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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e4883d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60453 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60453) diff --git a/old/60453-h.zip b/old/60453-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4314ea8..0000000 --- a/old/60453-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60453-h/60453-h.htm b/old/60453-h/60453-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 5393bd7..0000000 --- a/old/60453-h/60453-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4399 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Border Bandits, by J. 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Buel. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 6%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 47%; - margin-right: 47%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .mynote { background-color: #DDE; color: black; padding: .5em; margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; } /* colored box for notes at beginning of file */ - .box {max-width: 25em; margin: 1.5em auto;} - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .right {text-align: right;} - .left {text-align: left;} - .s3 {display: inline; margin-left: 3em;} - - .poem {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem div {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Bandits, by J. W. Buel - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Border Bandits - An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Noted Outlaws, - Jesse and Frank James - -Author: J. W. Buel - -Release Date: October 8, 2019 [EBook #60453] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BORDER BANDITS *** - - - - -Produced by Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class ="mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><a name="i002.jpg" id="i002.jpg"></a><img src="images/i002.jpg" alt="FRANK JAMES JESSE JAMES" /></div> - -<div class="box"> -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Notice.</span>—These portraits were engraved from late photographs, -obtained at some expense and danger; and having been copyrighted for -this book all persons are warned against using them elsewhere.</p></div> - -<hr /> - -<h1>THE BORDER BANDITS.</h1> - -<p class="bold">AN AUTHENTIC AND THRILLING HISTORY OF<br /> -THE NOTED OUTLAWS,</p> - -<p class="bold2"><span class="smcap">Jesse and Frank James</span>,<br /></p> - -<p class="bold2">And their Bands of Highwaymen.</p> - -<p class="bold">COMPILED FROM RELIABLE SOURCES ONLY AND CONTAINING<br /> -THE LATEST FACTS IN REGARD TO THESE<br />DESPERATE FREEBOOTERS.</p> - -<p class="bold2">BY J. W. BUEL,</p> - -<p class="bold">Author of "Life of Wild Bill the Scout," "Legends of the Ozarks,"<br /> -etc., etc., and Member of the Editorial Staff of the<br />Kansas City and St. Louis Press.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">ILLUSTRATED WITH LATE PORTRAITS AND COLORED PLATES.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">ST. LOUIS, MO.:<br />HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY.<br />1881.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="center">———<br />Copyrighted, 1880, by DAN. LINAHAN.<br />———</p> - -<p class="center space-above">Ryan, Jacks & Co., Printers,<br />ST. LOUIS.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The career of Jesse and Frank James has been as checkered as the -sunlight that streams through a latticed window, and their crimes are -a commentary upon the development of intellectual America. No one can -afford to ignore the lesson which the lives of these outlaws teach, -and therefore a correct history of their desperate deeds becomes -necessary as a part of the country's annals, in juxtaposition with the -commendable heroism of our brightest characters. So many improbable -and romantic incidents have been credited to these noted brothers by -sensational writers; so many dashing escapades and hair-breadth escapes -attributed to them, which they never even dreamed of, that thinking -people, especially in the East, have begun, almost, to regard the James -Boys as a myth, and their deeds as creations of sensational dreamers.</p> - -<p>It has been my purpose for more than three years to prepare a true -history of these noted outlaws, and during that time material has been -collecting which is now given to the public entirely free from fulsome -description or elaborated sensation. In the main essentials the James -Boys themselves will confirm the truthfulness of this narrative, which -has been written with a special regard for candor and indisputable -facts only.</p> - -<p>During several years of the most exciting period in the career of these -noted bandits, I was engaged as reporter for the Kansas City press, and -not only became acquainted with many of their relatives and friends -who reside in that section, from whom were obtained numerous facts and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>incidents never before published; but my duties as a journalist gave -me many excellent opportunities to learn the real truth in regard to -many of their most daring adventures, to one of which (the robbing of -the cash-box at the Kansas City Fair) I was an eye-witness. As time -unfolds the mysteries which have gathered around the names of these -desperate outlaws, it will be seen that this is the most faithful -history of their exploits that has ever been presented to the public.</p> - -<p class="right">J. W. B.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">St. Louis</span>, December 15, 1880.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - -<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="ILLUSTRATIONS"> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">PORTRAITS OF THE JAMES BROTHERS. <a href="#i002.jpg">Frontispiece.</a></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">After Centralia,</td> - <td><a href="#i008.jpg">8</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">HANGING OF DR. SAMUELS,</td> - <td><a href="#i015.jpg">10</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Fleeing from Lawrence,</td> - <td><a href="#i024.jpg">18</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">JESSE JAMES' RECEPTION,</td> - <td><a href="#i045.jpg">38</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Romantic Scenery near the Mysterious Cave,</td> - <td><a href="#i052.jpg">44</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Frank James' Combat with three Mexicans,</td> - <td><a href="#i058.jpg">50</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Recruiting after a Raid,</td> - <td><a href="#i065.jpg">57</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Hobbs Kerry watched by a Detective in a Gambling Den,</td> - <td><a href="#i099.jpg">91</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">SHOOTING OF JESSE JAMES,</td> - <td><a href="#i116.jpg">107</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">SETTLING AN OLD SCORE,</td> - <td><a href="#i123.jpg">112</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Frank James wins his Bride,</td> - <td><a href="#i133.jpg">121</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">An Engineer who meant fight,</td> - <td><a href="#i137.jpg">125</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i008.jpg" id="i008.jpg"></a><img src="images/i008.jpg" alt="AFTER CENTRALIA" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE BORDER BANDITS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<table summary="ILLUSTRATIONS"> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Page</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">JESSE AND FRANK JAMES—<span class="smaller">THEIR YOUTH</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Career as Guerrillas,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">First Skirmishes,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Desolation of Lawrence,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Desperate Fighting by Squads,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Direful Massacre at Centralia,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Fortune Turning Against the Guerrillas,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Whirlwind of Destruction Changes,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Jesse James' Career in Texas,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Robbery and Murder,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Plundering a Kentucky Bank,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Bank Robbery and Murder,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Mysterious Hiding Place in Jackson Co.,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Terrible Fight in Mexico,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Plundering an Iowa Bank,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Another Bank Robbery in Kentucky,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Robbing the Cash Box at the Kansas City Fair,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Plundering the Ste. Genevieve Bank,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Wrecking and Plundering a Train,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Stage Robbery near Hot Springs,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Train Robbery at Gad's Hill,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Wicher's Unfortunate Hunt for the James Boys,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Murdering Cow Boys and Driving off Cattle,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Attack on the Samuels Residence,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Assassination of Daniel Askew,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The San Antonio Stage Robbery,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>The Great Train Robbery at Muncie,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Huntington Bank Robbery,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Rocky Cut Train Robbery,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Fatal Attack on a Minnesota Bank,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">At Glendale—the Last Great Train Robbery,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Shooting of Jesse James by George Shepherd,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Why did Shepherd Shoot Jesse James?</td> - <td><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Robbing of the Mammoth Cave Stage,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Personal Characteristics of the James Boys,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Union Pacific Express Robbery,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">An Interview with the Younger Brothers,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Anecdotes of Jesse and Frank James,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE BORDER BANDITS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2>JESSE AND FRANK JAMES.</h2> - -<p class="bold">THEIR YOUTH.</p> - -<p>Strangely, and yet a not uncommon circumstance, Jesse and Frank James -were the sons of a respectable Kentucky minister of the Baptist -persuasion. Rev. Robt. James, "in the good old times," as he was wont -to call the early days of his ministry, was a great camp-meeting -exhorter, and many of the rock-ribbed hills of middle Kentucky have -been musical with the echoes of his strong voice. Like many other -pastoral exhorters and close communionists, the Rev. James was -illiterate so far as "book learning" was concerned, but his sincerity -was rarely debated. It has been asserted that he passed an academic -course at Georgetown College, but the records of that institution -show the name of no such person. Zerelda Cole, (the mother of the -noted outlaws,) was married to the Rev. Robert James in Scott county, -Kentucky, the same county in which Georgetown College is located; this -fact, added to the desire to heroize, to the largest possible extent, -the paternity of the James boys, is doubtless the reason for ascribing -to the father "a finished education and unusual ability."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Like father, like son," is a very ancient oriental adage; but it -does not apply to Jesse and Frank James, though it is true that their -dispositions are due to maternal inheritance. In fact, the wife's -strength of will and uncompanionable traits of character resulted in -a final separation a few years after their removal to Clay county, -Missouri, in 1843. The Rev. James, in 1849, joined in the pilgrimage -to California, from whence he never returned; and, in 1857, Mrs. -James took another husband, in the person of Dr. Reuben Samuels. It -is quite unimportant to follow the domestic career of Mrs. James, now -Mrs. Samuels, and what has been related is merely for the purpose of -defining the inherited bent and inclination of the parents of the great -outlaws.</p> - -<p>Jesse James was born in Clay county, Missouri, in 1845, while Frank's -nativity is Scott county, Kentucky, where he was born in 1841. At an -extremely early age they displayed traits of character which have ever -since distinguished them. Their hatreds were always bitter and their -cruelty remorseless.</p> - -<p>They manifested especial delight in punishing dumb animals, which is -evidenced by their cutting off the tails and ears of dogs and cats, -burying small animals alive, and diversions of every kind which would -inflict the most grievous pains. Among other boys they were domineering -and cruel, and would rarely participate in innocent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> amusements. They -were never subjected to parental restraint and their youth was passed -in the most perfect indulgence. At the age of ten and fourteen years, -respectively, the boys were provided with fire-arms, in the use of -which they readily became proficient, and were no less expert in -throwing a bowie-knife which they could send quivering into a two-inch -sapling, at the space of fifteen feet, almost without fail.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THEIR CAREER AS GUERRILLAS.</h2> - -<p>When the tocsin of war sounded, and the feverish thrill of excitement -ran through the nation, boys though they were, Jesse and Frank James -were electrified with the ominous news and longed to participate in -the affray where human blood might be drawn until, like a fountain, -it would swell into a gory river. Soon the unmerciful Quantrell, that -terrible wraith of slaughter, came trooping through Missouri upon an -errand of destruction, and attracted to his banner many impetuous -youths of the West, among whom was Frank James; Jesse being the junior -brother, and but little more than fourteen years of age, was rejected -by Quantrell, and returned home to his farm labors with sorrow. But he -did not remain inactive. The family being intensely Southern in their -political predilections, all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> possible aid and sympathy were given -to Quantrell. Many dark nights Jesse would mount his best horse and -ride through the gloomy wilderness of Western Missouri until he gained -the guerrilla haunts, where he would deliver important information -concerning the movements of Federal troops.</p> - -<p>The part played by Jesse and the open and decided expressions -frequently made by Dr. Samuels and his decidedly demonstrative wife, -greatly excited the Federal soldiers, and it was determined to make -an example of the family. Accordingly, in June, 1862, a company of -Missouri militia approached the Samuels' homestead, which is near -Kearney, in Clay county, and first meeting Dr. Samuels, they soon gave -him to understand that their visit was made for a purpose decidedly -unpleasant to him.</p> - -<p>A strong rope was produced with which he was securely pinioned and then -led away from the house a distance of about one hundred yards. Here the -rope was fastened in a noose around his neck, while the other end was -thrown over the limb of a tree, and several men hastily drew him up -and left him suspended to choke to death. Mrs. Samuels, however, had -followed stealthily, and the moment the militia had departed she rushed -to the rescue of her husband, whom she hastily cut down, and by patient -nursing saved his life. The enraged troops decided also to hang Jesse -James, whom they found plowing in the field, but his youth saved him -from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> any other violence than a few cuffs and the production of a rope -with a suspicious noose which they threatened to ornament his neck with -if he again visited the guerrilla camp.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i015.jpg" id="i015.jpg"></a><img src="images/i015.jpg" alt="Hanging of Dr. Samuels" /></div> - -<p>Instead of producing the desired effect, this act of the militia only -excited Jesse the more, and led him to deeds of graver importance. -He continued to communicate almost daily with Quantrell, which so -exasperated the militia that they paid a second visit to the Samuels' -residence, decided upon killing both Dr. Samuels and the daring Jesse. -When they reached the place, however, they found their intended victims -absent, but, determined not to return without some trophy of their -revengeful sortie, they took Mrs. Samuels and her daughter, Miss -Susie, captive, and carried them to St. Joseph, where they were kept -confined in jail for several weeks. This last act greatly inflamed -Jesse's passions, and he immediately mounted his horse and again rode -to Quantrell's camp, where, after detailing the particulars of this -last outrage, perhaps exaggerating the facts some in order to make his -appeal more effective, he begged the guerrilla commander to accept his -services as a private. So hard did he plead for permission to join the -ranks that marched under the shadow of the black flag, that at length -the barrier which his youth imposed was overlooked and the terrible -Quantrell oath was administered to him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE FIRST SKIRMISHES.</h2> - -<p>Up to this time the guerrillas had been engaged in but few skirmishes, -their services consisting chiefly in small foraging expeditions, -making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the -country preparatory to engaging in more effective measures. There was -a slight brush at Richfield, in which Captain Scott, with twelve of -Quantrell's men, surprised thirty militia whom they captured, after -killing ten, and in this attack Jesse James participated. Upon his -return to camp he was sent out with orders from Quantrell to scour the -counties adjoining Clay and locate the militia. After passing through -Clinton county he paid a short visit to his mother, who received him -with many manifestations of pleasure, and then began to unload herself -of the valuable information she had gathered for the benefit of the -guerrillas. She told him that the attack on Richfield had resulted in -massing the militia for a determined stroke, and that the troops were -concentrating near that point; that Plattsburg had been almost entirely -relieved of its garrison and would fall an easy prey to the guerrillas -if they chose to profit by the opportunity.</p> - -<p>Jesse lost no time in communicating the situation to Quantrell, and, -accordingly, three days after the capture of the squad of militiamen -at Richfield, Captain Scott took fifteen men and silently stole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> upon -Plattsburg, which he found defended by less than a score of Federals, -under the command of a lieutenant. The guerrillas dashed into the town -about 3 <span class="smaller">P. M.</span> (August 25th), yelling like a tribe of Comanche -Indians. The citizens fled into their houses with such fear that few -ventured to look into the streets even through key holes. The Federal -lieutenant chanced to be in the public square when the charge was made, -and Jesse James had the honor and credit of capturing him. The rest of -the militia gained the court-house, where it would have been impossible -to dislodge them, and to have attacked the building would have exposed -the guerrillas to the fire of the enemy. It was here that Jesse James' -strategy and military tact were first manifested. Turning his prisoner -(the lieutenant) over to Captain Scott, he said in a loud voice: -"Captain, there is no use parleying with these cut-throats; shoot -this fellow if he don't order his men in the court-house to surrender -immediately." Captain Scott replied that he would if the court-house -was not surrendered in two minutes. The result was that Plattsburg fell -into the hands of the guerrillas, who pillaged the town and gathered -booty, consisting of two hundred and fifty muskets, several hundred -rounds of ammunition, ten thousand dollars in Missouri warrants, -besides a large quantity of clothing, etc. The money was divided -among the participating guerrillas, each of whom received nearly one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -thousand dollars in warrants besides clothing and other articles of -value. The guerrillas compelled the landlord of the principal hotel to -prepare them a good supper, to which they invited their prisoners, whom -they paroled; and after feasting until 9 o'clock <span class="smaller">P. M.</span>, they -withdrew to the cover of the forest.</p> - -<p>After raiding Plattsburg, Quantrell broke camp and moved southward, -passing through Independence, and bivouaced near Lee's Summit. The -residents of that section suffered pitilessly from the sack and pillage -of both Federals and Confederates. They occupied a middle ground which -was subject to the incursions of both armies, and what was left after -the forage of the Union forces was remorselessly appropriated by the -guerrillas. There were skirmishes almost daily, and every highway was -red with human blood. The James boys, young as they were, became the -terror of the border; the crack of their pistols or the whirr of their -pirouetting bowies daily proclaimed the sacrifice of new victims. The -sanguinary harvest grew broader as the sickle of death was thrust in -to reap, and the little brooks and rivulets that had babbled merry -music for ages and laved the thirst of man and beast with their crystal -water, suddenly became tinged with a dye fresh from the fountain of -bitterest sorrow. And thus the days sped on heavy with desolation. -Quantrell and his followers were scarcely interrupted by the militia, -who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> never attacked them except at the price of terrible defeat, -until at length a direful scheme was proposed in which the desperate -character of these free riders was manifested in its blackest hues.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE DESOLATION OF LAWRENCE.</h2> - -<p>Lawrence, Kansas, a thrifty town located on the Kaw river, was selected -by Quantrell as the place upon which to wreak a long-pent-up vengeance. -Sitting around the camp fire on the night of August 18th, 1863, the -chief of the black banner held a consultation with Frank and Jesse -James, the Younger boys, the Shepherd brothers, and others of his most -daring followers, as to the next advisable move upon a place which -would furnish the best inducements for their peculiar mode of war. -There was a concert of opinion that Lawrence was the most available -place. The point having been selected, Quantrell did not neglect to -inform his followers of the danger such an undertaking involved; that -their road would be infested with militia, the forces of which would -be daily augmented when the first intimation of the purposes of the -guerrillas should be made known; that it would be ceaseless fighting -and countless hardships, and many would be left upon the prairies to -fester in the sun. He then called his command to arms and acquainted -every man with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> the decision in the following speech: "Fellow soldiers, -a consultation just held with several of my comrades has resulted in a -decision that we break camp to-morrow and take up a line of march for -Lawrence, Kansas; that we attack that town and, if pressed too hard, -lay it in ashes. This undertaking, let me assure you, is hazardous -in the extreme. The territory through which we must pass is full of -enemies, and the entire way will be beset by well armed men through -whom it will be necessary for us to carve our way. I know full well -that there is not a man in my command who fears a foe; that no braver -force ever existed than it is my honor to lead, but you have never -encountered danger so great as we will have to meet on our way to -Lawrence; therefore let me say to you, without doubting in the least -your heroism, if there are any in my command who would prefer not to -stake their lives in such a dangerous attempt, let them step outside -the ranks."</p> - -<p>At the conclusion of Quantrell's remarks a shout went up from every -man, "On to Lawrence!" Not a face blanched, but on the other hand there -was but one desire, to lay waste the city on the Kaw.</p> - -<p>On the following day the order was given to "mount," and with that -dreadfully black flag streaming over their heads the command, two -hundred strong, turned their faces to the west. As they crossed the -Kansas line at the small town of Aubrey,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> in Johnson county, Quantrell -compelled three men, whom he found sitting in front of a small store -kept by John Beeson, to accompany him as guides. The command passed -through Johnson county midway between Olathe and Spring Hill, and -through the northern part of Franklin county. When they reached Cole -creek, eight miles from Lawrence, the three guides were taken into a -clump of thick woods and shot by Jesse and Frank James. One of the -party, an elderly man, begged piteously to be spared, reminding his -executioners that he had never done them any wrong, but his prayers for -mercy ended in the death rattle as a bullet went crashing through his neck.</p> - -<p>Quantrell had been agreeably mistaken concerning the resistance he -expected to encounter. Not a foe had yet appeared, but he never -permitted a person to pass him alive. No less than twenty-five persons -whom he met in the highway, after getting into Kansas, had been shot, -and yet he avoided the public roads as much as possible.</p> - -<p>Early in the morning of August 21st Quantrell and his band came -in sight of the fated town. The sun was just straggling above the -undulations of the prairie and the people of the place were beginning -to resume the duties of a newly-born day. With a cry which froze the -blood of every one in the town who heard it, Quantrell and his two -hundred followers descended upon the place with pistol, sword and -firebrand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i024.jpg" id="i024.jpg"></a><img src="images/i024.jpg" alt="FLEEING FROM LAWRENCE" /></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>The prime object of the guerrillas was to capture Gen. Jim Lane, -who resided at Lawrence, and retaliate upon him for the burning and -sacking of Osceola, Mo., which had been accomplished by men under his -command. But Lane fled on the first alarm, and concealed himself in an -adjacent cornfield. Foiled in their desire to capture him, the enraged -guerrillas turned their vengeance loose upon the ill-fated town, -killing every man who came within range of their deadly revolvers. -Quantrell's orders were to kill all the men, but to spare the women and -children. By accident, however,—possibly by design of some drunken -privates—several women and children were shot; and this fact was -made use of in subsequent reports of the affair to greatly exaggerate -its barbarous details. It was certainly sufficiently inexcusable and -barbarous without exaggeration. The torch was applied to the light -frame buildings as the killing progressed, and the beautiful little -city was soon enveloped in a sheet of flames. Stores and saloons were -broken into and robbed of their contents, and the guerrilla band soon -became a howling mob of drunken madmen. The dreadful harvest of death -and destruction lasted nearly all day, and when the guerrillas took -up their line of retreat toward the borders of Missouri, the city of -Lawrence had disappeared from the face of the earth. In this affair -Jesse James is said to have killed thirty men and Frank thirty-five. -They seemed to take a sort of devilish pride in numbering their victims.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<p>Quantrell and his men hastily retraced their steps, but they were -terribly harassed during the entire return march by the Kansas militia -and Federal troops that hurriedly concentrated and went in pursuit -of them. This force has been reliably estimated at fully seven -thousand, and nothing but hard marching, determined fighting, and an -endurance that has never been equalled saved the guerrillas from total -destruction. At Black Jack, about fifteen miles from Lawrence, a stand -was made and some brisk fighting occurred. The guerrillas took to -cover in a large barn which stood at the edge of an orchard. Several -assaults were made to dislodge them but in vain. The horses of the -guerrillas were suffering severely, however, and realizing that without -horses they would be unable to get out of Kansas, the guerrillas made a -desperate charge in which thirty-two of the militia were killed and a -panic was the result. But the guerrillas did not care to follow up the -victory, as every moment was precious. The militia were swarming and -closing in upon them rapidly, and it was only by the rarest stroke of -fortune that Quantrell and his men ever escaped from Kansas; this rare -fortune was due entirely to the unparalleled cowardice of three hundred -well armed and mounted men who had been organized into a militia force -near Spring Hill, Kansas. These men exhibited remarkable bravery until -the enemy appeared in sight, when they immediately retreated and -never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> halted until they were ten miles from the place where they saw -Quantrell. Had they engaged the enemy, which was one-third less in -number, besides badly fatigued, they could either have beaten Quantrell -or held him at bay until enough reinforcements were received to have -annihilated every one of the guerrilla band.</p> - -<p>It was a continual fight, however, and as Quantrell predicted, many of -his followers were left dead and unburied on the hot prairies, where -they became the prey of carrion birds. At Shawnee, in the northern part -of Johnson county, the last stand was made, but the fight lasted only -a few minutes, for the guerrillas, appreciating the critical position -they occupied, with nearly five thousand militia gradually surrounding -them, in the manner of early settlers who join in general hunts for the -destruction of obnoxious wild animals, Quantrell soon ordered a charge -and retreat. After breaking through the lines the guerrillas disbanded -and each one then considered alone his own safety; this rendered a -general pursuit impossible, and with a total loss of twenty-one men the -bands reached the coverts of Jackson and Clay counties, where they were -comparatively safe.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>DESPERATE FIGHTING BY SQUADS.</h2> - -<p>After spending a month in apparent leisure, during which time Jesse and -Frank James were frequent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> night visitors to their old home, Quantrell -again called his command together for the purpose of resuming active -hostilities, but he changed his tactics and added new terrors to the -border counties of Missouri. The command was divided into squads of -twenty and thirty, by which means they could make bold dashes at -various points almost simultaneously and so confuse their enemies as -to make pursuit futile. Indeed this peculiar and remorseless warfare -gave rise to the strange superstition that Quantrell was some spirit of -darkness who could transport himself and troops from place to place in -the twinkle of an eye. He became no less dreaded by the Federal troops -than by Union citizens, and day and night non-combatants as well as -armed militiamen fell victims to the terrible guerrillas.</p> - -<p>In the early part of October, Jesse James, in charge of a squad of -twenty-five men, learning of the movements of a company of Federal -cavalry under command of Capt. Ransom, who was marching toward Pleasant -Hill, made a rapid detour and flanked the Federals five miles north -of Blue Springs. Jesse selected a place near the road which was well -screened by a dense thicket; here he stationed his men, and when the -Federals came riding leisurely by, unconscious of any lurking danger, -suddenly a storm of bullets poured upon them from the thicket and men -fell like leaves in an autumn gust. The entire company was immediately -thrown into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> greatest confusion. The youthful commander of the -guerrillas made the most of his advantage and ordered a dash into the -confused and stricken ranks of the enemy, which he shot down with -as little resistance as is offered by dumb animals. The havoc was -terrible, for out of nearly one hundred Federals less than one-third -the number escaped, while the loss of the guerrillas was only one -killed and three slightly wounded.</p> - -<p>On the following day another squad of Quantrell's men ambushed a body -of militia who were returning from a forage in Lafayette county, and -mercilessly annihilated nearly every one of the unfortunate command. -One week later Frank and Jesse James, with fifty men, suddenly appeared -in Bourbon county, Kansas, five miles south of Fort Scott, and swooped -down upon Capt. Blunt and his company of seventy-five mounted infantry, -and with a yell of rage and triumph swept with deathly missiles the -astonished Federals, leaving forty of them to bleach in autumn rains.</p> - -<p>The next attack was upon Lieut. Nash's command, three miles west of -Warrensburg, Missouri, which was surprised by the guerrillas and cut -to pieces. Following close upon this came the furious desolation of -Camden. This little town was garrisoned by a small company of Federals, -who, upon the day in question, were in the midst of bachanalian revels -and unable to offer any resistance. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> fight was a slaughter, in -which the drunken soldiers were shot down without compunction, and -the riot of murder was a pastime of sport for the guerrillas. After -completing the harvest of death the town was pillaged and fired, and -when the guerrillas rode out of the place they left its ruins in charge -of the dead.</p> - -<p>Another squad, under command of George Todd, suddenly encountered the -Second Colorado cavalry, under command of Capt. Wagner, and a desperate -fight ensued. The Colorado troops understood guerrilla warfare, and -Wagner was as brave a man as ever mustered a company. The guerrillas -made a furious charge, but the onslaught was met with such resistance -that the opposing forces mingled together in a hand-to-hand contest. -The fight was terrible, the rattle of revolvers being at times almost -drowned by the clash of sabers. Jesse James fought like a hungry tiger, -and his death-dealing pistol made terrible inroads among his foes. -Singling out the Captain, who was fighting with wonderful desperation, -Jesse rode by him at a furious pace, and, discharging his pistol with -remarkable accuracy, he sent a bullet through the brave Captain's -heart. This act sent consternation through the ranks of the Colorado -troops, and a retreat, in confusion, was soon begun. Those that were -wounded received no mercy at the hands of the guerrillas, but were shot -or put to the sword and then left unburied.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<p>Every attack made by the guerrillas added new terrors to the -neighborhood; there was a concentrating of militia at every available -point and a thousand schemes proposed by which to surprise and bring to -punishment the desperate band; but the guerrillas were kept thoroughly -posted and continued their reckless mode of warfare with varying success.</p> - -<p>In the early part of 1864 Frank James was sent out by Bill Anderson -to locate and number the Federal force at Harrisonville. The duty was -fraught with much peril, but it was danger the James Boys courted as -the spice of existence. He rode straight for the town, until within -sight of the picket lines. He then hitched his horse in the closest -thicket he could find, after which he approached with great care, and -at night succeeded in passing the pickets. Very soon after reaching the -outskirts of Harrisonville he met a negro from whom he obtained what -information he desired and then crept back again through the lines and -mounted his horse. At this juncture he was spied by two of the picket -guards, who commanded him to halt. The reply came from his pistol, -and though the night was without moonshine he sent a bullet through -the brain of one, and another shot tore through the body of the other -picket. The camp was speedily in arms but Frank rode rapidly out of -harm and delivered the information he had gained with such risk to -Anderson.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the second day thereafter the plan of attack on Harrisonville was -consummated and a hard fought battle was the consequence, but the -guerrillas were forced to retire, and they turned their attention to -a company of Federal volunteers who were encamped on Grand river at -Flat Rock Ford. These they attacked with determined fierceness, but -they were met with equal force and were again compelled to retreat. In -this fight Jesse James was badly wounded, a musket ball having passed -through his breast, tearing away a large portion of his left lung and -knocking him from his horse. Notwithstanding the rain of bullets, Arch -Clements and John Jarrette rode back, and gathering up their wounded -comrade they bore him to the house of Capt. John M. Rudd, where for -several days his death was hourly expected. Careful nursing and the -best surgical skill, however, saved his life, and in one month's time -he was able to resume the saddle, and in six weeks he again went on -active duty.</p> - -<p>On the 16th of September, 1864, Jesse James concluded to pay another -visit to his mother, but the road thence was beset with a thousand -dangers which very few men could be induced to encounter. During -the ride he came suddenly upon three uniformed militia, who ordered -him to halt, but instead of obeying the summons he whipped out two -pistols and in a moment the three men were struggling in the throes -of death. Jesse met with no other adventure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> on the journey, and -after spending two days with his mother returned to the camp of the -guerrillas. Immediately upon his return he was informed of the plans -conceived during his absence, of attacking Fayette, Missouri. On the -20th the attack was made, and charge after charge, with all the force -the guerrillas could command, was hurled against the stockades which -protected the Federals, but every onslaught was firmly met and left -a trail of dead and wounded guerrillas. Lee McMurtry, one of the -bravest of Anderson's forces, fell dreadfully wounded directly under -the Federal parapets. Jesse James was an intimate comrade of McMurtry -and he determined to rescue his friend. What a nature is that which -can rush up to the very blazing muzzles of deadly rifles to drag away -a wounded friend! But Jesse James seemed to court death without the -ability to win it. He braved that lurid stream of fatal fire and drew -away the gasping form of his friend, and yet escaped unscathed. This -battle also resulted adversely to the guerrillas, and they were driven -with great loss from Fayette. Leaving this place they rode west again -and went into camp near Wellington.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>DIREFUL MASSACRE AT CENTRALIA.</h2> - -<p>Quantrell continued to direct the movements of the guerrilla bands, -but he was rarely engaged in any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> of the battles; the active service -he delegated to the most strategical and unmerciful members of his -command. Bill Anderson, a human tiger in disposition, was placed in -charge of the full force when it was decided to move upon Centralia, a -small town in Boone county, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. -On the 27th of September, one week after the attack on Fayette, the -guerrillas, numbering one hundred and fifty men, headed by Anderson -and that most ominous of banners, the black flag, with skull and -cross-bones, marched upon Centralia, which they took possession of -without resistance. After pillaging the place the guerrillas took up -their station at the depot and awaited the coming of the train. They -had not long to wait, for soon the shrill whistle of the engine, as it -came thundering through a cut, drawing five passenger coaches loaded -with soldiers and citizen travelers, announced the coming of the prize. -The moment the train stopped the dreadful black flag was flung out and -with the exchange of a few shots the messengers of death boarded the -cars. Everyone on the train was ordered out and made to form in line, -after which the thirty-two soldiers were separated from the other -passengers and all disarmed. Now the breathless suspense, the terrible -forebodings and the anxiety as to the fate that would be meted out -to them! Every soldier was shot as unmercifully as if they had been -obnoxious beasts or poisonous snakes. The <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>passengers were relieved of -whatever valuables they possessed, after which they were permitted to -proceed on their journey.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon of the same day and before the guerrillas had departed -from Centralia, a body of Iowa volunteers, one hundred strong, under -the command of Major J. H. Johnson, rode into the town and in the space -of a few hours the two forces met and engaged in a terrible conflict. -Again Jesse James, who was the best pistol shot in the guerrilla -service, made a furious dash at Major Johnson and planted a pistol ball -almost in the center of the brave Major's forehead. The guerrillas now -rushed upon the terrorized volunteers with such resistless impetuosity -that they broke in confusion. The fight became a massacre, and but very -few of the brave volunteers escaped to convey to anxious friends the -dreadful fate that had befallen their comrades. One of the militiamen -had a very remarkable escape. Being badly wounded, in the early part -of the fight, he remained unconscious, with the blood streaming from a -saber gash in his head, until the foe had departed. When the fight was -over the guerrillas went among the wounded and shot them with their -revolvers, determined that not a soldier should escape. This single -exception to the consummation of guerrilla vengeance was supposed to -be dead, and he therefore escaped the crowning feature of that day's -massacre. When consciousness was regained he found himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> alone, -among the dead bodies of his comrades, and his shouts for help brought -to his assistance the services of a kind old negro woman who took him -to her house and obtained surgical aid, so that in two week's time he -was able to return home.</p> - -<p>The result of the fight at Centralia was not such as brought great -encouragement to the guerrillas; the victory they gained was at the -cost of nearly fifty of their number, whom it would be impossible to -replace, because men of their bold, reckless and desperate character -are rarely to be found. It was therefore determined to again divide up -into squads and renew the warfare which they had waged so successfully -in the previous year. But the guerrillas never fought again as they -had at Fayette and Harrisonville; their courage to meet an armed force -seemed to have vanished.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>FORTUNE TURNING AGAINST THE GUERRILLAS.</h2> - -<p>The numerous and desperate deeds of the guerrillas received the earnest -condemnation of the Confederate forces and for a time it was seriously -considered, by many of the most distinguished Confederate officers, -advisable to unite in the effort to rid Missouri of this terrible -scourge. But their career was rapidly culminating. In attempting -to cross the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> Missouri river in Howard county, a detachment of the -guerrillas, headed by Bill Anderson, was attacked by a force of -Federals under Montgomery, and in the fight which ensued Anderson and -five of his men were killed, while the others escaped to the hills. -They were again surprised while in camp on the Blackwater and several -more were killed, and Jesse James was badly wounded in the leg, besides -having his horse killed under him. In another fight which followed soon -after, on Sugar creek, George Todd, one of the most daring and shrewd -of Quantrell's old comrades, was shot to the death, and in the latter -part of 1864, in order to save themselves from capture or annihilation, -the guerrillas concluded to disband finally. Jesse James joined his -fortunes with George Shepherd and went to Texas, while Frank James -followed Quantrell to Kentucky.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE WHIRLWIND OF DESTRUCTION CHANGES.</h2> - -<p>In January, 1865, Quantrell collected together nearly fifty of his -old followers, among whom was Frank James, and started for the hills -of Kentucky, where he expected to continue his warfare. Their route -lay south-east, and before they got out of Missouri they came very -near falling into the hands of Curtis, who pursued them hard almost to -the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>Arkansas line, where the trail was lost. The guerrillas crossed -the Mississippi river at Gaine's Landing, nearly twenty miles above -Memphis, and made their way through Tennessee, entering Kentucky -from the south. At Hartford, in Ohio county, the command met a squad -of thirty militia under command of Capt. Barnett, whom they readily -deceived into the belief that they were Federal troops searching for -guerrillas, and that Quantrell was a Federal captain. Indeed the -deception was played so successfully that Barnett was induced to -accompany them upon an expedition. Quantrell managed to communicate -with each of his men, whom he instructed to ride beside the Federals, -and when he should draw his handkerchief and throw it over his shoulder -it was the signal for the slaughter. At about five o'clock in the -afternoon Frank James rode up beside Capt. Barnett, while Quantrell -moved forward, and as his horse stepped into a shallow branch where -all his men could see him, he drew the fatal handkerchief, and without -looking back he waved it and then threw it over his shoulder. There was -a rattle of pistol shots and Capt. Barnett and his men fell dead under -their horses.</p> - -<p>Near Hopkinsville the guerrillas met twelve Federal cavalrymen who -sought the shelter of a barn and gave battle. The fight lasted for -more than an hour, and until the barn was fired, when the twelve -brave fellows were forced from their defense and were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> shot as they -rushed from the flames. Their horses then became the property of the -guerrillas. Frank James stopped one day with an uncle, who lives about -fifty miles from Hopkinsville, and thus permitted the command to get -so far ahead of him that he did not engage in any more skirmishes in -Kentucky; for, two days afterward, Quantrell was driven into a small -village called Smiley, where, finding escape impossible, he made his -last stand. It was forty against nearly three hundred, and Quantrell -knew that it was a fight to the death. Bleeding almost at every pore, -the black-bannered bandit fought like the gladiators, until, blinded -by his own blood, and with a score of gaping wounds, he fell mortally -wounded, with an empty pistol in one hand and a bloody sword in the -other. It was thus that the entire force of Quantrell's guerrillas -died, excepting Frank James, whose life was spared for darker deeds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>JESSE JAMES' CAREER IN TEXAS.</h2> - -<p>As previously stated, Jesse James left Missouri in company with George -Shepherd and forty or fifty guerrillas, for Texas, where they spent the -winter of 1864-5 without special activity, and in the spring it was -decided to return to Missouri, although such a decision was pregnant -with a renewal of all the dangers from which they had just escaped. -Upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> reaching Benton county Jesse James, Arch Clements and another -comrade proceeded to the farm-house of James Harkness, who was known -as an uncompromising Union man. They decoyed him a short distance from -his house by requesting him to direct them to a spring which they knew -was in the neighborhood. When out of sight of the house Jesse James -and his comrade caught Harkness by the arms and held him firmly, while -Arch Clements drew a large bowie-knife with which he cut the throat of -the defenceless farmer, almost severing his head. Fresh blood being -upon their hands, they rode into Johnson county to the house of Allen -Duncan, another Union man, and finding him chopping wood in his yard, -Jesse James first accosted him and then sent a bullet into his brain.