Calamity Jane Instant

In 1876, Martha joined the U.S. Army as a scout, working for General George Armstrong Custer and later for General Nelson A. Miles. As a scout, she traveled extensively throughout the West, learning about the terrain, the Native American tribes, and the wildlife of the region.

In 1865, the Canarys moved to Montana, where they hoped to strike it rich in the goldfields. However, William Canary died of typhoid fever just a year later, leaving Sarah to care for their children alone. Martha, who was just 14 years old at the time, took on a great deal of responsibility, helping to support her family by working as a cook and a housekeeper. Calamity Jane

Martha Jane Canary was born on May 26, 1852, in Princeton, Missouri, to William and Sarah Canary. Her family moved to Iowa when she was a child, and she grew up in a rough-and-tumble household with several siblings. Her father was a farmer and a store owner, but he struggled with illness and debt, and the family often relied on the charity of their neighbors. In 1876, Martha joined the U

It was during this time that Martha began to develop her skills as a shooter and a rider, learning to handle firearms and horses in order to protect herself and her family from the dangers of the frontier. She also began to earn a reputation as a tough and capable young woman, willing to stand up for herself and those she cared about. As a scout, she traveled extensively throughout the

Martha’s later life was marked by financial struggles and personal turmoil. She continued to work as a scout and a guide, but she also struggled with drink and personal relationships. She died on August 1, 1903, at the age of 51, and was buried in Deadwood, South Dakota.