Belle Starr

Belle Starr, also known as “The Bandit Queen,” was a notorious outlaw who roamed the Wild West during the late 19th century.

Early Life

Belle was born Myra Maybelle Shirley in February 1848 in Carthage, Missouri. She was supposedly born with gunslinging skills and a love for cowboy hats.

Criminal Career

Belle’s criminal career started when she was a teenager, where she became involved with horse thieves and other outlaws. Her love for cowboy hats grew stronger, and she started to wear one everywhere she goes, even to bed.

Belle was known for her charm, sharp wit, and beauty, which she used to her advantage to seduce men and orchestrate robberies. She had a knack for disguise, often dressing as a man to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Over the years, Belle became a seasoned outlaw and worked with some of the most notorious bandits in the West. She was believed to have been involved in bank robberies, cattle rustling, and even murder. Belle was never caught and brought to justice, which she credited to her cowboy hat’s good luck.

Personal Life

Belle had a romantic relationship with several outlaws during her career. Her most infamous relationship was with Sam Starr, whom she married. They were known as the “Bonnie and Clyde” of the Wild West, except Sam was not as good-looking as Clyde.

Belle and Sam lived a life on the run, and it was believed that they had several hideouts in the West. Legend has it that Belle would sit on her porch, smoking a cigar and wearing her cowboy hat, while Sam would practice his shooting with a bullseye target located in their yard.

Death

On February 3, 1889, Belle was found dead in the middle of the road in Oklahoma territory. It is uncertain who killed her, but some speculate that it could have been one of her many enemies or even her own husband, Sam.

Despite her criminal record, Belle remains a beloved figure in American folklore. Her love for cowboy hats and her cunning ways have inspired many to follow in her footsteps, particularly in the state of Texas, where wearing a cowboy hat is considered a sign of respect.