</p> - -<p>The guerrilla band, now numbering scarce a score, before getting out -of Johnson county were surprised by a company of Federal volunteers -and almost annihilated. Jesse James had his horse shot under him and -a musket ball went crashing through his lungs. Supposing him dead, -the Federals gave pursuit to the fleeing guerrillas and chased the -remaining few for nearly fifty miles. The wounded guerrilla lay for -two days where he fell, in terrible agony, and would have died except -for the kindly ministrations of a farmer who chanced to find him. The -care he received, after weeks of suffering, enabled him to again resume -the saddle, and he went to Nebraska, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> his mother was temporarily -living and where he remained until the return of Frank James from -Kentucky late in the following summer.</p> - -<p>Before Frank left Brandensburg, however, he met with an adventure which -nearly cost his life. The vicinity of Brandensburg was infested with -horse-thieves, and suspicion was directed against Frank as one of the -guilty band. It was determined to arrest him, and for this purpose a -posse of six men went to the house where he was stopping, and after -charging him with horse-stealing, demanded his arms. The response was -most unexpected, for, with an oath, he drew his pistol and shot three -of the party, and in return was badly wounded in the thigh. The other -three fled, but a large crowd soon collected, to intimidate which Frank -backed up against the house and threatened to shoot any one who made -the least motion to harm him. A horse was standing hitched conveniently -near, and, compelling the crowd to fall back, he drew his suffering -body up into the saddle and made his escape. The wound proved a very -serious one and kept him confined to his bed at the house of a friend, -where he found refuge, nearly seventy-five miles from Brandensburg, for -several months.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<h2>ROBBERY AND MURDER.</h2> - -<p>It is a trite old saying that "one crime begets another," and in the -life of Jesse and Frank James it is well illustrated. When the war -closed and the occupation of the guerrilla, under color of authority, -was gone, the James Boys were loth to change the exciting and dangerous -vocation to which they had become inured by nearly four years of almost -ceaseless activity. Other guerrillas, who had been their comrades in -so many desperate struggles, which had made their very names a terror, -had surrendered themselves when the bond of national union had been -repaired, and returned to peaceful pursuits; but Jesse and Frank James -affected to despise the ordinary walks of life and refused to tread -other than paths which bristled with danger and anxiety. Both were -sorely wounded, and a period of recuperation was necessary; and this -respite from the turmoils of bandit life was employed in the conception -of bold schemes by which to enlarge the notoriety of their names and to -accumulate wealth.</p> - -<p>When they had somewhat recovered from their wounds, Mrs. Samuels -returned to her old home, in Clay county, while the boys paid her -occasional visits as opportunity offered, but generally keeping -themselves well hidden in the fastnesses of Jackson county. In the -latter part of 1866, Jesse James was attacked with a severe type of -malarial fever, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> the exposure he had to endure so intensified -that he determined to secretly visit his mother and place himself -under her immediate care. The record which he had made during the -war rendered him amenable to the vengeance of a large number of the -residents of Clay and adjoining counties, who had suffered by his -desperate acts. Consequently, Jesse knew that eternal vigilance was -necessary, but hoped to so conceal his presence at the Samuels' -homestead that no one would suspect his location or condition. But in -this he was deceived, for only a few days had elapsed after his arrival -at home when, by some means unknown to the writer, it was discovered -that Jesse had taken up at least a temporary residence with his mother.</p> - -<p>It was a bitter cold night in the month of February, 1867, that a -band of six persons, each of whom had a special grievance to revenge, -knocked at the door of Dr. Samuels' residence and demanded immediate -admittance. Jesse was in a bed up stairs, but he was the first to -hear and understand the peremptory challenge, as it were, of the men -outside. Hastily drawing on his pantaloons and boots, he grabbed his -two heavy pistols and looked out of the window where, by the light -refracted by the snow, he saw six horses and only a single man. He -knew then that the house was surrounded and all chance of escape lay -in a bloody fight. He silently descended to the first floor, where -Dr. Samuels was <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>rattling the door and explaining to those awaiting -admittance that the lock was out of repair so that the key would not -work readily. This was a ruse, however, to secure time for Jesse who, -Dr. Samuels hoped, would be able to escape through a back window. -Locating the voice of one of the men who was threatening to break in -the door, Jesse fired through the panel and a stifled groan told him -that his aim had been perfect. On hearing the shot, the other five -rushed to the front of the house. Jesse threw the door partly open -and the light from the snow made the men outside easy targets for his -unerring aim, while he was so hidden by the door and darkness within -that the attacking party could not fire with the least accuracy. In -half the time it has taken the reader to even scan this report three of -the six men were lying dead in the snow and two others were desperately -wounded, while the other fled in mortal terror.</p> - -<p>Suffering, as he was, from a very high fever, Jesse lost no time in -mounting his horse, and with a hurried good-bye, he again rode into -the wilderness, leaving his mother and her family with the dead and -wounded. It was a ghastly scene, there upon the white-shrouded ground, -one man dead on the doorstep, two others stiff and frozen in their own -blood which crimsoned the yard, while the groans from the wounded made -the place more hideous. Dr. Samuels notified his nearest neighbor as -soon as possible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> and with the assistance he secured, the two wounded -men were taken into the house and cared for, while a lonely vigil -over the dead was kept until morning. A large crowd collected at the -homestead on the following day and removed the bodies, while more than -fifty well mounted citizens went in pursuit of the youthful desperado, -but after a week's fruitless search they returned to their homes and -quiet again brooded over the distressed neighborhood.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i045.jpg" id="i045.jpg"></a><img src="images/i045.jpg" alt="Jesse James' Reception" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<h2>PLUNDERING A KENTUCKY BANK.</h2> - -<p>The bloody record of the James Boys had been almost forgotten, for -they had not been seen in Clay county for many months and no specially -reckless deeds had been committed to bring back a remembrance of them; -when, suddenly, the town of Russellville, Kentucky, was thrown into -a greater excitement than it had ever before experienced. The James -Boys had paid the place a visit and left a souvenir of their desperate -valor. On the 30th of March, 1868, Jesse James, accompanied by four -comrades, George Shepherd, Oll. Shepherd, Cole Younger and Jim White, -dashed into the town like a hurricane, yelling and firing their pistols -until every one was frightened from the streets. They then rode to the -bank where four of them dismounted and entered, with drawn revolvers, -so intimidating the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> cashier that he opened the safe to Jesse James, -while Cole Younger gathered the money that was lying upon the counter. -The amount appropriated by the bandits was $14,000, which they threw -into a sack and then leisurely departed. Everything connected with -the robbery showed thorough system and a management which could be -attributed to none other than the fierce Missouri free-booters.</p> - -<p>When the excitement and surprise had somewhat subsided the sheriff -summoned twenty deputies and started in pursuit. The chase continued -through Kentucky and western Tennessee. Telegrams were sent in every -direction with the hope of intercepting the robbers, who, finding -themselves close pressed, scattered, as was their custom, and all, -save George Shepherd, eluded pursuit and gained the marshes and dense -coverts of Arkansas, where it was impossible to trail them. Shepherd -was captured two weeks after the robbery in a small drug store in -Tennessee and taken back to Logan county, where he was convicted and -sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of three years.</p> - -<p>Oliver Shepherd, a brother of George, who was also connected with the -bank robbery, was afterward found in Jackson county, Missouri, and a -requisition being first obtained, a dozen men attempted his arrest. -But Oll., as he was called, was made of that sterner composition which -would not brook a curtailment of his liberty, and he threw defiance -at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> the officers of the law. Then began a battle of extermination. The -officers had armed themselves with carbines because they knew that to -come in range of the old guerrilla's pistols would be death to many of -them. The hero of a hundred desperate conflicts felt that his time had -come, so, bracing himself against a large tree, he stood and received -the fire of his slayers at a range of nearly two hundred and fifty -yards. His pistols were useless, although he fired every shot, fourteen -rounds, at the officers, who, from behind trees, shot seven terrible -slugs into his body before he fell; even then, like Spartacus, he -struck out towards his foes in the last throes of death.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>BANK ROBBERY AND MURDER.</h2> - -<p>After the affair at Russellville the James Boys appeared twice in their -old haunts in Missouri, but spent nearly a year in Texas and Mexico, -in remote districts, where they were free from the interference of -officers anxious for their capture. It was not until the latter part of -1869 that they resumed criminal operations, their plans being laid to -rob the bank at Gallatin, Missouri. In this scheme they were assisted -by the three Younger brothers, whose career for consummate daring and -recklessness is fully equal to that of the James Boys.</p> - -<p>It was on the 7th of December that a body of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> seven thoroughly -armed men, superbly mounted, galloped into Gallatin and commenced -firing their pistols indiscriminately, shouting most terrible oaths -and fearful threats. After alarming the residents of the place and -preventing resistance, Jesse James and Cole Younger dashed into the -bank, and at the muzzles of drawn revolvers, they compelled the -cashier, Capt. John W. Sheets, to deliver the keys of the money -department of the safe, the main door being open. After rifling the -bank of $700, Jesse and Cole whispered a few words together, put the -money in a bag, and then one of them, but which of the two it is not -known, deliberately shot Capt. Sheets dead. The reason given for the -commission of this crime was that Capt. Sheets had, during the war, -led a party of militia against the guerrillas, in which conflict Bill -Anderson was killed, and that the killing of Sheets was in revenge for -Anderson's tragic death.</p> - -<p>Capt. Sheets was a very popular man in Gallatin and the surrounding -neighborhood, and when the news of the terrible tragedy and robbery -spread, nearly the entire county arose in arms and demanded the blood -of the assassins. Several bands were organized and started in pursuit, -each taking a different route, with the hope that one of them might be -able to apprehend the bandits before they could get out of the county. -One of these bands, numbering twelve citizens, overtook the robbers -on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> edge of Clay county and a running fight ensued, in which one -of the citizens was wounded slightly and the horse of another killed. -These casualties ended the pursuit and the bandits reached Jackson -county in safety, where they disappeared.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE MYSTERIOUS HIDING PLACE IN JACKSON COUNTY.</h2> - -<p>In perusing books and newspaper articles recording the adventures of -the James and Younger boys, the reader must have been impressed with -the somewhat singular assertion that pursuit of the bandits generally -ended by their sudden disappearance in Jackson county, Missouri. I -will confess that I have often wondered how it was possible for a body -of men to mysteriously disappear in a certain locality and thereby -end a close pursuit. A gentleman who has been intimate with the James -Boys for a period of nearly twenty years and with whom I am intimately -acquainted, volunteered to me the long-wished-for information, which he -gave as follows, omitting only the exact location. I will use his own -words as nearly as possible:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i052.jpg" id="i052.jpg"></a><img src="images/i052.jpg" alt="ROMANTIC SCENERY NEAR THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE" /></div> - -<p>"You know," said he, "that Jackson county is one of the most rugged -and broken districts in Missouri; it not only abounds with bluffs, but -also, in at least a few places, with almost impenetrable thickets, -fit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> only for the abode of catamounts and foxes. One day I was riding -through Jackson county, I will not tell you where, when suddenly -I was confronted by Frank James. He greeted me cordially and then -said: '——, I have every confidence in you and I know you would -not betray us to save your right arm; therefore I invite you to our -retreat; come with me!' I followed him in a bridle path for nearly -a mile, when we came to a precipitous bluff, the base of which was -completely hidden by a thick growth. There was an entrance between -the growth and bluff, where any one would least suspect it, because, -at the mouth are two bold rocks, which are apparently attached to the -bluff itself; this delusion is accomplished by keeping the interstices -filled with fresh brush so laid as to appear like a natural coppice. -This passage-way leads about fifty feet, to a large fissure in the -side of the bluff, resembling a vestibule; from this we stepped into -a large cave, quite roomy enough to contain comfortably more than a -score of men and horses. I was astonished at the completeness of the -arrangement of things in the cave. There was a cooking stove, the -pipe of which extended up and was lost in the top of the cave. Frank -James told me that the smoke from the stove passed into a fissure of -rock which evidently opened into another cave, as no smoke could ever -be seen issuing from the bluff. He then took me over to another part -of the cavern, where there was a clear spring of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> beautiful water, -and over this was another fissure from which there was a cool draft -of air which thoroughly ventilated the entire cave. I could see that -many of the conveniences of the place were due to no little labor. A -part of the cave was ceiled nicely with grooved pine lumber so as to -prevent dampness, and in this division was a large heating stove, and -about a dozen beds, all supplied with neat bedding. In the rear of the -cave, which was, perhaps, one hundred feet deep by sixty broad, were -twenty-one stalls for the horses, and over the stalls was a large feed -bin filled with oats and corn, but no hay, as the latter was too bulky -to convey readily into the cave. But what surprised me most was the -means of defence. There was an arsenal of fire-arms and a magazine for -ammunition, while the approach to the cave was commanded by a fierce, -breech-loading ten-pound cannon, which was kept constantly loaded -with buckshot, and looked out towards the entrance in such a way that -one man could defend the place against a hundred, for a discharge of -that cannon would sweep everything out of the passage. The place is -absolutely impregnable, even if it could be found, which it would be -exceedingly difficult to do.</p> - -<p>"I would not have told you this except for the fact that the cave is -now abandoned and may never be occupied again, but yet there is a -certain obligation, from which I do not feel myself wholly relieved, -that causes me to keep the location of the cave a secret.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> Frank James -is in the East, and Jesse James—well, I don't know what has become -of him, but I hope he is living in safety and happiness, as I believe -he is, because, with all their crimes, the James Boys have been good -friends to me."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>A TERRIBLE FIGHT IN MEXICO.</h2> - -<p>After robbing the Gallatin bank, the James Boys left Missouri and went -to Texas, where they remained a short time and then crossed the border -into Mexico. It has been suspected that they drove a herd of cattle -across the border with them, but of this there is no ready proof, and -the crimes of some greasers may have been attributed to the bandits. -In the month of May, 1860, Frank and Jesse James rode into Matamoras -and, as there was a fandango advertised to take place at a public house -on the night of their arrival, they decided to attend. Accordingly, -when the night shadows fell, they paid the price of admission and -entered the hall, which was rapidly filling up with swarthy senoritas -and hidalgoes. From the belts of the latter protruded the glittering -handles of bright, keen stilettos, in preparation for the affray which -is always anticipated.</p> - -<p>The dance began about eight o'clock, with much spirit, and the whirl -of the graceful girls soon excited a desire on the part of Frank -and Jesse to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>participate, although they were not familiar with the -movements and figures of the Spanish dances. Nevertheless they essayed -an attempt, which only served to excite the ridicule of the Mexicans -who, by gesture and speech, went so far in their sport and mimicry of -the outlaws that at length Frank James knocked down one of the boldest. -This act came near proving disastrous to both the boys, for the moment -the Mexican fell to the floor another powerfully built hidalgo struck -Frank a blow on the cheek which sent him spinning into the laps of two -girls who were seated on a bench awaiting partners. For a moment he was -so stunned as to scarcely know what to do, but Jesse saw where his aid -was most needed and the next instant the powerful Mexican fell with a -bullet in his brain. A general fight then ensued in which Jesse and -Frank rushed for the door, but their passage was impeded; so nothing -remained for the boys except to clear a way by shooting those who stood -before them. Frank received a thrust in the shoulder from a stiletto -and Jesse's right fore-arm was punctured with a similar instrument, but -the boys fired rapidly and with such effect that four Mexicans lay dead -and six others were dreadfully wounded, some mortally. Jesse was the -first to break through the doorway, and as he did so he turned at the -very instant a dagger, in the hands of a strong Mexican, was directed -at Frank's heart, but ere the hand fell to its purpose a bullet from -Jesse's pistol entered the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>Mexican's eye and he dropped dead at -Frank's feet, striking the dagger deep into the floor as he fell. This -fortunate shot enabled Frank to escape from the building and as the -Mexicans had no arms except stilettos, they were powerless to continue -the fight, but many of them rushed to their homes to procure fire-arms -and horses, and the place was swarming so rapidly with blood-craving -hidalgoes and greasers that the only avenue of escape lay in the river. -They accordingly rushed toward their horses which were hitched in the -woods near by, but just before reaching them three powerful Mexicans -suddenly sprang upon Frank James, who was a little in the rear, and -attempted to bind him with a stout cord which they threw over his -shoulders. Fortunately, in running he had picked up a large bludgeon -which lay in his path, and shaking himself loose from the grasp of his -assailants he laid about him so briskly with this formidable weapon -that in a moment the three Mexicans lay stunned on the ground at his -feet, then hastily joining Jesse, who had already mounted and was -holding his horse for him, he sprang into the saddle, and putting spurs -to their restless steeds they plunged boldly into the Rio Grande and -swam to the other side, while the Mexicans were riding about in every -direction trying to find the bandits whom they did not imagine would -dare to take to the river.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i058.jpg" id="i058.jpg"></a><img src="images/i058.jpg" alt="FRANK JAMES COMBAT WITH THREE MEXICANS" /></div> - -<p>The boys made good their escape, but the wounds they had received -in the fight were of a most <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>painful nature and required careful -attention. Frank's was the most severe, and had not Jesse bandaged -it with the greatest skill the outlaw must have bled to death before -obtaining medical aid, for one of the veins in his neck had been -severed. The two reached Concepcion, a small town in Texas, about -one hundred miles from Matamoras, where they remained in charge of -a surgeon for nearly three months before their wounds had healed -sufficiently to permit them to travel.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>PLUNDERING AN IOWA BANK.</h2> - -<p>In the spring of 1871 Jesse and Frank James secretly returned to their -haunts in Jackson county, Missouri, where they remained for some time -arranging for an expedition into Iowa. Their plans being perfected, -they, with five other bandits, started north, riding by night, until -they reached Corydon, the bank in which place they had previously -decided to rob. At ten o'clock in the morning the seven desperadoes -made a furious charge into the center of the town and commenced a -fusilade of firing, threatening to kill every person found on the -streets within five minutes afterward. None of the citizens thought -of offering any resistance, and dashing up to the bank, three of the -robbers dismounted and rushed in with cocked pistols, and demanded of -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> cashier every cent the bank contained. Finding himself powerless, -and realizing that death would be his certain portion if he refused to -comply with the immediate demands of the desperate outlaws, the cashier -opened the safe and permitted them to appropriate nearly $40,000. The -money was placed in a sack, which they invariably carried with them for -the purpose, and then the seven desperadoes rode rapidly out of the -city, firing their pistols indiscriminately as they swept through the -streets.</p> - -<p>The citizens were, of course, intensely excited, and after the -disappearance of the robbers a hundred persons volunteered their -services to the sheriff to assist in the apprehension of the bold -plunderers. Efforts at capture were made by a large body of men, but -like all similar attempts, the result was nothing. They were followed -into Missouri and telegrams sent to every town in the State, but, like -imps of darkness, the seven dare-devils disappeared and were not again -seen for several months; but it is now known that they were lying -quietly in their impregnable haunt in the eastern part of Jackson -county, waiting for a return of quiet.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>ANOTHER BANK ROBBERY IN KENTUCKY.</h2> - -<p>In the latter part of 1870, Jesse and Frank James visited Kentucky, -where they had a large number of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> friends and relatives, who admired -their bravery and condoned their crimes. They remained here until in -the early part of the spring of 1874, when they and the Younger boys -conceived a plan for robbing the bank at Columbia, Kentucky. On the -29th of April of that year, the three Youngers and the two James Boys -entered Columbia about the same hour from five different roads, so that -there was not the least apprehension excited. Just before three o'clock -in the afternoon the five desperadoes rode up to the bank together, -while Frank James and Cole Younger leisurely dismounted and entered -the bank, where they found the cashier, Mr. Martin, the president, Mr. -Dalrymple, and another gentleman engaged in a conversation. Without -losing any time or creating any suspicion from the citizens of the -place, the two bandits drew their pistols and going behind the bank -counter, leveled them at the heads of the cashier and president, and -demanded the keys to the safe. Seeing, at a glance, however, that the -safe was secured by a combination lock, they commanded the cashier to -open it under penalty of immediate death if he refused. Martin was a -brave man, and instead of being intimidated, tried to raise an alarm; -but at the first outcry Frank James thrust a heavy navy revolver into -his face and fired, killing him instantly; at the same moment Cole -Younger fired at the president but, luckily, that gentleman struck up -the pistol, and running into the back office, escaped with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> life. -The two robbers hastily gathered the money that was in sight, (about -$200,) and gaining their horses the five rode out of the town at a -rapid pace.</p> - -<p>Fifteen men, headed by the sheriff, went in pursuit of the desperadoes, -and chased them hard into the eastern part of Tennessee, where the -trail was lost in the Cumberland range. Again the bandits doubled -on their tracks, after the pursuit was abandoned, and went into the -western part of Texas, where they mingled with the lawless elements of -the border.</p> - -<p>Every attempt at their capture had proven fruitless, and for the time -being, the provincial banks were kept well armed in anticipation of a -raid. The James Boys were too crafty to appear again in the counties -where their terrible deeds had excited the people to desperation. They -waited until the memory of their crimes had been partially forgotten, -and then planned new schemes of pillage.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>ROBBING OF THE CASH-BOX AT THE KANSAS CITY FAIR.</h2> - -<p>On the 26th of September, 1872, the people of Kansas City had an -opportunity for considering the cunning and bravery of the James Boys, -from immediate circumstances which suddenly involved the city in a -furore of excitement. It was on Thursday,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> the "big day" of the Kansas -City Exposition, when nearly thirty thousand visitors were assembled -to see the races, and particularly to witness Ethan Allen trot in -harness against a running mate. The crowd was immense and of course the -gate receipts were correspondingly large. About four o'clock in the -afternoon Mr. Hall, the secretary and treasurer of the association, -counted up the receipts of the day, which were nearly ten thousand -dollars, and placing the money in a tin box kept for the purpose, he -told one of his assistants to take it to the First National Bank where, -although it was after banking hours, arrangements had been made to -make the deposit. No thought was entertained that any attempt would be -made to steal the cash-box while so many people were constantly on the -highway leading to the city, and the young man started off whistling -gaily, carrying the treasure box by a wire handle in his right hand. -As he reached the entrance gate, where more than a dozen persons were -coming in and going out, three men on horseback (Jesse and Frank James -and Bob Younger) dashed up to the young man with such reckless haste -that a little girl was badly trampled by one of the horses; at the -same moment a pistol shot was fired and Jesse James jumped from his -horse into the confused crowd and snatching the cash-box from the hand -of the affrighted messenger, he leaped into the saddle again and the -three highwaymen disappeared, with a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>clatter of fast-flying feet, like -the sweep of a whirlwind. For several minutes it was thought that the -little girl had been struck by a pistol ball, but after she was carried -home it was ascertained that her injuries, which were not fatal, -were caused by the horse of one of the robbers knocking her down and -trampling upon her hips.</p> - -<p>The news of the robbery spread over the city in a few minutes, and -Marshal Shepherd sent out some of his detectives, while several -gentlemen mounted fleet horses and used every possible endeavor to -capture the robbers. The trail led over the hills east of Kansas City -and about ten miles into Jackson county, where every trace was suddenly -blotted out. The outlaws had reached their favorite haunt where no -pursuer had ever been able to find them. The writer was a reporter on -the Kansas City <i>Journal</i> at the time of the robbery and reported the -details as here related.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>PLUNDERING THE STE. GENEVIEVE BANK.</h2> - -<p>The success of the bandits thus far greatly encouraged them in their -lawless operations, and they were constantly planning new and still -more reckless adventures. They remained in their secure hiding -place during the winter of 1872-3, retiring upon their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> laurels and -living royally upon their immense gains. During this period of jolly -hibernation, schemes were proposed for wrecking railroad trains, and -before the appearance of spring, Frank James and Jim Younger were sent -into Nebraska for the purpose of gathering information concerning -the express shipment of treasure from the west. Not hearing from the -robber agents as soon as was expected, Jesse James, Bill Chadwell, -Clell Miller, and Bob and Cole Younger decided to pay their respects -to another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> bank before venturing upon their proposed railroad -enterprise, and the Savings Association, at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, -was selected for the strike. Accordingly, early in the morning of May -27th, 1873, the five desperate free-booters appeared in the streets -of that old-time Catholic town, and the moment that Mr. O. D. Harris, -the cashier, accompanied by F. A. Rozier, a son of Hon. Firman A. -Rozier, the president, entered the bank to begin the business of the -day, the three daring bandits followed them into the building and -presenting six pistols, demanded the immediate opening of the bank -vault. Young Rozier, regardless of the danger, made a speedy exit, -and as he ran down the street crying for help, a bullet from one of -the outlaws' weapons went whistling through the tail of his coat, but -he escaped. Mr. Harris, however, was covered by too many pistols to -permit of his escape, and stern necessity forced him into a compliance -with the wishes of the robbers. He opened the vault, from which the -sum of four thousand one hundred dollars was taken, a large part of -which was specie, and shoving it speedily into the sack provided, the -bandits mounted their horses and decamped. As they were riding out of -the city, the bag containing the treasure was accidentally dropped, to -recover which it was necessary to return, and one of the robbers had -to dismount. In doing so his horse became frightened and broke away. -At this juncture a German came riding by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> and the robbers compelled -him to ride after and catch the fleeing animal, which was returned to -the riderless bandit, only after such delay as permitted a hastily -organized posse of the citizens to approach within pistol shot of the -three highwaymen. An exchange of fire caused the posse to check their -pace and the distance thus gained by the pursued, was never made up. -The pursuit was continued for several days, but without result. The -outlaws stopped at Hermann, Mo., two days after the robbery, but as -usual, there was no posse there to apprehend them. Several well known -detectives from St. Louis were sent out, and the sheriff of every -county in Missouri notified and requested to keep a sharp lookout for -the desperadoes; but though many suspicious characters were arrested -the real culprits were never captured. The amount secured at Ste. -Genevieve was a great disappointment to the robbers, for it was known -that the bank usually carried from seventy-five thousand to one hundred -thousand dollars, but at this particular time, very fortunately, the -association was winding up business, and had deposited the greater -portion of its funds in the Merchants' Bank of St. Louis.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i065.jpg" id="i065.jpg"></a><img src="images/i065.jpg" alt="RECRUITING AFTER A RAID" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> - -<h2>WRECKING AND PLUNDERING A TRAIN.</h2> - -<p>In June following both the James Boys were seen in Kansas City by -intimate acquaintances, and the night of June 27th was spent by both -the bandits with their mother at the Samuels' residence. On the 15th of -July, Bob, Jim and Cole Younger, Jesse and Frank James, Bud Singleton -and two other bandits, whose names have never been learned by the -authorities, left Clay county, Missouri, and rode northward to a spot -which had been selected by Frank James and Jim Younger, on the line -of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, about five miles east -of Council Bluffs. The reason for selecting this place and time was -because of information received of an intended shipment of a large -amount of gold from San Francisco to New York, which would be made over -this route, reaching Omaha about the 19th of July. How this information -was imparted was never ascertained, but its truth has led to the belief -that the James Boys had confederates on the Pacific slope with whom -they were in constant communication.</p> - -<p>On the evening of July 21st a formidable band of eight of the most -desperate men that ever committed a crime, took position in a dense -thicket beside a deep cut in the railroad. They hitched their horses -out of view of passengers on the train and then, after a few minutes' -work, displaced one of the rails. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> accomplished, they waited the -coming of the express train which was due at that point at 8:30 <span class="smaller">P. -M.</span> From a knoll near the rendezvous Jesse James descried the -blazing headlight of the coming train, and then made everything ready -for their villainous work. A sharp curve in the track prevented the -engineer from discovering anything wrong, until it was impossible to -prevent the disaster which the banditti had prepared for. The screaming -engine came thundering like an infuriated mammoth, which a reversal -of the lever only began to check when it struck the loosened rail and -plunged sideways into the bank, while the cars telescoped and piled up -in terrible confusion. The engineer was instantly killed, and a dozen -passengers were seriously injured, but the desperadoes did not stop -to consider this terrible disaster. The moment the havoc was complete -the bandits fell upon the excited passengers, whom they robbed without -exception, both men and women, taking every species of jewelry and the -last cent that could be discovered from the wounded as well as those -who remained unhurt. The express car was entered and the messenger, -groaning with pain from a broken arm, was compelled to open the safe, -which was rifled of six thousand dollars and then the messenger was -forced to give the robbers his watch and ten dollars which he had with -him. Fortunately the desperadoes were twelve hours too soon for the -train upon which the expected treasure was carried, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> express -that went east on the morning of the 21st, carried gold bricks, specie -and currency amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>The total amount secured by the train-wrecking band was about $2,500 -each, which they carried off, as was their custom, in a sack, departing -southward at a rapid gait.</p> - -<p>The officers of Council Bluffs were soon notified of the robbery. The -wounded and dead were taken to the city and cared for, and then another -pursuit of the robbers was begun, which was united in by sheriffs and -posses of other counties until the pursuing parties numbered nearly -two hundred men. The desperadoes were traced over hill and prairie, -through Clay county and into Jackson, where the trail was lost as -effectually as if the robbers had mounted into space and fled behind -the clouds. Reward after reward was offered until they aggregated more -than $50,000; the most expert detectives from St. Louis and Chicago -concentrated upon an effort to win the prize and rid the country of the -most consummate highwaymen since the days of Rolla, the bearded Knight -of the forests. But every clue proved deceiving, and the most cunning -of detectives finally abandoned the chase, thoroughly confounded by the -marvelous cunning of the bandits.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE STAGE ROBBERY NEAR HOT SPRINGS.</h2> - -<p>In December of 1873, a council was held in the haunt of the bandits, -near the Big Blue, in Jackson county, in which it was decided to -attempt a stage robbery, and the line between Malvern and Hot Springs, -Arkansas, was selected for the first stroke in the inauguration of a -new species of crime. Accordingly, on the 15th of January, 1874, five -of the highwaymen, consisting of Frank James, Clell Miller, Arthur -McCoy and Jim and Cole Younger repaired to the scene of their intended -operations and secreted themselves in a dense covert on the south side -of the stage road, five miles from Hot Springs, and awaited the coming -of their victims.</p> - -<p>The conception of this scheme manifested the judgment of the bandits, -for they were influenced by the supposition that those who visited Hot -Springs in search of health, were people of liberal means who would -naturally carry with them a goodly sum of money with which to meet -expected large expenses, and in this their judgment was correct.</p> - -<p>It was after mid-day when the heavy Concord stage, filled with -passengers, came rattling over the rough and stony road opposite -the secret hiding place of the highway freebooters. Suddenly a shot -startled the driver, and his surprise culminated when Jesse James -arose from a clump of brush, and with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> heavy revolver in each hand, -commanded the driver to halt. The order was instantly obeyed, and as -the passengers thrust their heads out of the vehicle they saw five -fierce looking men, armed and spurred, whose purposes were at once -divined. Frank James, who acted as leader, ordered the occupants of -the stage to get out, which being complied with the passengers were -formed into line and then submitted to a search by Clell Miller and -Jim Younger, while the three other bandits stood guard with cocked -pistols. The fright of the travelers was greatly intensified by the -blood-chilling threats of the desperadoes. They jested with one another -and made banters to test their skill as pistol shots on the trembling -and unarmed passengers. "Now," said Frank James to Cole Younger, "I -will bet you the contents of that fellow's pocket-book," pointing to -one of the travelers who was a small tradesman at Little Rock, "that I -can shoot off a smaller bit out of his right ear than you can." "I'll -take the wager," responded Cole, "but you must let me have the first -shot, because my eyesight is not as good as yours, and if you should -hit his ear first the blood might confuse my aim." Frank insisted on -shooting first, and in the wrangle, the poor victim trembled until he -could scarcely retain his feet, and with the most prayerful entreaties -begged the robbers to take what he had but spare his life.</p> - -<p>Mr. Taylor, of Massachusetts, a sufferer from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>rheumatism, then drew -the attention of the bandits, and Jesse James offered to bet his share -of the booty that he could throw his bowie-knife through Taylor's -underclothing without drawing blood. It was thus the bandits jested -with one another and in turn had each of the fear-stricken passengers -praying for his life.</p> - -<p>When the search was concluded, Frank James produced a memorandum book -and took the names of all the travelers, saying: "I am like lightning, -I don't want to strike the same parties twice."</p> - -<p>The total amount of money and valuables taken approximated $4,000, the -heaviest loser being Ex-Gov. Burbank, of Dakota, from whom the robbers -secured $1,500. When the bandits left their victims, they graciously -and with great punctilio, raised their hats and bade them a most -courteous adieu, wishing them a pleasant visit at the Springs.</p> - -<p>When the travelers reached Hot Springs they were in a sorry plight, -not one of them having enough money to send a message home for -additional funds, but the citizens kindly provided for their wants -and exhibited much sympathy, but little or no attempt was made to -capture the highwaymen. Indeed any such effort would have undoubtedly -terminated fruitlessly, for, in addition to the cunning and bravery -of the bandits, the mountainous nature of the country would have -prevented a pursuing party from making up the time lost in reporting -the circumstances of the robbery.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE TRAIN ROBBERY AT GAD'S HILL.</h2> - -<p>After leaving the scene of their Hot Springs adventure the five daring -highwaymen, finding that they were not pursued, rode up into the -northern part of Arkansas, where they had several friends, and there -planned a scheme for plundering a train on the Iron Mountain Railroad. -The place chosen for the purpose was Gad's Hill, a very small station -in Wayne county, Missouri, which, in the summer time, is almost hidden -by the copse of pine trees which surrounds it. The adjacent country -was a very jungle in which it was easy to hide and elude the most -determined pursuit.</p> - -<p>On the last day of January, 1874, but little more than two weeks after -their last successful robbery, the five bandits, with Frank James still -acting as leader, rode into the station and made prisoners of every -man in the place, consisting of the railroad agent, a saloon-keeper, -blacksmith, two wood-choppers, and the son of Dr. John M. Rock. These -were confined in the station house under threats of instant death -if any attempt at escape were made. Having prevented every means of -alarm, the desperadoes turned the switch in order to ditch the train -if it attempted to run past, (as Gad's Hill was only a flag station,) -and then planted a red flag in the track immediately in front of the -station house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>The train was not due until 5:40 in the evening, at which time the -shadows of twilight curtained the little place and prepared the -approach of darkness. Promptly upon time the train came bowling along, -and the engineer, seeing the danger-signal ahead, brought the engine -to a standstill alongside the station house. No one was seen when the -train stopped, but in a moment thereafter Cole Younger mounted the cab -and, with drawn pistol, compelled the engineer and fireman to leave -the engine and walk out into the woods. Mr. Alford, the conductor, was -arrested by Jesse James as he stepped from the train to ascertain the -cause of the display of the red flag. He was forced to give up his -watch and $75.00 in money, after which he was placed in the station -house. Then began a sack of the passengers. Clell Miller, Jim Younger -and Frank James searched the affrighted people in the cars, while Jesse -James and Cole Younger, taking opposite sides of the train, maintained -a watch and kept shooting in various directions, while they uttered -terrible oaths and threats, to keep the passengers in a state of -constant trepidation.</p> - -<p>After stripping all the passengers of every bit of valuables, the -outlaws proceeded to the express car, where they broke open the safe -and secured the contents. The mail car was next plundered and the -letters cut open, one of which contained $2,000, and several smaller -sums were obtained. The total <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>amount of booty secured by the bandits -was about $11,500. Having again successfully accomplished their -criminal purpose without meeting any resistance, the five desperadoes -released those confined in the station house; the engineer and fireman -were recalled from their position in the woods, and the train was -ordered to proceed. Then mounting their horses, which were hitched near -by, the outlaws rode into the brush and disappeared in the darkness.</p> - -<p>When the train reached Piedmont information of the robbery was -telegraphed to Little Rock, St. Louis, and all the towns along the -road. On the following day, a large body of well-armed men started -from Ironton and Piedmont in pursuit of the desperate outlaws, and -soon got on their track. The pursuing party found where the bandits -had breakfasted, sixty miles from Gad's Hill; following the trail -closely on the second day the citizen's posse reached the spot where -the outlaws had spent the night, and they were encouraged by the belief -that a capture might be effected before the close of the day, but -suddenly the party came to a low marsh through which it was dangerous -to ride, and in searching for a pathway around the boggy district much -time was lost and the trail of the robbers could not be found again; so -the pursuit was abandoned.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<h2>WICHER'S UNFORTUNATE HUNT FOR THE JAMES BOYS.</h2> - -<p>In the spring of 1874 John W. Wicher of Chicago, a brave, cool, cunning -man, scarcely thirty years of age, connected with the Pinkerton force, -appeared before his chief and asked to be sent out to discover the -hiding place of the terrible brigands. He was fully informed of the -dangers of such a mission, but his self-reliance and pride made him -anxious to make the attempt which had already cost the lives of so -many courageous officials. The chief gave his consent, and Wicher set -out at once for the Samuels residence. In the early part of March the -detective arrived in Liberty, where he soon laid his schemes before -the sheriff of Clay county, and asked for assistance when the time and -circumstances were ripe for a strike. The sheriff promised all needful -aid and gave Wicher all the information in his possession concerning -the habits and rendezvous of the James and Younger boys.</p> - -<p>Changing his garb for the habit of a tramp, Wicher left Liberty on -the 15th of March and arrived at Kearney on the same day, late in the -afternoon. He took the road leading directly to the Samuels residence -and had proceeded perhaps two miles on the lonely highway, when -suddenly Jesse James walked out from behind a pile of dead brush and, -with pistol presented, confronted the detective. Wicher's <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>surprise -was complete, but he manifested not the least excitement, his cool -self-possession never deserting him for a moment.</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?" was the first remark made by Jesse James.</p> - -<p>"I am looking for work," was Wicher's reply.</p> - -<p>"What kind of work do you want, and where do you expect to find it?" -asked Jesse, his pistol still pointing full in poor Wicher's face.</p> - -<p>"I have been used to farm labor, and hope to find something to do on -some farm in the vicinity," responded the detective.</p> - -<p>Jesse James smiled contemptuously and then gave a sharp whistle, which -brought to his side Clell Miller and Frank James, whose near presence -Wicher had not thought of. The conversation then continued. Said Jesse:</p> - -<p>"You don't look much like a laborer, nor is there any appearance of a -tramp about you except in your clothes. Now I want you to acknowledge -frankly just what your purpose is in this part of the country."</p> - -<p>The detective began to realize how critical was his position, and that -unless the most fortuitous circumstance should arise in his favor his -chances of escape were exceedingly small. But with the same coolness he -made reply:</p> - -<p>"Well, gentlemen, I am nothing more than a poor man, without as much -as a dollar in my pocket, and what I have told you as to my purpose is -true. If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> you will be good enough to let me proceed, or furnish me with -means by which I can secure work I shall be thankful."</p> - -<p>At this the bandits laughed scornfully, while Jesse James proceeded -with the examination: "I think you are from Chicago, and when you -arrived at Liberty a few days ago you wore much better clothes than -you now have on; besides, it seems that you and Moss (the sheriff) had -some business together. Say, now, young fellow, haven't you set out to -locate the James Boys, whom you have found rather unexpectedly?"