High near 70F. All Rights Reserved. Other female trailblazers who gave their male counterparts a run for their money include Belle Starr the mastermind behind the horse-thieving and bootlegging Starr Clan. Rose eventually settled down with a local politician. In the popular imagination, unlawful cowboys and bandits dominated the rugged landscape of the Wild West. We strive for accuracy and fairness. 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. In 1880, she married Sam Starr, a member of the infamous Starr clan, in a tribal ceremony. Apparently, Belle had caught July fooling around with a young Cherokee girl, which had led to much discord in the marriage. It was then that she submerged herself in outlawry. Edgar Watson, who rented land from Belle, was a fugitive wanted for murder whom she kicked off her land once she discovered his history. However, Spaniard was convicted of murder and executed by hanging soon after they met. Amid the resulting argument, Pearl left home and moved in with her grandparents. In contrast, Sam was incorrigible and assigned to hard labor. As a result, when Belles body was discovered at her farm on February 3, 1889, Watson was the prime suspect. In 1880, Belle married a Cherokee man named Sam Starr, who was a member of the notorious Starr gang. Her death resulted from shotgun wounds to the back and neck and in the shoulder and face. After she and Sam were caught rustling horses, she was sentenced to a year in prison. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. G. Gordon Liddys Wild Career After Watergate, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Belle Starr, Birth Year: 1848, Birth date: February 5, 1848, Birth State: Missouri, Birth Country: United States. While living in the Choctaw Nation, near the Canadian River, an unknown assassin shot her from ambush with a shotgun. After her release from prison, Belle Starr resumed her outlaw ways, and Judge Isaac Parker resumed his quest to put her out of business. Belle Starr was shot to death on February 3, 1889, near Fort Smith, Arkansas just before her 41st birthday. Soon, Myra became smitten by Cole, quickly becoming a member of their gang.. Etta Place was the companion of the American outlaws Butch Cassidy (real name Robert LeRoy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh), both members of the outlaw gang known as the Wild Bunch. 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. On top of the stone was carved an image of her favorite mare, Venus. On the stone was this inscription: Shed not for her the bitter tear The wanted and pursued outlaws from Missouri, Cole, Jim, Bob and John Younger and Jesse James used the Shirley home as a hideout. Although they were both arrested for horse theft again in 1886, the charges were eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence. Belle Starr at Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1886. In 1883, Belle and Sam were convicted of stealing horses. 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. Other stories say she rides from the site of her grave in Youngers Bend and heads southward looking for gold hidden in a hollow tree. WebBelle Starr atop a horse in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1886. Her killer was never identified. She was arrested and convicted on a charge of stealing horses in 1883 along with Sam. Add to your scrapbook. One of Tom Starrs adopted sons, Bill July, married Belle moved in with her. The nearest settlement to the Starr gangs operation was Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was claimed that after Will Bills death, unruly Jane went after his murderer with a meat cleaver. Although Carver initially denied Lauras pleas to join the gang at first, he eventually relented. 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. Though suspects included an outlaw with whom she was feuding, a former lover, her husband, and her own son, the killer of Belle Starr was never identified. Myra 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.[1]. 0 cemeteries found in Porum, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, USA. On February 3, 1889, two days before her 41st birthday, Belle was killed. Bell Starrs Grave An investigation was 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. Later returning to Texas, Reed was involved with several criminal gangs. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Amid the Civil War, the entire Shirley family supported the Confederacy. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? There is a problem with your email/password. She had cultivated some enemies over the years including her son Eddie As a teenager, Pearl became fascinated with the cowboy lifestyle and whilst operating a tent brothel near a local mine in Arizona, she developed a fondness for hard liquor, cigars and morphine. Following the heist, Pearl went on the run in the desert but was eventually caught by sheriffs. There was an error deleting this problem. The Mystery Novelist Who Committed a Real Murder, Boston Marathon Bombings Survivors, 10 Years Later, A Complete Timeline of Adnan Syeds Trial, Release. Belles children have also been mentioned as suspects. But in June 1864, Bud was killed in Sarcoxie, Missouri. Belle 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. HistoryNet reports Belle's husband and her son, Eddie, were arrested and charged with horse theft. However, authorities believe he waited outside and ambushed Starr when she was on her way home. With their share of the loot, Jim and Belle returned to Texas, where she played the role of Bandit Queen to the hilt. However, her daughter allegedly financed her upscale Sporting House in Wichita with the money Belle had on her at the time of her death. Dec 8, 2019 When Belle Starr, the infamous Bandit Queen was shot and killed in 1889, her son Eddie Reed was 18 years old. 