, 1885-11-19
MOTHER" OSBORNE
Dies from the Effects of StarVa-
ton and Exposure.
Something Concerning a virago of
Black Hills Early Days.

LANDER, Wye, Nov lG.-"Old Moth
er Osborne of Black Hills fame, is
dead. At least so says a cowboy who
just came in here from the north. He
says the ola virago died in a cabin on the
Clark's fork of the Yellowstone, about
two weeks ago, from the effects of starva-
ton and exposure, The correspondent
can, indeed, well remember the first and
last time he ever laid eyes on Mother
Osborne. At the time, he was working
in a GOV outfit on the Dry Cheyenne. 1t
was in August, 1878, that the outfit was
ordered to move some stock from the Dry
Cheyenne to the fresher bottoms of the
Beaver creek, some score of miles to the
north. Now Beaver creek was the most
talked OF stream in the entire region. 1t
was the territory OF Mother Osborne
and her gang of road agents and despera-
does. Two years before Mother Os-
borne had located on Beaver, a fine
stream that fed the Cheyenne, She was
accompanied by two or three men, and
came from no one knew whittier. She
was about fifty years old, was enormously
fat, and sported quite a beard. She soon
developed wickedness, in as great bulk as
her fat. She was perfectly fearless, and
wonderfully active for her build. She
would ride any horse, and send
him over any part of the country. She
built a capacious cabin and soon gathered
around her as desperate a band OF %rufians
as ever loosened rein or piled spur at the
call of plumber. The whole section rang
with the name of "MotLer Osborne
The Black Hills and Cheyenne stage line
ran near, and the coaches were frequently
robbed. The cattle to be placed on Beaver
were soon gathered, and on their way to
their new pastures. On the evening of
the second day from starting the Beaver
was reached and the herd turned loose.
The boys we're tired, and after supper
were making all preparations for an I'M
disturbed night rest. They were drop
ping away from the camp fire one by one,
when suddenly there came on the clear
night air the sound of horses hoofs in the
long, steady prairie lope. Another mo
ment and a score of riders surrounded the
camp on all sides. They were a wild and
t%ruculent crew, and the nameless brand
crime stamps on itself was revealed by
every movement. The leader strobe to
the fire and said that he had come after
u.s. that Mother Osborne's ranch was
only a short distance of, and that the nice
old girl desired the pleasure of u COM
pany to a late tea and dance. In view of
the score Of armed reasons standing about,
the pressing invitation was at once ac-
cepted, and we were speedily on the way
to greet our hostess. A sharp
ride Of half an hour placed us in her pres
ence. In a spacious room in an immense
arm chair sat a wonder of obesity. This
was "Mother Osborne About her huge
girth appeared the shining butts of divers
revolvers, while her lap appeared to be
trying TO smother oneof the old fashioned
heavy barreled Henry rifles. She greeted
US warmly, and soon had us seated at
supper. Then came whisky and cigars
without stint, and then began the dance.
The mother always kept about her half a
dozen or more girls These brazen
hays were queens among the bandits.
Toward morning the revel assumed a dia.
bolical character. Pandemonium seemed
to break loose; oaths, obscenity and say.
age threats filed the vile and reeking at.
mosphere. The mother had great ado tC
keep some Of her interesting children
from cutting each others threats. On
more than one occasion the long barrel Of
the Henry was invoked to prevent blood.
shed. At last morning came. The
mother dismissed us and we rode back tc
camp to remember Mother Osborne a,
long as we lived. @. II. G.