</p> - -<p>Wicher then saw that he was in the hands of his enemies, and his -heart beat in excited pulsations as he thought of the young wife he -had so recently wedded, and from whom an eternal separation appeared -certain. Dropping his head as if resigning himself to cruel fate, -Wicher hoped to deceive his captors, and in an unguarded moment be able -to draw his pistol and fight for his life. Like a flash from a hazy -cloud, the detective thrust his hand into his bosom and succeeded in -grasping his pistol, but ere he could use it the bandits sprang upon -him, and in the grip of three strong men he was helpless. He was then -disarmed and firmly bound by small cords which Frank James produced. -Clell Miller went into the woods and soon returned leading three -horses, on the largest of which Wicher was placed and his feet tied -under the horse's belly. A gag was placed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> tightly in his mouth and -Jesse James, mounting behind, the desperadoes rode into the deepening -twilight of the woods with their victim. They crossed the Missouri -river at Independence Landing, and just before day they halted in the -black shadows of a copse in Jackson county. Here they prepared for the -punishment and execution of their prisoner. Wicher was taken from his -horse and bound fast to a tree; the gag was removed from his mouth and -then the bandits tried to extort from him information concerning the -plans of Pinkerton and the number and names of the detectives he had -engaged in the attempt to capture the outlaws. Though they pricked him -with their bowie-knives and bent his head forward with their combined -strength until the spinal column was almost broken, and practiced other -atrocious torments, yet Wicher never spoke. He knew that death was his -portion and he defied the desperadoes and dared them to do their worst. -Finding all their endeavors fruitless, Jesse and Frank James murdered -their victim; one of them shooting him through the heart and the other -through the brain. The body was then carried to the nearest highway, -where it was left to be found next day by a farmer who was driving into -Independence.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<h2>MURDERING COW-BOYS AND DRIVING OFF CATTLE.</h2> - -<p>The excitement following the murder of Wicher was so great that the -James Boys, Clell Miller, Arthur McCoy, and the three Younger brothers -quit Missouri and again visited Texas. After carousing around through -the State until their pecuniary means were well nigh exhausted, they -determined upon the commission of a new crime, stealing a herd of -cattle. It was in September, 1874, that the seven brigands rode into -the southwestern part of the State, where they selected a herd of five -hundred of the finest beef cattle in Starr county, which were being -tended by three cow-boys. The herders were cruelly murdered and the -robbers drove the cattle rapidly toward Mexico with the design of -selling them to the Mexicans who cared little for the real ownership of -the cattle after they were upon Mexican soil. On the extensive plains -of Texas where the large herds are left in charge of cow-boys to roam -from season to season, subsisting entirely upon the rich grasses of the -prairies, the owners often do not see their cattle for months, trusting -them to the care of the herders. It is due to this fact, perhaps, that -the bandits, after killing the cow-boys, were permitted to drive the -herd over sixty miles and into Mexico without being pursued.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p>Reaching Camargo the bandits had no difficulty in disposing of the -cattle, and with this money they went on a big spree, which terminated -in a fight with fifteen gringos, who were saloon loafers and petty -disturbers by profession. The result of this combat was the wounding -of Clell Miller and Jim Younger and the killing of two Mexicans. The -bandits would have fared much worse, however, had they not gained their -horses and made rapid retreat, gaining the Rio Grande so far in advance -of their pursuers as permitted them to cross the river before the -Mexicans reached the bank.</p> - -<p>The free-booters having eluded their pursuers stopped at Camp Hudson -for several weeks, where the wounds of Miller and Younger were attended -to, and in December the party returned to Missouri, thinking that, as -had been usual, the excitement over their crimes had so far subsided as -to permit them to visit their old homes and haunts. Their appearance in -Clay county, at least the James Boys, was noted on the 20th of January, -1875, and report of their return was at once made to Allen Pinkerton, -who, after some correspondence with county officials and others, formed -a plan for capturing the outlaws.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE ATTACK ON THE SAMUELS RESIDENCE.</h2> - -<p>William Pinkerton, a brother of the chief detective, was sent to Kansas -City immediately with five of the most trusted men in the force. Upon -arriving at that place the sheriff of Clay county was sent for, after -which twelve citizens of known pluck and reliability were engaged to -watch the Samuels homestead and report from hour to hour by a rapid -means of communication, which had been established. The greatest -secrecy was enjoined upon all engaged in the undertaking and every -possible precaution was taken to prevent any alarm reaching the bandits.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of January 25th, Jesse and Frank James were both seen -in the yard fronting the Samuels residence and report of this quickly -reached the sheriff and Mr. Pinkerton who were in Liberty. Arrangements -were made for the immediate capture of the two bandits, who it was -confidently supposed would spend the night in their mother's house. -Accordingly the two officers rode to Kearney late in the afternoon, -where they organized a party of twelve men who were to assist them, -and preparing several balls of cotton saturated with turpentine and -two hand-grenades, the well armed body of men proceeded to the Samuels -residence, which they reached about midnight. A reconnoissance was -first made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> with great care for indications of possible surprise, and -after completely surrounding the house four of the men, with turpentine -balls, were sent forward to open the attack. A window on the west side -of the residence was stealthily approached, but in the act of raising -it an old colored woman, who had for many years been a house servant -in the family, was awakened, and she at once gave the alarm. But the -window was forced up and the two lighted balls were thrown into the -room, and as the flames shot upward, threatening destruction to the -house and its contents, the family were speedily aroused and efforts -were made to extinguish the fire. At the moment every member of the -household, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Samuels, a son eight years of -age, and the daughter, Miss Susie, and the old colored woman, had -partially subdued the flames, one of the detectives, or at least one of -the party leading the attack, flung a hand-grenade into the room among -the affrighted occupants, and a heavy explosion was the prelude to the -dreadful havoc made by that instrument of death. A scream of anguish -succeeded the report and groans from within, without any evidence of -the outlaws' presence, convinced the detectives and citizen's posse -that they had committed a grave and horrible crime; so, without -examining the premises further the party withdrew, apparently with the -fear that the inexcusable deed they had just committed would be avenged -speedily if they tarried in the vicinity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the lamp was lighted by Dr. Samuels he found his little boy in the -agonies of death, having received a terrible wound in the side from -the exploded shell. Mrs. Samuels' left arm had been shattered, and -hung helpless by her side; but she forgot her own misfortune in the -anguish she suffered at seeing the dying struggles of her little boy. -What a terrible night was that memorable 25th of January to the Samuels -family! Alone with their dead boy, whom they worshipped, and with a -desperately wounded mother, who would certainly have bled to death but -for the thoughtfulness of the old colored servant who hastily bandaged -the arm and staunched the flow of the crimson life-current.</p> - -<p>The funeral of the innocent victim did not take place until the second -day after the midnight attack, and then Mrs. Samuels, who had suffered -an amputation of the injured member, was too greatly prostrated -to attend and witness the last service over her darling boy, but -the remains were accompanied to the grave by a very large body of -sympathizing people of the neighborhood.</p> - -<p>This unfortunate and indefensible attack, for a time allayed public -animosity against the James Boys and turned the sympathy of people -in western Missouri somewhat in their favor. Those who had been most -earnest in their desire to see Jesse and Frank James brought to -punishment, began to think more lightly of their crimes, attributing -them partly, at least, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> the manner in which they had been hunted and -persecuted. It is a notorious fact that for some time this sentiment -predominated in Clay and Jackson counties, and the same feeling -extended to other parts of the State, and in March following led to the -introduction of an amnesty bill in the Legislature, granting immunity -for past offenses committed by Jesse and Frank James, Coleman Younger, -James Younger and Robert Younger. The bill was introduced by Gen. -Jeff. Jones, of Callaway county, and contained a provisional clause -that amnesty would be granted the parties named in the instrument for -all offenses committed during the war, provided they would surrender -to the lawful authorities and submit to such proceedings as might be -brought against them in the several States for crimes charged against -them since the war. After a stormy debate the bill was defeated, -although had it passed none of the bandits named would have accepted -the terms, for surrender meant either execution or life imprisonment. -A rejection of the terms of surrender, by the Legislature, afforded a -fresh pretext, however, to the bandits to pursue their crimes of blood -and pillage, and it was not long before the country was again startled -by the daring deeds of the outlaws.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> - -<h2>ASSASSINATION OF DANIEL ASKEW.</h2> - -<p>Immediately after the defeat of the "outlaw amnesty bill," as it was -called, the brigands planned the execution of new and direful schemes, -one of which involved the assassination of a respectable citizen of -Clay county.</p> - -<p>The James Boys concluded, for reasons known only to themselves, that -Mr. Daniel Askew was a member of the posse which made the attack on -the Samuels residence, and this belief was justification sufficient, -in their estimation, for murdering that gentleman; but the plan of its -execution was equally as dastardly as the casting of the hand-grenade -blindly and savagely among the several members of Dr. Samuels' family. -The circumstances of the assassination were as follows: Mr. Askew was -an unpretentious farmer, living about five miles from Liberty, in a -neat frame house, but with no neighbors nearer than one mile. He had -returned home from Liberty, late in the afternoon of April 12th, 1875, -and after eating supper took a bucket and went to the spring, which was -fifty yards from the house, after water. This was about eight o'clock -in the evening, but the moon was shining brightly and objects were -plainly discernible. He returned from the spring with the water and -sat the bucket upon a shelf on the porch, after which he proceeded to -take a drink, but as he was in the act of lifting the cup to his mouth, -three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> sharp shots rang out upon the still air and Mr. Askew plunged -forward on his face dead, the three bullets having taken fatal effect -upon his person, one entering the brain and the two others reaching -vital spots in his body.</p> - -<p>At the sound of the shots and the heavy fall on the porch, Mr. Askew's -wife and daughter rushed out of the house just in time to see three -men steal out from behind the cover of a large woodpile in front of -the porch, and regain their horses and ride swiftly away. The three -assassins were undoubtedly Jesse and Frank James and Clell Miller, for -within an hour after the murder these three met a gentleman upon the -highway and informed him of Mr. Askew's fate, and told him the murder -was in consequence of the acts of Pinkerton's detectives.</p> - -<p>This cowardly act, by which a peaceable citizen had been made to -surrender up his life for the sake of a savage revenge, destroyed again -every spark of sympathy for the desperadoes, and the determination for -their capture was renewed. Armed posses of Clay county citizens set -out in search of the assassins, but the pursuit was in vain, and after -a week of earnest effort, finding no trace of the brigands, the party -returned to their homes, each one recking how soon his turn might come -to add to the gory record of the remorseless freebooters.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE SAN ANTONIO STAGE ROBBERY.</h2> - -<p>After the murder of Mr. Askew, the bandits, in anticipation of renewed -efforts to effect their capture, left Missouri and visited their -old haunts in the south-west. They spent several days in the Indian -Territory for the purpose of learning with what persistency and the -character of the search being made by the authorities. Finding that -all effort at their apprehension was confined to western Missouri, the -outlaws rode into Texas and soon formed a plan for robbing the stage -running between San Antonio and Austin. To plan was to execute, and on -the 12th of May, 1875, Jesse James, Clell Miller, Jim Reed and Cole and -Jim Younger selected a spot on the highway, about twenty-three miles -south-west of Austin, and there ambushed themselves to await the coming -of the stage.</p> - -<p>It was late in the evening, the sun just descending behind the hills -and the chirrup of twilight insects had begun to echo in the solitude -of the place. Eleven passengers, three of whom were ladies, were -cheerily cracking jokes and relieving the discomforts of the journey -by agreeable conversation. Suddenly the driver descried five horsemen -riding out into the road one hundred yards ahead of the stage and -advancing leisurely. Their appearance and conduct looked suspicious, -but as no robberies had been perpetrated on the highway for many years, -the driver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> did not realize what the act portended until, as the stage -bowled up, the five men, drawing their pistols, commanded a halt. -The order being accompanied by such persuasive authority of course -the obedience of the driver was prompt. Then the passengers wondered -what it meant, but before they could propound a question four of the -brigands rode up on either side of the stage and ordered the inmates -to get out. The women, seeing such cruel looking men and their fiercer -looking pistols, screamed and scrambled over the male passengers with -utter disregard of propriety, and created much confusion. Jesse James -and Cole Younger did the talking for the bandits, and in courteous -language assured the ladies they had nothing to fear provided the -passengers acted with discretion. Soon the eleven but recently gay -travelers were arranged in single file along the road behind the stage, -and as not the slightest resistance was offered Frank James and Jim -Younger had no difficulty in expeditiously relieving all the passengers -of their money, watches and other valuables. Among the number was John -Breckenridge, president of the First National Bank at San Antonio, from -whom $1,000 were obtained; Bishop Gregg, of Austin, contributed his -gold watch and nearly $50 in money, while from the other passengers -sums from $25 to $50 were obtained.</p> - -<p>Having completed the personal plunder, the bandits cut open the two -mail bags from which a goodly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> sum of money was secured, but the amount -has not been estimated. The haul aggregated, perhaps, $3,000, which -they placed in a sack carried for the purpose, and then, bidding the -passengers adieu, the border desperadoes rode swiftly into the shadows, -leaving the surprised party to resume their journey in a less amiable mood.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY AT MUNCIE.</h2> - -<p>Nothing was heard of the bandits for several months after the stage -robbery, and their crimes were again relegated to partially forgotten -incidents of the past. In December following, however, another attack -by the outlaws refreshed the memory of their deeds and threw Missouri -and Kansas into a fever of intense excitement.</p> - -<p>The band of desperadoes, by some means known only to themselves, -learned of an intended large shipment of gold-dust from Denver, via -Kansas Pacific Railroad, and that it would be carried by a train -arriving in Kansas City on a certain day. The place selected at which -to intercept the train bearing the valuable shipment, was Muncie, a -little station six miles west of Wyandotte, Kansas. There was a water -tank near the place, at which the engines almost invariably stopped -to take a fresh supply of water. At this point six bandits stationed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>themselves and awaited the train, which was not due until after -nightfall. Prompt upon time the engine blew its shrill whistle, and -then rolled up under the tank and stopped. In a moment the brigands -left their place of concealment and boarded the train, one of them, -Bill McDaniels, being deputed to cover and remain with the engineer -and fireman. The robbers rushed through the cars and commanded every -passenger to remain quiet under penalty of death. Two of them stood -on the platforms of the cars while the other three proceeded to the -express car. The bandits presented their pistols at the head of the -messenger and forced him to open the safe, from which the sum of -$25,000 in money was taken and gold-dust valued at $30,000. This total -sum secured was so large that no attempt was made to rob any of the -passengers, and after the valuable plunder was placed in a sack, Jesse -James blew a keen whistle and a moment after all the free-booters -abandoned the train and regained their horses.</p> - -<p>Soon as the passengers reached Wyandotte, which was speedily, the alarm -was given, which spread to Kansas City, and another large body of men -was sent in pursuit of the daring highwaymen. They chased the fugitives -southward into Indian Territory, but the pursuit was abandoned in the -Creek Nation, where all traces were blotted out.</p> - -<p>About one month after this great robbery a police officer arrested -Bill McDaniels in Kansas City, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> drunkenness, his participation in -the train plundering not then being suspected. But when searched at -the police station a sheep-skin bag was found on his person filled -with gold-dust. In addition to this he had a large roll of money, -and being known in Kansas City as a worthless fellow, suspicion was -at once excited that he was a confederate of the train robbers. He -was placed in the calaboose and allowed to sober up, and then taken -upon a requisition to Lawrence, Kansas. On the following day after -his arrest the city marshal and Con O'Hara, the detective, went into -McDaniels' cell and spent two hours in a persistent endeavor to obtain -a confession from him of his complicity in the robbery, or the names -of those who committed the act. But he remained as silent as if he had -lost the power of speech, and not a word concerning the robbery did -the officers ever hear from him. Two months after his apprehension, in -taking him from the jail for trial, McDaniels broke from the deputy -sheriff and escaped. After a week's search he was found, but resisting -arrest, he was mortally wounded by a member of a citizens' posse named -Bauermann. McDaniels died, however, refusing to reveal anything in -regard to his confederates. It has since been ascertained, however, -that those engaged in the Muncie robbery consisted of Jesse James, -Arthur McCoy, Cole and Bob Younger, Clell Miller and McDaniels, the -latter only being captured.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE HUNTINGTON BANK ROBBERY.</h2> - -<p>After the train robbery the highwaymen separated, some going to Texas -and others to Kentucky. In April, 1876, Frank James, Cole Younger, Tom -McDaniels, a brother of Bill, and a small black-eyed fellow called -Jack Keen, alias Tom Webb, confederated together for the purpose of -perpetrating another bank robbery. Keen had been raised in the eastern -part of Kentucky and was well acquainted with the mountainous regions -of West Virginia and his native State. It was decided to attack and -plunder the bank in Huntington, a town of 2,500 people, on the Ohio -river, in West Virginia.</p> - -<p>About the 1st of September the four bandits rode into the town under -the leadership of Frank James and proceeded directly to the bank, which -they reached at 2 <span class="smaller">P. M.</span> Frank James and McDaniels dismounted, -leaving Younger and Keen standing guard on the outside. When Frank and -McDaniels entered the bank they found only R. T. Oney, the cashier, -and a citizen who was making a deposit; these the robbers covered with -their pistols and compelled the cashier to open the safe and deliver -up all the money in the bank, amounting to $10,000. Having secured the -booty the four outlaws rode rapidly out of town, not a single person -in the place having the least suspicion of what had occurred until Mr. -Oney spread the news.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - -<p>A posse of twenty-five citizens, headed by the sheriff, set out in -pursuit of the bandits at three o'clock, one hour after the robbery was -consummated, and followed the trail with the greatest persistency. The -officers in other counties were notified by telegraph, and armed bodies -of men were sent out from a dozen towns. One hundred miles south-west -of Huntington the robbers were sighted and in an exchange of shots -McDaniels was killed. This encouraged the pursuing party, who pressed -the bandits so hard that they were forced to abandon their horses and -take to the mountain fastnesses of Kentucky. The pursuit continued -unabated for four weeks, and at length the outlaws were driven out of -Kentucky and into Tennessee; here Keen was captured and taken back to -Huntington, where he made a confession and was sentenced to eight years -imprisonment in the penitentiary. Frank James and Cole Younger eluded -pursuit and returned to the Indian Territory, where they met Jesse -James and his band of highwaymen, and forthwith new plans were laid for -another big robbery.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE ROCKY CUT TRAIN ROBBERY.</h2> - -<p>Seven months elapsed after the Muncie robbery before the desperate -brigands, under the leadership of Jesse James, made another attempt -to increase<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> their ill-gotten gains. But in the meantime the band of -highwaymen was increasing and organizing for another bold stroke. -Many outlaws who had found safety in the Indian Nation were anxious -to attach themselves to the James and Younger brothers, but very few -were received. The noted bandits were excellent judges of human nature, -and they were exceedingly careful not to repose confidence in any one -who did not possess indisputable evidence of cunning and bravery; men -who, in the event of capture, would not betray their comrades at any -sacrifice. In July, 1876, arrangements were completed for rifling -another treasure-laden train and the Missouri Pacific Railroad was -chosen as the line for their operations. The reorganized party of -highwaymen, consisting of Jesse and Frank James, Cole, Bob and Jim -Younger, Clell Miller, Hobbs Kerry, Charlie Pitts and Bill Chadwell, -nine in number, left their rendezvous in the Indian Territory and, -riding separately, reached Otterville, Missouri, by a preconcerted -understanding, on the 7th of July.</p> - -<p>The capture and confession of Hobbs Kerry enables the giving of a -minute narrative of all the circumstances connected with the robbery -about to be related.</p> - -<p>About one mile east of Otterville, a small station in Pittis county, -is a place called Rocky Cut, which is a deep stone cleft, from which -the train emerges only to strike the bridge across Otter creek. On -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> south side of the cut is a heavy wood, and in this the robbers -concealed themselves to await the train which was not due there until -nearly midnight. A watchman was stationed at the bridge, whom Charlie -Pitts and Bob Younger arrested and, after taking his signal lantern and -placing it in the track at the bridge approach, they securely tied the -helpless fellow and then joined the main party. Hobbs Kerry and Bill -Chadwell were detailed to watch the horses and keep them prepared for -sudden flight.</p> - -<p>As the train came dashing through the cut the engineer saw the danger -signal and at once concluded something was wrong with the bridge, and -he lost no time in having the brakes set and the engine reversed. The -train came to a stop directly in the cut, and as it slowed up seven of -the dare-devils leaped upon the cars and with one at each door, the -robbers had no trouble in so intimidating the passengers as to prevent -attack. Jesse James, the boldest of the bold, was the first to enter -the express car, followed by Cole Younger. At the mouth of two heavy -navy pistols the messenger was forced to open the safe, which contained -fifteen thousand dollars in bank notes. This money was hastily thrown -into a sack, and the shrill whistle was given by Jesse, which was -the signal for the bandits to leave the train and mount. No effort -was made to rob or harm any of the passengers, the single purpose of -the bandits, agreed upon before the attack, was to secure only the -valuables of the express.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the train reached Tipton, report of the robbery was telegraphed to -every station along the line, and also to St. Louis and Kansas City, -and from these points all over the country.</p> - -<p>Hobbs Kerry's statement is, that after the perpetration of the crime, -the bandits rode southward together very rapidly until nearly daylight, -when they entered a deep wood and there divided the money, after which -the band rode off in pairs, except the James Boys and Cole Younger, -who kept together. Kerry soon separated from Chadwell, who was his -companion, and went to Fort Scott, and from there to Parsons, Kansas, -thence to Joplin and then to Granby, where he remained for nearly a -week, spending a great deal of money in gambling dens, and in his -drunken moments let drop such remarks as led to the suspicion that -he was a member of the gang that robbed the train. He next made a -trip into Indian Territory, but after a short stay in that country -he returned to Granby; there he was arrested in the latter part of -August. The authorities had no difficulty in obtaining from Kerry the -full particulars of the robbery and the names of his confederates. -Detectives from all parts of the country, stimulated by the large -rewards offered by the express company and Governor Hardin, set out in -search of the bandits. Every State was penetrated, every suspicious -character put under surveillance, and all the ingenuity that could be -devised by experienced hunters of criminals was exercised.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i099.jpg" id="i099.jpg"></a><img src="images/i099.jpg" alt="HOBBS KERRY WATCHED BY A DETECTIVE IN A GAMBLING DEN" /></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>The James and Younger boys and Clell Miller, finding the pursuit at -an end, returned from the Nation, whither they had first fled, and by -stealthy night marches succeeded in reaching Jackson county, where they -retired to the robbers' cave and were there safe from pursuit.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE FATAL ATTACK ON A MINNESOTA BANK.</h2> - -<p>The efforts of the detectives to capture the outlaws seemed to be -chiefly confined to the south-western States, and learning this the -bandits, after remaining within the seclusion of their undiscoverable -haunts for a few weeks, grew tired of the inactivity such life imposed, -and as Bill Chadwell was well acquainted in Minnesota, it was decided -to send Bob Younger out to find him, and through him to perfect a plan -for raiding one of the banks in that State. The means of communication -between the bandits was such that Chadwell was soon found and brought -into conference with the other members.</p> - -<p>The purpose of going into Minnesota could not have been merely because -of a supposition that a mere ample booty might be secured in that -State, for there were many richer banks much nearer.</p> - -<p>One of the prime motives of the outlaws was undoubtedly to make a -stroke in the far north which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> would confuse the officers in pursuit of -them, and thereby draw the attention of the detectives away from the -favorite haunts. Aside from this, no sufficient reason for the strange -determination of the brigands is assignable.</p> - -<p>A decision was soon reached, and it was decided to make an examination -of the country, and raid the bank which gave promise of the largest -reward with the least chances of surprise or capture. Cole Younger and -Chadwell were accordingly despatched as a reconnoitering party, and -were to ride three days in advance of the others, take observations and -make report by leaving certain pre-arranged signals along the route -decided upon. Those engaged in the intended enterprise were the two -James Boys, Cole, Jim and Bob Younger, Charlie Pitts, Clell Miller and -Bill Chadwell. The expedition started for Minnesota about the 3d of -September, 1876, proceeding by railroad directly to Mankato, the place -appointed for a meeting with the two bandits sent in advance. A second -consultation, held at that place on the 6th of September, resulted in a -decision to strike the bank at Northfield, Rice county, a town of 2500 -people, on the I. & M. division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of the 7th the eight desperadoes entered Northfield -at a furious pace, discharging their pistols and by direful threats -endeavoring to so intimidate the citizens as to prevent resistance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -They rode direct for the bank, which was located fronting the public -square, and stopping in front of the institution. Frank and Jesse -James and Bob Younger quickly dismounted and entered the bank while -the other robbers were left to guard against attack from the outside. -J. L. Haywood, the cashier, A. E. Bunker, teller, and Frank Wilcox, -bookkeeper, were the only persons in the bank at the time of the -entrance of the bandits. Jesse James drew a pistol and presented it at -the cashier's head and commanded him to open the safe. Haywood promptly -refused, and the next instant he lay dead at the bandit's feet, his -brain pierced with a bullet. At this Bunker and Wilcox fled out at the -back door, but as they reached the step a bullet from Frank James' -pistol plunged through Bunker's shoulder, but it did not impede his -flight. The robbers were left alone in the bank, but beyond a small -amount lying upon the counter no money could be found, and the bandits, -hearing firing in the streets, rushed out just in time to see Bill -Chadwell fall from his horse, his heart pierced with a musket ball, and -in a few seconds after Clell Miller received a bullet in his breast, -and with a groan tumbled mortally wounded to the ground while his horse -galloped riderless up the street.</p> - -<p>By this time the citizens came rushing to the attack and the firing -became general. Jim Younger was shot in the mouth and a horse was -wounded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> The effective shots were fired by Dr. Henry Wheeler from a -second-story window in the Damphier House, facing the bank. The six -unharmed bandits rushed for their horses and rode at their highest -speed out of town, followed in fifteen minutes afterward by fifty -well mounted citizens. Then succeeded a flight and pursuit which for -persistency, endurance, courage and results is without a parallel.</p> - -<p>Information of the murder and robbery was telegraphed in every -direction and each hour the pursuing force was augmented by volunteers -who sprang up in the pathways of the robbers and guarded every highway -and bridle path. The chase led through Shieldsville and from there -into LeSeur county where, being pressed closely too, Jesse and Frank -James insisted on killing Jim Younger, the blood from whose wound was -furnishing a trail for the pursuers. This proposition resulted in a -separation of the outlaws, Jesse and Frank James remaining together and -the Younger boys and Charley Pitts, (whose real name was Sam Wells), -remaining in a body. The country was fairly filled with resolute men -determined upon the death of the bandits. It was very soon discovered -that the robbers had separated and the pursuing parties were divided -and put upon the two trails.</p> - -<p>About one hundred and fifty miles south-west of Northfield, near a -place called Madelia, the Youngers and Charlie Pitts were surrounded -in a swamp,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> and captured after a desperate fight with the citizens' -posse Pitts being killed and all the Youngers receiving fresh wounds. -Pitts was buried, and the Youngers, always under guard, after months of -suffering finally recovered. After their recovery they pleaded guilty -to the charges against them and were sentenced to prison for the term -of their natural lives. They are yet in the Minnesota penitentiary at -Stillwater. Jesse and Frank James were more fortunate; although so -closely pressed that a hundred times they could see and hear the voices -of their pursuers, yet they were not discovered. Day and night the -James Boys continued their flight, unable to cook anything, subsisting -on green corn and raw potatoes; never daring to show their faces, -swimming streams, and confining their route to the least accessable -sections of country. Extraordinary cunning, a knowledge of men and -adaptability to circumstances, after ten days of a most remarkable -pursuit, covering their tracks by wading for miles in streams of water, -Jesse and Frank James eluded their pursuers and regained their secure -haunts in Jackson county.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>AT GLENDALE—THE LAST GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY.</h2> - -<p>Three years elapsed from the time of the attack at Northfield until the -James Boys were heard of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> again in connection with criminal escapades. -Their names existed in tradition, and the horror which was once -manifested at the mention of their savage natures had become dwarfed -into mere expressions of surprise. It was reported that Frank James -had died of consumption in the Indian Nation and that Jesse was living -peaceably in one of the remote Territories, following the profitable -occupation of cattle-raising.</p> - -<p>On the evening of October 7th, 1879, the people of Western Missouri -were suddenly shocked by the intelligence of another great train -robbery, committed in the old guerrilla haunts, where crime had held -such high carnival during the dark period of the great rebellion. -On the day in question Jesse James, Jim Cummings, Ed. Miller, a -brother of Clell, Daniel (better known as Tucker) Bassham and seven -others whose names are not known, appeared suddenly at the little -station of Glendale, which is on the line of the Chicago, Alton & -St. Louis Railroad, twenty-two miles from Kansas City. The town -consists of a post-office and store combined and a station house, -and is a flag station only. About six o'clock in the evening the -party of bandits rode into the place and proceeded at once to put -every one present under arrest, which they readily accomplished, as -there were but three men at the station, and these were locked in the -station house. The train going east was due at 6:45 <span class="smaller">P. M.</span>, -at a time when darkness clothed the scene, and the masked robbers -compelled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> the station operator to display his signal to stop the -train. Previous to this preliminary the masked bandits had piled a -large number of condemned ties on the track only a few hundred yards -east of Glendale, and had everything fully prepared to execute their -purpose expeditiously. The train was on time, and seeing the stop -signal displayed, the engineer obeyed its import, and in a moment the -conductor, John Greenman, was facing an ominous pistol, while others of -the robbers covered the engineer and demanded submission. Meeting with -no resistance the bandits broke in the door of the express car, but -in their efforts to break in the door, William Grimes, the messenger, -hastily unlocked the safe and took out thirty-five thousand dollars in -money and valuables, which he attempted to conceal. He was too late, -however, for at the moment he was placing the money bag behind some -boxes in the car, the door yielded and three robbers rushed on him. -Refusing to deliver the safe-key, Grimes was knocked down and badly -punished. The key was taken from him and the few remaining contents of -value in the safe were appropriated, as was also the bag containing the -money.</p> - -<p>The haul was a very rich one and the attempt having been successful the -passengers were not molested, and the train was permitted to depart -after a detention of no more than ten minutes.</p> - -<p>The commission of this crime again aroused the officers, and as -Glendale is in Jackson county, Major<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> James Leggitt, the county -marshal, took immediate steps to discover and arrest the perpetrators. -Being a shrewd and fearless man, he went to work intelligently and -unceasingly. He soon discovered who composed the party that committed -the robbery, notwithstanding the fact that they were heavily masked.</p> - -<p>Tucker Bassham, one of the robbers, who was raised in Jackson county, -was suspected directly after the deed was accomplished. He left the -county for a time, but returned and buried his share of the booty, -which was one thousand one hundred dollars. Soon he began to exhibit -an unusual amount of money, and a spy was placed upon him until enough -information was obtained to conclusively establish his connection with -the robbery. But Marshal Leggitt deferred the arrest with the hope -that he might learn of some communication between Bassham and other -members of the gang, and accomplish their arrest. In June last (1880) -deputy marshals W. G. Keshler and M. M. Langhorn, arrested Bassham and -lodged him in the jail at Kansas City. Shortly afterward Major Leggitt -obtained a full confession from his prisoner, which was reduced to -writing and made in the form of an affidavit.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<h2>SHOOTING OF JESSE JAMES BY GEO. SHEPHERD.</h2> - -<p>The pursuit of the Glendale robbers did not cease after a week's -efforts, as previously, but Maj. Leggitt was determined to accomplish -his purpose. He resolved upon an expedient which evidences his cunning -and strategy: Living in Kansas City, at the time of the robbery, was -George Shepherd, one of the most courageous men that ever faced danger. -He was one of Quantrell's lieutenants and fought in all the terrible -and unmerciful encounters of that chief of the black banner. He was at -Lawrence, and rode beside the James Boys in that dreadful cyclone of -remorseless murder. He had run the gauntlet of a hundred rifles and -fought against odds which it appeared impossible to escape. After the -close of the war Jesse James accepted Geo. Shepherd as a leader and -followed him into Texas, and would still be following his counsels had -not circumstances separated them.</p> - -<p>Maj. Leggitt evolved a scheme out of his hours of study looking towards -the capture of Jesse James. He sent for Shepherd, who was working for -Jesse Noland, a leading dry goods merchant of Kansas City, and to the -ex-guerrilla he proposed his scheme. It was this: Shepherd, being known -to have formerly been a comrade of Jesse James, it was to be reported -that undoubted information had reached the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>authorities establishing -Shepherd's connection with the Glendale robbery. A report of this was -to be printed upon a slip of paper having printed matter upon the -reverse side, so as to appear like a newspaper clipping. Shepherd was -to take this printed slip, find Jesse James and propose to join him, -saying that he was being hounded by detectives, and, although innocent, -he felt that his only safety was in uniting his fortunes with Jesse -and his fearless band. This being accomplished, Shepherd was to find -an opportunity for killing Jesse James, and the reward for him, dead -or alive, was to be divided. In addition to this, Shepherd was to be -provided with a horse and to receive $50 per month during the time of -his service.</p> - -<p>The conditions and terms were satisfactory to Shepherd, and in the -latter part of October, about two weeks after the Glendale robbery, he -started out in quest of Jesse James.</p> - -<p>The plan of Shepherd's operations and the manner in which he -accomplished his hazardous undertaking is herewith detailed just as -he related the story to the writer, and other corroborative testimony -establishes its truth:</p> - -<p>When Shepherd left Kansas City he was mounted upon a sorrel horse and -his weapons consisted of a thirty-two calibre single-barrel pistol and -a small pocket-knife. He rode directly to the Samuels residence, which -he reached at dusk, and tied his horse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> in a thicket about two hundred -yards from the house. He found Mrs. Samuels and the Doctor at home just -preparing to sit down to supper. The story that any enmity existed on -the part of Jesse James against Shepherd is untrue; reports of this -kind may have been circulated but there was not a semblance of truth in -them. Shepherd was warmly received by Mrs. Samuels and her husband, and -at their invitation he took supper with them. While they were eating, -Shepherd explained that his life and liberty were in great jeopardy and -that owing to reports, false as they were, of his connection with the -Glendale robbery, he had been forced to flee, and for mutual protection -he wished to join Jesse James and his confederates; thereupon Shepherd -produced the apparently newspaper clipping already referred to, which -Dr. and Mrs. Samuels both read. After finishing supper Dr. Samuels told -Shepherd to ride to a certain point in the main highway where he would -meet Jesse and some of his associates. The Dr. went out into the woods -where he knew the bandits were concealed, while Shepherd mounted his -horse and rode to the spot indicated, where, after waiting for less -than five minutes, he was met by Jesse James, Jim Cummings, Ed. Miller -and another party whom Shepherd did not know. Shepherd repeated his -story to Jesse James and showed him the clipping, after which he was -immediately received into the full confidence of Jesse and the band. -Why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> should Jesse have entertained suspicions? Shepherd had been his -intimate comrade for many years; the two had ridden and fought together -in a hundred terrible conflicts, and were associated together in the -Kentucky bank robbery. Shepherd was the very man of all others whom -Jesse wanted for a companion in his daring deeds and it was unnatural, -under the circumstances, for any of the bandits to doubt Shepherd's -story.</p> - -<p>The party remained all night at the Samuels residence and on the -following day they proceeded to a spot in Jackson county called "Six -Mile," which is eighteen miles from Kansas City, and spent the day at -Benjamin Marr's. It was here a plan was laid for robbing the bank at -Empire City, in Jasper county. After the scheme was fully understood -Shepherd told Jesse that it would be necessary for him to procure -a better horse and some effective weapons, which he could do at a -friend's near Kansas City. Jesse urged Shepherd then to return at night -to the friend's place, get a good horse and at least two heavy pistols -and meet the party at Six Mile on the third night following.</p> - -<p>Shepherd then rode back to Kansas City and imparted the information -of his meeting and arrangements with Jesse James to Maj. Leggitt, who -provided Shepherd with a splendid horse and three large-sized Smith & -Wesson pistols. But in order to prevent any possibility of deception, -Maj. Leggitt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> took Shepherd to Independence and placed him in jail, and -then sent three trusted men to Six Mile for the purpose of ascertaining -if Jesse James and his party were really rendezvoused at that point. -Maj. Leggitt soon learned that Shepherd had reported nothing but facts -and he was then sent out, splendidly armed and mounted, for the meeting -place. Shepherd did not reach the trysting spot until the morning after -the time agreed upon, and he found Jesse and his followers gone, but -the party at whose house the meeting was to occur—Benj. Marr's—gave -Shepherd the following letter, which is herewith copied verbatim.</p> - -<blockquote><p>Friend Georg.</p> - -<p>I cant wate for you hear, I want you to meet me on Rogs Iland, and -we will talk about that Business we spok of. I would wate for you -but the boys wants to leave hear, dont fale to come and if we dont -by them cattle I will come back with you. Come to the plase whear -we meet going south that time and stay in that naborhood untill I -find you.</p> - -<p class="right">Your Friend.<span class="s3"> </span><br />J—— ——</p></blockquote> - -<p>Thus instructed Shepherd started for Rogue's Island, but met Jesse -James at the head of Grand River. This fact furnishes one of the proofs -of Jesse's anxiety to have Shepherd as a comrade, for he was so anxious -lest Shepherd would not meet them, or fail to get the letter he left -with Marr, that he returned to find him. Jesse and Shepherd returned -to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> the camp, where they found Cummings, Miller and the unknown, and -then the party rode directly for Empire City, the vicinity of which -they reached about noon on Saturday, November 1, 1879. They went into -camp on Short Creek, eight miles south of Empire City, and at four -o'clock in the afternoon it was agreed that Shepherd should ride into -the town and learn what he could respecting the surroundings and -location of the bank. It was after dark when Shepherd reached the -place, and, pursuing his story, he was astonished at finding the bank -lighted up and a close inspection revealed to him a dozen men inside -the bank armed with double-barreled shot-guns. Shepherd stated to the -writer that Maj. Leggitt must have notified the bank officers of the -intended raid, by telegraph, but Maj. Leggitt denies having done so, -and says that Shepherd must have told some person who communicated -with the bank. Anyhow the arrangement was that Maj. Leggitt was to be -in Empire City with a good force of assistants and was to be aided by -Shepherd in capturing the outlaws when the attack on the bank should -be made. Circumstances prevented Maj. Leggitt from appearing in Empire -City at the time agreed upon, but he sent word to the town authorities.</p> - -<p>Finding everything in readiness to meet the intended attack, Shepherd -went into a restaurant and while eating his supper, Tom Cleary, an old -acquaintance, came in and greeted him. After supper the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> two went to -Cleary's house and remained all night, and Shepherd told his friend the -part he was acting in the effort to capture Jesse James. Ed. Cleary, a -brother of Tom's, was also informed of the scheme and Shepherd asked -their assistance, or to at least follow him the next morning to the -camp of the bandits. The understanding was at the time Shepherd left -the outlaws that he should return to the camp by nine o'clock Sunday -morning and, if his report was favorable, the raid on the bank would be -made Sunday night.</p> - -<p>Shepherd kept the appointment and returned to the place where the -bandits had encamped, but found the camp deserted. He thought this -strange, but soon found the old sign of a "turn-out" had been made to -let him know where they were. It is well known that the James Boys and -their comrades frequently separate. They have a sign, however, by which -it is not difficult for them to find one another. This sign is the -crossing of two twigs along the highway, which indicates that one or -more of the parties, according to the number of twigs, has turned out -of the highway at that point. Shepherd saw the twigs and after riding -about half a mile in the direction the branches lay he found the party, -all of whom were slightly intoxicated. He knew they had no whiskey with -them when he left on Saturday afternoon, and at once concluded they had -been in town. Cummings was the first to speak. Said he:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> "The bank is -guarded; how is this?" Shepherd responded: "Yes, and I think the best -thing for us to do is to separate and get out of this."