June 28, 2025 • 20 mins
The remarkable transformation of Myra Maybel Shirley from educated piano player to notorious outlaw woman unfolds against the chaotic backdrop of post-Civil War Texas. What forces drive a respectable young woman into the dangerous world of outlaws? The answer lies in the unlikely sanctuary her family's farm provided to some of America's most wanted men.
Scyene, Texas was described as "a rendezvous of the reckless raiders of the Southwest," a perfect hideout for Missouri's Confederate guerrillas-turned-outlaws. When the James-Younger gang sought refuge at the Shirley farm, they found in May a woman hardened by war and displacement, who moved comfortably among them despite her formal education. Her friendship with Cole Younger sparked persistent rumors, while her marriage to former Quantrill raider Jim Reed cemented her connection to the outlaw world.
Reed's criminal career dragged May into an increasingly dangerous existence. As they fled from Texas to Missouri to California with their two young children, Pearl and Ed, May's options narrowed. When authorities issued a warrant for her arrest as an accessory to Reed's crimes, the line between being an outlaw's wife and an outlaw herself blurred. After Reed's violent death in 1874, May faced the ultimate challenge: surviving as a widow with two children in a society that offered little support for women in her position. These formative years, marked by hard choices and compromised morality, set the stage for her emergence as the legendary Belle Starr.
Join us for Part 3 of Belle Starr's story - "Younger's Bend: The Cherokee Queen" - where we'll explore her captivating years from 1875 to 1880. Subscribe now to follow this fascinating journey through the life of one of the Wild West's most misunderstood figures.
"Edward Masterson and the Texas Cowboys," penned by Michael King, takes readers on an exhilarating ride through the American West, focusing on the lively and gritty cattle town of Dodge City, Kansas. This thrilling dime novel plunges into the action-packed year of Ed Masterson's life as a lawman, set against the backdrop of the chaotic cattle trade, filled with fierce conflicts, shifting loyalties, and rampant lawlessness. You can order the book on Amazon.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
The Shirley Farm in Skine, texas, became an unlikely
crossroads for various peopleand activities.
John Shirley worked hard tocultivate corn and sorghum and
raise livestock in an attempt torebuild a semblance of his
former life livestock in anattempt to rebuild a semblance
of his former life.
However, the shadows of hispast and the nature of his new
(00:29):
surroundings brought anunexpected society to their
doorstep.
Skine itself was a raw andboisterous town, described by
one contemporary as a rendezvousof the reckless raiders of the
Southwest.
It boasted numerous saloons andearned a reputation for
frequent brawls and killings,creating an environment where a
(00:49):
man seeking trouble could findit easily.
Familiar faces from Missourisoon arrived in this chaotic
setting.
Men who had shared BudShirley's Confederate loyalties
and experiences as guerrillascame to the farm seeking refuge.
Among them were Cole Younger, achildhood acquaintance of May's
(01:11):
from Carthage, along with hisbrothers Jim and Bob, as well as
the infamous Frank and JesseJames.
The Shirley home provided aconvenient and sympathetic
hideout as their wartimeactivities transitioned into
post-war outlaw life.
These visits were lengthy.
The members of the James Youngergang often sought refuge from
(01:33):
the law which was graduallytrying to bring order to
Reconstruction era Texas.
May, now a young woman hardenedby loss and displacement, moved
comfortably among these roughmen.
Her formal education and pianoskills might have seemed out of
place, yet she entertained them,playing cards and perhaps
(01:55):
finding in their rebelliousspirit a reflection of her
beloved bud.
Her association with ColeYounger in particular became the
subject of local gossip andenduring legend.
With Cole Younger in particularbecame the subject of local
gossip and enduring legend, apersistent rumor suggested that
Cole fathered May's first child,pearl, although Younger himself
steadfastly denied it.
(02:15):
The truth about Pearl'spaternity remained a topic of
speculation.
But the overall environmentnormalized May's interactions
with men who lived outside thelaw.
