Rare image of Tom Horn from the Wyoming State Museum.

Tom Horn (November 21, 1860 – November 20, 1903) was an American Old West lawman, scout, soldier, hired gunman, detective, outlaw and assassin during his lifetime. He was hanged for a murder he probably did not commit the day before his 43rd birthday, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Image File history File links US Western figure, Tom Horn. ... Image File history File links US Western figure, Tom Horn. ... November 21 is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Great Basin region, typical American West The Western United States has played a significant role in history and fiction. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Modern soldiers. ... Categories: Stock characters | Stub ... A detective (also commonly called a dick or gumshoe) is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. ... Butch Cassidy, a famous Western American outlaw An outlaw, a person living the lifestyle of outlawry, meaning literally outside of the law. ... Jack Ruby murdered the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, in a very public manner. ... Location in Wyoming Coordinates: County Laramie County Founded 1867 Mayor Jack R. Spiker Area    - City 57. ...

Although Horn's exploits as an assassin far overshadowed any other accomplishments he made during his lifetime, during his time as a Pinkerton Detective he killed seventeen men in regular shootouts during his four years of employment with them, between the years of 1890 and 1894. This was many times that of men who would go on to be famous and be more well known as lawman/gunfighters, to include Wyatt Earp, Pat Garrett, Doc Holliday, or Bat Masterson. Of the Old West gunmen, with known confirmation of their shootout exploits, only Bill Hickok would be close to that number, if not over it. Jack Ruby murdered the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, in a very public manner. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Wyatt Earp at about age 21, photo about 1869 Wyatt Earp at about age 39, photo in San Diego about 1887 Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 – January 13, 1929), was a Teamster, sometime buffalo hunter, officer of the law, gambler, and saloon-keeper in the Wild West and... Patrick Pat Floyd Garrett (June 5, 1850 – February 28, 1908) was an American lawman, bartender and customs agent who was most known for killing Billy the Kid. ... John Henry Doc Holliday (August 14, 1851 – November 8, 1887) was an American dentist, gambler and gunfighter of the Old West frontier, who is usually remembered for his associations with Wyatt Earp and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. ... Bat Masterson in 1879. ... James Butler Hickock (1837–1876) Gravesite James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876), better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure in the American Wild West. ...

Career as a detective, lawman, and hired killer

Tom Horn was born near Memphis, Scotland County, Missouri. He left home as a young teen, probably in part because of an abusive father and his desire for adventure. At sixteen, he headed to the American Southwest, where he joined the US Cavalry as a scout, which involved him in the Apache Wars. Later, hiring out his skills with a gun, he took part in the Pleasant Valley War in Arizona, between cattlemen and sheepmen, but it is not known for certain as to which side he was allied, and both sides suffered several killings to which no known suspects were ever identified. Memphis is a city located in Scotland County, Missouri. ... The Southwest region of the United States is drier than the adjoining Midwest in weather; the population is less dense and, with strong Spanish-American and Native American components, more ethnically varied than neighboring areas. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... Geronimo, before surrender to General Crook, 17 Apr 1886 The Apache Wars were fought during the nineteenth century between the U.S. military and many western tribes. ... A gun is a common name given to a device that fires high-velocity projectiles. ... The Pleasant Valley War (also sometimes called the Tonto Basin War) was an 1886 Arizona range war between two feuding families, the cattle-herding Grahams and the sheep-herding Tewksburys. ... It has been suggested that Arizona Governors Mansion be merged into this article or section. ...

He worked in Colorado for a time as a deputy sheriff, where he drew the attention of the Pinkerton's detective agency due to his abilities in tracking, and they hired him around late 1889 or early 1890. During this employment he handled investigations in Colorado and Wyoming, in other western states, and around the Rocky Mountain area, headquartered out of the Denver office. He became known for his calm under pressure, and his ability to track down anyone assigned to him. On one instance, Horn rode alone into the hideout of an outlaw gang, and arrested outlaw "Peg-Leg" Watson, without firing a shot. In his report on that arrest, Horn stated in-part "I had no trouble with him". [1] Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Look up Sheriff in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Pinkerton guards escort strikebreakers in Buchtel, Ohio, 1884 The Pinkerton National Detective Agency is a private U.S. security guard and detective agency established by Allan Pinkerton in 1850. ... 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... To be more accessible to a general audience, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Rocky Mountain National Park (photo courtesy of NPS) View of Colorado Rockies. ... Nickname: The Mile-High City Location of Denver in Colorado, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Colorado City-County Denver (coextensive) Founded November 22, 1858 Incorporated November 7, 1861 Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) Area    - City 401. ...

