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Martha Canary Calamity Jane Obituary August 2, 1903
1852 - 1856 Birth Martha Canary, May 1st, Princeton, Mercer, Missouri. Documentation: 1860 Federal Census, Ravanna, Mercer, Missouri, head of household father R W Canary age 35, mother Charlotte Canary age 20, daughter Martha Canary age 4.
1865 R. W. Canary, wife and children began a 5 month journey from Missouri to Virginia City, Montana Territory. By the time the Canary family reached Blackfoot, Montana Territory, Jane siblings would grow to two brothers and three sisters.
1866 Mother Charlotte Canary died on the journey from Missouri to Montana Territory and is buried at Black Foot, Montana Territory.
Photo Virginia City, Montana Territory 1867, © The U.S. National Archives, Photographs of the American West: 1861-1912.
Spring 1866 Father Robert W. Canary and children leave Virginia City, Montana Territory for Salt Lake, Utah Territory, arriving summer of 1866 to homestead and farm.
Father Robert W. Canary died in Salt Lake, Utah Territory in 1867. Martha Canary becomes the head of household for her five siblings.
1867 Martha Canary age 12 -13 leaves Salt Lake, Utah Territory for Wyoming Territory with sister Lena Canary born about 1859 Missouri.
1868 May 1st, Martha Canary and her siblings arrive Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory.
1868 Salt Lake Valley, east from Corrinne, Utah Territory. Brigham City in the distance, A.J. Russell Collection, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1868 Church Buttes, near Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory, A.J. Russell Collection, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1869 Martha Canary followed the construction Union Pacific Railroad to Piedmont, Wyoming Territory.
1868 - 1870 Photo Martha Canary and Relative. Photo captioned Calamity Jane and Mrs. Callie Lilly Minnie Terry’s mother, © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
Piedmont Wyoming, Charcoal kilns at Piedmont built by Moses Byrne in 1869, to supply pioneer smelters in the Utah Valley. Historical landmark. Piedmont is a ghost town on the former alinement of the Union Pacific railroad about 20 miles east-southeast of Evanston. Uinta County, Wyoming, July 1984, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1869 - 1870 Martha Canary is noted to have run a dance hall and bordello in the South Pass Mining District gold camp of Atlantic City located a few miles outside of Lander, Wyoming Territory. Martha Canary has also been noted as residing in the adjacent mining camp of Miner's Delight.
1870 Atlantic City Wyoming, South Pass, Fremont, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1870 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Russell, Wyoming Territory where she joined General Custer as a scout in his campaign agaist the Apache Indians in Arizona. Martha Canary appeared on the muster rolls as M. Cannary. Martha remained in Arizona through the winter of 1871.
1870 Fort Fetterman Wyoming situated at the mouth of La Prele Creek, 135 miles north from Cheyenne, and 70 miles from Fort Laramie. It marks the junction of the Powder River route to Montana and North Platte, Converse County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1871 Fort Russell Wyoming. Rendezvous camp, at Fort A.D. Russell, near Cheyenne. Laramie County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1872 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Sanders, Wyoming Territory. Martha Canary joins as a scout under Captain Egan in an expedition to quell an uprising of the Nursey Pursey Indians of Musselshell country. Captain Egan's troops would be engaged in an ambush close to their camp located near Goose Creek. Martha Canary being in close proximity to Captain Egan during the skirmish would save him from falling off his horse after being shot. Pulling Captain Egan up and onto the front of her horse, Martha rode to the safety of their camp a mile away. Upon Captain Egan's recovery he is noted to have given her the nickname of Calamity Jane, Heroine of the Plains. Johns and Janes were common names of endearment associated with individuals involved in the business of prostitution.
East Fork of Big Goose Creek, Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming. Fallen timber 10 to 15 years after fire ran through it. New forest growth slowly starting up. Sheridan County, Wyoming. August 1897 © U. S. Geological Survey.
Fort Sanders Wyoming Camp Farewell, at Fort Sanders, so named as being the last regular camp of the Survey of 1870. Showing merely a few of the members, the tents, and animals of the expedition. Albany County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1874 Photo General Custer Crossing Plains Black Hills Expedition Dakota Territory, © The U.S. National Archives, Photographs of the American West: 1861-1912.
1874 Miner's Delight also known as Hamilton City, Wyoming Territory, Calamity Jane nursed back to heath John G. Borner, a freighter and early farmer of the area, whom had suffered a broken leg after falling off his horse. John G. Borner would later marry Calamity Jane's sister Lena Canary in Lander, Wyoming Territory in 1875.
1874 Martha Canary is noted to have worked at the Three-Mile Hog Ranch located a few miles west of Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory. The area was a recreational destination for the soldiers of Fort Laramie to gamble, drink, and served as a center for prostitution run by Adolph Cuny and Jules Ecoffey as early as 1873.
1875 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory where she joins Col. Richard I. Dodge, Walter Jenney and Henry Newton's Black Hills Expedition as a private teamster.
Fort Laramie Wyoming 1870 situated on the Laramie River, about 2 miles above its junction with the North Platte, and on the line of the old Overland Road to Oregon and California, Goshen County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1875 Martha Canary's sister, Lena Canary born about 1859 Missouri, agreed to work as a house servant for James I. Patten near Lander, Wyoming Territory. Before her new employment, she instead married Patten's friend, freighter John G. Borner, whom Calamity Jane has nursed back to health the prior year. Martha Canary and her sister Lena Canary Borner ran a laundry business in Lander for a few years until Calamity Jane's influence on the Borner children became unacceptable by John Borner. Calamity Jane was banned from visiting the Borner family and appears to have left the area.
Lena Pauline Canary Borner died October 1888 at the Borner homestead outside of Lander from complications of a broken hip after being kicked by a calf. Lena Canary Borner is buried in the Wilcox-Masonic Cemetery.
Martha Canary's brother Elijah Canary is noted to have worked for John Borner as a ranch hand.
John Borner would sell his Lander homestead soon after the death of Lena and move his family to Greybull, Big Horn, Wyoming where he died December 13, 1919.
Facts and rumors of Gen. Crook’s fight.
July 15, 1876
In regard to: Crook, George R.
In regard to: Native American.
In regard to: Goose Creek.
In regard to: Custer, George A.
Cinching a pack mule with flour 1876, General George Crook's pursuit of a band of Sioux fleeing General Custer's defeat at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Photographer S. J. Morrow, Yankton D. T., © DPL Western History Photos.
1876 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Fetterman, Wyoming Territory, headquarters of General Crook.
Calamity Jane at Cheyenne.
July 15, 1876
In regard to:Calamity Jane.
1876 Martha Canary is noted at Goose Creek, Wyoming Territory. General Crook's scout Frank Grouard supposedly hired Calamity Jane as a replacement scout during the Battle of the Rosebud. Calamity Jane would have been about 20 years of age.
Full account of Crook battle.
July 22, 1876
In regard to: Crook, George R.
In regard to: Finerty, J. F.
In regard to: Furey, Major.
In regard to: Native American.
In regard to: Rosebud Creek.
In regard to: Gruard.
In regard to: Sitting Bull.
In regard to: Randall, Major.
In regard to: Bourke, Lt.
In regard to: Royall, Col. (Royall, William B.)
In regard to: Royall, William B.
In regard to: Mills, Capt. (Mills, Anson)
In regard to: Mills, Anson.
In regard to: Henry, Col.
In regard to: Van Vliet, Col.
In regard to: Sutorius, Alex.
In regard to: Broom, Capt.
In regard to: Andrews, Capt.
In regard to: Reynolds, Lt.
In regard to: Noyes, Col.
In regard to: Nickerson, Capt.
In regard to: Battle of the Rosebud.
1876 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory. In jail at the time, she is released to join Colorado Charley Utter's wagon train from Denver to Cheyenne to Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Other members of the Utter party included C. H. Utter's brother, Steve Utter with whom Calamity Jane was associated. Wild Bill James Butler Hickok, Kitty Arnold, Madames Elanora "Madam Mustache" Dumont and "Dirty Emma" joined Utter's train in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
1876 an undocumented marriage between Martha Canary, Calamity Jane and George Cosgrove is to have taken place in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory.
George Cosgrove has been noted as a member of Charley Utter's wagon train from Cheyenne to Deadwood in 1876. George Cosgrove and Maggie Cosgrove lived in Sherman, Wyoming Territory 1876 - 1879 before they appear to have gone their separate ways.
Jack Bowman's Hat CreeK Ranch 1879, Calamity Jane is noted to have been at the bar and her husband George Cosgrove also observed at the ranch. Martha Canary Cosgrove was overhead to have said she was married to George, living a straight life and no longer doing businesss on the outside.
Photograhps of Calamity Jane, Martha Canary Burke
Calamity Jane 1880 Miles City, Montana. A less known image of Jane Canary, seated on a divan, attired in an elegant dress with bows, large white scarf tied in bow about the neckline, hat trimmed with a boa arranged in a snake like manner, elaborate pincurl bangs under hat brim. Photographer L. A. Huffman, © Montana Historical Society.
Calamity Jane and Teddy Blue Abbott 1880 Gilt Edge, Montana shown toasting with a beer, © We Pointed Them North: Recollections of a cowpuncher by E.C. “Teddy Blue” Abbott and Helena Huntington Smith, Gerry B's Book Reviews.
Calamity Jane, Martha Jane Canary Burke 1870 - 1890, Postcard from M. Virginia Bordener of San Francisco noted as sender and niece of Martha Canary Burke 1956. © Photography Collection, Western History and Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library.
