James Horton was an Indian boy whose parents died when he was a child, and who was raised and educated by Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Devlin, kindly people of Pioche, Nevada. He was born at Grassy Springs, Nevada, in October, 1897, a son of Billy and Nellie Horton, both since deceased. The Devlins took the little orphan to raise and put him through school in Rose Valley, Nevada, and thereafter he remained with them until September, 1915, when he entered the Stewart Indian School at Carson City. The following account of this patriotic boy’s life, written by Mr. Frederick Snyder, Superintendent of the Stewart Indian School, gives us a sketch of his school days and army service. James Horton, Piute Indian, entered this school in September, 1915, at the age of 18 years.

He came from Lincoln County, Nevada. He remained at the school about two years and acquired some knowledge of the blacksmith trade while here. His record as a pupil of the school is excellent. In 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army as a private and served with the Headquarters Company of the 81st Infantry. During his stay in the army he acted as blacksmith and I am informed that he was kicked in the chest by an animal. He never recovered from the effects of this bruise and developed tuberculosis. He was dismissed from the army some time in 1919, and returned to the sanatorium at this place in February, 1919. He remained a patient here until July 22, 1919, when he died. He was buried in the school cemetery and a stone sent by the War Department, bearing his name, marks his grave. James Horton’s name is on the roster of noble Lincoln County boys who gave their all for their country.