Notable Females of the American Frontier
In the Wild West of the late 19th century, a group of extraordinary women made significant contributions to the settlement and development of the frontier. These women, including Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley, and Belle Starr, among others, defied gender norms of the time and left indelible marks on the history of the American West.
Calamity Jane, born Martha Jane Cannary in Missouri around 1856, was renowned for her skills in shooting and her work as a scout for the U.S. Army. Known for her whiskey-drinking, "don't-mess-with-me" attitude, Calamity Jane saved the lives of six stagecoach passengers in 1876 and was a well-known figure in the frontier communities. Her contributions to the settlement and defense of the West were invaluable.
Annie Oakley, born Phoebe Ann Oakley Moses in 1860, was shooting like a pro by age 12. She gained fame as a sharpshooter and exhibition shooter, demonstrating extraordinary marksmanship that defied expectations of women’s roles in society. Her performances helped popularize shooting skills and brought attention to women’s capabilities in this area.
Belle Starr, born Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr in 1848, was hooked on the outlaw life from a young age. She was known to wear feathers in her hair, buckskins, and a pistol on each hip. Despite her criminal associations with the Wild Bunch, she made a significant impact on the frontier communities.
Laura Bullion, also known as "Rose of the Wild Bunch", was born around 1876 in Knickerbocker, Texas. She learned the outlaw trade by observing her bank-robbing father and became romantically involved with several members of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch. Despite her criminal activities, she served time in prison and later gave up her life of crime, dying as a respectable seamstress in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1961.
Other female settlers often managed ranches, boarding houses, and small businesses critical to developing frontier towns. For example, many women of Scottish and Italian descent who immigrated between 1890 and 1900 operated boarding houses to help newcomers integrate into new communities in areas like Vermont, reflecting a broader pattern of female contributions to settlement and social cohesion.
Josephine Sarah Marcus, born in 1861, was a smolderingly good-looking actor and reportedly instigated the famous gunfight at the OK Corral through her relationship with Wyatt Earp. She later married sheriff John Behan but reportedly fell in love with Wyatt Earp.
One of the most intriguing figures of the Wild West was Charley Parkhurst, a registered voter who lived most of her life as a man and drove stages for Wells Fargo and the California Stage Company. Charley Parkhurst, born in 1812, may have been the first American woman to cast a ballot.
These iconic women represent the spirit and contributions of female settlers in the Wild West during the period of 1865 to 1900. While the Civil Rights Movement and women’s firsts are documented for the broader late 19th and early 20th centuries, detailed specific famous female settlers and their direct actions during this period are less comprehensively covered in the search results. However, these women's stories serve as a testament to the resilience, courage, and determination of the female settlers who helped shape the American West.
If you seek more detailed biographies or examples beyond these figures, historical records provide a wealth of information that can shed light on the lives and contributions of these remarkable women.
- In the realm of entertainment, Josephine Sarah Marcus, born in 1861, stirred up the Wild West with her relationship with Wyatt Earp, reportedly instigating the famous gunfight at the OK Corral.
- The lifestyles of these extraordinary women extended beyond their contributions to the settlement and defense of the West; for instance, many women of Scottish and Italian descent, who immigrated between 1890 and 1900, operated boarding houses to help newcomers integrate into their new communities.
- Although music and sports might not be the first things that come to mind when thinking about the Wild West, it's worth noting that Charley Parkhurst, a registered voter living as a man, drove stages for renowned companies like Wells Fargo and the California Stage Company, paving the way for women's rights with her actions.
