The Active Historian

Myra Maybelle Shirley was born in Missouri on February 5, 1848. Her mother, Elizabeth Hatfield Shirley was related to the Hatfields who feuded with the McCoys. Her father was “Judge” John Shirley. He was a farmer and businessman. Two of her brothers were killed by lawmen for their outlaw ways. She had five siblings in total.

She attended Carthage Female Academy in Carthage, Missouri. She was an excellent horsewoman who loved to be outdoors.

She married James C. Reed on November 1, 1866. They had two children together, Rosie Lee “Pearl” and James Edwin. She eventually separated from James Reed and he was later killed while resisting arrest in 1874 in Paris, Texas.

She had a short relationship with Bruce Younger.

On June 5, 1880, she married Sam Starr and she started going by the name, “Belle.” They lived on communal land in the Cherokee Nation. Many outlaws sought refuge in their cabin throughout the early 1880s.

In 1882, Belle and Sam were charged with stealing two horses in Judge Isaac Parker’s court. He sentenced them to a year in prison and they were released after nine months for good behavior. She was the only woman in the prison and she soon became known as “The Bandit Queen.”

In early 1886, Belle was arraigned on three counts of horse stealing. She was seen at the United States Federal Court in Arkansas. She pleaded not guilty to all three counts according to the newspaper. I thought it was interesting that they described her outfit. Here is the quote from the Daily Arkansas Gazette on February 10, 1886: “She attracted general attention, as she sat in court with a broad-brimmed white man’s hat, fastened up on the side with a red feather, jauntily sitting on the side of her head.”

Her husband, Sam Starr was killed in late 1886 during a gunfight. After this, she began living with Jim July Starr.

Belle Starr settled into a normal life and no longer let outlaws take refuge in her home. She made public appearances from time to time and also made things to display at local fairs. In 1888, she displayed a saddle blanket that was available for raffle at the local fair.

Belle Starr was shot in the back on February 3, 1889. Her assailant was never identified or caught. She was buried at Youngers’ Bend on her ranch.

Belle Starr would become more famous after the publication of the dime novel, Bella Starr, the Bandit Queen, or the Female Jesse James in 1889. This novel helped propel her into legend.

She has also been the subject of other pieces since as shown in the photo below. This was from a temporary museum exhibition a few years ago.

Sources

Secondary Sources

Websites

Adriana G. Schroeder, “Starr, Myra Maybelle Shirley,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society.

Nancy Hendricks. “Belle Starr (1848-1889).” The Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Leon C. Metz. “The Life and Legacy of Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen.” Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.

Primary Sources

Newspapers

“Narrative of a Literary Pilgrimage to Fort Smith, (“Le Belle Pointe”), Arkansas.” Cherokee Advocate (Tahlequah, Oklahoma), March 23, 1883.

“Local Lingo.” The Weekly Chieftain (Vinita, Oklahoma), March 30, 1883.

The Eufala Indian Journal (Eufala, Oklahoma), October 29, 1885. [Page 5]

“First Train Over the Railroad Just Completed at Van Buren.” Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 10, 1886.

“The Notorious Belle Starr Again.” Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), March 25, 1886.

“Belle Starr.” Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), July 8, 1886.

The Weekly Chieftain (Vinita, Oklahoma), August 19, 1886. [Page 3]

“Belle Starr’s Husband Wounded in a Fight with Indian Police.” Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), September 18, 1886.

“Arkansas News.” The Southern Standard (Arkadelphia, AR), September 25, 1886.

“Fort Smith.” Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), October 2, 1886.

“Another Chapter in the History of the Notorious Starr Family.” Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), October 8, 1886.

“Published by Request.” The Eufala Indian Journal (Eufala, Oklahoma), July 28, 1887.

“Fair Notes.” Muscogee Phoenix (Muscogee, Oklahoma), September 27, 1888.

“The Muskogee Fair.” The Weekly Chieftain (Vinita, Oklahoma), October 4, 1888.

“Belle Starr Assassinated.” Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), February 6, 1889.

“Weapons of Belle Starr, Famous Woman Outlaw, Part of K.C. Man’s Relic Collection.” Kansas City Journal (Kansas City, Missouri), June 13, 1926.