Life of Tom Horn, Government Scot and Interpreter

by Tom Horn

*NOTE: From this Public Domain work, the original publication was, scanned, assembled, proofed, with additional historic photographs and text added as appropriate by the editor. – Galen C. Dukes, 2011.

Originally published in 1904, Tom Horn’s memoirs were written while he was in jail waiting to be hanged for a murder he did not commit. He wrote them at the request of his good friend John Cobel, and I’m sure as a way to pass the time. They center on his time as an Army Scout during the Apache wars when Geronimo was the terror of the Southwest. His writings are a window into that time period where we not only learn a great deal about the Apache’s, especially Geronimo – but other legendary figures of the time. Tom Horn’s memoirs can be validated by reading the memoirs of Geronimo, which were dictated to S. M. Barrett in 1906. This memoir is a valuable piece of American history, which should never be lost. Photographs of principals added, along with a biography of Al Sieber.

Please note that the reader comments are those from all versions of this work, printed and other Kindle releases. They are displayed with all listings and do not necessarily pertain to an individual work. Comments about being poorly edited, etc., do not pertain to this version.
If you enjoy this type of history and reading, I recommend “Belden: The White Chief,” about life with the Sioux Indians in the mid 1800s, and “The White Indian Boy,” about life with the Shoshones during the mid 1800s.

Genres: Biography, History, Westerns, Nonfiction, True Crime, Autobiography

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Horn

Reviews

[Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was supposed to be my summer for reading American classics. Instead I've ended up reading American West history, The Life of Tom Horn being the latest. I had a vague recollection of Tom Horn, but I don't know from where. Since the book was written by Horn, apparently while he was awaiting execution, it's obviously a one-sided view. (NOTE: His conviction and execution were obviously a set-up and miscarriage of justice.) I would have been interested in more of his personal/family life, I still found it credible first-hand account of the relationship between the US government the the Apaches in the last 20-25 years of the 19th century. Chapters 20-21 were of special interest to me regarding Geronimo, the capture of Nana, and the turnabout when captors and captives were attacked by Mexican forces. That alone is worth a movie.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Horn had one of the most amazing lives. From his father almost beating him to death, to his travels west to become an Indian Scout under General Crook, to being assigned to live with Geronimo’s band and act as an interrupter between the indians and the army, to his time as a mule packer for TR in Cuba, to one of the first Pinkerton agents to his downfall in Montana Tom Horn lived a life that few men ever did. If you're interested in the history of the Indian wars in Arizona, this is a book to read.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into the life of a man whose true nature and deeds have been muddled by Hollywood. I enjoyed the feeling of sitting and hearing from Tom Horn as his life involved a very important period of our country's history, much of it taking place in my backyard. A worthwhile read.

[Graychin · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a shelf labeled “Books Written in Prison” you might find an odd assortment of volumes: The Consolation of Philosophy, Le More d’Arthur, Pilgrim’s Progress, the Marquis de Sade’s Justine, Wilde’s De Profundis, Hitler’s Mein Kampf, Jean Genet’s Our Lady of the Flowers, and Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. You might also find Tom Horn’s Life of Tom Horn, Government Scout and Interpreter, which he wrote in his cell before he was hanged for murder.

Horn’s autobiography never addresses the events that put him behind bars. He didn’t write it to justify himself or argue his innocence. Whether or not he killed 14-year-old Willie Nickell on a Wyoming ranch in 1901 is still debated. But he’d killed enough men in his life that Horn might have felt, one way or another, he’d earned that noose. In his book Horn is not making a bid for exoneration but a bid for immortality. He lassoes a comet named Geronimo.

Horn had come to know Geronimo during the Apache Wars, when he was a young scout and interpreter attached to the US military in the Arizona and New Mexico territories. In the 1880s Horn was involved in various battles and negotiations with Geronimo and his band in the Sierra Madre of northern Mexico. He was present when Geronimo made his final surrender and was taken away on a train to Florida as a prisoner of war.

By Horn’s account, Geronimo liked him. He insisted on Horn being interpreter between himself and the military officials who would have preferred using someone else. Geronimo believed that while he and Horn might honorably kill one another on the battlefield, Horn would not lie to him during negotiation. For his part, Horn was fascinated by Geronimo. He believed the war chief’s voice cast a sort of spell over those who came within its range. Horn knew which side he was on, but he justified Geronimo’s confidence in him.

The Lakeside Press edition which I read is richly illustrated with photographs of the main players in Horn’s tale. It’s also well annotated. The notes reveal, here and there, gaps in Horn’s memory of events, and how Horn occasionally made more of his role in the Apache conflict than might really have been warranted. (Many of us, I suspect, fall prey to a similar temptation as the lights begin to dim.) Those days in the desert must have been for Horn the golden era of his life, before he became a Pinkerton man and a hired gun and got himself into the trouble that finally brought him down.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had remembered reading about Tom Horn when I was a teenager, reading a book about gunfighters of the old west. I just never remembered his story because of the other people seemed more interesting to me at the time. I also remembered Steve McQueen making a movie about him but again there were other movies around that time that I remembered more and also were more exciting. Now as an adult coming back to this story he is a fascinating man. Someone who was an Army scout worked with the Pinkertons for a bit, also fought with the rough riders, plus some other things. Also was a friend of Geronimo and knew the way of the Apache life. Later when he ends up in Montana working for a man fighting off cattle rustlers. This is where his life takes a turn for the worse when a young boy is a murder and he is arrested. The sheriff has a drunken statement by Horn, but by many people who later would read it would say those were not the words of Horn. He seldom if at sore or used foul language and yet this statement was full of those words. The boys own family did not believe he did this crime for they had words a few days before with a cowhand from a nearby ranch. Being sheep farmers they were constantly having problems from that ranch, but would say later that Horn never gave them any trouble and was always respectful to them. They were not allowed to testify because of a larger group of cattlemen were wanting to do away with men like Horn and the man he worked for. While in jail Horn sat down and wrote his biography and for the first part of the book you get a look into his life as a scout and going after the Apaches, also going into Mexico after them. A lot of interesting information. The last part is what took place in Montana. After reading this book and reading the letters from officers you served with him I believe he was set up, but like all good stories, there is nothing to do about a 100+ years later. I found this to be a very good read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always amazing to me how tough people were less than 150 years ago. War, rustling, violence, roving bands of Indians, marauders, thieves, muckers, ranchers, cowboys, herders, gritty lawmen, invading hordes of Europeans, murderers, outlaws, scouts, and much more can be found in this honest account of a man who witnessed so much of it. Horn was around near the turn of the century where civilization as we know it was just beginning to form. He was born in 1860 and was hung in the early 1900's. This autobiography, coupled with the notes, and newspaper clippings build a strong case that Tom Horn never should have been hung for the crime he was convicted of. Still, this was well worth a read, and I am glad I decided to do it. Two main things I learned from this book follow.

1. One can be sure who his friends are when he is facing a death that is well publicized.
2. Honesty is a trait that even a person's enemies will respect.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy autobiographies/biographies/memoirs, history, westerns, and adventure.

[John Fronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodbye To The 19th Century Man

Makes me wish the Steve McQueen movie had reflected more on Horn's life as a scout. As baffling as Horn's conviction is with mystery and very little circumstantial evidence, it's story pales in comparison to his exploits as an Indian fighter and scout. His relationship to the Apache as both friend and enemy is very compelling. What this story lacks in literary polish, it makes up for with authentic depiction of a dying culture. This is a must read for anyone interested in the difficult conflict between progress and the interests of native Americans and their terminally pathological culture. The story could be a Shakespearian tragedy in grande proportion.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well shit. After reading “Tom Horn” by Carlson I was pretty sure he’d killed the Nickell kid.
Even though this book didn’t really talk about his time as a stock detective, now I’m not so sure he did it.
I started reading his life story with a grain of salt, knowing he exaggerates and lies. But he sounded pretty modest to me most of the time, and the details seemed so crystal clear it seemed impossible that he could have made a lot of it up.
It did strike me as strange that he didn’t use any profanity or even speak ill of anyone (except maybe General Miles), yet his “confession” did so. Of course that could have been the fact that he was liquored up.
I guess all the people who knew if he did it are dead now and we shall never know.

