The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-16
CALAMITY JANE" A HEROINE.
A Westerner Tells of the Old Wom-
ans Wonderful Career.

Chicago Chronicle.
Calamity Jane" the heroine of wild hor-
derland tales, whose cool daring and deadly
aim made her a terror among the Indians
and served writer's of dime novels with
lurid plots more fertile and exciting than
anything their ina gination could invent,
was discussed by a group of men in the
lobby of the Grand Pacific Hotel yester-
day.
THE last time 1 saw Calamity" said
cattleman from Montana. 'she was in
bad way; not expected to live more than
two hours. But while the citizens were
preparing to go to her aid she raised up
from the dead, as it were, and left the
place
Where was that?" asked one of the lis
teners.
I'm the Red Lodge, Montana" answered
the speaker.
the trio. Il read some time ago of Jane
going to the poorhouse in Billings and that
Buffalo Bill and other old-time borderlanG
scouts who fought Indians beside her sub
scribed to her needs"
Il remember about that" the Montanian
said. THE report that Jane went to the
pOorfarm was a mistake But she was
Bill and other old-timers inquired into her
condition and sent her money. We didn't
know how many friends the old girl had
until then or that there were so many old
boys still left above ground"
What gave her the name of Calamity
Jane? asked one of the trio.
THE Indians nicknamed her." answered
the cattleman. she was sure death on
their trail. They feared her more than
whole company of soldiers And her
escapes were many and of such a mirac-
ulous nature that the reds finally came
to believe her possessed of supernatural
power and regarded her with superstitious
awe"
Montana 1 should think. would raise a
monument to such a person. suggested one
OF the listeners.
by Jove you're right" exclaimed the
Westerner with considerable show of
warmth and slapping his knee though
the thought was a good one That's a
good idea, he repeated Capital, I'll
have TO tell the people at home when /
return. There is no use in talking, Calam-
ity Jane and those .old-timers did more
for blazing the pathway of civilization
through the wilderness than all the com
bined forces that followed their lead"
What does Calamity Jane look like?'
one OF the men wanted to know.
WELL sir, returned the speaker, "Ill
try and tell you how she appeared to me
the last time | saw her in Red Lodge. 1
saw Sheriff Potter hurrying along the
up| The new gambling law had just gone
into effect and l supposed he was having
trouble probably in enforcing it, His
answer, however, rather startled me-
" L heard said he. Calamity Jane is UP
there in Taff's saloon in a dying condition
Having seen Calamity at a distance
several times. I decided to go along and
get a nearer view. She was lying, half
sitting, half reclining. upon two chairs in
small back room Of the saloon. Her head
dropped little TO one side and her hands
hung loosely by her side. with her feet
resting upon another chair. Her shoes and
stockings were at her side. The snowy
whiteness Of the skin contrasting with the
leathery tan Of her face was rather start
ling I'm effect
There was no doubt about her being in a
bad way. Both OF her lower limbs and one
foot were swollen twice their ordinary
size. And her labored breathing seemed a
hard struggle Her eyes were closed. but
occasionally her lips moved. as though
| framing words without utterance Her
| clothes were cheap. but neatly arranged
| Coiled in knot and fastened with long
| pin were black braids OF hair. with scarce
| ly trace of gray showing on the surface
| Most OF the facial lines curved with a
] downward sweep in such manner as tc
| give the face as a whole the expression OF
the hawk Or eagle-fearlessness and bold