The age-herald., 1901-04-27
Head|ess Trunk Fell Among
 the Spectators MANYSPATTERED WITH BLOOD Black Jack' the Train Robber
 Meets Awful Death THE BODY DROPPED SEVEN FEET Condemned Man Confessed to His Crime, and When All Wac Ready
 He Told the Sheriff To
 "Let Her Co.,"
THE BODY DROPPED SEVEN FEET

Clayton, N M. April 9s-Thomas E. Ketchum, alias Black Jack" the notor- ious outlaw, who had terrorized the peo- pie of the southwest for the last fifteen years, was hanged here this afternoon for train robbery, and his head was severed from the body by the rope as if by A guillotine. The headless trunk pitched forward toward the spectators and blood spattered upon those nearest the scaf- fold
 The execution took place inside a stock ade built for the occasion. The inclosure was crowded. 150 witnesses being admit ted. When Ketchum mounted the scaf- fold at 1:H p. m. his face was pale. but he showed no fear. A priest stood at his side as the rope was being put around his neck. The condemned man had con sented to this at the last moment. Ketch- um declined to make speech He mutt tered Goodbye" then said: Please dig my grave very deep,' and as the cap was drawn over his face shouted Let her, go' His legs trembled but his nerve did not fail.
 At 1:21 p. m. tic, drop was sprung, the body shot through ths, trap and the head was torn from the trunk by fDe trssnasp:' dous jerk The head remained in the sack ss \ and fell into the pit The body dropped to the ground quivering and bleeding. Some men groaned and others turned away unable to endure the sight.
 For a few seconds the body was allowed to lie there half doubled up on it's right side. with the blood issuing in an inter mittent stream from the several arteries as the heart kept on with It's mechanical beating. Then the officers rushed down from the scafford and picked the body from the ground. Dr. Slack pronounced life extinct in five minutes after the body had passed through the trap. The drop was seven feet, with the running moose. showing that it was too steep for such q heavy man as Ketchum.
 Ketchum spent the greater part of the morning in reviewing his past life. during which he displayed perfect self-control
 Cursed the Railroads.
 He cursed the railroad and express com panies and the officers who were instru- mental in his conviction. and the people of New Mexico in general and their laws. He acknowledged that he planned and led his gang in many robberies accredited to him, including the robbery of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Steens Pass in 1897 and that on the Colorado Southern near Folsome in July, 1898. He said he knew who killed young Herstein at Lib- erty. Tex, in 1895. but would give no. names claiming that the guilty persons were alive. He also said he knew who killed A. B. Powers in Tom Green Coun- ty, Texas, in 1896. and said that Bud Up shaw, who was accused. had no knowl- edge of that crime.
 Ketcham declared that he was not the original Black Jack" and said that out law was still alive and enjoying his liber- ty. But he was the cause of my becom- ing an outlaw" said Ketchum. Lee Dow. the officer, saw Black Jack at the Deer Creek tank affair and in 1897 he told me that If was ever tried for Black Jeck's' crimes I never would get free for I looked too much like him. thought if I was going to be hanged for another mans crimes might as well have some of my own. The real Black Jack got the narhe because he was very dark. ana on the Erie roundup in Arf- zona there were two Jacks. They called him Black Jack to distinguish him from the other" ffr
 Ketchum said that Frank Herington, the conductor who shot him, causing him to lose his right arm; L. c. Fort. the wells-Fargo attorney, and w. H. Reno. the Colorado and Southern Railway de- tective who effected his capture, will bo killed within year.
 .I smuggled letter out of the prison at Santa Fe.'' said he, "and those three men are marked" td1
 Story Of the Crime.
 Thomas Ketchum. alias Black Jack" was the most noted desperado of the southwest. Although he boasted of hav- ing taken the lives of many fellow be- ings yet he finally paid the forfeit with his own life for train robbery.
 The robbery took place August 1s 1eo9. Single handed Black Jack" held up Colorado and Southern passenger train He ordered the engineer and fireman to uncouple the engine and leave the train. 
 ffsonfinued on Third Pare