Environment normalized May'sinteractions with men who lived
outside the law.
This was not a world sheactively sought to enter.
Rather, it was a world that hadcome to her due to war and
circumstance.
The turmoil of ReconstructionTexas, marked by weakened
(02:38):
traditional power structures,rampant lawlessness and
lingering resentments fromformer Confederates, created
fertile ground for outlaws likethe James Younger gang.
They operated with a degree ofimpunity and were sometimes
(02:59):
viewed with sympathy by apopulace wary of the new federal
authority.
May's life became inextricablylinked with this undercurrent of
defiance, shaping her identityalongside men who believed they
were still fighting a war orgrappling with its bitter
aftermath.
Amidst the revolving door ofoutlaws at the Shirley Farm, one
(03:22):
figure captured May's attentionJames C Jim Reed.
She had known him from her daysin Missouri, where the Reed and
Shirley families were friends.
Now, in Texas, reed was ridingwith the Youngers, having gained
experience as a quantril raiderduring the war.
Their reunion in the chargedatmosphere of Skyn quickly
(03:45):
blossomed into romance.
On November 1, 1866, myra MaybelShirley married Jim Reed in
Collins County, texas, with theceremony officiated by Reverend
SM Williams.
This documented event starklycontrasts with one of the
earliest and most enduring mythssurrounding Belle Starr the
(04:08):
tale of a dramatic elopementwith her parents objecting, the
couple riding off with a band ofoutlaws and being married on
horseback by a fellow criminal.
In reality, according toRichard Reed, jim's younger
brother and surviving marriagerecords, according to Richard
Reed, jim's younger brother andsurviving marriage records, the
(04:30):
situation was much moreconventional.
John and Eliza Shirleyapparently had no objections to
the match.
At that time, jim Reed was notyet a wanted man, despite his
past associations.
After the wedding, jim moved inwith the Shirley family at
Skine and shared the burdens offarm chores.
He even attempted to work as asalesman for the Dallas Saddle
(04:51):
and Bridal Maker.
However, this brief period ofdomestic life did not last long.
The allure of his former life,or perhaps an inherent
restlessness, was too strong.
While the legend of hermarriage indicated the public's
desire to view May in asensational light, her choice of
husband revealed more about herown preferences.
Jim Reed, whose formativeexperiences were steeped in the
(05:16):
violence and extra-legal actionsof guerrilla warfare, was
unlikely to remain a quietfarmer for long.
May's attraction to him,knowing his background,
suggested a comfort with, oreven an attraction to, men who
operated on the fringes ofsociety, a pattern that echoed
her deep admiration for herbrother, bud.
(05:38):
This union, althoughconventionally begun, set the
stage for the turbulent nextchapter of her life, drawing her
even deeper into the world ofoutlaws.
The quiet period of farming andsalesmanship for Jim Reed was
(05:58):
short-lived.
By late 1867, he and May hadmoved from the Shirley Homestead
in Texas to the Reed familyhomestead in Missouri.
It was there, in earlySeptember 1868, that their first
child, rosie Lee, was born.
May adored the baby,affectionately, calling her
Pearl, a nickname that wouldstick throughout her tumultuous
(06:21):
life.
However, domestic tranquilityproved to be an elusive dream
for the Reeds.
Jim Reed, who was ill-suited tofarm life, increasingly
associated with old friends andnew disreputable companions.
He began racing horses andformed a close connection with
Tom Starr, a Cherokee whosenotoriety for violence, whiskey
(06:45):
running and rustling in theIndian Territory was so
pronounced that he wasconsidered an embarrassment to
the Cherokee Nation.
Reed became involved in theStarr family's illegal
activities, which deepenedfurther when he killed a man in
what he claimed was an act ofvengeance for his older brother,
scott Reed.
With a warrant issued for hisarrest on murder charges and for
(07:09):
illegally bringing whiskey intoIndian territory, jim Reed
became a full-fledged fugitive,facing threats from both the law
and friends of the man he hadkilled.
