A notorious train robber met a gruesome end during a botched hanging that resulted in his decapitation and a gory scene of blood spurting from his neck. Thomas Edward Ketchum, a Texan criminal affiliated with the infamous ‘Hole-in-the-Wall’ gang in the late 19th Century, gained widespread attention from law enforcement across multiple states. He faced a significant trial in Clayton after a failed train heist in 1899 near Folsom, New Mexico, where he was severely injured, leading to the amputation of his right arm.
On the fateful morning of April 26, 1901, a large crowd gathered in Clayton for what was supposed to be a significant public spectacle. However, behind the scenes, inexperienced executioners made a critical error by not adjusting the rope properly, causing a disastrous outcome during the hanging. Due to various factors such as an overlong rope, Ketchum’s weight gain in jail, and the imbalance from his amputated arm, the execution went awry.
During the execution, Ketchum was dropped through the trapdoor, resulting in his head being completely severed from his body. Only the black hood prevented his head from rolling away, requiring the executioners to sew it back on for the public burial. Sheriff Salome Garcia vividly described the shocking scene of the execution, emphasizing the horror of the event.
Ketchum’s last words, reportedly, were, “Dig my grave deep, boys. Let her go boys.” The aftermath of the hanging became notorious, with photographs and postcards circulating showing the decapitated body, solidifying Ketchum as a prime example of a failed execution in the US.
Before his demise, Ketchum and his gang, including his brother Sam, engaged in criminal activities such as a train robbery at Twin Mountain, New Mexico, where Sam was fatally wounded during a confrontation with the police. Ketchum’s final solo robbery attempt outside Folsom ended disastrously, leading to his arrest, trial, and ultimately, his ill-fated execution.
Despite his infamy, Ketchum’s body was relocated in the 1930s to the current Clayton Cemetery, where visitors continue to be intrigued by the haunting tale of his life and death.