Browning chief., 1942-05-01
From Lady Footpad to Salvation Army Lassie
Was Colorful Career of 1.-THE Montana Terror"
BY JEAN MOORE

II was a crisp autumn day Of
Oct. 8, 1891, in the youthful mining
town Of Helena, and the settlement
was wild with excitement. For
months its residents had suffered
from the persecution Of two un-
known bandits until none dared
venture forth without full prOtec-
tion even for the smallest journey.
Missoula and Butte, too. had suf-
fered at the hands Of these bandits
and had put out every effort to
catch them but with no results.
Now, at last. after months of play
ing hide and seek with the officers
Of the law, the bandits had finally
been captured.
Many stories had been circulated
concerning the bandits, all related by
their victims. Although their descrip-
tions varied slightly with the telling,
all agreed that the younger fellow was
the spokesman and the more desperate
of the two. The victim Of the holdup
never argued or seemed unconvinced
that the gun held so uncomfortably
close to him would fail to go off should
any resistance be shown.
A Helena policeman, John Grogan,
was patrolling his beat when out of
the shadows a suspicious looking
character appeared, who was armed
with revolver. He first emerged from
behind a business building and then
suddenly made a dive for the protect
ing darkness of an alley. Shouting out
into the dark, Grogan told the appari-
ton that he was arrested and to halt.
He received as an answer bullet
which lodged in his right lung. He
was just able to shout for help and
was Immediately taken to the hospital
where he told his story.
Three HOldups in One Night
Reports at the police station showed
that three holdups had been reported
that night and the police connected
the shooting of the officer with the
recent holdups and decided that they
had better get busy. Officers were
stationed at different parts Of the city
and the entire town was under police
protection.
The next day young man was ar
rested on charges of being suspicious
character, but much to the surprise
Of the police, the young man" turned
out to be a young woman. After a
night OF continued questioning she
broke down and confessed to the po-
lice that she was really Helen Fors-
lund and that her accomplice was a
man by the name of Henry Clarke, a
fugitive Of the law.
The trial drew large crowd. Girl
gangsters, or footpads, in those days,
were not common sight. Helen con-
vinced the jury that she had not left
her room on the night of the robbery.
and that she was given a watch by
Clarke who had presented it to her
the morning after the robbery. Clarke
accepted full blame for everything. and
the jury, which was perhaps inclined
to be lenient because the defendant
was woman, completely exonerated
Helen. So, after participating in vari-
GUS holdups and a train robbery, not
to mention petty thievery, the lady
bandit was free once more.
Although 20 years of age at the
time of her arrest, Helen had led an
unusual and dramatic life. Born of
Norwegian parents who located on a
ranch near Spokane, Helen became a
popular leader of the younger crowd.
Helen, however had no time for girls
games or dress and consistently fav-
ored boys as company. Noted for being
a tomboy, she excelled at all sports
and few there were who would compete
with her
Having no girlish vanity, Helen one
day decided that she would never be
a pretty girl but that she might be
able to pass as a good looking boy.
After attiring herself in her brothers
clothes, she was more than satisfied
with herself and much against the
pleading Of her parents, Helen con-
tinued In her role of young man.
When she could no longer continue
her masquerade and remain at home,
Helen ran away and obtained a job
as a cowpuncher on cattle ranch.
It was not hard for her to qualify on
her new job and soon she won the
respect of the entire crew with her
lassoing and trick riding. Going now
under the name of Charlie Miller, she
learned to play a good game of poker,
often relieving her fellow workmen OF
their monthly checks To emphasize
her toughness she drank, smoked.
chewed and swore She later acquired
the name of the Poker Kid" as a
compliment to her skill at poker.
Helen Falls in Love
On the ranch where Helen worked
was a young scoundrel called Leo Har-
rold Helen became infatuated with her
co-worker and confided in him. They
decided that working for cowhand's
wages was slow way to acquire riches
and decided to get into more profit
able business. After talking things
over they joined up as partners in a
new business, in which they would
specialize in relieving unwary travellers
OF their valuables. Although their bust
ness netted them a good income at
the first, the partnership lasted but a
short time, terminating when Harold
pulled out with the loot and headed
for California. A short while after his
getaway he was caught in the act OF
burglary by policeman who paid with
his life when the burglars bullet lodged
in his heart Harold was tried for
murder and sentenced to life imprison-
ment in San Quentin.
Helen, out on her own again, had
had a taste of a highwayman's life
and not longer was there an incentive
for her to seek honest work. Money
was what she wanted and she wanted
r. fast She soon nicked llp another