However, Horn not firing his weapon was rare. He had a unique trait of being seemingly without concern if called upon to use deadly force. In his four years of employment with the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Horn killed seventeen men.

His termination from employment, however, was not as a result of his killings, but rather due to his committing a robbery in Nevada while working for them. In Charlie Siringo's book, "Two Evil Isms: Pinkertonism and Anarchism", he wrote that "William A. Pinkerton told me that Tom Horn was guilty of the crime, but that his people could not allow him to go to prison while in their employ". This was, more likely than not, due to the agencies desire to avoid negative press. Siringo would later indicate that he respected Horn's abilities at tracking, and that he was a very talented agent, but with a dark side that could be easily accessed. [2] [3] This article is about the U. S. state of Nevada. ... Charlie Siringo (February 7th, 1855-October 18th, 1928) was an author, lawman, and famous detective and agent for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency during the late 19th century and early 20th century. ...

Horn resigned from the agency, under pressure, in 1894. Over the course of the late 1890s he hired out as a range detective for various wealthy ranchers in Wyoming and Colorado, specifically during the Johnson County War, when he worked for the Wyoming Cattle Association. In 1895, Horn killed a known cattle thief named William Lewis, whom Horn killed after Lewis attempted to kill him. On September 6, 1895, Horn killed Lewis' partner, Fred Powell. The 1890s were sometimes referred to as the Mauve Decade, because William Henry Perkins aniline dye allowed the widespread use of that colour in fashion, and also as the Gay Nineties, under the then-current usage of the word gay which referred simply to merriment and frivolity, with no... Look up range in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Johnson County War, also known as the War on Powder River or Wyoming Civil War, was a range war which took place in Johnson County, Wyoming, in the Powder River Country, in April, 1892. ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Although his official title was always "Range Detective", his duties were actually as a killer for hire. He was implicated at the turn of the century in the murder of two known rustlers and robbery suspects in northwest Colorado, in 1900. Just prior to the killings, Horn had began working for the Swan Land and Cattle Company. He had killed the two rustlers, Matt Rash and Isom Dart, in 1900, while he was following up on what became known as the Wilcox Train Robbery, and he was possibly working freelance for the Pinkerton Agency when he did so. [4] Horn once stated, around that timeframe, that "Killing men is my specialty. I look at it as a business proposition, and I think I have a corner on the market". [5] A century (From the Latin cent, one hundred) is one hundred consecutive years. ... Cattle rustling is the act of stealing cattle. ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. ...

During his involvement in the Wilcox Train Robbery investigation, Horn obtained information from explosives expert Bill Speck that revealed which of the robbers had killed Sheriff Josiah Hazen, who had been shot and killed during the pursuit of the robbers. He passed this information on to Charlie Siringo, who was working the case by that time for the Pinkerton's. This information indicated that either George Curry or Kid Curry had killed the sheriff. Both outlaws were members of the Wild Bunch gang, riding with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. George Curry (1864 - April 17, 1900), born on Prince Edward Island, was a robber of the Wild West. ... Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry. ... Front row left to right: Harry A. Longabaugh, alias the Sundance Kid, Ben Kilpatrick, alias the Tall Texan, Robert Leroy Parker, alias Butch Cassidy; Standing- Will Carver, alias News Carver & Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry; Fort Worth, Texas, 1901. ... Robert LeRoy Parker (alias Butch Cassidy) poses in the Wild Bunch group photo, Fort Worth, Texas, 1901 Butch Cassidy (13 April 1866 - c. ... Harry Longabaugh (1867-?), also known as the Sundance Kid, was an outlaw and member of Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch, in the Wild West. ...

