Tom Horn By: Autum Thompson Quote: “ Killing is my specialty,” and “I look at it as a business proposition, and I think I have a corner on the market.”

Background Born: November 21, 1860 Raised on a farm in Missouri. He would roam the woods with his dog and rifle hunting. He was a unusually skilled rifleman, an ability that could have possibly lead to the career as a killer. Another possibility towards his lifestyle is the fact that his father would violently beat him as a child. He ran from his home to be a teamster in Santa Fe. His skills got him a job in the U.S. army as an interpreter. He then signed up for a Chicago-based Pinkerton Detective Agency (4 years). He worked for Wyoming ranching operation and Swan Land and Castle Company. Horn assassinated many troublemakers. He got hanged for murder of a 14 year old boy.

Crimes accused of committing Crime: Shooting William Lewis three times. Date: July 31 Victim: He was an immigrant from England who settled in Horse Creek northwest of Cheyenne and had a record of theft. Punishment: Horn was suspected and then was exonerated after being testified. Crime: Murdered Matt Rash and Isom Dart, in Brown’s Park. Date: Before July 1901 Victims: suspected cattle thieves Punishment: They lured him into a job offer for a range detective. They then had hidden two people, a stenographer and a witness, behind a locked door. LeFors led Horn to make some terrible comments as evidence, the worst being, “It was the best shot that I ever made and the dirtiest trick I ever done.” This was recorded for his trial.

Evidence Used against Horn. The biggest report of evidence was said himself. After the murder of Matt Rash and Isom Dart, in Brown’s Park. In December 1901, LeFors heard of his boss’s need for a range detective and thought of tricking Tom Horn. He called him and told him about the job offer. Then they had people hide behind a locked door and listen for evidence, where Horn said some terrible things such as, “It was the best shot that I ever made and the dirtiest trick I ever done” this was recorded for his trial.

Most recent crime Tom Horn shot and killed 14-year old Willie Nickell. The boy was the son of Kels Nickell, a sheep rancher recently involved in a range feud with cattle rancher and neighbor Jim Miller. On the day before his 43rd birthday, Horn was executed by hanging in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Sentence: This crime is the one ending in Horn being executed on the day before his 43 birthday, in Cheyenne by hanging.

Theory- Anomie I chose the Anomie Theory for Tom Horn. This is because Tom Horn had grown up with abuse from his father. When children grow up in such conditions, they usually become criminals of some sort. The Anomie Theory is the strain between culturally defined goals and ways t reach them. Tom Horn originally didn’t have this specific goal, however his goal became money. His “profession” had become a hired-deal. He finds people to kill for others, a hired-killer. Therefore, his goal is money (and justice), he is meeting this goal by doing bad things, illegally. He also uses innovation, and proceeds to break the law even after the authorities get on him. He is given a bad and deviant reputation, however not ever really in trouble under the murder of Willie Nickell, when Horn was hung after.

Cultural References Books- Life of Tom Horn: Government Scout and Interpreter By: Tom Horn Tv shows: none Movies: Tom Horn R 1980 ‧ Action/Adventure/Biography ‧ 1h 38m