Reed sought a healthier climate.
In early 1869, with May andtheir infant Pearl, he fled to
California.
Their nomadic existencecontinued and it was on the
(07:32):
Pacific coast in Los Nietos, losAngeles County, that their
second child, james Edwin, knownas Ed, was born on February 22,
1871.
However, california did notprovide lasting sanctuary.
In late March 1871, jim wasaccused of passing counterfeit
(07:53):
money and an investigationquickly revealed that he was
wanted for murder in Texas.
Once again, the family wasuprooted.
Reed fled to Texas on horseback, while sending May and the
children back by stagecoach,with Cole Younger reportedly
assisting in settling them onthe farm near Skine.
(08:13):
Throughout these turbulentyears, pearl and Ed were often
separated from one or bothparents, left in the care of
relatives, sometimes with theirpaternal Reed grandparents in
Missouri and at other times withMay's family, the Shurleys, in
Texas.
This constant upheaval andfragmented family life left deep
(08:34):
scars on young Pearl and Ed,shaping their troubled futures
and their complex, often fraughtrelationships with their mother
.
May's decision to follow herfugitive husband while leaving
her children behind for extendedperiods, demonstrated either
fierce loyalty or the desperatepragmatism of a woman with few
(08:54):
viable options in a society thatoffered little support for the
wives of outlaws.
This period marked asignificant step in her journey,
solidifying her identity assomeone perpetually on the run,
accustomed to evading the lawand increasingly alienated from
the mainstream society.
As Jim Reed's notoriety grew,so did the questions surrounding
(09:26):
Myra Maybel's role in hisaffairs.
Accounts from this perioddiverge, painting a confusing
picture of her involvement.
Some sources suggest that shedisapproved of his increasing
entanglement in crime.
Others, however, place her moresquarely within his circle of
operations, alleging that sheran a livery stable in Dallas
(09:48):
that served as a front forselling horses stolen by Reed
and his associates.
If true, this would indicate amore active and knowing
participation in his criminalenterprises, moving beyond mere
association to directfacilitation.
The most dramatic and brutalcrime attributed to Reed's gang
(10:09):
during this time was the robberyof the Watt Grayson family in
the Choctaw Nation on November19, 1873.
Reed and two accomplicesreportedly tortured the wealthy
Creek Indian and his wife untilthey revealed the hiding place
of $30,000 in gold.
Some sensationalized biographyof Bell's star later claimed
(10:31):
that she participated in thisheinous act disguised as a man.
However, eyewitness accountsfrom the Grayson family and
their hired hands at the timemade no mention of a woman or a
slightly built man among theassailants.
This discrepancy highlights arecurring theme in Bell's story
the gap between the allegedreality of her actions and the
(10:55):
burgeoning legend.
It raises questions about howmuch of her outlaw persona was
self-cultivated, how much wasattributed to her by association
and how much was pureembellishment by later
chroniclers eager for asensational tale.
Regardless of her directparticipation in violent acts,
(11:16):
the law certainly viewed her asconnected to Reed's crimes.
In April 1874, a warrant wasissued for her arrest as an
accessory in the daring daylightholdup of the Austin San
Antonio Stagecoach, a crimeattributed to her husband and
others, although she was notnamed as a direct participant in
(11:37):
the robbery itself.
Others, although she was notnamed as a direct participant in
the robbery itself, even if shewasn't holding the guns during
these robberies, her operationof a livery stable dealing in
potentially stolen stock and hergeneral association with known
felons placed her firmly withina criminal network.
This accessory role, whileperhaps less direct than that of
(11:59):
a gun-toting raider, wasnonetheless vital for the
functioning of these outlawgangs.
It provided a crucial link inthe chain of illicit commerce, a
place, a network of contactsand a degree of nerve, all
(12:22):
characteristics frequentlyattributed to Bell.
