Belle Starr

Jasper County saw both armies pass through time and again. Residents were forced to take sides. Neighbors became bitter enemies. Irregular bands of jayhawkers and ‘Red Legs’ laid waste to Missouri communities in support of the Union. Guerrillas and bushwhackers, led by ‘Bloody Bill’ Anderson and William Clarke Quantrill, retaliated with death and destruction in Kansas. Frank and Jesse James and Cole Younger rode with these Rebel raiders.

John Shirley, like many of his neighbors from the South, admired Quantrill and was ecstatic when son Bud joined the bushwhackers. Bud, who knew the area and the people well, served admirably as a scout. He attained the rank of captain and the distinction of being much sought after by Federal troops. Young, vivacious Myra Belle most likely gleaned information from her many social contacts and passed it on to her brother.

Bud’s fate was sealed in June 1864 when the house in Sarcoxie, Mo., where he and a companion were being fed was surrounded by Federal militia. The two men bolted. Bud was killed climbing a fence, while his compatriot escaped and hastened to Carthage to inform the Shirleys of Bud’s demise. Some of Belle’s biographers have her strapping on six-guns and seeking vengeance at this point, but there is no record of such actions, and it is doubtful that a well-educated 16-year-old girl would go that route.

John Shirley’s business was ruined by the war. The death of his son was the final straw. He sold his property in Missouri, loaded his family and household goods into wagons and set out for Texas. Little is known of the Shirleys’ journey there. It is known that Texas, at that time, was a refuge for the dregs of society. The Shirley family settled near Scyene, a small settlement southeast of Dallas, on a land grant of 800 acres. The family lived in a dugout at first but soon constructed a four-room clapboard house that was, at that time and in that locale, like a mansion.

These were difficult times for Southern sympathizers. The Southerners who had previously governed were disqualified from holding office, and Carpetbaggers were in control. Amnesty was granted to Federal guerrillas, but not to those of the Confederacy. The news of the day dealt largely with bank robberies and train holdups accredited to the James brothers, the Youngers and others who had ridden with Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson. One of these outlaw bands, seeking refuge, stayed at the Shirley house one night. Belle later stated that it was there that she became reacquainted with the first man she ever loved. His name was Jim Reed, and she had first met him back in Missouri, where the Reed and Shirley families had been friends. The romance blossomed in Texas, and Belle and Jim married in 1866.

The presence of Cole Younger at the Shirley residence has led to the fiction that he seduced Belle and she bore his illegitimate daughter. Younger admitted that he did visit the Shirleys in Texas, but in 1864, not 1866. He stated that the next time he saw Belle was at the Reed residence in Missouri in 1868. She was 6 months pregnant with her first child. Some authors insist this denial was the response of a ‘Southern gentleman,’ but a manuscript compiled by Richard Reed, younger brother of Belle’s husband, supports Younger’s story.

Many writers have portrayed Belle Shirley’s marriage to Jim Reed in a ludicrous fashion. They claim that Belle’s parents objected to the union and that the young couple eloped with a band of desperados in July 1867. One of the gang supposedly read the marriage ceremony while the couple took their vows on horseback. Actually, the Shirleys had no objection to Reed, who was not yet a wanted man. A copy of the marriage license issued to Myra Maybelle Shirley and James C. Reed in Collins County, Texas, shows that they were married on November 1, 1866, by the Reverend S.M. Williams. Jim moved into the Shirley household near Scyene and shared the farm chores. Later, he became a salesman for a Dallas saddle and bridle maker. By late 1867, though, he and Belle were living on the Reed homestead in Missouri. Early in September 1868, Belle gave birth to her first child, Rosie Lee. Belle adored the baby and referred to her as her ‘Pearl.’ The nickname stuck.

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26 Comments to “Belle Starr”
Belle Starr had a son when she was sixteen. His name was Charles Acton. His daughter Mabel Acton lived in Panama, OK. Charles died in Williams, OK, a few miles from Ft. Smith, AR. His death certificate lists Belle as his mother. According to the book by Glen Shirley, Charles was living in the home with Belle at Younger’s Bend at the time of her murder. He and Pearl picked her up out of the road the day she was murdered. How come none of the books talk about her son?

By Connie ay on Jun 24, 2008 at 1:30 am
Charles Acton was born in 1865. He can be found in the 1900 and 1910 Census in Sebastian Co., AR. Can someone tell me is this the child of Cole Younger’s? This definately fits if she and Cole had an affair in 1864.

By Connie Ray on Jun 24, 2008 at 1:39 am
I’m realated to her an I’m 13 and I want to know more.can u help??

By lindsey on Jul 7, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I sometimes perform a one-woman show on the life of Belle Starr……in costume or not! After a lot of research, I realize not many facts to draw on. Why have we created such a legend around this story….hm…outlaw women always get attention?? My book on the women of Texas music alludes to this idea. http://www.kathleenhudson.net

By kathleen hudson on Jul 10, 2008 at 12:57 pm
If you are related to her then you are related to me! Where do you live? We’re in Okla.

By Lisa on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:02 pm
The man that shot Sam starr was his cousin Franklin Peirce West. Belle was killed in Hoyt, Oklahoma and her home is near “Eufaula” Oklahoma get you spelling correct!

