One of the most enduring myths of the American Old West is that of Calamity Jane. During this time she also became acquainted with Wild Bill Hickok and Charlie Utter. When journalist Thomas Newson met her, he said she was generous, forgiving, kind-hearted, sociable, and yet when aroused, has all the daring and courage of the lion or devil himself., The Best Fishing Tips and Tricks for the Black Hills, Hay Camp Brewing: A Craft Beer Experience. Jan Cerney has written five books and co-authored four additional books for Arcadia Publishing. Jane loaded up their belongings on a wagon, and the family travelled to Piedmont, Wyoming. In 1865, she and her family moved west to the booming gold rush town of Virginia City, Montana. Biography of Calamity Jane, Wild West Figure - ThoughtCo Word Wise helps you read harder books by explaining the most challenging words in the book. It was only in 1874 that she finally found some meaningful workas a scout at Fort Russell. It gives a detailed look into Martha Jane Canary and her siblings, and their lives. Its hard to separate fact from fiction in much of Janes story. The daughter of Robert W. Canary and Charlotte Burch, she was the eldest of six siblings, with two younger brothers and three younger sisters. However, her alcoholism made her career with the Wild West Show a short one. With her younger siblings in tow, she headed to Wyoming and landed at Fort Bridger in May 1868. In one of the military campaigns, Jane claims that she was nicknamed Calamity Jane. Jane narrates that one day while they were returning to their post, they were ambushed and her commander, Captain Egan, was shot at. She remained there till her death. It is also believed that occasionally she may have disguised herself as a man to accompany soldiers on expeditions. All rights reserved. Much of what is known about her early life comes from an autobiography she dictated to a friend, to be sold at Old West museums as an added attraction to them, and Jane was well known for embellishing tales about her, The National Museum of the United States Air Force, How Martin Luther King Jr. Day Became a Federal Holiday, Benjamin Franklin: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, George Clymer: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Jan and her husband, Bob, live on a ranch near the South Dakota Badlands. Dressed in an oversized army uniform, she accompanied troops on patrol.