CAREER OF FEMALE COWBOY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10461, 5 June 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

CAREER OF FEMALE COWBOY.

WOMAN WHO KILLED FIVE MEN. Mrs. Clara Omo, one of the moat widelyknown " cowboy" women ttiab ever rode a broncho, died at Perry, Oklahama Territory, a shorfc time ago. She was a little more than 50 years old, arid Vfae at good a Bhot as any woman in tha West. She had killed five men-three whites and two Indians. The first man whom Mrs. Omo killed was in the acb of shooting her father. The last man ehe killed was Ed. Smith, who paid the penalty of trying to dishonour her. Clara was a constant companion of her father on their ranch. The Martins soon became favourites with the Indians, especially the Caddos. The Indians Visited the family, and little Clara would accompany them to their camps, where ehe woiild shoot her rifle in matches with the bucks. She also learned to handle the bow and ai'row with as much ease as did a Caddo. All Clara's Indian acquaintances were delighted with her shooting dnd riding, and bad wonderful things to flay to the "Little. Pale Rose." Often the old equaws would paint Clara's face, and in this disguise she was taken home sometimes to her parents, accompanied by members of the tribe. When Clara was 16 she went with her father one day to look after the cattle. On their journey they met Cbe-wah-foh, a Caddo, who for some time had held a grudge against old Martin. Che-wah-foh wag in a bad mood that day, arid began a quarrel with Martin. Clara was on her pony a short distance away, and was watching the Indian closely. In a fib of anger Che-wah-foh raised his rifle to shoot Martin, but no sooner had the gun reached hie shoulder than Clara sent a ballet through bis head. He fell dead to the ground. The killing of Che-wah-foh was soon made known to the other members of the tribe, who ever afterwards looked on tbe Martins as deadly enemies. The mutual visits were discontinued. Only now and then would a Caddo venture to the Martin cottage. One month after the killing Clara was id the bouse alone, her father and mother Caddo appeared at the door, arid, finding Clara alone, offered her an insult. Ten minutes afterwards the father and mother returned and found the Indian dead in the doorway. This second killing so enraged the Caddos that old Martin was fearful of an attack. He got rid of a part of his stock, moved his family many miles away, and lived in peace for six months. He was followed by a small band of Caddos, but afterwards was assured thab they meant no harm. Still Martin felt uneasy, and ■was always on the watch. For six months the Martin family was not molested by the Caddos. Occasionally a buck would make a short call, and evince much friendship, especially for Clara. Among the Caddos Was a white renegade called Bill. He had often attempted to make love to Clara Martin, but bad been refused by her, and before the departure from the old home Mrs. Martin had ordered Mm from the house. One day Bill dropped in at the Martins' new home. He was drunk, and found the mother and Clara alone. He began to make threats that he would kill the whole family if Clara would not consent to be bis wife. He looked at Clara, and started to kiss her. Clara grabbed her pistol, and when the smoke cleared away Bill lay dead on the cabin floor.' The killing of the white renegade cut for ever tbe last) bond of friendship between the Caddos and the Martins, for the Indians had held Bill in high esteem. Old Martin knew this, and he began preparations to leave the country at once for a white settlement. Be knew hie doom was sure if he tarried long, so he bundled uphia possessions and started towards the setting sun. For several weeks the family travelled West, and at length came to a settlement of whites on the Colorado and Nebraska line. The Martins were asked to stop there. They looked about for a ranch, found one to suit them, and settled in a new home, Clara Martin

soon became a favourite in the settlement. She showed her ejpertnessin the use of the riSe and pistol. She often gave exhibitions, shooting an egg from the top of her father's head. The men would put up two potts 50 yards apart, and Clara would ride her pony between them at full speed and hit each. In the white settlement there was a typical " bad man," John Dean, He was • gambler, and one day, in playing with old Martin, he lost all his money. Hit losses angered Dean, and he shot' Martin in the shoulder. He was about to shoot the old man again when Clara sent a bullet through his breast. The wound was mortal. He was Clara's fourth dead man, and she was not yet 22. In the same white settlement lived young William Omo. From the time Omo first met Clara Martin be made love to her, and one month after the last killing Justice Jamison made the two husband and

