Montana oil and mining journal., 1937-06-19

CALAMITY JANE
lamity Jane found her ideal in Wild
Bill Hickok.
Wild Bill, famous frontier sheriff
had come to the Black Hills from the
south. He had remarkable record as
a gunman though he never killed eX-
cept in the performance Of duty or to
save his own life. Already single-hand-
ed, he had killed the McCandleS gang
of deSperadoes. No man ever drew pis-
tol quicker or Tipped the cards more
dexterously. There was nothing Of the
bully type about him. On the contrary,
he was quiet and even little shy.
In physique, Wild Bill was a perfect
feet two, had broad shoulders, a slender
figure and small feet. His hair was au-
burn and his face clean shaven except
ing for a thin, dropping mustach.
Calamity Jane at this time, 1876, was
an uncommonly good looking woman
with auburn hair and sparkling brown
eyes. She was the belle of the from
tier For all her wild life she hated
criminals and brutal bad men, Though
her name has at times been connected
with outlaw gangs, it was not the true
ing in her place who hung out with
these gangs. Calamity James love for
Wild Bill was one Of the beautiful
things of her otherwise harsh and Oft
times sordid life. 1t was q love that
held to the end Of her life.
1t is to be doubted whether Wild Bill
returned this love. 1t was about this
time that he married woman in
Cheyenne. Like most frontier men, he
no doubt danced with Calamity, drank
with her and liked her as a friend, yet
there are those who claim that the
noted Bell Star, the lady bandit, was
the child Of Wild Bill and Calamity
Jane.
That she was the child of Calamity
Jane is certain. Calamity Jane had her
own code of honor and banditry did
not go with that CODE It was over this
that she and her daughter "fen out.
Hell Star had two children, boy and
q girl. Calamity Jane did not like the
way Bell Star was bringing UP her
so she kidnapped the grand
daughter and raised her as her own. |
For many years, people where she lived |
znew no different.
Occasionally pap Of a jug
She was living in Stringtown, Mon
ana. (now Bridger), when the child .
vas 10 years of age. Every once In a
While Calamity Jane would go on a
snort" The day came when her hus-
)and could stand these "snorts" no
onger. He decided to leave. He could
lot bear the thought of leaving the
'hild to the mercieS Of the tempera-
mental Calamity. so putting her in a
wagon and handing her up her doll,
le took her for ride. The ride ended
It Livingston, Montana, where the child
vas left in the care of the mans moth
r. This granddaughter is still living.
After the death of Wild Bill, Calam-
ty Jane had drifted about from town
o town. She would bob up in Cheyenne
II Casper, Wyo., for a short time, then
lext she would be seen in Billings,
Montana, or at some frontier camp,
,ut She could never stay away long
rom Deadwood, S. D., where her hap
hest days had been spent. She was
10 longer the merry-eyed, fun-loving
)elle of the plains. Old-timers recall |
hat she was often in the saloons, al
Ways willing to take drink and get |
mixed up in fight.
Down and out, she was living in Bill |
lngS when woman came along one
lay and posed as q friend. She told
that she had always admired
ler and that she was going to do some !.
hing nice for her. The woman bought |
Ter new clothes. Calamity put them on /
declaring the new dudS was mighty |
awkward" She was then taken to New |
York city where the friend turned out |
% be speculator. Poor old Calamity |
vas put in a side show. Her picture |
anne out in some Of the New York pa
,ers as the noted Calamity Jane.
Noted for Her Kind Heart
Calamity Jane did not like her new
ole. She had lived on the frontier too |
ong to become accustomed to the city. |
She became very homesick but she had /
10 money to make the return trip. |
luckily, Buffalo Bill came along one |
lay, took pity on her, and paid her |
are back to the west.
Calamity Jane was noted for her kind |
1eart. Many a sick man and woman |
nave had her to thank for pulling |
hem through an illness.
An old freighter by the name of |
Thomas relates such an incident while |
le was with group of freighters, !
Imong whom was Calamity Jane.
They were on their way to Lewistown, |
Montana. Thomas fell sick on the jour |
ley and was not able to drive his out
1t. The freighters decided that they
,ould not wait for him to get well as
hey we're due in Lewistown, 50 they |
)ulled his outfit to one side of the road |
With the intention of leaving him there |
.lone to die or get well as fate might |
iecree. Calamity Jane Immediately |
Julled her wagon TO one side and |
tayed with him. She nursed him until |
le was able TO travel again.
During the smallpox epidemic at /
leaowo0d, she was regular angel OF /
mercy, going into the home Of the af- l
ltcte0, taking food TO them and ad- /