Evening journal., 1889-07-23
A CATTLE QUEENS FATE.
Kate Maxwell Lynched by Wy
oming Vigilantes.
rHE END OF A STRANGE WOMAN.


Kate and Postmaster Averin stole Too
Many Mavericks and Were Strung Up
Lurid but Very Interesting story from
wyoming's wids.
CHEYENNE, Wy. T., July 28 james Aver
IN and the notorious cattle queen, Kate Max
well, have been lynchel by cowboys near
here. The scene Of the lawless but iustiaable
deed Of the midnight riders on tile Sweet
water river, 10 Carbon county near indie
pendence rock, is a place which became his
torical during the rush overland 70 the Cali
fornia gold fields. Averill was postmaster
at Sweotwater
Scene from Cattle Kate's Life.
Kate Maxwell was the heroine Of a sensa-
tional story which appeared in the newspa-
pers throughout the county three months
ago, when she raided a gambling house and
recovered large sum Of money won from her
employees Sloekmen Of the Sweetwater
region have been the victims Of cattle thieves
for years. Gu account Of prejudice against
the large outfits It has been impossible to con-
vict for these ofTenses, and the rustlers have
bfNRAAAH WY bNias 2ANhtAA anu hta ANAANAtt
able partner have been very active in thiev-
ing The woman could hold her own on the
range, riding like demon, shooting on the
slightest pref xt, and handling the lariat and
branding iron with the skill Of the mort ex-
pert yaquero. Fifty freshly branded year
ling steers were counted in the Averill and
Maxwell herds Saturday morning. A stock
detective, whose suspicious were aroused,
was driven from this place, when he was
noticed viewing the stolen property.
Desperate Ranchmen Decide TO Act.
This circumstance was reported 20 the
ranchmen, who determined TO rid the coun-
try of the desperate pair. Averill and the
woman have several times been ordered to
emigrate or cease appropriating mavericks,
but had disregarded all warnings After her
celebrated gambling house escapade, Mrs.
Maxwell degenerated from a picturesque
western character into a reckless prairie
virago Of loose morals and lost most Of her
following, but continued partnership with
the postmaster. Word was pissed along the
river, and from fifteen 10 twenty mer
gathered at designated place and gallopes
70 the cabin Of Averill and Cattle Kate with
out unnecessary noise.
The Cattle Thieves Captured.
The rustlers were at home, and a pee
through the window disclosed the thieves an
a boy in their employ sitting beside rud
fireplace smoking cigarettes. AS half
dozen men rushed into the room, a Winche'
ter was poked through each window and
command 20 throw up their hands was give
the cattle thieves with unmistakeahle en-
nestness. The trio sprang for their weapons
! but were quickly overpowered. Avert
begged and whned protesting his innocence
Kate cursed. Her execration Of the lynchef
was something terrible in its way. Sh
cursed everything and everybody, challeng
ing the Diety 10 harm her II He possessed III
power. An attempt was made 70 gag her
but her struggling was so violent that thi
was abandoned. She called for her ow
horse 70 ride TO the tree selected for a scaffol
and vaulted astride the animals back froI
the ground. Averill did not resist and th
: boy, who had been told that he would not
: harmed, followed. Either end Of the sam
rope was fastened about the necks Of th
Z rustlers as they sat in their saddles. The DO
J made pass with knife at the man who wa
: preparing Kate for hanging. He WI
I knocked insensihle by blow with the bui
Of revolver. The lad was a nephew Of h
bandit queen.
/ Kate's Ante-nIortem Speech.
When preparations for the execution ha
been completed, Averill and the woman vei
asked TO speak. The man spoke only Of h
r office, saying that he did not wish certai
e man TO be his successor. He was promise
: the influence Of the party for another cand
( date.
9 Kate made quite an address. She wishe
d the affair kept as quiet as possible, desirin
4 that her mother be kept in ignorance Of h'
4 disgraceful career and tragic death. IL vi
4 useless to deny that their herd had bee
4 stolen from the ranehmen Of that sectioi
= but If they did not wish 10 div.da it anon
o themselves she would like 70 have il sold an
i the money given TO home for friendle
girls Kate bade her nephew good-by al
commenced TO deliver a blasphemous ha
angue. The horses were led from under Il
! pair while Kate was sill cursing. Bot
!, kicked in lively style for ten or fifteen mi
/, utes. A few bullets were fired into Averil
: body and the lynchers rode away. 1t
a doubtful if an inquest viii be held, and Il
n executioners have no fear Of being punishe
4 The cattlemen have been forced TO this, al
d more hangings will follow unless there is le