Photo Calamity Jane 1885, © The Wide World Magazine, A Heroine of The Wild West, By W. G. Patterson, 1903.
Photo Calamity Jane 1885, © The Wide World Magazine, A Heroine of The Wild West, By W. G. Patterson, 1903.
Photo 1 Calamity Jane and her horse Bess 1885 Utica Montana, Photo 2 Calamity Jane in kitchen Yellowstone, Montana 1901, © Down the Yellowstone By Lewis Ransome Freeman, Dodd and Mead and company, 1922.
1885 Calamity Jane with rifle and her horse in front of a building. The location of this building has been identified as Utica, Montana, © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
Photo Calamity Jane in dress in front of a door, possibly Ogden, Utah 1883, © Utah State Historical Society, date unknown.
Pony express established in Deadwood
July 8, 1876
In regard to: Utter, Charley.
In regard to: Seymour, J. F.
In regard to: Lee and Brown.
Calamity Jane has arrived, Cheyenne Leader, insert
Jul 15 1876
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane at the Langrishe Theater in 1876
Feb 24 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Tells of Calamity Jane he knew in Iowa
Jul 16 1877
In regard to: Hendricks, A.R. Dr.
Jail has 13 males and 1 female inmate
Jul 16 1877
In regard to: Lawrence County Jail, Deadwood
In company of outlaws at Spring Creek north of Laurel, Montana
Jul 23 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane and her Holing-Up shanty
In regard to: Horsetheif Cache south side of canyon from Calamity Jane's house
In regard to: Charles Fallon known as Rattlesnake Jake
In regard to: Edward Longhair Owen
Calamity dancing at the Bonanza on Lee Street
Aug 01 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Times suffering from Sunday attack of the rumors
Aug 13 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
High toned citizen tripping the light fantastic
Aug 27 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Cosgrove, George put out fire at Mrs. Welshs
Cosgrove, George
Sep 18 1877
First woman in the Black Hills imprisoned, Calamity Jane
Sep 20 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Heroine of the Hills, Editor of Times thinks not
Sep 21 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Times reports that Pioneer editor is intimate with Calamity Jane
Sep 22 1877
In regard to: Times Newspaper
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Idyl De Macaroni,
"For me to bear, Calamity Jane"
Oct 19 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Poetry
Received large size photo of Col. Lounsberry.
Calamity Jane has natural weakness for Bohemians.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Lounsberry, Clement A. Col.
Dec 02 1877
"my name aint Calamity Jane it's Maggie Cosgrove"
In reagard to: Cosgrove, Maggie
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Dec 17 1877
Calamity Jane moves to Rapid
Jan 03 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In Deadwood
Cosgrove, Maggie
Jan 11 1878
Had her first photograph taken
Jan 22 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Photo 1 of Calamity Jane 1878
Photo 2 Calamity Jane 1878 - 1879
Copyright © 2003 Triangle C Ranch Old West Antiques and Collectibles.
Green-eyed monster made things lively at dance
Feb 18 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Accounts for Sale, Jo. Gandolph
Cosgrove, M.
Mar 01 1878
Mrs. Bloxsom, the Pioneer's "heroine of the Hills"
Mar 18 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
"Heroine of the Hills"
Apr 09 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
"Heroine of the Hills", now Frenchy's partner
Apr 12 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Mrs. Bloxsom, that nauseating specimen of humanity
Apr 25 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Warren who was stabbed on Main, under care of Jane
Jun 28 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Warren, Frank
Stabbed on Main St by unknown hand, June 26th
Not our Calamity, death of tenderfoot from Iowa
Sep 05 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In Deadwood
Sep 13 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Leaves Deadwood
Sep 13 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In Deadwood
Sep 17 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Leaves Deadwood
Sep 24 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Poem Calamity Bar by Poet Scout Jack Crawford, H. Keller & Co., 1879.
Martha Canary Burke, Calamity Jane's Autobiography
Calamity Jane's Autobiography deemed by many as mostly fictional, surprisingly hits the mark in most instances as being in the right place at the right time as documented by historical newspaper articles of the day. See also Martha Cannary, Martha Canary, Martha Burk, Mary E. Burke.
Autobiographical References and Historical Events
Calamity Jane's Autobiography claims she was a resident of Deadwood from 1876 until the spring of 1877.
Grandma Annie Vallery known as "Gentle Annie" was an early Deadwood employer for Calamity Jane.
Single woman, Annie Vallery, a successful restaurateur in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, sold her business and made her way to Deadwood aboard the Orr wagon train in 1876. "Gentle Annie" operated successful boarding houses in Deadwood, Lead and Custer where Calamity Jane was an employee from time to time.
Deadwood historical newspaper articles indicates Calamity Jane resided in the town of Elizabethtown, a suburb mining camp on the outskirts of Deadwood, where she ran a boarding house for a short period of time.
On her trek into Deadwood she would pass through Nuttallberg, started by Tom Nuttall of the Bella Union Theatre, through the Badlands of Chinatown and on into Deadwood proper. These camps were in close proximity to each other and were often hard to tell apart other than by the services they could offer. Calamity Jane is noted in historical newspaper articles to have danced at Deadwood's Bonanza Hall and the Gem Theatre.
Deadwood proper incorporated the towns of Deadwood, Chinatown, Elizabethtown, Fountain City, Highland Park, Ingleside, and Cleveland into one metropolitan area in 1881.
Canyon Springs Stage Coach Robbery of March 1877
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she took the reins from deceased stage coach driver Johnny Slaughter and drove the stage and passengers back to Deadwood in the botched Canyon Springs Stage Coach robbery of March 1877.
Calamity Jane, A Heroine of The Wild West by W. G. Patterson 1903.
Deadwood historical newspaper articles regarding the death of Johnny Slaughter and the Canyon Springs Robbery fails to mention Calamity Jane.
John Slaughter, driver stage coach is shot and dies Mar 31 1877
Seth Bullock after celebrated Road Agent in Ohio 1877
Robert McKenna, alias Reddy, killed stage driver Johnny Slaughter
March 1877
Rev Norcross offciating at funeral of Slaughter Mar 31 1877
John Slaughter, $2,000 reward, bring in his murderer Apr 13 1877
Road Agent Blackburn claims he didn't kill Johnny Slaughter Nov 27 1877
Robert McKenna road agent and supposed murderer of Johnny Slaughter Feb 04 1878
Thomas Flood with Reddy gang when Johnny Slaughter killed Feb 08 1878
Reddy has been sentenced at Hillsboro Ohio to 20 years Feb 03 1879
Seth Bullock received information that Reddy is in jail 15 yrs Mar 31 1879
Calamity Jane Leaves Deadwood Fall 1877.
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she helped the 7th Cavalry build Ft Meade, near Bear Butte Creek, in the Fall and Winter of 1877.
Deadwood historical newspaper articles regarding 7th Cavalry and Ft Meade fails to mention Calamity Jane.
Deadwood troops arrived, 85 men
Feb 24 1877
In regard to: Deadwood
Jackson, Capt. H. of Seventh Cavalry in Deadwood
Sep 14 1877
In regard to: Jackson, H.
Calamity Jane presented picture of Col. Lounsbury
Nov 30 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane received large size photo of Col. Lounsberry.
Calamity Jane has natural weakness for Bohemians.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Lounsberry, Clement A. Col., publisher of the Bismarck Tribune, Bismark, North Dakota and noted to have known George Custer. Biography and photo of Col. Clement A. Lounsberry.
Dec 02 1877
Military from Terry's department on way to Deadwood
Dec 13 1877
In regard to: Deadwood
Of famous Seventh cavalry, in Deadwood
Sep 03 1878
In regard to: Sturgis, Samuel D.
Fort Meade, Dakota. Bear Butte, 3 miles distant 1888, Photographer John C. H. Grabill, Copyright Meeting of Frontiers: The John C. H Grabill Collection.
Calamity Jane Moves to Rapid City, Dakota Territory 1878
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she left the cavalry and Ft. Meade in 1878 to do prospecting near Rapid City.
Calamity Jane moves to Rapid
Jan 03 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
The Vernon Pioneer March 27, 1878, Vernon, Lamar, Alabama
"Among the noted women of the Black Hills is Calamity Jane, or Martha
Canary. Born in the midst of a wild whirlwind of a dissolute life – thrown when a mere child upon the cold world for sustenance – uneducated, uncared for – with a mother incapacitated to love her – father dead – surrounded with sadness – Jane grew up among the rough and tumble of the world, and is today what delicate society would call a strong-minded woman. She is about twenty-two years old, has a dark complexion, high cheek bones, an awkward walk, receding brow, black hair, rather pleasant eye, but when in passion emitting a greenish glare. Her movements are all free and unstudied, yet in no sense unbecoming. Her conversation is animated, her language good, and her heart warm and generous. She imitates no one, is an original in herself, despises hypocrites, and is easily melted into tears. She is generous, forgiving, kind-hearted, sociable, and yet when aroused has all the daring courage of a lion
or the devil himself. She has been long in the hills; has been a scout in the army; dressed in soldier’s clothes, traveled all over; fought Indians, and is now dancing in a hurdy-gurdy house in Deadwood for a living. When dressed in her own garments she looked comely; when equipped as a man she has all the characteristics of the sterner sex, with her pistols, bowie-knives and other weapons of death."
Going out on Bismarck stage, probably to see boys in blue
Sep 24 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Every one-horsed town claiming her residency
Oct 28 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane is noted to have been a resident of Mother Featherlegs Shephard's parlor in Muskrat Canyon, Wyoming along the Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage route. Mother Featherlegs Shephard was murdered in 1879.
