The log cabin Democrat., 1921-02-23
YEAR '76 RECALLED
 BY SHARES DEATH
MOTHER LIVED HERE
Notorious Belle and Pearl Starr Vowed to Kill Mayor-Belle
 Wife of Three Bandits.

That Belle Starr, bandit queen" who was successively the wife of Cole Younger, Jim Reed and Jack Starr, once resided in Conway was recalled to several citizens by the death of Henry Starr, a stepson of l Belle Starr, at Harrison yesterday. 1 Probably the most noted of the fe- male bandits and robbers in the south west, Mrs. Starr resided at Conway , for about six months after she had been the wife of Cole Younger and Jim Reed and before her marriage to Jack Starr. Her daughter by Cole Younger, known as Pearl Starr, was with her at the time.
 l Judge P. H. Prince recalls the stay of the two women here and many in- cidents in which they figured. Ac- cording to Judge Prince, Belle Starr was smart, active and with more strength than the average man. She was well hammered and went armed at all times, although no disturbances were ever created around Conway dur ing her residence here. Her only brush with the law, Judge Prince said, when when Dr. Pearl, the first mayor of Conway, ordered her and Pearl Starr from the city. She threatened openly to shoot the mayor at first chance, but was persuaded not to. Instead, she placarded the town with posters, carrying accusations against nr oh obo h bi,,ry mean in Gods world" as Judge Prince expressed it.
 Conway social affairs in those days were lively and frequent, and Mrs. Starr was an active participant, it was recalled. Social affairs and rid ing seemed to be her only occupation. 1 This was early in 1876, when she came to Conway with her daughter and her organ and took rooms at the old Horton house, which was on the pres ent site of the Hines hotel. Her l brush with the law came when Dr. l Pearl objected to the manner in which Pearl Starr rode. Judge Prince said that the girl wrapped a long red sash completely around her body and then Split the streets" riding sideways. Dr. Pearl objected but his objections apparently were overruled as the pair l continued to remain
 From Conway, Mrs. Starr went to Texas and returned in about three months. She brought back ''heavy roll' of bills, according to reports which Judge Prince said were quickly circulated. Pearl Starr and the or gan remained here, but both were taken when she took her final depar- ture for Oklahoma, then Indian Ter ritory. Her marriage to Jack Starr occurred shortly after her arrival, and shortly after the marriage, MT. and Mrs. Starr were convicted of horse stealing and sent to the federal pen itentiary for one year. They finished their term and returned to Oklahoma.
 The death of Jack Starr and the revenge which his wife immediately took is one of the most stirring incl dents in all bandit days. Starr and his wife were at a dance when sud denly two men opened fire on the bandit. Starr fell, mortally wound ed. Belle Starr at once whipped out the revolver which she wore while in Conway, and shot down his murderers before they could move. Her own death was even more tragic than that of Jack, Starr and his son, Henry Starr. Belle Starr was waylaid and shot from ambush without chance to defend herself. Bullets fired by her assassins entered her neck and chest, and the body was left until discovered by a passer by.
 One of the accomplishments of which Belle Starr boasted was her ability to forge any signature shown her. According to Judge Prince, the bandit queen" was highly skilled in this, and could duplicate signatures at which she had merely glanced. She feet English, with painting as an- other talent. She spent much of her time at painting, Judge Prince said, and seemed devoted to it. Her "six- shooter" she carried beneath her skirt on the right side, which had an open ing through which the revolver could be instantly pulled.
 Occasionally the "bandit queen" matched her strength against men. In March, 1876, the city was visited by heavy snowfall, Judge Prince re- called, and Belle Starr and Minnie Horton, daughter of the hotel owner took their stand in front of the Hor- ton house and swallowed" in the snow every man who passed. A number of then chief citizens of Conway re- ceived snow baths at the hands of Mrs, Starr, who proved herself more than a match in physical strength for any who passed.
 Tboro ,,,ora Jo,rr of 4la Toe n