North Park union., 1901-05-03
BLACK JACK TO BE
HANGED AT CLAYTON

CLAYTON. n. NJ, April 25.-(Denver
Republican Special.)-The friends OF
BLACK Jack" Ketchum have spoken,
but their foolhardy efforts Will avaii
the convicted train robber nothing,
and he will undoubtedly be hanged
Friday.
A false reprieve message was recel!-
ed yesterday by Sheriff Garcia OF TINS
(Union) county, ostensibly from Gov
ernor Otero. reading as follows:
by request Of President Mckinley,
defer execution of Thomas ketchum
to May 25. 1901"
The telegram has been proven =
pure forgery, as Governor Otero mas
sent an official denial from Las We
gas, disavowing all knowledge OF the
message and promising to search out
the perpetrator of the forgery. the
Santa Fe telegraph office closed Mt
p. m, consequently nothing could De
done in the search last night
Detective W. H. Reno Of the Colora-
do & Southern, who has devoted years
to the running down of the bandit,
was greatly alarmed nt the apparent
stay to his efforts at the eve of the
moment when death would forever
place "Black Jack" beyond the posi-
bilIty of another train robbery. He
asked verification from Governor
Otero and was relieved by reply that
no such telegram had been sent, and
that any orders from Washington af-
fecting a change in the arrangements
for the hanging would be verified by
wire
The whole town was thrown into
great excitement shortly after the ar
rival of the carefully guarded train
robber, when the receipt Of the re-
prieve wns announced. No doubt OF Its
authenticity appeared TO exist except
in the minds OF Detective Reno and
others of the posse In charge Of the
condemned man.
The supposed reprieye appeared to
be as much of surprise to the most
interested man as 1t was to the stun
ned officers. ketchum, when seen by
The Republican correspondent this af-
ternoon, disclaimed any knowledge Of
the attempt to stay his execution, but
was much gratified though absolutely
declining to make statement.
Up to this time he had shown little
interest In his fate. and had passed
away 4he greater part of his time noE-
chalantly playing cards with his
guards.
The receipt of the forged reprieve,
before Its falsity was discovered, put
the officers connected with the hanging
in a Quandary. Captain Fort Of Las
Vegas, who has charge of the execu-
tion, did not know what disposition to
make of BLACK Jack" under the cir
cumstances, and Immediately wired
Judge Mills for solution.
There Is much speculation In Clay
tn In ~ nf hn nj
the forged telegram. Little doubt ex-
lists in the minds Of the officers but
that one of Ketchum's numerous
friends or pals sought In this manner
to stay the death of the law-breaker,
but the absurdity of forwarding the
dispatch forty-eight hours before the
execution, when the interval permit
ted the correction of the forgery, Is
not as easily understood.
Others advance the opinion that the
telegram is simply practical Joke on
the part Of some individual with u
misconception of what constitutes hu-
NOR.
Governor Otero and Judge Mills. at
East Las Vegas. have been In close
communication with the officials here,
but are unable to throw any light
which might lead to the detection OF
the person who filed the telegram at
Santa Fe.
The whole matter hns stirred up
much Indignation and excitement here,
and vague and conflicting rumors are
heard In the hotels and cafes.
Despite the uncertainty that exists
here preparations are steadily going
forward for the execution of BLACK
Jack between 10 a. III. and p. III.
Friday.
The special train bearing Ketchum
and his ten guards, headed by Sheriff
Garcia. arrivetLthis morning, and the
prisoner was Immediately taken to the
county jail where at his own request
he inspected the scaffold from which
he will swing Friday. before even be-
Ing shown TO his cell.
With perfect aplomb BLACK Jack"
critically looked the death dealer over
and remarked that 1T was good
piece of work"
But, gentlemen said the bandit,
ms he turned to go to his cell, II wish
you would take the stockade down, so
the boys can see me hanged" and then
laughingly and with perfectly col
lected manner he strolled away with
his guards.