The Death of Jim Reed
Perhaps it is no surprise that Belle became a hardened criminal since she was surrounded by outlaws for her entire adult life. Jim Reed was a notorious gambler, and it seems likely that he murdered the man who accidentally killed Reed’s brother. That’s the reason why he had to move to California, but the family had to flee once again when Jim was arrested for attempting to use counterfeit cash. When in custody, the police learned about Jim’s outstanding warrant but he skipped bail and settled back in Texas with the help of Cole Younger.
Jim and Belle moved to Indian Territory in Texas in 1873 and here, Jim was involved in the torture of a farmer and his wife. Along with two other thieves, Jim relieved the unfortunate farmer of $30,000 in gold coins. It is suggested that Belle accompanied Jim on many of his criminal pursuits dressed as a man and in 1874, she was wanted in connection with a stagecoach robbery. However, all was not well with the marriage, and Belle left Jim when she discovered his affair with Rosa McCommas. Jim continued his criminal career until he was shot dead by a lawman named John Morris in 1874.
The Legend of Belle Starr Grows
Belle lived in Dallas for most of the 1870s and was accused of stealing a horse in 1878. The law eventually told her to leave the state after a number of complaints were filed against her in Collin County. In 1880, she married Sam Starr, a member of the infamous Starr clan, in a tribal ceremony. They lived in a one thousand acre plot of land in Fort Smith, Arkansas which soon became a hideout for outlaws such as Jesse James.
She was now known as Belle Starr, and it becomes difficult to distinguish between her legend and her actual deeds. For example, it was claimed that she was Jim Reed’s partner in crime. While she almost certainly accompanied him in a few thefts of horses, money, and cattle in the Dallas area, she probably stayed at home and looked after her children most of the time. Likewise, there was a suggestion that she bedded a number of outlaws and even married Charles Younger in 1878, but there is no evidence that she shared a bed with different men.
However, it is clear that she was part of the Starr gang and participated in various crimes. She was arrested and convicted on a charge of stealing horses in 1883 along with Sam. Unfortunately for them, their case was heard by the legendary ‘hanging judge’ Isaac Parker who had sentenced 88 people to death. Perhaps it was Belle’s charm that saved them from the gallows because Parker was uncharacteristically lenient and sentenced the couple to nine months in prison apiece. They got into trouble soon after their release which led to a downward spiral that ultimately cost Belle her life.