[Oscar Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as 19th Century Western autobiographies go this is not much embellished, which means it is very embellished. But It provides a firm understanding of how he viewed himself. It was quite frustrating to not have his last five years detailed. I wonder if he ran out of time or he was ashamed or he just wanted to thumb his nose at people. But either way, this is something very much worth reading.

[Debbie Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in my small sized antique book collection. This is a sub collection for R.R. Donnelley Lakeside Classics focused on American history. This is a biography by Tom Horn. Really good read but would have loved to hear more about the last 17 years of his life. That was only given 1 chapter.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true spirited read

I enjoyed this book a great deal. It reminds me that the truth about the west can be every bit a exciting as the Holliwood version. In fact even better.


This book is a good read from every aspect. I highly recommend it

[E. Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horn’s account is short of details surrounding the murder of the boy which led to his execution.

Horn’s account is short of the details surrounding the murder of the boy which resulted in Horn’s execution. Important stuff.

[Vince Pillig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A far cry from Hollywood's version .

After reading all of the affidavits and letters it is hard to be leave he was convicted . Also knowing it was 100 miles away and had o cover that several hours on horseback ?! The fake news was alive and well in the early 1900s .

[William Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insite into the late 1800s in the south west, range wars, Indian wars and a man square in the middle. I was most interested in his relationship with Geronimo and coordinated his surrender in Skeleton Canyon. Also made the first camp in the site of Tombstone Arizona.

[Mike Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of an outlaws life in his own words.

[Kenneth Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read, I decided to read this work after having seen the movie, I'm glad I did as it was a fascinating story of the Apache Indians, and had nothing to do with the movie.

[sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read

Good books to read lol of history in this book will read more about Tom horn and other people who

[Kelli Schamber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Makes you feel like a part of the history. Vivid re-telling for being in prison awaiting to be hung for a crime he did not commit.

[rester725 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Horn

Autobiography written by Tom Horn while he awaited hanging after he was accused & sentenced to a murder he did not commit. It is a well written book & worth the read.

[Xenophon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My understanding is that this was composed during Tom Horn's imprisonment. Telling his life story was his attempt at combating all the yellow journalism circulating in his final days. While sober, he maintained his innocence until the very end. Funny enough, he didn't write much at all about his time working for Coble or even his side of the story in the Willie Nickell murder.

Tom Horn basically says "Here is my life story up until that point. You judge for yourself if I'm likely to murder a 14 year-old boy." Appended to that are a few letters comprising character references and accounts of his execution. In short, this isn't the best legal brief, but it is a fun legend to read.

Most of the books 200 some-odd pages is Horn's account of his time as a scout/interpreter in the tail end of the wars with the Apache. It makes for some fine Old West reading. I especially enjoyed his interactions with Al Sieber and Geronimo. This section is bookended by a couple chapters before and after that life.

It's clear then he was most proud of his time as a scout. That or he thought that time of his life would hold up best in court (most of his alleged killings were done in the private sector). Another glaring omission is his very interesting role in the Spanish American War, handled only by a character reference at the end. One would figure that moment of patriotic service would fit well with his time as a scout, but I suppose he had his reasons for not dwelling on it.

The most interesting part of this book is where it stands in the history of the west. One letter notes Tom's penchant for telling a tall tale. In his later days, he liked to sound more menacing than he was as it made him better at his job (you're not gonna poach cattle from a ranch employing a cold-blooded killer). There are precedents for this throughout history.

But the trouble with those legends and drunken boasts is they don't take so well when civilization comes a knocking. They go from being helpful rumors to evidence at your trial for murder.

