Historical Society presents Tom Horn program

The program at the next meeting of the Hot Springs County Historical Society will be “The Trial of Tom Horn,” presented by John Davis, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Hot Springs County Museum.

On July 18, 1901, a gunman shot young Willie Nickell. Following the incident was the notorious trial of Tom Horn which highlighted a struggle between large cattlemen on one side and small cattlemen and homesteaders on the other. Local author Davis has thoroughly researched the events through the eyes of a trained lawyer and has written “The Trial of Tom Horn,” a well-documented book of fascinating historical events.

Davis is a retired attorney who practiced in Worland for more than 40 years. He is also the author “A Vast Amount of Trouble” about the 1909 Spring Creek Raid, “Goodbye, Judge Lynch” about a 1902 murder north of Ten Sleep and “Wyoming Range War” about the 1892 Johnson County War. This last received the 2010 history award from the Wyoming State Historical Society.

“The Trial of Tom Horn,” his most recent book, was released in March by the University of Oklahoma Press. Davis said the books took three years to research and about another two to write. He noted he was actively practicing law at the time, and so had to take his weekends and any other time he could to write.

When writing a book, Davis said he is surprised by the inevitable distortions of the facts that come with time, though just about everything surprised him when putting together the work on Horn. He described the book’s subject as a strange man, but admirable as well.

Regarding the trial itself, Davis said it’s a myth that Horn didn’t receive a fair trial, as people might believe. In his opinion, it was a case tried as well as any he’s heard of. Davis plans to take people through those surprises he found during his research. He hopes to see a fairly good crowd, as he enjoys talking to others about such topics.

The meeting is open to everyone interested in the history of Thermopolis, Hot Springs County and the State of Wyoming. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Barb Vietti at 921-1551.