</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i116.jpg" id="i116.jpg"></a><img src="images/i116.jpg" alt="Shooting of Jesse James" /></div> - -<p>Cummings had ridden into Galena on Saturday-night, where he had -purchased some whiskey and there heard rumors of the intended bank raid.</p> - -<p>The party agreed with Shepherd that it would be wise for them to get -out of that section, and they mounted their horses and divided, riding -southward. Ed. Miller's position was one hundred yards to the right -while Cummings and the unknown rode at the same distance to the left of -the center which was taken by Jesse James and Shepherd. The woods were -open enough for all parties to remain in sight of each other.</p> - -<p>When they reached a point twelve miles south of Galena, all parties -maintaining their respective positions, Shepherd gave a smart jerk to -the bridle rein which caused his horse to stop while Jesse rode on. -It was the work of an instant, for as Jesse's horse gained two steps -forward Shepherd drew one of his large pistols and without speaking a -word fired, the ball taking effect in Jesse's head one inch behind the -left ear. Only the one shot was fired, for Shepherd saw the result of -the shot, and Jesse plunged headlong from his horse and lay motionless -on the ground as if death had been instantaneous. Shepherd says he -viewed the body for nearly one minute before either of the other -outlaws made any demonstration.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> Ed. Miller first started toward him in -a walking pace, and then Cummings, and the unknown drew their pistols -and rode swiftly after him. Shepherd's horse was swift and he put him -to the greatest speed, soon distancing the unknown, but Cummings was -mounted on a superior animal and the chase for three miles was a hot -one. Each of the two kept firing, but the rapid rate at which they -were riding made the shots ineffectual. Seeing that he was pursued -only by Cummings who was gaining on him, Shepherd stopped and wheeled -his horse and at that moment a bullet struck him in the left leg just -below the knee, producing, however, only a flesh wound. As Cummings -dashed up Shepherd took deliberate aim and fired, and Cummings reeled -in the saddle, turned his horse and retreated. Shepherd says he feels -confident that he struck Cummings hard in the side, and that he killed -Jesse James. He rode back to Galena where he remained two weeks under a -surgeon's care, and after recovery returned to Kansas City.</p> - -<p>That Shepherd told the truth there is no room for doubt, and he had -the best reasons for believing that he had killed Jesse James; but two -parties, at least, whose word is reliable affirm that they have seen -Jesse James since the shooting and that Cummings has also been met by -them, who stated that Shepherd did shoot Jesse, and that the bullet -did strike him just behind the left ear, but instead of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>penetrating -the brain it had coursed around the skull partially paralyzing the -brain and spine. Cummings further stated that while Jesse James -was still living his career as a bandit was ended forever by the -bullet from Shepherd's pistol. In other words, Jesse's mind has been -totally destroyed. How much truth there is in this report is left for -conjecture. Mrs. Samuels says she believes that Jesse is dead, and a -meeting which she had with Shepherd since the shooting was such as -caused those who witnessed it, to believe the woman was earnest in that opinion.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>WHY DID SHEPHERD SHOOT JESSE JAMES?</h2> - -<p>The prime motive which actuated George Shepherd in shooting Jesse -James has never been suspicioned by more than one man, and acting upon -suggestions made by that single person, the writer verified the theory. -It is true that the rewards, amounting to nearly one hundred thousand -dollars, for the apprehension or dead body of Jesse James, were a -strong temptation, and it certainly had its influence with Shepherd, -but there was a stronger motive.</p> - -<p>Directly after the war Ike Flannery, a nephew of George Shepherd, -reached the age of manhood and came into possession of five thousand -dollars, a sum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> he had inherited from the estate of his deceased -father. Ike was somewhat wayward and was well acquainted with the -James Boys and the guerrillas. Jesse James and Jim Anderson, a brother -of the notorious Bill, knew of Ike Flannery's inheritance, and they -induced him to buckle on his pistols, take his money and go with them -upon a pretended expedition. Near Glasgow, Missouri, the three stopped -at the house of a friend where there were three girls, the men of the -house being away on business. After eating dinner the three started -away, but they had been gone only a few moments when the report of two -pistol shots was heard and Jim Anderson came riding back to the house -where they had dined, and told the girls that his party had been fired -on by the militia, and that Flannery had been killed. Jesse James and -Anderson rode away while the girls notified some of the neighbors, -and when the body of Flannery was found in the road, there were two -bullet holes in the head and the five thousand dollars were missing. -Shepherd did not learn all the circumstances connected with Flannery's -death until sometime afterward, but when he was told how Anderson and -Jesse James acted, he was convinced that they murdered his nephew and -plundered his dead body.</p> - -<p>It was more than one year after this tragic occurrence before Shepherd -met either of the murderers. He was in Sherman, Texas, when Jim -Anderson<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> came up to him with a cordial greeting, little suspecting the -terrible result of that meeting. The two drank together and appeared on -the best of terms until the hour of eleven o'clock at night. The saloon -was closing and the darkness without was most uninviting. Shepherd -asked Anderson to accompany him over to the court-house yard as he -wanted to talk secretly concerning a certain transaction.</p> - -<p>When the two reached the yard, and about them was nothing but sombre -shadow and the quiet of sleep, cautiously, yet determinedly, Shepherd -drew from its sheath a long, bright, deadly knife, which gathered on -its blade and focused the light unseen before, and then made ready for -a horrible deed. Anderson had never thought of danger until the keen -edge of the terrible weapon was at his throat.</p> - -<p>Said Shepherd: "You murdered Ike Flannery and robbed his body of -five thousand dollars. I have determined to avenge his death, and to -accomplish my purpose I brought you here. What have you got to say?"</p> - -<p>Anderson had killed many men and he knew how to die. There was no -begging, no denying, only a realization of what he could not avert; and -he accepted fate with a stoicism worthy of a religious fanatic. Before -receiving the fatal stroke, however, he told Shepherd that Jesse James -was the one who proposed the murder and robbery of young <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>Flannery, and -that each fired a fatal shot and then divided the stolen money. When -this admission escaped his lips, Shepherd sprang upon him like a tiger, -drew the glittering blade of the terrible knife across his throat, and -the spirit of the murderer and robber took its flight into the realms -of the unknown.</p> - -<p>On the following morning a dead body with a ghastly gash in the throat, -from which the blood had poured until it dyed the grass a yard in -diameter, was found and identified as that of Jim Anderson. DeHart, an -old-time guerrilla, was in Sherman at the time of the murder, and was -known to have a grudge against the murdered man, so suspicion attached -to him so strongly that he had to leave Texas. No one ever suspected -Shepherd of the murder, but his own confessions to the writer are given -in this account of Anderson's execution.</p> - -<p>Shepherd has longed for an opportunity to kill Jesse James, but the -surroundings, even during a long association, were never sufficiently -favorable. The opportunity was exceedingly unfavorable at Short Creek, -but revenge and the promise of such an immense reward nerved him to the -undertaking.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>ROBBERY OF THE MAMMOTH CAVE STAGES.</h2> - -<p>The James Boys, and especially Frank, have remained in seclusion for a -considerable period, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> with the shooting of Jesse—whom many still -believe to be dead—it was thought that the old remnants of guerrilla -plunderers had entirely disappeared. It is positively known that Frank -James resided in Baltimore during the winter of 1879-80, and his home -was located on one of the principal resident streets. At that time he -wore full whiskers which were very long, reaching to his waist. The -name he bore while in Baltimore the writer has not been able to learn, -for obvious reasons. He disappeared from that city in March last, and -it is reported by Kansas City police officers that Frank was seen in -Jackson county, Missouri, by two of his acquaintances in the latter -part of July, 1880, and that his whiskers were cut short. The following -account of the robbery of the Mammoth Cave stage again brings Frank -James and Jim Cummings prominently into notice.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i123.jpg" id="i123.jpg"></a><img src="images/i123.jpg" alt="Settling an Old Score" /></div> - -<p>The Concord stage running between Mammoth Cave and Cave City, in -Edmonson county, Kentucky, was captured by highwaymen on the afternoon -of Friday, September 3d, 1880, and the passengers despoiled of -everything they carried.</p> - -<p>At this season of the year Mammoth Cave is visited by thousands of -tourists and sight-seers, who are usually people of means, furnishing -fat pickings for the robbers. One of the routes to the cave, and the -one selected by the large majority of its visitors, is by way of the -Louisville and Nashville Railroad to Cave City, and thence by the -Concord stages to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> cave, which is about eight or ten miles distant. -The stage road is through a lonely and rocky region, and about midway -on the route it runs through a dense wood, which adds considerably to -its dreariness. About 6 o'clock Friday evening, while the coach from -the cave was coming to Cave City, it reached this wood, and while -coming through the narrow road in a walk, two men, one mounted on a -thin black thoroughbred horse, and the other on a fine sorrel, rode -out of the dense forest, and, dashing up to the stage, covered the -driver and passengers with their revolvers and called a halt. The stage -was pulled up, the driver was ordered down and to the door of his -vehicle, and then calmly dismounting and holding their horses by the -bridle reins, the work of delivering the booty began. The rider of the -black horse, a man about thirty-five years old, with a straggling red -mustache and beard, was the leader and spokesman. He was rather small, -not appearing to be over five feet six inches in height, and would -weigh about 140 pounds. He had light blue eyes, a pleasant smile and -distributed his attentions to the defenseless party of eight passengers -with a sang froid and easy politeness which did much to alleviate their -feelings. His accomplice was about the same age, with black whiskers -and mustache rather ragged in trim, and had a pair of black eyes. He -was rather slow in his movements, but the business in hand suffered -nothing for that.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come out of the stage, please," said the spokesman, in a light, high -pitched voice.</p> - -<p>The passengers looked through the open windows and saw the muzzles of -the impassive revolvers covering the whole length of the vehicle, and, -as there was not a weapon in the party as large as a penknife, they -could not resist or parley. There were seven gentlemen and one lady -in the coach, and the lady naturally was nervous and alarmed. In the -excitement and bustle attendant upon rising and leaving their seats, -Mr. R. S. Rountree, of the Milwaukee <i>Evening Wisconsin</i>, who was -making the trip with relatives, slipped his pocket-book and gold watch -under the cushion of the seat.</p> - -<p>Very few words were spoken, though the highwaymen seemed impatient -and ordered them to "hurry up." As each gentleman stepped out he was -covered with the muzzle of a revolver and told to take his place -in line and hold up his hands. The lady, a daughter of Hon. R. H. -Rountree, of Lebanon, Ky., was permitted to remain in the stage. After -the passengers were all out the leader of the two villains tossed -his rein to his accomplice, who covered the line while the spokesman -proceeded to rifle their pockets, talking pleasantly as he went. J. E. -Craig, Jr., of Lawrenceville, Ga., lost $670; Hon. R. H. Rountree, of -Lebanon, Ky., handed out a handsome gold watch, valued at $200, and $55 -in cash; S. W. Shelton, of Calhoun, Tenn., gave up about $50; Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -Lizzie Rountree, of Lebanon, Ky., lost nothing but rings, one of them -a handsome diamond; S. H. Frohlichstein, of Mobile, Ala., lost $23; -Geo. M. Paisley, of Pittsburg, gave up $33; W. G. Welsh, of Pittsburg, -lost $5 and a handsome watch. R. S. Rountree, of Milwaukee, saved his -money as stated. Hon. R. H. Rountree felt very sore over the loss of an -elegant engraved watch, which was presented by Hon. J. Proctor Knott, -the member of Congress from the Fourth District.</p> - -<p>The spokesman of the marauders explained that they were not highwaymen, -but moonshiners, and were pursued so hotly by the government officers -that they were compelled to have money to get out of the country. He -asked each passenger his name and place of residence, and noted them -down, saying that some day he would repay them their losses. When he -came to Mr. Craig, of Georgia, he remarked that he hated to take his -money because he had fought in a Georgia regiment during the war, but -the case was a desperate one and he was compelled to do it.</p> - -<p>When Miss Rountree gave her name and place of residence at Lebanon, a -pleased smile lighted up the robber's face, and he asked:</p> - -<p>"Do you know the Misses —— of Lebanon?"</p> - -<p>"Quite well," answered the young lady.</p> - -<p>"So do I," he rejoined, "and they are nice girls. Give them my regards -when you see them, and tell them I will make this right some day."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - -<p>After getting all the valuables of the party the marauders returned -the pocket-books with the railway passes and tickets, and giving the -passengers orders to get in, mounted and rode off. They told the -passengers, for consolation, that they had robbed the out stage, -getting $700 from Mr. George Croghan, one of the owners of the cave.</p> - -<p>The rider of the black horse was Frank James, and his companion was Jim -Cummings. These facts have been fully established by information of an -indisputable character, which came into the possession of the writer -since the robbery.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JAMES BOYS.</h2> - -<p>Singular as it may appear, there is scarcely a single feature of -similarity in the character of the James brothers. Frank James is a -man of more than ordinary education, and his manners show some effort -at refinement. He is very slim, and not more than five feet six inches -in height, and weighs about one hundred and forty pounds. He has blue -eyes, very light hair and usually wears a shortly cropped full beard -and straggling mustache, of a pale, reddish color. His face is peculiar -in shape, being broad at the forehead and tapering abruptly from the -cheek<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> bones to the chin, which is almost pointed. In his motions he -is neither naturally slow nor quick, but at times he affects either. -His cunning and coolness are remarkable, and to compare the two boys in -this respect would be like comparing the boldest highwayman with the -lowest sneak thief, so great is Frank's superiority. In the matter of -education Frank has improved his opportunities and is a student, being -a lover of books and familiar with the different phases of life. He has -murdered many men, and yet he is not destitute of mercy, and finds no -gratification in deeds of blood. He has tried to imitate the traditions -of Claude Duval, whose fictitious adventures Frank has read until he -can repeat them like the written narrative.</p> - -<p>Jesse James is a strongly made man, standing five feet ten inches in -height, and will weigh one hundred and sixty-five pounds. He has brown -eyes, dark hair and is of a nervous temperament. Jesse's peculiarity is -in his eyes which are never at rest. In his youth Jesse was troubled -with granulated eyelids from which he has never fully recovered, which -is seen in the constant batting of his eyes and a slight irritation -of the lids; besides this marked peculiarity, the first joint of the -forefinger on his left hand is missing. He usually wears full whiskers -of apparently one month's growth. His education is very limited, barely -enabling him to read and write. He is revengeful in his nature, always -sanguine, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>impetuous, almost heedless. It is due to Frank James' -strategy and Jesse's desperate bravery that the latter has not long -since been punished for his crimes. In deeds of violence Jesse finds -especial delight, and in his entire nature there is not a trace of mercy.</p> - -<p>It is asserted, by those who know them best, that Jesse and Frank are -only half-brothers, having the same mother, but that Jesse's father -is a physician in Clay county. What truth there is in this report the -writer does not assume the responsibility of confirming, giving it only -as the assertion of many prominent men of Clay county.</p> - -<p>On one occasion, so George Shepherd relates, while Jesse and Frank were -dining with their mother, with Shepherd as their guest, a dispute arose -over a trivial matter, in which the brothers became very angry and -drew their pistols. Mrs. Samuels made no effort to interfere, and the -difficulty terminated without a fight. In the row Frank told Jesse that -he knew they were not brothers, to which assertion neither Jesse nor -Mrs. Samuels made any reply.</p> - -<p>It is well known among the confederates of the James Boys, and it has -been so declared by Shepherd, the Younger boys and Cummings, that there -was no love between Frank and Jesse, and Shepherd told the writer that -instead of Frank avenging the attack on Jesse at Short Creek he would -applaud it. Going still farther, Shepherd said that at his last meeting -with Frank, two years ago, the latter <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>declared he would kill Jesse if -he ever met him again; that Jess, as he called him, had tried to have -him (Frank) ambushed and captured in Texas, and that that was not the -first time Jess had played the stake to have him murdered.</p> - -<p>The fact of Jim Cummings' association with Frank James in the robbery -of the Mammoth Cave stage coaches gives color of truth to Shepherd's -declaration that he killed Jesse James near Galena, or to Cummings' -statement that Shepherd's shot, while not killing Jesse, had paralyzed -his brain and destroyed his mind.</p> - -<p>Frank James was married to Miss Annie Ralston, of Jackson county, in -September, 1875. The marriage was one of those romantic episodes which -brought great sorrow to Mr. Ralston, an industrious farmer living eight -miles from Kansas City. Miss Annie was but a school girl whose reading -of dime novels had so far impaired her judgment as to make her long for -the association of a hero. Her meeting with Frank James was accidental, -but she had read of his exploits and he was her ideal. Annie left -her home clandestinely and met Frank James many miles from the old -homestead; a Baptist minister performed the ceremony and the outlaw -and his now ostracised wife went into the shadows of cave and forest, -severing the bonds which bound them to society and civilization.</p> - -<p>When Mr. Ralston learned of the desperate step taken by his daughter -he was almost crazed with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> grief. He went direct to Kansas City and, -with eyes suffused with tears, begged Judge Mumford, of the <i>Times</i>, -to prepare for him and publish an article which would relieve him of -the stigma which might attach to him by the error of his daughter. -Mr. Ralston was anxious the public should know that he never had any -association with the outlaw and that, though Annie had been a child -who had filled his heart with love, yet her alliance with a highwayman -had banished the very memory of her from the fond heart which would -know her no more. Such an article did appear in the <i>Times</i>, and if Mr. -Ralston ever became reconciled to his bandit son-in-law his neighbors -never learned the fact.</p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i133.jpg" id="i133.jpg"></a><img src="images/i133.jpg" alt="FRANK JAMES WINS A BRIDE" /></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>Jesse James was married to his cousin, Miss Zerelda Mimms, in the -Autumn of 1874, at the home of his mother in Clay county. Miss Mimms -was an orphan, who had lived with a married sister in Kansas City. -Being of age there was no one to criticise her act, and she stepped -across the threshold of prescribed citizenship to share the perils of -an outlaw's life.</p> - -<p>The peculiar profession followed by Jesse and Frank James has prevented -them from having any permanent residence, and their wives have been -compelled, in a measure, to lead a life of seclusion, traveling -from place to place, concealing their identity and experiencing few -pleasures because of the constant anxiety to which they are subjected. -It is understood that Frank is the father of two children, and Jesse -finds consolation in two little boys and a baby girl. The outlaw -brothers make affectionate husbands and loving and indulgent fathers.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THE UNION PACIFIC EXPRESS ROBBERY.</h2> - -<p>The following account of the Union Pacific train robbery is not -published in chronological order with other robberies, because it is -not certainly known that the James Boys had any connection with it, -and in this history of these noted desperadoes we have endeavored to -give only such facts as are, sustained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> by indisputable evidence. It is -generally believed, however, that the two noted brothers led the party, -and, with their usual shrewdness, succeeded in escaping southward -with a large amount of booty. The following letter, written by Jesse -James to a former comrade, in March previous to the robbery, is strong -presumptive evidence that he and Frank were the planners and executors -of the scheme, and that they had it in contemplation even before the -raid into Minnesota:</p> - -<blockquote><p class="right"><span class="smcap">Fort Worth</span>, March 10th, '77.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear</span> ——</p> - -<p>The boys will soon be ready. As soon as the roads dries up, and -the streams runs down, we will drive. We expect to take in a good -bunch of cattle. You may look out. There will be lots of bellering -after the drive. Remember it's business. The rainge is good, I -learn, between Sidney and Dedwood. We may go to pasture somewheres -in that region. You will hear of it. Tell Sam to come to Honey -Grove, Texas, before the drive seson comes. There's money in the -stock. As ever,</p> - -<p class="right">Jesse J.</p></blockquote> - -<p>There is a mystery connected with the Union Pacific Railroad robbery -which, for more than three years, has remained impenetrable and will, -doubtless, continue so to the end of time. The particulars of this -daring outrage, gathered principally from newspaper reports at the -time, are as follows:</p> - -<p>On the 10th day of September, 1877, a party of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> nine men, well armed -and mounted, rode to a point on the Union Pacific R. R. near Ogallala, -the capital of Keith county, in the extreme western part of Nebraska. -They made no special effort to deceive the people of the town, as the -purpose of their visit was never mentioned. On the day following the -encampment, one of the party, afterwards known to be Jim Berry, a -former resident of the State, went into Ogallala and purchased four -large red handkerchiefs and a gallon of whiskey. That night the camp -presented a hilarious scene and the wild orgies were continued such an -unusually long time that the citizens began to make remarks respecting -the character of the nine strange men. Three days afterward the camp -was abandoned, none of the citizens knowing which direction the party -had taken, so that suspicion was directed against the object of the -singular visitors.</p> - -<p>On the 18th following, the mysterious nine suddenly appeared at a -small station called Big Springs, fifteen miles west of Ogallala, -where the engines of the Union Pacific railroad almost invariably stop -for water. The express train was due from the west at eight o'clock, -<span class="smaller">P. M.</span>, and the party disposed themselves, directly after dark, -in favorable positions for the work in hand. Promptly upon time the -train came thundering up to the station and the engine stopped under -the water tank. As the fireman was about to mount the tender for the -purpose of directing the water spout, two men wearing red handkerchiefs -for masks rushed up toward the engine. For some reason the engineer had -a presentiment that some trouble was brewing, so seizing his pistol he -stepped to the side of the cab and peered into the darkness. It was -too late; the fire through the open furnace door reflected his actions -distinctly and in a moment the engineer realized that he was looking -down into the fatal depths of four navy revolvers and he and the -fireman were forced to surrender and keep quiet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<div class="center"><a name="i137.jpg" id="i137.jpg"></a><img src="images/i137.jpg" alt="AN ENGINEER WHO MEANT TO FIGHT" /></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> - -<p>At the same time the two robbers took possession of the engine, two -others, with the same mask of red handkerchiefs, boarded the express -car, while the other five commenced discharging their pistols in order -to intimidate the passengers. The express messenger made an effort -at resistance, but he was struck a desperate blow on the head with -a pistol and then forced to deliver up the keys to the Wells, Fargo -& Co.'s safe. The contents of the safe in gold, silver and currency -amounted to $60,000, besides 300,000 ounces of silver in bars, the -latter consigned to the Treasury at Washington. The robbers could not -handle the heavy silver bars, so they were compelled to be satisfied -with the other contents of the safe and about $2,000 which they took -from the passengers. They then permitted the train to go on its -way, and having divided their plunder they loaded the coin on three -pack-mules and made off with it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> - -<p>The men had been carelessly masked and a passenger had recognized -one of them as a fellow named Joel Collins, who had been passing for -a stock man about that section. From this the railroad detectives -obtained information on which to act, and though the pursuit which was -organized failed to overtake the outlaws, there was still a hope of -recovering some of the treasure. Part of the gang had gone directly -south into Kansas, and word was sent along the Kansas Pacific to be -on the lookout for them. On the 25th of September, Sheriff Bardsley -and ten soldiers were patroling a section of the road near Buffalo -station. They had a description of one of the parties who were expected -to strike about that point, and sure enough two men were seen coming -down from the north with a pack animal. The soldiers kept out of sight -in a ravine near by, and when the men reached the station and were -watering their horses the sheriff talked with them long enough to be -satisfied that they were the men he was expecting. They only stopped -a few minutes, then pushed on south. The sheriff immediately brought -out his squad and demanded a halt, calling Collins by name. The men -even then did not seem to apprehend that they were known as the train -robbers, but on being told to surrender they drew their pistols. This -brought a volly from the cavalrymen which killed them both. In the pack -was found $20,000 of the gold. Collins' companion's name was Bass, -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> he is generally supposed to have been the Texas desperado, Sam -Bass. The point at which this treasure was first recovered was only 300 -miles south of where the robbery occurred. Subsequently the detectives -succeeded in tracing several others of the band and making them give up -some of the money, but the greater part of it was lost. It was claimed -at the time that Jesse and Frank James were along with this band and -that they made enough out of the haul to reimburse themselves very well -for what they lost on the Northfield trip.</p> - -<p>After the fight at Buffalo the remaining bandits separated for the -purpose of dividing the trail which was being followed closely, and the -hope was indulged for some time that all the robbers would certainly be -apprehended. But after the bandits divided the chase was unavailing and -the pursuing parties returned to their homes.</p> - -<p>Nearly three weeks after the robbery, Jim Berry returned to Mexico, -Missouri, with a large sum of money, principally in gold. He had been -a resident of the neighborhood but had left for the Black Hills—so -he claimed—some months before. He had never borne a good character -and was known to be an acquaintance, at least, of the James and -Younger Boys and other noted outlaws. Further than this he was seen -in Nebraska, near the place of the robbery, by parties who knew him. -The exhibition of so much suddenly acquired wealth, together with the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>circumstances of the express robbery fresh in the memory of every one, -created a suspicion on the part of the sheriff of Audrain county that -Berry was one of the robbers. He kept his own counsel, however, and -waited further developments. They came soon enough. Berry sold several -thousand dollars in gold to the Southern Bank at Mexico; exhibited -several fine gold watches which he offered to sell at surprisingly low -prices, and besides this he exchanged his ordinary habit for the finest -clothes he could have made. Another very suspicious circumstance was -in the conduct of Berry; he kept himself in secret places and appeared -apprehensive of some effort to catch him. The sheriff, Mr. Glascock, -now felt certain that his suspicions were founded upon facts. In the -middle of October a young fellow by the name of Bozeman Kazey came into -Mexico with an order from Berry for a suit of clothes then being made -by a tailor of the place. The sheriff learned of this and he at once -arrested Kazey, after which a posse consisting of Robert Steele, John -Carter, John Coons and Sam Moore was deputized by the sheriff to assist -in the capture of Berry. Kazey was compelled to act as guide, and on -the 14th of October the official party set out for the haunts of Berry -near Kazey's house. They reached the latter's home before daylight on -Sunday morning, and leaving their prisoner in the custody of Steele -the remainder of the party surrounded the house for the purpose of -catching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> Berry when he should come to obtain the clothes he expected -Kazey to bring.</p> - -<p>Shortly after daylight sheriff Glascock made a little tour out in -the woods, and after skirting a bridle path for some distance he saw -Berry hitching his horse preparatory to walking to Kazey's house. The -sheriff crept cautiously towards Berry and was within forty feet of -him before the latter discovered the officer. Berry then started to -run, heedless of the sheriff's cry to halt, and never paused until the -second discharge of buckshot from the sheriff's gun tore through his -leg and felled him to the ground. Prostrate as he was the bandit tried -to draw his pistol, but the sheriff was upon him too quickly. Berry was -disarmed and then carried to Kazey's house and surgical aid speedily -summoned. On his person was found nearly $1,000 in money, and a fine -gold watch and chain.</p> - -<p>After the surgeon arrived, Moore, Coons and Steele were left in charge -of the wounded man and Kazey, while the sheriff and John Carter rode -over to Berry's house to see if new discoveries might not be made.</p> - -<p>When they entered the house the sheriff addressed Mrs. Berry and said:</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Berry, where is your husband?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure I have no idea," she responded; "he has not been at home for -several days."</p> - -<p>"Then let me inform you," said the sheriff, "that we have just captured -him, but in so doing he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> badly wounded. You had better go over and -see him, at Kazey's house."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berry manifested the greatest grief, and the wailings of the wife -and little children quite unnerved the sheriff and his deputy for some -time, but they had to do their duty, and, before leaving, the house was -thoroughly searched for money and valuables, but nothing was discovered.</p> - -<p>On the same afternoon Berry was taken to Mexico in an ambulance and -given quarters in the Ringo hotel, where he was attended by the best -surgeons in the town. The wound was much more severe than at first -supposed. Seven buckshot had penetrated the leg, cutting the arteries -and fracturing the tibia bone. His sufferings were excruciating until -Monday night when mortification began, and on the following day he died.</p> - -<p>At all times Berry positively refused to give the names of his -associates in the express robbery, nor did he ever admit his own -participation.</p> - -<p>The mystery connected with the robbery is found in the impenetrable -veil which masks the identity of the robber band. The three who were -killed gave no clue as to who were their comrades. In the absence -of any proof, judgment being laid entirely upon circumstances and -conjecture, it is popularly supposed that the four whose personnel has -never been discovered were Sam Bass, Jack Davis and the two James Boys.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> - -<h2>AN INTERVIEW WITH THE YOUNGER BROTHERS.</h2> - -<p>In the early part of September, 1880, Col. George Gaston, of Kansas -City, while spending a summer vacation at Minnetonka and the Minnesota -lakes, went to Stillwater for the purpose of seeing the Younger Boys, -whom he had known before the war. He was accorded an interview with the -imprisoned bandits, the result of which was published in the Kansas -City <i>Times</i> of September 6th, from which the following is taken.</p> - -<p>This interview is of special value, considering the obscurity which -surrounds the shooting of Jesse James by George Shepherd, and the -identity of the James Boys in the Northfield robbery.</p> - -<p>After describing his introduction to the prison authorities and -entrance into the penitentiary, Mr. Gaston proceeds as follows:</p> - -<p>"There was a man at the top of the steps to receive us, another -official with the conventional bunch of keys. 'Come this way,' said -he, and we followed him into a square room with walls and ceilings of -stone. There were chairs and we sat down. A door at one side opened -and three men walked in. They were Cole, Jim and Bob Younger. They -took chairs opposite and directly facing us. They wore the prison -garb, and their faces were shaven and their hair <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>cropped close. They -looked so genteel, despite their striped clothing, that my nervousness -disappeared at once. I told them who I was and whence I came, and -introduced my wife. They were very courteous, and bowed, and said they -were glad to see me. Jim hitched back in his chair, and addressing my -wife, said, laughingly: 'It is so long since we have been permitted to -converse with anybody that I don't know as we can talk.' Then followed -a desultory conversation. Cole said his health was poor; he complained -of suffering from the effects of the wound in his head, received at -the time of his capture. The rifle ball entered near the right ear -and lodged under the left ear and has never been removed. Jim was -shot in the mouth, but there are now no signs of a wound. Bob had his -jaw broken, but he too has entirely recovered, and is the handsomest -one in the trio. He is the youngest. I remember him as a boy. He has -developed into a robust, fine-looking young man. The escape from death -these men had at the time of their capture was a miracle. Sixty guns -were discharged at once. Cole and Jim lay on the ground—the one with -a bullet through the head and the other with a frightful wound in his -mouth; Bob's jaw had been broken but he did not fall—he threw up his -arms and cried, 'Don't fire again, gentlemen, they're all dead.' And so -they were to all appearance. The pursuers picked them up and carried -them back. Slowly they began to mend and ultimately they <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>recovered. By -pleading guilty to the crime charged they escaped the death penalty and -were sentenced to life imprisonment."</p> - -<p>"It was really very touching," pursued Col. Gaston, "to hear them talk -of the past and of the present. Cole told of his army life—how at the -age of nineteen he had been promoted to a captaincy in the Confederate -army. He spoke of the murder of his father and of his career since -the close of the war. 'My exploits in the army were exaggerated,' -said he, 'just as my exploits as an outlaw have been exaggerated. In -one instance I have been too highly praised, and in the other grossly -wronged.'</p> - -<p>"I learned from their own lips the story of their prison life. Cole -Younger is a changed man. I found him positively entertaining. He -converses with a correctness, fluency and grace that are charming. None -of the brothers are compelled to do very much work; they spend a great -deal of their time reading in their cells. Jim is reading law books and -Bob is studying medicine; Cole seems to have developed a theological -turn of mind. These three men are great favorites in the prison—they -are looked up to by their companions as sort of demi-gods, creatures -immeasurably above the ordinary inmates of the penitentiary."</p> - -<p>"The most dreadful feature of their life," said Col. Gaston, "is the -fact that though they occupy adjoining cells, they are not permitted to -converse with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> each other. It is only once a month that they can meet -and talk to one another, and then only for a few moments. They told -me that they prayed earnestly every night that the month might pass -quickly. It was touching beyond expression to hear Cole speak of his -early days. His misspent life he charges to the faults of his early -training. He says he was taught to be ruled by his passions and his -passions alone. And as he talked in this vein the tears came into his -eyes and I felt that he was indeed a penitent man. He inquired after -his old army friends, and I told him what I knew of them and their -whereabouts. In the course of our conversation the James Boys were -mentioned. 'Do you believe Jesse is dead?' I asked. Cole straightened -up, glanced quick as a lightning flash at his brothers on either side -of him, and replied, 'He is, if George Shepherd says he is.' I asked -him what he meant, and he answered: 'There are sometimes two things -alike in the world, and Jesse James and George Shepherd were as near -alike as they could be, in character, I mean. Both are quick, nervous -and brave. Jesse was so nervous that sometimes he did things rashly.' -As Cole said this he leveled out his right arm as if he were aiming -a pistol. Instantaneously it struck me that he sought to convey the -impression that it was Jesse James who perpetrated the Northfield bank -murder in a moment of nervous rashness. But the subject was pursued no -further. As we left them I felt that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> were leaving the most wretched -and hopeless of men."</p> - -<p>Col. Gaston said that upon his return from his interview with the -Youngers, inspector Reed told him the following, which has never -before been made public: "A short time before the Northfield robbery," -said the inspector, "I was on my way home to St. Paul from a point in -Iowa. I endeavored to secure a Pullman car berth, but found that I -had been preceded by two men who had engaged eight berths—the only -ones remaining in the car. Later, however, I was informed that I could -have one of the berths, as one of the party had failed to put in an -appearance. As I sat in that car that evening a man wearing a slouch -hat sat directly behind me; in the seat opposite him was a man whom I -subsequently discovered was Cole Younger. While thus seated, a big, -boisterous countryman, accompanied by his young lady, entered the car -and demanded my seat. 'We've been to a dance and are tired'—that was -his apology. I told him that his lady could sit beside me, but I didn't -propose to yield my seat to a man. As we were arguing, the man in the -slouch hat came over and said to me quietly, 'Why don't you throw the -d—d yahoo out of the window?' I made no reply, whereupon he turned to -my persecutor and said, 'Here, you d—d loafer, if you don't go about -your business I'll throw you off the train. You have been dancing and -enjoying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> yourself and I guess you can stand up awhile. This gentleman -has a long way to travel, he has paid for his seat, and by G—d, he -shall keep it.' This was quite enough. The big man moved off. The next -day, when I was in my bank, in walked the two strange men who had -secured the berths on the car. They asked for a bank almanac of last -year. I told them we had none to spare; that the almanacs were issued -to banks alone and were really invaluable. Then they asked if they -could borrow an almanac of the previous year, and I said yes, if they -would be sure to return it. As I passed it over the counter the man in -the slouch hat pushed a ten dollar bill toward me. 'Take this,' said -he, 'so you will be compensated if we should fail to return the book.' -I reminded him he had promised to return the book—that it was part of -a file and could not be spared. He insisted, however, that I should -retain the money, because something might occur preventing the return -of the almanac. Well, the book never came back. Three days later the -Northfield Bank was robbed, and shortly afterward I identified Cole -Younger as one of the two men who had taken the almanac from me. From -the descriptions I have read and the pictures I have seen of the men, -I am satisfied that the other man, the man with the slouched hat, the -one who came to my rescue on the train, was the notorious outlaw, Jesse James."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> - -<h2>ANECDOTES OF JESSE AND FRANK JAMES.</h2> - -<p>Sometimes incidents, in themselves trivial, serve to reveal the -character of persons connected with them better than those actions -which are esteemed as more important. The James Boys are robbers, but -nevertheless they are still capable of generous actions. It may be -that the remembrance of former days sometimes disposes their minds to -the contemplation of the true, the beautiful and the good in humanity. -Jesse James was once baptized, and became a member of a Baptist church -in Clay county, Missouri, and it is said that for a considerable time -before the war, his conduct was exemplary in the highest degree. But he -has since sadly fallen from grace.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>Some years ago a tenant on the Samuels farm had a difficulty with -the mother of Jesse and Frank. In the heat of passion he denounced -the old lady as a liar. Jesse heard of the affair, and, as he always -exhibited the warmest affection for his mother, those who knew of -the circumstance fully expected that the tenant would be called to -account in the usual way by Jesse James. One day the offending tenant -was engaged in some domestic labor near his home and adjacent to a -corn-field, when suddenly there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> a rustling of the dry corn-blades -and the next instant the dreaded outlaw leaped his horse over the -fence and dashed up to the affrighted citizen with a heavy revolver -ready cocked in his hand. "I have come to kill you!" he said, at the -same time making an ominous motion with the pistol. "Did you not know -better than to call my mother a liar? Now, if you want to make your -peace with God, you had better be at it." The poor man dropped upon -his knees and began to pray. As he proceeded, he became more and more -fervent. He asked God to pardon his transgressions and have mercy -upon him. Then he commended his loved ones to the protecting care of -that Beneficent Being to whom alone they could look, now that he was -so soon to be taken away from them. The prayer had become pathetic in -its earnestness. As the man proceeded, the hard lines in Jesse James' -features relaxed, a shade of sadness stole over his countenance, the -muzzle of the pistol was unconsciously lowered, and when the poor -frightened farmer had finished, the look of stern resolve was all gone, -and the outlaw's pistol had been sheathed. "I cannot kill you thus," -he said, "but you must leave the country," and Jesse James wheeled his -horse and disappeared as he had come.</p> - -<p>What tender reminiscences may have come to Jesse James then? Who can -tell? The farmer settled up his affairs and departed from the country -soon afterward. His prayer had prevailed with Jesse, and he was spared -to his loved ones.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The following anecdote illustrates a trait prominently developed in the -character of the outlaws—that is, their willingness to make personal -sacrifices to serve anyone whom they regard in a friendly light.</p> - -<p>It was during the war. Col. J. H. R. Cundiff, now editor of the St. -Louis <i>Times</i>, had been in North Missouri on recruiting service -for the Confederate army. The whole country was overrun by Federal -soldiers, and the situation of the recruiting officers in that region -was perilous. One night Col. Cundiff and several officers visited the -house of Mr. Bivens, in Clay county, to obtain food and secure a trusty -guide to pilot them out of that region. They learned that a man who -resided some miles away was thoroughly acquainted with the by-ways -of the country, and could be relied upon in such an emergency. Among -all the men present not one knew the way to the house of the person -whose services were sought. Miss Bivens, a beautiful and accomplished -young lady, at length offered to venture through the darkness and -find the guide. Frank James was there, and spoke up, "Oh, no, that is -not necessary. Just get on my horse behind me, and I will take you -there." The lady, who was at that time very fond of the society of the -guerrilla, trusted herself with him, and mounting on the horse behind -him they rode away into the night, she indicating to him the route to -be taken. Though the roads were guarded by Federals, the gauntlet of -pickets was successfully run,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> and the guide was secured. In those days -Frank and Jesse James were esteemed as chivalrous gentlemen, and fit -guardians of female honor. Col. Cundiff and his fellow officers were -enabled to effect a change of base in comparative security, by the -chivalrous services rendered by Frank James.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>A story is told of Jesse, which shows that he is not impervious to the -appeals of the suffering. One day he was riding in a sparsely settled -region in western Texas. Passing through a belt of timber along a -stream, he came to the camping place of an emigrant family. There a -most distressing spectacle presented itself. The "movers" were people -in indigent circumstances, evidently. The old blind horse and poor -mule which had drawn the rickety wagon seemed as if their days of toil -were about numbered. The man who had driven them had died there under -a tree two days before; the woman was extended on the earth, almost in -the agonies of death, and three children, the eldest not more than nine -years of age, were crouched around, wailing piteously for something to -stay the ravages of hunger.