Ann Bassett
Ann Bassett

Ann Bassett was quite the woman, running a ranch in northwest Colorado around the turn of the century.  She was involved in the range wars. She was friends with Butch Cassidy and members of the Wild Bunch. And they called her “Queen Ann.”

The nickname came about when a reporter was following her around the ranch, working on a profile story.  Ann got exasperated with his presence and questions and told him to go away. The article came out—and the writer sarcastically called her “Queen.”  It stuck. Ann loved it.

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