Pearl Hart was a notorious outlaw of the American Old West, who committed one of the last recorded stagecoach robberies in the country. She was also a woman, which made her crime even more sensational and controversial. But what happened to Pearl Hart after her capture and trial? How did she die and where was she buried? These are some of the questions that have puzzled historians and biographers for decades, as the details of her life and death are shrouded in mystery and contradiction.
Contents
The Early Life of Pearl Hart
Pearl Hart was not her real name. She was born Lillie Naomi Davy on April 19, 1871, in the Canadian village of Lindsay, Ontario. Her parents were both illiterate and poor, and her father was a violent alcoholic who had served time for the attempted rape of a young girl. He also abused his wife and children, who often resorted to petty crime and prostitution to survive. Lillie and her siblings were frequently sent to juvenile correction facilities, where they endured harsh conditions and punishments
At the age of 16, Lillie eloped with a man named Hart, who was a gambler and a drunkard. They had two children, a boy and a girl, whom Lillie sent to her mother who was then living in Ohio. Lillie and Hart separated and reconciled several times, until she finally left him for good in 1893. She attended the Chicago World’s Fair, where she became fascinated by the cowboy lifestyle and the Wild West. She then moved to Trinidad, Colorado, where she worked as a cook and a singer, and possibly as a prostitute. She also developed a fondness for cigars, liquor, and morphine
The Stagecoach Robbery
In 1898, Lillie was in Mammoth, Arizona, where she met a man known only as “Joe Boot”, who claimed to be a mining engineer. They worked an old mining claim together, but found no gold. Lillie then received a message from her mother, asking her to return home as she was seriously ill. Lillie and Boot decided to rob a stagecoach to raise money for her trip. They cut their hair short and dressed in men’s clothing. They armed themselves with a .38 revolver and a Colt .45
On May 30, 1899, they ambushed a stagecoach near Cane Springs Canyon, about 30 miles southeast of Globe, Arizona. They ordered the driver and the three passengers to get off and lie on the ground. They then searched their pockets and took about $400, some firearms, and a gold watch. Lillie threatened to shoot anyone who resisted. She also took a stage driver’s revolver, saying that she had a “souvenir” collection of such weapons. She then gave each passenger a dollar back, saying that they might need it
The robbery made headlines across the country, as it was one of the last of its kind and involved a female bandit. Lillie and Boot were soon captured by a posse, who found them camping near the robbery site. They were taken to Florence, Arizona, where they were jailed and tried. Lillie claimed that she was pregnant and that she robbed the stagecoach out of desperation. She also appealed to the sympathy of the jury, who were all men. She was acquitted, but the judge ordered a retrial. She was then convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Boot was also convicted and given a 30-year sentence
The Prison Escape and Pardon
Lillie and Boot were sent to the Yuma Territorial Prison, where they were separated. Lillie became a celebrity inmate, attracting visitors and reporters. She also gave interviews and wrote letters, in which she portrayed herself as a victim of circumstance and a champion of women’s rights. She said that she wanted to reform and start a new life. She also kicked her morphine habit and never used drugs again.
In October 1902, Lillie and another female inmate escaped from the prison by using a hacksaw blade and a gun that were smuggled to them by a guard who was in love with Lillie. They climbed over the wall and ran into the desert. They were recaptured two weeks later, near the Mexican border. Lillie was returned to prison, where she remained until December 1902, when she was pardoned by the governor of Arizona, Alexander Brodie. The reasons for her pardon are unclear, but some speculate that it was due to her alleged pregnancy, her popularity, or her political connections.
The Later Years and Death of Pearl Hart
After her release from prison, Lillie disappeared from public view. She changed her name to Pearl Hart and tried to capitalize on her fame by appearing in vaudeville shows and dime museums. She also wrote a memoir, which was never published. She married a man named George Calvin “Cal” Bywater, who was a former convict and a bigamist. They had a son, who died in infancy. They divorced in 1914.
Lillie then moved around the country, working as a cook, a housekeeper, a nurse, and a seamstress. She also had several relationships with men, some of whom were abusive or criminal. She was arrested several times for minor offenses, such as vagrancy, theft, and assault. She also attempted suicide more than once.
Lillie’s date and place of death are unknown. Some historians suspect that she died in 1935, at the age of 64, in Dripping Springs, Arizona. Others believe that she lived until the 1950s, and died in Kansas, Oklahoma, or California. Her burial site is also unknown. Some say that she was buried in an unmarked grave in the desert, while others claim that she was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the wind.
Conclusion
Pearl Hart was a remarkable woman who defied the norms and expectations of her time. She was a rebel, a criminal, a feminist, and a legend. She was also a liar, a manipulator, a drug addict, and a victim. She lived a wild and adventurous life, but also a tragic and lonely one. She left behind a legacy of mystery and controversy, which continues to fascinate and intrigue people to this day.
