Female Gunfighter "Captain Jack"

Female Gunfighter, Captain Jack

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Two real photo postcards showing the female pioneer, gunfighter and silver miner known as Captain Jack. Early 1900s. Each measure 5.5 x 3.5 inches. Ellen Elliott, known as Captain Jack, moved to the American west from England in the 1860's. One image shows Elliott standing beside her burro with a small shingled cabin behind her, expression characteristically stoic. Writing on the card reads "Captain Jack at Home." Upon arrival in Colorado, Captain Jack ran a boarding house and discovered a profitable silver mine, engaged in gunfights and survived a tomahawk attack. As frontierswoman Ellen Elliott “Captain” Jack put it, “A .44 equalizes frail women and brute men.." Captain Jack could handle a gun. The female prospector, who made a fortune in silver mining, was arrested repeatedly for shooting men who tried to rob, cheat, or murder her, but the charges never stuck. She later showed her savvy for western Americana tourism, running a resort that catered to tourists where she gave tours and sold her autobiography along with other memorabilia of her life in the West, including these postcards. Light toning. Overall very good condition and rare.

Item #18430

Price: $2,200.00