Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we ride into the American frontier to explore the raucous and tragic life of Martha Jane Canary, known to the world as Calamity Jane. Born in 1852, Jane became one of the most celebrated figures of the Wild West, famous for wearing men’s attire, her skills as a sharpshooter, and her captivating storytelling.

We separate the woman from the myth, examining the conflicting stories of how she acquired her famous nickname—was it bestowed upon her after saving a captain during an ambush, or was it a warning to those who dared to offend her?. We also dive into her time in Deadwood and her infamous connection to Wild Bill Hickok. While Jane claimed they were married and even produced a daughter, we discuss why many historians—and Hickok’s own friends—viewed these claims as the fabrications of a storyteller.

Beyond the tall tales, we look at the complexities of her character: a hard-drinking daredevil who struggled with alcoholism yet showed immense compassion by nursing victims of a smallpox epidemic. From her alleged days as an army scout to her later years performing in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, join us for the story of a true American pioneer who died as she lived—surrounded by the legends of the Black Hills.