Calamity Jane Returns to Deadwood and Sturgis 1879
Calamity Jane reportedly walloped two women there
Feb 08 1879
In regard to: Sturgis City
Reportedly walloped two women at Sturgis yesterday
Feb 08 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Again a resident of this place, Gem Theatre graced
Jul 04 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Very sick with congestion of the bowels
Jul 15 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Suffered a severe attack of sickness, recovering
Jul 18 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Has many solid friends among the best citizens
Jul 20 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane's virtues going rounds of eastern papers
Aug 07 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Came over from Sturgis with T. Fulton Gantt
Aug 22 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Returned from Sturgis City with Miss Calamity Jane
Aug 22 1879
In regard to: Gantt, T. Fulton, Deadwood Attorney
Frank Witcher and Fred Evans Teamsters
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she drove for two teamsters in 1879; Frank Witcher's route between Rapid City and Fort Pierre, and for Fred Evans between Fort Pierre and Sturgis.
Report in Yankton Press of her dancing at Pierre
Nov 07 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Red Jacket
In Deadwood
Cosgrove, M.
Maggie Cosgrove Calamity Jane
Nov 11 1879
Came into city a passenger on La Plont's bull train
Nov 18 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Leaves Deadwood
Cosgrove, M.
Maggie Cosgrove Calamity Jane
Nov 18 1879
At Sturgis, just in from Pierre
Dec 03 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
To spend winter in Rapid, Deadwood is too puritanical
Dec 10 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Her remarks remembered by reporter at wrong place
Feb 29 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Progress of our own little war
Mar 25 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
At Rapid City, happy to see members of Deadwood bar
Apr 20 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
June 19, 1880 Federal Census, Martha's sister Lena Pauline Canary Borner age 21 born 1859 Ohio, husband John G. Borner age 41 born 1839 Saxony, occupation farmer, along with children daughter Mabell Borner age 4 born 1876 Wyoming Territory, son Tobias Borner age 3 born 1877 Wyoming Territory, son Francis Borner age 2 born 1878 Wyoming Territory and daughter Theresia Borner age 5/12 months born 1880 Wyoming Territory were residing Big Pope Agie Valley, Sweetwater, Wyoming.
Has gone to Rapid with dance hall from Sturgis
Jun 30 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Fort Pierre special reports on some bad characters
Aug 27 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Red Jacket
Belle of the evening fell down stairs and broke leg
Nov 09 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Recovered from broken leg, has gone to Chicago
Nov 24 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Enjoying visit from Spotted Tail and wife at Pierre
Nov 24 1880
In regard to: Evans, Fred T., owner of Sherman Street Court House Building, Deadwood
In regard to: Evans, Fred T., Freighter, Ft Pierre Freight Line, Peck line of steamers, ad
Spotted Tail visiting Evans at Pierre last 3 weeks
Nov 24 1880
In regard to: Indians
In regard to: Evans, Fred T., Freighter, Ft Pierre Freight Line, Peck line of steamers, ad
Calamity Jane Moves to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota 1881
Calamity Jane is married, lives in St. Paul, Minnesota
Jan 14 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Married, has found her affinity and lives in St. Paul
Jan 14 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Arrested in theft of government mules
Cosgrove, George
Feb 06 1881
Witness for government in H.P. Adams case
Cosgrove, George
Feb 08 1881
Witness in Dougherty case lived with Calamity Jane
Feb 10 1881
In regard to: Cosgrove, George
Cosgrove testifies he lived with her
Feb 10 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Cosgrove, George
Road agent wasnt arrested at Cosgroves house
Davis, Finn
Feb 10 1881
Witness for prosecution in government mule case
Cosgrove, George
Feb 16 1881
Adams takes 2 mules to his camp
Cosgrove, George
Feb 16 1881
Jennings & Wallace requests judge treat gently
Cosgrove, George
Jennings, R.D.
Wallace, Joe
Feb 22 1881
Larceny of government mules continued to August
Cosgrove, George
Mar 09 1881
Gave bonds $300, dismissed from custody
Cosgrove, George
Mar 12 1881
Letter from Crocker, cattle doing well on range
Cosgrove, George
Mar 13 1881
Pendegrass statement of government mule case
Cosgrove,
Aug 20 1881
Was the man who proposed to steal government mules
Mason, Thomas
Aug 20 1881
Attorney enters nolle prosiqui
Cosgrove,
Aug 29 1881
Serving time for monkeying with government mules
Mason, Thomas
Dougherty, Sam
Adams, Halleck P.
Sep 08 1881
Calamity Jane Moves to Wyoming 1881 and Montana 1882
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she moved to Wyoming in 1881 and then to her Yellowstone ranch in Miles City, Montana in 1882.
What happened to her?
Jan 20 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Family paper publishes romantic trash back east
Jan 27 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
1882 Calamity Jane is noted to have run a dance hall with Madame Bulldog at the Bucket of Blood, 113 Park St, Livingston, Montana. Madame Bulldog also known as Sarah Ann Erb would arrive in the Black Hills as early as 1879 where she operated the Bulldog Ranch. Her husband Mr. Erb ran the Blue Grass Saloon in Deadwood on Main Street. Madame "Bulldog" Erb was embroiled in a nasty and lengthy adultery case in 1880 with a Mr. Hammond whom she felt she was free to marry. Deadwood papers noted the case had cost them thousands of dollars. The Bulldog Ranch property was finally divided and Madame Bulldog set up a new Bulldog Ranch located in Sturis by Feb 1882.
Mrs S.I. Hammond better known as Madame Bulldog (also Madame Erb) has large quantity of ice at Sturgis
Madame Bulldog, an associate of Calamity Jane
Feb 08 1882
1882 - 1902 Calamity Jane is noted as living in Livingston, Montana as various times. Calamity Jane left Livingston for the last time May 1902.
1882 - 1902 Calamity Jane is noted as living in the mining camp of Evensdale located on the Old Yellowstone Trail between Corwin Sprigns and Gardiner on the west side of the Yellowstone River.
Dealing "stud horse" poker at Miles City
Madame Bulldog, an associate of Calamity Jane
Aug 31 1882
Calamity Jane's Cabin, 222 South Main, Livingston, Montana © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
Living on a ranch on Graveyard bottom, Yellowstone
Jun 13 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Exchange claims she's rancheress and devoted to flag
Jul 18 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
State of inebriety is her home, born in Montana
Dec 15 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Irrepressible has tired of married life on ranch
Dec 21 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Once more in toils of law, selling whisky to Indian
Feb 16 1883
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Denver citizens going wild over opera, Calamity Jane
Sep 13 1883
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Texas Bill, Calamity Jane and Dirty Em, 1876
Sep 25 1883
In regard to: Dirty Em
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Passengers from the Black Hills going to the Coeur d’Alene mines can save from $8 to $25 each person via Miles City and the North Pacific railroad by calling upon John A. Gaston, passenger agent N.P.R.R.
Gaston, John A.
Northern Pacific Railroad.
March 1, 1884
Pierre Recorder, 21st: "Calamity Jane, who was once a famous character in Pierre, and who has lately been living quietly in the Black Hills, has got the Coeur d'Alene fever, and has started on the trail to that far away country." Poor old Calamity has been the most unfortunate woman that ever struck this country. Born in Montana, and reared in the mountains, she grew up with the country, and came to the Hills with the General Custer expedition. Three years ago she married and settled down on a ranch near Miles City, and has remained there ever since, and is an honored member of the Miles City society. March 28, 1884
In regard to: Calamity Jane
1884 Eagle City, Idaho
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Molly B'Damm
1884 Wallace, Idaho
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane Moves to California, Washington, Texas and Back to Wyoming 1884
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she went to the West coast, noted as leaving San Francisco, California in 1884 for Arizona and Texas where she resided through 1889.
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims after she left Texas, her itinerary took her through the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and reuniting once again, back to Deadwood, South Dakota, Fall of 1895.
1883 Calamity Jane is noted in Ogden, California.
1884 Calamity Jane is noted in San Francisco, California.
1884 Buffalo, Wyoming, Calamity returns for the summer.
Calamity Jane is living quietly at Ft. Washakie, Sweetwater, Wyoming.
Dec. 2, 1884
In regard to: Calamity Jane.
Calamity Jane Moves to Rawlins Wyoming 1885
Word of Calamity Jane.
Aug. 13, 1885
Sundance Gazette says Old Calamity Jane is neither dead nor slumbering. She got to the front one day last week at Rawlins; knocking another trail sister out in first round of a drunken melee.
In regard to: Calamity Jane.
Calamity Jane.
Nov. 22, 1885
A new sketch of an old and notorious character. The career of one of the most noted frontier characters on record.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane immortalized.
Jan. 23, 1886
New dime novel series adorned with hideous wood cut showing the graves of Deadwood Dick and Calamity Jane . At last advices the old girls was in Sweetwater, alive and kicking.
In regard to: Calamity Jane.
In regard to: Deadwood Dick.
Calamity Jane in Rawlins.
Sept. 30, 1886
Calamity Jane is camped in Rawlins. A local paper says she is not half as bad as the human ghouls who abuse her.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane drunk and disorderly.
June 30, 1887
Calamity Jane was pulled a few days since in Cheyenne for being drunk and disorderly.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Word on Calamity Jane.
