Nan Jeanne Aspinwall Gable Lambell (February 2, 1880 in New York – October 24, 1964)[1] was the first woman to ride on horseback across North America alone.[2] She rode from San Francisco to New York from September 1, 1910, arriving on July 8, 1911[3] on a bet from Buffalo Bill, whose Wild West show she performed in with her husband.[4][5] She rode her Thoroughbred mare, Lady Ellen, on the journey.[1]
She was born in New York under the name Nan Jeanne Aspinwall.[1] She performed as an oriental dancer as well as a horsewoman, sharpshooter, and roper.[4] She also had a vaudeville act with her husband.[4]
Recognition
editThe actress Penny Edwards appeared as Nan Gable in the 1958 episode, "Two-Gun Nan," of the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days. In the story line, sharpshooter Nan, affiliated with William F. Cody's Wild West Show, sets out on a daring thoroughbred horse ride from San Francisco to New York City to prove that a woman could undertake such a task, which required 180 days. Robert "Buzz" Henry (1931–1971) played her husband, Frank Gable, and William O'Neal (1898–1961) was cast as Cody. Still living in 1958, Nan Gable appeared with series host Stanley Andrews at the conclusion of the episode.[6]
A book about her life was published in 2007.
Bibliography
editHigginbotham, Mary C. (October 10, 2007). In Genuine Cowgirl Fashion - The Life and Ride of "Two-Gun" Nan Aspinwall. Preface: Winchester, Juti. The Long Riders Guild Press. ISBN 9781590482582.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Aspinwall Family". Nebraska State Historical Society. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ ""Two-Gun Nan" Aspinwall-Gable". The Long Riders Guild. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
- ^ "From Sea to Sea Rode Nan in Saddle" (PDF). The New York Times. July 9, 1911. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Good Morning! A Cowgirl Named "Two-Gun Nan" Made History 101 Years Ago Today". Waco, Texas: KWTX-TV. July 8, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
- ^ "Nan J. Aspinwall, Western Entertainer". Nebraska State Historical Society. 2012. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Two-Gun Nan on Death Valley Days". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
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