Body of Black Jack Ketchum after Hanging (Explicit Photo)

[Shotgun Steve]

Black Jack lost his head due to all the weight he gained in jail.

[kflach]

So many things to say, but ain't none of 'em appropriate. I'm gonna let my pard Steel Horse Bailey take this one...

[Texas Lawdog]

"Black Jack" was hung in Clayton, New Mexico.  There are numerous photos of the event in the Clayton Hotel Coffee Shop, at least the last time I was in there.

[Delmonico]

What most folks don't know, he was hung, not for murder or rape like most legal hangings, he was hung for train robbery.  New Mexico was the only state where train robbery was a capital offense and he was the only one ever hung for it.  Since he was shot at the site of the robbery andcaptured, it was an easy conviction.  Didn't need to drag up all the other stuff he'd did, can't hang a man twice, expecally if he has no head.

[Texas Lawdog]

It was that sudden stop that got him!

[Stillwater]

I've seen this picture many times, in books I have read. However, not with the clarity of this copy. In spite of the reflection this picture is very clear.

Black Jack Ketchum lost his head, long before he participated in his last train robbery. He lost his head when he decided to become an outlaw.

I don't think Capitol punishment is too strong of a punishment for an armed robbery, of any type.

There is one thing that capitol punishment does, that can't be disputed. After the punishment is exacted, it keeps the capitol criminal from ever committing another capitol crime...!

[Mogorilla]

In the time frame though, it was considered bad form for a hangee to have their head pop off (like the dandelion song) or to choke to death.  I can't remember the name of the guy, but he was a hangman/executioner in England.  he came up with a mathematical formula to ensure the proper weight and distance needed to break the neck, but not pop the head off.  Since most of these were public, it was considered too shocking for the ladies in the audience to see a head come off or to see a criminal kick and twitch for a few minutes.

[O.T. Buchannan]

On one hand, I doubt he felt anything.  On the other hand, I don't know anybody who's ever come back from a 'be-heading' to say one way or the other......

[kflach]

O.T.,

Are you suggesting he might have come out a head?



Sorry. I broke down and punned. I was hoping SHB would do it for me but alas, my Pard is nowhere to be found in this thread.

[Texas Lawdog]

Kevin, You never know about SHB, he may be lurking about.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I'm greatly in favor of Capital Punishment. It ought to be swift, sure and public.
We should not be ashamed of killing those sorry Criminals who take the life of innocents.
Oh, I not against executing Rapists and Kidnappers either.

[Stillwater]

I'm greatly in favor of Capital Punishment. It ought to be swift, sure and public.
We should not be ashamed of killing those sorry Criminals who take the life of innocents.
Oh, I not against executing Rapists and Kidnappers either.

I agree with your sentiments about criminals being executed for their crimes. In the old days of the west the criminal knew the chance he was taking. In this day and age, many people forget about the victim of the atrocity, and worry aout the poor criminal.

The poor criminal was dropped on his head when he was a child, therefore he doesn't know right from wrong.

Bill

[Marshal Deadwood]

It was rumored that Black Jacks spirit actually uttered audible words as it left his body laying there ...'Never sick a day in my life,,,now this.'

MD

[Skeeter Lewis]

 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Kevin, You never know about SHB, he may be lurking about.

Yep.   Lurking is my new hobby.     

Kevin, I'm flattered you'd care enough to let me comment, but for the life of me, nothing clever comes to mind ... right off the top of my head.

[kflach]

 

[Texas Lawdog]

Lurking sharpens the senses.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Lurking sharpens the senses.

Ahhh - fergit it ... it's a dull subjekt.