Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-23
THE CATTLE QUEEN LYNGHED.
She is Hanged, with James Averill, by
Cowboys for Cattle Stealing.


A Cheyenne, wyo., dispatch says that James
Averill and the notorious cattle queen, KATE
Maxwell, were lynched by cowboys Sunday
night The bodies of the "Rustler" and range
queen dangled from the same limb of big cot
tonwood tree this morning. The scene Of the
lawless deed of the midnight riders is on the
Sweet Water river, in Carbon county, near In.
dependence Rock, a landmark made historical
during the rush overland to the California gold
fields.
AveriIl was postmaster at Sweet Water. Kate
Maxwell was the heroine of a story which ap-
peared in newspapers throughout the country
three months ago, when she raIded gambling
house and recovered a large sum of money won
from her employees. Stock men OF the Sweet
Water region have been the victims of cattle
thieves for years. On account OF prejudice
il has been impossible to convict on this charge,
and the ''rustlers'' have become very bold.
Averill and his remarkable partner have been
very active IN thieving. The woman could
hold her own on the range, riding like de-
mon, shooting on the slightest pretext and
handling the lariat and branding iron with the
skill of the most expert vacquero.
LYNcHING DETERMINED UPoS.
Fifty freshly-brande6 yearling steers were
counted in the Averill and Maxwell herds Sat-
urday morning. A stock detective, whose sus-
picions were aroused. was driven from the
place when he was noticed viewing the stolen
property. This circumstance was reported to
the ranchmen, who determined to rid the coun-
try of the desperate pair. Averill and the
woman have several times been ordered to
emigrate or cease appropriating cattle, but had
disregarded all warnings. After her celebrated
gambling house escapade Mrs. Maxwell degen-
Grated from a picturesque western character
into a reckless prairie virago of loose morals,
and lost most of her following, but continued
partnership with the postmaster.
Word was passed along the river, and fifteen
to twenty men gathered at a designated place
and galloped to the cabin of Averill and Cattle
Kate without unnecessary noise. The rust
lers" were at hcme. and peep through a win
dow disclosed Averill, Cattle Kate and boy in
their employ sitting beside rude fireplace
smoking cigarettes. As half a dozen men
rushed into the room, a Winchester was poke
through each window and command to throw
up their hands was shouted with unmistakable
earnestness.
The trio sprang for their weapons, but were
quickly overpowered. Averill begged and
whlned, protesting his innocence. Kate hurled
bitter oaths at the lynchers. Her execration
was something terrible in its way. An attempt
was made to gag her, but her struggling was SO
violent that this was abandoned She called
for her own horse to ride to the tree selected
for a scaffold, and vaulting astride the animals
Ddch lIOHl tne ground sne declared herself
ready. Averill did not resist and the boy. who
had been told that he would not be harmed
followed. An end of the same rope was
fastened about the necks of the ''rustlers" az
they sat in their saddles. The boy made pass
with knife at the man who was preparing
Kate for hanging. He was knocked insensible
by blow with the butt of a revolver. The LAD
was nephew of the bandit queen.
THE BANDIT QUEENS LAST WORDS.
When preparations for the execution had
been completed Averill and the woman were
asked to speak. Averill spoke only of his post
Office, saying that he did not wish a certain
man to behis successor. He was promised the in.
fiuence OF the party for another candidate Kate
made quite an address. She wished the affair
kept as quiet possible, desiring that her
mother be kept in ignorance of her disgrace
full career and tragic death. 1t was useless to
deny that their herd had been stolen from
the ranchmen of that section; but if they did
not wish to divide il among themselves she
would like to have it sold and the money given
to a home for hayward girls. Kate babe her
nephew goodbye and began to deliver a bias
phemous harangue.
The horses were led from under the pair
while Kate was still cursing Both struggled
violently for ten or fifteen minutes. A few
bullets were fired into Averli's body and the
lynchers rode away. 1t is doubtful if an in
quest will be held, and the executioners have
no fear of being punished. The cattlemen
claim they were forced to the act. More hang
ings will follow, unless there is less thieving