wife. Omo was a trapper and hunter, besides a retired cowboy. In hie daily vocation hie wife was always at his tide. She could beat Bill Omo riding and shooting, »nd could tie a steer in lees than half the time that he required for the same job. Ten years passed away, and Hugh B. Martin and bis wife were laid under the sod of Colorado. The fame of Montana for wealth had reached the ears of Bill Omo, and he soli out his possession, and, with waggone, ponies, and wife, started for a new borne. He settled in the Little Black Gaol canon, Iβ miles from Bntte. He had from ten to forty men iu his employ, and Among them was Edward Smith, about 30 years old, who had lived in Rochester, N.Y. Smith remained in Omo'e employ two years. Once when Omo stayed late in Butte on business, and Mr*. Omo was the only woman in the house, Smith knocked »t her room door. There were a dozen men ' sleeping in the house at the time, and Mrs, Omo bad no fear. She hastened to .the door, thinking her husband wan there, but instead she found Smith. Ho said he wanted to talk with her. Mrs. Omo told him to say what ho hud to say, and Smith tried to pu*h his way into the room. Sheslammed the door in hie face. Onto dismissed Smith, and he went) away breathing threats. He told Mrs. Omo that he would get even with her. For three months nothing was heard from Smith. One evening Mrs. Omo was taking a nap on the sofa, when somebody entered. The woman was half roused, but she thought) the person who had come in was her husband, Tho next moment sho wan aroused by a man kissing her, and on opening her eyes met the gaze of the dreaded Ed. Smith, who held a long knife over her. " Von know what I want, Clara Omo," he said. The woman bounded from- the sofa, and Smith made a plunge at hor with his knife. The keen edge split her dress and cut her skin. A hard struggle took place. The woman , was without weapons but she made a fight. For a minute both fought like wild beasts. Then Mrs. Omo got near her bed and snatched up her pistol from the pillow. Smith' knew how Clara Omo could handle a pistol. He made a rush at her, bub the • knocked him away, and put a bullet in his aide. The blood began to flow. Both she and Smith were goon covered' with it, but they fought on. .Around and around the room they went, each watching a chance to end the other's life. Mrs. Omo got another ■hot, bub Smith then knocked ' the pistol from her hand. The second ball entered his leg. Meantime Smith had out her apron and dress into shreds. ' Finally a puff of wind blew open the door, and the woman broke away from the man's grasp and ran into the yard, She had (tone about twenty pacts when she felt the keen edge of the knife pass down her back, bringing out the blood. She turned and again faced Smith. ;: In her flight Mrs. Omo had teized another pistol,' but Smith knocked it from her hand, and it Bank into the snow. • There W8» » struggle for the possession of the - weapon. The woman knew that her time ' had come if Smith got his hands on the - pistol, and Smith knew that his life depended on keeping her away from it. Around through the snow they fought in - despe ration. The woman's hair, six feet h long, was dragging in the snow. It was :', clotted with frozen blood, mixed with snow ■rid ice. She" regained her pistol. ■•; Smith made fin* l plunge, but was k> weak that Vbe staggered; Mr«. Omo placed the pistol ■gainst hi* heid and fired. One < minute s'later Smith lay dead -on the snow, and Mrs. Omo lay not five, feet:away unconscious. Two bourn/afterwards Bill Omo returned home and found-bis i.wife where she had ; fallen. Two weeks elUrthie.eacountsrClara arrested by. the Sheriff of Butt* ¥f& th* murder of Edward Smith., one wu *u£eT^sd° citiwni of the. town which she carried t». to th«<derof her death. • ■■■ • Vr ' ''■''-•''' 1 " ;: ■■■;;: