Even if some of the stories were stretched a little further than the truth, there’s no question that Jane led one hell of an interesting life. Unfortunately, a lot of it was filled with suffering.
But even with all of the weights that found their way to her shoulders, Martha Jane still found it in her heart to help others.
But even with all of the weights that found their way to her shoulders, Martha Jane still found it in her heart to help others.
The name "Calamity Jane" was given to her after a raid on a Native American village went wrong. Jane risked her own life to save her captain from certain death after he had been shot.
And, according to her tales, the captain thanked her by gifting her with her infamous nickname.
And, according to her tales, the captain thanked her by gifting her with her infamous nickname.
But after the stories were released, there were many who questioned the validity of the heroic tales.
After all, it does seem like quite a stretch that this guy, who’s bleeding out, takes the time to grab someone all Hollywood style and say, “I will call you Calamity Jane, for your bravery,” or something to that effect.
After all, it does seem like quite a stretch that this guy, who’s bleeding out, takes the time to grab someone all Hollywood style and say, “I will call you Calamity Jane, for your bravery,” or something to that effect.
In 1876, she spent most of the summer working as a mail carrier in Deadwood, for Pony Express. She would spend her evenings drinking with Charlie Utter and Bill Hickok.
Some speculate that Hickok and Jane were more than just friends, but as far as she describes, they were just good drinking buddies.
Some speculate that Hickok and Jane were more than just friends, but as far as she describes, they were just good drinking buddies.
Wild Bill Hickok and Jane met on the train headed out to Deadwood. This fact was verified later by another person who was on the train at the time, which contradicts what Jane wrote in her autobiography.
Things like that little hiccup are a big part of the reason why her book should be taken with a grain of salt.
Things like that little hiccup are a big part of the reason why her book should be taken with a grain of salt.