Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-30
"MoTHER OSBORNE"
Famous Character of Wyoming Life
Ihe Cabin near the TraiI-A Wild Mid
night ReVeI.

Famous Character of Wyoming Life
1he Cabin near the TraiI-A Wild Mid
night ReveI.
Lander W. Letter to the Globe Democrat.
Yesterday there arrived in st. Louis a
migrating cowboy from the Yellowstone
country. He was going South for the
winter. The Globe Democrat correspond
emit overheard him, on a street corner,
speak of EMOther Osborne" The name
struck a chord in the scribe's memory
that loudly res ponded, and he stopped
and asked the cowboy what he knew OF
smother Osborne" Nothing" was the
answer, ''only she died TWO weeks ago of
starvation and cold in an old cabin on the
Ciark's fork Of the Yellowstone" And
so the wicked, shrewd, and ugly old
harridan was dead at last. Memory at
once brought to the scribe the scene in
which he saw Mother Osborne for the
first and last time. 1t was in the month
OF August. 1878. The scribe was an en-
ploye Of cattle owner Of the Dry Chey-
enne country. The region was new, over
run with desperate characters, and espe-
calIy rang with the name of "Mother
Osborne?' She was represented in all
the phases of superlative wickedness, and
the representations were b t bare justice.
appearance in the section, and To-
Gated on Beaver Creek, running
tributary OF the Cheyenne. She was
as gross in person as in passions. Her
bulk eQualed her wlckedness. Weighing
over 200 pounds. there was no horse she
would not ride and no deed she would not
attempt. She had two or three men with
her. and building a cabin of large dimen-
siOns, she gathered about her in snort
H.. 70 a
through the gloom Of night. The Black
Hills and Cheyenne stage route ran near.
Coach after coach was plundered, and the
road in that vicinity came TO be soon
known as'' Mother Osborne's trail" Carry
ing her so years as lightly as II they were %,
she rode with the gang. She was shrewd
and daring, and Mother Osborne's plan
was never known TO ''glve out' or her
nerve to fail.
In August the outfit to which the scribe
belonged was ordered 10 take bunch OF
cattle over to the Beaver bottoms and
turn them loose, freshness Of range being
the object sought. The drive was duly
made. and the herd was soon grazing on
the luxuriant Beaver grasses. We camped
on the bank Of the stream the night we
reached 10. just as we we're retiring tor
the night the camp was suddenly sur
rounded by score OF as desperate
rufllan8 as ever rOde 10 Tue can VI pun
der. Their leader, an active and trucu-
lent-looking bandit, strobe into our midst
and said that we we're only few miles
from ANOTHER Osborne'so ranch, and
the good old lady desired our com
pany 10 a late tea and dance. There
was no resisting such an INVITATION,
nrofTered as Il was. and we were soon rid
Inc in quest Of the dangerous hospitality:
Our captors and guides rode at a rapid
lone. and we perforce kept up. soon the
lights OF the roost burst upon US, ana tnen
came 10 our ears the sound OF r violin,
skillfully played. Riding up TO the door
we dismounted and soon stood before
Mother Osborne. In an immense arm
chair. in the middle Of spacious room.
sat an enormous woman. She was loadea
with fat. Around her huge gliln M w.,
aunt q broad belt, supporting two heavy
revolvera, while q W Winchester riiie was
nearly lost In her lap. About her gaIn-
cred half a dozen Drazen women one