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. While she almost certainly accompanied him in a few thefts of horses, money, and cattle in the Dallas area, she probably stayed at home and looked after her children most of the time. Neighbors found her body and carried her to her cabin where a few days later she was buried. 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. She rented acreage to farmers but discovered that one of them, Edgar A. Watson, was wanted for murder in Florida. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Low 43F. Both men hit their marks and died of their wounds. This time to Bruce Younger in a one month affair. Many of the women taking advantage of this freedom found their livelihoods through unladylike ventures like gambling, larceny or prostitution, professions that brought them in close contact with gangs that roamed the frontier. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. WebPhoto Books & Posters ; ProGenealogists ; Ancestry Academy ; Gift Memberships add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. WebBelle Starr (1941) photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, and more. Belle Starr and Jim July Stuff you missed in history class. By paying a small fee, one can visit both the school and her grave located on private property. It was here that Laura began a relationship with outlaw and member of Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch, William News Carver. WebA Texas outlaw in the 19th century, Belle Starr (born Myra Belle Shirley) lived a bandits life, associating with unsavory folk such as Jesse James. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Enter a date in the format M/D (e.g., 1/1), https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/belle-starr-murdered-in-oklahoma, This Day In History: 02/03/2005 - Gonzales becomes first Hispanic U.S. attorney general, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper die in a plane crash, Jacques Cousteaus The Silent World is published, Alberto Gonzales becomes first Hispanic U.S. attorney general, New England Patriots win first Super Bowl, President Clinton ends trade embargo of Vietnam, Marine jet severs ski-lift cable in Italy, Early American mass murder changes common perceptions of crime, Klaus Fuchs arrested for passing atomic bomb information to Soviets. WebA few days later On February 3, 1889, Belle Starr was shot to death from an ambush on a lonely country road. The group admired her skill at selling stolen goods and assisting their train robberies and she was nicknamed the Rose of the Wild Bunch by them. HistoryNet says that Watson left the house shortly after Starr arrived. (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, December 16, 1896, Page 6, Image 6", "Kansas City daily journal. It was also during this time that Jane started adopting a male persona and in 1875, she travelled with an US Army troop into the Black Hills of South Dakota where she fought in several campaigns in the long-running military conflicts against the Native Americans and got the moniker Calamity Jane. WebFind a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/975/belle-starr: accessed ), memorial page for Belle Starr (5 Feb 18483 Feb 1889), Find a Grave [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. Newspapers reporting on the story dubbed her "The Bandit Queen." Splitting up, Jesse and Frank James andthe Youngersfled to Texas, where they met up with Myra Shirley. However, there are no verifiable records proving she committed any of those crimes. Although Belle did not plan to attend the trial, HistoryNet reports she wanted to do some shopping and she hoped to spend some time with her son, who had been staying with friends in the area. By David Farris. Born to a prosperous family in Missouri, Belle could have easily enjoyed a life as a wealthy housewife. [5] Bud Shirley was killed by federal troops in late June 1864. When Belle Starr declined, he later followed her. They eventually found her, but she was unresponsive and died shortly thereafter. 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. Belle named the place Youngers Bend, reported in honor of Cole Younger. It was the first of many popular stories that used her name. WebShe didnt live to see it, mysteriously murdered on Feb. 3, 1889, two days shy of her 42nd birthday. Failed to delete flower. 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. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. As reported by HistoryNet, Starr attempted to renege on the rental agreement. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. However, her life changed dramatically when the Kansas-Missouri Border War broke out. WebBelle Starr murdered in Oklahoma The outlaw Belle Starr is killed when an unknown assailant fatally wounds the famous Bandit Queen with two shotgun blasts from behind. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Legend has it that Belle joined in on her husbands nefarious activities, but there is little evidence to suggest that she did. Although the Watsons eventually accepted a refund for their rent, and moved elsewhere, they simply were not willing to let the incident go. Poole. The relationship was particularly stormy. 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. Perhaps such evidence will emerge right here in the RJ Pastore Collection, as is so often has been the case. She was six months pregnant with her first child. 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. Her walls were covered with shelves full of books and her large mantel over the fireplace had trophies linked to her marksmanship. While Reed initially tried his hand at farming, he would grow restless and associated with the Starr clan, a Cherokee Indian family notorious for whiskey, cattle, and horse thievery in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), as well as the James and Younger gangs. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. When most people think of outlaws, they picture characters like Jesse James or Billy the Kid. Marshal. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Clear skies. Menudo Star Says Jos Menendez Assaulted Him. When Belle Starr was shot to death in 1889, a newspaper declared her to be "a most desperate woman." Belle Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley on her father's farm near Carthage, Missouri, on February 5, 1848. This browser does not support getting your location. 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. She was 41 years of age. Search above to list available cemeteries. Likewise, there was a suggestion that she bedded a number of outlaws and even married Charles Younger in 1878, but there is no evidence that she shared a bed with different men. All Rights Reserved. She decided that outlaws were no longer welcome at her farm. Belle Star, a true London Legend, Maestro of the Electric Ballroom, incredible drummer, cool gentleman, DJ, and beautiful person, has passed away in his sleep, on April 1st, 2023. And you can hear her singing. Riding on a horse from her neighbors house Belle was ambushed and killed. In addition to a number of works inspired by Belle's life, including the 1941 film Belle Star, starring Gene Tierney, a noted biography on the Western icon was written by Glenn Shirley Belle Star and Her Times: The Literature, the Facts, and the Legends. Belles son was arrested for horse theft in 1889 before becoming a Deputy in Fort Smith. No one was ever convicted for the crime, and it left an unsettled feeling in the area. The romance blossomed in Texas, and Belle and Jim married on November 1, 1866. She had been attending a dance. Although she was formally charged on at least two occasions, Belle's specific involvement in Sam's crimes remains a point of controversy, as some sources suggest she actually stayed home while her husband committed the crimes. Eddie became a deputy in Fort Smith and[14] killed two outlaw brothers named Crittenden in 1895,[15][16] and was himself killed in a saloon in Claremore, Oklahoma on December 14, 1896. cemeteries found in Porum, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Drag images here or select from your computer for Belle Starr memorial. As a child, Belle was described as "a bright student with polite manners," who enjoyed performing for others "and liked having an audience." Biography reports she attended a girl's academy, and excelled at playing the piano. 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. Jasper County watched both armies pass through time and again, forcing residents to take sides and making neighbors into bitter enemies. Try again later. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Myra [May], a dutiful daughter, drove one of the wagons. Starr was a only few hundred yards away from her friends' home when she was shot, and subsequently fell off her horse. In 1886, her beloved husband Samuel Starr was killed in a gun fight and for the last two-plus years of her life, gossips and scandal sheets linked Belle to a series of men with colourful reputations, including Jack Spaniard, Jim French and Blue Duck. This version too has a problem in that the killer would have surely found the $2,500.00 in gold she was carrying. He also taught her how to ride horses and shoot guns. Kate was a key witness and watched the gunfight which was the result of a long simmering feud between cowboys and politicians and has been portrayed in numerous Western films from the window of a boarding house. She was convicted of horse theft in 1883. An Unsolved Murder. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. He went outside to confront West, and in the ensuing shootout, both men died. Soon after her death a story began to circulate about folks in the area seeing a ghost in the exact likeness of Belle Starr. She joined him in stealing cattle, horses, and money in the Dallas area. Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2022. She survived all but two of these men. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Several times his Deputies had brought Belle in to face various charges like rustling or bootlegging. Later the grave was robbed, the pistol and Jewelry were gone. Belle wasted no time in finding a third companion, a Creek Indian named Jim July, an outlaw who was 15 years her junior. We will probably never know the truth, especially since Bill was shot dead by a deputy just a few weeks later. They soon had visitors. John Shirley had become a respected member of the burgeoning county seat of Carthage. Starr made her way along the road through Hoyt Bottom as dusk fell. There, Belle met Jim Reed, marrying him in 1866. Who Is Suspected Pentagon Leaker Jack Teixeira? WebJust a few weeks after Belles death, July was mortally wounded by a deputy who was on his trail. Failing this, she would tempt the lawmen with her womanly charms, almost always achieving her ends the release of compatriots. Menu. When son Bud joined QuantrillsRaiders, John Shirley was a proud father. In 1874, a member of his own gang killed Reed, and Belle was suddenly on her own. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. According to Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton, her death was due to different circumstances. Belle left her children with her mother while she rode the outlaw trail. 25. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/975/belle-starr. [2] Her mother, Elizabeth "Eliza" Hatfield Shirley, was John Shirley's third wife and a distant relative to the Hatfields of the famous family feud. There was a problem getting your location. Dallas Gateway. It is suggested that Belle accompanied Jim on many of his criminal pursuits dressed as a man and in 1874, she was wanted in connection with a stagecoach robbery. A Texas man wanted over the fatal shooting of five neighbours, including an eight-year-old boy, could be anywhere now, police have said. Atlas Obscura reports Belle was a "model prisoner" while she was incarcerated. Others believe there is nothing sinister in these legendary ghostly appearances. When the offer was rejected, July screamed, Hell Ill kill the old hag myself and spend the money for whiskey! A few days later On February 3, 1889, Belle Starr was shot to death from an ambush on a lonely country road. While she lay dying from a round of buck shot to the back, her assassin walked up and finished the job Movies. 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. Belle reportedly had a romantic relationship with another outlaw, Jack Spaniard, shortly following Sam's death. The local Magistrate was the famed Judge Isaac Parker the hanging Judge. 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. After Belle Thanks for your help! WebBelle Starr: Directed by John A. Alonzo. Please try again later. She associated with the JamesYounger Gang and other outlaws. Shotgun blasts to her back, neck, shoulder and face left her dead on an Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. However, the nearby Younger Bend School stands today near Porum, Oklahoma and was constructed by Belle to ensure that her daughter and the Indians received an education. Perhaps it is no surprise that Belle became a hardened criminal since she was surrounded by outlaws for her entire adult life. (The Shirley family supported the Confederacy.). WebBelle Starr was shot to death on February 3, 1889, near Fort Smith, Arkansas just before her 41st birthday. WebAll results for Belle Starr 1-20 of 73,745 Browse by collection To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Location even a guess will help. Belle Starr from tree Maierson Family Juanita Belle Starr found in 3 trees View all. A system error has occurred. Reach Jonita Mullins at jonita.mullins@gmail.com. Try again later. The Shirleys lived in Missouri, where Mays father John owned a successful farm on the outskirts of Carthage. Thu, Dec 25, 2014. This account has been disabled. Legend says she dodged open fire and held off the marshals with her own rifle until he could get to safety. Briartown, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, USA. Reed and his family fled from the law numerous times before he was killed in 1874. Suspects with apparent motive included her new husband and both of her children as well as Edgar Watson, because he was afraid she was going to turn him in to the authorities as an escaped murderer from Florida with a price on his head. However, there are few records, with the exception of the conviction on charges of horse theft, linking Belle Starr to any crime. They were each subsequently sentenced to nine months in jail. May's brother, John A. M. "Bud" Shirley, six years older than she, was active in Jasper County among the irregular forces known as bushwhackers, guerilla bands organized to resist the federal troops who had been sent to compel Missouri to join the war against the Confederacy. Frank and Jessie James and the Younger brothers were customers. Please enter your email and password to sign in. [10] Belle always harbored a strong sense of style, which fed into her later legend. Authorities believed that Watson might have ambushed Belle and he was thus arrested on suspicion that he'd committed the act. The gem that fills it sparkles yet. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Irregular bands of Jayhawkers and Red Legs laid waste to Missouri communities in support of the Union. She also loved the outdoors, where she spent many a day roaming the countryside with her older brother Bud, who taught her how to ride a horse and handle a gun. Starr was killed in 1889, with her murderer having never been brought to justice. (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, December 16, 1896, Page 3, Image 3", "Stories of the Century: "Belle Starr", January 23, 1954", "Bandit/Queen Clemson University Press", Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Social and economic stratification in Appalachia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belle_Starr&oldid=1150861397, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox person with multiple criminal charges, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Articles with trivia sections from August 2018, Articles needing additional references from August 2018, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, In 1975, Brooke Tucker appeared as Belle Starr alongside, In 1995, Belle Starr was portrayed in season 3 of, Amber Sweet plays Belle Starr in the 2019 film, The 'ghost of Belle Starr' is mentioned in ", The unsolved murder of Belle Starr is the basis for the, One of the more distinctive adaptations of the legend of Belle Starr was made by the Japanese manga artist, Belle Starr appeared as a caricature in the 1995, This page was last edited on 20 April 2023, at 14:07. The Wild Bunch, also known as the Oklahombres, were known for robbing banks and holding up trains. Other suspects include both of Belles children and her husband Bill July. Belle Starr stated to The Fort Smith Elevator about one year before her death. The Belle Star cabin where she lived and died consisted of three rooms. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Some thought her spirit was disturbed because justice for her murder had never been served. Even Pearl might have killed her mother because Belle had interfered with Pearls marriage to the father of her child.