The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-27
BLACK JACK PUT TO DEATH
The Noted Train RObher Hanged al
Clayton, n. NJ.
Three of His Companions EyOner-
ated by the Desperate in "a Letter
to the Presidcnt-Went to the Gal
lows After Listening to Music.

CLAYTON. N NJ. April 26.-The
crowds that gathered yesterday to wit
ness the execution today of Thomas
Ketchum. alias BLACK Jack was aug
mented by about 1000 cowboys and
miners, all heavily armed. They came
expecting an attempt on the part of the
noted outlaws friends to rescue him,
but they were doomed to disappoint-
ment, as the hanging was carried out
without interference.
The scene today rivals anything in
the palmy days of the early West, but
if Jack had any friends they concealed
their identity. His brother, Berry. the
wealthy cattleman, Of Texas, was not
present.
The same nerve that characterized
the prisoner all through life did not de-
sert him today. He slept soundly last
night, and this morning at 1880 ate a
hearty breakfast. When asked by the
sheriff at what time he would be ready,
he replied:
''Oh. suit yourselves. L am contented,
just SO l arrive in - for dinner
He requested music, and a violinist
was found who went to his cell. The
man spent two hours there playing to
him
BLACK jack remarked: This is my
last music" He then wrote a letter to
President Mckinley, telling him that he
expected to die like a man. and re-
questing him to pardon three men now
serving time in the Santa Fe peniten-
tiary for crime that. he says, was
committed by his brother Sam, who is
now dead VIII Carver. "Broncho Bill"
and himself. The men he thus exOner-
ates are Leonard Albare, Dave Atkins,
and Edward (ulten.
He told his attorney today where he
concealed the articles and money Sc
cured in the Southern Pass hold-up
that occurred in Arizona in 1897 He
says some of the money and goods are
still there.
At 1880 a. m. he began dressing for
the execution. He wore a black sack
coat and waistcoat, with black trous-
ers, white shirt and white bow tie. At
1880 p. m. he ate a light lunch. He
then sent for a priest, and while he re-
fused to talk to him listened respect
fully to his counsel. AT lis the march
to the gallows commenced. Jack
boldly walked unsupported.
At LII, without the slightest tremor,
Ketchum mounted sthe scaffoId He
aided the sheriff to adjust the black
cap. He refused to make the promised
farewell speech. His only words were:
Good bye; dig my grave deep. please"
The trap was sprung at 1:21 p. M, let
ting his body shoot into space like an
arrow. The rope cut Ketchums head
from the body as smoothly as though it
had been done with huge knife. The
body was at once place in a coffin.
BLACK Jack" was Texas product.
and the most noted desperate of the
Southwest. Although he boasted Of
having taken the lives of many fellow
beings, yet he finally paid the forfeit
with his own life for an attempted train
robbery. in which no one was killed.
This crime was committed near Folsom,
N NJ, on August IS, 1899 Single-h hand
ed BLACK Jack" held up a Colorado and
Southern passenger train.
ilt lIlt Uldll dB cIll
opened fire on him. which he promptly
returned. lie received the contents of
a double -barreled shotgun in his right
arm, but, quickly changing the rifle 80
his left shoulder. he succeeded in
wounding both the conductor and the
mail agent. He escaped in the dark
ness, but was captured the rext day, !
and on trial was sentenced to ten years
in the penitentiary where it was found !
necessary To amputate his arm. In !
1900. he was tried on the |
charge of assault upon railroad train |
to commit felony, convicted, and SEN |
fenced to be hanged in November last. |
The execution was stayed until March |
on an appeal. and a reprieve was then |
granted until April 26.