“The Real Calamity Jane…..from Princeton to Deadwood”
Mar 20, 2019 | Community News |
On March 30 and 31, thirty-one North Missourians will tell the story of how Martha Canary grew into the ‘real’ Calamity Jane during a Calamity Jane docudrama to be filmed and performed on the Mercer High School stage. Performances will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday; 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Fourteen scenes explain how she became a legend and who she really was. Some folks think she was a wild woman, some think she was a drunk; but most admit ignorance … especially teenagers. That’s why the March 29 show will be performed free for students.
Local historians, Bob Kauffman and Donna Covey, believe there is more that should be told about this famous pioneer who got her start in a log cabin in Mercer County. With the advice of Professor Richard Etulain, Kauffman has written a docudrama about the ‘real’ Calamity Jane, and it will be performed on stage by Covey and 30 friends to help preserve and perpetuate this history on a DVD by MasterVideo of Trenton.
The goal is to add a significant chapter in Mercer County’s history. Calamity had a tragic life and it was filled with disasters. Articles written often got it wrong, or only half right. They weren’t concerned about how she helped sick and injured folks who needed help finding their next meal. It was those wild wanderings, raising hell, riding horses, shooting pistols and being thrown in jail that helped sell newspapers.
Ed Wheeler of Philadelphia read the stories in the western newspapers and made Calamity his heroine in dime novels. She became the side-kick of fictitious Deadwood Dick. That’s how Calamity Jane got to be famous … not because of her humanitarianism but because she had an ‘exciting’ reputation. Because of this, they called her the ‘Plain Jane of the Prairies’ and named her ‘Calamity Jane’. The name stuck.
This docudrama doesn’t ignore her wearing men’s clothing, swearing, chewing, smoking, drinking, hell raising, getting thrown in jail and being a prostitute. But, it will include some of the reasons for these erratic ways. It explains why she was illiterate and
will introduce you to her terrible parents. Those who attend will learn of the dangerous trip when the Canary family moved from Princeton to Montana, and how Martha became an orphan at age 11, having to take care of her four younger siblings.
Calamity was an industrious ranch and railroad worker, an excellent marksman, a competent driver of mule and oxen teams, and a proficient horseback rider when such activities were considered scandalous for women. Although illiterate, what’s even
more remarkable was her ability to tell stories to large audiences. She had a book prepared about her life, most of which was not true but helped her make money. Her talents, virtues and traits were considered equal to if not superior to those of men. If you attend the docudrama you’ll receive a copy of her autobiography that includes a song summarizing her life.
Calamity had two children. Her son ‘Little Calamity’ died in infancy but daughter Jessie grew to adulthood. Liquor was Calamity Jane’s downfall and at age 47 she died near Deadwood, SD, and was buried next to “Wild Bill” Hickok.
Come see how this pioneer demonstrated independence, and continually overcame difficulties during her short life. Perhaps she should have been called ‘Miraculous Martha’ because of her difficult childhood and living alone in such a harsh, unsettled land.