It also represented a form offemale agency, albeit illicit,
within a male-dominated criminalunderworld, allowing her to
carve out a niche that utilizedher intelligence and connections
, even as it exposed her toconstant legal peril.
(12:44):
The line between being anoutlaw's wife and an outlaw in
her own right was becomingincreasingly blurred.
Marriage of May and Jim Reedwas on the brink of collapse,
(13:04):
regardless of the law's pursuit.
By 1874, may had reportedlyreached her limit with Jim's
escalating life of crime and,more pointedly, his involvement
with another woman, rosa McComas.
And, more pointedly, hisinvolvement with another woman,
rosa McComas.
She left him, taking theirchildren, pearl and Ed and moved
(13:26):
back to the relative safety ofher parents' farm in Skine.
This decision to leave beforeReed met his demise suggests
that May was asserting her ownboundaries and seeking a degree
of independence, rather thanblindly following her husband
down a path of self-destruction.
Meanwhile, jim Reed's outlawcareer continued on a violent
path.
(13:46):
He committed stagecoachrobberies and stole livestock,
often evading posses byretreating into Indian territory
, only to re-emerge in Texas.
However, his luck finally ranout in August 1874.
Unaware that a formeracquaintance, john T Morris, had
been deputized specifically tocapture him, reed was traveling
(14:09):
with Morris near Paris, texas.
While they were eating, Morrisordered Reed to surrender.
Ever defiant, reed reportedlyflipped the table and attempted
to flee, but was shot and killedby the deputy.
A persistent tale claims thatwhen May was called to identify
her husband's body, she deniedknowing him to prevent Morris
(14:31):
from collecting the reward money.
However, contemporary newspaperaccounts confirm that those
familiar with Reed did indeedidentify his corpse.
Now, a widow at 26, with twoyoung children, pearl, age 6,
and Ed, just 3, mae confrontedan uncertain future For a time.
(14:54):
She reportedly operated alivery stable in Dallas, a
demanding endeavor for a womanalone.
During that era, the yearsbetween Reed's death in 1874,
and her next significant chapter, her marriage to Sam Starr in
1880, are somewhat obscure,referred to by some historians
as the Mystery Years, somehistorians as the mystery years.
(15:17):
May's father, john Shirley,passed away in 1876, further
diminishing her family supportsystem.
Following this, her mother,eliza, sold the Skine farm and
moved to Dallas.
May is also said to have soldher own farm and apparently
spent a lot of time at the Reedhome in Missouri, possibly
(15:38):
seeking support from her latehusband's family or simply
drifting in search of a newsense of stability.
During this period ofinstability, pearl and Ed were
likely shoveled between variousrelatives.
Their upbringing was undeniablyfragmented, marked by their
father's violent life and deathand their mother's precarious
(15:59):
situation on the fringes ofsociety.
These formative years,characterized by an inconsistent
parental presence in the shadowof outlawry characterized by an
inconsistent parental presencein the shadow of outlawry, would
inevitably shape theirpersonalities and their later,
often troubled, relationshipswith their mother.
For May, this time as a youngwidow stripped of male
(16:23):
protection and a clear pathforward, was undoubtedly filled
with challenges that requiredevery ounce of her resilience
and pragmatism.
It was a period of searching,making do and perhaps a growing
realization that her survivaland that of her children might
depend on forging new,unconventional alliances.
And I wasn't watching and Icouldn't see All the darkness
(17:01):
Around you and me.
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for even more content.
Thanks for being part of ouradventure.
We can't wait to have you backfor the next installment as we
continue our journey through theremarkable life of Belle Starr
in Part 3, younger's Bend, theCherokee Queen, where we'll
explore the captivating yearsfrom 1875 to 1880.
The Shirley Farm in Skine, texas, became an unlikely
crossroads for various peopleand activities.
John Shirley worked hard tocultivate corn and sorghum and
raise livestock in an attempt torebuild a semblance of his
former life livestock in anattempt to rebuild a semblance
of his former life.
