Pearl operated several bordellos in Van Buren and Fort Smith, Arkansas, from the 1890s to World War I. Her killer was never identified. Bud died in 1864, and the Shirley family moved to the Scyene area of Texas. Jim Reed and Sam Starr were known criminals. Kate began the next several years acting as Hollidays sidekick and even broke him out of jail in 1877 by starting a fire and pulling a gun on the prison guard. Belle and Jim Reed had two children together: Pearl, who was born in 1868 and Eddie, who was born in 1871. Originally from Hungary, Mary Katharine Haroney more commonly known as Big Nose Kate to her clients travelled to Kansas at age sixteen to seek her fortune as a prostitute. Belle Starr and Jim July Stuff you missed in history class. Perhaps it is no surprise that Belle became a hardened criminal since she was surrounded by outlaws for her entire adult life. Other stories say she rides from the site of her grave in Youngers Bend and heads southward looking for gold hidden in a hollow tree. Jim Reed was a notorious gambler, and it seems likely that he murdered the man who accidentally killed Reeds brother. The novel is still cited as a historical reference by some despite the fact it is laden with fiction. There, Belle met Jim Reed, marrying him in 1866. It was here that Laura began a relationship with outlaw and member of Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch, William News Carver. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Although she had a number of older half-siblings, she was particularly close to her half-brother John, whose nickname was Bud. [6] Soon after, sick at heart over Buds death and his business ruined by the theft and destruction, [John Shirley] disposed of his property, loaded his family and household goods into two Conestoga wagons, and set out for Texas Shirleys destination was Scyene, a small settlement ten miles southeast of Dallas. It was then that she submerged herself in outlawry. She was 41 years of age. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Belle Starr was born Myra Belle Shirley in a log cabin near Carthage, Missouri, on February 5, 1848, to Judge John Shirley and his third wife, Elizabeth Pennington. Legends of America reports Reed was ultimately shot to death by a member of his own gang. Belle lived in Dallas for most of the 1870s and was accused of stealing a horse in 1878. After Belle Several theories have been put across to explain her death, first being Edgar Watson,a man Bella had declined to dance with at a party the day she was shot. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. In recent years, however, historians have gathered data that suggests that she committed far fewer criminal acts than her legend would suggest, with the men in her life being the main purveyors of illicit acts. Her daughter became a prostitute although she eventually opened a string of bordellos and married a German musician. Try again later. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. ). Thats the reason why he had to move to California, but the family had to flee once again when Jim was arrested for attempting to use counterfeit cash. Belle Starr gained notoriety as an outlaw on the western edge of the United States in the mid-1800s. WebBelle Starr atop a horse in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1886. Belles children have also been mentioned as suspects. Atlas Obscura reports Belle was a "model prisoner" while she was incarcerated. By David Farris. But Belle did not remain alone for long. By her marriage to Sam Starr, she was an aunt to Henry Starr. She was born Myra Maybelle Shirley (parents called her Belle) on a farm near Carthage, Missouri one of six children but the only daughter of dirt farmer parents, John and Elizabeth (Hatfield) Shirley. Following Bud's death in 1864, Belle and her family moved to Texas, where she met outlaw Cole Younger. When Starr's horse arrived home without her, her family and neighbors began searching the route she would have taken. As a child, Belle was described as "a bright student with polite manners," who enjoyed performing for others "and liked having an audience." Dunn participated in the gang by providing them with ammunition and supplies when members could not go to town. A Texas man wanted over the fatal shooting of five neighbours, including an eight-year-old boy, could be anywhere now, police have said. Alas, the Belle Starr cabin was razed in 1933. Please try again later. But with no evidence, he was acquitted. Etta assisted Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in certain heists and her name was strewn across Wanted posters in the Old West. Make sure that the file is a photo. As reported by Legends of America, she essentially became a celebrity and even appeared in a Wild West show, where she portrayed an outlaw who overtook and robbed a stagecoach. While she almost certainly accompanied him in a few thefts of horses, money, and cattle in the Dallas area, she probably stayed at home and looked after her children most of the time. Because of his mother's death, Eddie's trial was postponed until July 1889. Her murderer is still unknown. High near 70F. Reed was killed in August of that year in Paris, Texas, where he had settled down with his family. However, that affair was short-lived when his place was taken by Sam Starr, a tall, slim Cherokee. From 1875 to 1880, Belle was the undisputed leader of a band of cattle and horse thieves who made their headquarters in the Oklahoma Territory. Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, Easy Travel Organization Tips You Will Love, Bidwell-Bartleson Party Blazing the California Trail. As the leader of the Starr Clain, Belle was arrested several times, but it seemed she was just as good at eluding sheriffs as she was at stealing horses they never had enough evidence to put her away for good and she was often able to bribe them with earnings from her lucrative horse-thieving and bootlegging enterprises. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Belle Starr was shot to death on February 3, 1889, near Fort Smith, Arkansas just before her 41st birthday. As a teenager, Pearl became fascinated with the cowboy lifestyle and whilst operating a tent brothel near a local mine in Arizona, she developed a fondness for hard liquor, cigars and morphine. (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, December 17, 1896, Image 2", "The Wichita daily eagle. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. However, in the fall of 1882, Parker got lucky when Belle was caught red-handed as she attempted to steal a neighbors horse. Belle's illegal enterprises proved lucrative enough for her to employ bribery to free her colleagues from the law whenever they were caught. In addition to being referred to as the "Bandit Queen," she was often referred to as "a female Robin Hood." Please enter your email and password to sign in. WebOn the evening of December 17, 1886, Belle and Sam Starr were attending a Christmas party when Sam got into a shootout with an old enemy named Frank West. - . Whilst working as a prostitute in Fort Griffin, Texas, she began a relationship with one of the deadliest gunslingers Doc Holliday which lasted until his death. HistoryNet says that Watson left the house shortly after Starr arrived. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected]com if you need help resetting your password. However, the Watsons had already paid the rent and refused to leave. Biography reports she attended a girl's academy, and excelled at playing the piano. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. But, it wasnt long before the outlaw life caught up with Reed, and in August 1874, Reed was killed in a gunfight by a member of his own gang. In 1889, a man named Edgar A. Watson and his wife approached Belle to rent a parcel of land she owned on the Cherokee reservation. WebFebruary 5, 1848February 3, 1889. Kate was a key witness and watched the gunfight which was the result of a long simmering feud between cowboys and politicians and has been portrayed in numerous Western films from the window of a boarding house. Add to your scrapbook. Belle threatened to reveal his whereabouts to the Florida authorities if he refused to leave. They got into trouble soon after their release which led to a downward spiral that ultimately cost Belle her life. This browser does not support getting your location. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. When Jim and Belle moved to Missouri, Reed was a wanted man, allegedly for murdering a man named Shannon. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. This novel still is cited as a historical reference despite its artistic license and lack of historical accuracy. Belle left her children with her mother while she rode the outlaw trail. Search above to list available cemeteries. She carried two guns and had no problem threatening people with them, yet there is no evidence that she ever shot anyone. Her story was popularized by Richard K. Fox editor and publisher of the National Police Gazette and she later became a popular character in television and films. She and her husband, a Cherokee Indian named Sam Starr, were known for housing outlaws on their ranch in the Oklahoma Indian Territory and for preying on travelers and cowboys passing through. She was convicted of horse theft in 1883. Journalists came from all over to interview and photograph Hart with her gun. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Dallas Gateway. A paper flood resulted: embellished books, in the form of bibliography, biographies, many dime novels as well as featured magazine articles and then the ultimate in fiction, Hollywood movies. Legend says she dodged open fire and held off the marshals with her own rifle until he could get to safety. James-Younger Gang Terror in the Heartland. As a result, when Belles body was discovered at her farm on February 3, 1889, Watson was the prime suspect. After serving their time, Belle and Sam returned to Youngers Bend. It is suggested that Belle accompanied Jim on many of his criminal pursuits dressed as a man and in 1874, she was wanted in connection with a stagecoach robbery. Try again later. She had been attending a dance. Other suspects include both of Belles children and her husband Bill July. Changing the day will navigate the page to that given day in history. The nearest settlement to the Starr gangs operation was Fort Smith, Arkansas. Belle Starr at Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1886. Jim moved into the Shirley household near Scyene and shared the farm chores. Early in September 1868, Belle gave birth to her first child, Rosie Lee. WebPhoto Books & Posters ; ProGenealogists ; Ancestry Academy ; Gift Memberships add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. Picture: News Dog Media/australscope. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Irregular bands of Jayhawkers and Red Legs laid waste to Missouri communities in support of the Union. She soon drifted to the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota where she survived as gun-toting prostitute and befriended outlaw Wild Bill Hickok. The gem that fills it sparkles yet. 1892-1897, December 16, 1896, Page 2, Image 2", "The San Francisco call. Sorry! One of Tom Starrs For the last 2+ years of her life, gossips and scandal sheets linked her to a series of men with colorful names, including Jack Spaniard, Jim French and Blue Duck, after which, she married a relative of Sam Starr, Jim July, who later became Jim July Starr, who was some 15 years younger than she was. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. However, she also liked to flaunt her status as a rich girl and liked having an audience. Belle's life is an odyssey of many marriages and affairs with felons, petty criminals and unsavory characters. A Texas woman is accused of killing her fifth husband by poisoning him with insulin, years after she fatally shot her then ex-fiance. Three Forks History: Murder of Belle Starr never solved, Muskogee Phoenix Readers' Choice Businesses, Man kills 5 in Texas after family complained ab, Neighbors Building Neighborhoods honor volunteers, Eastern Oklahoma Spelling Bee ends in a tie, Trivia Challenge benefits Education Foundation. Sams horse was killed, and another bullet narrowly grazed Sams head. Dave Farris. By late 1867, though, he and Belle lived on the Reed homestead in Missouri. HistoryNet reports However, authorities believe he waited outside and ambushed Starr when she was on her way home. An investigation was made into her death and several suspects were questioned, including a neighbor she had quarreled with named Watson, her husband July, her son Ed, and even her daughter Pearl. Myra Maybelle "Belle" Shirley, who later became known as Belle Starr upon her marriage to Sam Starr, was born on Feb. 5, 1848, in Carthage, Missouri. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. There she met a young Cherokee named Sam Starr, who eventually became her common-law husband and new criminal partner. When July (whom she called July Starr) was arrested for horse theft, she did not defend him. In 1886, Belle again lost a husband to violent death when Sam Starr was killed in a gunfight with an old enemy. a story of her supposed exploits. According to legend, the gang harbored some of America's most wanted fugitives, including Frank and Jesse James. Born to a prosperous family in Missouri, Belle could have easily enjoyed a life as a wealthy housewife. WebBelle Starr (1941) photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, and more. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. By all accounts, her relationship with Sam was the happiest time in Belles life, but it would end in tragedy. Although little known today, some of these women were legendary during their lives and shocked society with their ruthless and unladylike behaviour such as the unflappable outlaw Laura Bullion who robbed trains with the Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch and Big Nose Kate who broke legendary gunfighter Doc Holliday out of jail. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Parker became determined to put Belle Starr behind bars. She was never prosecuted for her involvement with the gang but her short outlaw life launched her to the level of western legend. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. But when Jim was shot to death whilst the couple were on the run, Belle joined the Starr Clan and married a Cherokee man Samuel Starr giving her the name that would forever be associated with the legend of her life. When he was charged with murder, they hid out in Los Angeles. Please reset your password. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. She allegedly reformed, refusing to shelter criminals in her home. 25. We have set your language to Studio portrait of Belle Starr, "Queen of the Oklahoma Outlaws". Perhaps the horse is Venus, said to be Belles favorite; its likeness was carved on her tombstone. Being the second woman to rob a stagecoach and the first one not to die while doing so, Hart instantly became the most famous woman in Arizona. Placed in a homemade casket constructed of pine boards, she was conveyed to an open grave dug close to the front door by six Cherokee Indians. Failed to report flower. Together, they lived on Cherokee land, harboring criminals like Frank and Jesse James at their home. The story grew over the years. Belle Starr stated to The Fort Smith Elevator about one year before her death. For the robbery, Pearl cut her hair and dressed as a man and stole over $400 from the stagecoach passengers a small fortune at the time. [2] Belle Starr claimed that Pearl was the daughter of the outlaw Cole Younger. The wanted and pursued outlaws from Missouri, Cole, Jim, Bob and John Younger and Jesse James used the Shirley home as a hideout. While she lay dying from a round of buck shot to the back, her assassin walked up and finished the job The 19th century American frontier provided an opportunity for female pioneers to turn to a life of law-breaking. He published a novel entitled: Belle Starr, the Bandit Queen, or the Female Jesse James in 1889. Others believe there is nothing sinister in these legendary ghostly appearances. She reputedly carried one or two pistols and wore gold earrings and a mans hat with feathers, though some have argued that she lived more of a home-based life while Sam engaged in illicit activity. It was also during this time that Jane started adopting a male persona and in 1875, she travelled with an US Army troop into the Black Hills of South Dakota where she fought in several campaigns in the long-running military conflicts against the Native Americans and got the moniker Calamity Jane. