg.3-4)

            The Heroine of the Plains may have passed on and faded years ago but her memory is still intact with us today. Her Good Samaritan values remain true today and help us maintain ideals that structure our lives. Wild girl and Booze fighter are simply nicknames that have darkly shadowed the real knowledge of a heroic woman. From her treacherous rescues to her soft touch to sufferers she has left her mark in American history. Her life was harsh from the very beginning but the obstacles she has overcome are astonishing.  Her finger and footprints have surely blown away with the dust and the old west has been annihilated and completely changed forever to the point of no return but Calamity will not let the historical blur of the past forever forget her legacy.