In late 1887, Calamity Jane Canary and cowboy Teddy Blue Abbott, wearing each other’s hats, shared drinks at a saloon in Gilt Edge, Montana, where she was living for the winter.
Teddy Blue, who lived nearby on his Three Deuce Ranch, had come to town to repay her 50 cents, which he had borrowed in Miles City in 1883.
Martha Jane Cannary (May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903), better known as Calamity Jane, was an American frontierswoman, sharpshooter, and raconteur. In addition to many exploits she was known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok. Late in her life, she appeared in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. She is said to have exhibited compassion to others, especially to the sick and needy. This facet of her character contrasted with her daredevil ways and helped to make her a noted frontier figure. She was also known for her habit of wearing men’s attire.
Edward Charles Abbott was born in England—but he became the prototypical American
cowboy. His family moved to Texas when he was a boy; he later helped move a cattle
herd to Nebraska. He later moved to Montana, where he became a rancher and an
influential member of the stockgrowers association.
Abbott—who was called Teddy Blue—is best known for his remarkable chronicle of
cowboy life, We Pointed Them North. It came out in 1939, just a few days before he died
at age 78.
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