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Wild West Boss Ladies: Ada Curnutt

Ada Curnutt: From pushing papers to serving warrants ‘

In 1889, 20-year-old Ada Curnutt, the daughter of a Methodist minister, left her parents’ home in Illinois, and headed to the rough country of Oklahoma Territory with her sister and brother-in-law. Curnutt found employment as the Clerk of the District Court of Norman, Oklahoma, but life behind a desk didn’t suit her adventurous and inquisitive spirit. Seeing notorious outlaws brought to justice in the largely lawless West sparked her imagination and ambition. Repeatedly, she asked U.S. Marshal William Grimes to swear her in as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Though Grimes admired her spunk, he was hesitant and her requests were denied. Not only was she a woman, but she was slender and small, demure and modest, not to mention fashionably dressed among some of the roughest, grimiest, grittiest, meanest crooks in the territory. But she was also bold and plucky. One day in 1893, when no other deputies were available to arrest a couple hardened criminals, spotted nearby in Oklahoma City, Curnutt got her chance—pulling off an arrest that even the most experienced marshals would be loath to attempt.

Ada Curnutt portrayal in Wild West Chronicles. Not historical photo or illustration.

Curnutt left Norman by train and when she arrived in Oklahoma City she discovered that fugitive felons, Reagan and Dolezal, were drinking and gambling in the Black & Rogers Saloon. They were wanted for forgery, and sure enough, their bets and alcohol were paid with counterfeit bills. If anyone dared challenge the authenticity of the cash, the outlaws reached for their guns. Reagan and Dolezal may have been forgers, but they were not above murder to keep their freedom.

Curnutt had to think fast and smart, especially since she still held true to her faith and values and refused to carry a gun. So, she sent word to the menacing men that a lady, who could not possibly be seen in such an establishment, was waiting outside for them.

Meanwhile, crowds of townspeople gathered to watch the action. When the men sauntered out, Curnutt served the warrant for their arrest, shouting that she would deputize every man and woman on the street to help her if the outlaws resisted. Reagan and Dolezal thought it was all a joke—until the handcuffs were locked. Curnutt escorted the counterfeiters back to Norman, where they were tried and convicted.

Her exploits made headlines. On Jan. 3,1894, The Indiana Sentinel called Ada Curnutt, “… a Girl of Pluck,” and “… a Terror to the Oklahoma Outlaws.”

In 1893 alone, Curnutt arrested no fewer than 19 outlaws with wits and guts alone. But it was all in a day’s work for her. After collaring a vicious criminal, she would simply return home to her favorite pastime—China painting.

Ada Curnutt retired in 1897, still never having carried a weapon, when she returned East to marry.

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