Martha Jane Canary, alias Calamity Jane (1850s – 1903) is a mythical personality of the Conquest of the West. Having become a legend during her lifetime, it is sometimes difficult to disentangle, in her life stories, what is true and what is myth.
The beginning of an adventurous life
Martha Jane Canary was born in the 1850s, probably May 1852, in Missouri. Daughter of Charlotte and Robert W. Canary, peasants, she is the eldest of six siblings. Left very free by her parents, she takes care of her brothers and sisters and quickly learns to ride a horse.
When she was thirteen, her family left for Montana, which at the time was a long and adventurous journey and her mother would not survive it. During the ride, Jane participates in the hunt with the men. Once there, the family moved back to Salt Lake City. Robert W. Canary buys land but he dies barely a year later, in 1868. Jane then recovers the responsibility of her family. Thus begins a life of adventure, between myth and reality.
The Black Hills Expedition
Taking her family to Wyoming, Jane did all the jobs she could before joining General Custer in 1872-1873 in his campaign in Arizona against the Amerindians, as a scout. Her participation in the fights remains debated, but it was there that she received the nickname "Calamity Jane". In 1873, she gave birth to a child, Janey.
In 1875, Jane took part in the Black Hills Expedition, a geological expedition led by Walter Jenney which penetrated territories controlled by the Sioux. In 1876, she moved to Deadwood where she became friends with Wild Bill Hickok, another emblematic figure of the West. Wild Bill Hickok was killed in August 1876. Afterwards Jane claims they were married and that Janey is his, but it is likely that they were just friends. After his death, she would have hunted down her killer, Jack McCall, to bring him to justice, but he would have escaped.
Deadwood
In 1876, Calamity Jane cared for the victims of a smallpox epidemic in Deadwood and then left town in 1877 with a regiment of cavalry, working in many and varied professions. In 1882, she married William Steers, with whom she had a son who died as an infant, but the marriage was not happy. In 1887, she married Clinton Burke, with whom she had a daughter, Jessie, but who eventually left her. In 1893, Jane began appearing on Buffalo Bill's show, The Wild West, and legend swelled around her character. In 1896, she published her autobiography (most certainly dictated since she was illiterate).
At the time, and for years, Jane had a drinking problem. In 1901, she was interned in a house. Calamity Jane died of pneumonia in August 1903 and was, according to her wishes, buried in Deadwood next to Wild Bill Hickok.
His life, and the legend surrounding him, has inspired many films, books, comics and even games.