The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-23
THE CATTLE QUEEN LYNCHED.
Her Partner. James Aycstii. Hangs
From the same Tree with Her


Aveflll and the notorious Cattle Queen.
/ Kate Maxwell. were lynched by COW
boys last night. The bodies Of the
"Rustler' and Range Queen dangled
from the same tree az COttonwod this
morning. The scene of this lawless
but Ju.tIiiable deed OF midnight riders
is on the Sweetwater river. i'm Carbon
county. near Independence Rock. a
landmark made historical during the
rush overland to the California gold
fields. Averill was postmaster at Sweet
water. Kate Maxwell was the heroine
OF sensational story which appeared
M the newspapers throughout the cOun-
try three months ago. " hen she raided
"a gambling house and recovered large
Sun Of money won from her en-
ployers. Stockmen Of the Sweetwater
reg have been the victims Of cattle
thieves for years. Oa account Of preiu-
dice against the large Ou'fi IS. II has
b en impossible 10 convict on this
C. large, and the Rustlers have
b come very bold. Averell and his
remarkable partner have been. very
active in thieving. The woman cOul Il
hold her own on the range, riding ike
a demon. shooting on the slighteit pre-
text. and handling the lariat ana brand
ing iron with the skill Of the most ex-
pert NaQuerO. Fifty freshly branded
yearling steers were counted in the
Averili and Maxwell heads Saturday
morning. 4 stock detective whose
suspicion were aroused. was driven
from this place when he was noticed
viewing the stolen property.
This Circumstance was reported 10
the ranchmen who determined to lid
the country of this desperate pai-. Av-
eriIl and the woman have several times
been ordered 10 emigrate or cease ap-
propriating Mavericks, but had dis
regarded all warnings. After her cele-
bratcd eambliug-h0use escapade Mr..
Maxwell dcgeneiated from picturesque
Western character into a reckless
prairie vifago. 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 designated place and galloped
to the cabin Of Averill ard Cattle
kale without unnecessary noise. The
Rustlers were at home and a peep
througha window disclosed The thieves.
a boy Doe their employ sitting beside q
rude fireplace smoking cigarettes A.
falf "a dozen men rushed into the room
% Winchester was p0ked through each
window. and command 10 throw up
THEN hands given with unmis.akable
e9ruc,tness. The trio spraug fr
their weapons but were quickly
overpowered Averill begged ard
whined. protesting his innocence.
Kate cursed. Tier cxCcratiOn OF
the lynchers was something ter
iible in It's way. She cursed every
thing and everybody. challenging the
Deity TO harm her If DE possessed tie
power An attempt was made 10 gag
her. but her struggling was so violent
that this was abandoned. She called
for her own horse to ride to the tree
selected foi q scaflold and vaulted
aetride the animal S back from the
ground. Averill did not resist. and the
boy. who had be % told that he
would not bee harmed. followed.
Either end of the rope was fas-
tened about the uecks of the rustlefs
as they say in their saddles. The bOy
VINO was preparing Kate for hanging.
lie was knocked in-enslDle by "a blow
with the butt of revolver. The lad .
was % nephew of the bandit queen.
When preparations had been completed
for execution. the man and the woman
were asked 90 speak. The man spoke
only of has Office. saying that ne dld
not wish certain man 20 be ms sue
cess0r. He was promised the influence
of the party for another candidate.
Kate made quite an address. she
wished tine affair kept "a, quiet az posi-
bic. desiring that her mother be- kept 90
ignorance of her disgraceful career ana
tragic death 10 was useless 20 deny
that their herd had been stolen from
ranchmen of that section. bat II they
did not wish To divide among them
selves she would iiket0 haveit sold and
the money given 20 home for waywafd
girls Kate babe her nephew goodbye
and commenced 10 deliver blasphem-
ous haIancue. The horses were lea
from under the pair, white Kate was
still cur,ing. Both kicked IN lively
sfvle for ten or fifteen minutes. a few
bullets NoIo fred into Ayenlls body.
and the lyuchcrs rode away. Ii Is
doubtless If an inquest Will be held ana
the cNesul0uers nave no fear of beng
puni-heI. The cattle men have been
forced 10 thi.. and more hanging Will
follow unless there is less thievine.