They were going to hang a boy for an accidental killing?
Really? How often did that happen back then?
Such things probably did happen, much of the Old West was not officially part of the USA during the 19th century, and the law was whatever the local authorities said it was.
And 5 seconds of research has told me that the UK stopped executing persons under 16 in... 1908. If the law of the US was similar, then it would have been perfectly legal and to execute a 13 year old during much of the Old West era.
Oh, I know about the UK side of things, but I thought the US was more progressive. More fool me, then.
It should be remembered that until recently (that is about a century or so) children where not given any special consideration. Children were, as far as criminal intent, were thought of as small adults. Contradicting that attitude they were rarely given any respect or agency of their own.
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