Queho

Queho (born around 1880;^[1] his name was also spelled Quehoe on his grave^[2] or Quejo in other sources^[3]) was a Native American outlaw and renegade^[4][5] whose exploits became part of Nevada legend.^[6] Many deaths were blamed on Queho and so he earned the title of being the first mass murderer in the state of Nevada.^[7] and "The mad Indian"^[8]

Biography

Queho was an outcast,^[9] being called a "half-breed"^[10] in the days when being half native American Indian^[11] was not accepted. Queho's mother was from the Cocopah tribe.^[12] 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.^[13] He is said to have killed his half-brother and a 100-year-old blind Indian known to Queho as Canyon Charlie.^[14] Queho had a club foot,^[15] which left a distinctive impression^[16] when he was being trailed. He is alleged to have eluded posses^[17] 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.^[18] Others say he was a cold-blooded killer^[19] who would do anything to stay alive and survive. Queho was blamed for the death of Maude ("Daisy") J. Douglas^[20] after a search outside the cabin at the Techatticup Mine^[21] in Nelson, Nevada. Settlers said Queho cursed the land. They called it "The Curse of Queho."^[22] In March 1919, the reward for capturing Queho "dead or alive" increased from an initial bounty of $1,000 to $3,000.^[23][24][25]

In 1940, prospectors working near the Colorado River discovered a cave containing the mummified remains^[26] of the Nevada desperado. His remains were buried^[27][28] only after being purchased by Queho's old nemesis, Frank Wait, a law officer,^[29] before being given to the Las Vegas Elks Club,^[30] who exhibited the remains at Helldorado Days.^[31] District attorney Roland Wiley secured the remains and gave Queho a proper burial^[32] at Cathedral Canyon, Nevada.^[33]

Media portrayals

Queho was portrayed by actor Buddy Noonan in Bill Burrud's Treasure television series^[34] in Part 1^[35] and Part 2^[36] of the episodes on "Queho's Secret Hideout," which aired in 1958.

References