The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-02
RUSTLERS HANGED,
Wyoming Cowboys Make nm Ex
ample Of Two Troublesome
Cattle Thieves.

CHEYENNE. wyo, July 22.-James Averill
and the notorious cattle queen, Kate Max.
well, were lynclled by cowboys last night.
The bodies Of the srustler' and range queen
dangled from tho same limb OF big
cottonwood this morning. The scene oi
the lawless but justlfable deco
river, in Carbon county, near Independence
Rock, landmark made historical during the
rush overland to the California gold fields
Averill was postmaster at sweetwater. Kate
Maxwell was the heroine Of sensational
story which appeared In the newspa.
pers throughout the country three month.
ago. when slle ra!ded gambling house and
recovered large sum Of money won from
her employer Stockmen of the Sweetwatel
region have bcen the victims of cattle
thieves for years On account Of prejudice
against tho large outfits It has
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 demon, shooting ON the slight.
ca. pletext, and handling the lsrlat and
branding iron with the skill OF the
yearling steers were counted In the Averill
and Muxwcll herds Saturday morning. A
stock detective whose suspicious were
aroused was driven from the place when he
was noticed viewing the stolen property.
DETERMINED RAHcHMEN.
This circumstance was reported to the
ranchnen, who determined to rid the country
OF the desperate pair. Ave,ill nnd the woman
hax H,oo
or cease appropriating mavericks, but
had disregarded all warninga Aftel
her celebrated gambling house esca.
picturesque Western character into recls,
most of her following, but continued part.
nership with the postmaster. Word wal
passed along the river, and fifteen Il
twenty men gathered at q desig
nuted place and galloped to the
necessary noise The srustlers" were o
closed the thieves and 10y in their employ
sitting by rude fireplace smoking c,ga
rettcs. AS half dozen men rushed into the
room, Winchester was p0ked through eact
window and u command to throw up theil
Tho trio sprung for their weapons but were
quickly overpowered. Averill begged md
whined, protesting his innocence Kate
cursed. Her cxecration Of tho lynchers WI.
| SUE, ,.L.Hg terrible In its way. She cursed
everything and everybody, challenging the
Deity TO harm her if he possessed tho power.
An attempt was made TO gag her, but hel
| struggling was SO violent that this was
,,Io Al,x.On Had fpeh hop hsspS p
ride to the tree selected for scuffold, ind
ground. Averill did not resist, and the boy,
harmed, followed.
ATRAGlC DEATH
Either end OF the sa,ne r0po was fastened
about the necks Of tho rustlers as they ant in
their saddles The boy made pass with Q
knife nt the man who was preparing Kate
for hanging. lIe was knocked insensible by
blow with the butt OF revolver
The lnd wus nephew OF the ban.
dit queen. When preparations for the
execution lad been completed Averill and
spoke only OF his Office. saying that he die
Ho was promised the inf1ucncn of the
ulLly AOE C0u0buuSO. hRVs muu&
quite an address, She wished tte
uffair kept as quiet as possible. desiring that
her mother be kept in ignorance OF her dis.
graceful career und tragic death. It was
useless TO deny that their herd had been
stolen from the ranchmcn Of that section,
but II they did not wish to divide II
among themselves she would like te
have it sold and tho money given 10 q home
for wayward girls. Kato blde her nephew
good bye and commenced to deliver q bias.
phcmols harangue The horses were Led
cursing. Both kicked In lively style
for ten or fifteen minutes few bullets
were fired into Averili's body, and the lynch
era rode away. 1t 10 doubtful II an inques,
will be held, nnd the execulioners have nc
fear Of being punished. The cattleMcn have
been forced to this. and more hungings will
follow unless there Is less thicving