Sept. 6, 1887
Lander Wyoming Mountaineer hears from Miss Mattie King, known as "Calamity Jane" that she is sobering up and behaving herself. Article concludes with comment that the genuine Calamity Jane is and has been for four or five years a respectable married woman living with her husband on a ranch in Yellowstone valley.
In regard to: King, Mattie
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Mrs. Spencer on Calamity Jane.
Aug. 31, 1887
Mrs. George E. Spencer, has "writ a book" on Calamity Jane.
In regard to: Spencer, George E. Mrs.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Word on Calamity Jane.
Sept. 6, 1887
Lander Wyoming Mountaineer hears from Miss Mattie King, known as "Calamity Jane" that she is sobering up and behaving herself. Article concludes with comment that the genuine Calamity Jane is and has been for four or five years a respectable married woman living with her husband on a ranch in Yellowstone valley.
In regard to: King, Mattie
In regard to: Koenig, Mattie
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Yellowstone Valley, Woming
1888 Martha Canary is noted to have a common law marriage with a William Steers.
"Calamity" Jane at Green River.
April 22, 1888
Green River News reports "Calamity Jane," giving her name as Mrs. Steers, had so-called husband arrested for assault. Later, "Calamity" arrested for drunk and disorderly, and now occupies quarters in the county bastile.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Green River, County Seat of Sweetwater County, Wyoming
Buttes near Green River Station, Union Pacific Railroad. Portable darkroom stand at right Sweetwater County, Wyoming. 1871. Photo by E.O. Beaman, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1888 October Martha Canary's sister Lena Pauline Canary Borner died Lander, Wyoming Territory.
1888 November, Martha Canary Calamity Jane was tied to an incident with a Calamity Jane impersonator in Livingston, Montana. Calamity Jane is noted to have had a common law marriage with Charles Townley, a painter. This Calamity Jane as newspapers would later reveal was not Martha Canary but Annie Fillmore, also a prostitue and follower of the Union Pacific railroad camps.
"Calamity" Jane at Green River.
April 22, 1888
Green River News reports "Calamity Jane," giving her name as Mrs. Steers, had so-called husband arrested for assault. Later, "Calamity" arrested for drunk and disorderly, and now occupies quarters in the county bastile.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
1889 Laramie, Wyoming, a newspaper article tied Martha Canary Calamity Jane to Calamity Jane impersonator Mrs. Ope alias Kentucky Belle alias Calamity Jane and Old Mother Gladdis in a drunken altercation resulting in jail time.
1891 September 25 Martha Canary is noted to have married Clinton Burke in El Paso, Texas.
1892 -1893 Martha Burke and Clinton Burke is noted running a hotel in Boulder, Colorado.
1894 Calamity Jane is noted as living near the old townsite of Coulson along the Yellowstone River in Montana. Liver Eatin' Johnson was the sheriff when the town of Coulson was in operation. Coulson established in 1877 became a ghost town by 1882 as it's residents picked up and moved to the newly built railroad town of Billings some two miles away. The Yellowstone Gateway Museum contains a photograph of Calamity Jane as residing in the Coulson valley.
April 1894 Photo of Calamity Jane 1894, Billings, Montana with soldiers during the American Railway Strike. American Railway Union strikes Northern Pacific's roundhouse in Butte, Montana. "April 24, 1894 Unemployed miners in Butte, Montana steal a Northern Pacific freight train. Trustees for the NP and other bankrupt railroads immediately seek federal protection for their property. Then, pursued by a train carrying US marshals, the stolen train runs wild (without orders) east across the mountains, finally being recaptured by soldiers in Forsyth, Montana (see Coxey’s Army)."
1895 Castle Town, Meagher, Montana, Calamity Jane impersonator Annie Filmore and her husband run a cafe.
Calamity Jane returns.
Burke, Jane
Burke, M. (Madge)
Deadwood, South Dakota
Clinton Burke is not mentioned and may be separated or have died. Martha Canary Burke and daughter Madge Burke are the only persons noted in this Deadwood historical newspaper article.
Oct. 5, 1895
1896 January 20th, Calamity Jane performs at Palace Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota, for Kohl and Middleton's company. Calamity Jane sells her pamphlet "Life and Adventures of Calamity Jane" during the stage show.
"My maiden name was Martha Cannary. I was born in Princeton, Missourri, May 1st, 1852. Father and mother were natives of Ohio. I had two brothers and three sisters, I being the oldest of the children. As a child I always had a fondness for adventure and out-door exercise and especial fondness for horses which I began to ride at an early age and continued to do so until I became an expert rider being able to ride the most vicious and stubborn of horses, in fact the greater portion of my life in early times was spent in this manner."
"In 1865 we emigrated from our homes in Missourri by the overland route to Virginia City, Montana, taking five months to make the journey. While on the way the greater portion of my time was spent in hunting along with the men and hunters of the party, in fact I was at all times with the men when there was excitement and adventures to be had. By the time we reached Virginia City I was considered a remarkable good shot and a fearless rider for a girl of my age. I remember many occurrences on the journey from Missourri to Montana. Many times in crossing the mountains the conditions of the trail were so bad that we frequently had to lower the wagons over ledges by hand with ropes for they were so rough and rugged that horses were of no use. We also had many exciting times fording streams for many of the streams in our way were noted for quicksands and boggy places, where, unless we were very careful, we would have lost horses and all. Then we had many dangers to encounter in the way of streams swelling on account of heavy rains. On occasions of that kind the men would usually select the best places to cross the streams, myself on more than one occasion have mounted my pony and swam across the stream several times merely to amuse myself and have had many narow escapes from having both myself and pony washed away to certain death, but as the pioneers of those days had plenty of courage we overcame all obstacles and reached Virginia City in safety."
"Mother died at Black Foot, Montana, 1866, where we buried her. I left Montana in Spring of 1866, for Utah, arriving at Salt Lake city during the summer. Remained in Utah until 1867, where my father died, then went to Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory, where we arrived May 1, 1868, then went to Piedmont, Wyoming, with U.P. Railway. Joined General Custer as a scout at Fort Russell, Wyoming, in 1870, and started for Arizona for the Indian Campaign. Up to this time I had always worn the costume of my sex. When I joined Custer I donned the uniform of a soldier. It was a bit awkward at first but I soon got to be perfectly at home in men's clothes."
"Was in Arizona up to the winter of 1871 and during that time I had a great many adventures with the Indians, for as a scout I had a great many dangerous missions to perform and while I was in many close places always succeeded in getting away safely for by this time I was considered the most reckless and daring rider and one of the best shots in the western country."
Deadwood Letter List
Dec 6, 1896
Burke, Clinton Mrs.
July 19, 1897 Martha Canary Burke sold photographs of herself in Yellowstone National Park.
1899 Photo Calamity Jane, Lewiston, Montana © 2003 Triangle C Ranch Old West Antiques and Collectibles.
1899 - 1900 Pisor Saloon in Horr, Montana, a coke town of the Upper Yellowstone. Billy Jump bartender noted Calamity Jane frequented the Pisor Saloon which was located a short distance from her cabin in.
1900 Coal Mining Camp of Aldridge, Montana, Calamity Jane is noted as a resident."Agnes Somerville’s boarding house (called the Union Hotel) was farthest left of those in the lower part of town. The big hall across the street was the Union Hall (upstairs) and housed Doby Somerville’s Place downstairs. The little cabin in which Calamity Jane stayed during her summer and early fall sojourns in Aldridge was the white-roofed house below the Union Hall. © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum."
1901 Calamity Jane Martha Canary Burke performs Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York and sells her pamphlet "Life and Adventures of Calamity Jane".
1901 Martha Canary Burke common law marriage to Robert Dorsett.
1901 January 3rd, Miles City, Montana, Calamity Jane now called Jane Dorsett, a former resident of Dickinson, North Dakota has arrived seeking employment as a cook.
1902 May, Calamity Jane leaves Livingston, Montana for the last time. She indicated her intentions were to move to the railroad town of Lombard, Montana, © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
August 1, 1903, death age 47 - 51, Marth Canary Burke, Calamity Jane, Calloway Hotel, Terry, Lawrence, South Dakota from inflammation of the bowels and pneumonia.
Calamity Jane's burial Mount Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, Lawrence, South Dakota was arranged by the Society of Black Hills Pioneers.
Martha Jane Canary Pedigree and Census Records
Father:
Name: Robert Canary
Age: 25
Estimated birth year: abt 1825
Birth Place: Ohio
Gender: Male
Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Malaga, Monroe, Ohio
Family Number: 105
Occupation: farmer
Household Members: Name Age
James Canary 62, born about 1788 Virginia
Sarah Canary 56, born about 1794 North Carolina
Joshua Canary 36, born about 1814 Ohio
Robert Canary 25, born about 1825 Ohio
Lucinda Ann Byers 14
Name: R W Canary, Robert W. Canary
Age in 1860: 35
Birth Year: abt 1825
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1860: Ravanna, Mercer, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ravanna
Occupation: farmer
Household Members: Name Age
R W Canary 35, born about 1825 Ohio
Charlotte Canary 20, born abt 1840 Illinois
Martha Canary 4, born about 1856 Missouri
Cilus Canary 3, born about 1857 Missouri
Lana Canary 1, born about 1859 Missouri
James Canary 72, born about 1788 Virginia
1852 - 1856 Birth Martha Canary, May 1st, Princeton, Mercer, Missouri. Documentation: 1860 Federal Census, Ravanna, Mercer, Missouri, head of household father R W Canary age 35, mother Charlotte Canary age 20, daughter Martha Canary age 4.