Horn at that time was receiving $600 for every rustler he killed in his other job, as a killer for hire. He is alleged to have killed around twenty two to twenty four rustlers during that period alone. His trademark was to rest the head of his victims on a rock, signifying that it was he who killed the man, and although it's possible that someone else could have copied this practice, it is unlikely. He left that line of work briefly to serve a stint in the Army during the Spanish American War. Before he could steam from Tampa for Cuba, he contracted malaria. [6]. When his health recovered he returned to Wyoming. Shortly after his return, in 1901, Horn began working for wealthy cattle baron John Coble. [7] A trademark, trade mark, ™ or ®[1] is a distinctive sign of some kind which is used by an organization to uniquely identify itself and its products and services to consumers, and to distinguish the organization and its products or services from those of other organizations. ... The Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. ... Tampas skyline For alternate meanings, see Tampa (disambiguation) Tampa is a city located in Hillsborough County on the west coast of Florida. ... Malaria is an infectious disease that is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. ... 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Willie Nickell murder, Horn's arrest and trial

On July 19, 1901, Horn happened to be in the area where Willie Nickell, the 14-year-old son of a sheepherding rancher, was murdered. It occurred in the Iron Mountain country of Wyoming. Horn was arrested for the murder by lawman Joe Lefors in 1903. Horn insisted that had he committed the murder, he would have said so if asked, but he did not. Horn was more than anything else tricked into making a dubious "confession," and was convicted and hanged in Cheyenne that same year. The prosecutor in the case was Walter Stoll. July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Iron Mountain is the part of the name of two towns in the United States: Iron Mountain, Michigan Iron Mountain Lake, Missouri Iron Mountain is a records management company with offices all over the world. ... Joe Lefors (February 20th, 1865-Death date and year not known) was a lawman in the closing years of the Old West. ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Location in Wyoming Coordinates: County Laramie County Founded 1867 Mayor Jack R. Spiker Area    - City 57. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

During Horn's trial, the prosecution introduced a vague confession by Horn, taken while he was intoxicated having received the alcohol from the deputies questioning him, and using only certain parts of the entire statement made by Horn rather than the statement in its entirity, which changed the way in which the statement was comprehended. Additionally, perjured statements by at least two witnesses, including lawman Lafors, were used for the prosecution, and at best circumstantial evidence was introduced which basically only vaguely placed him in the very large vicinity of the crime. He was an easy target, given his profession. Look up trial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Circumstantial evidence is lesbian sex with a huge glass dildo unrelated facts that, when considered together, can be used to infer a conclusion about something unknown. ...

Starting around 1900, Horn began dating a school teacher named Glendolene M. Kimmell, who testified on his behalf during his trial, and who openly spoke that he was being set up, saying that the ongoing fued between the Nickell/Miller families should make it clear that someone from the Miller family committed the murder. She further testified about the nervousness of Jim Miller (no relation to the Oklahoma outlaw Jim Miller) on the morning of the murder. Jim Miller and the Nickell boys father had been in several disputes with one another recently over the Nickell's grazing sheep. [8] [9] In 1993, the trial was recreated using all the statements and evidence known, as well as the alleged confession, and acted out in the same location of his real trial, after which he was acquitted. [10] In education, teachers are those who teach students or pupils, often a course of study, lesson plan, or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

It is still debated as to whether or not Horn committed the murder. Some historians believe he did not, while others believe that he did, but that he did not realize he was shooting a boy. Whatever the case, the common consensus is that whether he did or did not commit that particular murder, he no doubt was overdue to hang for many other murders that he did commit without a doubt. [11] Probably the most extensive research into Wyoming vs. Tom Horn prosecution has been by author Chip Carlson, who has concluded that although Horn could have committed the murder of Willie Nickell, he probably did not. Carlson points out, in his book "Tom Horn: Blood on the Moon", that there was no actual evidence that Horn had committed the murder, he was last seen in that area the day before rather than on that day, and his alleged confession was absolutely ridiculous. Carlson has revisited all the places in question where the actual events took place, and has followed every lead brought to his attention, and has been referred to as the worlds leading authority on the Tom Horn case. By his and others conclusions, Horn's reputation and past history had as much to do with his conviction than any actual guilt, and there were never any efforts whatsoever to investigate involvement by any other possible suspects. Horn was, basically, an easy target when looking to solve a murder, given his profession. [12] A historian is someone who writes history, and history is a written accounting of the past. ...

There is no way of knowing for certain how many men Horn killed during his killer for hire days, but it is commonly believed to be in the area of between twenty five and thirty, give or take a couple. That would put his total killings, including the seventeen confirmed killings during his service with the Pinkerton Detective Agency, at forty two on the low-side, or forty seven on the high-side.

Although when referring to killers for hire, some notoriety as being "the worst" has been given to other killers for hire of the time, such as Oklahoma outlaw Jim Miller, Horn most definitely would be at the top of that list. At the very least, he was considered then and still is considered today as having been a very dangerous man. Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,960 sq mi (181,196 km²)  - Width 230 miles (370 km)  - Length 298 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Jim Miller (outlaw) lynched April 19 1909. ...