However, the shadows of hispast and the nature of his new
(00:29):
surroundings brought anunexpected society to their
doorstep.
Skine itself was a raw andboisterous town, described by
one contemporary as a rendezvousof the reckless raiders of the
Southwest.
It boasted numerous saloons andearned a reputation for
frequent brawls and killings,creating an environment where a
(00:49):
man seeking trouble could findit easily.
Familiar faces from Missourisoon arrived in this chaotic
setting.
Men who had shared BudShirley's Confederate loyalties
and experiences as guerrillascame to the farm seeking refuge.
Among them were Cole Younger, achildhood acquaintance of May's
(01:11):
from Carthage, along with hisbrothers Jim and Bob, as well as
the infamous Frank and JesseJames.
The Shirley home provided aconvenient and sympathetic
hideout as their wartimeactivities transitioned into
post-war outlaw life.
These visits were lengthy.
The members of the James Youngergang often sought refuge from
(01:33):
the law which was graduallytrying to bring order to
Reconstruction era Texas.
May, now a young woman hardenedby loss and displacement, moved
comfortably among these roughmen.
Her formal education and pianoskills might have seemed out of
place, yet she entertained them,playing cards and perhaps
(01:55):
finding in their rebelliousspirit a reflection of her
beloved bud.
Her association with ColeYounger in particular became the
subject of local gossip andenduring legend.
With Cole Younger in particularbecame the subject of local
gossip and enduring legend, apersistent rumor suggested that
Cole fathered May's first child,pearl, although Younger himself
steadfastly denied it.
(02:15):
The truth about Pearl'spaternity remained a topic of
speculation.
But the overall environmentnormalized May's interactions
with men who lived outside thelaw.
Environment normalized May'sinteractions with men who lived
outside the law.
This was not a world sheactively sought to enter.
Rather, it was a world that hadcome to her due to war and
circumstance.
The turmoil of ReconstructionTexas, marked by weakened
(02:38):
traditional power structures,rampant lawlessness and
lingering resentments fromformer Confederates, created
fertile ground for outlaws likethe James Younger gang.
They operated with a degree ofimpunity and were sometimes
(02:59):
viewed with sympathy by apopulace wary of the new federal
authority.
May's life became inextricablylinked with this undercurrent of
defiance, shaping her identityalongside men who believed they
were still fighting a war orgrappling with its bitter
aftermath.
Amidst the revolving door ofoutlaws at the Shirley Farm, one
(03:22):
figure captured May's attentionJames C Jim Reed.
She had known him from her daysin Missouri, where the Reed and
Shirley families were friends.
Now, in Texas, reed was ridingwith the Youngers, having gained
experience as a quantril raiderduring the war.
Their reunion in the chargedatmosphere of Skyn quickly
(03:45):
blossomed into romance.
On November 1, 1866, myra MaybelShirley married Jim Reed in
Collins County, texas, with theceremony officiated by Reverend
SM Williams.
This documented event starklycontrasts with one of the
earliest and most enduring mythssurrounding Belle Starr the
(04:08):
tale of a dramatic elopementwith her parents objecting, the
couple riding off with a band ofoutlaws and being married on
horseback by a fellow criminal.
In reality, according toRichard Reed, jim's younger
brother and surviving marriagerecords, according to Richard
Reed, jim's younger brother andsurviving marriage records, the
(04:30):
situation was much moreconventional.
John and Eliza Shirleyapparently had no objections to
the match.
At that time, jim Reed was notyet a wanted man, despite his
past associations.
After the wedding, jim moved inwith the Shirley family at
Skine and shared the burdens offarm chores.
He even attempted to work as asalesman for the Dallas Saddle
(04:51):
and Bridal Maker.
However, this brief period ofdomestic life did not last long.
The allure of his former life,or perhaps an inherent
restlessness, was too strong.
