“Whar there’s mishchief there you’ll find me” are the famous words of Calamity Jane. However, she wasn’t always called Calamity Jane her real name was Martha Jane Cannary. She was quite the character in her own right. She was known for wearing pants, shooting off guns when she walked into a saloon (and shooting anyone who wouldn’t give her a free drink), sexually promiscuous, a maverick and was the stuff that legends are made of or at least dime store novels that were popular in that day.
According to legend she was given her name by Captain “Pat” Egan. Out in the plains of Wyoming Captain Egan was riding at full speed from the dangerous redskins that were closing in on him. He was down to just one bullet that he was going to leave for himself but yet on a hill stood a slim figure on a horse. Seeing the trouble that was laid out before her she rushed down the hill, her long tresses wildly flowing in the breeze under her slouch hat as she galloped full speed towards the gaggle of Indians that were attacking the lone Captain. Every shot from her trusty shotgun hit its mark, dropping the enemy dead. She was able to speed away with the Captain, leaving the Indians behind. The Indians dared not follow the Captain and lady for they had gained a new fear of her excellent marksmanship.
When they made it back to the fort the Captain politely asked for his rescuer’s name. He gazed upon her countenance and found that she possessed both grace and beauty and was stunned that such a beautiful creature could have saved him. She introduced herself as Jane Cannary. She attempted to assist the Captain with his wounds but he wouldn’t have it, he didn’t want to see Jane’s delicate hands get covered with blood. He asked if he would ever see her again to which she replied “Whar there’s mishchief there you’ll find me.” The Captain smiled at what she had said and told her that he would most likely need her again soon. He told her that she was quite the woman and if she were a man she would have been able to rise to the rank of a General. He then said that from now on she would be known as Calamity Jane, the heroine of the plains. Hence Calamity Jane has been her name ever since.
