Why Was Nellie Naughty?

What happens when a murder mystery meets the Wild West, and the woman at the center becomes both a suspect and a sensation?

In 1883, the death of Clement Bothamley in Indian Territory set off a whirlwind of scandal, suspicion, and sensational headlines. At the heart of it all was Nellie (Benthusen) Bailey — a young woman whose life story reads like a Victorian thriller. Was she a cold-blooded killer, a master manipulator, or an innocent caught in a web of lies and lawlessness? In this episode, we unravel the tangled narratives of Nellie's trial, her shadowy personal life, and the public's obsession with her every move — from courtrooms to the press to her own published account.

Buckle up — this isn't just history. It's a true crime drama with a frontier twist.

For a self-study / teachers guide and the original source newspaper articles, visit www.PrairieTales.US.