Martha Jane Cannary-Burke, better known as Calamity Jane (May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903), was a frontierswoman, prostitute, and professional scout best known for her claim of being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok, but also for having gained fame fighting Native American Indians. She is said to have possessed some of the best and some of the worst human characteristics; she exhibited kindness and compassion towards others, especially the sick and needy, but she traded sexual favors for money and was an alcoholic. This sharp contrast in her personality traits helped to make her a famous and infamous frontier figure.^[1]