An Outlaw In Belle Starr's Life

Belle Starr was an outlaw in the expanding western edge of the American Wild West in the second half of the 1800’s. She had an interesting life before she became an outlaw. Many books have been written and movies made about her life. Starr’s parents were John and Elizabeth Hatfield Shirley. Her father was married three times. He came from an affluent Virginia family. He was as rich as Donald Trump. His third wife came from the Hatfield family of the famous Hatfield-McCoy feud. In 1839, John moved his family to southwest Missouri, where he became wealthy raising wheat, corn, horses, and livestock. Belle was born in Jasper County near Carthage, Missouri on February 5, 1848. Her parents named her Myra Maybelle Shirley. They called her Belle.
Belle grew up with her half-siblings from her father’s first marriages. Her elder brother John Addison (Bud) was a big influence on her. He taught her how to use guns and ride horses. Bud died in 1864. The Shirley family moved to Scyene, Texas where Belle fell in love with James C. Reed (Jim), who her family knew from Missouri. He came to the Shirley farm one night when his gang, the Youngers were hiding out. They were married on
Reed was killed in 1874, but Belle had left him before he was killed and moved back to her parents farm. In 1880, Belle married Sam Starr, who was part of the Starr gang. They lived on Cherokee land, and let criminals Frank and Jesse James stay at their house. In 1883, Belle and her husband were arrested for stealing horses and both spent nine months in jail. By this time, she was known as a criminal and known to carry at least one gun on her. Belle was arrested two more times, but was never convicted. Sam Starr died in 1886, then Belle lived with Bill July, who was also a criminal. At this time in her life, she was trying to reform, so she wouldn’t let criminals stay in her home