Queho

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