The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-21
Left n Letter Saying He Did Not XIII
wsIHe Nickel, of whose Murder
He Was Convicted.
NO ATTEMPT MADE AT RESCUE
MEN ARMED WITH wINCHEsTERS
WATCHED HORNS FRIENDS.
Peter Mortensen, a Mormon, Shot to
Death I'm the Utah Pcnitentiary for
killing James II. Hay.

CHEYENNE, wyo., Nov. 2O.--Tom Horn,
scout. Indian fighter and cattle detective,
went smiling to-day TO the gallows, where
he expiatsd the murder OF Willie Nickel,
eyed fourteen, who was shot and killed on
July IS, 1901. at Iron Mountain The trap
dropped at HOS. Horns neck was broken
and sixteen minutes later he was pro-
nourced dead by the physicians. With al
most his last words, spoken to his init
mate friend. Charles Irwin, spectator at
the execution. Horn denied that he had
confessed 20 the murder for which he was
to die He made no speech on the scaffold.
The condemned man was game to the last.
Ten minutes before going to the gallows he
smoked a cigar.
After leaving his cell he was permitted
to shake hands with Charles and Frank
Irwin. After the spectators. about forty
IN number, had been admitted TO the Jail
and Horn had come out OF his cell. the
execution was delayed while Rev. George
H Rafter prayed and Charles and Frank
Irwin sang the cowboys old railroad song,
Keep your hand upon the throttle and
Jour eye upon the rail,
brir ging tears to the eyes Of all the lis
teners except those OF Horn himself. At
the conclusion or the song came an inter-
view between Horn and Irwin.
"Be game" said Irwin.
ssYou bet will' replied Horn, who then
\ assisted Under Sheriff Proctor and his
asssstant to adjust the straps. moose and
black cap. His last words were spoken
TO County Clerk Joseph Cahill, who as
sisted him TO mount the trapdoor. They
Joe?''
Soon after the trap fell the spectators
xxvffh I-rflar
Sheriff Proctor and congratulating him on
the faultless execution. AL had been
searched for firearms before entering and
eyes fixed on Horns friends throughout
the proceedings. Thousands Of people were
congregated In the vicinity OF the jail and
the militia remained on guard until the
execution was over and the crowd had dis
persed. There was no disorder. In letter
to John C. Coble Horn details his move
ments in the Iron Mountain country al
the time OF the Nickel murder and makes
the sensational admission that two mer
ba sc denies na his alleged Confession of m.
crime to James Lepors, which led to hi:
arrest.
eating a hearty breakfast, writing letters
John c. Coble, who came to Cheyenne las
night. was early caller at the jail. A
first he was not permitted TO see Horn
fte4sSeards Horn sent for Coble. who cam
to the jail ard was permitted to see Horn
He remained With him only moment
ssCood-b Tom. ne Said n "A choket
voice. Tom. i can't stay. came to sd.
xood-bye. I'm sorry, Tom, but die like tn
man knew you to be. Tom, fates agains
you You must die. Goodbye, God bles
YOU. Goodbye, Tom"
well, John said Horn. I'm glad yo
came"
cant we shake hands?' pleaded Hor
of the keepers.
Sheriff Smalley hesitated. then opened tn
door OF the cell for the first time sine
the death watch was placed. Coble an
Horn clasped hands In the cell.
'Good-bye. john, Horn broke the spell
Coble murmuIed a faint goodbye an
walked away.
Tom Horn was born In Scotland county
Missouri, Nov. 81, 1850 He a celebate
army scout, Indian fighter and cattle de
tective He was the scout In charge of tn
party that captured Geronimo and wa
chief OF scouts under General Miles in hi
Porto Rico campaign. In 1892 Horn par
ticfpated In the raid against the cattl
rustlers Of Johnson county, Wyomins
Horn was a self-educated man. He spok
German, Spanish. Apache and number c
Indian languages iuently. Last summe
he wrote a 1sO.O0o-word history OF his ca
reer This book he left TO his stanc
friend, John G.. Coble, OF Bosler. Wye
Horn was suspected Of having committe
several murderr besides the one for whic
be was hanged