The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-07-27
CATTLE THIEVES LYNCHED.
A MAN AND A WOMAN STRUNG UP BY
COWBOYS.

CHEYENNE, W. T., July 22.-Jas. Av
er'll and the notorious cattle queen, Kate
Maxwell, were lynched by cowboys last
night. The bodies of the "Rustler" and
he Ranger Queen dangled from the same
limb OF cottonwood this morning. The
scene of the lawless deed of the midnight
rider is on the Sweetwater river, in Car
bon county, near Independence Rock a
landmark made historical during the rush
overland to the Califo, lila gold fields.
Averill was Postmaster at Sweetwater
Kate Maxwell was the heorine of a sen
sational Story which appeared in the
newspapers throughout the country three
months ago, when she raided gambling
house and recovered large sum of mon
ey won from her employees.
Stockmen of the Sweetwater region
have been the victims of cattle thieves
tor years. On account of prejudice a
gainst the large outfits it has been i'm
possible to convict on this charge, and
the rustlers have become very bold. Az
Grill and his remarkable partner have
been very active in thieving. The woman
could hold her own on the range riding
like demon, shooting on the slightest
pretext and handling the lariet and
branding iron with the skill of the most
expert vaquero. Fifty freshly branded
vearling steers were counted in the Aver
ill a. Maxwell herds Saturday morning
A stock detective whose suspicious
were aroused was driven from the place
when be was noticed viewing the stolen
property. This circumstance was repor
ted to the ranchmen, who determined to
rid the country of the desperate pair.
Averill and the woman have several times
been ordered to emigrate or cease appro
priatlng cattle, but had disregarded all
warnings. After her celebrated gambling
house escapade Mrs. Maxwell degenerated
from picturesque Western character
into reckless prairie virago of loose
morals and lost most of her following,
but continued partnership with the post
master.
Word was passed along the river, and
Is to 20 men gathered at designated
place and galloped to the cabin of Averill
and Cattle Kate, without unnecessary
noise. The rustlers we're at home, and
peep thsough window disclosed the
thieves and boy in their employ sitting
beside rudetireplace smoking cigarettes
AS half dozen men rushed into the
room at Winchester was poked through
each window and command to throw
up their hands given with unmistakable
earnestness. The trio sprang for their
weapons, but were quickly overpowered.
Averill begged and whined, protesting
his innocence; Kate cursed. Her execra
ton of the lynchers was something teH-
| rible in its way. She cursed everything
and everybody, challenging the Deity to
harm her if He possessed the power. 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 scaffold.
and vaulted astride the animals back
from the ground. Averill did not resist,
and the boy, who had been told that he
would not be harmed, followed. Either
end of the same rope was fastened about
the necks of the rustlers as they sat in
their saddles. The boy made pass with
knife at the man, who was preparing
Kate for hanging. He was knocked in
sensible by blow with the butt of re-
volver. The lad was a nephew of the
bandit queen.
When preparations for the execution
had been completed Averill and the wo
man we're asked to speak. The man
spoke only of his office, saying that he
did not wish a certain man to be his sue
chssor. He was promised the influence
| of the party for another candidate. Kate
made quite an address. She wished the
| affair kept as quiet as possible desiring
that her mother be kept in ignorance of
her disgraceful 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 among themselves she would like
to have 1t sold and the money given to
home for Maynard girls. Kate babe
her nephew goodbye and commenced to
deliver blasphemous harangue. The
horses were led from under the pair
while Kate was still cursing. A few bull
let's were fired into AverilPs body and
the lynchers road away.
1t is doubtful if an inquest will be
held, and the executioners have no fears
of trouble.
The cattle men have been forced to
this. and more hangings will follow un-
less there is less stealing.