title: Forever Friends: The Journey of Two Families from Civil War Virginia to Montana Territory, 1860-1868
author:  Lenore McKelvey Puhek 
description: Lenore McKelvey Puhek holds a BA in English and writing from Carroll College and has taught in North Carolina and Helena, Montana, where she currently resides. Lenore is a member of several western writers' groups, including Western Writers of America. This is the third novel in a series.
zlib_text: # LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF CALAMITY JANE
  
  ##### BY
  
  ##### HERSELF
  
  My maiden name was Marthy Cannary. I was born in Princeton, Missourri, May
  1st, 1852. Father and mother were natives of Ohio. I had two brothers and
  three sisters, I being the oldest of the children. As a child I always had a
  fondness for adventure and out-door exercise and especial fondness for horses
  which I began to ride at an early age and continued to do so until I became an
  expert rider being able to ride the most vicious and stubborn of horses, in
  fact the greater portion of my life in early times was spent in this manner.
  
  In 1865 we emigrated from our homes in Missourri by the overland route to
  Virginia City, Montana, taking five months to make the journey. While on the
  way the greater portion of my time was spent in hunting along with the men and
  hunters of the party, in fact I was at all times with the men when there was
  excitement and adventures to be had. By the time we reached Virginia City I
  was considered 