Tom Horn was, in a weird way, a martyr for the Old West. It took men like him to bring terrifying law and order to the mountains and plains. Some could adapt- Bat Masterson went to New York City and died a sportswriter. Wyatt Earp settled in California and helped pioneer the western picture.

Horn never quite lived as large as them. His dealings were quieter but likely just as bloody. He claims he had nothing to do with the Pleasant Valley War for example though he was a "ranch hand" there at the time. Similar to how he was a "ranch hand" in Wyoming.

There was no Gun Fight at the OK Corral or Dodge City standoff for Tom Horn. The closest it ever came for him was his time in the scouts, and that was ultimately his undoing. Neglecting to describe that final leg of his career in the same detail was both disappointing to the reader today and, I think, fatal to him. The curtain had finally drawn on the Old West.

My opinion on his actual guilt or innocence is of little import. I've read this account and listened to a podcast about him. I'd need to know more before making a judgment one way or another. I find it perfectly believable he could've killed a 14 year-old boy. I also find it perfectly believable he got drunk and let a legend fly without knowing he was being surveilled.

But I will reiterate the Apache War leg of the legend is a fine read and well worth your time, so much so that I'm not going to spoil it for you with details in this review. I hope I've managed the expectations of those, like me, who were hoping for something more than that.

[Andrew Kunkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING:SPOILERS

The Life Of Tom Horn is an autobiography that contains much suspense and grit in the West going back to the late 1800's. The setting takes place throughout the western United States including Northern, Missouri, Arizona,Coloado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The story starts in Northern, Missouri. To. Horn was born on November 21,1962. Tom Horn's life started with brutality from his parents. His mother would spank and scold him.His farther, on the other hand, went beyond extreme on his beatings, During school hours, he was a tyrant. He had apathy for his subjects and instead go hunting during those hours. Tom Horn had a buddy that was among him a brutal beating at age sixteen.Tom Horn had no tolerance anymore from his parents after the beating. He then went on to roam the west of the United States. During his migration, he had several jobs, they were railroad labor, stagecoach driver, and wagon driver.At age sixteen, Tom Horn enlisted in the U.S Army Scouts.
He embraced his relation with the U.S forces. Sieber was the chief of the pack then became leader of the pack he was in later in his time.Things were typical in the U.S Army Scouts (fight off Pedro and his 60,000 warriors, make fires, protect the state ect.) until he met with Geronimo,the leader of the Bendonkohe Apache tribe.Geronimo wanted to expand the land of Mexico into the southwestern United States.However, the U.S forces would not let that happen. Tom Horn ensues on fighting the Bendonkohe Apache until negotiations were met or until the U.S Army Scouts Won the battle.
After Tom Horn's time in the U.S Army Scouts ,Tom Horn moved to Colorado.There ,he found a job with the Pinkerton Detective Agency . his job was being a bounty hunter. When he had this job, he is known to have killed seventeen people. With that high number,he lost his job and moved on to get another job. In May 1895, Tom Horn moved to Cheyenne,Wyoming. There, he got promoted to another job with the Swan Land and Cattle Company. The Swan Land and Cattle Company was an organization linked to the Wyoming goverment. The company's objective was to take down cattle rustlers who trespassed onto the cattle rancher's property.Immediately, after he got promoted the job, he became a killer until 1901.On July1901,Tom Horn's repetition of killing cattle got tarnished. He shot a fourteen year old Willie Nickell. He was suppose to be going after his father,but mistook Willie for him.He was found guilty for murder and was sentenced to capital punishment.On November 201903,he killed himself with a rope used for his future capital punishment.

I would recommend this book because it tells the broad story of Tom Horn from he was a kid until he murdered Willie Nickell. Tom Horn is not a notorious person,but should be because of his active story. This autobiography piques the reader all the way through.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life of Tom Horn - Government Scout and Interpreter was a gritty first-hand telling of Tom Horn's life. As I read the story, I was constantly picturing Gus and Woodrow from Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. Al Sieber reminded me a lot of Woodrow Call, and the overall story of the Apache Indians was familiar with the fictional world in McMurty's book. I'm not saying Horn was an exact match for Gus, but there were some flashes of toughness and even humor in the story that reminded me of old Gus.

