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5 Female Outlaws Who Challenged Social Norms of the American West

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The Wild West is often remembered for its rugged male outlaws and daring gunfights. But, a number of formidable female outlaws also carved their names into the history of the American frontier. These women were not just participants in the stories of men; they were daring outlaws in their own right, challenging the societal norms of their times.

Top 5 Famous Female Outlaws

1. Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen

Belle Starr, born Myra Maybelle Shirley on February 5, 1848, in Missouri, is one of the most iconic figures of the American Old West, often referred to as "The Bandit Queen." Her life was marked by associations with notorious outlaws and a series of dramatic, often romanticized criminal exploits that captured the public's imagination during her lifetime and in the years following her mysterious death on February 3, 1889. 

Early Life and Influences

Belle Starr's early life set the stage for her later notoriety. She was born into a family with Southern sympathies during the Civil War, which influenced her connections and sympathies with outlaw figures. Her family moved to Texas after their Missouri home was destroyed during the war, where she came into contact with figures such as the Younger brothers and Jesse James, who were friends of her brother and would often hide out at the Shirley farm. 

Criminal Associations and Marriages

Belle's life of crime began more prominently after her marriage to Jim Reed, a man deeply involved in criminal activities. After Reed was killed in 1874, Belle's association with crime didn't end. She later married Sam Starr, with whom she was convicted of horse theft in 1883, leading to a prison sentence. Her life with Sam Starr entrenched her deeper into the world of outlawry, as their home became a haven for criminals. 

Notoriety and Media Portrayal

Belle Starr's reputation was amplified by the media of her time, particularly by sensationalist accounts like those in the National Police Gazette. After her death, her life story was further mythologized in various dime novels and later in films and other forms of popular culture. She was often portrayed as a female counterpart to male outlaws like Jesse James, romanticizing her as a rebel against the societal norms of her time. 

Mysterious Death

Belle Starr's life came to a violent end when she was shot and killed in 1889, just days before her 41st birthday. The murder was never solved, though suspects included her own son, her new husband Jim July Starr, and other local criminals. Her death remains one of the many mysteries of the Old West, contributing to her legend. 

Legacy

Despite the criminal activities associated with her, Belle Starr is often remembered as a symbol of the rugged individualism and defiance of the American frontier. Her life story reflects the complexities of law and gender in the American West, where she navigated through life on her own terms, often at odds with the law but always maintaining a certain infamous dignity that has made her a lasting figure in American folklore. 

Belle Starr's life and legacy continue to be subjects of fascination, not only because of her criminal exploits but also because of the way she challenged the expectations of women in her era. Her story is a blend of fact and fiction, shaped by both her real-life actions and the ways in which her story has been told

2. Pearl Hart: The Lady Bandit of Arizona

Pearl Hart, born Pearl Taylor in 1871 in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, is one of the few women in the annals of the American West who turned to a life of crime, famously known for her role in one of the last stagecoach robberies in the United States. Her life story is marked by adventure, crime, and a significant amount of public attention that turned her into a folk hero of sorts.

Early Life and Marriage

Pearl grew up in a middle-class family and received a good education. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she eloped with Frederick Hart at a young age. The marriage was troubled, leading Pearl to leave and wander across the United States. Her travels brought her into contact with the burgeoning Wild West, where she eventually turned to crime.

The Stagecoach Robbery

In 1899, facing financial desperation during the economic depression of the 1890s, Pearl and her accomplice Joe Boot planned and executed a robbery of a stagecoach near Globe, Arizona. Dressed as a man, Pearl cut a striking figure during the heist, which netted them $431.20. However, their success was short-lived as they were captured just a few days later. The robbery was notable not only for its audacity but also because it was one of the last stagecoach robberies in the history of the Old West.

Trial and Imprisonment

Pearl's trial was a media sensation, largely due to her gender and the rarity of female bandits. During her trial, she gained notoriety for her spirited defense and claims that she committed the robbery out of necessity, not malice. She was sentenced to five years in prison but her sentence was appealed and she was eventually pardoned in 1902, after serving only two years.

Her release was allegedly due to the overcrowding and the expense of housing a female inmate in a male-dominated facility.

Later Life and Legacy

After her release from prison, Pearl Hart's life became somewhat obscure. She briefly appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show but soon faded from public view. She reportedly lived the rest of her life in relative anonymity, with various accounts of her later years including a quiet life in Arizona, a return to her family in Kansas, or even a new life in California.

Cultural Impact

Pearl Hart's story is significant not only for her criminal exploits but also for what it reveals about the role of women in the American frontier. Her actions challenged the typical narratives of female passivity and dependence in the late 19th century. She remains a subject of fascination in popular culture, symbolizing the defiance and complexities of women's roles in the history of the American West.

Pearl Hart's legacy as "The Lady Bandit of Arizona" continues to be a captivating chapter in the story of the American West, illustrating the desperate measures taken by some in the face of economic hardship and the extraordinary circumstances that led an otherwise ordinary woman to become a legendary figure in the folklore of the Wild West.

3. Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane, born Martha Jane Cannary on May 1, 1852, in Princeton, Missouri, is one of the most legendary figures of the American Wild West. Known for her rough-and-tumble lifestyle, she was a frontierswoman, scout, and performer who became famous not only for her exploits but also for her association with other notable figures of the time, such as Wild Bill Hickok.

Early Life and Travels

Martha Jane's early life was marked by hardship and travel. After her father's death in 1865, she took on the responsibility of caring for her five younger siblings during a wagon train journey to Virginia City, Montana. This journey marked the beginning of her life in the Wild West, where she quickly adapted to the rugged lifestyle, learning to ride, shoot, and fend for herself.

Reputation and Adventures

Calamity Jane earned her nickname under dubious circumstances, with several stories claiming different origins. One popular tale suggests that she received her moniker after warning a man that calamity would befall him if he did not stop bothering her; another story claims she was named for her daring rescue efforts during an Indian attack. Regardless of its origin, the nickname stuck and became synonymous with her fearless nature.

Jane's reputation grew as she worked as a scout for the Army, a bullwhacker, a nurse, and even a Pony Express rider, according to some accounts. Her adventures took her across the territories of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota.

Relationship with Wild Bill Hickok

One of the most storied aspects of her life is her alleged relationship with Wild Bill Hickok, a famed gunslinger and lawman. While it is widely believed that Jane was infatuated with Hickok, the extent of their relationship is debated.

After Hickok's death in 1876, Jane claimed that they had been secretly married and had a child together, although these claims are widely regarded as untrue.

Later Years and Legacy

In her later years, Calamity Jane performed in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and other similar exhibitions, which helped to cement her legendary status. She struggled with alcoholism and poverty, eventually dying on August 1, 1903, in Terry, South Dakota. She was buried next to Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood, a request that was honored by the community.

Cultural Impact

Calamity Jane is often remembered as a symbol of the wild and untamed spirit of the American frontier. Her life has been romanticized in numerous books, movies, and television shows, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Despite the myths, her real contributions as a frontierswoman and her defiance of gender norms of her time remain significant. She represents a figure who challenged societal expectations and carved her own path in the male-dominated society of the Old West.

Calamity Jane's legacy continues to intrigue and inspire, serving as a testament to the complex roles women played in the shaping of American history and folklore. Her life story, embellished though it may be, highlights the harsh realities and the spirited adventures of life on the frontier.

4. Rose Dunn

Rose Dunn, also known as the "Rose of the Cimarron," was born on September 5, 1878, in Ingalls, Oklahoma. She is one of the lesser-known female figures of the Wild West, but her story is nonetheless intriguing for its blend of romance, crime, and redemption.

Early Life and Family Connections

Rose was the youngest of eleven children in the Dunn family, which was well-known in Oklahoma for their ranching operations. The Dunn brothers were reputed to have connections with several outlaws of the time, which inevitably influenced Rose's life. Her upbringing in this environment exposed her to the outlaw lifestyle from a young age.

Involvement with Outlaws

Rose Dunn's notoriety is largely tied to her romantic involvement with George "Bittercreek" Newcomb, a member of the Wild Bunch gang, which was notorious for bank and train robberies across the territories. It was through this relationship that she became associated with the criminal world of the late 19th century.

The Rose of Cimarron

Rose's moniker, "Rose of the Cimarron," was supposedly earned during an incident in which she allegedly provided ammunition to Newcomb and his gang during a shootout with lawmen. This act of loyalty to Newcomb and the gang solidified her image as an outlaw's consort. However, the extent of her involvement in criminal activities remains a subject of speculation and legend.

Later Life and Change of Ways

Despite her early associations with outlaws, Rose Dunn's life took a turn after the death of George Newcomb, who was killed by lawmen in 1895. Following this event, Rose distanced herself from her past and sought a more conventional life. She married Charles Albert Noble, a local politician, in 1897, and the couple had several children together. Rose lived the rest of her life as a respected member of her community, passing away on June 11, 1955, at the age of 76.

Legacy

Rose Dunn's legacy is one of transformation, from her early days in the company of outlaws to her later years as a community member and mother. Her story is emblematic of the complex lives led by women on the frontier, where circumstances often dictated alliances and actions that were later mythologized in the retelling of their stories.

The "Rose of the Cimarron" remains a captivating figure in Wild West history, representing the duality of the outlaw lifestyle and the possibility of redemption. Her life serves as a reminder of the human stories behind the legends of the American West, where individuals navigated a world of lawlessness, loyalty, and ultimately, change.

5. Laura Bullion: The Rose of the Wild Bunch

Laura Bullion was born in 1876 in Knickerbocker, Texas. She was a member of the Wild Bunch gang, a group of outlaws that roamed the American West at the end of the 19th century and were known for their string of robberies and heists. Laura's involvement with the gang was significant; she was romantically linked to Ben Kilpatrick, also known as "the Tall Texan," who was a key member of the gang. 