</p> - -<p>Jesse saw the miserable condition of the unfortunate emigrant family. -He at once dismounted, examined the poor sick woman, administered to -her necessities as best he could, and also gave the children something -to eat from his own small store of supplies. He then bid the woman be -of good cheer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> promised to come again before night, mounted his horse -and galloped away in search of assistance. Ten miles from the camp -he found a physician, and two miles further he found a coffin-maker. -The first he sent to the lonely camp by the stream, the other he set -to work to make a coffin. Then he found a man with a spring wagon and -engaged his services. With a supply of things of present necessity, he -turned once more toward the camp. Arrived there he prepared the food -and made the coffee himself for the unfortunate family. The physician -came and prescribed for the sick lady. The undertaker brought the -coffin, and the owner of the spring wagon came to remove the bereaved -woman and her little ones to a place of shelter. The stranger was -buried—where?—in an untimely tomb.</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>"No human hands with pious reverence rear'd,</div> -<div>But the charmed eddies of autumnal winds,</div> -<div>Built o'er his mouldering bones a pyramid</div> -<div>Of mouldering leaves in the waste wilderness."</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The bereaved one and her orphaned children were carried to the house of -a pioneer some miles away, and every want was bountifully provided for, -and in a pleasant farm-house she and her children call their own home, -she blesses the outlaw, and prays that he may be kept from harm, and -that he may be led aright at last.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>They tell a story of Frank James which illustrates one peculiar trait -of the outlaw's character—that is,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> his gallantry and knightly -devotion to the honor of the fair sex. It happened in Kentucky. There -was a young lady resident in a neighborhood where Frank James was a -visitor, who had become the victim of the persecutions of a certain -fellow whose addresses she had refused. On every possible occasion -this low-bred person sought to mortify and insult the young lady, who -was unfortunate in not having any near male relatives to champion -her cause. One evening, at a social entertainment, the neighborhood -coxcomb and instinctive ruffian approached the young lady in a very -rude and offensive manner, just at the time when she was engaged in -conversation with Frank James, who had been only a few minutes before -presented to her. Without apparently noticing the insolence of the -person, Frank suggested a promenade, and the young lady took his arm, -and they walked away. In no long time they met the rude fellow again, -and he took special pains to mortify the young lady, and threw out a -gratuitous insult to her escort. Very politely Frank begged the lady to -release him for a moment, and he followed the coxcomb. Coming up with -him, he quietly requested him to step aside for a moment. The fellow -treated the request with contempt, and added insult to injury. Without -the least show of passion, Frank rejoined the lady and conducted her -to her friends. He then calmly awaited his opportunity. It came that -same evening. Some persons present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> knew the desperate character of -Frank James, and had told the fellow he was in danger. The fellow -attempted quietly to withdraw from the company, but he could not effect -his purpose. Frank James had his attention fixed upon the ill-mannered -man. When he had gone away from the house some distance, Frank arrested -his progress. He had a pistol drawn, which he presented. "You deserve -to die," said Frank James in a low, quiet tone, "but on one condition -I will spare you, under the circumstances. Will you comply?" "Name -your conditions!" responded the other, now thoroughly frightened -"These:" said Frank James, "You must write a note to the lady, abjectly -apologizing for your conduct. It must be done before ten o'clock -to-morrow, and you must leave the country within five days, and never -return. If the letter does not reach the lady by noon to-morrow, I will -hunt you until I find you, and then as sure as there is a God in heaven -I will kill you. If after five days you are found in this country, I -will shoot you. Remember what I say!" The man promised compliance, -and Frank James returned to the merry-makers, and no one who saw him -suspected that the quiet gentleman had thoughts of bloodshed in his -mind. The letter came, and in three days the neighborhood fop had -disappeared.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<h2>BASSHAM'S CONFESSION OF THE GLENDALE ROBBERY.</h2> - -<p>The robbery of the Chicago and Alton train at Glendale, Missouri, as -already described, has been surrounded with considerable mystery, -concerning the identity of all those engaged in the outrage.</p> - -<p>The large rewards offered for the apprehension of the -robber-band,—amounting to $75,000—caused a very active search, which -resulted, at last, in the capture of Daniel (better known as Tucker) -Bassham, under circumstances already related on page ninety-nine. The -writer visited Bassham at the county jail in Kansas City, in October, -1880, for the purpose of interviewing him, with the hope of obtaining -some interesting facts concerning the robbery, but though he had made a -written confession, he refused to talk on the subject, saying that he -had already told too much for his own good.</p> - -<p>On the 6th day of November, Bassham was brought into court for trial, -having entered a plea of "not guilty," despite his confession, but this -plea was soon changed to that of "guilty," and he then threw himself -upon the mercy of the court. The following summary of his confession -appeared in the Kansas City <i>Journal</i> of November 7th:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"On Monday night preceding the robbery," said Bassham in his -confession, "two neighbors of mine came to me and said they had -put up a job to rob a train, and wanted me to go in with them. -I told them I didn't want nothin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> to do with robbin' no train, -and wouldn't have nothin' to do with it nohow; but they kept on -persuadin' and finally went away, sayin' they would come back in -the morning and that I must go with them. They said a very rich -train was coming down on the C. & A., and that we could make a big -haul, perhaps $100,000. Wa'al, that kind o' half persuaded me, but -still I didn't like to go. They finally told me that Jesse James -was arrangin' the thing and that it was sure to be a success.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, then they left. My wife kept pesterin' me to know what -was goin' on an' what they wanted, but I didn't like ter let on. -I kept thinking about it all night. Of course I'd heerd often of -Jesse James and kinder had confidence in him, then I was pretty -poor, there wasn't much crops on my place and winter comin' on, -and I tell you it looked pretty nice to get a little money just -then, no matter whar it kum from. 'Sides I thought to myself, ef I -don't go it'll be done jest the same anyhow, they'll be down on me -and ten to one I'll be more likely to git arrested if I ain't thar -as if I am.</p> - -<p>"Wa'al, I kep' kinder thinkin' it over an' in the morning they -came to the house early and eat breakfast, and then went out and -loafed around the timber and in the cornfield all day so nobody -wouldn't see 'em. In the evenin' they all cum in and we eat supper -and then they giv' me a pistol, an' we all got on our horses an' -rode off together. We soon met another man on the road, an' when -we got to Seaver's school-house, 'bout a mile and a half away from -my house, they giv a kind of a whistle for a signal, and two men -came out of the timber an' rode up. I was introduced to one of -them as Jesse James. This was the first time I had ever seen Jesse -James in my life."</p> - -<p>"And who was the other?" demanded the prosecutor.</p> - -<p>"The other was Ed. Miller, of Clay county."</p> - -<p>Bassham said that Jesse James then gave him a shot-gun and -furnished each man with a mask, and that they all then rode on in -silence toward Glendale. No instructions were given to any one -man. When they arrived at Glendale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> they noticed the light in the -store, and Bassham was ordered by Jesse James to go in, capture -the inmates and bring them over to the station. On looking in -the windows he found the usual crowd of loiterers had left the -store and lounged over to the depot to wait for the train to come -in. He then went on over to the depot and found the crowd in the -waiting-room guarded by one of the men. Jesse James then told -him to walk up and down the platform, as the train approached, -and fire off his shot-gun in the air as fast as he could. The -telegraph operator was forced, at the point of the pistol, to -lower the green light and thus signal the train to stop. Jesse -James then asked him if there were any loose ties there that they -could lay across the track, and he said he didn't know of any. -The men then went and got logs and laid them across the track to -obstruct the train if it should take the alarm and not stop for -the green light. Meanwhile the train approached; Bassham walked -up and down the platform firing off his gun; Jesse James and one -of the men jumped into the express car, and Miller jumped on the -engine in the manner already described and with which all are -familiar. The train was not stopped more than five or six minutes.</p> - -<p>As soon as it was over, Jesse James fired off his pistol, which -was the signal for all to leave, and they jumped on their horses -and rode rapidly for about half a mile, till they came to a -deserted log-cabin. Here they alighted and entered. Somebody -produced a small pocket-lantern and somebody else struck a match. -Jesse James threw the booty down on a rude table in the middle of -the compartment, divided it out, and shoved each man a pile as -they stood round the table. Bassham's share was between $800 and -$900. Jesse then said: "Now, each one of you fellows go home and -stay there. Go to work in the morning, and keep your mouths shut, -and nobody will ever be the wiser. This country will be full of -men in the morning hunting for me and you."</p></blockquote> - -<p>It will be observed that in the confession, as <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>reported, only the -names of Jesse James and Ed. Miller appear, when it is now positively -known that the gang comprised not less than six persons. The -confession implicated two of the most respectable farmers in Jackson -county, Kit Rose and Dick Tally, one a brother-in-law and the other a -cousin of the Younger brothers, both of whom were arrested, but soon -afterward released, as not a scintilla of evidence could be discovered -corroborating Bassham's disjointed statements. The other party, who -Bassham swears was connected with the robbery (and in this he certainly -guessed rightly), was Jim Cummings, who shot George Shepherd in the -affair at Short Creek.</p> - -<p>In November last (1880), Bassham was brought into court with a plea of -"not guilty," notwithstanding his confession, but he had so completely -convicted himself that the plea was withdrawn, and he threw himself -upon the mercy of the court. He was then sentenced to the penitentiary -for a period of ten years. Since his confinement at Jefferson City, -there has been a considerable change of opinion respecting his guilt, -and there is no doubt but that now a large majority of persons believe -Bassham innocent of any complicity with the train robbery, and that his -so-called confession was the result of influences which the writer does -not wish to assume the responsibility of naming.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - -<h2>The James Boys Heard From Again.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2>THE TRAIN ROBBERY AT WINSTON, MO., JULY 15, 1881.</h2> - -<p class="bold">FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD OFFERED FOR THE ARREST OF THE GUILTYPARTIES.</p> - -<p>The Border Outlaws, those whose crimes began with the hot and -infectious breath of war and left a bloody trail around Jackson, -Clay and Harrison counties, Missouri, still survive to wreak a -desperate vengeance, and live by tributes levied upon corporations and -individuals. Many of the old band, it is true, have been palsied by -death, dying, belted and armed, by a fate anticipated, but like the -excision of a cancer, the germs have remained from which a new growth -has constantly developed to harass the State and disorder society.</p> - -<p>The James boys, aside from their reckless courage, are possessed of -extraordinary capabilities, cunning resource, domineering resolution, -woods-craft and dash. As if by a thorough consideration of the -beneficial result to be secured thereby, they first terrorized the -people of Western Missouri, and then heroized themselves in the eyes -of those whose political sympathies were in consonance with their own. -Thus upon the one side the people were afraid to attempt any punishment -of the outlaws or give <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>information of their rendezvous; while upon the -other they were protected and encouraged without concealment. It is for -these reasons that the James boys and their confreres have eluded every -pursuit and been able to give free license to their impious passions.</p> - -<p>There are peculiar features, however, connected with every outrage -perpetrated by the James gang which readily manifest them in the deed. -Among these several distinguishing features are: their appearance -in the vicinity where the robbery occurs some days before its -accomplishment; the thorough maturity of their plans; the wearing -of long linen dusters; unhesitating disposition to commit murder; a -splendid mount; the invariable sack carried in which to deposit the -plunder; the line of retreat always southward when the robbery has -been committed north of Clay county, and <i>vice versa</i>; masks of red -handkerchiefs, and the ease with which pursuit is eluded. In addition -to these unmistakable peculiarities, another fact is particularly -noticeable, viz: within twenty-four hours after the James boys commit a -robbery, Mrs. Samuels, their mother, never fails to make her appearance -in Kansas City, the purpose of these visits being undoubtedly to -discover what means are employed looking to the apprehension of the -gang, and gather up any and all such information as might prove -serviceable in aiding the escape of her sons.</p> - -<p>Considering well all these points of evidence, any shrewd analyzer of -human nature can readily <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>determine whether or not either of the James -boys was connected with any robbery reported.</p> - -<p>On the night of July 15th, 1881, an outward going passenger train from -Kansas City over the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad was robbed -at Winston Station, Daviess county, Missouri, under the following -circumstances: The train left Kansas City at 6:30 <span class="smaller">P. M.</span>, in -charge of William Westfall, the conductor; Wolcott, the engineer, and -Charlie Murray, express messenger. The train consisted of six coaches -and a sleeper, all of which were well filled with passengers. Reaching -Cameron, a stop was made for supper, and when the train started off two -men were observed to jump on, each of whom wore a large red bandana -handkerchief around his neck, partly concealing his features. Nothing -indicative of the robbers' intentions, however, transpired until the -train reached Winston, at 9:30 <span class="smaller">P. M.</span>, at which station four -men took passage, each having his face covered with a handkerchief -identical with those worn by the two that got on at Cameron, and all -wearing long, linen dusters. Getting under headway again, the train -had proceeded nearly one mile from Winston when suddenly, as Conductor -Westfall appeared in the second car to collect tickets, the passengers -were startled by the largest of the robbers rising from his seat and -shouting out in a loud voice, "All aboard!" which was the signal for -action. The large man, heavily masked with a red handkerchief, as were -all the others, seven in number, thrust out a large pistol, and saying -to Westfall, "You are the man I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> want," fired. The ball struck Westfall -in the arm, producing only a flesh wound, but as the wounded man turned -to run out of the car two more shots were fired by the same robber -without effect. This bad shooting seemed to exasperate another one of -the outlaws, who gave an exhibition of his skill by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> shooting Westfall -in the brain, killing him instantly, the body falling off the platform -onto the ground.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i164.jpg" alt="DEATH OF CONDUCTOR WESTFALL" /></div> - -<p>While this unprovoked murder was being perpetrated three others of the -outlaw gang rushed through the cars toward the engine. Wild confusion -followed, and a stone mason named J. McCulloch, from Iowa, who had -been working near Winston, attempted to get out of the baggage car as -the robbers entered it. Suspecting that he was either the engineer or -intent upon raising an alarm, one of the outlaws shot him dead and -pushed his body off the train, which had now come to a stop.</p> - -<p>The robbers then went about their business of robbing, two mounting the -engine, three were left to guard the passengers, while the remaining -two made for the express car. Mr. Murray, the express agent, hearing -firing and suspecting the real cause, made a hasty attempt to close -and lock the doors of his car, which had been left open, owing to -the oppressively warm weather, but while he was thus engaged one -of the robbers jumped through the partly closed door and grabbing -Murray, struck him a violent blow on the head with his pistol, at -the same time saying, "Open up, d—n you, or I'll kill you!" Looking -into the muzzles of two large pistols, Murray was forced to comply, -and delivered up the safe keys. The treasure box was quickly opened -and its contents extracted, consisting of coin and currency to the -amount of $8,000 or $10,000, which was thrown into a sack the outlaws -carried for the purpose. The train was then started up by one of the -robbers, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> after proceeding a few hundred yards stopped again and -the bold free-booters jumped off, running for their horses which were -tied in a clump of trees less than one hundred yards from the track. -They did not take the time to untie their horses, but cut the reins, -and mounting, rode in a half circuit around<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> Cameron, then took a -course almost due south. They crossed the Missouri river near Sibley's -Landing, in couples, having divided up immediately after the robbery -was consummated.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i166.jpg" alt="THE SHOOTING OF J. MCCULLOCH" /></div> - -<p>On the morning following the robbery, an examination of the immediate -vicinity about where the train was stopped, resulted in finding where -the robbers had tied their horses, and there, lying on the ground, was -found the following letter:</p> - -<blockquote><p class="right"><span class="smcap">Kansas City</span>, July 12.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Charlie</span>—I got your letter to-day, and was glad to hear -that you had got everything ready in time for the 15th. We will -be on hand at that time. Bill will be with us. We will be on the -train; don't fear. We will be in the smoker at Winston. Have the -horses and boys in good fix for fast work. We will make this -point again on the night of the 16th. All is right here. Frank -will meet us at Cameron. Look sharp and be well fixed. Have the -horses well gaunted, for we may have some running to do. Don't get -excited, but keep cool till right time. Wilcox or Wolcott will be -on the engine. I think best to send this to Kidder. Yours time and -through death.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Slick.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p>After receiving the first particulars of the robbery by telegraph, -I went to Kansas City, and from thence to various points in the -vicinity, for the purpose of prosecuting an investigation with the -view of discovering, if possible, who the outlaws were, where they -came from, whither they went, and how the authorities prosecuted the -pursuit. From these efforts I am prepared to state, with circumstantial -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>positiveness, that Frank James and Jim Cummings were the parties who -planned, and with the aid of their confreres, executed the robbery at -Winston, and that the proof may not be wanting, the following several -facts are recited:</p> - -<p>A few weeks ago I received a letter from Frank James, acknowledging -the receipt of a copy of "Border Outlaws," which I sent to him by -a relative. Shortly after its receipt, this same relative, who is -known to be in communication with Frank James, visited St. Louis and -confidentially conferred with my publisher upon the advantages which -we might mutually reap by a sudden stimulation in the sale of "Border -Outlaws," for which he was then acting as agent. His proposition -embraced a statement that Frank James and Jim Cummings were at that -time in Missouri planning a campaign; that a large robbery would -soon be consummated, attended with some startling results. All these -facts he agreed to furnish us the very moment the robbery should -be completed, comprising the names of those engaged, how they had -organized, where assembled, cause for their acts, etc., provided my -publisher would give him a certain sum of money. The incentive on our -part to comply with his proposition was in securing this reliable -information, which might be added as an appendix to a new edition of -"Border Outlaws," and issued contemporaneously with the first newspaper -reports, thereby creating a largely increased demand for the book. -Of course there appeared so much doubt involved in this singular -proffer, and the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>proposition within itself being of such questionable -character, that it was rejected with little consideration of the -probability of a robbery such as was declared about to take place. At -this time, however, the assertions then made assume an interest which -throws much light upon the problem, "Who committed the robbery?"</p> - -<p>But this is not all the evidence I am in possession of respecting -this latest adventure of the old gang. In pursuing my investigations -I visited Olathe, Kas., twenty miles south of Kansas City, and there -found a gentleman well known in that town, who had met Frank James -walking on the south side of Olathe's public square, well-armed, on the -10th inst., or only five days before the robbery occurred. It was not a -mistaken identity, for the gentleman in question was raised within four -miles of the present residence of the James boys' parents, and was for -years upon terms of the greatest social intimacy with them, attending -the same school, participating in the same sports, and in later years -meeting with them as old acquaintances. Being well acquainted myself -in Olathe, I can positively state that this information regarding the -presence of Frank James in the town referred to is true beyond all -doubt. But what his business was or when he left, I could not ascertain.</p> - -<p>Within eighteen hours after the robbery, Mrs. Samuels appeared in -Kansas City, evidently for the purpose of collecting such information -as might be useful to Frank James and his confederates. She talked -freely of the robbery, but protested, with repeated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> declarations, -that both Frank and Jesse were dead, going so far in her assertions as -to say that Frank died three years ago of consumption, in Texas. What -she hoped to gain by a claim so easily disproved it is difficult to -conjecture.</p> - -<p>From the best evidence attainable, the gang who robbed the Rock Island -and Pacific train, among whom were Frank James, Ed. Miller, Jim -Cummings and Dick Little, after leaving the train, mounted their horses -and rode southwestwardly until they reached the outskirts of Cameron, -when they turned and took to the brush again, making directly for the -Missouri river, which they crossed near Sibley's landing, and on the -following evening, the 16th, they certainly passed through Sni-a-bar -township of Jackson county, and, taking a southwestwardly course, -continued on to the Indian Territory. The party, however, did not -remain intact, but divided up into couples, so as to destroy the trail -which so large a number as seven riders would have made conspicuous. -They were at no time so far apart, though, but that a prearranged -signal would have concentrated the outlaws.</p> - -<p>It is a singular fact that with all the atrocious crimes credited to -the James boys and their confederates, there was not so much as one -dollar of reward offered at the time of the Winston robbery, although -at one time the rewards offered by the State and railroad and express -companies aggregated $75,000. During Gov. Hardin's administration -nearly all the rewards offered by the State were withdrawn,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> then the -private corporations that had suffered so seriously at the hands of the -bold knights of the road withdrew the incentives they had advertised, -after which Gov. Phelps wiped out the few figures remaining.</p> - -<p>On the 26th of July, eleven days after the train robbery at Winston, -Governor Crittenden visited St. Louis and called a meeting of leading -railroad officials in the gentlemen's parlor of the Southern Hotel. The -call was responded to by representatives from nearly all the principal -roads running into Kansas City and St. Louis, and upon assembling -plans were thoroughly discussed for the apprehension of the notorious -outlaws who have wrought such injury to Missouri's reputation. The -session lasted for nearly four hours, though there was the greatest -unanimity of feeling and disposition, and at its conclusion the -Governor expressed much gratification at the results. The power of -the Executive is limited by law, so that he could not offer a State -reward sufficiently large to accomplish the arrest of such notorious -desperadoes as the James boys and their gang are known to be, so he -conceived the excellent idea of calling upon the interested railroad -corporations for needful assistance. The result of this conference was -the immediate issuance of a proclamation by Governor Crittenden, in -which an aggregate reward of fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000) was -offered for the capture of the seven train robbers, or five thousand -dollars for the arrest and conviction of each one of the robber gang. -This proclamation was supplemented <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>by the offer of an additional -reward of five thousand dollars each for the arrest of Jesse and Frank -James, and delivery of their bodies to the sheriff of Daviess County, -and a further reward of five thousand dollars each for their conviction.</p> - -<p>The public which, generally speaking, believe that Jesse James was -never shot by Geo. Shepherd, credit the assertion made by many that -both Frank and Jesse were engaged in the Winston robbery, but whatever -the impression, this belief is undoubtedly without foundation. The -most intimate acquaintances of Jesse James, those who have seen him -many times during the past year, are ready to make oath that he is -a paralytic from the effects of Geo. Shepherd's shot; in fact, in a -demented, helpless condition.</p> - -<p>At one time arrangements were about perfected, through the outlaws' -cousin, by which I was to have a personal interview with Frank James, -each of us to be accompanied by a friend, but owing to some engagement, -which was never explained to me, that meeting never occurred. Frank, -after receiving a copy of "Border Outlaws," expressed a desire to make -a statement, with the understanding that I would embody it in all -subsequent editions of the book; this I agreed to do, but I am now -convinced that the intended interview was not granted because of the -engagement which was kept at Winston.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Bandits, by J. W. 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W. Buel - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Border Bandits - An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Noted Outlaws, - Jesse and Frank James - -Author: J. W. Buel - -Release Date: October 8, 2019 [EBook #60453] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BORDER BANDITS *** - - - - -Produced by Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - -[Illustration: FRANK JAMES.] - -[Illustration: JESSE JAMES.] - -NOTICE.--These portraits were engraved from late photographs, -obtained at some expense and danger; and having been copyrighted for -this book all persons are warned against using them elsewhere. - - - - -THE BORDER BANDITS. - -AN AUTHENTIC AND THRILLING HISTORY OF -THE NOTED OUTLAWS, - -JESSE AND FRANK JAMES, - -And their Bands of Highwaymen. - -COMPILED FROM RELIABLE SOURCES ONLY AND CONTAINING -THE LATEST FACTS IN REGARD TO THESE -DESPERATE FREEBOOTERS. - - -BY J. W. BUEL, - -Author of "Life of Wild Bill the Scout," "Legends of the Ozarks," -etc., etc., and Member of the Editorial Staff of the -Kansas City and St. Louis Press. - - -ILLUSTRATED WITH LATE PORTRAITS AND COLORED PLATES. - - -ST. LOUIS, MO.: -HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY. -1881. - - - - -Copyrighted, 1880, by DAN. LINAHAN. - - -Ryan, Jacks & Co., Printers, -ST. LOUIS. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The career of Jesse and Frank James has been as checkered as the -sunlight that streams through a latticed window, and their crimes are -a commentary upon the development of intellectual America. No one can -afford to ignore the lesson which the lives of these outlaws teach, -and therefore a correct history of their desperate deeds becomes -necessary as a part of the country's annals, in juxtaposition with the -commendable heroism of our brightest characters. So many improbable -and romantic incidents have been credited to these noted brothers by -sensational writers; so many dashing escapades and hair-breadth escapes -attributed to them, which they never even dreamed of, that thinking -people, especially in the East, have begun, almost, to regard the James -Boys as a myth, and their deeds as creations of sensational dreamers. - -It has been my purpose for more than three years to prepare a true -history of these noted outlaws, and during that time material has been -collecting which is now given to the public entirely free from fulsome -description or elaborated sensation. In the main essentials the James -Boys themselves will confirm the truthfulness of this narrative, which -has been written with a special regard for candor and indisputable -facts only. - -During several years of the most exciting period in the career of these -noted bandits, I was engaged as reporter for the Kansas City press, and -not only became acquainted with many of their relatives and friends -who reside in that section, from whom were obtained numerous facts and -incidents never before published; but my duties as a journalist gave -me many excellent opportunities to learn the real truth in regard to -many of their most daring adventures, to one of which (the robbing of -the cash-box at the Kansas City Fair) I was an eye-witness. As time -unfolds the mysteries which have gathered around the names of these -desperate outlaws, it will be seen that this is the most faithful -history of their exploits that has ever been presented to the public. - -J. W. B. - -ST. LOUIS, December 15, 1880. - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS. - - PAGE. -PORTRAITS OF THE JAMES BROTHERS. Frontispiece. - -After Centralia, 8 - -HANGING OF DR. SAMUELS, 10 - -Fleeing from Lawrence, 18 - -JESSE JAMES' RECEPTION, 38 - -Romantic Scenery near the Mysterious Cave, 44 - -Frank James' Combat with three Mexicans, 50 - -Recruiting after a Raid, 57 - -Hobbs Kerry watched by a Detective in a Gambling Den, 91 - -SHOOTING OF JESSE JAMES, 107 - -SETTLING AN OLD SCORE, 112 - -Frank James wins his Bride, 121 - -An Engineer who meant fight, 125 - - -[Illustration: AFTER CENTRALIA.--see p. 27.] - - - - -THE BORDER BANDITS. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - PAGE. -JESSE AND FRANK JAMES--THEIR YOUTH, 7 - -Career as Guerrillas, 9 - -First Skirmishes, 12 - -Desolation of Lawrence, 15 - -Desperate Fighting by Squads, 21 - -Direful Massacre at Centralia, 27 - -Fortune Turning Against the Guerrillas, 30 - -The Whirlwind of Destruction Changes, 31 - -Jesse James' Career in Texas, 33 - -Robbery and Murder, 36 - -Plundering a Kentucky Bank, 39 - -Bank Robbery and Murder, 41 - -Mysterious Hiding Place in Jackson Co., 43 - -Terrible Fight in Mexico, 47 - -Plundering an Iowa Bank, 51 - -Another Bank Robbery in Kentucky, 52 - -Robbing the Cash Box at the Kansas City Fair, 54 - -Plundering the Ste. Genevieve Bank, 56 - -Wrecking and Plundering a Train, 60 - -The Stage Robbery near Hot Springs, 63 - -Train Robbery at Gad's Hill, 66 - -Wicher's Unfortunate Hunt for the James Boys, 69 - -Murdering Cow Boys and Driving off Cattle, 73 - -The Attack on the Samuels Residence, 75 - -Assassination of Daniel Askew, 79 - -The San Antonio Stage Robbery, 81 - -The Great Train Robbery at Muncie, 83 - -The Huntington Bank Robbery, 86 - -The Rocky Cut Train Robbery, 87 - -Fatal Attack on a Minnesota Bank, 92 - -At Glendale--the Last Great Train Robbery, 96 - -Shooting of Jesse James by George Shepherd, 100 - -Why did Shepherd Shoot Jesse James? 109 - -Robbing of the Mammoth Cave Stage, 112 - -Personal Characteristics of the James Boys, 117 - -The Union Pacific Express Robbery, 122 - -An Interview with the Younger Brothers, 132 - -Anecdotes of Jesse and Frank James, 138 - - - - -THE BORDER BANDITS. - - - - -JESSE AND FRANK JAMES. - -THEIR YOUTH. - - -Strangely, and yet a not uncommon circumstance, Jesse and Frank James -were the sons of a respectable Kentucky minister of the Baptist -persuasion. Rev. Robt. James, "in the good old times," as he was wont -to call the early days of his ministry, was a great camp-meeting -exhorter, and many of the rock-ribbed hills of middle Kentucky have -been musical with the echoes of his strong voice. Like many other -pastoral exhorters and close communionists, the Rev. James was -illiterate so far as "book learning" was concerned, but his sincerity -was rarely debated. It has been asserted that he passed an academic -course at Georgetown College, but the records of that institution -show the name of no such person. Zerelda Cole, (the mother of the -noted outlaws,) was married to the Rev. Robert James in Scott county, -Kentucky, the same county in which Georgetown College is located; this -fact, added to the desire to heroize, to the largest possible extent, -the paternity of the James boys, is doubtless the reason for ascribing -to the father "a finished education and unusual ability." - -"Like father, like son," is a very ancient oriental adage; but it -does not apply to Jesse and Frank James, though it is true that their -dispositions are due to maternal inheritance. In fact, the wife's -strength of will and uncompanionable traits of character resulted in -a final separation a few years after their removal to Clay county, -Missouri, in 1843. The Rev. James, in 1849, joined in the pilgrimage -to California, from whence he never returned; and, in 1857, Mrs. -James took another husband, in the person of Dr. Reuben Samuels. It -is quite unimportant to follow the domestic career of Mrs. James, now -Mrs. Samuels, and what has been related is merely for the purpose of -defining the inherited bent and inclination of the parents of the great -outlaws. - -Jesse James was born in Clay county, Missouri, in 1845, while Frank's -nativity is Scott county, Kentucky, where he was born in 1841. At an -extremely early age they displayed traits of character which have ever -since distinguished them. Their hatreds were always bitter and their -cruelty remorseless. - -They manifested especial delight in punishing dumb animals, which is -evidenced by their cutting off the tails and ears of dogs and cats, -burying small animals alive, and diversions of every kind which would -inflict the most grievous pains. Among other boys they were domineering -and cruel, and would rarely participate in innocent amusements. They -were never subjected to parental restraint and their youth was passed -in the most perfect indulgence. At the age of ten and fourteen years, -respectively, the boys were provided with fire-arms, in the use of -which they readily became proficient, and were no less expert in -throwing a bowie-knife which they could send quivering into a two-inch -sapling, at the space of fifteen feet, almost without fail. - - - - -THEIR CAREER AS GUERRILLAS. - - -When the tocsin of war sounded, and the feverish thrill of excitement -ran through the nation, boys though they were, Jesse and Frank James -were electrified with the ominous news and longed to participate in -the affray where human blood might be drawn until, like a fountain, -it would swell into a gory river. Soon the unmerciful Quantrell, that -terrible wraith of slaughter, came trooping through Missouri upon an -errand of destruction, and attracted to his banner many impetuous -youths of the West, among whom was Frank James; Jesse being the junior -brother, and but little more than fourteen years of age, was rejected -by Quantrell, and returned home to his farm labors with sorrow. But he -did not remain inactive. The family being intensely Southern in their -political predilections, all possible aid and sympathy were given -to Quantrell. Many dark nights Jesse would mount his best horse and -ride through the gloomy wilderness of Western Missouri until he gained -the guerrilla haunts, where he would deliver important information -concerning the movements of Federal troops. - -The part played by Jesse and the open and decided expressions -frequently made by Dr. Samuels and his decidedly demonstrative wife, -greatly excited the Federal soldiers, and it was determined to make -an example of the family. Accordingly, in June, 1862, a company of -Missouri militia approached the Samuels' homestead, which is near -Kearney, in Clay county, and first meeting Dr. Samuels, they soon gave -him to understand that their visit was made for a purpose decidedly -unpleasant to him. - -A strong rope was produced with which he was securely pinioned and then -led away from the house a distance of about one hundred yards. Here the -rope was fastened in a noose around his neck, while the other end was -thrown over the limb of a tree, and several men hastily drew him up -and left him suspended to choke to death. Mrs. Samuels, however, had -followed stealthily, and the moment the militia had departed she rushed -to the rescue of her husband, whom she hastily cut down, and by patient -nursing saved his life. The enraged troops decided also to hang Jesse -James, whom they found plowing in the field, but his youth saved him -from any other violence than a few cuffs and the production of a rope -with a suspicious noose which they threatened to ornament his neck with -if he again visited the guerrilla camp. - -[Illustration: HANGING OF DR. SAMUELS.] - -Instead of producing the desired effect, this act of the militia only -excited Jesse the more, and led him to deeds of graver importance. -He continued to communicate almost daily with Quantrell, which so -exasperated the militia that they paid a second visit to the Samuels' -residence, decided upon killing both Dr. Samuels and the daring Jesse. -When they reached the place, however, they found their intended victims -absent, but, determined not to return without some trophy of their -revengeful sortie, they took Mrs. Samuels and her daughter, Miss -Susie, captive, and carried them to St. Joseph, where they were kept -confined in jail for several weeks. This last act greatly inflamed -Jesse's passions, and he immediately mounted his horse and again rode -to Quantrell's camp, where, after detailing the particulars of this -last outrage, perhaps exaggerating the facts some in order to make his -appeal more effective, he begged the guerrilla commander to accept his -services as a private. So hard did he plead for permission to join the -ranks that marched under the shadow of the black flag, that at length -the barrier which his youth imposed was overlooked and the terrible -Quantrell oath was administered to him. - - - - -THE FIRST SKIRMISHES. - - -Up to this time the guerrillas had been engaged in but few skirmishes, -their services consisting chiefly in small foraging expeditions, -making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the -country preparatory to engaging in more effective measures. There was -a slight brush at Richfield, in which Captain Scott, with twelve of -Quantrell's men, surprised thirty militia whom they captured, after -killing ten, and in this attack Jesse James participated. Upon his -return to camp he was sent out with orders from Quantrell to scour the -counties adjoining Clay and locate the militia. After passing through -Clinton county he paid a short visit to his mother, who received him -with many manifestations of pleasure, and then began to unload herself -of the valuable information she had gathered for the benefit of the -guerrillas. She told him that the attack on Richfield had resulted in -massing the militia for a determined stroke, and that the troops were -concentrating near that point; that Plattsburg had been almost entirely -relieved of its garrison and would fall an easy prey to the guerrillas -if they chose to profit by the opportunity. - -Jesse lost no time in communicating the situation to Quantrell, and, -accordingly, three days after the capture of the squad of militiamen -at Richfield, Captain Scott took fifteen men and silently stole upon -Plattsburg, which he found defended by less than a score of Federals, -under the command of a lieutenant. The guerrillas dashed into the town -about 3 P. M. (August 25th), yelling like a tribe of Comanche -Indians. The citizens fled into their houses with such fear that few -ventured to look into the streets even through key holes. The Federal -lieutenant chanced to be in the public square when the charge was made, -and Jesse James had the honor and credit of capturing him. The rest of -the militia gained the court-house, where it would have been impossible -to dislodge them, and to have attacked the building would have exposed -the guerrillas to the fire of the enemy. It was here that Jesse James' -strategy and military tact were first manifested. Turning his prisoner -(the lieutenant) over to Captain Scott, he said in a loud voice: -"Captain, there is no use parleying with these cut-throats; shoot -this fellow if he don't order his men in the court-house to surrender -immediately." Captain Scott replied that he would if the court-house -was not surrendered in two minutes. The result was that Plattsburg fell -into the hands of the guerrillas, who pillaged the town and gathered -booty, consisting of two hundred and fifty muskets, several hundred -rounds of ammunition, ten thousand dollars in Missouri warrants, -besides a large quantity of clothing, etc. The money was divided -among the participating guerrillas, each of whom received nearly one -thousand dollars in warrants besides clothing and other articles of -value. The guerrillas compelled the landlord of the principal hotel to -prepare them a good supper, to which they invited their prisoners, whom -they paroled; and after feasting until 9 o'clock P. M., they -withdrew to the cover of the forest. - -After raiding Plattsburg, Quantrell broke camp and moved southward, -passing through Independence, and bivouaced near Lee's Summit. The -residents of that section suffered pitilessly from the sack and pillage -of both Federals and Confederates. They occupied a middle ground which -was subject to the incursions of both armies, and what was left after -the forage of the Union forces was remorselessly appropriated by the -guerrillas. There were skirmishes almost daily, and every highway was -red with human blood. The James boys, young as they were, became the -terror of the border; the crack of their pistols or the whirr of their -pirouetting bowies daily proclaimed the sacrifice of new victims. The -sanguinary harvest grew broader as the sickle of death was thrust in -to reap, and the little brooks and rivulets that had babbled merry -music for ages and laved the thirst of man and beast with their crystal -water, suddenly became tinged with a dye fresh from the fountain of -bitterest sorrow. And thus the days sped on heavy with desolation. -Quantrell and his followers were scarcely interrupted by the militia, -who never attacked them except at the price of terrible defeat, -until at length a direful scheme was proposed in which the desperate -character of these free riders was manifested in its blackest hues. - - - - -THE DESOLATION OF LAWRENCE. - - -Lawrence, Kansas, a thrifty town located on the Kaw river, was selected -by Quantrell as the place upon which to wreak a long-pent-up vengeance. -Sitting around the camp fire on the night of August 18th, 1863, the -chief of the black banner held a consultation with Frank and Jesse -James, the Younger boys, the Shepherd brothers, and others of his most -daring followers, as to the next advisable move upon a place which -would furnish the best inducements for their peculiar mode of war. -There was a concert of opinion that Lawrence was the most available -place. The point having been selected, Quantrell did not neglect to -inform his followers of the danger such an undertaking involved; that -their road would be infested with militia, the forces of which would -be daily augmented when the first intimation of the purposes of the -guerrillas should be made known; that it would be ceaseless fighting -and countless hardships, and many would be left upon the prairies to -fester in the sun. He then called his command to arms and acquainted -every man with the decision in the following speech: "Fellow soldiers, -a consultation just held with several of my comrades has resulted in a -decision that we break camp to-morrow and take up a line of march for -Lawrence, Kansas; that we attack that town and, if pressed too hard, -lay it in ashes. This undertaking, let me assure you, is hazardous -in the extreme. The territory through which we must pass is full of -enemies, and the entire way will be beset by well armed men through -whom it will be necessary for us to carve our way. I know full well -that there is not a man in my command who fears a foe; that no braver -force ever existed than it is my honor to lead, but you have never -encountered danger so great as we will have to meet on our way to -Lawrence; therefore let me say to you, without doubting in the least -your heroism, if there are any in my command who would prefer not to -stake their lives in such a dangerous attempt, let them step outside -the ranks." - -At the conclusion of Quantrell's remarks a shout went up from every -man, "On to Lawrence!" Not a face blanched, but on the other hand there -was but one desire, to lay waste the city on the Kaw. - -On the following day the order was given to "mount," and with that -dreadfully black flag streaming over their heads the command, two -hundred strong, turned their faces to the west. As they crossed the -Kansas line at the small town of Aubrey, in Johnson county, Quantrell -compelled three men, whom he found sitting in front of a small store -kept by John Beeson, to accompany him as guides. The command passed -through Johnson county midway between Olathe and Spring Hill, and -through the northern part of Franklin county. When they reached Cole -creek, eight miles from Lawrence, the three guides were taken into a -clump of thick woods and shot by Jesse and Frank James. One of the -party, an elderly man, begged piteously to be spared, reminding his -executioners that he had never done them any wrong, but his prayers for -mercy ended in the death rattle as a bullet went crashing through his -neck. - -Quantrell had been agreeably mistaken concerning the resistance he -expected to encounter. Not a foe had yet appeared, but he never -permitted a person to pass him alive. No less than twenty-five persons -whom he met in the highway, after getting into Kansas, had been shot, -and yet he avoided the public roads as much as possible. - -Early in the morning of August 21st Quantrell and his band came -in sight of the fated town. The sun was just straggling above the -undulations of the prairie and the people of the place were beginning -to resume the duties of a newly-born day. With a cry which froze the -blood of every one in the town who heard it, Quantrell and his two -hundred followers descended upon the place with pistol, sword and -firebrand. - -[Illustration: FLEEING FROM LAWRENCE.] - -The prime object of the guerrillas was to capture Gen. Jim Lane, -who resided at Lawrence, and retaliate upon him for the burning and -sacking of Osceola, Mo., which had been accomplished by men under his -command. But Lane fled on the first alarm, and concealed himself in an -adjacent cornfield. Foiled in their desire to capture