The woman, the myth, the legend -- the facts we know about Calamity Jane are relatively sparse. However, thanks to her unconventional ways, the legend of Calamity Jane looms large in our collective consciousness.
But who was this free-spirited frontierswoman, and how did she become an important figure in American history and lore?
Who Was Calamity Jane? The Early Years
Born Martha Jane Canary in 1852, Calamity Jane was the daughter of a farmer and, some speculate, a former call girl. She spent her earliest years in rural Missouri before her family relocated in search of gold.
Sadly, Calamity Jane's mother died in Montana during the journey, and her father not long after in Salt Lake City. Some accounts have Martha Jane then caring for her younger siblings, while others say she was adopted. Either way, she was fending for herself in Piedmont, Wyoming, by age 15.
To survive in Piedmont, Calamity Jane worked many jobs, including laundry worker, dance hall girl, cook, waitress, camp follower (a term at the time used for sex workers), and more – whatever it took to survive. Eventually, she left Piedmont and began living on the plains, sometimes dressing as a man.
Her reputation as a cross-dressing, hard-drinking woman of the frontier begins at this point, though the line between what is fact and what's fiction is blurry. But Calamity Jane was indeed on a wagon train with Wild Bill Hickok in 1876 that famously rode into Deadwood, where she made her home for years.
How Did the Legend of Calamity Jane Get Started?
As Calamity Jane tells it in her autobiographical writings (which historians point out contain fabrications), Martha Jane Canary was given her famous nickname because she rescued a captain in distress. He had been shot while riding his horse on a mission to "quell an uprising of the Indians."
Before the captain fell to the ground, Martha Jane swooped in and pulled him in front of her onto her horse. After bringing him to a nearby fort where he recovered, the captain said, "I name you Calamity Jane, the heroine of the plains."
Because of her gender and bold personality, Calamity Jane became famous out on the plains. That made her the subject of dimestore novels, which painted her as a brave and respected figure throughout the western frontier, riding horses and serving as a military scout.
The more likely reality was that Calamity Jane spent her life doing whatever jobs she had to to support herself. She was likely married several times, had at least one child, and used alcohol heavily.
Calamity Jane was also known for being compassionate; she cared for smallpox victims when others wouldn't, even on their deathbeds. But her reputation as a gunslinging maverick at home in men's clothing has prevailed more than any other facts or fiction.
How Did Calamity Jane Die?
After years on the plains as an innkeeper in Montana and later as a storyteller in the circus-adjacent Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, Calamity Jane returned to the Deadwood area. By this point in her life, alcohol use was severely impacting her health.
In 1903, Calamity Jane died at the age of 47 from pneumonia and inflammation in her digestive tract. She was buried next to Wild Bill Hickok (possibly because they had been romantically linked at one point) in Deadwood.
Living On: Famous Calamity Jane Quotes
Calamity Jane's quotes, along with stories about her life, carry on her legacy to this day. Of note is the particularly poignant directive, "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one." Co-signed.
If you need to remind yourself to be a legend – which we all occasionally do – Cedar Mountain Studios carries a little gem and a coaster to ensure you don't forget.
$14.50
Artistic handmade marble coasters look fabulous with any home décor. Perfect for protecting furniture & as an accessory for your home bar. We adore marble. It lasts forever, always looks fabulous & nothing sticks to it so it functions beautifully… read moreMarble Coasters - Little Gem - Be a Legend (Calamity Jane)
$29.95
A little reminder to be the legend you were born to be! Little Gem decorative woodblocks styled with a vintage feel have one or two little lines that are just what needs to be said. Keyholed for easy hanging Thick… read moreArt Block - Little Gem - Be A Legend (Calamity Jane)
Calamity Jane is also known for dropping wisdom such as "Those who don't eat, without exception, fail to survive" and "...they knew that I never missed my mark." She is also known for some seriously spicy quotes that would likely give any person pause.
The Legend of Calamity Jane Continues
Ultimately, what is fact or fiction about Calamity Jane matters less than the empowering legacy she leaves behind. Being authentic, defying norms that don't suit you, and being tough yet compassionate are admirable ambitions.
That's why we at Cedar Mountain Studios celebrate Calamity Jane and her wisdom.
