Woman of the West: Calamity Jane

 Calamity Jane, born Martha Jane Canary, was a figure of the old west.  She lived in Deadwood, South Dakota.  She was a larger than life figure, mostly because of her self promotion.  She was gender nonconforming, wearing men's clothing and doing men's jobs.  She was a noted marksman and traveled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show as a marksman, rider and storyteller.  She dictated a book of her autobiography.  This is regarded as highly exaggerated by Calamity Jane was noted for being courageous and brave.  She was the oldest and when her parents died when she was 14 she raised her siblings.  When a stage driver was shot and killed she took over the reins and drove the passengers to safety.  She was acquainted with Wild Bill Hickok saying he was the only man she ever loved.  She was buried by him after she died.  She said they had been married but there is no record of this.  A movie starring Doris Day was made about her time in Deadwood; although this was a fictionalized version.