Was Tom Horn A Criminal Or Guilty

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November 20, 1903, the infamous Wild West outlaw, Tom Horn, was hanged for a crime, the murder of Willie Nickell. Historians, to this day, questions if he actually committed this offense, giving that the only evidence was an alleged confession. However, guilty or innocent, it is without a doubt he was responsible for other deaths. Tom was a well known gunman to most, law enforcers to some, and his profession in his own words, “that of an detective” (Wyoming Enigma). Born November 21, 1860, in Memphis, Missouri, Tom grew up in a house with his two parents, Thomas S. Horn and Mary A. Horn, and ten other siblings. Although, one might think this would appear as a big, loving home, that was far from the truth. In his autobiography he frequently …show more content…

A very different man from what I expected to meet. Why he is not bad-looking, and is quite intelligent; but a cool devil, ain’t he?” -Governor W.A. Richards (Wyoming Enigma). July 18, 1901, Willie Nickell, only the age of fourteen, was shot in the back from ambush in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Willie was heading out for the day wearing his father’s coat and riding his favorite horse (Willie Nickell). These two factors plus Willie’s father was hot-headed, and often landed himself in local arguments, made historians to believe that the intintal target was meant for the father, Kels Nickell (Willie Nickell). One week later, Kels was shot in the arm and hip during another ambush (Wyoming Killer). Victor Miller was the original suspect, but with Tom Horn’s previous history, fingers eventually turned to him (Willie Nickell). However, the crowd still needed something to help the conviction. U.S. Deputy Marshall Joe LeFors, pretending to be in need of rustler clean, gained a drunken confession. Horn was arrested and found guilty for this crime on October 23, 1902. Although, he complained that he drunk during his interview with LeFors, Wyoming State Supreme Court denied him the chance of a new trial and sentenced him to death by hanging (Wyoming

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