The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-03-01
CATTLE KATE'S RAID.
How Wyoming Woman "Got Even" ON n
Faro Bank.

How wyoming Woman "Got Even" on n
Faro Bank.
Cheyenne special: A sensational story
comes from Carbon county, which brings
Mrs. Kate Maxwell, the owner Of small
cattle ranch. into prominence a. Q daring
and desperate woman, whose career may
rival that OF the notorious Belle Starr.
Mrs. Maxwell is known among ranch
men as "Cattle Kate" and since the recent
wholesale cattle raids her reputation has
not been OF the best. On her ranch are
some twenty cowboys, who have been los
ing heavily during the last few weeks at
faro game In Bessemer.
"Cattle Kate" seldome goes into town,
but when, last Sunday, 81 800 was stolen
from her bedroom she started out for gore.
IL Is said she felt no resentment toward the
thieves, who were her own men, but was
convinced that they were being feeced by
the two Colorado gamblers. Farley and
GOodseli, who were running the game.
Half the population Of the little town and
cowboys from several ranches were In the
gambling hell Monday night when Kate ar
rived. Kate was accompanied by her fore
man, an ex-Chicag0 gambler, and both
were armed 10 the teeth. She Is an expert
horsewoman, and rode her animal inside
the doorway OF the saloon, dI, mounting
with Jump that caused every man In the
place 70 grasp his gun.
With big six shooter In each hand Kate
walked up TO the faro table and ordered the
dealer to ''Ret out" Mason followed, and,
securing the box and cards, found what he
anticipated, that the game was the verlest
sort OF n "skinn or "brace" While Kate
kept the gamblers covered with her re-
valvara Mason ax nlalnQd IN tina mud h.uu
the gamblers had been fleeeing them.
There was wild rush made for Farley
and Godell, and they were dragged outside
and badly beaten. Some OF the crowd went
for ropes, and the two gamblers were
given ten minutes Ia which ''to say their
prayers"
This last suggestion, made by a cowboy
who had heard Moody IN San francisco,
was received with scorn by the gamblers.
"Catte Kate and Mason secured the
money In the drawer and about the place,
and IL Is believed got several thousand dol
lars.
Kate was disposed 10 be mercIful now,
and Just as the two gamblers were being
pinioned and the ropes were about TO en-
circle their necks. she suggested that their
place be burned down and that the gam
blers be given one chance for life.
"Giye them horse apiece and start
them for Utah." she urged. "rve got all
their stuff here, aud 4 you'll comeup to
the ranch I'll dlvvy up"
That little speech saved two lives. A
couple OF scrub ponies were furnished the
.'tin horn" gamblers. Kate gave them two
$50 gold pieces and amid the rattle of a
hundred pistol shots they were startled.
Mazeppa'like. on their journey. Their
pathway was lighted for some distance BY
the glare OF the burning saloon. which was
set on fire after being systematically pill
laged.
The last seen OF "Cattle Kate" she wa,
riding at the head OF big cavalcade, head
ed for her ranch. They got there safely
with the money and ended the night witt
q dance.
Stockmen in Carbon aud Sweetwstel
counties are organizing for protection
against cattle thieves, and Kate's cowboy,
are looked upon already as a menace I,
order and prosperity. Kate, II Is said, wa
variety actress In Chicago when Maxwell
brought her out 70 Wyoming. She Is fas
becoming dime-noyel border heroine &C
cording TO the stories that are being tol,
| of her.