People That Shaped the History of the West: Where Did They Come From?
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By PAGE Editor
The nineteenth century, specifically the 1860s and 1890s, encapsulated the period known as the wild west, laying the bedrock of its succeeding mythology. Freed and runaway slaves would find refuge here, similar to the refuge found at the Caribbean Sea among Pirates who freed many slaves.
These periods saw the rise of eccentric and colorful characters in the form of cowboys, gunslingers, pioneers, and outlaws. Their narrative has been shaped in movies and books to laud them for their strong individualism. Listed below are some of these iconic figures and their origins.
The Origin of the Legends of the West
Sitting Bull
Born in 1831 from the Grand River, Dakota territory, US. His given name was Ȟoká Psíče (jumping badger), nicknamed Húŋkešni (slow) for his careful and unhurried nature.
At fourteen, he accompanied a group of Lakota warriors alongside his father and uncle in a raid to take horses from a camp of Crow warriors; he displayed bravery by charging forward and taking the Crow warriors by surprise by counting coup.
He was later rewarded for his bravery by his father, who gave him his own name, which was later simplified to “Sitting Bull”. He was known to have fought the US army and prevented the federal government from encroaching tribal lands.
Billy The Kid
His given name was Henry McCarty, but he was later known as Williams Bonney or "the kid". His early days were somewhat vague, however, history has it that he was most likely born in New York City in 1959. His mother is of Irish origin, but not much is known about his father's ancestry. Both Billy the Kid and his brother Joseph Antrim were Irish Americans.
His brother, however, was not as famous as he was. His family moved a lot, they lived in Indiana, Kansas, and Denver before they finally settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
His troubles began when he became an orphan after his mother died of tuberculosis; he got separated from his brother and then sent to a foster home. It wasn't long before he became a petty thief, then a cattle rustler, a gunslinger, a murderer, and even an escape artist.
Jesse James
Another outlaw worthy of mention is Jesse Woodson James from Missouri. He was known for the crimes he committed in an attempt to avenge the poor treatment suffered by him, his family, and other southern sympathizers at the hands of Union soldiers during the civil war.
He received personal recognition and publicity by writing to the press with the aid of John Newman Edwards, the editor of Kansas City Times. He was later killed by a member of his own gang, Robert Ford, in exchange for amnesty.
Annie Oakley
Born Phoebe Ann Moses–fondly called Annie by her family–on August 13, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio. She was renowned for her remarkable marksmanship. As a kid, she developed her hunting skills to provide for her poor family. She was able to pay off her mother's $200 loan by selling her games at the local grocery store.
She also took part in a shooting contest, winning against professional sharpshooter Frank Butler. They both fell in love and got married. She was also known for her advocacy for equal pay and work. She also advocated for the participation of women in the military, but never formally spoke out for women's suffrage.
Doc Holliday
John Henry Holliday; born August 14, 1851, in Griffin, Georgia. He was a dentist by profession but had to stop when he contracted tuberculosis; he then moved to Dallas.
In order to make ends meet, he got into gambling, and seeing that the profession was unstable and dangerous, he protected himself with a six-shooter and a knife. He is best known for his role in the event of a major gunfight at the O.K Corral. He died from tuberculosis at home which is found to be quite ironic.
Calamity Jane
She was also famous for her sharpshooting skills, alcoholism, and cross-dressing. Born as Martha Jane Cannary on May 1, 1852, in Princeton, Missouri; she lived a hard life. She was orphaned at age 12 and had to do all sorts of menial work to make ends meet.
She became famous when she participated in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show performing sharpshooting skills while riding a horse. She was notable for her warm-heartedness; there were records of her helping nurse patients during a smallpox epidemic in Deadwood.
These people, although some of them were cold-blooded criminals, had their crimes romanticized by Americans, who love stories of underdogs who stood up against dictatorship. They were famous people known for their untamed spirits and their doggedness that have helped shape the history of the West.
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