Howstuffworks "History of American Cowboys and Farmers"

12 Renowned Women of the Wild West

A number of women made names for themselves during the Wild West. Read our list of 12 of the most famous heroines from this time period, including Annie Oakley, Belle Starr, and Calamity Jane.

Annie Oakley

Oakley, Annie, the stage name of Phoebe Anne Oakley Mozee Butler (1860–1926), a United States entertainer noted for her marksmanship.

Barbed Wire

Barbed Wire, twisted steel wire with short barbs or sharp points of wire twisted around it at regular intervals.

Billy the Kid (1859–1881), a notorious gunfighter of the Old West. A swaggering, cold-blooded killer to some, a romantic young firebrand to others, he was a legend in the Southwest even before his death at the age of 21.

Brand

Brand, a mark made on an animal to show ownership. Branding became essential in the open-range cattle days of the American West when various owners' herds tended to intermingle, but its use is old and widespread.

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane (1852--1903), the nickname of Martha Jane Canary, also known as Mrs.

Cowboy

Cowboy, a cattle herder, especially one employed in the range cattle industry.

Homestead Law

Homestead Law, a law granting free land to settlers. The first such law was the Homestead Act passed by Congress in 1862.

Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable

Du Sable, Jean Baptiste Point (1750?–1814), the first settler on the site of Chicago.

Johnny Appleseed

Appleseed, Johnny, the nickname of John Chapman (1774-1845), a United States pioneer.

Public Lands

Public Lands, in the United States, land owned by the federal government. This land is sometimes called the public domain, although that term also has a broader meaning.

Rufus Putnam

Putnam, Rufus (1738–1824), an American military leader and the founder of Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory.

Rustler

Rustler, a cattle thief. In the early days of the American West it was considered acceptable for anyone to brand as his own any maverick (unbranded animal) over a year old.