Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-04-29

BLACK Jach idse h'-"e- 't'J Pic
caution was made to pd event his res
cue by friends who haa, sworn to dc
so. No attempt was II ade, however
Jack slept we'll. and this morning
wrote a letter to President Mckinley
The writer said he was awaiting his
execution calmly. but ufast address
the president this statement In order
that no Innocent man may hang for
crime of which he is not guilty.
In the letter the statement Is made
that the three men now confined in
the penitentiary at Santa Fe. charged
with robbing the mail at Stems Pass.
Arizona, in 1897. are gultless, and
that the men who did commit the
crime are: Dave Atkins. Ed. Gull
len. VIII Carver. Sam Ketchum,
"Broncho Bill and himself
Jack has given an attorney here
the names of the articles taken and
has designated the place where they
can be found. In conclusion the letter
says:
The three men mentioned first new
er committed a crime in their lives,
i
ment fully realizing that my end is
fast approaching, aud that must very
soon meet my Maker. Very respect
fully, your servant,
(Signed) "T. u. KETCHUM."
The confession has lifted load off
the shoulders of the authorities. In
consideration Of this act OF justice
| ,Ia an
Die would be done to secure the re-
lease of the men he says are innocent
and Justice for those lie declared to
be guilty.
He told Sheriff Garcia that his
brother confessed to the above eff
feet as he lay dying in prison at Santa
Fc, but that the confession was sup
pressed by the prison authorities.
The execution is set for II O'Clock
CLAYTON. N. NJ. April 26-The
large crowd that gathered yesterday
to witness the execution of Ketchum
was augmented by dawn to about q
thousand persons. The display o.
artillery on the persons of the visit
ors rivals the palmy days of Dodge
City.
If Black Jack had any friends here
they did not advertise the fact His
brother Berry. a wealthy cattleman,
was not present to see him swing
The excitement is less pronounced
today than 1t was yesterday. The
visitors came simply out of morbid
curiosity.
Sheriff Garcia asked the prisoner
when he preferred to die, and his re
by was: Any time before noon
ID like to be in hell for dinner" He
-efused to see priest or preacher
few minutes later he asked that ;
priest be sent for. He listened tc
he consolation of the holy man but
laid nothing in response. He ate
hearty breakfast and then allowed
himself to be shaved. He then an
lounced that he was ready Tor the triJ
o the gallows whenever Sheriff Gar
la found it convenient to perform his
'uty.
The remainder of the morning was
pent quietly. About IL o'clock the
prisoner asked for some music, an6
'iolin and guitar players were found
rhey played until noon, when light
unch was served
Sheriff Garcia then announced thai
he would have all in readiness ir
lalf an hour.
Just before leaving the Jail building
or the gallows Ketchum stated thai
he was not the original Black Jack
lie said he knew Black Jack. and knew
lis whereabouts, but would not revea
t, as Black Jack had never harmed
lim.
Ketchum confessed to many crimes
early all of which were committe'
I Arizona during the past four years
te took great pride in telling OF hi
riminal adventures.
When the prisoner left the jai
uilding there We're $50 people in thu
tockade, all that it would hold, wh'
lermitted to see the gallows.
ketchum mounted the scaffold al
l:17 p. M The trap was sprung at
':21.
The rope broke, but the fall jerked
iis head off.
The prisoner mounted the scaffod
Without tremor and aided the sher
fl in adjusting the black cap.
-Four minutes after he mounted thu
,allows the trap was sprung, at 1921
rhe heavy fall caused the rope To
Freak, but this did not interfere. In
stead it jerked the head from the
runk. The headless body quivered
n the dust about two minutes before
became still in death.
The sight so sickened those present
hat many almost faintei. Several
minutes elapseu before any one was
lble to speak. Then the officers
1uaking with horror, lifted the body
and placed it in coffin and put the
head in place.
Jack refused to make a speech on
the scaffold. He merely muttered
goodbye. thea said: 'Piease dig my
grave very deep. All right-hurry
up" ..
His legs trembled. but he kept his