Belle Starr

Just before Christmas 1884, handsome young John Middleton knocked on the Starrs’ door. Middleton, who had probably met Belle earlier in Arkansas, was on the run for horse theft and murder. A pursuing posse lost his trail in the vicinity of Younger’s Bend. The fugitive hid out in the neighborhood for the next few months. By then, Sam Starr was spending considerable time away from home, returning only at irregular intervals. During these absences, Belle entertained casual guests, particularly Middleton.

Early in the spring of 1885, the treasuries of the Seminole and Creek Indians were robbed. The Starrs and Middleton were suspected, but there was no evidence. A posse raided the Starr home that spring, but found only Belle. The raid caused Middleton to reconsider remaining in the area. He and the Starrs planned his escape. Belle and Sam, along with daughter Pearl and son Eddie, were to take a trip. They were to depart with their saddle horses tied to their wagon, with Middleton hidden under canvas. At an opportune time, he was to take Pearl’s horse and flee. A problem arose, however, while they were camped for the night. Middleton somehow offended Pearl, and she refused to let him use her mount. Belle, likewise, would not part with her favorite steed. The next day, Belle and Eddie purchased a sorry mare for Middleton, who then departed with Pearl’s saddle and Belle’s Colt .45.

Several days later, others spotted the mare, muddy and with Pearl’s saddle on its back. A search turned up the body of John Middleton, who had apparently drowned while crossing a swollen river. When the Starrs got the news, they also learned that the person who had sold them the mare had not been the owner. Belle headed for home certain that she would be charged with larceny. She was correct. A writ was issued for her arrest in January 1886. She surrendered to the U.S. marshal at Fort Smith and was indicted, with trial set for September.

Meanwhile, Sam began having his own problems. He and two others were charged with the holdup of a U.S. mail hack. The case never came to court, but additional charges were filed against him for the robbery of a store and a U.S. post office. Sam went into hiding, becoming a fugitive just like the late John Middleton. Sam still made intermittent visits home, though; his friends and relatives made it easy for him to stay a step ahead of the law.

Several farm settlements were robbed in February 1886 by three bandits, one of whom was a woman dressed as a man. An eyewitness identified this person as Belle Starr. Subsequently, a posse raided the Starr home. Only Belle was present, and she was not immediately arrested. In April, however, a warrant for her arrest was issued. One evening in mid-May, two officers approached the Bend. Pearl spotted them and warned Sam, who slipped away. Belle greeted the men only to learn that she, too, was wanted.

Belle returned with the officers to Fort Smith, where she entered a not guilty plea. After making bail, she spent several days shopping and socializing. She had her photo taken on Saturday, May 23, 1886. The next day, she had another photo taken, this time with a convicted murderer named Blue Duck. She did it at the request of Blue Duck’s attorney, who apparently thought it would help his client in his pending appeal of a death sentence. This was the first and last time Belle saw Blue Duck. The picture, however, gave biographers fuel for yet another legend. Many portray her as having been Blue Duck’s mistress long before their meeting in Fort Smith. They also credit her with retaining attorney J. Warren Reed to plead Blue Duck’s case. The outlaw’s sentence was commuted to life, but without the help of attorney Reed, who was practicing in California in 1886.

Belle’s trial for the alleged February robberies was held in June 1886. None of the witnesses could identify her. Most witnesses, in fact, said that the three bandits had been ‘good sized men.’ She was discharged on June 29. Three months later, Belle returned to Fort Smith to stand trial for horse theft. On September 30, a jury handed down a ‘not guilty’ verdict. She hastened home, only to learn that Sam had been badly wounded.

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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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