1865 R. W. Canary, wife and children began a 5 month journey from Missouri to Virginia City, Montana Territory. By the time the Canary family reached Blackfoot, Montana Territory, Jane siblings would grow to two brothers and three sisters.
1866 Mother Charlotte Canary died on the journey from Missouri to Montana Territory and is buried at Black Foot, Montana Territory.
Photo Virginia City, Montana Territory 1867, © The U.S. National Archives, Photographs of the American West: 1861-1912.
Spring 1866 Father Robert W. Canary and children leave Virginia City, Montana Territory for Salt Lake, Utah Territory, arriving summer of 1866 to homestead and farm.
Father Robert W. Canary died in Salt Lake, Utah Territory in 1867. Martha Canary becomes the head of household for her five siblings.
1867 Martha Canary age 12 -13 leaves Salt Lake, Utah Territory for Wyoming Territory with sister Lena Canary born about 1859 Missouri.
1868 May 1st, Martha Canary and her siblings arrive Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory.
1868 Salt Lake Valley, east from Corrinne, Utah Territory. Brigham City in the distance, A.J. Russell Collection, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1868 Church Buttes, near Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory, A.J. Russell Collection, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1869 Martha Canary followed the construction Union Pacific Railroad to Piedmont, Wyoming Territory.
1868 - 1870 Photo Martha Canary and Relative. Photo captioned Calamity Jane and Mrs. Callie Lilly Minnie Terry’s mother, © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
Piedmont Wyoming, Charcoal kilns at Piedmont built by Moses Byrne in 1869, to supply pioneer smelters in the Utah Valley. Historical landmark. Piedmont is a ghost town on the former alinement of the Union Pacific railroad about 20 miles east-southeast of Evanston. Uinta County, Wyoming, July 1984, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1869 - 1870 Martha Canary is noted to have run a dance hall and bordello in the South Pass Mining District gold camp of Atlantic City located a few miles outside of Lander, Wyoming Territory. Martha Canary has also been noted as residing in the adjacent mining camp of Miner's Delight.
1870 Atlantic City Wyoming, South Pass, Fremont, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1870 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Russell, Wyoming Territory where she joined General Custer as a scout in his campaign agaist the Apache Indians in Arizona. Martha Canary appeared on the muster rolls as M. Cannary. Martha remained in Arizona through the winter of 1871.
1870 Fort Fetterman Wyoming situated at the mouth of La Prele Creek, 135 miles north from Cheyenne, and 70 miles from Fort Laramie. It marks the junction of the Powder River route to Montana and North Platte, Converse County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1871 Fort Russell Wyoming. Rendezvous camp, at Fort A.D. Russell, near Cheyenne. Laramie County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1872 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Sanders, Wyoming Territory. Martha Canary joins as a scout under Captain Egan in an expedition to quell an uprising of the Nursey Pursey Indians of Musselshell country. Captain Egan's troops would be engaged in an ambush close to their camp located near Goose Creek. Martha Canary being in close proximity to Captain Egan during the skirmish would save him from falling off his horse after being shot. Pulling Captain Egan up and onto the front of her horse, Martha rode to the safety of their camp a mile away. Upon Captain Egan's recovery he is noted to have given her the nickname of Calamity Jane, Heroine of the Plains. Johns and Janes were common names of endearment associated with individuals involved in the business of prostitution.
East Fork of Big Goose Creek, Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming. Fallen timber 10 to 15 years after fire ran through it. New forest growth slowly starting up. Sheridan County, Wyoming. August 1897 © U. S. Geological Survey.
Fort Sanders Wyoming Camp Farewell, at Fort Sanders, so named as being the last regular camp of the Survey of 1870. Showing merely a few of the members, the tents, and animals of the expedition. Albany County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1874 Photo General Custer Crossing Plains Black Hills Expedition Dakota Territory, © The U.S. National Archives, Photographs of the American West: 1861-1912.
1874 Miner's Delight also known as Hamilton City, Wyoming Territory, Calamity Jane nursed back to heath John G. Borner, a freighter and early farmer of the area, whom had suffered a broken leg after falling off his horse. John G. Borner would later marry Calamity Jane's sister Lena Canary in Lander, Wyoming Territory in 1875.
1874 Martha Canary is noted to have worked at the Three-Mile Hog Ranch located a few miles west of Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory. The area was a recreational destination for the soldiers of Fort Laramie to gamble, drink, and served as a center for prostitution run by Adolph Cuny and Jules Ecoffey as early as 1873.
1875 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory where she joins Col. Richard I. Dodge, Walter Jenney and Henry Newton's Black Hills Expedition as a private teamster.
Fort Laramie Wyoming 1870 situated on the Laramie River, about 2 miles above its junction with the North Platte, and on the line of the old Overland Road to Oregon and California, Goshen County, Wyoming. Photographer W. H. Jackson, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1875 Martha Canary's sister, Lena Canary born about 1859 Missouri, agreed to work as a house servant for James I. Patten near Lander, Wyoming Territory. Before her new employment, she instead married Patten's friend, freighter John G. Borner, whom Calamity Jane has nursed back to health the prior year. Martha Canary and her sister Lena Canary Borner ran a laundry business in Lander for a few years until Calamity Jane's influence on the Borner children became unacceptable by John Borner. Calamity Jane was banned from visiting the Borner family and appears to have left the area.
Lena Pauline Canary Borner died October 1888 at the Borner homestead outside of Lander from complications of a broken hip after being kicked by a calf. Lena Canary Borner is buried in the Wilcox-Masonic Cemetery.
Martha Canary's brother Elijah Canary is noted to have worked for John Borner as a ranch hand.
John Borner would sell his Lander homestead soon after the death of Lena and move his family to Greybull, Big Horn, Wyoming where he died December 13, 1919.
Facts and rumors of Gen. Crook’s fight.
July 15, 1876
In regard to: Crook, George R.
In regard to: Native American.
In regard to: Goose Creek.
In regard to: Custer, George A.
Cinching a pack mule with flour 1876, General George Crook's pursuit of a band of Sioux fleeing General Custer's defeat at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Photographer S. J. Morrow, Yankton D. T., © DPL Western History Photos.
1876 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Fetterman, Wyoming Territory, headquarters of General Crook.
Calamity Jane at Cheyenne.
July 15, 1876
In regard to:Calamity Jane.
1876 Martha Canary is noted at Goose Creek, Wyoming Territory. General Crook's scout Frank Grouard supposedly hired Calamity Jane as a replacement scout during the Battle of the Rosebud. Calamity Jane would have been about 20 years of age.
Full account of Crook battle.
July 22, 1876
In regard to: Crook, George R.
In regard to: Finerty, J. F.
In regard to: Furey, Major.
In regard to: Native American.
In regard to: Rosebud Creek.
In regard to: Gruard.
In regard to: Sitting Bull.
In regard to: Randall, Major.
In regard to: Bourke, Lt.
In regard to: Royall, Col. (Royall, William B.)
In regard to: Royall, William B.
In regard to: Mills, Capt. (Mills, Anson)
In regard to: Mills, Anson.
In regard to: Henry, Col.
In regard to: Van Vliet, Col.
In regard to: Sutorius, Alex.
In regard to: Broom, Capt.
In regard to: Andrews, Capt.
In regard to: Reynolds, Lt.
In regard to: Noyes, Col.
In regard to: Nickerson, Capt.
In regard to: Battle of the Rosebud.
1876 Martha Canary is noted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory. In jail at the time, she is released to join Colorado Charley Utter's wagon train from Denver to Cheyenne to Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Other members of the Utter party included C. H. Utter's brother, Steve Utter with whom Calamity Jane was associated. Wild Bill James Butler Hickok, Kitty Arnold, Madames Elanora "Madam Mustache" Dumont and "Dirty Emma" joined Utter's train in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
1876 an undocumented marriage between Martha Canary, Calamity Jane and George Cosgrove is to have taken place in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory.
George Cosgrove has been noted as a member of Charley Utter's wagon train from Cheyenne to Deadwood in 1876. George Cosgrove and Maggie Cosgrove lived in Sherman, Wyoming Territory 1876 - 1879 before they appear to have gone their separate ways.
Jack Bowman's Hat CreeK Ranch 1879, Calamity Jane is noted to have been at the bar and her husband George Cosgrove also observed at the ranch. Martha Canary Cosgrove was overhead to have said she was married to George, living a straight life and no longer doing businesss on the outside.
Photograhps of Calamity Jane, Martha Canary Burke
Calamity Jane 1880 Miles City, Montana. A less known image of Jane Canary, seated on a divan, attired in an elegant dress with bows, large white scarf tied in bow about the neckline, hat trimmed with a boa arranged in a snake like manner, elaborate pincurl bangs under hat brim. Photographer L. A. Huffman, © Montana Historical Society.
Calamity Jane and Teddy Blue Abbott 1880 Gilt Edge, Montana shown toasting with a beer, © We Pointed Them North: Recollections of a cowpuncher by E.C. “Teddy Blue” Abbott and Helena Huntington Smith, Gerry B's Book Reviews.
Calamity Jane, Martha Jane Canary Burke 1870 - 1890, Postcard from M. Virginia Bordener of San Francisco noted as sender and niece of Martha Canary Burke 1956. © Photography Collection, Western History and Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library.
1885 Calamity Jane with rifle and her horse in front of a building. The location of this building has been identified as Utica, Montana, © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
Photo Calamity Jane in dress in front of a door, possibly Ogden, Utah 1883, © Utah State Historical Society, date unknown.
Pony express established in Deadwood
July 8, 1876
In regard to: Utter, Charley.
