Jim July (abt. 1861 - 1890)

Born about 1861 in Indian Territory, United States

Husband of Myra Maybelle (Shirley) Starr — married about 1887 in Indian Territory, United States [uncertain]

Died 26 Jan 1890 at about age 29 in Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Jim was Cherokee.

Jim July was involved in the "Wild, Wild West," part of the westward expansion of the United States. Join the Wild Wild West Project.

Jim July was born about 1861 in Indian Territory. A member of the extended Starr family of Cherokee, he was sometimes called Bill July or Jim Starr. It is likely that he was of mixed Cherokee and Creek lineage.^{[citation needed]}

Jim became the last husband of the notorious Belle Starr, who was previously married to his relative Sam Starr. The relationship began about 1887 as a way for Belle to retain the land that she and Sam Starr claimed, as ownership was not allowed except to tribal citizens. A marriage record has not been located for Jim and Belle, and it may be assumed that this was a common law arrangement. About this time Jim became well-known as a criminal in and around Indian Territory and western Arkansas.

Belle Starr preceded Jim July in death, being murdered early in 1889. Jim met a similar untimely end one year later as the object of a posse that found him at Caddo creek near Ardmore, Indian Territory. At this place he was wounded before being transported some 200 miles to the U.S. jail at Fort Smith, Arkansas for trial.

Jim July died in that jail on 26 Jan 1890 from those wounds sustain the prior week. It was reported that "He was conscious to the last and died without a murmur, being buried yesterday in the potters field at Fort Smith."^{[citation needed]}

Sources

• "Arkansas, Sebastian County Births and Deaths, 1877-1963," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZHY-652 : 9 December 2014), Jim Starr, 27 Jan 1890; citing P5, Fort Smith Public Library, Fort Smith; FHL microfilm 1,034,198.

• The Globe-republican. Vol. XIII No. 14 (Dodge City, Kan.), 29 Jan. 1890. pg 2, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84029853/1890-01-29/ed-1/seq-2/

• Historynet.com - The life of Myra Maybelle Shirley, better known as Belle Starr

See Also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #208435481