Early Life
Martha Jane Canary, better known as Calamity Jane, was born in 1852 in Princeton, Missouri. Her childhood was rough—her parents died when she was still young, leaving her to care for her younger siblings. Seeking adventure and survival, she left home as a teenager and traveled west. She became skilled at riding horses, shooting, and surviving in harsh conditions, all qualities that helped her thrive on the frontier.
Life on the Frontier
Calamity Jane worked as a cook, laundress, nurse, and scout for the U.S. Army. She earned her nickname after saving a captain during a Native American attack—her bravery was said to “calamity” anyone who crossed her path. Though many stories about her adventures were exaggerated, there’s no doubt she was tough, fearless, and fiercely independent. Jane often dressed like a man and was known for her sharp wit and wild spirit.
Friendship with Wild Bill Hickok
One of the most famous parts of Calamity Jane’s life was her friendship with the gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok. The two met in Deadwood, South Dakota, and their bond became legendary. Some stories claim they were lovers or even married, but most historians believe they were close friends. After Hickok’s death in 1876, Jane spoke fondly of him for the rest of her life and was buried next to him years later.
Later Years and Legacy
In her later years, Calamity Jane performed in Wild West shows, sharing stories of frontier life. She struggled with poverty and alcoholism but remained a beloved figure. She died in 1903 in Terry, South Dakota. Today, Calamity Jane is remembered as one of the most colorful and daring women of the Old West, symbolizing courage and adventure in a time when few women lived such daring lives.
Discussion Questions
- How did Calamity Jane’s early life shape her personality and choices?
- Why do you think she chose to live such a bold and unconventional life?
- What can we learn about life in the American West from her story?
- How do legends and exaggerations affect the way we remember historical figures?
Glossary
- Frontier: The unsettled or newly developed regions of the American West.
- Scout: A person who explores areas ahead of a main group, often for the military.
- Legendary: Famous and often surrounded by exaggerated stories.
- Gunslinger: A person skilled with a gun, especially in the Old West.
Five Interesting Facts
- Calamity Jane claimed to have worked as a scout for General Custer.
- She was known to care for sick miners and children during smallpox outbreaks.
- Jane could shoot accurately while riding a horse at full speed.
- Her nickname “Calamity Jane” may have come from her warning that “calamity” would come to anyone who wronged her.
- She was buried next to Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Timeline
- 1852: Born in Princeton, Missouri.
- 1860s: Became an orphan and traveled west.
- 1870s: Worked as a scout and met Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood.
- 1880s–1890s: Performed in Wild West shows.
- 1903: Died in Terry, South Dakota; buried in Deadwood.
