Calamity Jane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha Jane Cannary
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Calamity Jane, c. 1880
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Martha Jane Cannary
May 1, 1852 Princeton, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | August 1, 1903 (aged 51) Terry, South Dakota, U.S.
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| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | Explorer, Army scout, pioneer, storyteller, sharpshooter, performer, dance-hall girl |
| Spouse(s) | Clinton Burke William P Steers |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Robert and Charlotte Cannary |
| Relatives | Five siblings |
Martha Jane Cannary (born May 1, 1852 – died August 1, 1903) was a famous American frontierswoman. She was better known as Calamity Jane. She was known for her skills as a sharpshooter and storyteller. She was also friends with Wild Bill Hickok. Later in her life, she performed in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. She also appeared at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.
Calamity Jane was known for being kind to others, especially those who were sick or in need. This caring side of her character was different from her adventurous spirit. It helped make her a well-known figure in the American frontier. She was also famous for often wearing men's clothes.
Contents
Early Life
Most of what we know about Calamity Jane's early life comes from a small book she told someone to write in 1896. This book was made to help her get attention for a tour she was starting. She was going to appear in museums across the United States. Because it was for publicity, some parts of the book might be a bit exaggerated or not completely true.
Martha Jane Canary (or Cannary) was born on May 1, 1852. Her birthplace was Princeton, Missouri, in Mercer County, Missouri. In 1860, her parents, Robert Wilson Cannary and Charlotte M. Cannary, lived near Ravanna, Missouri. Martha Jane was the oldest of six children. She had two brothers and three sisters.
In 1865, her family moved by wagon from Missouri to Virginia City, Montana. In 1866, her mother, Charlotte, sadly died from pneumonia during the journey. After reaching Virginia City in the spring of 1866, her father took the children to Salt Lake City, Utah. They arrived in the summer of 1866. Her father died in 1867, just one year later.
At only 14 years old, Martha Jane became responsible for her five younger brothers and sisters. She packed their wagon again and took her family to Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory. They arrived there in May 1868. From Fort Bridger, they traveled by train to Piedmont, Wyoming.
In Piedmont, Jane took any jobs she could find to support her family. She worked as a dishwasher, cook, waitress, nurse, and even drove ox teams. In 1874, she said she found work as a scout at Fort Russell.
How She Got Her Nickname
Jane was part of several military actions against Native Americans. She once told a story about how she got her famous nickname:
"It was during this time [in 1872–73] that I was named Calamity Jane. This happened near Goose Creek, Wyoming, where the town of Sheridan, Wyoming is today. Captain Egan was in charge. We were sent to stop an Indian uprising. We were out for several days and had many small fights. Six soldiers were killed, and several were badly hurt. On our way back to the fort, we were surprised by an attack about a mile and a half away. Captain Egan was shot. I was riding ahead, and when I heard the shots, I turned around. I saw the Captain falling from his horse. I quickly rode back to him and caught him as he fell. I lifted him onto my horse in front of me and safely brought him to the Fort. When Captain Egan got better, he laughed and said: 'I name you Calamity Jane, the heroine of the plains.' I have been called that ever since."
However, not everyone agreed with her story. A man named "Captain Jack" Crawford, who served in the military, said that Calamity Jane "never served under General Crook or General Miles. She never fought in an Indian battle. She was simply a well-known person, lively and unique, but she had a generous side that made her popular."
Another popular idea is that she got her nickname because she would warn men that if they upset her, they would "court calamity," meaning they would bring trouble upon themselves. It's also possible that "Jane" wasn't part of her name until the nickname was created. We know for sure that she was called Calamity Jane by 1876. A newspaper in Deadwood, the Black Hills Pioneer, reported on July 15, 1876, with the headline: "Calamity Jane has arrived!"
In her own story, she also said that in 1875, her group was ordered to the Bighorn River under General Crook. She claimed she swam the Platte River and rode 90 miles very fast while wet and cold to deliver important messages. She became sick afterward and spent a few weeks recovering. Then she rode to Fort Laramie in Wyoming. In July 1876, she joined a wagon train going north. This second part of her story is true. She was at Fort Laramie in July 1876. She did join a wagon train that included Wild Bill Hickok. This is where she first met Hickok, even though she later claimed they met earlier. This is also how she came to Deadwood, where she decided to live.
After Wild Bill Hickok's Death
After Hickok died, Jane stayed in the Deadwood area for some time. At one point, she helped save many people on a stagecoach. She did this by distracting several Plains Indians who were chasing the vehicle. The stagecoach driver, John Slaughter, was killed during the chase. Jane took over the reins and drove the stagecoach safely to Deadwood.
In late 1876 or 1878, Jane helped care for people who were sick during a smallpox outbreak in the Deadwood area.
Later Years
In 1881, Jane bought a ranch west of Miles City, Montana, near the Yellowstone River. There, she ran an inn. Some stories say she later married Clinton Burke from Texas. They moved to Boulder, Montana, where she tried running an inn again.
In 1893, Calamity Jane began performing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. She worked as a storyteller. She also took part in the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.
Death
In late July 1903, Jane traveled by train to Terry, South Dakota. This was a small mining town near Deadwood. She reportedly became ill on the train. The conductor helped her off the train. A bartender found a room for her at the Calloway Hotel, and a doctor was called. Jane's health quickly got worse. She died at the hotel on Saturday, August 1, 1903. The cause was inflammation of her bowels and pneumonia.
Calamity Jane was buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in South Dakota. Her grave is next to Wild Bill Hickok's.
See also
In Spanish: Calamity Jane para niños