Execution

Tom Horn has the distinction of being one of the few people in the "Wild West" to hang himself. A local inventor had designed a special gallows, which made the condemned man hang himself. The trap door was connected to a lever which pulled the plug out of a barrel of water. This would cause a lever with a counter-weight to rise, pulling on the support beam under the gallows. When enough pressure was applied, this would cause the beam to break free, opening the trap and hanging the condemned man. Horn also is said to have weaved the rope that he was hanged with, while in jail awaiting his execution. [13]

On the morning of November 20, 1903, after a large breakfast, Tom Horn was led to the gallows, where straps were buckled around his arms and legs. By all accounts, Tom was the least nervous of anyone at the event, even to the point of half-way joking with the sheriffs gathered to witness the hanging. A noose was fitted around his neck, and the bound Tom was lifted onto the trap-door, which started the 'machine'. Thirty-one seconds later, the trap-doors opened and the life of the range detective was over. His body was claimed by his brother, Charles, and transported to Boulder, Colorado. He is buried in Boulder County, Colorado, in the Columbia Cemetery, ten graves from the southern roadway. [14] November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Boulder (, Mountain Time Zone) is a city in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. ... Boulder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. ...

Films

cover of the 2005 DVD release of Tom Horn

Tom Horn would later be the subject of the two movies: Tom Horn (1980) based on his life starring Steve McQueen and Mr. Horn (1979) a made for TV movie starring David Carradine. The film was not entirely accurate, as many Hollywood versions based on real characters are not, but it was well received. Image File history File links Tom Horn This image is of a DVD cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the DVD or the studio which produced the movie in question. ... Image File history File links Tom Horn This image is of a DVD cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the DVD or the studio which produced the movie in question. ... Steve McQueen in The Great Escape Steve McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980) was an American movie actor, nicknamed The King of Cool. He was considered one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s due to a captivating on-screen persona. ... David Carradine in April, 2005 David Carradine (born John Arthur Carradine on December 8, 1936 in Hollywood, California) is an American actor. ... Greetings from Hollywood Hollywood is a district of the city of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., that extends from Vermont Avenue on the east to just beyond Laurel Canyon Boulevard above Sunset and Crescent Heights Boulevards on the west; the north to south boundary east of La Brea Avenue...

Cast for the 1980 film, Tom Horn // Events April 30 - The Roger Daltrey film, McVicar, opens in London. ...

• Steve McQueen as Tom Horn
• Linda Evans as Glendolene Kimmel
• Richard Farnsworth as John C. Coble
• Billy Green Bush as U.S. Marshal Joe Belle
• Slim Pickens as Sheriff Sam Creedmore
• Peter Canon as Assistant Prosecutor
• Elisha Cook Jr. as Stablehand

Cast for the 1979 made-for-TV movie, Mr. Horn Steve McQueen in The Great Escape Steve McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980) was an American movie actor, nicknamed The King of Cool. He was considered one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s due to a captivating on-screen persona. ... Main title caption from Dynasty. ... Richard Farnsworth Richard Farnsworth (September 1, 1920 – October 6, 2000) was an American actor. ... Billy Green Bush (born 1935) is an actor. ... Slim Pickens riding the bomb in the movie Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Louis Bert Lindley, Jr. ... Diminutive character actor Elisha Cook Jr. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

• David Carradine as Tom Horn
• Richard Widmark as Al Sieber
• Karen Black as Ernestina Crawford

David Carradine in April, 2005 David Carradine (born John Arthur Carradine on December 8, 1936 in Hollywood, California) is an American actor. ... Richard Widmark in Kiss of Death Richard Widmark (born December 26, 1914 in Sunrise, Minnesota) is an American film actor. ... Black in Five Easy Pieces, 1970 Karen Black (born July 1, 1939) is an Oscar-nominated American actress, screenwriter, singer and songwriter. ...

Further reading

• Dean Krakel, The Saga of Tom Horn, Powder River Publishing, 1954
• Chip Carlson, Tom Horn: "Blood on the Moon" -- Dark History of the Murderous Cattle Detective. High Plains Press, Glendo, WY, 2001
• http://www.tom-horn.com/
• http://www.tom-horn.com/story-hanged.htm (Horn's last letter proclaiming his confession being staged and not accurate)

External links

• Tom Horn website
• Tom Horn at the Internet Movie Database (1980)
• Mr. Horn at the Internet Movie Database (1979)
• http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/horn.html