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. But it was not just men who ruled the Wild West. In 1883, Belle and Sam were convicted of larceny, and both served time. After they married, the Shirleys moved to Missouri in 1839, where John prospered raising wheat, corn, hogs, and horses in Jasper County. As reported by Los Angeles Times, Belle Starr was only convicted of one crime, and it is entirely possible that her participation in criminal activities "was inflated by myth makers." [2] Her mother, Elizabeth "Eliza" Hatfield Shirley, was John Shirley's third wife and a distant relative to the Hatfields of the famous family feud. In 1880, Belle wed Sam Starr, who was Cherokee and part of the Starr gang. [8], Following the war, members of the Reed family also moved to Texas and, according to Collin County marriage records, James C. Reed and Mira [sic] M. Shirley were married there on November 1, 1866. Could be anywhere: Hunt for accused killer. It was the first of many popular stories that used her name. This account has been disabled. The Shirleys were a successful and wealthy family who owned a blacksmith shop, an inn, a livery stable, and a tavern. There was an error deleting this problem. It was a grisly death because she was thrown from her horse by a shotgun blast to the back. He stated that the next time he saw Belle was at the Reed residence in Missouri in 1868. Dunn once saved Newcomb when he was wounded by U.S. marshals. She rented acreage to farmers but discovered that one of them, Edgar A. Watson, was wanted for murder in Florida. Whatever her intentions, Belle seemed to have a preference for men who were either known or rumored outlaws, and she was often implicated in assisting or participating in their nefarious endeavors. Riding her mare, Venus, and sporting velvet skirts and plumed hats, Belle played the role of a bandit queen for several years. Authorities found tracks from the site where Starr was killed leading toward Watson's home. Watson, who was killed in 1910, was tried for her murder, but was acquitted, and the ambush has entered Western lore as "unsolved". According to this story, her ghost would be coming from Hoyt Bottom where she had been shot. Web36 Belle Starr Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 36 Belle_starr Premium High Res Photos Browse 36 belle_starr photos and She survived all but two of these men. Belle Starr was shot and killed Feb. 3, 1889 as she rode toward her log cabin at Youngers Bend on the north side of the Canadian River. Newspapers reporting on the story dubbed her "The Bandit Queen." "[8] While in school, Myra was "irregular in attendence" and was regarded as "rather wild" by teacher Mrs. However, all was not well with the marriage, and Belle left Jim when she discovered his affair with Rosa McCommas. Belle Starr was known as an infamous outlaw in the Wild West the western edge of the expanding United States in the second half of the 1800s. Belle adored the baby and referred to her as her Pearl. The nickname stuck. The group admired her skill at selling stolen goods and assisting their train robberies and she was nicknamed the Rose of the Wild Bunch by them. [3] In the 1860s, Belle's father sold the farm and moved the family to Carthage, where he bought a livery stable and blacksmith shop on the town square. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Yet, each time she was set free due to lack of evidence. Although they were both arrested for horse theft again in 1886, the charges were eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. One source suggests her son, whom she had allegedly beaten for mistreating her beloved horse, may have been her killer.[13]. Instead, she found Edgar Watson, who was still angry about her threats to turn him in. Belle was arrested twice more, but was never convicted again. There is a problem with your email/password. Upon release, they immediately returned to a life of rustling and bootlegging. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Myra Belle Shirley, better know as Belle Starr earned her title as Queen of the Wild West. While Reed initially tried his hand at farming, he would grow restless and associated with the Starr clan, a Cherokee Indian family notorious for whiskey, cattle, and horse thievery in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), as well as the James and Younger gangs. Please reorganize this content to explain the subject's impact on popular culture, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture, "Truth Dims the Legend of Outlaw Queen Belle Starr", "L.A. Then and Now: Truth Dims the Legend of Outlaw Queen Belle Starr", "Belle Starr the Bandit Queen: How a Southern Girl Became a Legendary Western Outlaw", "Police Officer Frank West, United States Department of the Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs - Division of Law Enforcement, U.S. Government", "Indian chieftain.
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belle starr death photos