Life of Tom Horn: Government Scout and Interpreter [Paperback]

Tom Horn (Author), John C. Coble (Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

Guilty or not? Many thought that Tom Horn, the great Indian scout who was hanged for the murder of a fourteen year-old boy, was innocent. In fact, this book was published as "A Vindication." Can reading the story of his life as he tells it convince you? Horn fought the Apache, and like many scouts of the day, he displays a mixture of admiration and contempt for the Indians he knew, among them Geronimo, who is a major figure in this book. Tough, and un-repentant.

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Tom Horn spent the majority of his life among the Apache and the bulk of his autobiography is taken up with the campaign against them in the late 1800's. He went west as did so many of the young men of his day, and at sixteen Al Sieber, the chief of the cavalry scouts, employed him:

"I was young and active and could travel with him all day and herd the horses at night, and do the cooking and tend to the packs and clean his gun every night; and all of this was fun for me. The San Carlos, or Apache, Reservation was 60 miles wide and 130 miles long...Sieber was keeping an eye on the peace and conduct of the Indians. Sieber spoke Apache and Mexican both, and as there were always Indians with us, I began to learn the language very rapidly.

"That was a glorious time for me, as I could hunt deer and turkey to my heart's content, and if I would leave camp and be gone all night to some Indian camp, Sieber never said a word against it..."

What a wonderful way to live at that age! He became a scout himself and when war was officially declared against the Apache, he often tracked and fought them. He knew Geronimo, whom he described as the "biggest chief, the best talker, and the biggest liar in the world." Horn does give us a record of Geronimo's words, which enable the reader to make up his own mind - here is Geronimo's conversation with a cavalry general in 1883:

"'...I listened to your talk yesterday,' said Geronimo, 'and it made me feel that I had done some great wrong. Perhaps I have done wrong, as a white man looks at my actions. I know that a white man does not see as an Apache sees, and I know what is life to a white man is death to an Apache. My influence with my people is great, as you have said, but there are warriors here whom no one can control... You complain of my people raiding and killing up in the American's country. Do you not think I should complain of your war chief killing my warriors?'"

Horn became a deputy sheriff, tracked cattle rustlers and worked for the Pinkertons. He was later charged with the murder of a fourteen year old boy (Horn claims he was framed) and hanged for the crime. Many believed him innocent, and he became a legend in the west. In fact, this autobiography and appended material is put forth as a vindication of Horn's character. Although the original publisher, rancher John Cole, claimed that "...no sentence has been added and no alterations have been made, save to avoid ambiguity..." it's pretty clear that the spoken dialogue has been edited to conform with standard usage. Captivating nonetheless!

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: The Narrative Press (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589760689
• ISBN-13: 978-1589760684
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing insight, May 27, 2000

By 

Jonathan Ince - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life of Tom Horn, Government Scout and Interpreter, Written by Himself (Paperback)

As with all autobiographies this book provides us with a fascinating picture of the adventurous life of Tom Horn. Yet it is the death of Tom Horn that has been the subject of great controversy to the present day; hanged for the murder of a fourteen year old boy, on evidence that was highly questionable.

This book is refered to as a vindication, and though many have disputed this, in some subtle ways it is. Whilst reading this narrative of Tom Horn's years as a scout and interpreter, at no point could I envisage him being the kind of man to kill a boy from ambush. He portrays himself in his autobiography as hard working, fearless, trustworthy, and as a man who served his country well. Though with any autobiography the reader has to accept an elemant of bias, it appears at times as if Tom Horn tries to minimize his own heroics and exploits. To this end the book serves its purpose.

What is most astounding about the book is where it finishes. Tom Horn makes no attempt to explain the events leading upto his conviction and execution. This is both surprising and baffling. Surly most men in his position would have taken the opportunity to plead their innocence. Not so with Tom Horn. He seems content to let the readers make their own decision, by things reported in the newspapers at that time. Maybe he was just confident that people would believe him to be innocent despite much of what was being written.

This edition of the book was supplemented with letters written to and from Tom Horn whilst he was imprisoned. These are valuable as they offer an insight into Tom's state of mind during this period. In a couple of these letters he does choose to explain a little of the events leading up to his arrest, to certain associates

Tom Horn's personal narrative is just as fascinating for what it excludes, as for what it includes. It also provides an excellent look at other celebrated and infamous characters such as Al Seiber, Geronimo and the Apache Kid. For those interested in the life of Tom Horn, or the role of government scouts/interpreters, the book will hold much interest. It is also recommended that readers have some basic knowledge of Tom Horn - particularly his latter life - for a greater understanding.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ..in Tom's own words..., December 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life of Tom Horn, Government Scout and Interpreter, Written by Himself (Paperback)

This book was written by Tom Horn while waiting in a Cheyenne, Wyoming Jail to be hanged. It is a very colorful account of the Government Scout, Arizona Territory Lawman, and "foster son" of Geronimo himself. While it is a very one sided story that almost pleads with you to believe that Tom was blameless, it gives a VERY unique look into the solitary life of a scout and hired gun in the real old west. "A Must Read"

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tom Horn as he wished to be remembered., August 5, 2005

By 

History Fan (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life of Tom Horn, Government Scout and Interpreter, Written by Himself (Paperback)

This is an exceptional autobiography that details the life of Tom Horn prior to the tragic incident in Wyoming. The book is NOT a vindication. The material added by John Coble is clearly identified, and were his personal attempts to vindicate Tom Horn. Written in jail and on his way to the gallows, Tom Horn wrote only about his life as Indian Scout and Intepretor, because this is how he wished to be remembered! "Life of Tom Horn" reflects upon his childhood, and the early adult events that shaped the most glorious and enjoyable years in the prime of his life. He probably deserved the Medal of Honor for the Apache Wars. Details of his life as a miner, Pinkerton detective, rodeo champion and mule skinner for the Spanish American War were left out, probably intentionally. His reputation in Wyoming was so thoroughly distorted and trashed by journalistic sensationalism fueled by ongoing range fueds, that it probably wasn't worth addressing. (He is still hated today by many.) I feel he believed that good would prevail and find him innocent. Time wasn't on his side when he wrote this...

The book is a fabulous historical accout of life in the southwestern frontier. The details of his life as indian scout are easy to put into perspective and supported by many factual historical accounts of the time. If one has a map and photographs of the southwestern United States and Mexico, it becomes even easier to put into perspective. The book is also a great resource for anyone researching Geronomo and the Apache wars.

To this day, Tom Horn's innocence or guilt is embroiled in controversy. Some family members still carry a burning hatred for the man, others admiration and love. Visit the Historical sections of the Denver or Cheyenne Library's, so you can read newspaper accounts of the politics of the range fueds and wars in Wyoming during Tom Horn's time, and come to your own conclusions. After the Apache Wars, Tom Horn became a drifter of various jobs or "careers," typical of many cowboys of that era. He always tried to do the right thing and worked, for the law, not against it. At over 6 feet tall, muscular and lean, he was imposing, but soft spoken, and a loner. When he went to Wyoming, he "walked softly and carried a big stick." The big stick being his reputation as indian fighter and killer, although there's no proof he murdered anyone. He always maintained his innocence, and remained defiantly brave to the very end.