The autobiography was not the best written material with much of the content being a recount of what people said, where they went, etc. Despite that style of writing, I found the story compelling because the majority of the book recounts Horn's own life as he struck out from home at the age of 16 and became a scout for the U.S. Calvary. He was instrumental in the capture of Geronimo, went on to become a Pinkerton Detective, U.S. Marshall, served in the Spanish-American War, and also fought in the cattle and sheep skirmishes in Wyoming.

The book ends with the trail of Tom Horn for the murder of 14-year-old Willie Nickell, whose family was in the middle of the cattle and sheep skirmishes mentioned above. This section of the book is told through letters that Tom wrote as well as some personal accounts of Tom's character and information pertaining directly to the case. You will have to read the story to find out what happened with the trial!

[Danny M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN THE OLD WEST AND THIS BOOK GIVES THE READER A VERY ACCURATE DESCRIPTION BASED ON THE AUTHORS EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT. THE BOOK IS A BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN BY TOM HORN OF HIS EARLY LIFE AS A GOVERNMENT SCOUT AND INTERPRETER. AS A GOVERNMENT SCOUT HE CAPTURED THE INDIAN CHIEF GERONIMO AND WAS THE MAIN GOVERNMENT SCOUT DURING THE INDIAN WARS. HE GIVES REAL INSIGHT INTO THE THINKING AND WAYS OF THE INDIANS DURING THE LATE 1800'S. TOM HORN IS ONE OF THE LAST REAL COWBOYS DURING A PERIOD WHEN THE WEST WAS BECOMING CIVILIZED, AND THE NEED FOR COWBOY SKILLS WAS COMING TO AN END. TOM HORN WAS ARRESTED, CONVICTED AND HUNG FOR A MURDER, WHICH TILL THIS DAY IS IN QUESTION. THE BOOK BRIEFLY COVERS THE ARREST AND TRIAL, BUT LEAVES THE READER WANTING FOR MORE FOLLOW UP INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRIAL, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO HIS DEATH. THERE IS STRONG EVIDENCE THAT GIVES THE OPINION OF HIS INNOCENCE.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

[Patrick Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows history or has studied the old west has heard the name Tom Horn. His life is intertwined with the expanding of our country westward and should be even more prominent.

Tom was hanged for killing a young rancher boy, many think he was set up. While waiting his execution Tom wrote his life story, which is this book. Through out his life he worked hard and gained the respect of both white men and native Americans.

His father beat him harshly and almost killed him at age 13 so he headed out on his own. Through his man incarnations as ranch hand, tracker, Indian interpreter and even as a member to Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders Tom Horn remained a man who worked hard and everyone spoke well of. This book is his memories of his life. Certainly one sided but very interesting.

If you know who Tom Horn is or not, you should read this book

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I saw the movie, I wanted to check out the book about this legend. Some people saw Tom Horn as nothing more than a hired killer, but there is so much more to the story and I believe circumstances and conspiracies played against a man who just couldn't understand why times had to change. I like this book which includes a lot of Tom's own words and maybe will help people understand what lies behind the myth, the legend and the man,

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best parts were the parts that he didn't write himself. Too much other good stuff out there to read to bother with this one. Though the Biographical Directory section is a good reference section.

[Randy Kirkbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging account of the frontier life

I had only heard of the last episode in Tom Horn's life, the trial for murder and the subsequent hanging. If the account is accurate, Tom led an amazing life. His autobiography yields much insight into historical events and people.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the writing by Tom Horn himself is rustic, the life he lived wasn't. This man did more in his life than most would even dream of doing. Personal knowledge and interactions with some of the greatest personalities in the American West.

[Paul Clipper]

Interesting story with a lot of holes in it.