Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-01-10
Bronelo Lou.

| Broneho Lou.
| Broncho Lou was 3 well-knowu from
| tier character in the recent history OF
| Colorado. A woman of perhaps TWEEN
ty-five, with considerable pretensions to
beauty, she could yet be fierce as a
fiend in her ferocity, or as gentle as a
lamb, or as soft as an angel in her devo-
ton to those she liked With her is
somehow linked the history of many of
the desperadoes of Southern Colorado.
In the years 1881 and 1892 cattle and
stock stealing was carried on to a large
extent, besides numerous highway rob
berries. which did not stop at murder,
were of almost daily occurrence. At
last one of the communities most cursed
by these outlaws determined upon an
organized effort to ''wire them out. ~
A posse of citizens was raised. who,
armed to the teeth, started out in quest
of the desperadoes. After proceeding
about six miles from town they were
found encamped, to the number of six,
as nard-looking ruffians as could be
found anywhere. No attempt at
hiding had been made. and the
citizens rode in the center of
the camp with pistols drawn. and
,.
This request was answered by volley,
in which one of the leaders of the citi-
zens fell MORALLY wounded. Then fol-
lowed a short but decisive battle, which
resulted in the death of two of the
offenders. and the capture, although
badly wounded. of three others, the
sixth man somehow having made his
escape. The fight occurred on the sight
Cf Iou
was known as the battle of the grade.
The three wounded prisoners were
taken to town and put under heavy
guard, as threats of lynching were
freely made. So indignant were the
people, however, that the wounded men
would have died for want of attention
had it not been for Broncho Lou. With
out her these men would have been left
to well-deserved but somewhat inhu-
man fate. She, however. assumed their
whole care, and, devoting herself to
them with humanity and tenderness
worthy of better objects. they all recov-
cred, and were placed in what was sup
posed TO be secure quarters to await
their trial. One morning their Jail doo-
was found open and the birds flown,
with the aid, as was afterward ascer-
Hcti, cl Lou, w 10 udu
ished them tools to escape and also
horses, which she obtained from some
of their friends. simultaneously with
their escape Lou disappeared, and it
was rightly supposed that she had fled
with them.
A hue and cry was again raised, slim
lated by the offer of heavy rewards by
the town authorities, and it was not long
boz flx.< of II
covered, marked as it was by number of
fresh outrages. Not ranch or small
settlement near which they had passed
but had suffered at their hands, and the
pursuing party constantly received large
acc -ssions until it formed quite re-
spectacle company. Riding night and
day for several davs they finally came
upon fresh tracks made by their game.
Froft NO, however. by past experience,
the approa III was made cautiously. and
soon the scouts reported that the objects
of their search were in deserted cabin
standing in a dense grove of aspen trees.
Cautiously surrounding the cabin and
covering every point with their revolv-
ers and Winchester the inmates were
ordered to come out and throw up their
hands, which they quickly did, and
were soon mounted on extra horses and
securely bound, with the exception of
Lou. who was allowed the freedom of
her hands and feet. After a short con-
sultation it was decided to settle the
desperadoes' fate then and there. An
open space was sought and prepare
lions made forlynchiz9 them. Just as the
ropes were being adjusted around their
necks Lou. with sudden move, took
from place OF concealment in her
dress keen KIN f., and before the as
tonished gathering could recover from
their surprise the three men and woman
were galloping off into the timber at
rapid rate. They were never caught.
so far as known, although, their course
being south, there is no doubt but that
they formed a considerable accession
to the already criminal population of
New Mexico. Broncho Lou was never
after heard from. Certainly she was
one of the queerest specimens of wo-
mankind that ever graced or disgraced
a community. An expert hOrsewoman,
she always rode as man; an excellent
shot. she was credited with the death of
two husbands in this manner; an ex-
perienced gambler, she was well known
as dealer in stud poker who always
drew largely and made big winnings
for her employer. With her associa-
tions and employments, there can be no
doubt but that her end will be a violent