Kitty Leroy Gambler Country: USA

Biography of Kitty Leroy

Kitty Leroy was one of the famous women of the Wild West. Born in 1850 in Michigan, she began her career as a professional dancer at the age of ten. With her natural talent for acting, Kitty quickly became a star in saloons and dance halls. By the time she was fourteen, she was already known for her flirtatious nature and her skill in shooting and outsmarting experienced gamblers.

At a young age, Kitty was married for the first time. Legend has it that her husband was the only man in town who allowed her to shoot an apple off his head while riding a horse. However, their marriage quickly fell apart as Kitty's frequent flirting and lack of gentleness caused strain. She left her husband and went to Dallas in search of a better life.

By the age of twenty, Kitty had married again. Her dancing career had reached incredible success, making her one of the most sought-after entertainers in the city. However, Kitty eventually left the stage and became a dealer in a saloon, showcasing her talent for card games. She earned significant amounts of money and became known for her signature style, which included wearing extravagant clothes and carrying multiple revolvers and throwing knives.

In her third marriage, Kitty met her husband through a dispute. She attacked him due to his persistent advances, and even after demanding a duel, he refused to shoot her. Frustrated, Kitty shot him at point-blank range. Realizing her mistake, she married him before he passed away.

In 1876, the Gold Rush began in South Dakota, and Kitty arrived in the town of Deadwood, known for its rapid prosperity and entertainment. Needing money, she worked briefly as a prostitute before opening her own saloon and casino. Kitty's fourth husband, a wealthy German gold miner, soon lost interest in her as his fortune dwindled. According to locals, one night Kitty hit him over the head with a bottle and kicked him out into the cold.

Her saloon brought Kitty tremendous wealth, and she also worked as a prostitute and managed her own girls. In 1877, she married for the fifth time to Samuel Curley, a gold prospector and avid gambler. However, their marriage was plagued by jealousy as Kitty had numerous affairs with her previous husbands, including Bill Hickok and Sam Bass.

In December 1878, Samuel Curley, after a heated argument with Kitty at the Lone Star saloon, shot and killed her before turning the gun on himself. The next day, the townspeople placed both their bodies inside the saloon before burying them together. Kitty Leroy was remembered as a woman who had five husbands, a collection of Bowie knives, seven revolvers, and always went armed to the teeth.