Martha Jane Canary, "Calamity Jane," was born on May 1, 1852 in Princeton, Missouri. She is legendary in the history of the American "Wild West" for dessing like a man, drinking hard liquor, using foul language, and generally defying the gender conventions of the day. Calamity Jane and her family migrated to Virginia City, Montana in 1862. Not too long after the family's arrival in Montana her mother died in Black Foot and moved to Utah where her father died the following year.
Upon arrival to Fort Russell, Wyoming in 1870, Jane became a scout under General Custer and began to wear men's clothing. She travelled around quite a bit, including some adventures with Indians and scouting in Arizona during the winter of 1871. She returned to Wyoming after her Arizona trip and while in Goose Creek was part of an attachment ordered to help quell an Indian uprising. During this time she helped save the Post leader, Army Captain Egan when they were attacked upon return. During his recovery, Egan gave Jane her legendary nickname.
For the next 5 some odd years, Jane would travel around the Wyoming and Dakota Territories, guarding miners and scouting. For a short while in June 1876 she was a Pony Express rider as well. She stayed around in Deadwood for the summer and met up with her friend, Wild Bill Hickok who was murdered there by desperado Jack McCall whom she captured.
Jane left Deadwood in the fall of the next year after several adventures, including saving a stagecoach, and eventually ended up in El Paso, Texas where she met and married Clinton Burke. She gave birth to a baby girl on October 28 1887 and would return to Deadwood 2 years later following the break-up of the marriage.
When she returned to Deadwood she was approached by people who were eager to have her tour the East coast where she had gained fame through her exploits.
Calamity Jane died in Terry, North Dakota in 1903 and is buried next to her friend (No romantic entanglements ever happened between them despite the rumors) Wild Bill Hickock in Deadwood where she is remembered fondly for many things including her help in a smallpox epidemic.
Several years ago, Kids' WB had a show called the Legend of Calamity Jane. They pulled it off the air after only 2 weeks.
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