I bought this image from a friend, dealer, and Montana history expert that I totally trust. The image surfaced in Montana. It is of Martha Jane Canary (right), later known as "Calamity Jane" and her younger sister (left). I do not know which sister this is as she had three under her care at this time. It was before she became Calamity Jane in history. I believe it was taken either in Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory in 1868 or in Piedmont, Wyoming in the same year. At this time in Piedmont Jane worked as a cook, waitress, dance hall girl, nurse (something she used well in her later years), and a team driver: all to take care of her family of two brothers and three sister after the death of both parents. The resemblance to other images of Jane is remarkable and I believe this IS Jane Canary. There is actually more detailed information on the provenance of this image that I will add later when I locate the dealer?s letter again.
03/5/2022: I found the letter that explains the image provenance. It is dated March 30, 1991. It explains: The image came with others out of a box of personal effects belonging to old Montana pioneer "Overland Red" Jim Andrews. They came out of a group of photographs from Gilt Edge and Kendall, Montana. Calamity Jane lived in Gilt Edge. The Calamity Jane photographs were identified by an album page that came with them (I found this. I have it). In the Spring of 1990, Liz Brink of the Cody Buffalo Bill Museum borrowed a copy of one of the Calamity Jane images and used it in a display of Calamity Jane and some of her clothing they had. The display was sent to Livingston, Montana in October, 1991 using a copy of the image that was loaned to her. Calamity had died there.
