Queho

Queho (born around 1880;^[3] his name was also spelled Quehoe on his grave^[4] or Quejo in other sources) was a Native American outlaw and renegade^[5] whose exploits became part of Nevada legend.^[3] 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[edit]

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.^{[citation needed]} Queho was speculated to be partially Mexican, his mother died shortly after birth.^{[citation needed]}

Queho took odd jobs around Eldorado Canyon. He is said to have killed his half-brother and a 100-year-old blind Indian known to Queho as Canyon Charlie.^[6] Queho had a club foot,^[11] which left a distinctive impression^[8] when he was being trailed. He is alleged to have eluded posses^[12] 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.^[13] Others say he was a cold-blooded killer who would do anything to stay alive and survive. Queho was blamed for the death of Maude ("Daisy") J. Douglas^[12] after a search outside the cabin at the Techatticup Mine in Nelson, Nevada. Settlers said Queho cursed the land. They called it "The Curse of Queho."^[14] In March 1919, the reward for capturing Queho "dead or alive" increased from an initial bounty of $1,000 to $3,000.^[2] In 1921, Queho was reported to have been sighted near the Colorado River.^[15]

In 1940, prospectors working near the Colorado River discovered a cave containing the mummified remains^[2] of the Nevada desperado. His body was discovered with blasting caps and dynamite that only could have come from the building of Boulder Dam, indicating he was alive at least until the early 1930s.^[2] His remains were buried only after being purchased by Queho's old nemesis, Frank Wait, a law officer, before being given to the Las Vegas Elks Club, who exhibited the remains at Helldorado Days. District attorney Roland Wiley secured the remains and gave Queho a proper burial^[16] at Cathedral Canyon, Nevada.^[17][18]

Media portrayals[edit]

Queho was portrayed by actor Buddy Noonan in Bill Burrud's Treasure in Part 1^[19] and Part 2^[20] of the episodes on "Queho's Secret Hideout," which aired in 1958. Queho's life was the subject of a song by Las Vegas singer-songwriter Russell Christian. ^[21][1]

See also[edit]

• List of homicides in Nevada

References[edit]