Train Robberies

Laura's criminal career included participating in train robberies and helping with the gang's notorious heists. She was skilled in creating disguises and helped to fence the stolen goods, which was crucial to the gang's ability to elude law enforcement. Her life of crime came to a head when she was arrested in 1901 following a train robbery in Tennessee. She was convicted and served time in the Tennessee State Prison.

Release From Prison.

After her release from prison, Laura Bullion attempted to live a more conventional life. She moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where she lived under an assumed name and worked as a seamstress and interior designer. Despite her efforts to leave her criminal past behind, her history as a member of the Wild Bunch continued to follow her. 

.Legend

Laura Bullion's story is a testament to the complex lives led by women on the frontier, where they sometimes turned to crime in a world that offered few legitimate opportunities for independence and financial security. Her legacy as "the Rose of the Wild Bunch" adds another layer to the narrative of female outlaws in the American West, showcasing the diversity of roles that women played during this tumultuous period in American history

Who is the Most Famous Female Outlaw? 

The most famous female outlaw of the Wild West is often considered to be Belle Starr. 

She was known as the "Bandit Queen" and was one of the Wild West's most famous female outlaws. Her life was filled with criminal activities, including horse theft, bootlegging, and robbery. Belle Starr's notoriety was further cemented by the sensationalist accounts of her life in the media, such as the National Police Gazette and various dime novels that romanticized her as a female counterpart to male outlaws like Jesse James

Female Outlaws vs Male Outlaws

Female outlaws in the Wild West differed from male outlaws in several ways, primarily due to the societal gender norms and expectations of the time. While both male and female outlaws engaged in criminal activities such as robbery, horse theft, and bootlegging, the presence of women in these roles was particularly notable because it defied the traditional roles prescribed for women during the 19th century.

Breaking Gender Norms

Women in the Wild West were expected to be homemakers and child-rearers, but female outlaws like Belle Starr, Pearl Hart, and others shot down these notions by choosing lives of debauchery and scandal.

Their involvement in criminal activities was shocking to society because it was "unladylike" and went against the grain of what was considered acceptable behavior for women at the time.

Media Sensationalism

The novelty of female outlaws often spawned a media frenzy, with national reporters joining local press in clamoring to interview and photograph them. For example, Pearl Hart's stagecoach robbery quickly caught the attention of the media, leading to a national spectacle.

This level of attention was partly due to the rarity of women engaging in such bold crimes.

Romanticization and Mythologizing

Female outlaws were often romanticized in popular culture, with their exploits exaggerated in dime novels and later in films and other forms of entertainment. Belle Starr, for instance, was the subject of fictional novels that were cited as historical references despite their lack of accuracy.

The stories of female outlaws were sometimes embellished to a greater extent than their male counterparts, contributing to their legendary status.

Dual Roles

Women outlaws sometimes had to navigate dual roles, balancing their criminal activities with societal expectations. For instance, Belle Starr was known to dress in flamboyant outfits and ride with outlaws, but she also played the role of a mother and homemaker at various points in her life.

Diverse Backgrounds

Female outlaws came from a variety of backgrounds and often turned to crime out of necessity or as a means of survival. They could be former prostitutes, madams, or business owners who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Their paths to becoming outlaws were sometimes rooted in their efforts to assert independence and financial security in a male-dominated society.

Lesser-Known Stories

While male outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid are household names, many female outlaws are lesser-known, with their stories only recently being uncovered and shared more widely. Historians and researchers are now working to reconstruct the lives of these women and acknowledge their roles in shaping the American West.

In summary, female outlaws in the Wild West differed from male outlaws in the way they challenged societal norms, the sensationalism surrounding their crimes, the romanticization of their stories, the dual roles they often played, their diverse backgrounds, and the relative obscurity of their stories in historical narratives. Their actions and the public's reaction to them highlight the gendered expectations of the time and the unique challenges and opportunities that the frontier presented to women.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the tales of female outlaws in the Wild West offer a fascinating glimpse into a side of American history that often goes untold. These women, such as Belle Starr, Pearl Hart, Calamity Jane, Rose Dunn, and Laura Bullion, lived lives that were as daring and tumultuous as any of their male counterparts. They challenged the societal norms of their time, engaging in criminal activities that defied the traditional roles prescribed for women during the 19th century. Their stories are marked by adventure, defiance, and at times, redemption, providing a richer and more nuanced understanding of the Wild West.

The media of the time played a significant role in shaping the legacies of these women, often sensationalizing their exploits and contributing to the mythologizing of their personas. Despite the embellishments, the real-life actions of these women were significant, and they navigated through life on their own terms, often at odds with the law but always maintaining a certain infamous dignity.

The legacies of these female outlaws continue to captivate us, not only for their criminal exploits but also for their symbolic representation of the rugged individualism and defiance of the American frontier. Their stories challenge our perceptions of the Wild West and demonstrate that the frontier was as wild for women as it was for men. As historians and storytellers continue to uncover and share the lives of these women, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of the roles that women played in shaping the American West and, by extension, the narrative of American history itself



Richard Sutherland

 RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.

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