Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-11-25
HORN GOES TO
THE GALLOWS
Friends Of the Wyoming Murderer
Make No Attempt to Rescue
From the Officers.
FUTILE APPEALS TO GOVERNOR
Every Method Excepting Force Used
to Save the Neck of the Con-
demned Man.

Cheyenne, Wyo., Nov. 20-Gover-
nor Chatterton was aroused before 6
o'clock this morning by friends of
Tom Horn, who again sought a re-
prieve for the condemned cattle de-
tective. The governor listened to the
arguments of Horns friends for some
time and then said, emphatically:
There is no use, gentlemen. This
execution will take place at the time
set by the law. will not interfere
in the case. This is final"
No less than dozen attempts were
made during the afternoon of yester.
day and last night to have the COVER
nor delay the execution for even a few
days. He had but one answer for all
of them, and that was that the law
must take its course.
Horn has apparently been hopeful
all along that in some manner he
would escape the gallows, but last
night he wrote a farewell letter to
John c. Coble, manager of the Iron
Mountain Cattle company, by which
he was employed for ten years, his
business being to prevent rustling or
thefts of cattle.
IF | go | want John to have this
letter." he said.
The letter was devoted to saying
goodbye to Coble and making few
requests as to what should be done
with the personal property he should
leave.
Charles Irwin. the stockman, who
has been one of Horns closest
friends, renewed his efforts to see the
condemned man early today, but ad.
mission to the jail or even to the
court house was denied him by Sher-
if Smalley.
III be down in time for the execu-
tion, however" Irwin said. Il have
an invitation from Horn"
II was reported that Irwin, failing
in his effort to see Horn alone, would
ask him on the gallows if he killed
Willie Nickell
Sheriff Smalley said that he would
not permit. any of the spectators to
speak to Horn while he was on the
gallows.
John c. Coble, who came to Chey-
enne last night, was an early caller at
the Jail. He did not ask to see Horn,
nor did he speak to anyone of the
guards who were standing in the door
way. He soon departed toward the
business center of the town.
Police Captain Delaney, of Denver,
mingled among the police sheriffs and
militia at the Jail.
Il expected any moment to see a
riot started last night. cannot un-
derstand the reason for Horns
friends not attacking the jail as plan
ned. | guess their leaders decided it
would be courting death to attack the
Jail"
Adjutant General Stizer, after a
conference with Governor Chatterton,
this morning decided to place more
ihtlnUtlo vi luo
JAIL This was caused by the early
arrival Of the crowd.
Even before daylight persons came
to the vicinity of the Jail and took the
best points of observation. Every
second brought additional arrivals, un-
til the vacant lots in the vicinity
were crowded.
Once more Charley Irwin came to
the JAIL this time in answer to hur-
ried message. Horn had sent for
Coble, saying he wanted to talk to
him before he died.
81 can't refuse him this request" !"
said Jailer Proctor. but anyone that
enters the Jail will be searched and
Coble must talk to Horn in my pres
ence."
Irwin waited patiently for the arriv-
al of Coble. II will make John let
me go in his place" he saie. He
knows Tom will tell me more than
any other person. | must talk to Tom
Horn before he dies. Remember, do
not think he is guilty."
Coble came again to the jail and
was permitted to see Horn. He re-
mained with him only moment.
Goodbye, Tom" he said in a
choked voice. Tom, | can't stay. |
came to say goodbye. | am sorry,
Tom, but die like the man | know
you to be. Tom. fate's against you.
You must die. Goodbye, God bless
you. Goodbye, Tom"
We'll, john" said Horn. I'm glad
you came"
Cane we shake hands," pleaded
Horn of the keepers. Sheriff Smalley
hesitated, then opened the door Of the
cell for the first time since the death
watch was placed.
Coble and Horn grasped hands in
the cell.
Goodbye, john" Horn broke the
SPELL Coble murmured faint good.
bye" and walked away.
Horn made no confession and no
speech on the scaffold. He never lost
his nerve.
The execution was witnessed by 40
persons. including the guards, friends
OF Horn and newspaper men. The
spectators were admitted to the Jail
at 10:45. one by one, and searched for
firearms Men armed with Winches.
ter's stood at the door watching
Horns friends.
Horns neck was broken by the fall
ing OF the trap and death was instan
taneous.
Tom Horn was born In Scotland
county, Mo-, in 1860. He WAS a cele.
brated army scout, Indian fighter and