PRIMARY+SOURCES-Chicago+May

//From Farmgirl to Queen of the Crooks By Natalie Cheung// Home

= Primary Sources: More On her Life =

__Contents__

 * 1) =====**Source 1 **=====
 * 2) =====**Source 2 **=====
 * 3) =====**Source 3 **=====
 * 4) =====**Summary and Discussion **=====

Source 1
The personal recount by May Churchill Sharpe (Chicago May) is a very valuable primary source for historians. It shows the erratic and fearless behaviour of May and that she had a rough untamed attitude towards those she did not like. Her treatment to those who threaten her is merciless as indicated through the branding of a pub owner that taunted and tried to kick out May. The text also gives readers and insight to how May lived, drinking and working as a prostitute by referencing to ' //pimp' //and //landlady'. //

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Source 2
  What historians and observers can gain by viewing the source is the appearance of Chicago May and Charley Smith and that it reveals the time period in which Chicago May live in (1900s). This gives us insight on her life by looking at her emotions and style, she has a facial emotion that expresses a level headed and calm attitude unlike Charley who looks more solemn with his head bent low. The source also tells us what style of clothing was worn in the 1920s and which for men and women (Chicago May and Charley).

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[[image:PRIMARY_SOURCE.JPG width="244" height="333" align="right" caption="News paper description of Chicago May in an article about Eddie Guirren. NY Times July 28, 1928"]]
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Palatino Linotype,Book Antiqua,Palatino,serif;">The primary source reveals not only the point of view of a newspaper on 'Chicago May' but how she was physically and mentally. They describe her as a 'syren who lures many to their doom' and an 'international notoriety' which reveals that Chicago May was manipulative, attractive and known internationally. Her crime in the Parisian American Express office is revealed in more depth and this provides historians with certain facts. How the police of two continents viewed her is also noted, they call her 'Diamond May' and 'Chicago May', this states that May Churchill Sharpe was in-fact known as 'Chicago may'. The text also backs up theory that she had an 'international reputation' with police and crime.

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<span style="color: #900101; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Discussion**
<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left;">These sources represent a different perspective of Chicago May though sometimes they agree on the similar points. Source 1 reveals a smart, witty and fearless Chicago May, she writes how she 'brands' a disliked pubowner when he tries to attack her and she gives of an atmosphere of confidence when she writes about this incident. The second source s quite like the first soource, it gives of te impression that May has an undeniable air of confidence in her look, her emotions remain hidden but instead a cold hard stare and a pout is replaced.The third source reveals a more 'negative' perspective of Chicago May, labelling her 'notorious' a 'criminal' and a 'syren who-lured to their doom'. All together the sources still agian give off 'confidence' and a sense that May is attractive with words like 'Syren' and the way the photograph reveals an unshaken Chicago May.

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