Thomas Ketchum, 1901 April 25

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While it was generally believed that Ketchum had killed two miners
near Gamp Verde, Arkzona, on July 2, 1899, following a quarrel
over @ game of cards, he was actually tried for train robbery

in New Mexico which had only recently been made a capital offense
by the Territorial Legislature, Convicted in Clayton, Union Coe,
and sentenced to death, his execution was delayed for ove a year
while his attorneys tested the constitutionality of thenew law in
the courts. He was finally hanged at Claytoh on April 26, 1901.
His last words, spoken when the Sheriff asked if he was readyy
were "Let her go." Ketchum was a large man, and the drop was
longer than usual. The drop completely decapitated him, and his
body fell to the ground with hts head lyipg nearby.

BLOODLETTERS AND BAD MEN, Pages 307-308

MURDER AND MYSTERY IN NEW MEXICO by Erna Ferguson, Published,

1948, by Merle Armitage Editions, Albuc oe
18h tes Malas Fersvcene papea ae aot uquerque, Ne. M, Copyright

See "Murder at Camp V,rde,"' RBAL WEST, Aug., 1982, page 3; = NM

MAG, EXCERPTS,

While it was generally believed that Ketchum had killed two miners
near Gamp Verde, Arkzona, on July 2, 1899, following a quarrel
over @ game of cards, he was actually tried for train robbery

in New Mexico which had only recently been made a capital offense
by the Territorial Legislature. Convicted in Clayton, Union Cor,
and sentenced to death, his execution was delayed for ovek a year
while his attorneys tested the constitutionality of thenew law in
the courts. He was finally hanged at Clayton on April 26, 1901.
His last words, spoken when the Sheriff asked if he was ready,
were "Let her go."' Ketchum was a large man, and the drop was
longer than usual. The drop completely decapitated him, and his
body fell to the ground with hés head lying nearby.

BLOODLETTERS AND BAD MEN, Pages 307-308
MURDER AND MYSTERY IN NEW MEXICO by Erna Ferguson, Published,

1918, by Merle Armitage Editions, Albuc Ve M, Copy:
16118 ie bene ereiaae Pages oe Lit uquerque, N. M, Copyright

See "Murder at Camp V,rde,'' RRAL WEST, Aug., 1982, page 3) = NM

MAG, EXCERPTS,

While it was generally believed that Ketchun had killed two miners
near Gamp Verde, Arkzona, on July 2, 1899, following a quarrel
over & game of cards, he was actually tried for train robbery

in New Mexico which had only recently been made a capital offense
vy the Territorial Legislature. Convicted in Clayton, Union Co.,
and sentenced to death, ay XSEEEOD: was delayed for ovek a year
while his i of thenew law in

testa
the courts. He was finally hanged & Glayton on April 26, 1901.
His last words, spoken when the Sheriff asked if he wea! roady3
Ke

were "Let her go. tchun was a large man, and the drop was
longer than usual, The drop completely ear aen him, and his
body fell to the ground with his head lyipg nearby.

BLOODLETTERS AND BAD MEN, Pages 307-308

MURDER AND MYSTSRY IN NEW MEXICO by Erna Ferguson, Published,
198, by Merle Armitage 2 y
BBB. ae Saas Patttong, Au Albuquerque, N. M, Copyright
See "Murder at Cam V,rde," RBAL WEST, Aug., 1982, page 3 =
Mag

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KETCHUM, Thomas (Black Jack) CofaS a ny) 10) /

Ketchum. a 33-year-old white cowboy who was a native of the Texas
panhandle, turned to train robbery when economic conditions resul-
ted in his experiencing difficulty in obtaining employment. He
organized a gang, the other members of which were his brother, Sam,
and two others, ang proceeded to hold up the same train on three
different occasions, The gang had established a camp in lurkey

. Canyon near Cimarron, N. M., and on July 13, 1899, when Sheriff
idward Farr of Huerfano Cosy Colo., hh had been employed by the
railroads led a posse into the canyon, they resisted, killing

Farr and a special deputy, W. H. Love, Ketchum was not at the camp
at the time and did not participate in the gunfight, but the other
members of his gang, including his brother Sam who subsequently
died of his wounds were captured. The two surviving members plea -
ded guilty to second degree murder in the killing of Sheriff Farr
and recelved prison sentences, Ketchum himself was taken into cus-

tody after he attempted to single~handadly rob the train which he
and his gang had taken on three previous occasions. He was wounded

in the attempt and lost his arm which it was necessary to amputa te|

KETCHUM, Thomas (Black Jack) Gps mai ce |

Ketchum. a 33-year-old white cowboy who was a native of the Texas
panhandle, turned to train robbery when economic conditions resul-
ted in his experiencing difficulty in obtaining employment. He
organized a gang, the other members of which were his brother, Sam,
and two others, ang proceeded to hold up the same train on three
different occasions. The gang had established a camp in lurkey
. Canyon near Cimarron, N. M., and on July 13, 1899, when Sheriff
idward Farr of Huerfano Cosy Colo., hh had been employed by the
railroads led a posse into the canyon, they resisted, killing

Farr and a special deputy, W. H. Love. Ketchum was not at the camp
at the time and did not participate in the gunfight, but the other
members of his gang, including his brother Sam who subsequently
died of his wounds were captured. The two surviving members plea -
ded guilty to second degree murder in the killing of Sheriff Farr
and received prison sentences. Ketchum himself was taken into cus-
tody after he attempted to single-handkdly rob the train which he
and his gang had taken on three previous occasions. He was wounded
in the attempt and lost. his arm which it was necessary to amputa te

KETCHUM, Thomas (Black Jack) Gs ee GO)

hun. 4 33-year-old white cowboy who was a native of the Texas
panhandle, turned to train robbery when economic conditions resul-
ted in his experiencing difficulty in obtaining employment, He
organized a gang, the other members of which were his brother, Sam,
and two others, ang proceeded to hold up the same train on three
different occasions, The gang had established a canp in Turkey
Canyon near Cimarron, N. M., and on way 13, 1899, when Sheriff
award Farr of Huerfano Co., Colo,, thh had been employed by the
railroads led a posse into the ee they resisted, killing
Farr and a special deputy, W. H. Love, Ketclum was not at the camp
at the time and did not participate in the gunfight, but the other
members of his gang, including his brother Sam who subsequently
died of his wounds were captured. The to surviving members plea -
ded guilty to second degree mrder in the killing of Sheriff Farr
and unas prison sentences. Ketchum himself was taken into cus-|
ted to single-handsdly rob pie cata wlohe
n on three previous occasions, He was wounded
in the aed a Toet his arm which it was necessary to amputa te

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Metadata

Resource Type:
Document
Description:
Thomas Ketchum executed on 1901-04-25 in New Mexico (NM)
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Date Uploaded:
July 13, 2019

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