Meeting Wild Bill
In 1870, Jane worked as a count alongside General Custer, at Fort Russell in Wyoming. But perhaps even more infamous was her time at Fort Laramie.
It was around that time that she first met Wild Bill Hickok. The two hit it off almost instantly, probably thanks in large part to the fact they both drank like fish.
A Real Sharpshooter
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.
Doing Everything to Get By
In the late 1800s, it was common for young women to work as escorts 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.
The Legend Was Born
But it wasn’t until a few years later that she would become the person everyone knows her as through her writing.
It was then that she would earn her name. It was in 1873 that Calamity Jane was officially born.
The Story Behind the Name
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.