Examines the life of the Wild West heroine who was transformed into a legendary figure in the public mind.

Articles: Calamity Jane and the Black Hills Gold Rush in the Writings of William B. Lull, edited by James D. McLaird; Dakota Resources: Women's History Resources in the State Archives at the South Dakota State Historical society by LaVera Rose. Dakota Images: Margaret Louisa Irvine Riggs by Sara Hagen.

Calamity Jane is a calamity at love--she's too busy cracking a bullwhip to pay much mind to such girlie what-alls as dresses and perfume.

Romance on the high seas: a husband and wife suspect each other of being unfaithful which leads to a case of mistaken identity. Calamity Jane: musical version of the love story of tomboy Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. Love me or leave me: follows the life of jazz singer Ruth Etting and her tumultuous relationship with Martin "the gimp" Snyder, her manager and gangster. Please don't eat the daisies: a theater critic, his wife, and their children move...

Original edition published as Calamity Jane : frontier original in 1996. Includes bibliographical references (p. 47) and index. Who was the real Calamity Jane? -- Growing up wild and free -- A new life and a colorful nickname -- A case of hero worship -- Deadwood's angel of mercy -- Footloose in the Old West -- "The heroine of whoop-up" -- A brief career in show business -- "Bury me next to Wild Bill". "Separates the myth from the truth in the life...