San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-28
BELLE STARR.
The Wonderful Female Outlaw,
Has Some Association
With the Alamo
CITY,

rom SouiO OouoAy
piled to a LIGHT reporter by Mr..
Cunningham and other citizens it
seems that the well known female
outlaw, Belle Starr, has some associ-
alton with the Alamo City, the de-
tails of which may interest the read
ers OF the LIGHT.
Belle Starts maiden name was
Myra Shirley, and she was DO n about
IS years ago at Carthage, Mo-, where
her father then kept a hotel. In
1863 her father came to Texas and
settled in the northern part of the
state. He espoused the confederate
cause, fought with QuantrePs guer-
rillas, and after the surrender his
home became the headquarters
of desperadoes. Among them was
Colonel Younger, who subse-
quently became Bellies first hus-
| band. At this time Belle
was not fifteen years of age but was
old enough to be enamoured Of the
dashing colonel and they both want
ed to be married. Bellies parents
objected because, although they
received Younger as a friend they did
not think him good enough for their
daughter. The lovers however,
thought different, and one night, ac-
companied by another desperate,
John Fisher, they rode Off and were
married on horseback.
After a brief honeymoon of only
three weeks Younger had to flee to
Missouri to avoid arrest for some of
his many crimes, and Belle returned
home to her parents. They forgave
her on condition that she give up her
hus band, and that she should either
attend the convent school in Sa /
Antonio, or 60 to private boarding
school in Parker county. Belle acqui-
escsd in her parents conditions and
went to the Parker county school, but
she did not remain there long for
| Younger made a break for Texas,
found his girl-wife, and off they rode
upon a stolen horse to Missouri. Then
commenced her criminal history.
After some years of association In
crime with her husband, they sepa-
rated, and Belle drifted, to Texas.
Here she became acquainted with the
notorious outlaw, Jim Read, became
either his wife or mistress, the which
is not certain, and was an active ac-
complete in his many crimes. About
1873 Read and Belle passed through
San Antonio en- route for Austin.
| They stayed at San Marcos, and near
that point held up the stage from San
Antonio to Austin, going through the
mails and passengers and getting
about $500 in plumber. Belle was
there, dressed as a man, and did her
share in the robbery. Among those
robbed at the time was Bishop Gregg
| but he was fortunate enough to get
his property returned. After year or
so of crime, Jim Read was caught by
the officers, while eating supper, il
Fanniu county. He resisted arrest
and was then killed.
Belle escaped aud went to the In
dian Nation. Here she attracted the
attention of a Cherokee Indian named
Sam Starr. They married and settled
down on a very picturesque ranch On
| the Canadian river. For some time
they seem to have led a quiet and Or
derby life until 1882 when they were
both arrested for horse stealing. Both
were ultimately convicted and spent
q year in the Detroit house of cOrreC-
| ton.
Returning to their ranch both
seemed to have been bent on a
criminal career, and their house
was the rendezvous of notori-
Gus outlaws. Here Jesse James
found a hiding place as "Mr.
Williams of Texas" and here too John
Middleton, a desperate for whom a
standing reward of $500 was offered,
found refuge. Middleton was a
handsome white man, dashing and
bold. He soon captured the amol Gus
Belle, and they eloped to Arkansaw
taking Bellies two children with
| them. Some time after Middleton
stole fine horse, and in making b s
way home had to cross to Poteau
river and in so doing he was drowned
When Belle heard the news she was
grieved and angry, but all she did
was to exhume Middleton's remains
and bury them with loving care. Belle
was arrested as an accomplish, but
acquitted. By strategy she then
saved her husbands, Sam Starts
life aud they were reconciled,
but in going home he met an
officer, Frank West. There was a
fiued between the two, duel ensued,
both were killed, and Belle was again
a widow. After seeing her usband' s
remains we'll inferred she settled
down quietly, but soon married her
husbands cousin, Jim Starr. Since
then they have lived retired life Un-
til February End, when Bella Starr
was assassinated while riding home.
Jim Starr haze since arrested a man
named Watson as her assassin, and
| he is now in iail awaiting trial,