In regard to: Seymour, J. F.
In regard to: Lee and Brown.
Calamity Jane has arrived, Cheyenne Leader, insert
Jul 15 1876
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane at the Langrishe Theater in 1876
Feb 24 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Tells of Calamity Jane he knew in Iowa
Jul 16 1877
In regard to: Hendricks, A.R. Dr.
Jail has 13 males and 1 female inmate
Jul 16 1877
In regard to: Lawrence County Jail, Deadwood
In company of outlaws at Spring Creek north of Laurel, Montana
Jul 23 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane and her Holing-Up shanty
In regard to: Horsetheif Cache south side of canyon from Calamity Jane's house
In regard to: Charles Fallon known as Rattlesnake Jake
In regard to: Edward Longhair Owen
Calamity dancing at the Bonanza on Lee Street
Aug 01 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Times suffering from Sunday attack of the rumors
Aug 13 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
High toned citizen tripping the light fantastic
Aug 27 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Cosgrove, George put out fire at Mrs. Welshs
Cosgrove, George
Sep 18 1877
First woman in the Black Hills imprisoned, Calamity Jane
Sep 20 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Heroine of the Hills, Editor of Times thinks not
Sep 21 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Times reports that Pioneer editor is intimate with Calamity Jane
Sep 22 1877
In regard to: Times Newspaper
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Idyl De Macaroni,
"For me to bear, Calamity Jane"
Oct 19 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Poetry
Received large size photo of Col. Lounsberry.
Calamity Jane has natural weakness for Bohemians.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Lounsberry, Clement A. Col.
Dec 02 1877
"my name aint Calamity Jane it's Maggie Cosgrove"
In reagard to: Cosgrove, Maggie
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Dec 17 1877
Calamity Jane moves to Rapid
Jan 03 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In Deadwood
Cosgrove, Maggie
Jan 11 1878
Had her first photograph taken
Jan 22 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Photo 1 of Calamity Jane 1878
Photo 2 Calamity Jane 1878 - 1879
Copyright © 2003 Triangle C Ranch Old West Antiques and Collectibles.
Green-eyed monster made things lively at dance
Feb 18 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Accounts for Sale, Jo. Gandolph
Cosgrove, M.
Mar 01 1878
Mrs. Bloxsom, the Pioneer's "heroine of the Hills"
Mar 18 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
"Heroine of the Hills"
Apr 09 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
"Heroine of the Hills", now Frenchy's partner
Apr 12 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Mrs. Bloxsom, that nauseating specimen of humanity
Apr 25 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Warren who was stabbed on Main, under care of Jane
Jun 28 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Warren, Frank
Stabbed on Main St by unknown hand, June 26th
Not our Calamity, death of tenderfoot from Iowa
Sep 05 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In Deadwood
Sep 13 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Leaves Deadwood
Sep 13 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In Deadwood
Sep 17 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Leaves Deadwood
Sep 24 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Poem Calamity Bar by Poet Scout Jack Crawford, H. Keller & Co., 1879.
"Ye see a lot of us miners
"Was a buckin' agin the laws.
"Wall, I was one of the buckers,
Who'd come to try my luck,
An' while the rest was buckin',
I got up an' began to buck.
Wall, ye see it was just that time, pard,
While I was out on the look,
A company of Uncle Samuel's,
Commanded by General Crook,
Came riding along the gulches,
All armed and ready for war;
So I made a bee line for Custer,
And soon arrived at this bar.
The soldiers came up to our bar,
But then it hadn't a name;
And there was a gal with the soldiers
They called " Calamity Jane."
And while the soldiers were chatting
And talking of Injuns and war,
A soldier said, " Jane, in your honor,
We'll call this Calamity Bar."
And that's how it got its name, pard ;
The Calamity ain't so bad:
There's fifteen cents to the pan here,
And you bet I feel mighty glad.
And as for Jane, she's a daisy,
She tends to the sick and distressed ;
They tell me she comes from Virginny,
The bulliest town in the West. ,
Martha Canary Burke, Calamity Jane's Autobiography
Calamity Jane's Autobiography deemed by many as mostly fictional, surprisingly hits the mark in most instances as being in the right place at the right time as documented by historical newspaper articles of the day. See also Martha Cannary, Martha Canary, Martha Burk, Mary E. Burke.
Autobiographical References and Historical Events
Calamity Jane's Autobiography claims she was a resident of Deadwood from 1876 until the spring of 1877.
Grandma Annie Vallery known as "Gentle Annie" was an early Deadwood employer for Calamity Jane.
Single woman, Annie Vallery, a successful restaurateur in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, sold her business and made her way to Deadwood aboard the Orr wagon train in 1876. "Gentle Annie" operated successful boarding houses in Deadwood, Lead and Custer where Calamity Jane was an employee from time to time.
Deadwood historical newspaper articles indicates Calamity Jane resided in the town of Elizabethtown, a suburb mining camp on the outskirts of Deadwood, where she ran a boarding house for a short period of time.
On her trek into Deadwood she would pass through Nuttallberg, started by Tom Nuttall of the Bella Union Theatre, through the Badlands of Chinatown and on into Deadwood proper. These camps were in close proximity to each other and were often hard to tell apart other than by the services they could offer. Calamity Jane is noted in historical newspaper articles to have danced at Deadwood's Bonanza Hall and the Gem Theatre.
Deadwood proper incorporated the towns of Deadwood, Chinatown, Elizabethtown, Fountain City, Highland Park, Ingleside, and Cleveland into one metropolitan area in 1881.
Canyon Springs Stage Coach Robbery of March 1877
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she took the reins from deceased stage coach driver Johnny Slaughter and drove the stage and passengers back to Deadwood in the botched Canyon Springs Stage Coach robbery of March 1877.
Calamity Jane, A Heroine of The Wild West by W. G. Patterson 1903.
Deadwood historical newspaper articles regarding the death of Johnny Slaughter and the Canyon Springs Robbery fails to mention Calamity Jane.
John Slaughter, driver stage coach is shot and dies Mar 31 1877
Seth Bullock after celebrated Road Agent in Ohio 1877
Robert McKenna, alias Reddy, killed stage driver Johnny Slaughter
March 1877
Rev Norcross offciating at funeral of Slaughter Mar 31 1877
John Slaughter, $2,000 reward, bring in his murderer Apr 13 1877
Road Agent Blackburn claims he didn't kill Johnny Slaughter Nov 27 1877
Robert McKenna road agent and supposed murderer of Johnny Slaughter Feb 04 1878
Thomas Flood with Reddy gang when Johnny Slaughter killed Feb 08 1878
Reddy has been sentenced at Hillsboro Ohio to 20 years Feb 03 1879
Seth Bullock received information that Reddy is in jail 15 yrs Mar 31 1879
Calamity Jane Leaves Deadwood Fall 1877.
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she helped the 7th Cavalry build Ft Meade, near Bear Butte Creek, in the Fall and Winter of 1877.
Deadwood historical newspaper articles regarding 7th Cavalry and Ft Meade fails to mention Calamity Jane.
Deadwood troops arrived, 85 men
Feb 24 1877
In regard to: Deadwood
Jackson, Capt. H. of Seventh Cavalry in Deadwood
Sep 14 1877
In regard to: Jackson, H.
Calamity Jane presented picture of Col. Lounsbury
Nov 30 1877
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane received large size photo of Col. Lounsberry.
Calamity Jane has natural weakness for Bohemians.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Lounsberry, Clement A. Col., publisher of the Bismarck Tribune, Bismark, North Dakota and noted to have known George Custer. Biography and photo of Col. Clement A. Lounsberry.
Dec 02 1877
Military from Terry's department on way to Deadwood
Dec 13 1877
In regard to: Deadwood
Of famous Seventh cavalry, in Deadwood
Sep 03 1878
In regard to: Sturgis, Samuel D.
Fort Meade, Dakota. Bear Butte, 3 miles distant 1888, Photographer John C. H. Grabill, Copyright Meeting of Frontiers: The John C. H Grabill Collection.
Calamity Jane Moves to Rapid City, Dakota Territory 1878
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she left the cavalry and Ft. Meade in 1878 to do prospecting near Rapid City.
Calamity Jane moves to Rapid
Jan 03 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
The Vernon Pioneer March 27, 1878, Vernon, Lamar, Alabama
"Among the noted women of the Black Hills is Calamity Jane, or Martha
Canary. Born in the midst of a wild whirlwind of a dissolute life – thrown when a mere child upon the cold world for sustenance – uneducated, uncared for – with a mother incapacitated to love her – father dead – surrounded with sadness – Jane grew up among the rough and tumble of the world, and is today what delicate society would call a strong-minded woman. She is about twenty-two years old, has a dark complexion, high cheek bones, an awkward walk, receding brow, black hair, rather pleasant eye, but when in passion emitting a greenish glare. Her movements are all free and unstudied, yet in no sense unbecoming. Her conversation is animated, her language good, and her heart warm and generous. She imitates no one, is an original in herself, despises hypocrites, and is easily melted into tears. She is generous, forgiving, kind-hearted, sociable, and yet when aroused has all the daring courage of a lion
or the devil himself. She has been long in the hills; has been a scout in the army; dressed in soldier’s clothes, traveled all over; fought Indians, and is now dancing in a hurdy-gurdy house in Deadwood for a living. When dressed in her own garments she looked comely; when equipped as a man she has all the characteristics of the sterner sex, with her pistols, bowie-knives and other weapons of death."
