The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-11-11
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biN''No III iiNii . NiOthts. Oh tht plNh
of her head was tilted COW puncher's
hat. Every line of her weather-beaten
face indicated determination, while i'll
vincible spirit cleaned from her bright
eyes. THAT woman" said my friend, is
the most remarkable and best known
character in the West" president
of what club?" l innocently asked.
"The Indian war club, il any," was the
laughing retort; "but, seriously, she is
really worth while l knew her in
the old days, OH the Muscle Shell, and
am going to introduce you. Hello,
Calamity! You can't keep away from
Billings, can you? Here's a tender
foot that wants stuffing. Let's see,
you're Mrs. John Burk this timer"
Calamity James good enough for me-"
was the response.
Down the narrowing track the train
could be seen, skirting the mountains,
crossing the Yellowstone, and creep
ing through the sunbaked alkali flats.
Born in Missouri? Yes; but I've
learned whole lot more, tramping in
the other States. No, l didn't know
Jesse James or the Younger boys. or
any other jailbirds; was only ten years
old when we left" Nearer and nearer
came the train. Not another mo-
ment," called my friend, and with
hearty handshake we were off. For
several years my hasty notes lay un-
touched in my desk. l had almost
forgotten Calamity Jane, when l saw
the notice of her death on August G
and knew that one of the most unique
characters that ever played part in
Western history had passed"
BIRTH AND EARLY CHILDHOOD.
OF her early childhood little is
known, nothing, in fact excepting the
statements made by Colonel Cody, that
she was born in Princeton, NO., in
1852, from whence she migrated ten
years later, after the death of her
mother, to Virginia City, where by an
Indian uprising she was separated
from her family and thrown upon her
own resources.
A strange school was Virginia City
at that date in which TO teach moth
erless girl the lessons of life. Not
half so red was the ruby rim rock that
walled the mining town or the crimson
sands of the mountain streams, as the
bloody tragedies, enacted before the
eyes of the child. To this day Vir-
ginia City is associated with lynching
bees, vigilance committees and Indian
scares. Almost every old building Of
its long, narrow street has it's history.
s,.u @A e1a how
life, it is not strange that Martha
Canary" for that, according to Colonel
Cody, was her real name, should devel-
op unusual characteristics. Rough,
| lawless, but kind hearted men were
her boon companions. From them she
learned to ride like a centaur and
handle her gun with either hand with
equal case and skill. Her more than
| local reputation as q crack shot and
daring rider, together with her un-
| finching nerve, attracted the atten-
| ton of General Crook, who made her
scout under Colonel Cody, before she
| was out of her teens. 1t has also been
! claimed that she was at one time a
soldier in the army, where she hid
her sex for several years. If so, the
| fact is not mentioned by Buffalo Bill
although she early adopted mems gar
ments and always rode astride. AL
though warm hearted and generous
to q fault she became a dangerous
enemy when aroused, dealing out un-
sparing justice in behalf of friend.
No member of the vigilance committee
was more active or inflexible. Yet in
fever stricken camps she became sweet
and womanly, nursing the sick, caring
for the dying.
SCOUTING AND MINING.
From British Columbia to Mexico
she tracked as scout or followed min
ing booms, handling pick and spade
with the skill and strength of n man
and spending the proceeds of her ven
ture with lavish hand.
From Dakota to California she was
known for her eccentricities and dar-
ing, and welcomed as brave COM
rade and jolly good fellow at every
campfire. BY the Indians she was re-
garded as one leading charmed life.
How her name was changed from
Martha Canary to Calamity Jane is
told by Colonel Cody in thrilling
sketch of Western life. 1t was in
1872. and the Goose Creek camp, in
South Dakota, was poorly manned-a
small body of troops, under Colonel
Egan, was standing of band OF
Sioux. Too far from help to hope for
reinforcements. they fought with the
desperation of despair, selling their
lives as dearly as possible. Inch by
inch the painted demons drove them
back, circling in, from every direction
on their tough, wiry ponies. until the
doomed party was entirely surround
ed. A well aimed shot struck Colone
Egan and he fell, badly wounded; a.
the same moment woman dashed
through the skirmishers, dismounted
lifted Colonel Egan by main strength
onto her horse. and, mounting behind
was gone before the astonished saw
ages sufficiently recovered to shoot hel
down. Not another of the fated party
lived to tell the tale of this gallan
deed. "After his recovery" said Buf
falo Bill, Colonel Egan laughingl,
spoke Of Martha as Calamity Jane,
and the name stuck" In cowboy lant
the habit still prevails OF naming eacl
newcomer from some pecullarlty o.
act. Proximity to the Indian reser
walton may account for the fact. b
that as It may Calamity Jane" 1