The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-04-17
AWoman Desperate.

]
There is going to be trouble over in
Carbon county about Seattle Kate Max
well, who recently so thoroughly "clean-
ed OUT a gambling house at Bessemer
1 The woman's place is 4 retreat for lawless
characters like herself Her men are
''restlers" and beef thieves, and she adj
vises and even participates in The raids
upon the herds of neighbors One or two
things must occur before summer-the
gang will be broken up by violence or
Kate and her retainers will be legally
proceeded against by the Wyoming Stock
Growers Association, powerful orgsni-
zatiOn of cattlemen.
Mrs. Maxwell is altogether most re-
markable woman. She is native of n
saiall Michigan town. In 1888 Maxwell
met her in variety theatre in Chicago,
married and brought her to his Sand
Creek ranch, one of the finest on the
plains. The woman took kindly to ranch
life, but made many startling innova-
tions. She built fine gymnasium, with
shooting alley and bowling alley, and in
terested the cowboys and her neighbors
in athletics. She imported bull dogs and
game chickens, bought running horses,
and presided at boxing tournaments, foot
races and shooting matches taught club
swinging, and tunbling, and fencing, and
in every way sought to improve the phys
ical condition of those about her
Kate preeipitated a short but bloody
Indian war before she had been in Wy
oming six months. At running meet
ing her black mare, Maglalen, threw
dust into the eyes Of an Arapahoe pony
Flying Spot, owned by Chief Sharpnose
himself. The Indians lost everything
but their brass nose rings, and, although
they usually accept defeat with good
grace, for some reason cried foul, and de-
clared war against the white squaw. The
redskins were driven from the Maxwell
range with loss of three braves, and for
revenge, murdered half dozen white
settlers while enroute to their reserya-
ton.
Three years ago the cattle business had
setback. Mrs. Maxwell lost nothing
however. She fooled poor market by
shipping more cattle, while her herds
grew instead of diminishing. That she,
or her men, were stealing soon became
known, but there was no help for it. The
gang was large and powerful and incIud-
ed many desperate characters. The steal
ing has been going ON ever since, but can
not continue much longer.
Mrs. Maxwell's subjects rather objected
10 precedent she established during the
roundup last fall. The cowboys were
having trouble with a bunch Of wild
steers. The woman rebuked one Of the
riders Frank Eckles-for some fancied
error. In demonstrating, he inadvertent-
" called her Katie" She resented the
familiarity by sending ball from her re-
yolyer crashing through his shoulder
Eckles was fayorite with his compan-
ions, and they protested. All were 81
leneed in short order, but Kate carefully
nursed the man back TO health.
kate's last escapade, the raiding Of the
Bessemer gambling house and the rescue
Of the cheating gamblers from her own
mob, has brought her into almost nation
al prominence. Ii is certain that the theft
of money from herself by her own men
that bloody fight did not ensue when
Kate demanded the return Of the money
won from her men by Falley q Boden.
These men, by the way, reached civilian
ton in safety. They are now in salt
Lake, where they relate almost incredi-
bic tales of doings at the Kate Maxwell
ranch.
A prolonged drunken orgie has been
in progress at Hates home since tine re-
covery of the $1,000 from the skin gam
blers." There is always a large stock of
liquor on the ranch, but no one is per-
mitted to drink TO excess except on rare
occasions The place is now veritable
den, being enlivened by the presence of
half score of women.
Mrs. Maxwell is tall, erect, darx wo-
man, striking facial contour, not displeas-
ing, smiles seldom, seemingly always on
her dignity, has sharp eyes, large hands,
small feet, is fond of jewelry, and sports
half pint Of diamonds, dresses richly,
speaks grammatically, using but little
slang, plays the piano and sings, but aside
from being handy with the needle, has
few other boarding-school accomplish
men;s.- Cheyenne ITy.l Dispatc,i GioJe
D>Ia0cra