Here you see the actual head of the notorious outlaw, Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum.

Black Jack was born in 1863 in San Saba County, Texas.  He and his brother Sam robbed many a train.  For a time, they rode with Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall Gang.

Black Jack's last train robbery was near Folsom, New Mexico.  He was shot in the arm by a conductor, but escaped--only to be captured the next day.  At his trial he was sentenced to death by hanging.

The hanging occurred in 1901 in Clayton, New Mexico.  People came from miles around to witness it.  Lawmen sold tickets to the event, as well as little dolls of Black Jack hanging from a stick.

Black Jack was in high spirits at his hanging.  Bounding onto the scaffold, he declared, "I'll be in Hell before breakfast!"

As a spectacle, the hanging did not disappoint.  The hangman had miscalculated the weights, so when the trap was sprung Black Jack's head was torn from his body.  The head flew out over the crowd, hit the ground, and rolled through the dusty street.  It is now on display here at Bison Bill's Weird West.

Below is a photograph taken at the historic hanging.