Most people have heard of the rough-and-tumble Wild West character Calamity Jane and her gun toting, hard talking, men’s clothes wearing reputation. But like many of the larger-than-life heroes and villains of the American West, the truth is much more subtle and complicated. For when an outbreak of smallpox threatens the gold rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota, it is not the doctor, or the marshal or even the care-taking women of the town that step forward to help, but Calamity Jane who sacrifices her own safety to be of service.

Note: Though this is historical fiction and the characters have been developed to accommodate a story, their attributes and development may be useful as reference points and inspirations.