Year should not be greater than current year. By David Farris. By her marriage to Sam Starr, she was an aunt to Henry Starr. Born in Knickerbocker, Texas, Laura Bullion worked as a prostitute in Fannie Porters famed brothel in nearby San Antonio. However, in the fall of 1882, Parker got lucky when Belle was caught red-handed as she attempted to steal a neighbors horse. Laura Bullion was released from prison in 1905 and lived the remainder of her life as a seamstress, dying in Memphis, Tennessee in 1961, the last of the Wild Bunch. 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. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. After a trial, he sentenced Belle to two consecutive six-month prison terms and Sam to one year in the Federal Prison in Detroit. Reach Jonita Mullins at jonita.mullins@gmail.com. Eventually, the hard life and her alcoholism caught up with her and Jane died at age 51. It was a grisly death because she was thrown from her horse by a shotgun blast to the back. As reported by HistoryNet, legend suggests Belle Starr participated in numerous armed robberies and even burned down a store. The Untold Truth Of Outlaw Belle Starr - Grunge 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 images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. You have permission to edit this article. During her incarceration, Sam Starr was killed by an Indian policeman on the Reservation. Belle Starr (1848-1889) - Find a Grave Memorial In 1886 Belle and Sam were again arrested by United States marshals, who brought them to Fort Smith on charges of robbery and horse stealing. Belle Starr | American outlaw | Britannica As reported by Legends of America, Belle and Jim Reed were accused of committing robbery, theft, and even torturing a older Native American man to learn where he hid an estimated $30,000 worth of gold. Bass Reeves was a legend in his own time. Etta went on the run and fled the two outlaws to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1901. WebBelle was devastated and apparently began a brief relationship with an outlaw named Jack Spaniard until he went on the run after murdering a U.S. Legends of America reports Reed was ultimately shot to death by a member of his own gang. According to this story, her ghost would be coming from Hoyt Bottom where she had been shot. Which version is closer to the facts shall remain open until further evidence emerges. The Bandit Queen Belle Starr True West Magazine. Her mother Eliza was Johns third wife. Her daughter became a prostitute although she eventually opened a string of bordellos and married a German musician. The local Magistrate was the famed Judge Isaac Parker the hanging Judge. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Rumor had it that Younger fathered Belles first child, Pearl, though the father might have actually been another outlaw, Jim Reed. ", Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Belle Starr (975)? Add to your scrapbook. But it was not just men who ruled the Wild West. Belle Starr stated to The Fort Smith Elevator about one year before her death. As reported by HistoryNet, Belle Starr returned to her home on the Cherokee reservation, but her claim to the land was dissolved with her husband's death. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Because of his mother's death, Eddie's trial was postponed until July 1889. After she fell off her horse, she was shot again to make sure she was dead. [5] Bud Shirley was killed by federal troops in late June 1864. Although she had a number of older half-siblings, she was particularly close to her half-brother John, whose nickname was Bud. I regard myself as a woman who has seen much of life.. Apparently, Belle had caught July fooling around with a young Cherokee girl, which had led to much discord in the marriage. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. In 1886, Belle again lost a husband to violent death when Sam Starr was killed in a gunfight with an old enemy. When Belle Starr declined, he later followed her. But with no evidence, he was acquitted. She was six months pregnant with her first child. She managed to remain on the land, however, when she married her late husband's adopted son, Jim Starr. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen. 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. In reality, Belle Starr was tough, a necessity to survive in the Old West, but she wasnt the female Jesse James. Thu, Dec 25, 2014. In 1886, the dangerous bandit queen narrowly avoided another conviction, this time on robbery in addition to horse theft charges, but it The death of Belle Starr - Edmond Life & Leisure In 1880, she married Sam Starr, a member of the infamous Starr clan, in a tribal ceremony. But the frontier was also home to female outlaws who were very different to the helpless dames typically portrayed in the standard Hollywood Western film. a story of her supposed exploits. She had accompanied her third husband, Jim July, on a trip to Fort Smith, but had turned back before reaching that town. WebBelle Starr, ne Myra Belle Shirley, (born Feb. 5, 1848, Washington County, Mo., U.S.died Feb. 3, 1889, near Briartown, Okla.), American outlaw of Texas and the Oklahoma Indian However, when she arrived at the friends' home, her son had already left. She was arrested and convicted on a charge of stealing horses in 1883 along with Sam. While she did consort with infamous characters, historians suggest her renegade reputation surpasses her actual criminal activity. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. In 1869 Belle, Reed, and two other outlaws rode to the North Canadian River country, where they tortured an old Creek Indian until he told them where he had hidden $30,000 in gold. On 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. Belle reportedly had a romantic relationship with another outlaw, Jack Spaniard, shortly following Sam's death. They were each subsequently sentenced to nine months in jail. The 19th century American frontier provided an opportunity for female pioneers to turn to a life of law-breaking. 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. She was fatally shot in 1889 in a case that is still officially unsolved. 