February 3, 1846

The “Bandit Queen,” Belle Starr, was born in Carthage, Missouri. She was probably the most infamous of all the pistol-packin’ mamas of those days. (Missouri Life magazine note: Read more about Belle Starr in the article, “7 Outlaw Women From Missouri.”) 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. Missouri Life archives public domain photo