The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-31
A BANDIT QUEEN.
Surrounded by Outlaws In tho.
Australian Wilds.
Reclaimed by Love from Her Wild and
Lawless Lilo and Now Residing
with Hor Husband In
America.


of over quarter of q million of dollars,
she went to that wild country, collected
the band and placed herself ut the head
of it. Her object was not to steal, but
to enable her, for the first time in her
life, to have absolutely her own way in
everything and make her will law Her
outlaws-for outlaws they certainly
were-were paid to do her bidding, and
to them she became known as ''Thc
Bandit Queen
Up to the time she was twenty-five
years of age, says the San Francisco EX-
aminer, she had never had her wish in
the slightest thing, and even her small
est wish was denied. Left an orphan
when but year old, she was adopted
by Maj. E. Thompson, n cruel, stern
man, who absolutely governed her rs n
man would an animal. A woman, he al
ways declared, was simply slave.
About four years ago he died, leaving
all his property to his adopted daugh-
ter.
When she found herself in possession
of fortune she knew ut last that the
aim of her life was reached. She con-
vertcd rything into cash and went to
Australia.
Gradually she gathered around her
men who were well-known in that
country for fearlcssness and who lived
on the proceeds of their unlawful acts.
She finally collected band of thirty
members. Each she compelled to take
an oath to do her slightest wish. To
each she paid II large monthly salary,
and all they had to do to earn it was to
obey her.
Mounted on the finest horses that
could be procured, with the queen at
the head, the band that was soon to be-
come famous rode to the large wooden
house that had purposely been erected
an a secluded and most dcsolatc spot
There they lived on every luxury that
the season afforded Dressed in daz-
zling costume the queen commanded
them, and her most absurd order was
Instantly obeycd. She went SO far as
to attempt to mold the mems thoughts.
Gradually it became known that
beautiful woman was the leader of n
1awless band and the strange house be-
came the sole topic of conversation.
She was declared to be enormously rich
and many weird stories were told about
her. She never appeared in the towns
or cities, and she was mystery to
all
Many wealthy Englishmen heard of
her, and all desired to behold her.
William Griffin, n young officer of the
queens army, who was stationed in
Australia, became possessed of n
strange idea that he must see the mys-
ferrous woman who, Dame Rumor said,
was remarkably beautiful. Securing n
leave of absence he set out for her pal
ace, and after n weary journey he found
himself within her grounds.
No sooner had he entered than he
was seized by armed men and roughly
rushed into the presence of the one he
sought.
''You are my prisoner for three
months" she said, land for three
months you must obey my wishes"
Each day she issued written set of
orders for the prisoner to execute and
his keepers saw that he obeyed the or
ders to the letter. Two hours each day
he spent in her presence and listened
silently to her as she told him of his
many faults and the many reforms that
would have to occur before he was lib
Grated. He was made to ride the wick
eldest OF horses, perform daring fcats he
never thought he was capable of, and
sometimes he was compelled to work
about the place.
When three months had gone he was
ushercd into the leaders presence, and
after she compelled him to take an oath
to respect all women for the remainder
of his life he was escorted by mounted
men about two miles from the place and
set at liberty.
About nine months ago Wharton ].
Anderson, wealthy young English
man, who was travelling in Australia,
heard of THE Bandit Qneen," and de-
fermined to see her and find out if all
the queer tales he had heard about her
were true. With some difficulty he
sought her out, and when he had en-
tered the grounds he was seized, as
Others before him had been, and ush-
cred into the leaders presence.
In the same way as Griffin was treated
SO was Anderson dealt with. He, how
ever, rcbelled and declined either to
obey orders or listen to any directions
whatever.
OF one thing he was positive. He
knew that he loved this mysterious and
beautiful woman, and he determined to
make her his wife or die in the attempt
Somehow or other she acted strangely
In his presence, and the end of it all
was that love conquered
Two weeks afterward the home was
deserted and the band had separated.
Mable Thompson, no longer the Bandit
Queen" was married to young Antler-
son at Sydney, and they Immediately
sailed for America, landing IN san Fran
cisco few months ago.
DarI,a,,onto.- 0,.....-.,