Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-12-11
John C. cobIe Is Helpless To GseapS
Dying Wish Of His
Own Gunman
His Fortunes Went Wrong From the
Instant He Paid For
Killing

-.
recently committed suicide here by
placing a pistol in his mouth and FIR
ing bullet into his brain.
John G. Coble graduate of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania and for many
years prominent stockman of south
east Wyoming and friend OF the late
Tom Horn, range assassin and rob-
Der, who was hanged here ten years
ago for the murder of Willie Nickel,
could not escape the Nemesis that fol-
lowed him from the day he engaged
Horn to put an enemy out OF the way,
and Is now suicide in Nevada, where
he went recently in one last effort to
regain his health and retrieve his lost
fortune
Coble was partner of Henry C. Bos.
Ter, Pennsylvania capitalist, in the
Iron Mountain Ranch company, with
headquarters at Bosler, Wyo The
company used the government range,
and when Kels II. Nickel, small
ranchman OF the Iron Mountain dis
trio, brought in sheep, Coble objected.
y meeting OF cattlemen was held. and
Coble attempted to organize a raid
TO drive Nickel and his sheep out OF
the country.
Sheepman PIunges Knike
Into CattIeman's stomach.
Nickel and Coble met at the Iron
Mountain railway station one day fol
lowing the meeting, and Nickel, hay
ing been advised of Coble's plan, took
him to task. Coble attempted to draw
his gun, but Nickel plunged a bowie
knife into the cattleman's stomach be-
fore Coble could get his sixshooter
into play.
For this, Coble threatened Ito get"
Nickel, and soon after Coble left the
hospital, Tom Horn, n notorious south
west range fighter, made his appear
ancc at the Iron Mountain ranch. Horn
warned Nickel of instant death If he
did not leave the country. But Nickel
was game. and remained. One day as
he was hauling logs from the hills,
Horn appeared and opened fire on the
sheepman. Nickel ran, and escaped
10 his home with shattered elbow.
A week later, Willie Nickel was shot
and killed near the Nickel ranch. and
Horn, in his confession to Joe LaFors,
the detective who ran him down, said
he was laying for old man Nickel,
when tho boy appeared, and he had
10 kill him to prevent spreading the
alarm.
Horn Confcsses
Murder Of Two.
Prior TO this killing. two ranchmen--
William Powell and Charles Lewis
of the Iron Mountain district, who
were suspected of cattle stealing, were
assassinated, and while Horn was not
suspected at the time. he later told
close friends that he had committed
both crimes. and Coble was suspected
of having previous knowledge of what
was 20 happen.
Althogh II was commonly reported
that Horn was in the employ OF
large number Of catIlemnn who had
banded together 10 rid the country OF
rustlcrs and sheep men, Coblc was the
only one who stood with Horn. spend
ing almost his entire fortune In de
Tending the latter II was known that
Horn placed implicit confidence in the
ability Of Coblo TO finally get him out
of his trouble, ard even when hc stood
on the gallows. Horn felt certain some.
thing would happen that would give
him his freedom.
Horns Curse Follows
Coble Wherever He Goes.
II is asserted that Coblc, fearing
Horn would squcal. made tho murder.
OF believe up 20 the last minute thai
he would be delivered. On one Oc.
casion. when Horn broke Jail, n big
string of race horses was kept in close
proximity to tho jail for the purpose, /;
Is believed Of aiding Horn in his 90.
cape.
While mcditnting one day over the
probable outcome of his case, Horn
| said he felt Coblc would get him ont
but that II he. Coblc. double crossed
him he hoped the cattlcman would
mover have another happy moment on
| this earth.
And Il would seem that Horns wish
came true. for Coblc began to fail
rapidly. financially and physically,
with the burial OF tho murderer. Coblo
lived for short time Mt Laramie.
whilo his partner was closing out the
business. having decided 10 have moth.
Ing further to do with Horns friend.
Cobic then removed to Pinedale, in