The
thrill of the wild west didn’t just belong to the men. There were plenty of
women who were as skilled in cards and guns as Bat Masterson and Doc Holiday.
One such female who thrived on the edge of danger, and died young, was Kitty
Leroy.
Kitty
was born in Michigan in 1850. She began dancing at the young age of ten and by
14 was a professional in the dance halls and saloons. During this time, dancing
wasn’t her only passion. She learned to handle knives and guns, becoming more
proficient than most men. Her first husband, whom she married at the age of 15,
was the only man in their town willing to let her shoot an apple off his head.
But Kitty grew restless with small town life and longed for bigger and better
things. Her husband didn’t share her desires, so she left him and headed west
in search of fortune.
Game of Faro |
Kitty
landed in Dallas, Texas and continued with her dancing career, but soon gave it
up for dealing Faro. She became an accomplished gambler and continued mastering
her skills with guns and knives. It was during this time she took to dressing
in men’s clothes and married her 2nd husband at the age of 20. They
moved to California in the hopes of opening a saloon, but Kitty left him for
husband number three. This marriage was extremely short. Legend dictates she
challenged him to a fight but he refused to fight a woman. She donned her man’s
clothes and challenged him a second time. Again, he refused so she shot him. When
he didn’t die instantly, she sent for a preacher and married him while he lay
on the ground. He died a few days after.
Deadwood |
Kitty
left California and made her way to Deadwood in 1876, traveling in a wagon party
with Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. Once in Deadwood, she found work as a
prostitute in Mollie Johnson’s brothel. Shortly after gaining employment with
Mollie, she opened the Mint Gambling Saloon and married her 4th husband, a German
prospector who struck gold. His money dried up fast and so did her interest
with him. Arguing became second nature for them until the night she hit him
over the head with a bottle and tossed him out, effectively ending their
marriage.
Alone
again, Kitty continued managing her saloon and her girls, earning a good
profit. On June 11, 1877, she married for the last time to prospector and
gambler Samuel R. Curley. Kitty’s marriage to Samuel was also steeped in
violence. He was extremely jealous of her, and with reason. She continued with
her promiscuous ways, including having an affair with her ex-husband and one
with Wild Bill, or so rumor suggests. Samuel shot and killed Kitty on the night
of December 6, 1877 then killed himself. They were laid to rest together the
next day.
Somewhere in Kitty’s
colorful 28 years, she had a daughter. At the time of her death, Deadwood
newspapers printed her estate was left to her daughter, Kitty Donally.
3 comments:
Wow, Kitty was a piece of work lol.
What an amazing life Kitty led...fodder for a novel, eh, Julie? I couldn't help wonder that she wasn't hauled up for shooting her husband. But then Deadwood was pretty wild during those gold rush days. Thanks for an interesting post, Julie.
Hi Kristy and Elizabeth: Glad you both liked Kitty. She was a character. Will have to think about adding her in to a story one day, Elizabeth. Hugs!
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