Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-11-20
died ON
CALL0WS
Tom Horn Expiated the Murder
of Willie Nickel at Wyom.
ing's Capital Today.
GAME TO THE LAST
His Neck Was Broken Almost Immedi-
ateIy...Sketch of His EventfuI
Career.

Cheyenne, Wyoming, Nov 20-Ton
Horn, the well known cattle detective
sentenced to death for the murde.. ol
| Willie Nickel the fourteen year ole
son of Kels P. Nickel, an Iron Noun
tain ranchman, was hanged at 11:Ot
O'Clock this morning in the Laramie
County jail His neck was broken
and he died almost Immediately.
Contrary to the expectations of
many, the condemned man male no
confession. His remains were taken
in charge by Agent Charles Horn, a
brother of the deceased living in Boul-
der, Colorado, and prepared for ship
ment to that place where his burial
will occur.
The execution occurred in the pres
ence of about 40 persons including
sheriffs, deputies, guards, physicians,
the friends of Horn and newspaper
men. After the straps were adjusted
on his arms, wrists, thighs and kne-s
by Under Sheriff Proctor and his as
sistant, Horn was escorted out on The
floor of the death chamber where he
talked briefly with the friends who
came to bid him goodbye. These in
cluded John G. Coble, in whose en-
ploy Horn served for many years and
who, it is said, used every power his
wealth and influence could commani
to secure Horn his freedom.
His Own Executioner.
After examining the death dealing
machinery of the gallows, Under Sher-
iff Proctor announced that everything
was in readiness and the death march
began Horn reached the platform,
where the black cap was adjusted, aud
he was asked if he was ready. Horn
replied in firm tone that he was and
the officers pushed him over on to the
trap and the machinery was set in mo-
tion.
There were several moments of
breathless silence as the plug was
drawn from the vessel and the water
slowly ran out When exhausted the
trap was released and Horn, who vas
his own executioner, fell 10
his death. A few violent twitchings of
the muscles and the physicians pro-
him dead
Horn slept but little last night blt
ate a hearty breakfast this morning
and spent most of the time up to wi h. |
in fifteen minutes of eleven, writing
etters.
Horn died a game man. The same |
and GOODNESS which character
zed him during his long period of
confinement was with him to the last.
As he was walking to the gallows,
Proctor said: TON, the Irwin boys
ire here and want to sing to you"
The Irwins had been close friends of
Horn for number of years. "All
light" he replied, Il shall be glad to
lear them" The Irwins then sang
ailroad song with which Tom was
amiliar: Keep your hand on the
hrottle and your eye on the rail-"
Tears were visible in the eyes of all
,ut Horn. One of the letters written
" Horn just before going to his death
vas directed to John c. Coble, and
cad as follows:
Il die in ten minutes, did not kill
Willie Nickel, l never made an ad-
aission to Lafors, Ohnhaus or Snow,
nd all swore to lies, including Irwin
f Laramie"
Career Of Tom Horn.
Horn was born in Missouri in No
ember p, 1860, but went southwest
the age of fourteen, going first to
anita Fe, New Mexico. He became a
Celebrated army scout, Indian fighter
nd cattle detective. He was the
cout in charge of the party that cap
lred Geronimo and was chief of
couts under General Miles in his Por-
, Rico campaign.
In 1892 Horn participated in a raid
rganized by the stockmen against the
lstlers of Johnson County, Wyoming.
Orn was a self educated man He
)oke German, Spanish, Apache and
lmber of Indian languages fluently. y
Last summer he wrote 100, 900 word
story of his career. This book, to- :,
ether with his personal effects was :,
IT to his staunch friend, John c. -
oble of Bosler, Wyoming Hon is
lspected of having committed several
urders. besides the one for which he =
as condemned to die.
& & & & & SIS < x XXXX