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I Ain't Afraid: The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl
In 1955, the AP thrummed with the news of Lulu Bell Parr's death. The incongruity of her final years as a pauper in a shack with her time as a Wild West star could not be ignored. Then, she was forgotten. Nearly fifty years later, small town history buffs stumbled upon her unmarked grave and set out to give her the recognition she deserved. They raised over seven thousand dollars, erected a monument on her grave (with a parade through town and celebration), and then went on to have her inducted in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
The biography "I Ain't Afraid" - The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl details how Lulu was foisted off on relatives as a girl, not educated, married at nineteen, and by twenty-six, divorced and living over a print shop in backwater Steubenville. But she could ride horses. Hired by Pawnee Bill in 1903, she went on to have one of the longest careers among Wild West performers. She worked for all the heavy hitters - Buffalo Bill, the 101 Ranch, Zack Mulhall, and more. She did not stop until her fifties when the Depression changed everything. Parr dazzled audiences of royalty and the poor alike as a sharpshooter, trick rider, and bronco rider. She worked alongside the top cowboys, cowgirls, and performers - including Princess Wenona, Bill Pickett, and Geronimo. Married at least four times, her briefest marriage -three days- was to Charley Mulhall, Zack's son.
This is a factual biography, tapping into standard and newly available resources as well as those directly involved in resurrecting and preserving Lulu's history. The hardback and paperback versions of the book include illustrations, several from Lulu's private collection which have not previously been published.
The biography "I Ain't Afraid" - The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl details how Lulu was foisted off on relatives as a girl, not educated, married at nineteen, and by twenty-six, divorced and living over a print shop in backwater Steubenville. But she could ride horses. Hired by Pawnee Bill in 1903, she went on to have one of the longest careers among Wild West performers. She worked for all the heavy hitters - Buffalo Bill, the 101 Ranch, Zack Mulhall, and more. She did not stop until her fifties when the Depression changed everything. Parr dazzled audiences of royalty and the poor alike as a sharpshooter, trick rider, and bronco rider. She worked alongside the top cowboys, cowgirls, and performers - including Princess Wenona, Bill Pickett, and Geronimo. Married at least four times, her briefest marriage -three days- was to Charley Mulhall, Zack's son.
This is a factual biography, tapping into standard and newly available resources as well as those directly involved in resurrecting and preserving Lulu's history. The hardback and paperback versions of the book include illustrations, several from Lulu's private collection which have not previously been published.
- GenresBiography
316 pages, Hardcover
Published August 16, 2024
2,523 people want to read
About the author
Diane Helentjaris
5 books36 followersDiane writes often about the fascinating, but unsung lives of the overlooked and forgotten. Her historical novel The Indenture of Ivy O'Neill won the Maryland Writers' Association Novel competition in the category of romance and historical in 2024. Her latest book, I Ain't Afraid, is the first-ever biography of Wild West bronco-riding star Lulu Bell Parr.
Born and raised in southern Ohio, Diane was educated in the snows of Michigan and Quebec. After a successful career as a medical doctor, she returned to her humanities roots. She is a popular speaker and now lives in the Blue Ridge Piedmont of Virginia.
Active in the writing community, Diane is a member of the Hellenic Writers Group of Washington, DC and the Maryland Writers Association. Follow her at www.dianehelentjaris.com.
Born and raised in southern Ohio, Diane was educated in the snows of Michigan and Quebec. After a successful career as a medical doctor, she returned to her humanities roots. She is a popular speaker and now lives in the Blue Ridge Piedmont of Virginia.
Active in the writing community, Diane is a member of the Hellenic Writers Group of Washington, DC and the Maryland Writers Association. Follow her at www.dianehelentjaris.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 26, 2024
Absolutely surreal to read a book that started and ended at my childhood home with plenty of familiar places in between. The author did a great job - although official records about Lulu Bell Parr were conflicting and incomplete, I still felt like I got to know her as a person by the time the book was done.
August 26, 2024
Having never heard of Lulu Bell Parr, I found myself unable to put the book down until I finished it. I think she may have out-calamitied Calamity Jane! This woman wasn’t afraid of anything but not having a job! And what a series of jobs she had! And the fact that she died after I was born, and still hadn’t heard of her amazed me because I read anything I could find, even newspapers, about the wild west. Wow! What a life she led.
The photos in the book added a great deal to help visualize who she was. Thank you, Ms. Helentjaris for running away from home as a youngster to take a nap in the graveyard, and really, thank you for coming home, growing up, and writing this book. Thank you for all the research you did, and for bringing all the people back to life!
This is not a dry history of date, happening and more of the same. This story reads like a well-done novel—but it isn’t. It’s real. And check out her boots on the cover. I wish I could give it more stars, but 5 is the highest I can go.
The photos in the book added a great deal to help visualize who she was. Thank you, Ms. Helentjaris for running away from home as a youngster to take a nap in the graveyard, and really, thank you for coming home, growing up, and writing this book. Thank you for all the research you did, and for bringing all the people back to life!
This is not a dry history of date, happening and more of the same. This story reads like a well-done novel—but it isn’t. It’s real. And check out her boots on the cover. I wish I could give it more stars, but 5 is the highest I can go.
August 13, 2024
Diane Helentjaris has a knack for finding interesting and vibrant historical characters and unearthing details from the past that bring them to life. I've had the privilege of reading chapters of this book as it was being written and feel I've come to know Lulu Bell Parr well. She starred as a cowgirl in the famed Wild West shows and thrilled countless audiences throughout America and beyond. No bucking bronco could stop her, no expectations of how a woman's life was meant to be lived. Come along for the ride. You'll be glad that you did.
February 26, 2025
First time reading a book that starts at my childhood house and finishes in my tiny hometown of Medway, Ohio. And like the author, I remember exploring and ending up in the cemetery with no idea a renowned cowgirl was buried there. It’s amazing how long Parr was able to make a living performing around the country and world. I can’t wrap my head around the scale of those traveling shows. After such a life of adventure, learning what her last years were like was tough. My next trip home will involve seeing her plot, finally with a tombstone.
December 16, 2024
Fun read
This is a good book about an unsung hero of the early days. Lulu had unfortunately a sad and poor last few years. Her glamor years were well caught with good research by the author
This is a good book about an unsung hero of the early days. Lulu had unfortunately a sad and poor last few years. Her glamor years were well caught with good research by the author
September 28, 2024
What an incredible ride! Lulu’s story deserved to be told and Ms. Helentjaris did her Justice! Well researched and written this story will entertain the reader from beginning to end!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews