Tombstone · Chapter
Hands Up! explained
This chapter recounts the lynching of John Heath for his role in the Bisbee Massacre, the subsequent mass execution of five bandits, and the later train robbery at Cochise, culminating in the capture of the conspirators after Jeff Milton's
What happens
This chapter recounts the lynching of John Heath for his role in the Bisbee Massacre, the subsequent mass execution of five bandits, and the later train robbery at Cochise, culminating in the capture of the conspirators after Jeff Milton's heroic defense.
Themes in this chapter
Law and Lawlessness
The chapter contrasts formal legal proceedings with vigilante justice, as seen in Heath's lynching and the coroner's creative verdict.
Violence and Death
Graphic depictions of hangings, shootings, and the aftermath of the Bisbee Massacre underscore the pervasive violence.
Community and Memory
The townspeople's collective approval of the lynching and the miners' reminiscences about the executed men illustrate communal memory and solidarity.
Characters to notice
- John Heath
Lynched by vigilantes for his involvement in the Bisbee Massacre; his overzealous pursuit of the bandits led to his exposure and arrest.
- George Goodfellow
Testified at the inquest, suggesting emphysema as the cause of death to allow the jury to avoid naming the lynchers.
- Jeff Milton
Express messenger who heroically defended his train during a robbery in Fairbank, suffering a crippling wound but saving the cargo.
- Jack Dunlap
Three-fingered Jack; shot by Jeff Milton during the train robbery, later died from his wounds and confessed to the Cochise train robbery.
- Burt Alvord
Planned the Cochise train robbery; arrested after Billy Stiles's confession.
- Billy Stiles
Constable who participated in the Cochise train robbery; confessed and implicated Alvord and Downing.
- Dan Dowd
One of the five bandits executed for the Bisbee Massacre; described as a skilled poker player.
- Billy Breakenridge
Mentioned as a deputy involved in the execution proceedings.
Key passages
“Shove the knot around under my left ear... Thank you”
He asked the lynchers to adjust the noose to his left ear and thanked them politely.
John Heath's fastidiousness in his own hanging.
“We, the jury of inquest... find that the name of the deceased was John Heath... and that he came to his death from emphysema of the lungs, which might have been, and probably was, caused by strangulation, self-inflicted or otherwise”
The coroner's jury ruled that John Heath died from emphysema possibly caused by strangulation, a verdict that avoided naming the lynchers.
The creative verdict that allowed the jury to avoid identifying the vigilantes.
“I've knowed all them boys well... Fine fellers as you'd want to meet.”
One miner remarked that he knew the condemned men well and considered them fine fellows.
A miner's nostalgic comment about the executed bandits.
“Come out of that car... If there's anything in this car you want, come and get it.”
When ordered to exit the express car, Jeff Milton defiantly told the robber to come in and take what he wanted.
Milton's defiant response during the train robbery.
