Boone Helm: The Kentucky Cannibal

A Notorious Tale of the Old West

In the dusty, lawless expanses of the American frontier, few names struck fear quite like Levi Boone Helm, infamously known as the Kentucky Cannibal. Born on January 28, 1828, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, Helm's life spiraled into infamy as he traversed the Wild West, leaving a trail of death and horror in his wake. His life, marked by violence and cannibalism, came to a grim end on January 14, 1864, when he was executed in Virginia City, Montana, at the age of 35.

Early Life: Strength and Rebellion

Helm's early years were spent in the rolling hills of Kentucky. Born to Joseph B. Helm and Nancy Wilcox, his family relocated to Jackson Township, Monroe County, Missouri, while he was still a boy. From a young age, Helm delighted in showcasing his physical prowess, often throwing his Bowie knife into the ground and retrieving it while riding a horse at full gallop. His disdain for authority was evident when he once rode his horse up the courthouse stairs during a session, brazenly confronting the judge.

In 1851, Helm married 17-year-old Lucinda Frances Browning in Monroe County, Missouri, and they had a daughter named Lucy. However, Helm's vicious temper and heavy drinking soon turned their home into a battleground. His alarming behavior—riding his horse into the house and beating his wife—led Lucinda to file for divorce, a process financed by Helm's father. With his family's reputation in ruins, Helm set his sights on the gold-rich lands of California.

A Journey into Darkness: Murder and Cannibalism

Helm's journey west was marred by violence from the outset. He invited his cousin, Littlebury Shoot, to accompany him. When Shoot attempted to back out, Helm's rage culminated in murder; he stabbed his cousin and continued westward alone. Though captured and convicted, Helm's cunning led to his confinement in a mental asylum, from which he soon escaped.

Resuming his westward trek, Helm left a bloody trail, killing several men during altercations. He boasted of his cannibalistic acts to his companions, claiming, "Many's the poor devil I've killed, at one time or another—and the time has been that I've been obliged to feed on some of 'em."

An attack by Native Americans forced Helm and his party into the wilderness. As their situation grew dire, they resorted to eating their horses. Eventually, only Helm and a man named Burton remained. When Burton could no longer continue, Helm left him, only to return as Burton ended his life with a pistol. Helm consumed one of Burton's legs and preserved the other for the road ahead.

Helm's next encounter was with John W. Powell at an Indian camp. Powell took Helm to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Helm, despite possessing significant wealth, neither paid nor thanked Powell for his assistance. In San Francisco, Helm continued his spree, killing a rancher who had offered him shelter.

Helm's heinous acts extended to Oregon, where he lived by robbing and murdering. In 1862, after a heavy bout of drinking, Helm shot an unarmed man named Dutch Fred in a saloon. On the run again, he resorted to cannibalism with another fugitive. Although captured, Helm's brother, "Old Tex," managed to bribe witnesses, leading to Helm's release. He then joined his brother in Texas before reemerging in familiar territories, continuing his murderous ways.

Capture and Execution: The End of a Reign of Terror

Helm's criminal career reached its conclusion in Montana, where he joined forces with the notorious Henry Plummer and his gang. However, justice was closing in. Helm and four other gang members were arrested and secretly tried. Helm brazenly lied under oath, implicating his close ally "Three-Fingered" Jack Gallagher in crimes Helm himself had committed.

On January 14, 1864, the Montana Vigilantes delivered their verdict. In front of a crowd of six thousand in Virginia City, they hanged Helm, Gallagher, and others. As he witnessed Gallagher's execution, Helm quipped, "Kick away old fellow. My turn next. I'll be in Hell with you in a minute." When his moment came, Helm defiantly shouted, "Every man for his principles! Hurrah for Jeff Davis! Let 'er rip!" before jumping from the hangman's box.

Boone Helm's final resting place is Boot Hill cemetery in Virginia City, a grim reminder of the brutality that characterized his life.

See Also

• Liver-Eating Johnson
• List of incidents of cannibalism
• List of serial killers in the United States

Sources

• Young, Jason (Summer 2001). "Kentucky Cannibal in Cariboo: A Story of the Killer, Boone Helm". The Gold Rush Trail Journal. 2 (1). British Columbia, Canada: Ron Young: 9, 12, 14, 16. ISBN 0-7627-3624-0.
• United States Census, 1840
• Hough, Emerson (1905). "Old West Legends: Boone Helm – Murderer, Cannibal & Thief".
• Langford, Nathaniel Pitt (1912). Vigilante Days and Ways: The Pioneers of the Rockies. A. C. McClurg. pp. 74–81.
• Axline, Jon (2005). Still Speaking Ill of the Dead: More Jerks in Montana History. The Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 0-7627-3624-0.
• Pace, Dick (1980). "The Spell of the West – Montana Vigilantes". Archived from the original on 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
• The Vigilantes of Montana Thomas Dimsdale
• Young, Ron. "Kentucky Cannibal In Cariboo: A Story of the Killer Boone Helm". Retrieved 2011-02-23.

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