Download Belle Starr, The Bandit Queen: The True Story Of The Romantic And Exciting Career Of The Daring And Glamorous Lady fb2

I purchased this book two years ago to use as a reference for a book I am writing on my great-great-grandfather, Abe Barnhill and his brother, Charles Barnhill, who were United States Deputy Marshals. They had several encounters with Belle Starr and arrested her at least once. I needed some background research to fill in the story. I have read extensively on this subject including Glenn Shirley's book, Belle Starr and Her Times, and Rascoe's book seems to be full of unproven facts. Other writers point out errors he has made in his research. In any historical writings, hearsay and rumors may be tempting to include. Hard research must be the tool to prove or disprove a detail. Whereas Glenn Shirley has extensive footnote references, Roscoe includes only a Bibliography at the end of his book. I feel Rascoe's book is valuable in that it gives a flowing, smooth chronology (though not error free) of Belle Starr's life. Some of the points of error later proven by others writers include Rascoe's assertion that Belle's daughter Pearl's father was Cole Younger, something Younger always denied. He also claims Jim Reed was not her father because he did not marry Belle but lived with her as his mistress after Pearl was born. However, I have seen their marriage certificate which was procured by Glenn Shirley and is on file at the Fort Smith Historical Park. There are many other inconsistencies in Rascoe's story. He seems to have relied on his talents as an editor and critic of newspapers and magazines to write this book. It reads more like a newspaper account than well-researched data. The reader should take it for what it is and compare it with other works on Belle Starr to determine the probable truth. This book was supposed to debunk myths, but ended up creating more, myths that still appear quite regularly on the Internet. It is valuable in showing Belle Starr as a "real" woman in her feelings, choices and poor actions. The reader can sympathize with her, but also see her as a conniving woman who used and abused others to get her way. The picture of Belle Starr on the front of the book is the one taken when Deputy Tyner Hughes and Deputy Charles Barnhill arrested her and brought her into Fort Smith in May of 1886. I would recommend the book but the reader should compare it with Shirley's work and judge for themselves.

Very interesting book and ties into a lot of other characters in American history. She must have been one hell of a broad!