Sam Starr (1859 - 1886)

Born 24 Nov 1859 in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Myra Maybelle (Shirley) Starr — married about 5 Jun 1880 (to 17 Dec 1886) in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, United States

Died 17 Dec 1886 at age 27 in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, United States

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Biography

Sam Starr was born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory on November 24, 1859 to Thomas Starr and his second wife, Catherine Reese.^[1] Sam is found on the 1880 Cherokee census with his parents and nine siblings.^[2]

Sam Starr was a Horse thief, Outlaw, Gun fighter and Bootlegger. He was a husband of the notorious American outlaw Belle Starr. Sam and Belle married June 5, 1880, when Sam’s age was listed as 23 and Belle’s age was listed 27, but she could have been 32 years old.^[3] Sam was referred to as being friend with the Youngers and the James.^[4] Belle's previous husband Jim Reed had been shot by his former friend John Morris, who had been deputized to capture Reed.

Sam and Belle moved near Briartown on communal tribal land. Sam had 52 acres called Youngers Bend, after the Younger gang. This was near Eufaula, Oklahoma. The newlyweds cleared land and settled into a comfortable cabin at Younger’s Bend, on the Canadian River about 70 miles southwest of Fort Smith, Ark.^[3] Many fugitives, including Jesse James, often hid on the property. Sam and Belle formed an outlaw gang, rustling horses and bootlegging whiskey to Indians. The mastermind of this gang was Belle Starr.

Sam and Belle Starr were accused of stealing horses in July of 1882. July 31, 1882, they were charged by a grand jury for larceny in the Indian Territory. Tom Starr made bail for the couple. The ‘Hanging Judge,’ Isaac C. Parker, held the trial March 1883. He found Belle guilty on two counts, receiving (2) six month terms. Sam Starr was found guilty on one charge and was sentenced to 12 months.^[3]They were sent to the House of Correction in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1886 Sam Starr was critically wounded after an Indian posse ambushed him. Sam Starr escaped and went to his brother's home. His brother convinced him to turn himself in. Sam Starr surrendered to authorities in October 1886 and was scheduled to stand trial in February 1887. ^[3]

Dec 1886 Sam ran into an enemy, Frank West. Sam Starr was badly wounded and killed in a shootout with his cousin, U.S. Deputy Indian Marshall Frank West.^[3][5]

He died December 17, 1886 and was buried in his family's cemetery.^[6]

Cherokee authorities of Oklahoma said Belle could not claim Sam’s land at Younger’s Bend. She found another man to share the rest of her life.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Hampton, David K. and Baker, Jack D., eds. Old Cherokee Families Notes of Dr. Emmet Starr. Vol. 1. Oklahoma City, OK: Baker Publishing Co., 1987. p. 175. Note #D650.
2. ↑ Oklahoma and Indian Territory Censuses and Roll, 1851-1959, 1880 Census Cherokee Nation. p. 49. citing Images at Ancestry.com($)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} Belle Starr on HistoryNet
4. ↑ "Sam Starr." Britannica.com.
5. ↑ Indian Journal Muskogee, Indian Territory, 22 Dec 1886, p. 5.
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/5077347/sam-starr: accessed 02 March 2023), memorial page for Sam Starr (24 Nov 1859–17 Dec 1886), Find A Grave: Memorial #5077347, citing Starr Cemetery, Briartown, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, USA; Maintained by R Burnett (contributor 47445819).

See also:

• Wikipedia: Belle Starr
• HistoryNet: "Belle Starr"
• Encyclopedia.com "Belle Starr"
• Texas Escapes: "Belle Starr Bandit Queen"
• Norfleet, Phil. "Biographical Sketch of the Family of Thomas Starr (1813-1890)." Cherokee Families of Rusk County, Texas.