Making History Come Alive Newsletter offers the story of Pearl Hart, a notorious female outlaw

Pearl Hart, also known as Pearl Taylor, was a notorious female outlaw and stagecoach robber who gained infamy in the American Old West during the late 19th century. Her story is one of the few instances of a woman taking part in armed robbery during that era.

Early Life:
- Pearl Hart was born Pearl Taylor in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, in 1871. She later moved to the United States, where she married a man named Hart and took on his last name.

Notable Crime:
- The most famous incident involving Pearl Hart occurred on May 30, 1899, when she and her partner, Joe Boot, held up a stagecoach near Globe, Arizona. They robbed the stagecoach passengers at gunpoint, making off with approximately $431 in cash and valuables.

Capture and Trial:
- Following the robbery, Pearl Hart and Joe Boot attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Florence, Arizona. However, they were apprehended by law enforcement shortly thereafter.
- Pearl Hart was put on trial for her crimes, making headlines as one of the few female stagecoach robbers in the Old West. Despite her defense attorney's efforts to portray her as a victim of circumstance, she was found guilty of armed robbery.

Imprisonment and Legacy:
- Pearl Hart was sentenced to five years in prison for her role in the stagecoach robbery. She served time in the Yuma Territorial Prison in Arizona but was released after serving only three years due to her good behavior.
- After her release, Pearl Hart largely disappeared from the public eye. She attempted to capitalize on her notoriety by touring with a theatrical reenactment of her crime, but the venture was largely unsuccessful.
- Pearl Hart's story has become part of the folklore of the Old West, with her daring and unconventional actions challenging traditional gender roles of the time. While her criminal exploits were brief, she remains a notable figure in the history of American outlaws.