The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-06
OF CALAMITY JANE
Story of Wonderful Western
Character
HAD HER GOOD POINTS
Knew How to Use Gun Better
Than Man.
HAD HER GOOD POINTS

]. H. Emery, writing in the New York
Post. says:
We were waiting at the depot In Bill
fngs. Mont, for the incoming train. Out
side on the platform stood a strong mus
cular woman. dressed in mems clothes.
On the back of her head was tilted a COW
punchers hat Every line of her weather
beaten face indicated determination, while
inytncibie spirit cleaned from her big
bright ewes. THAT woman" said my
friend, lis the most remarkable and best
known character in the west "Prest-
dent of what club?'' l innocently asked.
1.-The Indian war club, if any" was the
Laughing report; ''but seriously, she IS
really worth while l knew her IN the
old days, on the Muscle Shell, and am
going to introduce you. Hello, Calamity!
You cant keep away from Billings. can
YOU? Here's a tenderfoot, that wants
'etuffing. Let's see, you're Mrs. John Burk
This time?~ 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 creeping
through the sunbaked alkali fats.
Born in Missouri? Yes; but I've learn
I'D whole lot more, tramping in the
other state No, / don't know Jesse
James or the Younger boys, or any other
tar birds; was only ten years old when
we left" Nearer and nearer came the
train. Not another moment, called
nv friend. and with hearty handshake
we were off. For several years my hasty
notes lay untouched in my desk mad
almost forgotten Calamity Jane, when
I saw the notice of her death on the 9TH
of August and knew that one OF the
most unique characters that ever played
q part in western history had passed"
OF her early childhood little is known,
nothing, in fact, excepting statements
made by Col Cody, that she was born In
Princeton, Mo, 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 separ-
sted from her family and thrown upon
her own resources
A strange school was Virginia City, at
that date. in which to teach motherless
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 TRACE
dies. enacted before the eyes of the child.
To this day Virginia City is associated
with lynching bees, vigilance commit
tees, and Indian scares. Almost every
old building of its long narrow street has
Its history.
With such influences to shape her life.
It is not strange that Martha Canary,
for that, according to Col. Cody. was
her real name. should develop unusual
characteristics. Rough, lawless, but kind
hearted men were her boon companions.
From them she learned TO ride like a CEN
taur and handle her gun with either hand
with equal ease and skill. Her more than
local reputation as a crack shot and dar-
ing rider. together with her unfiinching
nerve, attracted the attention of General
Crook. who made her a scout under Col
Cody before she was out of her teens.
1t has also been claimed that she was
at ore time a soldier in the army, where
she hid her sex for several years If so,
the fact is not mentioned by "Bpffalo
Bill although she early adopted mems
garments and always rode astride. AL
though wsrm-hearted and generous to a
fault, she became a dangerous enemy
when aroused, dealing out unsparing JUS
tice in behalf of a friend. No member
of the vigilance committee was more ac-
tive or flexible. Yet in fever stricken
camps she became sweet and womanly,
nursing the sick. caring for the dying.
From British Columbia to Mexico she
tracked as scout or followed mining
booms, handling pick and spade with the
skill and strength of a man and spending
the proceeds of her ventures with lavish
hand
From Dakota to California she was
known for her eccentricities and daring
and welcomed as brave. comrade ana
Jolly good fellow at every camp. By
the Indians she was regarded as one lead
ing a charmed life.
How her name was changed from Mar
tina Canary to Calamity Jane is told
by Col. Cody in a 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 Col Egan, was standing off 4
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 demonds drove them hack.
circling in. from every direction. on their
tough wiry ponies until the doomed party
was entirely surrounded. A wen-aimed
shot struck Col. Egan and he fell. badly
wounded; at the same time a woman
dashed through the skirmishers, dis
mounted, lifted Col. Egan by main
strength onto her horse and mounting be-
hind, was gone before the astonished
savages recovered to shoot her down
Net another of the fated party lived TO
tell the tale OF this gallant deed. after
his recovery" said Buffalo Bill. Col
Egan laughingly spoke of Martha. as
Calamity Jane and the name stuck -
In cowboy land the habit still prevails
OF naming each newcomer. from some
peculiarity or act. Proximity 70 the IN
dian reservation may account for the
fact. Be that as it may. Calamity
Jane is the name accorded Miss Canary
In the records Of the Montana Historical
Society and Annals of the Yellowstone.
lay me she said. in dying. beside
Wild Bill Hikok. in Mount Mnriah Gem
etery, al Deadwood' In death she longed
fer the companion of her youth-whose
murder she had avenged in 1876. At that
tine she was going from Deadwood TO
White Birch Six men beside herself and
the driver occupied The STAGE. Rpnning
into an Indian amhuscade. Jack McCaul.
sSrsxr