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. based on information from your browser. Other suspects include both of Belles children and her husband Bill July. A murderer was walking free. Although she was not officially involved, Biography reports Belle joined her brother in his defense of the Confederacy. The outlaw Belle Starr is killed when an unknown assailant fatally wounds the famous Bandit Queen with two shotgun blasts from behind. The photographs show hard-drinking and gun-slinging women like Pearl Hart who became one of the most infamous characters in the Wild West when she robbed a stagecoach in Arizona in 1899. However, another story says that there were no witnesses and that no one ever was convicted of the murder. Belle Starr Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Though Belle received her education from a girl's academy, Bud taught her to use guns and ride horses, and it is believed that she joined himunofficiallyas he tried to subvert the Unions efforts in Missouri. [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. However, all was not well with the marriage, and Belle left Jim when she discovered his affair with Rosa McCommas. WebMysterious death Belle Starr'slife was cut short two days after she had celebrated her 41st birthday. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. The always dangerous Belle Starr. The rest of Ettas life and identity is shrouded in mystery. James-Younger Gang Terror in the Heartland. Amid the resulting argument, Pearl left home and moved in with her grandparents. Eddie had threatened his It was claimed that after Will Bills death, unruly Jane went after his murderer with a meat cleaver. Pearl Hart was a Canadian-born outlaw of the American Old West who committed one of the last recorded stagecoach robberies in the United States and became notorious for the shocking heist. The nearest settlement to the Starr gangs operation was Fort Smith, Arkansas. WebBelle Starr Jesse James Photo Album Belle Starr Queen of the Wild West Myra Belle Shirley, better know as Belle Starr earned her title as Queen of the Wild West. Bell Starrs Grave An investigation was She was 41 years of age. Both men hit their marks and died of their wounds. Belle was arrested twice more, but was never convicted again. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. When son Bud joined QuantrillsRaiders, John Shirley was a proud father. Myras older brother, John Allison Bud, was born to the Shirleys in 1842, and a younger son, Edwin, in 1850. Please enter your email and password to sign in. John Shirley had become a respected member of the burgeoning county seat of Carthage. The raids had taken their toll on Shirleys businesses, and after Buds death, the Judge gave up, sold his Missouri property, and moved his family to a farm near Scyene, Texas, a small settlement southeast of Dallas. Belles son was arrested for horse theft in 1889 before becoming a Deputy in Fort Smith. 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. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881 which is generally regarded as the most famous shootout in Wild West history. Biography reports she attended a girl's academy, and excelled at playing the piano. Belle Starr - Wikipedia As reported by Legends of America, the businesses they owned comprised "almost an entire city block" in Carthage. The two fled to California with their young daughter Pearl and before long, a second child came along, who they named Edward. Search above to list available cemeteries. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Some thought her spirit was disturbed because justice for her murder had never been served. WebBelle Starr atop a horse in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1886. cemeteries found in Porum, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Belle's illegal enterprises proved lucrative enough for her to employ bribery to free her colleagues from the law whenever they were caught. These rare images taken in the 19th century reveal the female outlaws who held their own when it came to criminal behaviour on the old American frontier. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. At the time of her death, Belle was virtually unknown outside of the Oklahoma Indian Territory. But growing up, Belle preferred learning to shoot a gun outdoors and the company of her childhood friends the infamous Jesse James and the Younger brothers. May was reputed to have supported her brother in these efforts, perhaps as a spy, but without any evidence, exactly how and to what extent is obscured by the much-embroidered and heavily disputed Belle Starr legend. This version too has a problem in that the killer would have surely found the $2,500.00 in gold she was carrying. There are no records that she was ever involved in murder, the robbery of trains, banks, stagecoaches or cattle rustling. After being released from prison, Hart had a brief stint in Buffalo Bills Wild West Show and later ran a cigar store in Kansas City. The relationship was particularly stormy. Biography reports Belle and Sam had both gained a reputation as outlaws. 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. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Rumors about Belle's involvement in criminal activity seemed to stop after Sam was killed. Devastated, the Shirley family abandoned Missouri to try to make a fresh start in Texas. Throughout her adult life, Belle regularly consorted with criminals. The Starrs were arraigned the following day before Judge Parker, but the hanging judge was forced to dismiss the charges for lack of evidence. Jasper County watched both armies pass through time and again, forcing residents to take sides and making neighbors into bitter enemies. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Belle was allegedly briefly married for three weeks to Charles Younger, uncle of Cole Younger in 1878, but this is not substantiated by any evidence. Try again later. 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. 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. Riding on a horse from her neighbors house Belle was ambushed and killed. The next in line was the Cherokee Sam Starr. However, the Watsons had already paid the rent and refused to leave. Riding her mare, Venus, and sporting velvet skirts and plumed hats, Belle played the role of a bandit queen for several years. Dec 8, 2019 When Belle Starr, the infamous Bandit Queen was shot and killed in 1889, her son Eddie Reed was 18 years old. In 1883, Belle and Sam were convicted of larceny, and both served time. In 1889 Belle entered into her third marriage with a much younger bandit by the name of Jim July. Failed to delete memorial. In 1874, a member of his own gang killed Reed, and Belle was suddenly on her own. All times AEST (GMT +10). Best Known For: Belle Starr gained notoriety as an outlaw on the western edge of the United States in the mid-1800s. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. In 1883, Belle and Sam were arrested by Bass Reeves, charged with horse theft and tried before "The Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker in Fort Smith, Arkansas; the prosecutor was United States Attorney W.H.H. All Rights Reserved. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. By this time, Belle had become a celebrity. Early in September 1868, Belle gave birth to her first child, Rosie Lee. The Shirleys had no objection to the marriage, as Jim Reed was not yet a wanted man. 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. A pianist, Belle grew up in a household with her parents and their other children, including much older half-siblings from her fathers first marriages. Poole. After burning and widespread destruction in Carthage during Civil War battles, the family migrated to Scyene, Texas again establishing a hotel and tavern. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Try again later. Splitting up, Jesse and Frank James andthe Youngersfled to Texas, where they met up with Myra Shirley. When most people think of outlaws, they picture characters like Jesse James or Billy the Kid. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. If she thought this would be the end of her troubles, she was proven tragically wrong. 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. The Starrs managed to elude capture for nearly a decade, but in 1883 they were arrested for horse theft and both served five months in the Detroit federal prison. She survived all but two of these men. Sam Starr was killed in 1886, and Belle went on to live with Bill July on Cherokee land. [2] Belle Starr claimed that Pearl was the daughter of the outlaw Cole Younger. Marshal. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. After her release from prison, Belle Starr resumed her outlaw ways, and Judge Isaac Parker resumed his quest to put her out of business. She was found guilty and served nine months at the Detroit House of Corrections in Detroit, Michigan. Eddie Reed, Belle's son, was convicted of horse theft and receiving stolen property in July 1889. Belle Starr murdered in Oklahoma - History Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. As reported by Biography, the Starr gang was infamous for providing refuge for accused criminals on Cherokee land. No one was ever convicted for the crime, and it left an unsettled feeling in the area. In 1868, she gave birth to her first child, whom she called Pearl. WebMyra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr (February 5, 1848 February 3, 1889), better known as Belle Starr, was an American outlaw who gained national notoriety after her violent death. 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. His name was Jim Reed, and she had first met him back in Missouri, where the Reed and Shirley families had been friends. She was a bright student with polite manners and a talent for playing the piano. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. With their share of the loot, Jim and Belle returned to Texas, where she played the role of Bandit Queen to the hilt. According to Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton, her death was due to different circumstances. Her daughter erected a headstone with an engraved bell, a star, a horse and a poignant poem. Bill Caldwell: Belle Starr was her own woman - Joplin Globe Belle Starr at Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1886. A close friend of Jesse James, Belle became wealthy from her criminal exploits and evaded sheriffs on the American Frontier for years. Many suspects were named, however, no one was ever charged nor convicted. Following their release, they both returned to Cherokee land. Belle lived up to her new name and quickly took several lovers, Jim Starr, Blue Duck, Jack Spaniard and Jim French. Belle later stated that it was there that she became reacquainted with the first man she ever loved. Learn more about managing a memorial . Belle was a relatively obscure figure outside of Texas for most of her life, but her legend gained attention due to the writings of Richard K. Fox who is best known for writing the National Police Gazette and dime novels. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Authorities found tracks from the site where Starr was killed leading toward Watson's home. [7], According to the book Belle Starr by Burton Rascoe (Random House, 1941), the "Shirleys were regarded as 'rather common,' because they had no slaves. Legend says she was shot with her own double-barrel shotgun.[4]. When Jim and Belle moved to Missouri, Reed was a wanted man, allegedly for murdering a man named Shannon. She is cool, shows absolutely no fear. WebJust a few weeks after Belles death, July was mortally wounded by a deputy who was on his trail. In 1866, she married another outlaw, Jim Reed, and reportedly "became his partner in crime.". Most of her family members called her May. Try again later. Etta assisted Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in certain heists and her name was strewn across Wanted posters in the Old West. She was 41 years of age. 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. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. After being orphaned at the age of twelve, Jane was forced to move from place to place and took on any work she could to survive on the American Frontier. When Belle Starr was shot to death in 1889, a newspaper declared her to be "a most desperate woman." Her killer was never identified. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! [12] Both men were killed, and Belle's life as an outlaw queenand what had been the happiest relationship of her lifeabruptly ended with her husband's death. Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2022. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. They lived in a one thousand acre plot of land in Fort Smith, Arkansas which soon became a hideout for outlaws such as Jesse James. Belle was estranged from her son Ed and rumors speculated she may have had an incestuous relationship with him and routinely beat him with a bullwhip. The Wild Bunch, also known as the Oklahombres, were known for robbing banks and holding up trains.
What Was The Storming Of The Bastille,
Why Am I Getting A Package From Overture Llc,
Bayou Country Music Festival 2022,
Pelham Middle School Principal,
Articles B