Sally Skull – The Scariest Siren in Texas
Sarah Jane Newman, better known as Sally Skull, was a formidable figure who carved her own legend in the rugged landscape of 19th-century Texas. Her name conjures images of a fearless woman, skilled with a gun and a whip, who defied societal expectations and lived life on her own terms. More than just a colorful character, Sally Skull was a product of her time, a reflection of the harsh realities and opportunities that shaped the American West.
Born around 1817 or 1818 in Pennsylvania, Sarah Jane Newman’s early life was steeped in the pioneering spirit. Her grandfather, William Rabb, was one of Stephen F. Austin’s "Old Three Hundred," the first families to settle in the Texas territory. In exchange for building a gristmill and sawmill in present-day Fayette County, Rabb received a land grant, thrusting his family into the heart of Comanche territory. Survival became the daily focus, and the Newmans quickly learned the skills necessary to defend themselves against the dangers of the frontier.
Rachel Newman, Sally’s mother, exemplified this resilience. One chilling evening, she discovered a hostile Native American attempting to pry open their cabin door. Without hesitation, Rachel seized a double-bit ax and severed the intruder’s toes. When other Comanches tried to enter through the chimney, she ignited a feather pillow and sent smoke billowing upwards, driving them away. This act of audacious courage instilled in young Sally a profound respect for strength and self-reliance. This early exposure to danger and the fierce independence of her mother undoubtedly molded Sally Skull into the woman she would become.
The Newmans eventually relocated to Egypt, Texas, seeking a safer environment upriver from present-day Wharton. Despite the move, the lessons of survival remained ingrained in Sally’s character. It was in this environment that she began to hone the skills that would later define her legend: horsemanship, marksmanship, and a shrewd understanding of the world around her. She learned to ride like a man, shoot with deadly accuracy, and curse with the colorful vocabulary of a muleskinner. She had a love for dancing and a taste for draw poker, and, above all, an undeniable attraction to men.
Sally Skull‘s romantic life was as tumultuous as the Texas frontier itself. She acquired a reputation as a "man-killer," not just in the figurative sense, but perhaps literally. Five husbands graced her life, each experiencing her strong-willed nature and dominance. As noted in Outlaws in Petticoats, "Dogmatic and determined, she possessed so much strength that none of her husbands could stand living with her for very long."
Her first marriage was to Jesse Robinson, a Kentucky native and Revolutionary War soldier’s son. Robinson was a veteran of the Texas Revolution, having fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. He received land for his service and played a part in the early defense of the Austin colonists. He first met Sally when she was a young girl, during a rescue of the Newmans from Waco and Tawakoni Indians. Years later, she married her hero. However, his heroic deeds were quickly overshadowed by his status as the first husband of the infamous Sally Skull. They had two children, Nancy and Alfred, but the marriage was fraught with conflict. In 1843, Robinson divorced Sally, accusing her of being "a great scold, a termagant, and an adulterer." Sally countersued, alleging cruel treatment and demanding the return of her dowry.
Following her divorce from Robinson, Sally married George H. Scull, a gunsmith described as having a "gentle nature." They moved to land inherited by Sally and, after an unresolved custody battle with Robinson, even kidnapped Nancy and fled to New Orleans, placing her and Alfred in a convent. However, their union was short-lived. George Scull vanished around 1849, and when questioned, Sally curtly replied, "He’s dead." The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remained shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation about Sally’s involvement.
In 1852, Sally, who had by then changed the spelling of her last name to Skull, purchased a 150-acre ranch in Banquete, Nueces County. She married John Doyle, who helped her develop Banquete into a thriving trade and ranching center. Doyle’s fate was also uncertain. One version claims he was ambushed while trying to kill Sally. Another suggests a drunken incident in Corpus Christi led to his accidental demise at Sally’s hand. A third claims that she caught him drinking whiskey and drowned him in the barrel. Regardless of the truth, Doyle joined the ranks of Sally’s deceased or departed husbands.
Husband number four, Isaiah Wadkins, lasted only five months. Sally divorced him on the grounds of cruelty and adultery, claiming he beat her and was living with another woman. Then came Christoph Hordsdorff, nicknamed "Horse Trough," a man half her age. Their marriage was the shortest and most enigmatic of all. They rode out of town together one day, but only Horse Trough returned. He claimed Sally had simply disappeared. Rumors spread that he had murdered her for the gold she carried.
Beyond her complex marital history, Sally Skull was known for her sharp business acumen and unwavering courage. She traded horses, drove cattle, and even engaged in freighting, transporting goods across dangerous territories. Her reputation as a skilled shooter and fearless fighter preceded her. Colonel John S. "Rip" Ford, a legendary Texas Ranger, recounted an incident where he witnessed Sally shoot a man, deeming it justifiable self-defense.
Sally’s reputation wasn’t confined to self-defense. Some accounts portray her as a merciless killer, quick to anger and decisive in her actions. Stories circulated of her forcing a man to "dance" by shooting at his feet after he made disparaging remarks about her. Another tale tells of her threatening a freighter with an ax unless he paid her what he owed. Whether these stories are entirely factual or embellished over time, they contribute to the enduring myth of Sally Skull as a force to be reckoned with.
During the Civil War, Sally Skull capitalized on the high demand for Texas cotton, transporting it through Mexico to Europe in exchange for arms and supplies for the Confederacy. This dangerous trade route, known as the Cotton Road, made her a wealthy and influential figure. She reportedly dressed in buckskin shirts and trousers, wielding a whip and pistols with equal skill. Despite her rough exterior, she sent her children to a convent in New Orleans for education.
The legend of Sally Skull continues to fascinate and inspire. Her story, though shrouded in mystery and embellished by folklore, represents the spirit of the Wild West and the indomitable will of a woman who dared to challenge societal norms.
Even after her death, the mystery surrounding Sally Skull persisted. One tale recounts the discovery of a woman’s body in a shallow grave, with only a boot protruding from the earth. Whether this was the final resting place of the infamous Sally Skull remains unknown.
Today, a historical marker stands near Refugio, Texas, commemorating her life. The marker describes her as a woman rancher, horse trader, and "champion ‘Cusser,’" who played a vital role in the Confederate war effort. Though the details of her life may be debated, the legend of Sally Skull, the scariest siren in Texas, endures as a testament to the strength, resilience, and audacity of women on the American frontier.
Sally Skull’s life serves as a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of frontier life, where survival demanded both toughness and resourcefulness, and where legends were often born from a blend of fact and fiction.