The Wyoming Lynching of Cattle Kate, 1889

By George W. Hufsmith

Book Overview

The Lynching of Cattle Kate (Ellen Watson) and Jim Averell by six prominent cattlemen filled the pages of Wyoming newspapers in 1889. The popular myth of the West was that Watson was a prostitute who galloped across the prairies and bartered sex for calves. For years residents of the Sweetwater Valley knew that these stories were not true. They knew that Ellen Watson's biggest crime was legally claiming a homestead on a piece of ground being used as a hay meadow by cattleman Albert Bothwell. Now, for the first time, an author has searched through the layers of fabrication and uncovered the true story.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0931271142
• ISBN13: 9780931271144
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: High Plains Press
• Length: 367 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Hufsmith works hard to debunk 100 years of rumor.

Cattle Kate (Ella Watson) was the only woman ever hanged in Wyoming. For years afterward the history books portrayed her as a wanton hussy who traded her favors to lonely passers-by while shamelessly rustling their cattle in the meantime. Hufsmith, however, has done an incredible amount of research to prove that such was not the case. In fact, claims Hufsmith, Ella was never called Cattle Kate before her unfortunate demise. That moniker was rustled(sorry) up by a Cheyenne newspaper editor who was in cahoots with the wealthy rancher who wanted Ella's land bad enough to kill her for it and make up a pack of lies about her which have survived until today. Another fascinating mystery in Wyoming history, which unfortunately, has never drawn the attention that the other mystery--that of Tom Horn-has garnered throughout the historical community. Read Hufsmith's book. Analyze both sides of the "Cattle Kate" story. What do you think really went on?