him, the enraged -guerrillas turned their vengeance loose upon the ill-fated town, -killing every man who came within range of their deadly revolvers. -Quantrell's orders were to kill all the men, but to spare the women and -children. By accident, however,--possibly by design of some drunken -privates--several women and children were shot; and this fact was -made use of in subsequent reports of the affair to greatly exaggerate -its barbarous details. It was certainly sufficiently inexcusable and -barbarous without exaggeration. The torch was applied to the light -frame buildings as the killing progressed, and the beautiful little -city was soon enveloped in a sheet of flames. Stores and saloons were -broken into and robbed of their contents, and the guerrilla band soon -became a howling mob of drunken madmen. The dreadful harvest of death -and destruction lasted nearly all day, and when the guerrillas took -up their line of retreat toward the borders of Missouri, the city of -Lawrence had disappeared from the face of the earth. In this affair -Jesse James is said to have killed thirty men and Frank thirty-five. -They seemed to take a sort of devilish pride in numbering their -victims. - -Quantrell and his men hastily retraced their steps, but they were -terribly harassed during the entire return march by the Kansas militia -and Federal troops that hurriedly concentrated and went in pursuit -of them. This force has been reliably estimated at fully seven -thousand, and nothing but hard marching, determined fighting, and an -endurance that has never been equalled saved the guerrillas from total -destruction. At Black Jack, about fifteen miles from Lawrence, a stand -was made and some brisk fighting occurred. The guerrillas took to -cover in a large barn which stood at the edge of an orchard. Several -assaults were made to dislodge them but in vain. The horses of the -guerrillas were suffering severely, however, and realizing that without -horses they would be unable to get out of Kansas, the guerrillas made a -desperate charge in which thirty-two of the militia were killed and a -panic was the result. But the guerrillas did not care to follow up the -victory, as every moment was precious. The militia were swarming and -closing in upon them rapidly, and it was only by the rarest stroke of -fortune that Quantrell and his men ever escaped from Kansas; this rare -fortune was due entirely to the unparalleled cowardice of three hundred -well armed and mounted men who had been organized into a militia force -near Spring Hill, Kansas. These men exhibited remarkable bravery until -the enemy appeared in sight, when they immediately retreated and -never halted until they were ten miles from the place where they saw -Quantrell. Had they engaged the enemy, which was one-third less in -number, besides badly fatigued, they could either have beaten Quantrell -or held him at bay until enough reinforcements were received to have -annihilated every one of the guerrilla band. - -It was a continual fight, however, and as Quantrell predicted, many of -his followers were left dead and unburied on the hot prairies, where -they became the prey of carrion birds. At Shawnee, in the northern part -of Johnson county, the last stand was made, but the fight lasted only -a few minutes, for the guerrillas, appreciating the critical position -they occupied, with nearly five thousand militia gradually surrounding -them, in the manner of early settlers who join in general hunts for the -destruction of obnoxious wild animals, Quantrell soon ordered a charge -and retreat. After breaking through the lines the guerrillas disbanded -and each one then considered alone his own safety; this rendered a -general pursuit impossible, and with a total loss of twenty-one men the -bands reached the coverts of Jackson and Clay counties, where they were -comparatively safe. - - - - -DESPERATE FIGHTING BY SQUADS. - - -After spending a month in apparent leisure, during which time Jesse and -Frank James were frequent night visitors to their old home, Quantrell -again called his command together for the purpose of resuming active -hostilities, but he changed his tactics and added new terrors to the -border counties of Missouri. The command was divided into squads of -twenty and thirty, by which means they could make bold dashes at -various points almost simultaneously and so confuse their enemies as -to make pursuit futile. Indeed this peculiar and remorseless warfare -gave rise to the strange superstition that Quantrell was some spirit of -darkness who could transport himself and troops from place to place in -the twinkle of an eye. He became no less dreaded by the Federal troops -than by Union citizens, and day and night non-combatants as well as -armed militiamen fell victims to the terrible guerrillas. - -In the early part of October, Jesse James, in charge of a squad of -twenty-five men, learning of the movements of a company of Federal -cavalry under command of Capt. Ransom, who was marching toward Pleasant -Hill, made a rapid detour and flanked the Federals five miles north -of Blue Springs. Jesse selected a place near the road which was well -screened by a dense thicket; here he stationed his men, and when the -Federals came riding leisurely by, unconscious of any lurking danger, -suddenly a storm of bullets poured upon them from the thicket and men -fell like leaves in an autumn gust. The entire company was immediately -thrown into the greatest confusion. The youthful commander of the -guerrillas made the most of his advantage and ordered a dash into the -confused and stricken ranks of the enemy, which he shot down with -as little resistance as is offered by dumb animals. The havoc was -terrible, for out of nearly one hundred Federals less than one-third -the number escaped, while the loss of the guerrillas was only one -killed and three slightly wounded. - -On the following day another squad of Quantrell's men ambushed a body -of militia who were returning from a forage in Lafayette county, and -mercilessly annihilated nearly every one of the unfortunate command. -One week later Frank and Jesse James, with fifty men, suddenly appeared -in Bourbon county, Kansas, five miles south of Fort Scott, and swooped -down upon Capt. Blunt and his company of seventy-five mounted infantry, -and with a yell of rage and triumph swept with deathly missiles the -astonished Federals, leaving forty of them to bleach in autumn rains. - -The next attack was upon Lieut. Nash's command, three miles west of -Warrensburg, Missouri, which was surprised by the guerrillas and cut -to pieces. Following close upon this came the furious desolation of -Camden. This little town was garrisoned by a small company of Federals, -who, upon the day in question, were in the midst of bachanalian revels -and unable to offer any resistance. This fight was a slaughter, in -which the drunken soldiers were shot down without compunction, and -the riot of murder was a pastime of sport for the guerrillas. After -completing the harvest of death the town was pillaged and fired, and -when the guerrillas rode out of the place they left its ruins in charge -of the dead. - -Another squad, under command of George Todd, suddenly encountered the -Second Colorado cavalry, under command of Capt. Wagner, and a desperate -fight ensued. The Colorado troops understood guerrilla warfare, and -Wagner was as brave a man as ever mustered a company. The guerrillas -made a furious charge, but the onslaught was met with such resistance -that the opposing forces mingled together in a hand-to-hand contest. -The fight was terrible, the rattle of revolvers being at times almost -drowned by the clash of sabers. Jesse James fought like a hungry tiger, -and his death-dealing pistol made terrible inroads among his foes. -Singling out the Captain, who was fighting with wonderful desperation, -Jesse rode by him at a furious pace, and, discharging his pistol with -remarkable accuracy, he sent a bullet through the brave Captain's -heart. This act sent consternation through the ranks of the Colorado -troops, and a retreat, in confusion, was soon begun. Those that were -wounded received no mercy at the hands of the guerrillas, but were shot -or put to the sword and then left unburied. - -Every attack made by the guerrillas added new terrors to the -neighborhood; there was a concentrating of militia at every available -point and a thousand schemes proposed by which to surprise and bring to -punishment the desperate band; but the guerrillas were kept thoroughly -posted and continued their reckless mode of warfare with varying -success. - -In the early part of 1864 Frank James was sent out by Bill Anderson -to locate and number the Federal force at Harrisonville. The duty was -fraught with much peril, but it was danger the James Boys courted as -the spice of existence. He rode straight for the town, until within -sight of the picket lines. He then hitched his horse in the closest -thicket he could find, after which he approached with great care, and -at night succeeded in passing the pickets. Very soon after reaching the -outskirts of Harrisonville he met a negro from whom he obtained what -information he desired and then crept back again through the lines and -mounted his horse. At this juncture he was spied by two of the picket -guards, who commanded him to halt. The reply came from his pistol, -and though the night was without moonshine he sent a bullet through -the brain of one, and another shot tore through the body of the other -picket. The camp was speedily in arms but Frank rode rapidly out of -harm and delivered the information he had gained with such risk to -Anderson. - -On the second day thereafter the plan of attack on Harrisonville was -consummated and a hard fought battle was the consequence, but the -guerrillas were forced to retire, and they turned their attention to -a company of Federal volunteers who were encamped on Grand river at -Flat Rock Ford. These they attacked with determined fierceness, but -they were met with equal force and were again compelled to retreat. In -this fight Jesse James was badly wounded, a musket ball having passed -through his breast, tearing away a large portion of his left lung and -knocking him from his horse. Notwithstanding the rain of bullets, Arch -Clements and John Jarrette rode back, and gathering up their wounded -comrade they bore him to the house of Capt. John M. Rudd, where for -several days his death was hourly expected. Careful nursing and the -best surgical skill, however, saved his life, and in one month's time -he was able to resume the saddle, and in six weeks he again went on -active duty. - -On the 16th of September, 1864, Jesse James concluded to pay another -visit to his mother, but the road thence was beset with a thousand -dangers which very few men could be induced to encounter. During -the ride he came suddenly upon three uniformed militia, who ordered -him to halt, but instead of obeying the summons he whipped out two -pistols and in a moment the three men were struggling in the throes -of death. Jesse met with no other adventure on the journey, and -after spending two days with his mother returned to the camp of the -guerrillas. Immediately upon his return he was informed of the plans -conceived during his absence, of attacking Fayette, Missouri. On the -20th the attack was made, and charge after charge, with all the force -the guerrillas could command, was hurled against the stockades which -protected the Federals, but every onslaught was firmly met and left -a trail of dead and wounded guerrillas. Lee McMurtry, one of the -bravest of Anderson's forces, fell dreadfully wounded directly under -the Federal parapets. Jesse James was an intimate comrade of McMurtry -and he determined to rescue his friend. What a nature is that which -can rush up to the very blazing muzzles of deadly rifles to drag away -a wounded friend! But Jesse James seemed to court death without the -ability to win it. He braved that lurid stream of fatal fire and drew -away the gasping form of his friend, and yet escaped unscathed. This -battle also resulted adversely to the guerrillas, and they were driven -with great loss from Fayette. Leaving this place they rode west again -and went into camp near Wellington. - - - - -DIREFUL MASSACRE AT CENTRALIA. - - -Quantrell continued to direct the movements of the guerrilla bands, -but he was rarely engaged in any of the battles; the active service -he delegated to the most strategical and unmerciful members of his -command. Bill Anderson, a human tiger in disposition, was placed in -charge of the full force when it was decided to move upon Centralia, a -small town in Boone county, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. -On the 27th of September, one week after the attack on Fayette, the -guerrillas, numbering one hundred and fifty men, headed by Anderson -and that most ominous of banners, the black flag, with skull and -cross-bones, marched upon Centralia, which they took possession of -without resistance. After pillaging the place the guerrillas took up -their station at the depot and awaited the coming of the train. They -had not long to wait, for soon the shrill whistle of the engine, as it -came thundering through a cut, drawing five passenger coaches loaded -with soldiers and citizen travelers, announced the coming of the prize. -The moment the train stopped the dreadful black flag was flung out and -with the exchange of a few shots the messengers of death boarded the -cars. Everyone on the train was ordered out and made to form in line, -after which the thirty-two soldiers were separated from the other -passengers and all disarmed. Now the breathless suspense, the terrible -forebodings and the anxiety as to the fate that would be meted out -to them! Every soldier was shot as unmercifully as if they had been -obnoxious beasts or poisonous snakes. The passengers were relieved of -whatever valuables they possessed, after which they were permitted to -proceed on their journey. - -In the afternoon of the same day and before the guerrillas had departed -from Centralia, a body of Iowa volunteers, one hundred strong, under -the command of Major J. H. Johnson, rode into the town and in the space -of a few hours the two forces met and engaged in a terrible conflict. -Again Jesse James, who was the best pistol shot in the guerrilla -service, made a furious dash at Major Johnson and planted a pistol ball -almost in the center of the brave Major's forehead. The guerrillas now -rushed upon the terrorized volunteers with such resistless impetuosity -that they broke in confusion. The fight became a massacre, and but very -few of the brave volunteers escaped to convey to anxious friends the -dreadful fate that had befallen their comrades. One of the militiamen -had a very remarkable escape. Being badly wounded, in the early part -of the fight, he remained unconscious, with the blood streaming from a -saber gash in his head, until the foe had departed. When the fight was -over the guerrillas went among the wounded and shot them with their -revolvers, determined that not a soldier should escape. This single -exception to the consummation of guerrilla vengeance was supposed to -be dead, and he therefore escaped the crowning feature of that day's -massacre. When consciousness was regained he found himself alone, -among the dead bodies of his comrades, and his shouts for help brought -to his assistance the services of a kind old negro woman who took him -to her house and obtained surgical aid, so that in two week's time he -was able to return home. - -The result of the fight at Centralia was not such as brought great -encouragement to the guerrillas; the victory they gained was at the -cost of nearly fifty of their number, whom it would be impossible to -replace, because men of their bold, reckless and desperate character -are rarely to be found. It was therefore determined to again divide up -into squads and renew the warfare which they had waged so successfully -in the previous year. But the guerrillas never fought again as they -had at Fayette and Harrisonville; their courage to meet an armed force -seemed to have vanished. - - - - -FORTUNE TURNING AGAINST THE GUERRILLAS. - - -The numerous and desperate deeds of the guerrillas received the earnest -condemnation of the Confederate forces and for a time it was seriously -considered, by many of the most distinguished Confederate officers, -advisable to unite in the effort to rid Missouri of this terrible -scourge. But their career was rapidly culminating. In attempting -to cross the Missouri river in Howard county, a detachment of the -guerrillas, headed by Bill Anderson, was attacked by a force of -Federals under Montgomery, and in the fight which ensued Anderson and -five of his men were killed, while the others escaped to the hills. -They were again surprised while in camp on the Blackwater and several -more were killed, and Jesse James was badly wounded in the leg, besides -having his horse killed under him. In another fight which followed soon -after, on Sugar creek, George Todd, one of the most daring and shrewd -of Quantrell's old comrades, was shot to the death, and in the latter -part of 1864, in order to save themselves from capture or annihilation, -the guerrillas concluded to disband finally. Jesse James joined his -fortunes with George Shepherd and went to Texas, while Frank James -followed Quantrell to Kentucky. - - - - -THE WHIRLWIND OF DESTRUCTION CHANGES. - - -In January, 1865, Quantrell collected together nearly fifty of his -old followers, among whom was Frank James, and started for the hills -of Kentucky, where he expected to continue his warfare. Their route -lay south-east, and before they got out of Missouri they came very -near falling into the hands of Curtis, who pursued them hard almost to -the Arkansas line, where the trail was lost. The guerrillas crossed -the Mississippi river at Gaine's Landing, nearly twenty miles above -Memphis, and made their way through Tennessee, entering Kentucky -from the south. At Hartford, in Ohio county, the command met a squad -of thirty militia under command of Capt. Barnett, whom they readily -deceived into the belief that they were Federal troops searching for -guerrillas, and that Quantrell was a Federal captain. Indeed the -deception was played so successfully that Barnett was induced to -accompany them upon an expedition. Quantrell managed to communicate -with each of his men, whom he instructed to ride beside the Federals, -and when he should draw his handkerchief and throw it over his shoulder -it was the signal for the slaughter. At about five o'clock in the -afternoon Frank James rode up beside Capt. Barnett, while Quantrell -moved forward, and as his horse stepped into a shallow branch where -all his men could see him, he drew the fatal handkerchief, and without -looking back he waved it and then threw it over his shoulder. There was -a rattle of pistol shots and Capt. Barnett and his men fell dead under -their horses. - -Near Hopkinsville the guerrillas met twelve Federal cavalrymen who -sought the shelter of a barn and gave battle. The fight lasted for -more than an hour, and until the barn was fired, when the twelve -brave fellows were forced from their defense and were shot as they -rushed from the flames. Their horses then became the property of the -guerrillas. Frank James stopped one day with an uncle, who lives about -fifty miles from Hopkinsville, and thus permitted the command to get -so far ahead of him that he did not engage in any more skirmishes in -Kentucky; for, two days afterward, Quantrell was driven into a small -village called Smiley, where, finding escape impossible, he made his -last stand. It was forty against nearly three hundred, and Quantrell -knew that it was a fight to the death. Bleeding almost at every pore, -the black-bannered bandit fought like the gladiators, until, blinded -by his own blood, and with a score of gaping wounds, he fell mortally -wounded, with an empty pistol in one hand and a bloody sword in the -other. It was thus that the entire force of Quantrell's guerrillas -died, excepting Frank James, whose life was spared for darker deeds. - - - - -JESSE JAMES' CAREER IN TEXAS. - - -As previously stated, Jesse James left Missouri in company with George -Shepherd and forty or fifty guerrillas, for Texas, where they spent the -winter of 1864-5 without special activity, and in the spring it was -decided to return to Missouri, although such a decision was pregnant -with a renewal of all the dangers from which they had just escaped. -Upon reaching Benton county Jesse James, Arch Clements and another -comrade proceeded to the farm-house of James Harkness, who was known -as an uncompromising Union man. They decoyed him a short distance from -his house by requesting him to direct them to a spring which they knew -was in the neighborhood. When out of sight of the house Jesse James -and his comrade caught Harkness by the arms and held him firmly, while -Arch Clements drew a large bowie-knife with which he cut the throat of -the defenceless farmer, almost severing his head. Fresh blood being -upon their hands, they rode into Johnson county to the house of Allen -Duncan, another Union man, and finding him chopping wood in his yard, -Jesse James first accosted him and then sent a bullet into his brain. - -The guerrilla band, now numbering scarce a score, before getting out -of Johnson county were surprised by a company of Federal volunteers -and almost annihilated. Jesse James had his horse shot under him and -a musket ball went crashing through his lungs. Supposing him dead, -the Federals gave pursuit to the fleeing guerrillas and chased the -remaining few for nearly fifty miles. The wounded guerrilla lay for -two days where he fell, in terrible agony, and would have died except -for the kindly ministrations of a farmer who chanced to find him. The -care he received, after weeks of suffering, enabled him to again resume -the saddle, and he went to Nebraska, where his mother was temporarily -living and where he remained until the return of Frank James from -Kentucky late in the following summer. - -Before Frank left Brandensburg, however, he met with an adventure which -nearly cost his life. The vicinity of Brandensburg was infested with -horse-thieves, and suspicion was directed against Frank as one of the -guilty band. It was determined to arrest him, and for this purpose a -posse of six men went to the house where he was stopping, and after -charging him with horse-stealing, demanded his arms. The response was -most unexpected, for, with an oath, he drew his pistol and shot three -of the party, and in return was badly wounded in the thigh. The other -three fled, but a large crowd soon collected, to intimidate which Frank -backed up against the house and threatened to shoot any one who made -the least motion to harm him. A horse was standing hitched conveniently -near, and, compelling the crowd to fall back, he drew his suffering -body up into the saddle and made his escape. The wound proved a very -serious one and kept him confined to his bed at the house of a friend, -where he found refuge, nearly seventy-five miles from Brandensburg, for -several months. - - - - -ROBBERY AND MURDER. - - -It is a trite old saying that "one crime begets another," and in the -life of Jesse and Frank James it is well illustrated. When the war -closed and the occupation of the guerrilla, under color of authority, -was gone, the James Boys were loth to change the exciting and dangerous -vocation to which they had become inured by nearly four years of almost -ceaseless activity. Other guerrillas, who had been their comrades in -so many desperate struggles, which had made their very names a terror, -had surrendered themselves when the bond of national union had been -repaired, and returned to peaceful pursuits; but Jesse and Frank James -affected to despise the ordinary walks of life and refused to tread -other than paths which bristled with danger and anxiety. Both were -sorely wounded, and a period of recuperation was necessary; and this -respite from the turmoils of bandit life was employed in the conception -of bold schemes by which to enlarge the notoriety of their names and to -accumulate wealth. - -When they had somewhat recovered from their wounds, Mrs. Samuels -returned to her old home, in Clay county, while the boys paid her -occasional visits as opportunity offered, but generally keeping -themselves well hidden in the fastnesses of Jackson county. In the -latter part of 1866, Jesse James was attacked with a severe type of -malarial fever, which the exposure he had to endure so intensified -that he determined to secretly visit his mother and place himself -under her immediate care. The record which he had made during the -war rendered him amenable to the vengeance of a large number of the -residents of Clay and adjoining counties, who had suffered by his -desperate acts. Consequently, Jesse knew that eternal vigilance was -necessary, but hoped to so conceal his presence at the Samuels' -homestead that no one would suspect his location or condition. But in -this he was deceived, for only a few days had elapsed after his arrival -at home when, by some means unknown to the writer, it was discovered -that Jesse had taken up at least a temporary residence with his mother. - -It was a bitter cold night in the month of February, 1867, that a -band of six persons, each of whom had a special grievance to revenge, -knocked at the door of Dr. Samuels' residence and demanded immediate -admittance. Jesse was in a bed up stairs, but he was the first to -hear and understand the peremptory challenge, as it were, of the men -outside. Hastily drawing on his pantaloons and boots, he grabbed his -two heavy pistols and looked out of the window where, by the light -refracted by the snow, he saw six horses and only a single man. He -knew then that the house was surrounded and all chance of escape lay -in a bloody fight. He silently descended to the first floor, where -Dr. Samuels was rattling the door and explaining to those awaiting -admittance that the lock was out of repair so that the key would not -work readily. This was a ruse, however, to secure time for Jesse who, -Dr. Samuels hoped, would be able to escape through a back window. -Locating the voice of one of the men who was threatening to break in -the door, Jesse fired through the panel and a stifled groan told him -that his aim had been perfect. On hearing the shot, the other five -rushed to the front of the house. Jesse threw the door partly open -and the light from the snow made the men outside easy targets for his -unerring aim, while he was so hidden by the door and darkness within -that the attacking party could not fire with the least accuracy. In -half the time it has taken the reader to even scan this report three of -the six men were lying dead in the snow and two others were desperately -wounded, while the other fled in mortal terror. - -Suffering, as he was, from a very high fever, Jesse lost no time in -mounting his horse, and with a hurried good-bye, he again rode into -the wilderness, leaving his mother and her family with the dead and -wounded. It was a ghastly scene, there upon the white-shrouded ground, -one man dead on the doorstep, two others stiff and frozen in their own -blood which crimsoned the yard, while the groans from the wounded made -the place more hideous. Dr. Samuels notified his nearest neighbor as -soon as possible and with the assistance he secured, the two wounded -men were taken into the house and cared for, while a lonely vigil -over the dead was kept until morning. A large crowd collected at the -homestead on the following day and removed the bodies, while more than -fifty well mounted citizens went in pursuit of the youthful desperado, -but after a week's fruitless search they returned to their homes and -quiet again brooded over the distressed neighborhood. - -[Illustration: JESSE JAMES' RECEPTION.] - - - - -PLUNDERING A KENTUCKY BANK. - - -The bloody record of the James Boys had been almost forgotten, for -they had not been seen in Clay county for many months and no specially -reckless deeds had been committed to bring back a remembrance of them; -when, suddenly, the town of Russellville, Kentucky, was thrown into -a greater excitement than it had ever before experienced. The James -Boys had paid the place a visit and left a souvenir of their desperate -valor. On the 30th of March, 1868, Jesse James, accompanied by four -comrades, George Shepherd, Oll. Shepherd, Cole Younger and Jim White, -dashed into the town like a hurricane, yelling and firing their pistols -until every one was frightened from the streets. They then rode to the -bank where four of them dismounted and entered, with drawn revolvers, -so intimidating the cashier that he opened the safe to Jesse James, -while Cole Younger gathered the money that was lying upon the counter. -The amount appropriated by the bandits was $14,000, which they threw -into a sack and then leisurely departed. Everything connected with -the robbery showed thorough system and a management which could be -attributed to none other than the fierce Missouri free-booters. - -When the excitement and surprise had somewhat subsided the sheriff -summoned twenty deputies and started in pursuit. The chase continued -through Kentucky and western Tennessee. Telegrams were sent in every -direction with the hope of intercepting the robbers, who, finding -themselves close pressed, scattered, as was their custom, and all, -save George Shepherd, eluded pursuit and gained the marshes and dense -coverts of Arkansas, where it was impossible to trail them. Shepherd -was captured two weeks after the robbery in a small drug store in -Tennessee and taken back to Logan county, where he was convicted and -sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of three years. - -Oliver Shepherd, a brother of George, who was also connected with the -bank robbery, was afterward found in Jackson county, Missouri, and a -requisition being first obtained, a dozen men attempted his arrest. -But Oll., as he was called, was made of that sterner composition which -would not brook a curtailment of his liberty, and he threw defiance -at the officers of the law. Then began a battle of extermination. The -officers had armed themselves with carbines because they knew that to -come in range of the old guerrilla's pistols would be death to many of -them. The hero of a hundred desperate conflicts felt that his time had -come, so, bracing himself against a large tree, he stood and received -the fire of his slayers at a range of nearly two hundred and fifty -yards. His pistols were useless, although he fired every shot, fourteen -rounds, at the officers, who, from behind trees, shot seven terrible -slugs into his body before he fell; even then, like Spartacus, he -struck out towards his foes in the last throes of death. - - - - -BANK ROBBERY AND MURDER. - - -After the affair at Russellville the James Boys appeared twice in their -old haunts in Missouri, but spent nearly a year in Texas and Mexico, -in remote districts, where they were free from the interference of -officers anxious for their capture. It was not until the latter part of -1869 that they resumed criminal operations, their plans being laid to -rob the bank at Gallatin, Missouri. In this scheme they were assisted -by the three Younger brothers, whose career for consummate daring and -recklessness is fully equal to that of the James Boys. - -It was on the 7th of December that a body of seven thoroughly -armed men, superbly mounted, galloped into Gallatin and commenced -firing their pistols indiscriminately, shouting most terrible oaths -and fearful threats. After alarming the residents of the place and -preventing resistance, Jesse James and Cole Younger dashed into the -bank, and at the muzzles of drawn revolvers, they compelled the -cashier, Capt. John W. Sheets, to deliver the keys of the money -department of the safe, the main door being open. After rifling the -bank of $700, Jesse and Cole whispered a few words together, put the -money in a bag, and then one of them, but which of the two it is not -known, deliberately shot Capt. Sheets dead. The reason given for the -commission of this crime was that Capt. Sheets had, during the war, -led a party of militia against the guerrillas, in which conflict Bill -Anderson was killed, and that the killing of Sheets was in revenge for -Anderson's tragic death. - -Capt. Sheets was a very popular man in Gallatin and the surrounding -neighborhood, and when the news of the terrible tragedy and robbery -spread, nearly the entire county arose in arms and demanded the blood -of the assassins. Several bands were organized and started in pursuit, -each taking a different route, with the hope that one of them might be -able to apprehend the bandits before they could get out of the county. -One of these bands, numbering twelve citizens, overtook the robbers -on the edge of Clay county and a running fight ensued, in which one -of the citizens was wounded slightly and the horse of another killed. -These casualties ended the pursuit and the bandits reached Jackson -county in safety, where they disappeared. - - - - -THE MYSTERIOUS HIDING PLACE IN JACKSON COUNTY. - - -In perusing books and newspaper articles recording the adventures of -the James and Younger boys, the reader must have been impressed with -the somewhat singular assertion that pursuit of the bandits generally -ended by their sudden disappearance in Jackson county, Missouri. I -will confess that I have often wondered how it was possible for a body -of men to mysteriously disappear in a certain locality and thereby -end a close pursuit. A gentleman who has been intimate with the James -Boys for a period of nearly twenty years and with whom I am intimately -acquainted, volunteered to me the long-wished-for information, which he -gave as follows, omitting only the exact location. I will use his own -words as nearly as possible: - -[Illustration: ROMANTIC SCENERY NEAR THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE.] - -"You know," said he, "that Jackson county is one of the most rugged -and broken districts in Missouri; it not only abounds with bluffs, but -also, in at least a few places, with almost impenetrable thickets, -fit only for the abode of catamounts and foxes. One day I was riding -through Jackson county, I will not tell you where, when suddenly -I was confronted by Frank James. He greeted me cordially and then -said: '----, I have every confidence in you and I know you would -not betray us to save your right arm; therefore I invite you to our -retreat; come with me!' I followed him in a bridle path for nearly -a mile, when we came to a precipitous bluff, the base of which was -completely hidden by a thick growth. There was an entrance between -the growth and bluff, where any one would least suspect it, because, -at the mouth are two bold rocks, which are apparently attached to the -bluff itself; this delusion is accomplished by keeping the interstices -filled with fresh brush so laid as to appear like a natural coppice. -This passage-way leads about fifty feet, to a large fissure in the -side of the bluff, resembling a vestibule; from this we stepped into -a large cave, quite roomy enough to contain comfortably more than a -score of men and horses. I was astonished at the completeness of the -arrangement of things in the cave. There was a cooking stove, the -pipe of which extended up and was lost in the top of the cave. Frank -James told me that the smoke from the stove passed into a fissure of -rock which evidently opened into another cave, as no smoke could ever -be seen issuing from the bluff. He then took me over to another part -of the cavern, where there was a clear spring of beautiful water, -and over this was another fissure from which there was a cool draft -of air which thoroughly ventilated the entire cave. I could see that -many of the conveniences of the place were due to no little labor. A -part of the cave was ceiled nicely with grooved pine lumber so as to -prevent dampness, and in this division was a large heating stove, and -about a dozen beds, all supplied with neat bedding. In the rear of the -cave, which was, perhaps, one hundred feet deep by sixty broad, were -twenty-one stalls for the horses, and over the stalls was a large feed -bin filled with oats and corn, but no hay, as the latter was too bulky -to convey readily into the cave. But what surprised me most was the -means of defence. There was an arsenal of fire-arms and a magazine for -ammunition, while the approach to the cave was commanded by a fierce, -breech-loading ten-pound cannon, which was kept constantly loaded -with buckshot, and looked out towards the entrance in such a way that -one man could defend the place against a hundred, for a discharge of -that cannon would sweep everything out of the passage. The place is -absolutely impregnable, even if it could be found, which it would be -exceedingly difficult to do. - -"I would not have told you this except for the fact that the cave is -now abandoned and may never be occupied again, but yet there is a -certain obligation, from which I do not feel myself wholly relieved, -that causes me to keep the location of the cave a secret. Frank James -is in the East, and Jesse James--well, I don't know what has become -of him, but I hope he is living in safety and happiness, as I believe -he is, because, with all their crimes, the James Boys have been good -friends to me." - - - - -A TERRIBLE FIGHT IN MEXICO. - - -After robbing the Gallatin bank, the James Boys left Missouri and went -to Texas, where they remained a short time and then crossed the border -into Mexico. It has been suspected that they drove a herd of cattle -across the border with them, but of this there is no ready proof, and -the crimes of some greasers may have been attributed to the bandits. -In the month of May, 1860, Frank and Jesse James rode into Matamoras -and, as there was a fandango advertised to take place at a public house -on the night of their arrival, they decided to attend. Accordingly, -when the night shadows fell, they paid the price of admission and -entered the hall, which was rapidly filling up with swarthy senoritas -and hidalgoes. From the belts of the latter protruded the glittering -handles of bright, keen stilettos, in preparation for the affray which -is always anticipated. - -The dance began about eight o'clock, with much spirit, and the whirl -of the graceful girls soon excited a desire on the part of Frank -and Jesse to participate, although they were not familiar with the -movements and figures of the Spanish dances. Nevertheless they essayed -an attempt, which only served to excite the ridicule of the Mexicans -who, by gesture and speech, went so far in their sport and mimicry of -the outlaws that at length Frank James knocked down one of the boldest. -This act came near proving disastrous to both the boys, for the moment -the Mexican fell to the floor another powerfully built hidalgo struck -Frank a blow on the cheek which sent him spinning into the laps of two -girls who were seated on a bench awaiting partners. For a moment he was -so stunned as to scarcely know what to do, but Jesse saw where his aid -was most needed and the next instant the powerful Mexican fell with a -bullet in his brain. A general fight then ensued in which Jesse and -Frank rushed for the door, but their passage was impeded; so nothing -remained for the boys except to clear a way by shooting those who stood -before them. Frank received a thrust in the shoulder from a stiletto -and Jesse's right fore-arm was punctured with a similar instrument, but -the boys fired rapidly and with such effect that four Mexicans lay dead -and six others were dreadfully wounded, some mortally. Jesse was the -first to break through the doorway, and as he did so he turned at the -very instant a dagger, in the hands of a strong Mexican, was directed -at Frank's heart, but ere the hand fell to its purpose a bullet from -Jesse's pistol entered the Mexican's eye and he dropped dead at -Frank's feet, striking the dagger deep into the floor as he fell. This -fortunate shot enabled Frank to escape from the building and as the -Mexicans had no arms except stilettos, they were powerless to continue -the fight, but many of them rushed to their homes to procure fire-arms -and horses, and the place was swarming so rapidly with blood-craving -hidalgoes and greasers that the only avenue of escape lay in the river. -They accordingly rushed toward their horses which were hitched in the -woods near by, but just before reaching them three powerful Mexicans -suddenly sprang upon Frank James, who was a little in the rear, and -attempted to bind him with a stout cord which they threw over his -shoulders. Fortunately, in running he had picked up a large bludgeon -which lay in his path, and shaking himself loose from the grasp of his -assailants he laid about him so briskly with this formidable weapon -that in a moment the three Mexicans lay stunned on the ground at his -feet, then hastily joining Jesse, who had already mounted and was -holding his horse for him, he sprang into the saddle, and putting spurs -to their restless steeds they plunged boldly into the Rio Grande and -swam to the other side, while the Mexicans were riding about in every -direction trying to find the bandits whom they did not imagine would -dare to take to the river. - -[Illustration: FRANK JAMES COMBAT WITH THREE MEXICANS.] - -The boys made good their escape, but the wounds they had received -in the fight were of a most painful nature and required careful -attention. Frank's was the most severe, and had not Jesse bandaged -it with the greatest skill the outlaw must have bled to death before -obtaining medical aid, for one of the veins in his neck had been -severed. The two reached Concepcion, a small town in Texas, about -one hundred miles from Matamoras, where they remained in charge of -a surgeon for nearly three months before their wounds had healed -sufficiently to permit them to travel. - - - - -PLUNDERING AN IOWA BANK. - - -In the spring of 1871 Jesse and Frank James secretly returned to their -haunts in Jackson county, Missouri, where they remained for some time -arranging for an expedition into Iowa. Their plans being perfected, -they, with five other bandits, started north, riding by night, until -they reached Corydon, the bank in which place they had previously -decided to rob. At ten o'clock in the morning the seven desperadoes -made a furious charge into the center of the town and commenced a -fusilade of firing, threatening to kill every person found on the -streets within five minutes afterward. None of the citizens thought -of offering any resistance, and dashing up to the bank, three of the -robbers dismounted and rushed in with cocked pistols, and demanded of -the cashier every cent the bank contained. Finding himself powerless, -and realizing that death would be his certain portion if he refused to -comply with the immediate demands of the desperate outlaws, the cashier -opened the safe and permitted them to appropriate nearly $40,000. The -money was placed in a sack, which they invariably carried with them for -the purpose, and then the seven desperadoes rode rapidly out of the -city, firing their pistols indiscriminately as they swept through the -streets. - -The citizens were, of course, intensely excited, and after the -disappearance of the robbers a hundred persons volunteered their -services to the sheriff to assist in the apprehension of the bold -plunderers. Efforts at capture were made by a large body of men, but -like all similar attempts, the result was nothing. They were followed -into Missouri and telegrams sent to every town in the State, but, like -imps of darkness, the seven dare-devils disappeared and were not again -seen for several months; but it is now known that they were lying -quietly in their impregnable haunt in the eastern part of Jackson -county, waiting for a return of quiet. - - - - -ANOTHER BANK ROBBERY IN KENTUCKY. - - -In the latter part of 1870, Jesse and Frank James visited Kentucky, -where they had a large number of friends and relatives, who admired -their bravery and condoned their crimes. They remained here until in -the early part of the spring of 1874, when they and the Younger boys -conceived a plan for robbing the bank at Columbia, Kentucky. On the -29th of April of that year, the three Youngers and the two James Boys -entered Columbia about the same hour from five different roads, so that -there was not the least apprehension excited. Just before three o'clock -in the afternoon the five desperadoes rode up to the bank together, -while Frank James and Cole Younger leisurely dismounted and entered -the bank, where they found the cashier, Mr. Martin, the president, Mr. -Dalrymple, and another gentleman engaged in a conversation. Without -losing any time or creating any suspicion from the citizens of the -place, the two bandits drew their pistols and going behind the bank -counter, leveled them at the heads of the cashier and president, and -demanded the keys to the safe. Seeing, at a glance, however, that the -safe was secured by a combination lock, they commanded the cashier to -open it under penalty of immediate death if he refused. Martin was a -brave man, and instead of being intimidated, tried to raise an alarm; -but at the first outcry Frank James thrust a heavy navy revolver into -his face and fired, killing him instantly; at the same moment Cole -Younger fired at the president but, luckily, that gentleman struck up -the pistol, and running into the back office, escaped with his life. -The two robbers hastily gathered the money that was in sight, (about -$200,) and gaining their horses the five rode out of the town at a -rapid pace. - -Fifteen men, headed by the sheriff, went in pursuit of the desperadoes, -and chased them hard into the eastern part of Tennessee, where the -trail was lost in the Cumberland range. Again the bandits doubled -on their tracks, after the pursuit was abandoned, and went into the -western part of Texas, where they mingled with the lawless elements of -the border. - -Every attempt at their capture had proven fruitless, and for the time -being, the provincial banks were kept well armed in anticipation of a -raid. The James Boys were too crafty to appear again in the counties -where their terrible deeds had excited the people to desperation. They -waited until the memory of their crimes had been partially forgotten, -and then planned new schemes of pillage. - - - - -ROBBING OF THE CASH-BOX AT THE KANSAS CITY FAIR. - - -On the 26th of September, 1872, the people of Kansas City had an -opportunity for considering the cunning and bravery of the James Boys, -from immediate circumstances which suddenly involved the city in a -furore of excitement. It was on Thursday, the "big day" of the Kansas -City Exposition, when nearly thirty thousand visitors were assembled -to see the races, and particularly to witness Ethan Allen trot in -harness against a running mate. The crowd was immense and of course the -gate receipts were correspondingly large. About four o'clock in the -afternoon Mr. Hall, the secretary and treasurer of the association, -counted up the receipts of the day, which were nearly ten thousand -dollars, and placing the money in a tin box kept for the purpose, he -told one of his assistants to take it to the First National Bank where, -although it was after banking hours, arrangements had been made to -make the deposit. No thought was entertained that any attempt would be -made to steal the cash-box while so many people were constantly on the -highway leading to the city, and the young man started off whistling -gaily, carrying the treasure box by a wire handle in his right hand. -As he reached the entrance gate, where more than a dozen persons were -coming in and going out, three men on horseback (Jesse and Frank James -and Bob Younger) dashed up to the young man with such reckless haste -that a little girl was badly trampled by one of the horses; at the -same moment a pistol shot was fired and Jesse James jumped from his -horse into the confused crowd and snatching the cash-box from the hand -of the affrighted messenger, he leaped into the saddle again and the -three highwaymen disappeared, with a clatter of fast-flying feet, like -the sweep of a whirlwind. For several minutes it was thought that the -little girl had been struck by a pistol ball, but after she was carried -home it was ascertained that her injuries, which were not fatal, -were caused by the horse of one of the robbers knocking her down and -trampling upon her hips. - -The news of the robbery spread over the city in a few minutes, and -Marshal Shepherd sent out some of his detectives, while several -gentlemen mounted fleet horses and used every possible endeavor to -capture the robbers. The trail led over the hills east of Kansas City -and about ten miles into Jackson county, where every trace was suddenly -blotted out. The outlaws had reached their favorite haunt where no -pursuer had ever been able to find them. The writer was a reporter on -the Kansas City _Journal_ at the time of the robbery and reported the -details as here related. - - - - -PLUNDERING THE STE. GENEVIEVE BANK. - - -The success of the bandits thus far greatly encouraged them in their -lawless operations, and they were constantly planning new and still -more reckless adventures. They remained in their secure hiding -place during the winter of 1872-3, retiring upon their laurels and -living royally upon their immense gains. During this period of jolly -hibernation, schemes were proposed for wrecking railroad trains, and -before the appearance of spring, Frank James and Jim Younger were sent -into Nebraska for the purpose of gathering information concerning -the express shipment of treasure from the west. Not hearing from the -robber agents as soon as was expected, Jesse