The Real Story Behind Bonnie and Clyde’s Doomed Love

But it wasn’t long before Robert passed away, too, leaving behind five children. Martha, who was the oldest of them all, felt weighted down by the responsibility.

But she put her feelings aside and jumped into action to help take care of her younger siblings.

What was the 14-year old to do to care for a family of five? She knew that Montana obviously wasn’t the answer, considering the fact it had killed her parents.

So, she packed her brothers and sisters up and headed south towards Wyoming. It was there when she would start to really grow into her own.

But in her spare time she liked to hang out, shoot guns and ride horses with soldiers. In fact, she described in her book that she became known for having a “remarkable good shot” and being a “fearless rider” for being a teenager, and a woman.

If Jane was telling the truth, General Custer himself was so impressed with her shot that he recruited her into the US military.

In the late 1800s, it was common for young women to work as prostitutes to support themselves and their families. Martha Jane was no different.

Sure, she also may have had a killer shot, but when she needed to put food on the table, she had no issues getting her hands dirty. Calamity Jane was not a woman who apologized for doing what she needed to do to get by.