Going out on Bismarck stage, probably to see boys in blue
Sep 24 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Every one-horsed town claiming her residency
Oct 28 1878
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane is noted to have been a resident of Mother Featherlegs Shephard's parlor in Muskrat Canyon, Wyoming along the Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage route. Mother Featherlegs Shephard was murdered in 1879.
Calamity Jane Returns to Deadwood and Sturgis 1879
Calamity Jane reportedly walloped two women there
Feb 08 1879
In regard to: Sturgis City
Reportedly walloped two women at Sturgis yesterday
Feb 08 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Again a resident of this place, Gem Theatre graced
Jul 04 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Very sick with congestion of the bowels
Jul 15 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Suffered a severe attack of sickness, recovering
Jul 18 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Has many solid friends among the best citizens
Jul 20 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane's virtues going rounds of eastern papers
Aug 07 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Came over from Sturgis with T. Fulton Gantt
Aug 22 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Returned from Sturgis City with Miss Calamity Jane
Aug 22 1879
In regard to: Gantt, T. Fulton, Deadwood Attorney
Frank Witcher and Fred Evans Teamsters
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she drove for two teamsters in 1879; Frank Witcher's route between Rapid City and Fort Pierre, and for Fred Evans between Fort Pierre and Sturgis.
Report in Yankton Press of her dancing at Pierre
Nov 07 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Red Jacket
In Deadwood
Cosgrove, M.
Maggie Cosgrove Calamity Jane
Nov 11 1879
Came into city a passenger on La Plont's bull train
Nov 18 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Leaves Deadwood
Cosgrove, M.
Maggie Cosgrove Calamity Jane
Nov 18 1879
At Sturgis, just in from Pierre
Dec 03 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
To spend winter in Rapid, Deadwood is too puritanical
Dec 10 1879
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Her remarks remembered by reporter at wrong place
Feb 29 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Progress of our own little war
Mar 25 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
At Rapid City, happy to see members of Deadwood bar
Apr 20 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
June 19, 1880 Federal Census, Martha's sister Lena Pauline Canary Borner age 21 born 1859 Ohio, husband John G. Borner age 41 born 1839 Saxony, occupation farmer, along with children daughter Mabell Borner age 4 born 1876 Wyoming Territory, son Tobias Borner age 3 born 1877 Wyoming Territory, son Francis Borner age 2 born 1878 Wyoming Territory and daughter Theresia Borner age 5/12 months born 1880 Wyoming Territory were residing Big Pope Agie Valley, Sweetwater, Wyoming.
Has gone to Rapid with dance hall from Sturgis
Jun 30 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Fort Pierre special reports on some bad characters
Aug 27 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Red Jacket
Belle of the evening fell down stairs and broke leg
Nov 09 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Recovered from broken leg, has gone to Chicago
Nov 24 1880
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Enjoying visit from Spotted Tail and wife at Pierre
Nov 24 1880
In regard to: Evans, Fred T., owner of Sherman Street Court House Building, Deadwood
In regard to: Evans, Fred T., Freighter, Ft Pierre Freight Line, Peck line of steamers, ad
Spotted Tail visiting Evans at Pierre last 3 weeks
Nov 24 1880
In regard to: Indians
In regard to: Evans, Fred T., Freighter, Ft Pierre Freight Line, Peck line of steamers, ad
Calamity Jane Moves to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota 1881
Calamity Jane is married, lives in St. Paul, Minnesota
Jan 14 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Married, has found her affinity and lives in St. Paul
Jan 14 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Arrested in theft of government mules
Cosgrove, George
Feb 06 1881
Witness for government in H.P. Adams case
Cosgrove, George
Feb 08 1881
Witness in Dougherty case lived with Calamity Jane
Feb 10 1881
In regard to: Cosgrove, George
Cosgrove testifies he lived with her
Feb 10 1881
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Cosgrove, George
Road agent wasnt arrested at Cosgroves house
Davis, Finn
Feb 10 1881
Witness for prosecution in government mule case
Cosgrove, George
Feb 16 1881
Adams takes 2 mules to his camp
Cosgrove, George
Feb 16 1881
Jennings & Wallace requests judge treat gently
Cosgrove, George
Jennings, R.D.
Wallace, Joe
Feb 22 1881
Larceny of government mules continued to August
Cosgrove, George
Mar 09 1881
Gave bonds $300, dismissed from custody
Cosgrove, George
Mar 12 1881
Letter from Crocker, cattle doing well on range
Cosgrove, George
Mar 13 1881
Pendegrass statement of government mule case
Cosgrove,
Aug 20 1881
Was the man who proposed to steal government mules
Mason, Thomas
Aug 20 1881
Attorney enters nolle prosiqui
Cosgrove,
Aug 29 1881
Serving time for monkeying with government mules
Mason, Thomas
Dougherty, Sam
Adams, Halleck P.
Sep 08 1881
Calamity Jane Moves to Wyoming 1881 and Montana 1882
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she moved to Wyoming in 1881 and then to her Yellowstone ranch in Miles City, Montana in 1882.
What happened to her?
Jan 20 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Family paper publishes romantic trash back east
Jan 27 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
1882 Calamity Jane is noted to have run a dance hall with Madame Bulldog at the Bucket of Blood, 113 Park St, Livingston, Montana. Madame Bulldog also known as Sarah Ann Erb would arrive in the Black Hills as early as 1879 where she operated the Bulldog Ranch. Her husband Mr. Erb ran the Blue Grass Saloon in Deadwood on Main Street. Madame "Bulldog" Erb was embroiled in a nasty and lengthy adultery case in 1880 with a Mr. Hammond whom she felt she was free to marry. Deadwood papers noted the case had cost them thousands of dollars. The Bulldog Ranch property was finally divided and Madame Bulldog set up a new Bulldog Ranch located in Sturis by Feb 1882.
Mrs S.I. Hammond better known as Madame Bulldog (also Madame Erb) has large quantity of ice at Sturgis
Madame Bulldog, an associate of Calamity Jane
Feb 08 1882
1882 - 1902 Calamity Jane is noted as living in Livingston, Montana as various times. Calamity Jane left Livingston for the last time May 1902.
1882 - 1902 Calamity Jane is noted as living in the mining camp of Evensdale located on the Old Yellowstone Trail between Corwin Sprigns and Gardiner on the west side of the Yellowstone River.
Dealing "stud horse" poker at Miles City
Madame Bulldog, an associate of Calamity Jane
Aug 31 1882
Calamity Jane's Cabin, 222 South Main, Livingston, Montana © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
Living on a ranch on Graveyard bottom, Yellowstone
Jun 13 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Exchange claims she's rancheress and devoted to flag
Jul 18 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
State of inebriety is her home, born in Montana
Dec 15 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Irrepressible has tired of married life on ranch
Dec 21 1882
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Once more in toils of law, selling whisky to Indian
Feb 16 1883
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Denver citizens going wild over opera, Calamity Jane
Sep 13 1883
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Texas Bill, Calamity Jane and Dirty Em, 1876
Sep 25 1883
In regard to: Dirty Em
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Passengers from the Black Hills going to the Coeur d’Alene mines can save from $8 to $25 each person via Miles City and the North Pacific railroad by calling upon John A. Gaston, passenger agent N.P.R.R.
Gaston, John A.
Northern Pacific Railroad.
March 1, 1884
Pierre Recorder, 21st: "Calamity Jane, who was once a famous character in Pierre, and who has lately been living quietly in the Black Hills, has got the Coeur d'Alene fever, and has started on the trail to that far away country." Poor old Calamity has been the most unfortunate woman that ever struck this country. Born in Montana, and reared in the mountains, she grew up with the country, and came to the Hills with the General Custer expedition. Three years ago she married and settled down on a ranch near Miles City, and has remained there ever since, and is an honored member of the Miles City society. March 28, 1884
In regard to: Calamity Jane
1884 Eagle City, Idaho
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Molly B'Damm
1884 Wallace, Idaho
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane Moves to California, Washington, Texas and Back to Wyoming 1884
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims she went to the West coast, noted as leaving San Francisco, California in 1884 for Arizona and Texas where she resided through 1889.
Calamity Jane's autobiography claims after she left Texas, her itinerary took her through the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and reuniting once again, back to Deadwood, South Dakota, Fall of 1895.
1883 Calamity Jane is noted in Ogden, California.
1884 Calamity Jane is noted in San Francisco, California.
1884 Buffalo, Wyoming, Calamity returns for the summer.
Calamity Jane is living quietly at Ft. Washakie, Sweetwater, Wyoming.
Dec. 2, 1884
In regard to: Calamity Jane.
Calamity Jane Moves to Rawlins Wyoming 1885
Word of Calamity Jane.
Aug. 13, 1885
Sundance Gazette says Old Calamity Jane is neither dead nor slumbering. She got to the front one day last week at Rawlins; knocking another trail sister out in first round of a drunken melee.
In regard to: Calamity Jane.
Calamity Jane.
Nov. 22, 1885
A new sketch of an old and notorious character. The career of one of the most noted frontier characters on record.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane immortalized.
Jan. 23, 1886
New dime novel series adorned with hideous wood cut showing the graves of Deadwood Dick and Calamity Jane . At last advices the old girls was in Sweetwater, alive and kicking.
In regard to: Calamity Jane.
In regard to: Deadwood Dick.
Calamity Jane in Rawlins.
Sept. 30, 1886
Calamity Jane is camped in Rawlins. A local paper says she is not half as bad as the human ghouls who abuse her.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane drunk and disorderly.