By Cindy on Jul 14, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I was born and raised in a small town called Shirley, Mo. I was told that this is were Belle was from. Is there any truth to this statement because the area I am from was not mentioned.

By josh isgriggs on Jul 17, 2008 at 12:45 am
I am a descendent of Myra Maybelle Shirley AKA Belle Starr.. If you are also related , please email me. As I am trying to update a family tree etc. and would love to add any and all information you can provide… Thanks ! Stacey Kokomo , Indiana TruckDriver1972@aol.com

By Stacey Tyler-Newton on Jul 30, 2008 at 4:52 am
oren and mami rorgers are my great grand parents gradndma mami madin name is callison i dont know how close of relaion the starr are but let me know if you know anymore than i do i can get more info if need
thanks

By doug noe on Aug 10, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I am not sure how old this is or anything like that. But I know for a fact that I am related My grandmother, great grandmother and my own mother told me stories of Belle Starr’s time with Jesse James, the infamous Western bandit and of how she met her demise. I know that I am related through my Grandmother, Joy and her mother, Velma who all are descendants of Crescent, Oklahoma. I have not been successful in tracking down my family tree that would link me to her because most of the websites cost money (that I don’t have) but I would love to fill in the gaps. Thank you and good luck to you as well!

By Joy on Aug 25, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I too am related to Belle, she is in my family tree, but as I have just begun, I have no knowledge of exactly where. My grandmothers cousins have completely done the family tree on that side a number of years ago, since then my grandmother has passed away and my mother has had a stroke leaving her unable (so far) to communicate with me. I am researching Belle for a women’s history class and I will be impersonating her for a report. Any help ful hints or other information would be appreciated.I will check this site often for any info. Thanks

By Kori on Aug 30, 2008 at 11:21 am
I am a decendent of Sam Starr. My grandfather is Jack Starr, but I dont know much about our family history. If any know anything about the Starrs please contact me.

By Randy on Sep 4, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I am a direct blood line decendant of Belle Starr. If you would like, you can send me your email address’ and I can send you what geneology I have. My information was collected through countless hours of research by Phillip Steele. Jckson300@aol.com

By Jackson on Sep 12, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Im just curious for years I lived in a house in NY and have always been told that Belle Star had once lived there..kinda like a summer place I guess you would say… any one know of any truth to this?? just wondering Thanks!

By Lois Lane on Sep 14, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’m doing a report on Belle Starr and i don’t know how to start my report. If anyone is willing to help me I would appreciate it alot.

By Jen on Sep 23, 2008 at 7:55 pm
my wife and in laws are relatives her father beverly shirley was as mean as the rest,i remember her great aunt calling on the phone and saying kiss my as- she was 70 years old when my wife visited the family they were not allowed to go in the house and would not talk about belle starr, like they were hiding a secret, believe me theres some meanness in that family and my wifes dad was bull whip by henry shirley, i heard belle bull whip her bim, so i think henry was belles son in alias true story,

By wtk48@comcast.net on Sep 25, 2008 at 9:03 am
My grandmother who passed away a few years ago was Hazel Pauline Shirley and Belle Starr was a cousin of hers, I think like 2nd cousins.

By Julie on Oct 5, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Hi There . Not sure when yur report is due. But, I found a 44 page report on Belle the other day Dallas western outlaws. I am a cousin through my great x2 grandmother. Good luck Tm……

If I can help drop me a line.

By terry mcdonald on Oct 9, 2008 at 2:07 am
im related to belle!!!

By julie on Oct 12, 2008 at 2:35 pm
well i am a desendent from jesse james. my great grandmothe is
his 2nd cousin. if you have any other info let me know!
thank you!!

By JoJo on Oct 29, 2008 at 9:33 pm
i hope that you can help!

By JoJo on Oct 29, 2008 at 9:34 pm
i am a descendent of belle starr from my dad’s mothers side. i dont
know much more than that. i live in a little town called willard
in missouri and my grandmother always is trying to get me to do
reports on her so i can learn some family history. if you could
help me find out some things on how i am related to her it would
be greatly appreciated. my email is msmith@mowisp.net.
thanks. see ya

mikaela :)
p.s. if you dont know anything please dont send me messages

By mikaela smith on Nov 5, 2008 at 3:32 pm
My great-aunt told me I was related to Belle Starr, that she used to come
and stay at the Cunningham household, Missouri. The Cunninghams are
related to the Shirley’s through the Quick’s. I am told just trying to verify
if anyone has any more info please let me know. sam_starr@yahoo.com

Does anyone also know if Sam Starr was her pimp?

By Sam Ferguson on Nov 10, 2008 at 3:14 am
I would like to know when Jack Starr died?

By Misty on Nov 13, 2008 at 8:17 pm
The reason I am asking of this is because I have a letter signed by
a Notary in Kansas. That says Jack Starr sold a 10 gauge double
barrel shotgun that Charlie and Bell Starr owned. I also have the
gun!

By Misty on Nov 14, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Hello,
I am A 7th grade student and need more info on Belle Starr Plz
help me out???!!!!!

By Brittany Rogers on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:02 pm

26 Comments to “Belle Starr”

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