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Queho

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Queho (born around 1880;[1] his name was also spelled Quehoe on his grave[2] or Quejo in other sources) was a Native American outlaw and renegade[3][4] whose exploits became part of Nevada legend.[5] Many deaths were blamed on Queho and so he earned the title of being the first mass murderer in the state of Nevada[6] and "The mad Indian"[7]

Biography

Queho was an outcast,[8] being called a "half-breed"[9] in the days when being half Native American[10] was not accepted. Queho's mother was from the Cocopah tribe.[11] It is said Queho was half Mexican because his father was a local miner, although this is not known with certainty. His mother died shortly after birth.

Queho took odd jobs around Eldorado Canyon.[12] He is said to have killed his half-brother and a 100-year-old blind Indian known to Queho as Canyon Charlie.[13] Queho had a club foot,[14] which left a distinctive impression[15] when he was being trailed. He is alleged to have eluded posses[16] and killed for food and supplies. Some say the fugitive Queho was not responsible for all of the murders that took place around the time period he lived.[17] Others say he was a cold-blooded killer[18] who would do anything to stay alive and survive. Queho was blamed for the death of Maude ("Daisy") J. Douglas[19] after a search outside the cabin at the Techatticup Mine[20] in Nelson, Nevada. Settlers said Queho cursed the land. They called it "The Curse of Queho."[21] In March 1919, the reward for capturing Queho "dead or alive" increased from an initial bounty of $1,000 to $3,000.[22][23][24]

In 1940, prospectors working near the Colorado River discovered a cave containing the mummified remains[25] of the Nevada desperado. His remains were buried only after being purchased by Queho's old nemesis, Frank Wait, a law officer,[26] before being given to the Las Vegas Elks Club, who exhibited the remains at Helldorado Days.[27] District attorney Roland Wiley secured the remains and gave Queho a proper burial[28] at Cathedral Canyon, Nevada.[29]

Media portrayals

Queho was portrayed by actor Buddy Noonan in Bill Burrud's Treasure television series[30] in Part 1[31] and Part 2[32] of the episodes on "Queho's Secret Hideout," which aired in 1958.

References