Charley Parkhurst was the name; Stage driving was the game, But it wasn’t till he died, Anyone knew he was a dame. Okay, it’s a crude rhyme, but it does spotlight the story of the most famous Western woman who lived her life as a man. What most don’t realize is there actually were three Charleys—three unconventional women who disguised themselves to earn the freedom of trousers and escape the restraint of skirts. Why they did it and how they pulled it off is an intriguing part of

July 2004
In This Issue:
Features
Western Books & Movies
More In This Issue
- Silver J Western Wear
- “I Will Laugh No More While Living”
- Santos Furniture
- Puttin’ the Hirt on Your Head
- Country Crossover Colorado Style
- State of the Union
- Wind River Historical Center
- Seventh Cavalry Sells High
- Kill Bill
- Digging Up Billy the Kid’s Mother
- A Pictorial Historian
- On the Trail of Wild Bill Hickok
- What did women use as hairspray years ago? Miss Kitty’s hair was always in place.
- When did they stop hanging men for horse theft? Also, what was the penalty after hanging was outlawed?
- Have you heard of West Texas badman Charlie Small?
- While watching Joe Kid and The Journeyman, I’ve noticed the use of Mausers. Was this gun typical of the period?
- Did cowboys really make tenderfeet “dance” by firing their pistols at their feet as is often shown in old Westerns?
- Can you describe a drover’s typical day on the Long Trail?
- The Three Charleys
- Nerves of Steel