Marah Ellis Ryan

That Girl Montana Marah Ellis Ryan

As summarized in a film publication, Montana Rivers (Sweet) finally escapes her father who had forced her to wear men's clothing and help in robbing and cheating. She is taken in by friendly Indians and stays at their camp. Later, Akkomi (Edler), chief of the tribe, asks his friend Dan Overton to take the girl as it is not good for her to remain in the camp. Dan provides for "Tana" and falls in love with her but, because of her past, she keeps him at a distance. Jim Harris comes by and recognizes Tana as the boy robber, but when he attempts to blacken her past, Dan gives him a beating which paralyzes him. Jim then stays on with Dan, who regrets his hastiness. Eventually Tana's father appears and demands that Tana go away with him. She refuses but also does not tell Dan of this trouble. Meanwhile, Jim has waited to avenge himself against Tana's father, who previously had run off with Jim's wife and baby. When Tana's outlaw father appears, Jim, whose arms are still strong, strangles him. Jim tells Tana that she is his daughter, the child of the wife who had run away. The film ends with Tana and Dan embracingMarah Ellis Ryan was born either February 27, 1860 or 1866. As Ellis Martin, she married Samuel Erwin Ryan (b. 1834), an Irish actor and comedian, in 1883. She died July 11, 1934. She was a popular author, actress and activist for Native Americans at the turn of the 20th century.