Back-Story - The Rest of Myrtle's Story (Part 2 of 2)

Okay, so as promised - here's the rest of Myrtle's story ... well a "Reader's Digest" version, this is afterall a blog AND you all know how long winded I can get! :-)

Myrtle Hughes was born in Carthage, Missouri in January 24, 1860.  Her father (Nathan) was a blacksmith for John Shirley and her mother (Lizzie) worked in his tavern, as a cook.  After the Union attacked Carthage and the Shirleys left Carthage for Texas, Myrtle and her family also moved to Texas hoping for a better life. 

It was in Texas that Myrtle grew up with her role model being John and Eliza Shirley's daughter - Belle Shirley Starr.  The Shirleys and Hughes being Southern sympathizers often gave notable outlaws such as the James and Younger brothers, former Confederates, providing them a hiding place. This is where Myrtle and Slim became well acquainted with how to get around the law and make a living .. outside of farming.

After a bit Myrtle met Justin Bishop, got married and had her only child, a daughter, Vivian ... and continued the life of "less than legal" endeavors.  Justin decided to branch out into larger endeavors and was shot and killed during a bank robbery. 

Things became difficult with the law always watching Mrytle and Slim, so she convinced Slim that they need to move up to the Indian Territory and live/hide out with Belle on the Starr's ranch, which they did.

Then Belle was shot and killed February 3, 1889 and when Myrtle and Slim were trying to figure out what to do next ... they heard of the Oklahoma Territory Land Rush set for April ... so they decided this was the perfect opportunity to hide out until the day of the land rush and be ready to stake out some land and start a new life, well sort of!  Being a "Sooner" was not easy with the Federals always on the prowl, but Myrtle and Slim had become good at skirting the law and managed to not get chased out of the territory, so they got the land they wanted on the day of the Rush.

They settled in around Bushy Head and set up shop :-) farming just enough to hold appearances and not theiving any more than would start to raise eyebrows.

They are attending the social for really only one reason, as they are running low on cash and are checking out to see who has money -- pretty easy since they are being really open during the bidding on the lunch baskets.  But, also this is not to say they don't mix business with pleasure and manage to have pretty good time at the social.

Now let me tell you that Myrtle has her eye on that hard-working - not so legal himself - Jud Fry and she absolutely doesn't understand why he is so interested in that stick of a blonde girl -- so she takes the opportunity to "dig" Laurey when Curly leaves with Gertie ... "Looks like Curlys' took up with that Cummin's girl."  Her hopes are really "dashed" when Jud keeps bidding on Laurey's basket and then he bids everything he has and lost it anyway!  This ticks Myrtle off and just a bit later Jud comes up missing his hard-earned cash, but he never finds out about it since he gets in the fight and falls on his own knife -- a pity, but Myrtle thinks a well-deserved "pity" :-)

By the way Myrtle doesn't cook -- that's why Slim always is trying to bid on and get a basket, so we can get some good eats ... but we always loose because thieving needs to be done and at the moment we only have 2 bits.

As far as Will Parker goes, Myrtle had her eyes on him for Vivian BUT Will only has eyes for Ado .. and she thinks ... what's with these men anyway?  But Vivian likes Joe and he is a cowboy and has potential (at least for having his pockets picked a little later!)

****** So, now you know - mostly - the rest of Myrtle's story (and the majority of my back-story for Oklahoma) ******* this is what happens when an ensemble member has too much time to think!

I hope you've enjoyed Myrtle's little story -- go forth and be great my Buddies!