LYNCHING OF A WOMAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1944, 17 September 1889, Page 2

LYNCHING OF A WOMAN.

News has just reached New York of a serious lynching affair in the South. The victims were a notorious woman named Kate Maxwell, commonly known as " The Cattle Queen," and a man named James Averill, both living at the little settlement of Sweet Water, Wyoming. It seems that for years past Averill, who was postmaster, assisted by this woman and a gang of thieves, made quite a fortune from the cattle which they stole from neighboring ranches. The gang being rather a formidable one, the ranchmen for a long time were afraid to interfere, but they became so exasperated of late, owing to an increase of depredations, that a sudden descent was made on the postmaster's cabin by a howling mob, and he and his female partner

were carried to an adjoining wood, where ropes were put round their necks, and they were suspended to branches, death resulting in a short time from hanging. Before being lynched Averill beseeched the mob to use their influence in not letting, a certain person whom he mentioned succeed to the vacant post. The woman cursed fearfully, and begged them to keep the affair quiet for her mother's sake, as she did not know of her evil career. She admitted that

the cattle found in their possession were stolen, but said she wanted to sell them and give the proceeds to some friendless girls whom she knew. The gang have now dispersed.