While the legend of hermarriage indicated the public's
desire to view May in asensational light, her choice of
husband revealed more about herown preferences.
Jim Reed, whose formativeexperiences were steeped in the
(05:16):
violence and extra-legal actionsof guerrilla warfare, was
unlikely to remain a quietfarmer for long.
May's attraction to him,knowing his background,
suggested a comfort with, oreven an attraction to, men who
operated on the fringes ofsociety, a pattern that echoed
her deep admiration for herbrother, bud.
(05:38):
This union, althoughconventionally begun, set the
stage for the turbulent nextchapter of her life, drawing her
even deeper into the world ofoutlaws.
The quiet period of farming andsalesmanship for Jim Reed was
(05:58):
short-lived.
By late 1867, he and May hadmoved from the Shirley Homestead
in Texas to the Reed familyhomestead in Missouri.
It was there, in earlySeptember 1868, that their first
child, rosie Lee, was born.
May adored the baby,affectionately, calling her
Pearl, a nickname that wouldstick throughout her tumultuous
(06:21):
life.
However, domestic tranquilityproved to be an elusive dream
for the Reeds.
Jim Reed, who was ill-suited tofarm life, increasingly
associated with old friends andnew disreputable companions.
He began racing horses andformed a close connection with
Tom Starr, a Cherokee whosenotoriety for violence, whiskey
(06:45):
running and rustling in theIndian Territory was so
pronounced that he wasconsidered an embarrassment to
the Cherokee Nation.
Reed became involved in theStarr family's illegal
activities, which deepenedfurther when he killed a man in
what he claimed was an act ofvengeance for his older brother,
scott Reed.
With a warrant issued for hisarrest on murder charges and for
(07:09):
illegally bringing whiskey intoIndian territory, jim Reed
became a full-fledged fugitive,facing threats from both the law
and friends of the man he hadkilled.
Reed sought a healthier climate.
In early 1869, with May andtheir infant Pearl, he fled to
California.
Their nomadic existencecontinued and it was on the
(07:32):
Pacific coast in Los Nietos, losAngeles County, that their
second child, james Edwin, knownas Ed, was born on February 22,
1871.
However, california did notprovide lasting sanctuary.
In late March 1871, jim wasaccused of passing counterfeit
(07:53):
money and an investigationquickly revealed that he was
wanted for murder in Texas.
Once again, the family wasuprooted.
Reed fled to Texas on horseback, while sending May and the
children back by stagecoach,with Cole Younger reportedly
assisting in settling them onthe farm near Skine.
(08:13):
Throughout these turbulentyears, pearl and Ed were often
separated from one or bothparents, left in the care of
relatives, sometimes with theirpaternal Reed grandparents in
Missouri and at other times withMay's family, the Shurleys, in
Texas.
This constant upheaval andfragmented family life left deep
(08:34):
scars on young Pearl and Ed,shaping their troubled futures
and their complex, often fraughtrelationships with their mother
.
May's decision to follow herfugitive husband while leaving
her children behind for extendedperiods, demonstrated either
fierce loyalty or the desperatepragmatism of a woman with few
(08:54):
viable options in a society thatoffered little support for the
wives of outlaws.
This period marked asignificant step in her journey,
solidifying her identity assomeone perpetually on the run,
accustomed to evading the lawand increasingly alienated from
the mainstream society.
As Jim Reed's notoriety grew,so did the questions surrounding
(09:26):
Myra Maybel's role in hisaffairs.
Accounts from this perioddiverge, painting a confusing
picture of her involvement.
Some sources suggest that shedisapproved of his increasing
entanglement in crime.
Others, however, place her moresquarely within his circle of
operations, alleging that sheran a livery stable in Dallas
(09:48):
that served as a front forselling horses stolen by Reed
and his associates.
If true, this would indicate amore active and knowing
participation in his criminalenterprises, moving beyond mere
association to directfacilitation.
