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The Wild West's Most Notorious Woman: The Autobiography of Calamity Jane

Ronald Simmons

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Martha Jane Canary, better known as Calamity Jane, was a legendary figure of the American Wild West. She was a frontierswoman, stagecoach driver, sharpshooter, and scout. She was also a notorious woman, known for her drinking, gambling, and fighting. But behind the tough exterior was a woman with a heart of gold.

The Autobiography of Calamity Jane

by KYOSUKE KOGURE

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	264 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	18 pages

In her autobiography, Calamity Jane tells her story in her own words. She recounts her adventures as a frontierswoman, stagecoach driver, sharpshooter, and scout. She also talks about her relationships with some of the most famous figures of the Wild West, including Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok.

The Autobiography of Calamity Jane is a fascinating and revealing account of the life of one of the most iconic figures of the American Wild West. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Wild West or in the life of Calamity Jane.

Early Life

Martha Jane Canary was born on May 1, 1852, in Princeton, Missouri. Her parents were Robert and Charlotte Canary, and she had two older sisters, Mary and Sarah. Martha Jane's father was a farmer and her mother was a schoolteacher. The family moved to Virginia City, Montana, in 1865, when Martha Jane was thirteen years old.

Martha Jane was a tomboy from an early age. She loved to ride horses, shoot guns, and play with the boys. She was also a skilled seamstress and cook.

Frontierswoman

In 1868, Martha Jane left home to work as a cook for the U.S. Army. She served at Fort Russell in Wyoming and Fort Laramie in Nebraska. During her time at Fort Russell, she met Wild Bill Hickok. The two became friends and eventually lovers.

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In 1876, Martha Jane left the Army and began working as a stagecoach driver. She drove stagecoaches on the Deadwood-to-Custer Trail, one of the most dangerous routes in the West. Martha Jane was a skilled driver and she was never robbed or attacked.

Martha Jane was also a sharpshooter. She was so skilled with a gun that she was able to shoot a dime out of a man's hand at fifty paces.

Scout

In 1877, Martha Jane joined the U.S. Army as a scout. She served in the Sioux War and the Nez Perce War. Martha Jane was a courageous and resourceful scout, and she was always willing to take risks.

In 1881, Martha Jane left the Army and began working as a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. She was a popular attraction in the show, and she toured with Buffalo Bill for several years.

Relationships

Martha Jane had many relationships with men throughout her life. She was married twice, but both marriages ended in divorce. She also had several common-law husbands.

Martha Jane's most famous relationship was with Wild Bill Hickok. The two met in 1868 and became friends. They eventually became lovers, but their relationship was volatile. Hickok was a gambler and a drunk, and Martha Jane was often jealous of his other relationships.

In 1876, Hickok was killed by Jack McCall in Deadwood, South Dakota. Martha Jane was devastated by Hickok's death, and she never fully recovered from it.

Legacy

Calamity Jane died on August 1, 1903, in Deadwood, South Dakota. She was fifty-one years old. She was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, next to Wild Bill Hickok.

Calamity Jane was a complex and fascinating woman. She was a frontierswoman, stagecoach driver, sharpshooter, scout, and performer. She was also a notorious woman, known for her drinking, gambling, and fighting. But behind the tough exterior was a woman with a heart of gold.

Calamity Jane is one of the most iconic figures of the American Wild West. She has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and television shows. She is a symbol of the spirit of the Wild West, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

The Autobiography of Calamity Jane

by KYOSUKE KOGURE

4.4 out of 5