Pearl Hart - the only Gun-Wielding Female Road Agent
Pearl’s Early Life - Part 1 of a 5 part series

 Pearl Taylor was born at Lindsay, Ontario, Canada in 1871.  During her finishing school years she was plain and plump, so when a dashing gambler showed her his undivided attention she was easily infatuated.  After several months she and Brett Hart eloped.
 Brett and Pearl Hart moved about the Ontario countryside for several years, Brett plying his trade and both experiencing the financial ups and downs of the gambling profession. In 1893 they decided to attend the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago where, Brett assured her, games of chance would make their fortune. Ignored by big-time gamblers, Brett finally settled on a job as barker for a side show.
 While Brett failed in his quest for financial security for his family, Pearl was more successful in her quest for entertainment spending her days among the performers of the Wild West Show.  When the Exposition ended Pearl parted from Brett, intent on seeing the old west for herself.
 Pearl left Chicago for Trinidad, Colorado and, it was rumored, her ticket had been bought by one of the show’s cowhands who had taken a fancy to her figure.  At Trinidad Pearl gave birth to a boy, whose father was never identified.  The Arizona Star later described her life at that time, “She wrestled with the world in a catch-as-catch-can style making a living for herself and her baby son.”  Soon, however, she sent the boy to be raised by her mother and she continued her travels westward working her way from mining camp to mining camp, taking whatever job presented itself.  During these years she worked mostly as a cook or a house maid.
 In 1895 Pearl and Brett met by chance at Phoenix and soon were together again.  This time the relationship lasted several years and Pearl gave birth to a second child, a girl they named Pearl. However, during their separation Brett had developed violent tendencies and after a heated argument he beat Pearl, then quickly absented himself to join the army.
 Pearl sent her daughter to Canada for her mother to raise and resumed her camp following.  In the spring of 1898 she took a job at the Mammoth Mining Camp.  There she met Joe Boot, a miner, and a close friendship developed.  When Joe announced that he was leaving for Globe to start a new job, Pearl agreed to go with him.
 In late summer of 1898 Pearl received a letter from her brother asking for money for her ailing mother.  Pearl, who adored her mother, sent all her savings.  When a second request came Joe chipped in and sent his spare change as well.  But Pearl suspected she would soon need more money. Joe suggested they start a hauling company to take supplies to the Mammoth Mine.  When this venture failed they tried their hand at mining.  They struck a vein but it played out quickly. 
 Finally the dreaded third request came, and Pearl was frantic.  She needed money to send to her mother, but had none.  It was then that Joe suggested they rob a stage.  Pearl reported that she was at first reluctant, but Joe was persuasive. After all, he assured her, it was just this once to get enough money for her mother, and then they would settle down in another Territory to live a law abiding life together. Pearl was finally convinced, and they made their plans over a campfire that evening. 

Part 2 of Pearl Hart

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