Life Of Tom Horn

TOM HORN

Publication: The Louthan Book Co, 1904, Denver

First edition. Rebound in Pebbled Cloth with gilt imprint of front and spine. 317pp., illustrated. Declared to be "a vindication," this work is of disputed authorship .... some attribute it to Horn himself; others to Horns' friend and employer, John Coble. While still others attribute it to Hattie Louthan, relative of the publisher. Contains much on Tom Horn's days as a scout and interpreter in the Apache Wars in Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico in the 1870's and 1880's. "Tom Horn arrived in Arizona in 1875 and worked as a teamster, driving a stage between Santa Fe and Prescott. At the age of 16, he went to work as an apprentice for the famed Army scout Al Sieber. During his time with Sieber and the Apaches, Horne learned how to survive in the harsh frontier and how to stalk an adversary. Horn served under Generals George Crook and Nelson Miles as a packer, government scout, interpreter, and chief of scouts. He fought in the battle of Big Dry Wash in 1882. A year later he went to Mexico as a packer during Crook's Sierra Madre campaign. It was during the Apache campaign (1885-1886) that Horne was promoted to chief of scouts." The remainder addresses Horn's days in Wyoming. Believed to have committed 17 murders as a hired gunman in the West, in 1902 Horn was accused and convicted of the murder of 14-year-old Willie Nickell near Iron Mountain, Wyoming. The boy was the son of sheep rancher Kels Nickell, who had been involved in a range feud with neighbor and cattle rancher Jim Miller. On the day before his 43rd birthday (November 20, 1903), Horn was executed by hanging in Cheyenne, Wyoming. A controversial book about a controversial man and a murder conviction that is still debated today. Binding is fine and tight. Tape reinforcement to lightly-chipped fore-edge of frontispiece and some minor wear to fore-edge and corners of the first few pages. Previous book retailer's name and address stamped on title page and last page of text block. Very good internally, in a fine binding with bright gilt, and protected in a custom slipcase.

Inventory Number: 52471