James, Bill Chadwell, -Clell Miller, and Bob and Cole Younger decided to pay their respects -to another bank before venturing upon their proposed railroad -enterprise, and the Savings Association, at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, -was selected for the strike. Accordingly, early in the morning of May -27th, 1873, the five desperate free-booters appeared in the streets -of that old-time Catholic town, and the moment that Mr. O. D. Harris, -the cashier, accompanied by F. A. Rozier, a son of Hon. Firman A. -Rozier, the president, entered the bank to begin the business of the -day, the three daring bandits followed them into the building and -presenting six pistols, demanded the immediate opening of the bank -vault. Young Rozier, regardless of the danger, made a speedy exit, -and as he ran down the street crying for help, a bullet from one of -the outlaws' weapons went whistling through the tail of his coat, but -he escaped. Mr. Harris, however, was covered by too many pistols to -permit of his escape, and stern necessity forced him into a compliance -with the wishes of the robbers. He opened the vault, from which the -sum of four thousand one hundred dollars was taken, a large part of -which was specie, and shoving it speedily into the sack provided, the -bandits mounted their horses and decamped. As they were riding out of -the city, the bag containing the treasure was accidentally dropped, to -recover which it was necessary to return, and one of the robbers had -to dismount. In doing so his horse became frightened and broke away. -At this juncture a German came riding by and the robbers compelled -him to ride after and catch the fleeing animal, which was returned to -the riderless bandit, only after such delay as permitted a hastily -organized posse of the citizens to approach within pistol shot of the -three highwaymen. An exchange of fire caused the posse to check their -pace and the distance thus gained by the pursued, was never made up. -The pursuit was continued for several days, but without result. The -outlaws stopped at Hermann, Mo., two days after the robbery, but as -usual, there was no posse there to apprehend them. Several well known -detectives from St. Louis were sent out, and the sheriff of every -county in Missouri notified and requested to keep a sharp lookout for -the desperadoes; but though many suspicious characters were arrested -the real culprits were never captured. The amount secured at Ste. -Genevieve was a great disappointment to the robbers, for it was known -that the bank usually carried from seventy-five thousand to one hundred -thousand dollars, but at this particular time, very fortunately, the -association was winding up business, and had deposited the greater -portion of its funds in the Merchants' Bank of St. Louis. - -[Illustration: RECRUITING AFTER A RAID.] - - - - -WRECKING AND PLUNDERING A TRAIN. - - -In June following both the James Boys were seen in Kansas City by -intimate acquaintances, and the night of June 27th was spent by both -the bandits with their mother at the Samuels' residence. On the 15th of -July, Bob, Jim and Cole Younger, Jesse and Frank James, Bud Singleton -and two other bandits, whose names have never been learned by the -authorities, left Clay county, Missouri, and rode northward to a spot -which had been selected by Frank James and Jim Younger, on the line -of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, about five miles east -of Council Bluffs. The reason for selecting this place and time was -because of information received of an intended shipment of a large -amount of gold from San Francisco to New York, which would be made over -this route, reaching Omaha about the 19th of July. How this information -was imparted was never ascertained, but its truth has led to the belief -that the James Boys had confederates on the Pacific slope with whom -they were in constant communication. - -On the evening of July 21st a formidable band of eight of the most -desperate men that ever committed a crime, took position in a dense -thicket beside a deep cut in the railroad. They hitched their horses -out of view of passengers on the train and then, after a few minutes' -work, displaced one of the rails. This accomplished, they waited the -coming of the express train which was due at that point at 8:30 P. M. -From a knoll near the rendezvous Jesse James descried the blazing -headlight of the coming train, and then made everything ready for their -villainous work. A sharp curve in the track prevented the engineer -from discovering anything wrong, until it was impossible to prevent -the disaster which the banditti had prepared for. The screaming engine -came thundering like an infuriated mammoth, which a reversal of the -lever only began to check when it struck the loosened rail and plunged -sideways into the bank, while the cars telescoped and piled up in -terrible confusion. The engineer was instantly killed, and a dozen -passengers were seriously injured, but the desperadoes did not stop -to consider this terrible disaster. The moment the havoc was complete -the bandits fell upon the excited passengers, whom they robbed without -exception, both men and women, taking every species of jewelry and the -last cent that could be discovered from the wounded as well as those -who remained unhurt. The express car was entered and the messenger, -groaning with pain from a broken arm, was compelled to open the safe, -which was rifled of six thousand dollars and then the messenger was -forced to give the robbers his watch and ten dollars which he had with -him. Fortunately the desperadoes were twelve hours too soon for the -train upon which the expected treasure was carried, as the express -that went east on the morning of the 21st, carried gold bricks, specie -and currency amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars. - -The total amount secured by the train-wrecking band was about $2,500 -each, which they carried off, as was their custom, in a sack, departing -southward at a rapid gait. - -The officers of Council Bluffs were soon notified of the robbery. The -wounded and dead were taken to the city and cared for, and then another -pursuit of the robbers was begun, which was united in by sheriffs and -posses of other counties until the pursuing parties numbered nearly -two hundred men. The desperadoes were traced over hill and prairie, -through Clay county and into Jackson, where the trail was lost as -effectually as if the robbers had mounted into space and fled behind -the clouds. Reward after reward was offered until they aggregated more -than $50,000; the most expert detectives from St. Louis and Chicago -concentrated upon an effort to win the prize and rid the country of the -most consummate highwaymen since the days of Rolla, the bearded Knight -of the forests. But every clue proved deceiving, and the most cunning -of detectives finally abandoned the chase, thoroughly confounded by the -marvelous cunning of the bandits. - - - - -THE STAGE ROBBERY NEAR HOT SPRINGS. - - -In December of 1873, a council was held in the haunt of the bandits, -near the Big Blue, in Jackson county, in which it was decided to -attempt a stage robbery, and the line between Malvern and Hot Springs, -Arkansas, was selected for the first stroke in the inauguration of a -new species of crime. Accordingly, on the 15th of January, 1874, five -of the highwaymen, consisting of Frank James, Clell Miller, Arthur -McCoy and Jim and Cole Younger repaired to the scene of their intended -operations and secreted themselves in a dense covert on the south side -of the stage road, five miles from Hot Springs, and awaited the coming -of their victims. - -The conception of this scheme manifested the judgment of the bandits, -for they were influenced by the supposition that those who visited Hot -Springs in search of health, were people of liberal means who would -naturally carry with them a goodly sum of money with which to meet -expected large expenses, and in this their judgment was correct. - -It was after mid-day when the heavy Concord stage, filled with -passengers, came rattling over the rough and stony road opposite -the secret hiding place of the highway freebooters. Suddenly a shot -startled the driver, and his surprise culminated when Jesse James -arose from a clump of brush, and with a heavy revolver in each hand, -commanded the driver to halt. The order was instantly obeyed, and as -the passengers thrust their heads out of the vehicle they saw five -fierce looking men, armed and spurred, whose purposes were at once -divined. Frank James, who acted as leader, ordered the occupants of -the stage to get out, which being complied with the passengers were -formed into line and then submitted to a search by Clell Miller and -Jim Younger, while the three other bandits stood guard with cocked -pistols. The fright of the travelers was greatly intensified by the -blood-chilling threats of the desperadoes. They jested with one another -and made banters to test their skill as pistol shots on the trembling -and unarmed passengers. "Now," said Frank James to Cole Younger, "I -will bet you the contents of that fellow's pocket-book," pointing to -one of the travelers who was a small tradesman at Little Rock, "that I -can shoot off a smaller bit out of his right ear than you can." "I'll -take the wager," responded Cole, "but you must let me have the first -shot, because my eyesight is not as good as yours, and if you should -hit his ear first the blood might confuse my aim." Frank insisted on -shooting first, and in the wrangle, the poor victim trembled until he -could scarcely retain his feet, and with the most prayerful entreaties -begged the robbers to take what he had but spare his life. - -Mr. Taylor, of Massachusetts, a sufferer from rheumatism, then drew -the attention of the bandits, and Jesse James offered to bet his share -of the booty that he could throw his bowie-knife through Taylor's -underclothing without drawing blood. It was thus the bandits jested -with one another and in turn had each of the fear-stricken passengers -praying for his life. - -When the search was concluded, Frank James produced a memorandum book -and took the names of all the travelers, saying: "I am like lightning, -I don't want to strike the same parties twice." - -The total amount of money and valuables taken approximated $4,000, the -heaviest loser being Ex-Gov. Burbank, of Dakota, from whom the robbers -secured $1,500. When the bandits left their victims, they graciously -and with great punctilio, raised their hats and bade them a most -courteous adieu, wishing them a pleasant visit at the Springs. - -When the travelers reached Hot Springs they were in a sorry plight, -not one of them having enough money to send a message home for -additional funds, but the citizens kindly provided for their wants -and exhibited much sympathy, but little or no attempt was made to -capture the highwaymen. Indeed any such effort would have undoubtedly -terminated fruitlessly, for, in addition to the cunning and bravery -of the bandits, the mountainous nature of the country would have -prevented a pursuing party from making up the time lost in reporting -the circumstances of the robbery. - - - - -THE TRAIN ROBBERY AT GAD'S HILL. - - -After leaving the scene of their Hot Springs adventure the five daring -highwaymen, finding that they were not pursued, rode up into the -northern part of Arkansas, where they had several friends, and there -planned a scheme for plundering a train on the Iron Mountain Railroad. -The place chosen for the purpose was Gad's Hill, a very small station -in Wayne county, Missouri, which, in the summer time, is almost hidden -by the copse of pine trees which surrounds it. The adjacent country -was a very jungle in which it was easy to hide and elude the most -determined pursuit. - -On the last day of January, 1874, but little more than two weeks after -their last successful robbery, the five bandits, with Frank James still -acting as leader, rode into the station and made prisoners of every -man in the place, consisting of the railroad agent, a saloon-keeper, -blacksmith, two wood-choppers, and the son of Dr. John M. Rock. These -were confined in the station house under threats of instant death -if any attempt at escape were made. Having prevented every means of -alarm, the desperadoes turned the switch in order to ditch the train -if it attempted to run past, (as Gad's Hill was only a flag station,) -and then planted a red flag in the track immediately in front of the -station house. - -The train was not due until 5:40 in the evening, at which time the -shadows of twilight curtained the little place and prepared the -approach of darkness. Promptly upon time the train came bowling along, -and the engineer, seeing the danger-signal ahead, brought the engine -to a standstill alongside the station house. No one was seen when the -train stopped, but in a moment thereafter Cole Younger mounted the cab -and, with drawn pistol, compelled the engineer and fireman to leave -the engine and walk out into the woods. Mr. Alford, the conductor, was -arrested by Jesse James as he stepped from the train to ascertain the -cause of the display of the red flag. He was forced to give up his -watch and $75.00 in money, after which he was placed in the station -house. Then began a sack of the passengers. Clell Miller, Jim Younger -and Frank James searched the affrighted people in the cars, while Jesse -James and Cole Younger, taking opposite sides of the train, maintained -a watch and kept shooting in various directions, while they uttered -terrible oaths and threats, to keep the passengers in a state of -constant trepidation. - -After stripping all the passengers of every bit of valuables, the -outlaws proceeded to the express car, where they broke open the safe -and secured the contents. The mail car was next plundered and the -letters cut open, one of which contained $2,000, and several smaller -sums were obtained. The total amount of booty secured by the bandits -was about $11,500. Having again successfully accomplished their -criminal purpose without meeting any resistance, the five desperadoes -released those confined in the station house; the engineer and fireman -were recalled from their position in the woods, and the train was -ordered to proceed. Then mounting their horses, which were hitched near -by, the outlaws rode into the brush and disappeared in the darkness. - -When the train reached Piedmont information of the robbery was -telegraphed to Little Rock, St. Louis, and all the towns along the -road. On the following day, a large body of well-armed men started -from Ironton and Piedmont in pursuit of the desperate outlaws, and -soon got on their track. The pursuing party found where the bandits -had breakfasted, sixty miles from Gad's Hill; following the trail -closely on the second day the citizen's posse reached the spot where -the outlaws had spent the night, and they were encouraged by the belief -that a capture might be effected before the close of the day, but -suddenly the party came to a low marsh through which it was dangerous -to ride, and in searching for a pathway around the boggy district much -time was lost and the trail of the robbers could not be found again; so -the pursuit was abandoned. - - - - -WICHER'S UNFORTUNATE HUNT FOR THE JAMES BOYS. - - -In the spring of 1874 John W. Wicher of Chicago, a brave, cool, cunning -man, scarcely thirty years of age, connected with the Pinkerton force, -appeared before his chief and asked to be sent out to discover the -hiding place of the terrible brigands. He was fully informed of the -dangers of such a mission, but his self-reliance and pride made him -anxious to make the attempt which had already cost the lives of so -many courageous officials. The chief gave his consent, and Wicher set -out at once for the Samuels residence. In the early part of March the -detective arrived in Liberty, where he soon laid his schemes before -the sheriff of Clay county, and asked for assistance when the time and -circumstances were ripe for a strike. The sheriff promised all needful -aid and gave Wicher all the information in his possession concerning -the habits and rendezvous of the James and Younger boys. - -Changing his garb for the habit of a tramp, Wicher left Liberty on -the 15th of March and arrived at Kearney on the same day, late in the -afternoon. He took the road leading directly to the Samuels residence -and had proceeded perhaps two miles on the lonely highway, when -suddenly Jesse James walked out from behind a pile of dead brush and, -with pistol presented, confronted the detective. Wicher's surprise -was complete, but he manifested not the least excitement, his cool -self-possession never deserting him for a moment. - -"Where are you going?" was the first remark made by Jesse James. - -"I am looking for work," was Wicher's reply. - -"What kind of work do you want, and where do you expect to find it?" -asked Jesse, his pistol still pointing full in poor Wicher's face. - -"I have been used to farm labor, and hope to find something to do on -some farm in the vicinity," responded the detective. - -Jesse James smiled contemptuously and then gave a sharp whistle, which -brought to his side Clell Miller and Frank James, whose near presence -Wicher had not thought of. The conversation then continued. Said Jesse: - -"You don't look much like a laborer, nor is there any appearance of a -tramp about you except in your clothes. Now I want you to acknowledge -frankly just what your purpose is in this part of the country." - -The detective began to realize how critical was his position, and that -unless the most fortuitous circumstance should arise in his favor his -chances of escape were exceedingly small. But with the same coolness he -made reply: - -"Well, gentlemen, I am nothing more than a poor man, without as much -as a dollar in my pocket, and what I have told you as to my purpose is -true. If you will be good enough to let me proceed, or furnish me with -means by which I can secure work I shall be thankful." - -At this the bandits laughed scornfully, while Jesse James proceeded -with the examination: "I think you are from Chicago, and when you -arrived at Liberty a few days ago you wore much better clothes than -you now have on; besides, it seems that you and Moss (the sheriff) had -some business together. Say, now, young fellow, haven't you set out to -locate the James Boys, whom you have found rather unexpectedly?" - -Wicher then saw that he was in the hands of his enemies, and his -heart beat in excited pulsations as he thought of the young wife he -had so recently wedded, and from whom an eternal separation appeared -certain. Dropping his head as if resigning himself to cruel fate, -Wicher hoped to deceive his captors, and in an unguarded moment be able -to draw his pistol and fight for his life. Like a flash from a hazy -cloud, the detective thrust his hand into his bosom and succeeded in -grasping his pistol, but ere he could use it the bandits sprang upon -him, and in the grip of three strong men he was helpless. He was then -disarmed and firmly bound by small cords which Frank James produced. -Clell Miller went into the woods and soon returned leading three -horses, on the largest of which Wicher was placed and his feet tied -under the horse's belly. A gag was placed tightly in his mouth and -Jesse James, mounting behind, the desperadoes rode into the deepening -twilight of the woods with their victim. They crossed the Missouri -river at Independence Landing, and just before day they halted in the -black shadows of a copse in Jackson county. Here they prepared for the -punishment and execution of their prisoner. Wicher was taken from his -horse and bound fast to a tree; the gag was removed from his mouth and -then the bandits tried to extort from him information concerning the -plans of Pinkerton and the number and names of the detectives he had -engaged in the attempt to capture the outlaws. Though they pricked him -with their bowie-knives and bent his head forward with their combined -strength until the spinal column was almost broken, and practiced other -atrocious torments, yet Wicher never spoke. He knew that death was his -portion and he defied the desperadoes and dared them to do their worst. -Finding all their endeavors fruitless, Jesse and Frank James murdered -their victim; one of them shooting him through the heart and the other -through the brain. The body was then carried to the nearest highway, -where it was left to be found next day by a farmer who was driving into -Independence. - - - - -MURDERING COW-BOYS AND DRIVING OFF CATTLE. - - -The excitement following the murder of Wicher was so great that the -James Boys, Clell Miller, Arthur McCoy, and the three Younger brothers -quit Missouri and again visited Texas. After carousing around through -the State until their pecuniary means were well nigh exhausted, they -determined upon the commission of a new crime, stealing a herd of -cattle. It was in September, 1874, that the seven brigands rode into -the southwestern part of the State, where they selected a herd of five -hundred of the finest beef cattle in Starr county, which were being -tended by three cow-boys. The herders were cruelly murdered and the -robbers drove the cattle rapidly toward Mexico with the design of -selling them to the Mexicans who cared little for the real ownership of -the cattle after they were upon Mexican soil. On the extensive plains -of Texas where the large herds are left in charge of cow-boys to roam -from season to season, subsisting entirely upon the rich grasses of the -prairies, the owners often do not see their cattle for months, trusting -them to the care of the herders. It is due to this fact, perhaps, that -the bandits, after killing the cow-boys, were permitted to drive the -herd over sixty miles and into Mexico without being pursued. - -Reaching Camargo the bandits had no difficulty in disposing of the -cattle, and with this money they went on a big spree, which terminated -in a fight with fifteen gringos, who were saloon loafers and petty -disturbers by profession. The result of this combat was the wounding -of Clell Miller and Jim Younger and the killing of two Mexicans. The -bandits would have fared much worse, however, had they not gained their -horses and made rapid retreat, gaining the Rio Grande so far in advance -of their pursuers as permitted them to cross the river before the -Mexicans reached the bank. - -The free-booters having eluded their pursuers stopped at Camp Hudson -for several weeks, where the wounds of Miller and Younger were attended -to, and in December the party returned to Missouri, thinking that, as -had been usual, the excitement over their crimes had so far subsided as -to permit them to visit their old homes and haunts. Their appearance in -Clay county, at least the James Boys, was noted on the 20th of January, -1875, and report of their return was at once made to Allen Pinkerton, -who, after some correspondence with county officials and others, formed -a plan for capturing the outlaws. - - - - -THE ATTACK ON THE SAMUELS RESIDENCE. - - -William Pinkerton, a brother of the chief detective, was sent to Kansas -City immediately with five of the most trusted men in the force. Upon -arriving at that place the sheriff of Clay county was sent for, after -which twelve citizens of known pluck and reliability were engaged to -watch the Samuels homestead and report from hour to hour by a rapid -means of communication, which had been established. The greatest -secrecy was enjoined upon all engaged in the undertaking and every -possible precaution was taken to prevent any alarm reaching the bandits. - -On the afternoon of January 25th, Jesse and Frank James were both seen -in the yard fronting the Samuels residence and report of this quickly -reached the sheriff and Mr. Pinkerton who were in Liberty. Arrangements -were made for the immediate capture of the two bandits, who it was -confidently supposed would spend the night in their mother's house. -Accordingly the two officers rode to Kearney late in the afternoon, -where they organized a party of twelve men who were to assist them, -and preparing several balls of cotton saturated with turpentine and -two hand-grenades, the well armed body of men proceeded to the Samuels -residence, which they reached about midnight. A reconnoissance was -first made with great care for indications of possible surprise, and -after completely surrounding the house four of the men, with turpentine -balls, were sent forward to open the attack. A window on the west side -of the residence was stealthily approached, but in the act of raising -it an old colored woman, who had for many years been a house servant -in the family, was awakened, and she at once gave the alarm. But the -window was forced up and the two lighted balls were thrown into the -room, and as the flames shot upward, threatening destruction to the -house and its contents, the family were speedily aroused and efforts -were made to extinguish the fire. At the moment every member of the -household, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Samuels, a son eight years of -age, and the daughter, Miss Susie, and the old colored woman, had -partially subdued the flames, one of the detectives, or at least one of -the party leading the attack, flung a hand-grenade into the room among -the affrighted occupants, and a heavy explosion was the prelude to the -dreadful havoc made by that instrument of death. A scream of anguish -succeeded the report and groans from within, without any evidence of -the outlaws' presence, convinced the detectives and citizen's posse -that they had committed a grave and horrible crime; so, without -examining the premises further the party withdrew, apparently with the -fear that the inexcusable deed they had just committed would be avenged -speedily if they tarried in the vicinity. - -When the lamp was lighted by Dr. Samuels he found his little boy in the -agonies of death, having received a terrible wound in the side from -the exploded shell. Mrs. Samuels' left arm had been shattered, and -hung helpless by her side; but she forgot her own misfortune in the -anguish she suffered at seeing the dying struggles of her little boy. -What a terrible night was that memorable 25th of January to the Samuels -family! Alone with their dead boy, whom they worshipped, and with a -desperately wounded mother, who would certainly have bled to death but -for the thoughtfulness of the old colored servant who hastily bandaged -the arm and staunched the flow of the crimson life-current. - -The funeral of the innocent victim did not take place until the second -day after the midnight attack, and then Mrs. Samuels, who had suffered -an amputation of the injured member, was too greatly prostrated -to attend and witness the last service over her darling boy, but -the remains were accompanied to the grave by a very large body of -sympathizing people of the neighborhood. - -This unfortunate and indefensible attack, for a time allayed public -animosity against the James Boys and turned the sympathy of people -in western Missouri somewhat in their favor. Those who had been most -earnest in their desire to see Jesse and Frank James brought to -punishment, began to think more lightly of their crimes, attributing -them partly, at least, to the manner in which they had been hunted and -persecuted. It is a notorious fact that for some time this sentiment -predominated in Clay and Jackson counties, and the same feeling -extended to other parts of the State, and in March following led to the -introduction of an amnesty bill in the Legislature, granting immunity -for past offenses committed by Jesse and Frank James, Coleman Younger, -James Younger and Robert Younger. The bill was introduced by Gen. -Jeff. Jones, of Callaway county, and contained a provisional clause -that amnesty would be granted the parties named in the instrument for -all offenses committed during the war, provided they would surrender -to the lawful authorities and submit to such proceedings as might be -brought against them in the several States for crimes charged against -them since the war. After a stormy debate the bill was defeated, -although had it passed none of the bandits named would have accepted -the terms, for surrender meant either execution or life imprisonment. -A rejection of the terms of surrender, by the Legislature, afforded a -fresh pretext, however, to the bandits to pursue their crimes of blood -and pillage, and it was not long before the country was again startled -by the daring deeds of the outlaws. - - - - -ASSASSINATION OF DANIEL ASKEW. - - -Immediately after the defeat of the "outlaw amnesty bill," as it was -called, the brigands planned the execution of new and direful schemes, -one of which involved the assassination of a respectable citizen of -Clay county. - -The James Boys concluded, for reasons known only to themselves, that -Mr. Daniel Askew was a member of the posse which made the attack on -the Samuels residence, and this belief was justification sufficient, -in their estimation, for murdering that gentleman; but the plan of its -execution was equally as dastardly as the casting of the hand-grenade -blindly and savagely among the several members of Dr. Samuels' family. -The circumstances of the assassination were as follows: Mr. Askew was -an unpretentious farmer, living about five miles from Liberty, in a -neat frame house, but with no neighbors nearer than one mile. He had -returned home from Liberty, late in the afternoon of April 12th, 1875, -and after eating supper took a bucket and went to the spring, which was -fifty yards from the house, after water. This was about eight o'clock -in the evening, but the moon was shining brightly and objects were -plainly discernible. He returned from the spring with the water and -sat the bucket upon a shelf on the porch, after which he proceeded to -take a drink, but as he was in the act of lifting the cup to his mouth, -three sharp shots rang out upon the still air and Mr. Askew plunged -forward on his face dead, the three bullets having taken fatal effect -upon his person, one entering the brain and the two others reaching -vital spots in his body. - -At the sound of the shots and the heavy fall on the porch, Mr. Askew's -wife and daughter rushed out of the house just in time to see three -men steal out from behind the cover of a large woodpile in front of -the porch, and regain their horses and ride swiftly away. The three -assassins were undoubtedly Jesse and Frank James and Clell Miller, for -within an hour after the murder these three met a gentleman upon the -highway and informed him of Mr. Askew's fate, and told him the murder -was in consequence of the acts of Pinkerton's detectives. - -This cowardly act, by which a peaceable citizen had been made to -surrender up his life for the sake of a savage revenge, destroyed again -every spark of sympathy for the desperadoes, and the determination for -their capture was renewed. Armed posses of Clay county citizens set -out in search of the assassins, but the pursuit was in vain, and after -a week of earnest effort, finding no trace of the brigands, the party -returned to their homes, each one recking how soon his turn might come -to add to the gory record of the remorseless freebooters. - - - - -THE SAN ANTONIO STAGE ROBBERY. - - -After the murder of Mr. Askew, the bandits, in anticipation of renewed -efforts to effect their capture, left Missouri and visited their -old haunts in the south-west. They spent several days in the Indian -Territory for the purpose of learning with what persistency and the -character of the search being made by the authorities. Finding that -all effort at their apprehension was confined to western Missouri, the -outlaws rode into Texas and soon formed a plan for robbing the stage -running between San Antonio and Austin. To plan was to execute, and on -the 12th of May, 1875, Jesse James, Clell Miller, Jim Reed and Cole and -Jim Younger selected a spot on the highway, about twenty-three miles -south-west of Austin, and there ambushed themselves to await the coming -of the stage. - -It was late in the evening, the sun just descending behind the hills -and the chirrup of twilight insects had begun to echo in the solitude -of the place. Eleven passengers, three of whom were ladies, were -cheerily cracking jokes and relieving the discomforts of the journey -by agreeable conversation. Suddenly the driver descried five horsemen -riding out into the road one hundred yards ahead of the stage and -advancing leisurely. Their appearance and conduct looked suspicious, -but as no robberies had been perpetrated on the highway for many years, -the driver did not realize what the act portended until, as the stage -bowled up, the five men, drawing their pistols, commanded a halt. -The order being accompanied by such persuasive authority of course -the obedience of the driver was prompt. Then the passengers wondered -what it meant, but before they could propound a question four of the -brigands rode up on either side of the stage and ordered the inmates -to get out. The women, seeing such cruel looking men and their fiercer -looking pistols, screamed and scrambled over the male passengers with -utter disregard of propriety, and created much confusion. Jesse James -and Cole Younger did the talking for the bandits, and in courteous -language assured the ladies they had nothing to fear provided the -passengers acted with discretion. Soon the eleven but recently gay -travelers were arranged in single file along the road behind the stage, -and as not the slightest resistance was offered Frank James and Jim -Younger had no difficulty in expeditiously relieving all the passengers -of their money, watches and other valuables. Among the number was John -Breckenridge, president of the First National Bank at San Antonio, from -whom $1,000 were obtained; Bishop Gregg, of Austin, contributed his -gold watch and nearly $50 in money, while from the other passengers -sums from $25 to $50 were obtained. - -Having completed the personal plunder, the bandits cut open the two -mail bags from which a goodly sum of money was secured, but the amount -has not been estimated. The haul aggregated, perhaps, $3,000, which -they placed in a sack carried for the purpose, and then, bidding the -passengers adieu, the border desperadoes rode swiftly into the shadows, -leaving the surprised party to resume their journey in a less amiable -mood. - - - - -THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY AT MUNCIE. - - -Nothing was heard of the bandits for several months after the stage -robbery, and their crimes were again relegated to partially forgotten -incidents of the past. In December following, however, another attack -by the outlaws refreshed the memory of their deeds and threw Missouri -and Kansas into a fever of intense excitement. - -The band of desperadoes, by some means known only to themselves, -learned of an intended large shipment of gold-dust from Denver, via -Kansas Pacific Railroad, and that it would be carried by a train -arriving in Kansas City on a certain day. The place selected at which -to intercept the train bearing the valuable shipment, was Muncie, a -little station six miles west of Wyandotte, Kansas. There was a water -tank near the place, at which the engines almost invariably stopped -to take a fresh supply of water. At this point six bandits stationed -themselves and awaited the train, which was not due until after -nightfall. Prompt upon time the engine blew its shrill whistle, and -then rolled up under the tank and stopped. In a moment the brigands -left their place of concealment and boarded the train, one of them, -Bill McDaniels, being deputed to cover and remain with the engineer -and fireman. The robbers rushed through the cars and commanded every -passenger to remain quiet under penalty of death. Two of them stood -on the platforms of the cars while the other three proceeded to the -express car. The bandits presented their pistols at the head of the -messenger and forced him to open the safe, from which the sum of -$25,000 in money was taken and gold-dust valued at $30,000. This total -sum secured was so large that no attempt was made to rob any of the -passengers, and after the valuable plunder was placed in a sack, Jesse -James blew a keen whistle and a moment after all the free-booters -abandoned the train and regained their horses. - -Soon as the passengers reached Wyandotte, which was speedily, the alarm -was given, which spread to Kansas City, and another large body of men -was sent in pursuit of the daring highwaymen. They chased the fugitives -southward into Indian Territory, but the pursuit was abandoned in the -Creek Nation, where all traces were blotted out. - -About one month after this great robbery a police officer arrested -Bill McDaniels in Kansas City, for drunkenness, his participation in -the train plundering not then being suspected. But when searched at -the police station a sheep-skin bag was found on his person filled -with gold-dust. In addition to this he had a large roll of money, -and being known in Kansas City as a worthless fellow, suspicion was -at once excited that he was a confederate of the train robbers. He -was placed in the calaboose and allowed to sober up, and then taken -upon a requisition to Lawrence, Kansas. On the following day after -his arrest the city marshal and Con O'Hara, the detective, went into -McDaniels' cell and spent two hours in a persistent endeavor to obtain -a confession from him of his complicity in the robbery, or the names -of those who committed the act. But he remained as silent as if he had -lost the power of speech, and not a word concerning the robbery did -the officers ever hear from him. Two months after his apprehension, in -taking him from the jail for trial, McDaniels broke from the deputy -sheriff and escaped. After a week's search he was found, but resisting -arrest, he was mortally wounded by a member of a citizens' posse named -Bauermann. McDaniels died, however, refusing to reveal anything in -regard to his confederates. It has since been ascertained, however, -that those engaged in the Muncie robbery consisted of Jesse James, -Arthur McCoy, Cole and Bob Younger, Clell Miller and McDaniels, the -latter only being captured. - - - - -THE HUNTINGTON BANK ROBBERY. - - -After the train robbery the highwaymen separated, some going to Texas -and others to Kentucky. In April, 1876, Frank James, Cole Younger, Tom -McDaniels, a brother of Bill, and a small black-eyed fellow called -Jack Keen, alias Tom Webb, confederated together for the purpose of -perpetrating another bank robbery. Keen had been raised in the eastern -part of Kentucky and was well acquainted with the mountainous regions -of West Virginia and his native State. It was decided to attack and -plunder the bank in Huntington, a town of 2,500 people, on the Ohio -river, in West Virginia. - -About the 1st of September the four bandits rode into the town under -the leadership of Frank James and proceeded directly to the bank, -which they reached at 2 P. M. Frank James and McDaniels dismounted, -leaving Younger and Keen standing guard on the outside. When Frank and -McDaniels entered the bank they found only R. T. Oney, the cashier, -and a citizen who was making a deposit; these the robbers covered with -their pistols and compelled the cashier to open the safe and deliver -up all the money in the bank, amounting to $10,000. Having secured the -booty the four outlaws rode rapidly out of town, not a single person -in the place having the least suspicion of what had occurred until Mr. -Oney spread the news. - -A posse of twenty-five citizens, headed by the sheriff, set out in -pursuit of the bandits at three o'clock, one hour after the robbery was -consummated, and followed the trail with the greatest persistency. The -officers in other counties were notified by telegraph, and armed bodies -of men were sent out from a dozen towns. One hundred miles south-west -of Huntington the robbers were sighted and in an exchange of shots -McDaniels was killed. This encouraged the pursuing party, who pressed -the bandits so hard that they were forced to abandon their horses and -take to the mountain fastnesses of Kentucky. The pursuit continued -unabated for four weeks, and at length the outlaws were driven out of -Kentucky and into Tennessee; here Keen was captured and taken back to -Huntington, where he made a confession and was sentenced to eight years -imprisonment in the penitentiary. Frank James and Cole Younger eluded -pursuit and returned to the Indian Territory, where they met Jesse -James and his band of highwaymen, and forthwith new plans were laid for -another big robbery. - - - - -THE ROCKY CUT TRAIN ROBBERY. - - -Seven months elapsed after the Muncie robbery before the desperate -brigands, under the leadership of Jesse James, made another attempt -to increase their ill-gotten gains. But in the meantime the band of -highwaymen was increasing and organizing for another bold stroke. -Many outlaws who had found safety in the Indian Nation were anxious -to attach themselves to the James and Younger brothers, but very few -were received. The noted bandits were excellent judges of human nature, -and they were exceedingly careful not to repose confidence in any one -who did not possess indisputable evidence of cunning and bravery; men -who, in the event of capture, would not betray their comrades at any -sacrifice. In July, 1876, arrangements were completed for rifling -another treasure-laden train and the Missouri Pacific Railroad was -chosen as the line for their operations. The reorganized party of -highwaymen, consisting of Jesse and Frank James, Cole, Bob and Jim -Younger, Clell Miller, Hobbs Kerry, Charlie Pitts and Bill Chadwell, -nine in number, left their rendezvous in the Indian Territory and, -riding separately, reached Otterville, Missouri, by a preconcerted -understanding, on the 7th of July. - -The capture and confession of Hobbs Kerry enables the giving of a -minute narrative of all the circumstances connected with the robbery -about to be related. - -About one mile east of Otterville, a small station in Pittis county, -is a place called Rocky Cut, which is a deep stone cleft, from which -the train emerges only to strike the bridge across Otter creek. On -the south side of the cut is a heavy wood, and in this the robbers -concealed themselves to await the train which was not due there until -nearly midnight. A watchman was stationed at the bridge, whom Charlie -Pitts and Bob Younger arrested and, after taking his signal lantern and -placing it in the track at the bridge approach, they securely tied the -helpless fellow and then joined the main party. Hobbs Kerry and Bill -Chadwell were detailed to watch the horses and keep them prepared for -sudden flight. - -As the train came dashing through the cut the engineer saw the danger -signal and at once concluded something was wrong with the bridge, and -he lost no time in having the brakes set and the engine reversed. The -train came to a stop directly in the cut, and as it slowed up seven of -the dare-devils leaped upon the cars and with one at each door, the -robbers had no trouble in so intimidating the passengers as to prevent -attack. Jesse James, the boldest of the bold, was the first to enter -the express car, followed by Cole Younger. At the mouth of two heavy -navy pistols the messenger was forced to open the safe, which contained -fifteen thousand dollars in bank notes. This money was hastily thrown -into a sack, and the shrill whistle was given by Jesse, which was -the signal for the bandits to leave the train and mount. No effort -was made to rob or harm any of the passengers, the single purpose of -the bandits, agreed upon before the attack, was to secure only the -valuables of the express. - -When the train reached Tipton, report of the robbery was telegraphed to -every station along the line, and also to St. Louis and Kansas City, -and from these points all over the country. - -Hobbs Kerry's statement is, that after the perpetration of the crime, -the bandits rode southward together very rapidly until nearly daylight, -when they entered a deep wood and there divided the money, after which -the band rode off in pairs, except the James Boys and Cole Younger, -who kept together. Kerry soon separated from Chadwell, who was his -companion, and went to Fort Scott, and from there to Parsons, Kansas, -thence to Joplin and then to Granby, where he remained for nearly a -week, spending a great deal of money in gambling dens, and in his -drunken moments let drop such remarks as led to the suspicion that -he was a member of the gang that robbed the train. He next made a -trip into Indian Territory, but after a short stay in that country -he returned to Granby; there he was arrested in the latter part of -August. The authorities had no difficulty in obtaining from Kerry the -full particulars of the robbery and the names of his confederates. -Detectives from all parts of the country, stimulated by the large -rewards offered by the express company and Governor Hardin, set out in -search of the bandits. Every State was penetrated, every suspicious -character put under surveillance, and all the ingenuity that could be -devised by experienced hunters of criminals was exercised. - -[Illustration: HOBBS KERRY WATCHED BY A DETECTIVE IN A GAMBLING DEN.] - -The James and Younger boys and Clell Miller, finding the pursuit at -an end, returned from the Nation, whither they had first fled, and by -stealthy night marches succeeded in reaching Jackson county, where they -retired to the robbers' cave and were there safe from pursuit. - - - - -THE FATAL ATTACK ON A MINNESOTA BANK. - - -The efforts of the detectives to capture the outlaws seemed to be -chiefly confined to the south-western States, and learning this the -bandits, after remaining within the seclusion of their undiscoverable -haunts for a few weeks, grew tired of the inactivity such life imposed, -and as Bill Chadwell was well acquainted in Minnesota, it was decided -to send Bob Younger out to find him, and through him to perfect a plan -for raiding one of the banks in that State. The means of communication -between the bandits was such that Chadwell was soon found and brought -into conference with the other members. - -The purpose of going into Minnesota could not have been merely because -of a supposition that a mere ample booty might be secured in that -State, for there were many richer banks much nearer. - -One of the prime motives of the outlaws was undoubtedly to make a -stroke in the far north which would confuse the officers in pursuit of -them, and thereby draw the attention of the detectives away from the -favorite haunts. Aside from this, no sufficient reason for the strange -determination of the brigands is assignable. - -A decision was soon reached, and it was decided to make an examination -of the country, and raid the bank which gave promise of the largest -reward with the least chances of surprise or capture. Cole Younger and -Chadwell were accordingly despatched as a reconnoitering party, and -were to ride three days in advance of the others, take observations and -make report by leaving certain pre-arranged signals along the route -decided upon. Those engaged in the intended enterprise were the two -James Boys, Cole, Jim and Bob Younger, Charlie Pitts, Clell Miller and -Bill Chadwell. The expedition started for Minnesota about the 3d of -September, 1876, proceeding by railroad directly to Mankato, the place -appointed for a meeting with the two bandits sent in advance. A second -consultation, held at that place on the 6th of September, resulted in a -decision to strike the bank at Northfield, Rice county, a town of 2500 -people, on the I. & M. division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. - -On the afternoon of the 7th the eight desperadoes entered Northfield -at a furious pace, discharging their pistols and by direful threats -endeavoring to so intimidate the citizens as to prevent resistance. -They rode direct for the bank, which was located fronting the public -square, and stopping in front of the institution. Frank and Jesse -James and Bob Younger quickly dismounted and entered the bank while -the other robbers were left to guard against attack from the outside. -J. L. Haywood, the cashier, A. E. Bunker, teller, and Frank Wilcox, -bookkeeper, were the only persons in the bank at the time of the -entrance of the bandits. Jesse James drew a pistol and presented it at -the cashier's head and commanded him to open the safe. Haywood promptly -refused, and the next instant he lay dead at the bandit's feet, his -brain pierced with a bullet. At this Bunker and Wilcox fled out at the -back door, but as they reached the step a bullet from Frank James' -pistol plunged through Bunker's shoulder, but it did not impede his -flight. The robbers were left alone in the bank, but beyond a small -amount lying upon the counter no money could be found, and the bandits, -hearing firing in the streets, rushed out just in time to see Bill -Chadwell fall from his horse, his heart pierced with a musket ball, and -in a few seconds after Clell Miller received a bullet in his breast, -and with a groan tumbled mortally wounded to the ground while his horse -galloped riderless up the street. - -By this time the citizens came rushing to the attack and the firing -became general. Jim Younger was shot in the mouth and a horse was -wounded. The effective shots were fired by Dr. Henry Wheeler from a -second-story window in the Damphier House, facing the bank. The six -unharmed bandits rushed for their horses and rode at their highest -speed out of town, followed in fifteen minutes afterward by fifty -well mounted citizens. Then succeeded a flight and pursuit which for -persistency, endurance, courage and results is without a parallel. - -Information of the murder and robbery