The most dramatic and brutalcrime attributed to Reed's gang
(10:09):
during this time was the robberyof the Watt Grayson family in
the Choctaw Nation on November19, 1873.
Reed and two accomplicesreportedly tortured the wealthy
Creek Indian and his wife untilthey revealed the hiding place
of $30,000 in gold.
Some sensationalized biographyof Bell's star later claimed
(10:31):
that she participated in thisheinous act disguised as a man.
However, eyewitness accountsfrom the Grayson family and
their hired hands at the timemade no mention of a woman or a
slightly built man among theassailants.
This discrepancy highlights arecurring theme in Bell's story
the gap between the allegedreality of her actions and the
(10:55):
burgeoning legend.
It raises questions about howmuch of her outlaw persona was
self-cultivated, how much wasattributed to her by association
and how much was pureembellishment by later
chroniclers eager for asensational tale.
Regardless of her directparticipation in violent acts,
(11:16):
the law certainly viewed her asconnected to Reed's crimes.
In April 1874, a warrant wasissued for her arrest as an
accessory in the daring daylightholdup of the Austin San
Antonio Stagecoach, a crimeattributed to her husband and
others, although she was notnamed as a direct participant in
(11:37):
the robbery itself.
Others, although she was notnamed as a direct participant in
the robbery itself, even if shewasn't holding the guns during
these robberies, her operationof a livery stable dealing in
potentially stolen stock and hergeneral association with known
felons placed her firmly withina criminal network.
This accessory role, whileperhaps less direct than that of
(11:59):
a gun-toting raider, wasnonetheless vital for the
functioning of these outlawgangs.
It provided a crucial link inthe chain of illicit commerce, a
place, a network of contactsand a degree of nerve, all
(12:22):
characteristics frequentlyattributed to Bell.
It also represented a form offemale agency, albeit illicit,
within a male-dominated criminalunderworld, allowing her to
carve out a niche that utilizedher intelligence and connections
, even as it exposed her toconstant legal peril.
(12:44):
The line between being anoutlaw's wife and an outlaw in
her own right was becomingincreasingly blurred.
Marriage of May and Jim Reedwas on the brink of collapse,
(13:04):
regardless of the law's pursuit.
By 1874, may had reportedlyreached her limit with Jim's
escalating life of crime and,more pointedly, his involvement
with another woman, rosa McComas.
And, more pointedly, hisinvolvement with another woman,
rosa McComas.
She left him, taking theirchildren, pearl and Ed and moved
(13:26):
back to the relative safety ofher parents' farm in Skine.
This decision to leave beforeReed met his demise suggests
that May was asserting her ownboundaries and seeking a degree
of independence, rather thanblindly following her husband
down a path of self-destruction.
Meanwhile, jim Reed's outlawcareer continued on a violent
path.
(13:46):
He committed stagecoachrobberies and stole livestock,
often evading posses byretreating into Indian territory
, only to re-emerge in Texas.
However, his luck finally ranout in August 1874.
Unaware that a formeracquaintance, john T Morris, had
been deputized specifically tocapture him, reed was traveling
(14:09):
with Morris near Paris, texas.
While they were eating, Morrisordered Reed to surrender.
Ever defiant, reed reportedlyflipped the table and attempted
to flee, but was shot and killedby the deputy.
A persistent tale claims thatwhen May was called to identify
her husband's body, she deniedknowing him to prevent Morris
(14:31):
from collecting the reward money.
However, contemporary newspaperaccounts confirm that those
familiar with Reed did indeedidentify his corpse.
Now, a widow at 26, with twoyoung children, pearl, age 6,
and Ed, just 3, mae confrontedan uncertain future For a time.
(14:54):
She reportedly operated alivery stable in Dallas, a
demanding endeavor for a womanalone.
During that era, the yearsbetween Reed's death in 1874,
and her next significant chapter, her marriage to Sam Starr in
1880, are somewhat obscure,referred to by some historians
as the Mystery Years, somehistorians as the mystery years.
