Thomas “Tom” Horn, Jr., was born near Memphis, Missouri on November 21, 1860, to Thomas Horn, Sr. and Mary Ann Maricha Miller Horn on their family farm. Though he was the fifth of 12 children, he is said to have had little companionship as a child and was severely abused by his father. He ran away when he was just 14 years old, first making his way to Santa Fe, New Mexico and then to Arizona.
While little is known about this period in Horn’s life, by the time he was 15, he was an army scout and became involved in many Indian campaigns including Geronimo’s surrender in 1886. During these years, he learned Spanish. Horn would later write that he had played a big role in the surrender of Geronimo. Many historians doubt that, and actual accounts of that day indicate that Tom was there solely as a Spanish to English interpreter.
-Larry
"...a scout, cowboy, soldier, range detective, and Pinkerton agent before he turned to work as a hired killer..."
ReplyDeleteSeems to me he was always a hired killer...
Thank you Kenny
ReplyDeleteI understand that he braided the rope they hanged him with. That's the rope he's holding in the picture. The historical state prison in Laramie, Wyoming has an exhibit about him.
ReplyDeleteMy Great-Grandmother sang in the Ladies church choir at his sendoff.
ReplyDeleteI read his biography years ago. Great story.
ReplyDeleteThe man had great taste in long guns.
ReplyDelete-Elmo
Great Steve McQueen movie
ReplyDelete