The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1892-01-02
A BANDIT QUEEN.
Surrounded by Outlaws in the
Australian Wilds.
Rseiaimsd ~ Love from Her Wild aud
LAwless fAss aud Now Residing
with Her Husband IN
America.

Three years ago Mrs. Wharton ]. An
derson, u middle aged woman Of rare
beauty, was the leader OF band OF out
laws In Australia Although possessed
Of over q quarter Of million Of dollars,
she went 10 that wild country, collected
the band and placed herself al the head
Of IT, Her object was not to steal, but
70 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
20 them she became known as "The
Bandit Queen
Up 10 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 q year old, she was adopted
by Maj. +. Thompson, cruel, stern
man, who absolutely governed her as a
man would an animal. A woman, he al
ways declared, was simply a slave.
About four years ago he died, leaving
all his property 10 his adopted daugh-
ter.
When she found herself in possession
of fortune she knew at last that the
aim Of her life was reached. She con-
verted everything into cash and went to
Australia.
Gradually she gathered around her
men who were well-known in that
country for fearlessness 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 large monthly salary,
and all they had TO do to earn il was to
obey her.
Mounted on the finest horses that
could be procured with the queen at
the head, the band that was soon 10 be-
come famous rode to the large wooden
house that had purposely been erected
in a secluded and most desolate 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 obeyed. She went so far as
TO attempt 10 mold the mems thoughts.
Gradually it became known that
beautiful woman was the leader of
lawless 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 10 behold her.
William Griffin, young officer Of the
queens army, who was stationed in
Australia, became possessed of a
strange idea that he must see TIE mys-
terions woman who, Dame Rumor said,
was remarkably beautiful. Securing a
leave of absence he set out for her pal
acc, and after a 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 70 the letter Two hours each day
he spent in her presence and listened
silently 10 her as she told him of his
many faults and the many reforms that
would have 10 occur before he was lib
Grated. He was made TO ride the wick
edest Of horses, perform daring feats he
never thought he was capable OF, and
sometimes he was compelled to work
about the place.
When three months had gone he was
ushered into the leaders presence, and
after she compelled him 70 take an oath
70 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 j.
Anderson, a wealthy young English
man, who was travelling in Australia,
heard OF "The Bandit Queen" and de-
termined 10 see her and find out II all
the queer tales he had heard 4bout 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
50 was Anderson dealt with. He, how
ever, rebelled 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 Ander-
son at Sydney, and they Immediately
sailed for America, landing in San Fran
cisco few months ago