The “Bandit Queen” Belle Starr was born in Carthage, MO. She was probably the most infamous of all the pistol-packin’ mamas of those days. Read more about her in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.