Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-07-04
From LADY Footpad to Salvation Army Lassie
Was CoIorfu Career of 1.-THE Montana Terror"

When she could no longer continue
her masquerade and remain at home,
Helen ran away and obtained a Job
as a cowpuncher on a 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 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
compliment to her skill at poker.
On the ranch where Helen worked
was a young Scoundrel called Leo Har-
roId. Helen became infatuated with her
co-worker and confided in him. They
decided that working for a cowhand's
wages was a slow way TO acquire riches
and decided to get into a 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 a 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 highwaymans life
and no longer was there an incentive
for her to seek honest work. Money
was what she wanted and she wanted
1t fast. She soon picked up another
partner who called himself Henry
Clarke and who had a police record but
had had little experience as a high
wayman. Under Helens tutoring he
became an apt student. Always during
their working hours Helen retained
the leadership and always gave the
impression Of being the more desperate
OF the two. They expanded their bust
ness to take In Butte, Missoula and
Helena and showed no Partially to
any town. Their method used for a
holdup was Helen's approach and a
demand to stick EN- up" backed by
a menacing shotgun after which
Clarke would frisk the victim. For a
long period Of time the two carried
on their partnership, but as had hap
pened to many who had piled the
same trade. their career was finally
brought to close.
Helens story concerning her rela-
tionship with Clarke and her daring
business was related In her own words
at her trial. Her story went as follows:
ION Aug. %, 1891, was 20 years
old and I have known Clarke about |
"a years. first met him at my fathers
ranch In Washington near Rockford,
about % miles out Of Spokane. He was
working at that time for a railroad
contractor by the name Of Andrew
Peterson. One Sunday insisted upon
going to church, a distance of two
miles and a half. AS father was away
from home with the team, I walked to
a neighbours house where I met Clarke.
He had a horse and buggy and he
asked me where I wanted to 60 told
him and he invited me to go with him.
He asked me to wait until o'clock
when he would return for me which
he did. Our friendship grew rapidly
from then on and I often went to
church with him.
"A couple Of years ago he coaxed
me to run off with him. We agreed TO
20 to Spokane together to hunt work.
/ secured a room at the Eagle hotel
IN Spokane where Clarke came often
10 see me.
II worked for two months at the
MOTEL and then returned home where
Clarke visited me the first evening