(15:17):
May's father, john Shirley,passed away in 1876, further
diminishing her family supportsystem.
Following this, her mother,eliza, sold the Skine farm and
moved to Dallas.
May is also said to have soldher own farm and apparently
spent a lot of time at the Reedhome in Missouri, possibly
(15:38):
seeking support from her latehusband's family or simply
drifting in search of a newsense of stability.
During this period ofinstability, pearl and Ed were
likely shoveled between variousrelatives.
Their upbringing was undeniablyfragmented, marked by their
father's violent life and deathand their mother's precarious
(15:59):
situation on the fringes ofsociety.
These formative years,characterized by an inconsistent
parental presence in the shadowof outlawry characterized by an
inconsistent parental presencein the shadow of outlawry, would
inevitably shape theirpersonalities and their later,
often troubled, relationshipswith their mother.
For May, this time as a youngwidow stripped of male
(16:23):
protection and a clear pathforward, was undoubtedly filled
with challenges that requiredevery ounce of her resilience
and pragmatism.
It was a period of searching,making do and perhaps a growing
realization that her survivaland that of her children might
depend on forging new,unconventional alliances.
And I wasn't watching and Icouldn't see All the darkness
(17:01):
Around you and me.
Now my eyes are open and mywill.
Wild West Podcast has justunveiled two stunning
illustrated books that are sureto captivate young readers and
(17:24):
spark their imaginations.
Dive into the enchanting worldof Native American ledger art as
Michael King takes you on anexhilarating journey through the
lives of remarkable NativeAmerican artists.
These books shine a spotlighton the rich heritage and culture
of the Cheyenne and Kiowapeople during a transformative
era.
With a fascinating blend offictionalized stories and true
(17:47):
accounts, you'll uncover theinspiring journeys of
influential figures who shapedthis vibrant artistic tradition.
Don't miss out on the chance toexplore these incredible
narratives.
Check out the links in thepodcast descriptions to grab
your copies today.
(18:07):
Save the date for an inspiringevent on Thursday, July 17, 2025
.
Join us for Pioneering Women,triumph and Tragedy, a
captivating program led by thetalented Marla Matkin at the
Kansas Heritage Center in DodgeCity, kansas.
Marla Matkin, a Kansas nativeand proud descendant of
homesteaders, brings her passionfor history to life.
(18:30):
With a background as a teacherand respected historian, she has
a unique flair for storytelling, particularly through her
celebrated portrayal ofElizabeth Libby Custer, wife of
General George Armstrong Custer.
Marla's blend of history andtheater promises to captivate
and inspire everyone inattendance.
This special program shines aspotlight on four extraordinary
(18:54):
women from the Western frontier,each with their own remarkable
stories to share.
Meet Lottie Joel, gretaGrasam-Dix, lydia Spencer-Lane
and Martha Gay Masterson womenwhose voices deserve to be heard
and whose experiences enrichour understanding of history.
Join us on July 17th at 2 pm inthe Kansas Heritage Center,
(19:19):
located at 1001 North 2nd Avenue, dodge City, kansas.
Don't miss the opportunity toconnect with history in an
engaging and unforgettable way.
For more details about theprogram, please call
620-225-0248.
We can't wait to see you there.
Hey there, wild Westenthusiasts, don't miss out on
(19:47):
our exciting upcoming podcastshows where we dive deep into
the thrilling tales of the WildWest.
You can catch every episode onpopular platforms like iTunes
and directly on our website atwildwestpodcastbuzzsproutcom.
Join our growing community onFacebook at facebookcom slash
wildwestpodcast and be sure tocheck out our YouTube channel
(20:09):
for even more content.
Thanks for being part of ouradventure.
We can't wait to have you backfor the next installment as we
continue our journey through theremarkable life of Belle Starr
in Part 3, younger's Bend, theCherokee Queen, where we'll
explore the captivating yearsfrom 1875 to 1880.
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