June 30, 1887
Calamity Jane was pulled a few days since in Cheyenne for being drunk and disorderly.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Word on Calamity Jane.
Sept. 6, 1887
Lander Wyoming Mountaineer hears from Miss Mattie King, known as "Calamity Jane" that she is sobering up and behaving herself. Article concludes with comment that the genuine Calamity Jane is and has been for four or five years a respectable married woman living with her husband on a ranch in Yellowstone valley.
In regard to: King, Mattie
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Mrs. Spencer on Calamity Jane.
Aug. 31, 1887
Mrs. George E. Spencer, has "writ a book" on Calamity Jane.
In regard to: Spencer, George E. Mrs.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
Word on Calamity Jane.
Sept. 6, 1887
Lander Wyoming Mountaineer hears from Miss Mattie King, known as "Calamity Jane" that she is sobering up and behaving herself. Article concludes with comment that the genuine Calamity Jane is and has been for four or five years a respectable married woman living with her husband on a ranch in Yellowstone valley.
In regard to: King, Mattie
In regard to: Koenig, Mattie
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Yellowstone Valley, Woming
1888 Martha Canary is noted to have a common law marriage with a William Steers.
"Calamity" Jane at Green River.
April 22, 1888
Green River News reports "Calamity Jane," giving her name as Mrs. Steers, had so-called husband arrested for assault. Later, "Calamity" arrested for drunk and disorderly, and now occupies quarters in the county bastile.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
In regard to: Green River, County Seat of Sweetwater County, Wyoming
Buttes near Green River Station, Union Pacific Railroad. Portable darkroom stand at right Sweetwater County, Wyoming. 1871. Photo by E.O. Beaman, © U. S. Geological Survey.
1888 October Martha Canary's sister Lena Pauline Canary Borner died Lander, Wyoming Territory.
1888 November, Martha Canary Calamity Jane was tied to an incident with a Calamity Jane impersonator in Livingston, Montana. Calamity Jane is noted to have had a common law marriage with Charles Townley, a painter. This Calamity Jane as newspapers would later reveal was not Martha Canary but Annie Fillmore, also a prostitue and follower of the Union Pacific railroad camps.
"Calamity" Jane at Green River.
April 22, 1888
Green River News reports "Calamity Jane," giving her name as Mrs. Steers, had so-called husband arrested for assault. Later, "Calamity" arrested for drunk and disorderly, and now occupies quarters in the county bastile.
In regard to: Calamity Jane
1889 Laramie, Wyoming, a newspaper article tied Martha Canary Calamity Jane to Calamity Jane impersonator Mrs. Ope alias Kentucky Belle alias Calamity Jane and Old Mother Gladdis in a drunken altercation resulting in jail time.
1891 September 25 Martha Canary is noted to have married Clinton Burke in El Paso, Texas.
1892 -1893 Martha Burke and Clinton Burke is noted running a hotel in Boulder, Colorado.
1894 Calamity Jane is noted as living near the old townsite of Coulson along the Yellowstone River in Montana. Liver Eatin' Johnson was the sheriff when the town of Coulson was in operation. Coulson established in 1877 became a ghost town by 1882 as it's residents picked up and moved to the newly built railroad town of Billings some two miles away. The Yellowstone Gateway Museum contains a photograph of Calamity Jane as residing in the Coulson valley.
April 1894 Photo of Calamity Jane 1894, Billings, Montana with soldiers during the American Railway Strike. American Railway Union strikes Northern Pacific's roundhouse in Butte, Montana. "April 24, 1894 Unemployed miners in Butte, Montana steal a Northern Pacific freight train. Trustees for the NP and other bankrupt railroads immediately seek federal protection for their property. Then, pursued by a train carrying US marshals, the stolen train runs wild (without orders) east across the mountains, finally being recaptured by soldiers in Forsyth, Montana (see Coxey’s Army)."
1895 Castle Town, Meagher, Montana, Calamity Jane impersonator Annie Filmore and her husband run a cafe.
Calamity Jane returns.
Burke, Jane
Burke, M. (Madge)
Deadwood, South Dakota
Clinton Burke is not mentioned and may be separated or have died. Martha Canary Burke and daughter Madge Burke are the only persons noted in this Deadwood historical newspaper article.
Oct. 5, 1895
1896 January 20th, Calamity Jane performs at Palace Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota, for Kohl and Middleton's company. Calamity Jane sells her pamphlet "Life and Adventures of Calamity Jane" during the stage show.
"My maiden name was Martha Cannary. I was born in Princeton, Missourri, May 1st, 1852. Father and mother were natives of Ohio. I had two brothers and three sisters, I being the oldest of the children. As a child I always had a fondness for adventure and out-door exercise and especial fondness for horses which I began to ride at an early age and continued to do so until I became an expert rider being able to ride the most vicious and stubborn of horses, in fact the greater portion of my life in early times was spent in this manner."
"In 1865 we emigrated from our homes in Missourri by the overland route to Virginia City, Montana, taking five months to make the journey. While on the way the greater portion of my time was spent in hunting along with the men and hunters of the party, in fact I was at all times with the men when there was excitement and adventures to be had. By the time we reached Virginia City I was considered a remarkable good shot and a fearless rider for a girl of my age. I remember many occurrences on the journey from Missourri to Montana. Many times in crossing the mountains the conditions of the trail were so bad that we frequently had to lower the wagons over ledges by hand with ropes for they were so rough and rugged that horses were of no use. We also had many exciting times fording streams for many of the streams in our way were noted for quicksands and boggy places, where, unless we were very careful, we would have lost horses and all. Then we had many dangers to encounter in the way of streams swelling on account of heavy rains. On occasions of that kind the men would usually select the best places to cross the streams, myself on more than one occasion have mounted my pony and swam across the stream several times merely to amuse myself and have had many narow escapes from having both myself and pony washed away to certain death, but as the pioneers of those days had plenty of courage we overcame all obstacles and reached Virginia City in safety."
"Mother died at Black Foot, Montana, 1866, where we buried her. I left Montana in Spring of 1866, for Utah, arriving at Salt Lake city during the summer. Remained in Utah until 1867, where my father died, then went to Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory, where we arrived May 1, 1868, then went to Piedmont, Wyoming, with U.P. Railway. Joined General Custer as a scout at Fort Russell, Wyoming, in 1870, and started for Arizona for the Indian Campaign. Up to this time I had always worn the costume of my sex. When I joined Custer I donned the uniform of a soldier. It was a bit awkward at first but I soon got to be perfectly at home in men's clothes."
"Was in Arizona up to the winter of 1871 and during that time I had a great many adventures with the Indians, for as a scout I had a great many dangerous missions to perform and while I was in many close places always succeeded in getting away safely for by this time I was considered the most reckless and daring rider and one of the best shots in the western country."
Deadwood Letter List
Dec 6, 1896
Burke, Clinton Mrs.
July 19, 1897 Martha Canary Burke sold photographs of herself in Yellowstone National Park.
1899 Photo Calamity Jane, Lewiston, Montana © 2003 Triangle C Ranch Old West Antiques and Collectibles.
1899 - 1900 Pisor Saloon in Horr, Montana, a coke town of the Upper Yellowstone. Billy Jump bartender noted Calamity Jane frequented the Pisor Saloon which was located a short distance from her cabin in.
1900 Coal Mining Camp of Aldridge, Montana, Calamity Jane is noted as a resident."Agnes Somerville’s boarding house (called the Union Hotel) was farthest left of those in the lower part of town. The big hall across the street was the Union Hall (upstairs) and housed Doby Somerville’s Place downstairs. The little cabin in which Calamity Jane stayed during her summer and early fall sojourns in Aldridge was the white-roofed house below the Union Hall. © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum."
1901 Calamity Jane Martha Canary Burke performs Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York and sells her pamphlet "Life and Adventures of Calamity Jane".
1901 Martha Canary Burke common law marriage to Robert Dorsett.
1901 January 3rd, Miles City, Montana, Calamity Jane now called Jane Dorsett, a former resident of Dickinson, North Dakota has arrived seeking employment as a cook.
1902 May, Calamity Jane leaves Livingston, Montana for the last time. She indicated her intentions were to move to the railroad town of Lombard, Montana, © The Whithorn Collection, Yellowstone Gateway Museum.
August 1, 1903, death age 47 - 51, Marth Canary Burke, Calamity Jane, Calloway Hotel, Terry, Lawrence, South Dakota from inflammation of the bowels and pneumonia.
Calamity Jane's burial Mount Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, Lawrence, South Dakota was arranged by the Society of Black Hills Pioneers.
Martha Jane Canary Pedigree and Census Records
Father:
Name: Robert Canary
Age: 25
Estimated birth year: abt 1825
Birth Place: Ohio
Gender: Male
Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Malaga, Monroe, Ohio
Family Number: 105
Occupation: farmer
Household Members: Name Age
James Canary 62, born about 1788 Virginia
Sarah Canary 56, born about 1794 North Carolina
Joshua Canary 36, born about 1814 Ohio
Robert Canary 25, born about 1825 Ohio
Lucinda Ann Byers 14
Name: R W Canary, Robert W. Canary
Age in 1860: 35
Birth Year: abt 1825
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1860: Ravanna, Mercer, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ravanna
Occupation: farmer
Household Members: Name Age
R W Canary 35, born about 1825 Ohio
Charlotte Canary 20, born abt 1840 Illinois
Martha Canary 4, born about 1856 Missouri
Cilus Canary 3, born about 1857 Missouri
Lana Canary 1, born about 1859 Missouri
James Canary 72, born about 1788 Virginia