was telegraphed in every -direction and each hour the pursuing force was augmented by volunteers -who sprang up in the pathways of the robbers and guarded every highway -and bridle path. The chase led through Shieldsville and from there -into LeSeur county where, being pressed closely too, Jesse and Frank -James insisted on killing Jim Younger, the blood from whose wound was -furnishing a trail for the pursuers. This proposition resulted in a -separation of the outlaws, Jesse and Frank James remaining together and -the Younger boys and Charley Pitts, (whose real name was Sam Wells), -remaining in a body. The country was fairly filled with resolute men -determined upon the death of the bandits. It was very soon discovered -that the robbers had separated and the pursuing parties were divided -and put upon the two trails. - -About one hundred and fifty miles south-west of Northfield, near a -place called Madelia, the Youngers and Charlie Pitts were surrounded -in a swamp, and captured after a desperate fight with the citizens' -posse Pitts being killed and all the Youngers receiving fresh wounds. -Pitts was buried, and the Youngers, always under guard, after months of -suffering finally recovered. After their recovery they pleaded guilty -to the charges against them and were sentenced to prison for the term -of their natural lives. They are yet in the Minnesota penitentiary at -Stillwater. Jesse and Frank James were more fortunate; although so -closely pressed that a hundred times they could see and hear the voices -of their pursuers, yet they were not discovered. Day and night the -James Boys continued their flight, unable to cook anything, subsisting -on green corn and raw potatoes; never daring to show their faces, -swimming streams, and confining their route to the least accessable -sections of country. Extraordinary cunning, a knowledge of men and -adaptability to circumstances, after ten days of a most remarkable -pursuit, covering their tracks by wading for miles in streams of water, -Jesse and Frank James eluded their pursuers and regained their secure -haunts in Jackson county. - - - - -AT GLENDALE--THE LAST GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY. - - -Three years elapsed from the time of the attack at Northfield until the -James Boys were heard of again in connection with criminal escapades. -Their names existed in tradition, and the horror which was once -manifested at the mention of their savage natures had become dwarfed -into mere expressions of surprise. It was reported that Frank James -had died of consumption in the Indian Nation and that Jesse was living -peaceably in one of the remote Territories, following the profitable -occupation of cattle-raising. - -On the evening of October 7th, 1879, the people of Western Missouri -were suddenly shocked by the intelligence of another great train -robbery, committed in the old guerrilla haunts, where crime had held -such high carnival during the dark period of the great rebellion. On -the day in question Jesse James, Jim Cummings, Ed. Miller, a brother -of Clell, Daniel (better known as Tucker) Bassham and seven others -whose names are not known, appeared suddenly at the little station -of Glendale, which is on the line of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis -Railroad, twenty-two miles from Kansas City. The town consists of a -post-office and store combined and a station house, and is a flag -station only. About six o'clock in the evening the party of bandits -rode into the place and proceeded at once to put every one present -under arrest, which they readily accomplished, as there were but three -men at the station, and these were locked in the station house. The -train going east was due at 6:45 P. M., at a time when darkness clothed -the scene, and the masked robbers compelled the station operator to -display his signal to stop the train. Previous to this preliminary -the masked bandits had piled a large number of condemned ties on the -track only a few hundred yards east of Glendale, and had everything -fully prepared to execute their purpose expeditiously. The train was -on time, and seeing the stop signal displayed, the engineer obeyed its -import, and in a moment the conductor, John Greenman, was facing an -ominous pistol, while others of the robbers covered the engineer and -demanded submission. Meeting with no resistance the bandits broke in -the door of the express car, but in their efforts to break in the door, -William Grimes, the messenger, hastily unlocked the safe and took out -thirty-five thousand dollars in money and valuables, which he attempted -to conceal. He was too late, however, for at the moment he was placing -the money bag behind some boxes in the car, the door yielded and three -robbers rushed on him. Refusing to deliver the safe-key, Grimes was -knocked down and badly punished. The key was taken from him and the few -remaining contents of value in the safe were appropriated, as was also -the bag containing the money. - -The haul was a very rich one and the attempt having been successful the -passengers were not molested, and the train was permitted to depart -after a detention of no more than ten minutes. - -The commission of this crime again aroused the officers, and as -Glendale is in Jackson county, Major James Leggitt, the county -marshal, took immediate steps to discover and arrest the perpetrators. -Being a shrewd and fearless man, he went to work intelligently and -unceasingly. He soon discovered who composed the party that committed -the robbery, notwithstanding the fact that they were heavily masked. - -Tucker Bassham, one of the robbers, who was raised in Jackson county, -was suspected directly after the deed was accomplished. He left the -county for a time, but returned and buried his share of the booty, -which was one thousand one hundred dollars. Soon he began to exhibit -an unusual amount of money, and a spy was placed upon him until enough -information was obtained to conclusively establish his connection with -the robbery. But Marshal Leggitt deferred the arrest with the hope -that he might learn of some communication between Bassham and other -members of the gang, and accomplish their arrest. In June last (1880) -deputy marshals W. G. Keshler and M. M. Langhorn, arrested Bassham and -lodged him in the jail at Kansas City. Shortly afterward Major Leggitt -obtained a full confession from his prisoner, which was reduced to -writing and made in the form of an affidavit. - - - - -SHOOTING OF JESSE JAMES BY GEO. SHEPHERD. - - -The pursuit of the Glendale robbers did not cease after a week's -efforts, as previously, but Maj. Leggitt was determined to accomplish -his purpose. He resolved upon an expedient which evidences his cunning -and strategy: Living in Kansas City, at the time of the robbery, was -George Shepherd, one of the most courageous men that ever faced danger. -He was one of Quantrell's lieutenants and fought in all the terrible -and unmerciful encounters of that chief of the black banner. He was at -Lawrence, and rode beside the James Boys in that dreadful cyclone of -remorseless murder. He had run the gauntlet of a hundred rifles and -fought against odds which it appeared impossible to escape. After the -close of the war Jesse James accepted Geo. Shepherd as a leader and -followed him into Texas, and would still be following his counsels had -not circumstances separated them. - -Maj. Leggitt evolved a scheme out of his hours of study looking towards -the capture of Jesse James. He sent for Shepherd, who was working for -Jesse Noland, a leading dry goods merchant of Kansas City, and to the -ex-guerrilla he proposed his scheme. It was this: Shepherd, being known -to have formerly been a comrade of Jesse James, it was to be reported -that undoubted information had reached the authorities establishing -Shepherd's connection with the Glendale robbery. A report of this was -to be printed upon a slip of paper having printed matter upon the -reverse side, so as to appear like a newspaper clipping. Shepherd was -to take this printed slip, find Jesse James and propose to join him, -saying that he was being hounded by detectives, and, although innocent, -he felt that his only safety was in uniting his fortunes with Jesse -and his fearless band. This being accomplished, Shepherd was to find -an opportunity for killing Jesse James, and the reward for him, dead -or alive, was to be divided. In addition to this, Shepherd was to be -provided with a horse and to receive $50 per month during the time of -his service. - -The conditions and terms were satisfactory to Shepherd, and in the -latter part of October, about two weeks after the Glendale robbery, he -started out in quest of Jesse James. - -The plan of Shepherd's operations and the manner in which he -accomplished his hazardous undertaking is herewith detailed just as -he related the story to the writer, and other corroborative testimony -establishes its truth: - -When Shepherd left Kansas City he was mounted upon a sorrel horse and -his weapons consisted of a thirty-two calibre single-barrel pistol and -a small pocket-knife. He rode directly to the Samuels residence, which -he reached at dusk, and tied his horse in a thicket about two hundred -yards from the house. He found Mrs. Samuels and the Doctor at home just -preparing to sit down to supper. The story that any enmity existed on -the part of Jesse James against Shepherd is untrue; reports of this -kind may have been circulated but there was not a semblance of truth in -them. Shepherd was warmly received by Mrs. Samuels and her husband, and -at their invitation he took supper with them. While they were eating, -Shepherd explained that his life and liberty were in great jeopardy and -that owing to reports, false as they were, of his connection with the -Glendale robbery, he had been forced to flee, and for mutual protection -he wished to join Jesse James and his confederates; thereupon Shepherd -produced the apparently newspaper clipping already referred to, which -Dr. and Mrs. Samuels both read. After finishing supper Dr. Samuels told -Shepherd to ride to a certain point in the main highway where he would -meet Jesse and some of his associates. The Dr. went out into the woods -where he knew the bandits were concealed, while Shepherd mounted his -horse and rode to the spot indicated, where, after waiting for less -than five minutes, he was met by Jesse James, Jim Cummings, Ed. Miller -and another party whom Shepherd did not know. Shepherd repeated his -story to Jesse James and showed him the clipping, after which he was -immediately received into the full confidence of Jesse and the band. -Why should Jesse have entertained suspicions? Shepherd had been his -intimate comrade for many years; the two had ridden and fought together -in a hundred terrible conflicts, and were associated together in the -Kentucky bank robbery. Shepherd was the very man of all others whom -Jesse wanted for a companion in his daring deeds and it was unnatural, -under the circumstances, for any of the bandits to doubt Shepherd's -story. - -The party remained all night at the Samuels residence and on the -following day they proceeded to a spot in Jackson county called "Six -Mile," which is eighteen miles from Kansas City, and spent the day at -Benjamin Marr's. It was here a plan was laid for robbing the bank at -Empire City, in Jasper county. After the scheme was fully understood -Shepherd told Jesse that it would be necessary for him to procure -a better horse and some effective weapons, which he could do at a -friend's near Kansas City. Jesse urged Shepherd then to return at night -to the friend's place, get a good horse and at least two heavy pistols -and meet the party at Six Mile on the third night following. - -Shepherd then rode back to Kansas City and imparted the information -of his meeting and arrangements with Jesse James to Maj. Leggitt, who -provided Shepherd with a splendid horse and three large-sized Smith & -Wesson pistols. But in order to prevent any possibility of deception, -Maj. Leggitt took Shepherd to Independence and placed him in jail, and -then sent three trusted men to Six Mile for the purpose of ascertaining -if Jesse James and his party were really rendezvoused at that point. -Maj. Leggitt soon learned that Shepherd had reported nothing but facts -and he was then sent out, splendidly armed and mounted, for the meeting -place. Shepherd did not reach the trysting spot until the morning after -the time agreed upon, and he found Jesse and his followers gone, but -the party at whose house the meeting was to occur--Benj. Marr's--gave -Shepherd the following letter, which is herewith copied verbatim. - - - Friend Georg. - - I cant wate for you hear, I want you to meet me on Rogs Iland, and - we will talk about that Business we spok of. I would wate for you - but the boys wants to leave hear, dont fale to come and if we dont - by them cattle I will come back with you. Come to the plase whear - we meet going south that time and stay in that naborhood untill I - find you. - - Your Friend. - - J---- ---- - - -Thus instructed Shepherd started for Rogue's Island, but met Jesse -James at the head of Grand River. This fact furnishes one of the proofs -of Jesse's anxiety to have Shepherd as a comrade, for he was so anxious -lest Shepherd would not meet them, or fail to get the letter he left -with Marr, that he returned to find him. Jesse and Shepherd returned -to the camp, where they found Cummings, Miller and the unknown, and -then the party rode directly for Empire City, the vicinity of which -they reached about noon on Saturday, November 1, 1879. They went into -camp on Short Creek, eight miles south of Empire City, and at four -o'clock in the afternoon it was agreed that Shepherd should ride into -the town and learn what he could respecting the surroundings and -location of the bank. It was after dark when Shepherd reached the -place, and, pursuing his story, he was astonished at finding the bank -lighted up and a close inspection revealed to him a dozen men inside -the bank armed with double-barreled shot-guns. Shepherd stated to the -writer that Maj. Leggitt must have notified the bank officers of the -intended raid, by telegraph, but Maj. Leggitt denies having done so, -and says that Shepherd must have told some person who communicated -with the bank. Anyhow the arrangement was that Maj. Leggitt was to be -in Empire City with a good force of assistants and was to be aided by -Shepherd in capturing the outlaws when the attack on the bank should -be made. Circumstances prevented Maj. Leggitt from appearing in Empire -City at the time agreed upon, but he sent word to the town authorities. - -Finding everything in readiness to meet the intended attack, Shepherd -went into a restaurant and while eating his supper, Tom Cleary, an old -acquaintance, came in and greeted him. After supper the two went to -Cleary's house and remained all night, and Shepherd told his friend the -part he was acting in the effort to capture Jesse James. Ed. Cleary, a -brother of Tom's, was also informed of the scheme and Shepherd asked -their assistance, or to at least follow him the next morning to the -camp of the bandits. The understanding was at the time Shepherd left -the outlaws that he should return to the camp by nine o'clock Sunday -morning and, if his report was favorable, the raid on the bank would be -made Sunday night. - -Shepherd kept the appointment and returned to the place where the -bandits had encamped, but found the camp deserted. He thought this -strange, but soon found the old sign of a "turn-out" had been made to -let him know where they were. It is well known that the James Boys and -their comrades frequently separate. They have a sign, however, by which -it is not difficult for them to find one another. This sign is the -crossing of two twigs along the highway, which indicates that one or -more of the parties, according to the number of twigs, has turned out -of the highway at that point. Shepherd saw the twigs and after riding -about half a mile in the direction the branches lay he found the party, -all of whom were slightly intoxicated. He knew they had no whiskey with -them when he left on Saturday afternoon, and at once concluded they had -been in town. Cummings was the first to speak. Said he: "The bank is -guarded; how is this?" Shepherd responded: "Yes, and I think the best -thing for us to do is to separate and get out of this." - -[Illustration: SHOOTING OF JESSE JAMES.] - -Cummings had ridden into Galena on Saturday-night, where he had -purchased some whiskey and there heard rumors of the intended bank raid. - -The party agreed with Shepherd that it would be wise for them to get -out of that section, and they mounted their horses and divided, riding -southward. Ed. Miller's position was one hundred yards to the right -while Cummings and the unknown rode at the same distance to the left of -the center which was taken by Jesse James and Shepherd. The woods were -open enough for all parties to remain in sight of each other. - -When they reached a point twelve miles south of Galena, all parties -maintaining their respective positions, Shepherd gave a smart jerk to -the bridle rein which caused his horse to stop while Jesse rode on. -It was the work of an instant, for as Jesse's horse gained two steps -forward Shepherd drew one of his large pistols and without speaking a -word fired, the ball taking effect in Jesse's head one inch behind the -left ear. Only the one shot was fired, for Shepherd saw the result of -the shot, and Jesse plunged headlong from his horse and lay motionless -on the ground as if death had been instantaneous. Shepherd says he -viewed the body for nearly one minute before either of the other -outlaws made any demonstration. Ed. Miller first started toward him in -a walking pace, and then Cummings, and the unknown drew their pistols -and rode swiftly after him. Shepherd's horse was swift and he put him -to the greatest speed, soon distancing the unknown, but Cummings was -mounted on a superior animal and the chase for three miles was a hot -one. Each of the two kept firing, but the rapid rate at which they -were riding made the shots ineffectual. Seeing that he was pursued -only by Cummings who was gaining on him, Shepherd stopped and wheeled -his horse and at that moment a bullet struck him in the left leg just -below the knee, producing, however, only a flesh wound. As Cummings -dashed up Shepherd took deliberate aim and fired, and Cummings reeled -in the saddle, turned his horse and retreated. Shepherd says he feels -confident that he struck Cummings hard in the side, and that he killed -Jesse James. He rode back to Galena where he remained two weeks under a -surgeon's care, and after recovery returned to Kansas City. - -That Shepherd told the truth there is no room for doubt, and he had -the best reasons for believing that he had killed Jesse James; but two -parties, at least, whose word is reliable affirm that they have seen -Jesse James since the shooting and that Cummings has also been met by -them, who stated that Shepherd did shoot Jesse, and that the bullet -did strike him just behind the left ear, but instead of penetrating -the brain it had coursed around the skull partially paralyzing the -brain and spine. Cummings further stated that while Jesse James -was still living his career as a bandit was ended forever by the -bullet from Shepherd's pistol. In other words, Jesse's mind has been -totally destroyed. How much truth there is in this report is left for -conjecture. Mrs. Samuels says she believes that Jesse is dead, and a -meeting which she had with Shepherd since the shooting was such as -caused those who witnessed it, to believe the woman was earnest in that -opinion. - - - - -WHY DID SHEPHERD SHOOT JESSE JAMES? - - -The prime motive which actuated George Shepherd in shooting Jesse -James has never been suspicioned by more than one man, and acting upon -suggestions made by that single person, the writer verified the theory. -It is true that the rewards, amounting to nearly one hundred thousand -dollars, for the apprehension or dead body of Jesse James, were a -strong temptation, and it certainly had its influence with Shepherd, -but there was a stronger motive. - -Directly after the war Ike Flannery, a nephew of George Shepherd, -reached the age of manhood and came into possession of five thousand -dollars, a sum he had inherited from the estate of his deceased -father. Ike was somewhat wayward and was well acquainted with the -James Boys and the guerrillas. Jesse James and Jim Anderson, a brother -of the notorious Bill, knew of Ike Flannery's inheritance, and they -induced him to buckle on his pistols, take his money and go with them -upon a pretended expedition. Near Glasgow, Missouri, the three stopped -at the house of a friend where there were three girls, the men of the -house being away on business. After eating dinner the three started -away, but they had been gone only a few moments when the report of two -pistol shots was heard and Jim Anderson came riding back to the house -where they had dined, and told the girls that his party had been fired -on by the militia, and that Flannery had been killed. Jesse James and -Anderson rode away while the girls notified some of the neighbors, -and when the body of Flannery was found in the road, there were two -bullet holes in the head and the five thousand dollars were missing. -Shepherd did not learn all the circumstances connected with Flannery's -death until sometime afterward, but when he was told how Anderson and -Jesse James acted, he was convinced that they murdered his nephew and -plundered his dead body. - -It was more than one year after this tragic occurrence before Shepherd -met either of the murderers. He was in Sherman, Texas, when Jim -Anderson came up to him with a cordial greeting, little suspecting the -terrible result of that meeting. The two drank together and appeared on -the best of terms until the hour of eleven o'clock at night. The saloon -was closing and the darkness without was most uninviting. Shepherd -asked Anderson to accompany him over to the court-house yard as he -wanted to talk secretly concerning a certain transaction. - -When the two reached the yard, and about them was nothing but sombre -shadow and the quiet of sleep, cautiously, yet determinedly, Shepherd -drew from its sheath a long, bright, deadly knife, which gathered on -its blade and focused the light unseen before, and then made ready for -a horrible deed. Anderson had never thought of danger until the keen -edge of the terrible weapon was at his throat. - -Said Shepherd: "You murdered Ike Flannery and robbed his body of -five thousand dollars. I have determined to avenge his death, and to -accomplish my purpose I brought you here. What have you got to say?" - -Anderson had killed many men and he knew how to die. There was no -begging, no denying, only a realization of what he could not avert; and -he accepted fate with a stoicism worthy of a religious fanatic. Before -receiving the fatal stroke, however, he told Shepherd that Jesse James -was the one who proposed the murder and robbery of young Flannery, and -that each fired a fatal shot and then divided the stolen money. When -this admission escaped his lips, Shepherd sprang upon him like a tiger, -drew the glittering blade of the terrible knife across his throat, and -the spirit of the murderer and robber took its flight into the realms -of the unknown. - -On the following morning a dead body with a ghastly gash in the throat, -from which the blood had poured until it dyed the grass a yard in -diameter, was found and identified as that of Jim Anderson. DeHart, an -old-time guerrilla, was in Sherman at the time of the murder, and was -known to have a grudge against the murdered man, so suspicion attached -to him so strongly that he had to leave Texas. No one ever suspected -Shepherd of the murder, but his own confessions to the writer are given -in this account of Anderson's execution. - -Shepherd has longed for an opportunity to kill Jesse James, but the -surroundings, even during a long association, were never sufficiently -favorable. The opportunity was exceedingly unfavorable at Short Creek, -but revenge and the promise of such an immense reward nerved him to the -undertaking. - - - - -ROBBERY OF THE MAMMOTH CAVE STAGES. - - -The James Boys, and especially Frank, have remained in seclusion for a -considerable period, and with the shooting of Jesse--whom many still -believe to be dead--it was thought that the old remnants of guerrilla -plunderers had entirely disappeared. It is positively known that Frank -James resided in Baltimore during the winter of 1879-80, and his home -was located on one of the principal resident streets. At that time he -wore full whiskers which were very long, reaching to his waist. The -name he bore while in Baltimore the writer has not been able to learn, -for obvious reasons. He disappeared from that city in March last, and -it is reported by Kansas City police officers that Frank was seen in -Jackson county, Missouri, by two of his acquaintances in the latter -part of July, 1880, and that his whiskers were cut short. The following -account of the robbery of the Mammoth Cave stage again brings Frank -James and Jim Cummings prominently into notice. - -[Illustration: SETTLING AN OLD SCORE.] - -The Concord stage running between Mammoth Cave and Cave City, in -Edmonson county, Kentucky, was captured by highwaymen on the afternoon -of Friday, September 3d, 1880, and the passengers despoiled of -everything they carried. - -At this season of the year Mammoth Cave is visited by thousands of -tourists and sight-seers, who are usually people of means, furnishing -fat pickings for the robbers. One of the routes to the cave, and the -one selected by the large majority of its visitors, is by way of the -Louisville and Nashville Railroad to Cave City, and thence by the -Concord stages to the cave, which is about eight or ten miles distant. -The stage road is through a lonely and rocky region, and about midway -on the route it runs through a dense wood, which adds considerably to -its dreariness. About 6 o'clock Friday evening, while the coach from -the cave was coming to Cave City, it reached this wood, and while -coming through the narrow road in a walk, two men, one mounted on a -thin black thoroughbred horse, and the other on a fine sorrel, rode -out of the dense forest, and, dashing up to the stage, covered the -driver and passengers with their revolvers and called a halt. The stage -was pulled up, the driver was ordered down and to the door of his -vehicle, and then calmly dismounting and holding their horses by the -bridle reins, the work of delivering the booty began. The rider of the -black horse, a man about thirty-five years old, with a straggling red -mustache and beard, was the leader and spokesman. He was rather small, -not appearing to be over five feet six inches in height, and would -weigh about 140 pounds. He had light blue eyes, a pleasant smile and -distributed his attentions to the defenseless party of eight passengers -with a sang froid and easy politeness which did much to alleviate their -feelings. His accomplice was about the same age, with black whiskers -and mustache rather ragged in trim, and had a pair of black eyes. He -was rather slow in his movements, but the business in hand suffered -nothing for that. - -"Come out of the stage, please," said the spokesman, in a light, high -pitched voice. - -The passengers looked through the open windows and saw the muzzles of -the impassive revolvers covering the whole length of the vehicle, and, -as there was not a weapon in the party as large as a penknife, they -could not resist or parley. There were seven gentlemen and one lady -in the coach, and the lady naturally was nervous and alarmed. In the -excitement and bustle attendant upon rising and leaving their seats, -Mr. R. S. Rountree, of the Milwaukee _Evening Wisconsin_, who was -making the trip with relatives, slipped his pocket-book and gold watch -under the cushion of the seat. - -Very few words were spoken, though the highwaymen seemed impatient -and ordered them to "hurry up." As each gentleman stepped out he was -covered with the muzzle of a revolver and told to take his place -in line and hold up his hands. The lady, a daughter of Hon. R. H. -Rountree, of Lebanon, Ky., was permitted to remain in the stage. After -the passengers were all out the leader of the two villains tossed -his rein to his accomplice, who covered the line while the spokesman -proceeded to rifle their pockets, talking pleasantly as he went. J. E. -Craig, Jr., of Lawrenceville, Ga., lost $670; Hon. R. H. Rountree, of -Lebanon, Ky., handed out a handsome gold watch, valued at $200, and $55 -in cash; S. W. Shelton, of Calhoun, Tenn., gave up about $50; Miss -Lizzie Rountree, of Lebanon, Ky., lost nothing but rings, one of them -a handsome diamond; S. H. Frohlichstein, of Mobile, Ala., lost $23; -Geo. M. Paisley, of Pittsburg, gave up $33; W. G. Welsh, of Pittsburg, -lost $5 and a handsome watch. R. S. Rountree, of Milwaukee, saved his -money as stated. Hon. R. H. Rountree felt very sore over the loss of an -elegant engraved watch, which was presented by Hon. J. Proctor Knott, -the member of Congress from the Fourth District. - -The spokesman of the marauders explained that they were not highwaymen, -but moonshiners, and were pursued so hotly by the government officers -that they were compelled to have money to get out of the country. He -asked each passenger his name and place of residence, and noted them -down, saying that some day he would repay them their losses. When he -came to Mr. Craig, of Georgia, he remarked that he hated to take his -money because he had fought in a Georgia regiment during the war, but -the case was a desperate one and he was compelled to do it. - -When Miss Rountree gave her name and place of residence at Lebanon, a -pleased smile lighted up the robber's face, and he asked: - -"Do you know the Misses ---- of Lebanon?" - -"Quite well," answered the young lady. - -"So do I," he rejoined, "and they are nice girls. Give them my regards -when you see them, and tell them I will make this right some day." - -After getting all the valuables of the party the marauders returned -the pocket-books with the railway passes and tickets, and giving the -passengers orders to get in, mounted and rode off. They told the -passengers, for consolation, that they had robbed the out stage, -getting $700 from Mr. George Croghan, one of the owners of the cave. - -The rider of the black horse was Frank James, and his companion was Jim -Cummings. These facts have been fully established by information of an -indisputable character, which came into the possession of the writer -since the robbery. - - - - -PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JAMES BOYS. - - -Singular as it may appear, there is scarcely a single feature of -similarity in the character of the James brothers. Frank James is a -man of more than ordinary education, and his manners show some effort -at refinement. He is very slim, and not more than five feet six inches -in height, and weighs about one hundred and forty pounds. He has blue -eyes, very light hair and usually wears a shortly cropped full beard -and straggling mustache, of a pale, reddish color. His face is peculiar -in shape, being broad at the forehead and tapering abruptly from the -cheek bones to the chin, which is almost pointed. In his motions he -is neither naturally slow nor quick, but at times he affects either. -His cunning and coolness are remarkable, and to compare the two boys in -this respect would be like comparing the boldest highwayman with the -lowest sneak thief, so great is Frank's superiority. In the matter of -education Frank has improved his opportunities and is a student, being -a lover of books and familiar with the different phases of life. He has -murdered many men, and yet he is not destitute of mercy, and finds no -gratification in deeds of blood. He has tried to imitate the traditions -of Claude Duval, whose fictitious adventures Frank has read until he -can repeat them like the written narrative. - -Jesse James is a strongly made man, standing five feet ten inches in -height, and will weigh one hundred and sixty-five pounds. He has brown -eyes, dark hair and is of a nervous temperament. Jesse's peculiarity is -in his eyes which are never at rest. In his youth Jesse was troubled -with granulated eyelids from which he has never fully recovered, which -is seen in the constant batting of his eyes and a slight irritation -of the lids; besides this marked peculiarity, the first joint of the -forefinger on his left hand is missing. He usually wears full whiskers -of apparently one month's growth. His education is very limited, barely -enabling him to read and write. He is revengeful in his nature, always -sanguine, impetuous, almost heedless. It is due to Frank James' -strategy and Jesse's desperate bravery that the latter has not long -since been punished for his crimes. In deeds of violence Jesse finds -especial delight, and in his entire nature there is not a trace of -mercy. - -It is asserted, by those who know them best, that Jesse and Frank are -only half-brothers, having the same mother, but that Jesse's father -is a physician in Clay county. What truth there is in this report the -writer does not assume the responsibility of confirming, giving it only -as the assertion of many prominent men of Clay county. - -On one occasion, so George Shepherd relates, while Jesse and Frank were -dining with their mother, with Shepherd as their guest, a dispute arose -over a trivial matter, in which the brothers became very angry and -drew their pistols. Mrs. Samuels made no effort to interfere, and the -difficulty terminated without a fight. In the row Frank told Jesse that -he knew they were not brothers, to which assertion neither Jesse nor -Mrs. Samuels made any reply. - -It is well known among the confederates of the James Boys, and it has -been so declared by Shepherd, the Younger boys and Cummings, that there -was no love between Frank and Jesse, and Shepherd told the writer that -instead of Frank avenging the attack on Jesse at Short Creek he would -applaud it. Going still farther, Shepherd said that at his last meeting -with Frank, two years ago, the latter declared he would kill Jesse if -he ever met him again; that Jess, as he called him, had tried to have -him (Frank) ambushed and captured in Texas, and that that was not the -first time Jess had played the stake to have him murdered. - -The fact of Jim Cummings' association with Frank James in the robbery -of the Mammoth Cave stage coaches gives color of truth to Shepherd's -declaration that he killed Jesse James near Galena, or to Cummings' -statement that Shepherd's shot, while not killing Jesse, had paralyzed -his brain and destroyed his mind. - -Frank James was married to Miss Annie Ralston, of Jackson county, in -September, 1875. The marriage was one of those romantic episodes which -brought great sorrow to Mr. Ralston, an industrious farmer living eight -miles from Kansas City. Miss Annie was but a school girl whose reading -of dime novels had so far impaired her judgment as to make her long for -the association of a hero. Her meeting with Frank James was accidental, -but she had read of his exploits and he was her ideal. Annie left -her home clandestinely and met Frank James many miles from the old -homestead; a Baptist minister performed the ceremony and the outlaw -and his now ostracised wife went into the shadows of cave and forest, -severing the bonds which bound them to society and civilization. - -When Mr. Ralston learned of the desperate step taken by his daughter -he was almost crazed with grief. He went direct to Kansas City and, -with eyes suffused with tears, begged Judge Mumford, of the _Times_, -to prepare for him and publish an article which would relieve him of -the stigma which might attach to him by the error of his daughter. -Mr. Ralston was anxious the public should know that he never had any -association with the outlaw and that, though Annie had been a child -who had filled his heart with love, yet her alliance with a highwayman -had banished the very memory of her from the fond heart which would -know her no more. Such an article did appear in the _Times_, and if Mr. -Ralston ever became reconciled to his bandit son-in-law his neighbors -never learned the fact. - -[Illustration: FRANK JAMES WINS A BRIDE.] - -Jesse James was married to his cousin, Miss Zerelda Mimms, in the -Autumn of 1874, at the home of his mother in Clay county. Miss Mimms -was an orphan, who had lived with a married sister in Kansas City. -Being of age there was no one to criticise her act, and she stepped -across the threshold of prescribed citizenship to share the perils of -an outlaw's life. - -The peculiar profession followed by Jesse and Frank James has prevented -them from having any permanent residence, and their wives have been -compelled, in a measure, to lead a life of seclusion, traveling -from place to place, concealing their identity and experiencing few -pleasures because of the constant anxiety to which they are subjected. -It is understood that Frank is the father of two children, and Jesse -finds consolation in two little boys and a baby girl. The outlaw -brothers make affectionate husbands and loving and indulgent fathers. - - - - -THE UNION PACIFIC EXPRESS ROBBERY. - - -The following account of the Union Pacific train robbery is not -published in chronological order with other robberies, because it is -not certainly known that the James Boys had any connection with it, -and in this history of these noted desperadoes we have endeavored to -give only such facts as are, sustained by indisputable evidence. It is -generally believed, however, that the two noted brothers led the party, -and, with their usual shrewdness, succeeded in escaping southward -with a large amount of booty. The following letter, written by Jesse -James to a former comrade, in March previous to the robbery, is strong -presumptive evidence that he and Frank were the planners and executors -of the scheme, and that they had it in contemplation even before the -raid into Minnesota: - - - FORT WORTH, March 10th, '77. - - DEAR ---- - - The boys will soon be ready. As soon as the roads dries up, and - the streams runs down, we will drive. We expect to take in a good - bunch of cattle. You may look out. There will be lots of bellering - after the drive. Remember it's business. The rainge is good, I - learn, between Sidney and Dedwood. We may go to pasture somewheres - in that region. You will hear of it. Tell Sam to come to Honey - Grove, Texas, before the drive seson comes. There's money in the - stock. As ever, - - Jesse J. - - -There is a mystery connected with the Union Pacific Railroad robbery -which, for more than three years, has remained impenetrable and will, -doubtless, continue so to the end of time. The particulars of this -daring outrage, gathered principally from newspaper reports at the -time, are as follows: - -On the 10th day of September, 1877, a party of nine men, well armed -and mounted, rode to a point on the Union Pacific R. R. near Ogallala, -the capital of Keith county, in the extreme western part of Nebraska. -They made no special effort to deceive the people of the town, as the -purpose of their visit was never mentioned. On the day following the -encampment, one of the party, afterwards known to be Jim Berry, a -former resident of the State, went into Ogallala and purchased four -large red handkerchiefs and a gallon of whiskey. That night the camp -presented a hilarious scene and the wild orgies were continued such an -unusually long time that the citizens began to make remarks respecting -the character of the nine strange men. Three days afterward the camp -was abandoned, none of the citizens knowing which direction the party -had taken, so that suspicion was directed against the object of the -singular visitors. - -On the 18th following, the mysterious nine suddenly appeared at a -small station called Big Springs, fifteen miles west of Ogallala, -where the engines of the Union Pacific railroad almost invariably stop -for water. The express train was due from the west at eight o'clock, -P. M., and the party disposed themselves, directly after dark, -in favorable positions for the work in hand. Promptly upon time the -train came thundering up to the station and the engine stopped under -the water tank. As the fireman was about to mount the tender for the -purpose of directing the water spout, two men wearing red handkerchiefs -for masks rushed up toward the engine. For some reason the engineer had -a presentiment that some trouble was brewing, so seizing his pistol he -stepped to the side of the cab and peered into the darkness. It was -too late; the fire through the open furnace door reflected his actions -distinctly and in a moment the engineer realized that he was looking -down into the fatal depths of four navy revolvers and he and the -fireman were forced to surrender and keep quiet. - -[Illustration: AN ENGINEER WHO MEANT TO FIGHT.] - -At the same time the two robbers took possession of the engine, two -others, with the same mask of red handkerchiefs, boarded the express -car, while the other five commenced discharging their pistols in order -to intimidate the passengers. The express messenger made an effort -at resistance, but he was struck a desperate blow on the head with -a pistol and then forced to deliver up the keys to the Wells, Fargo -& Co.'s safe. The contents of the safe in gold, silver and currency -amounted to $60,000, besides 300,000 ounces of silver in bars, the -latter consigned to the Treasury at Washington. The robbers could not -handle the heavy silver bars, so they were compelled to be satisfied -with the other contents of the safe and about $2,000 which they took -from the passengers. They then permitted the train to go on its -way, and having divided their plunder they loaded the coin on three -pack-mules and made off with it. - -The men had been carelessly masked and a passenger had recognized -one of them as a fellow named Joel Collins, who had been passing for -a stock man about that section. From this the railroad detectives -obtained information on which to act, and though the pursuit which was -organized failed to overtake the outlaws, there was still a hope of -recovering some of the treasure. Part of the gang had gone directly -south into Kansas, and word was sent along the Kansas Pacific to be -on the lookout for them. On the 25th of September, Sheriff Bardsley -and ten soldiers were patroling a section of the road near Buffalo -station. They had a description of one of the parties who were expected -to strike about that point, and sure enough two men were seen coming -down from the north with a pack animal. The soldiers kept out of sight -in a ravine near by, and when the men reached the station and were -watering their horses the sheriff talked with them long enough to be -satisfied that they were the men he was expecting. They only stopped -a few minutes, then pushed on south. The sheriff immediately brought -out his squad and demanded a halt, calling Collins by name. The men -even then did not seem to apprehend that they were known as the train -robbers, but on being told to surrender they drew their pistols. This -brought a volly from the cavalrymen which killed them both. In the pack -was found $20,000 of the gold. Collins' companion's name was Bass, -and he is generally supposed to have been the Texas desperado, Sam -Bass. The point at which this treasure was first recovered was only 300 -miles south of where the robbery occurred. Subsequently the detectives -succeeded in tracing several others of the band and making them give up -some of the money, but the greater part of it was lost. It was claimed -at the time that Jesse and Frank James were along with this band and -that they made enough out of the haul to reimburse themselves very well -for what they lost on the Northfield trip. - -After the fight at Buffalo the remaining bandits separated for the -purpose of dividing the trail which was being followed closely, and the -hope was indulged for some time that all the robbers would certainly be -apprehended. But after the bandits divided the chase was unavailing and -the pursuing parties returned to their homes. - -Nearly three weeks after the robbery, Jim Berry returned to Mexico, -Missouri, with a large sum of money, principally in gold. He had been -a resident of the neighborhood but had left for the Black Hills--so -he claimed--some months before. He had never borne a good character -and was known to be an acquaintance, at least, of the James and -Younger Boys and other noted outlaws. Further than this he was seen -in Nebraska, near the place of the robbery, by parties who knew him. -The exhibition of so much suddenly acquired wealth, together with the -circumstances of the express robbery fresh in the memory of every one, -created a suspicion on the part of the sheriff of Audrain county that -Berry was one of the robbers. He kept his own counsel, however, and -waited further developments. They came soon enough. Berry sold several -thousand dollars in gold to the Southern Bank at Mexico; exhibited -several fine gold watches which he offered to sell at surprisingly low -prices, and besides this he exchanged his ordinary habit for the finest -clothes he could have made. Another very suspicious circumstance was -in the conduct of Berry; he kept himself in secret places and appeared -apprehensive of some effort to catch him. The sheriff, Mr. Glascock, -now felt certain that his suspicions were founded upon facts. In the -middle of October a young fellow by the name of Bozeman Kazey came into -Mexico with an order from Berry for a suit of clothes then being made -by a tailor of the place. The sheriff learned of this and he at once -arrested Kazey, after which a posse consisting of Robert Steele, John -Carter, John Coons and Sam Moore was deputized by the sheriff to assist -in the capture of Berry. Kazey was compelled to act as guide, and on -the 14th of October the official party set out for the haunts of Berry -near Kazey's house. They reached the latter's home before daylight on -Sunday morning, and leaving their prisoner in the custody of Steele -the remainder of the party surrounded the house for the purpose of -catching Berry when he should come to obtain the clothes he expected -Kazey to bring. - -Shortly after daylight sheriff Glascock made a little tour out in -the woods, and after skirting a bridle path for some distance he saw -Berry hitching his horse preparatory to walking to Kazey's house. The -sheriff crept cautiously towards Berry and was within forty feet of -him before the latter discovered the officer. Berry then started to -run, heedless of the sheriff's cry to halt, and never paused until the -second discharge of buckshot from the sheriff's gun tore through his -leg and felled him to the ground. Prostrate as he was the bandit tried -to draw his pistol, but the sheriff was upon him too quickly. Berry was -disarmed and then carried to Kazey's house and surgical aid speedily -summoned. On his person was found nearly $1,000 in money, and a fine -gold watch and chain. - -After the surgeon arrived, Moore, Coons and Steele were left in charge -of the wounded man and Kazey, while the sheriff and John Carter rode -over to Berry's house to see if new discoveries might not be made. - -When they entered the house the sheriff addressed Mrs. Berry and said: - -"Mrs. Berry, where is your husband?" - -"I am sure I have no idea," she responded; "he has not been at home for -several days." - -"Then let me inform you," said the sheriff, "that we have just captured -him, but in so doing he was badly wounded. You had better go over and -see him, at Kazey's house." - -Mrs. Berry manifested the greatest grief, and the wailings of the wife -and little children quite unnerved the sheriff and his deputy for some -time, but they had to do their duty, and, before leaving, the house was -thoroughly searched for money and valuables, but nothing was discovered. - -On the same afternoon Berry was taken to Mexico in an ambulance and -given quarters in the Ringo hotel, where he was attended by the best -surgeons in the town. The wound was much more severe than at first -supposed. Seven buckshot had penetrated the leg, cutting the arteries -and fracturing the tibia bone. His sufferings were excruciating until -Monday night when mortification began, and on the following day he died. - -At all times Berry positively refused to give the names of his -associates in the express robbery, nor did he ever admit his own -participation. - -The mystery connected with the robbery is found in the impenetrable -veil which masks the identity of the robber band. The three who were -killed gave no clue as to who were their comrades. In the absence -of any proof, judgment being laid entirely upon circumstances and -conjecture, it is popularly supposed that the four whose personnel has -never been discovered were Sam Bass, Jack Davis and the two James Boys. - - - - -AN INTERVIEW WITH THE YOUNGER BROTHERS. - - -In the early part of September, 1880, Col. George Gaston, of Kansas -City, while spending a summer vacation at Minnetonka and the Minnesota -lakes, went to Stillwater for the purpose of seeing the Younger Boys, -whom he had known before the war. He was accorded an interview with the -imprisoned bandits, the result of which was published in the Kansas -City _Times_ of September 6th, from which the following is taken. - -This interview is of special value, considering the obscurity which -surrounds the shooting of Jesse James by George Shepherd, and the -identity of the James Boys in the Northfield robbery. - -After describing his introduction to the prison authorities and -entrance into the penitentiary, Mr. Gaston proceeds as follows: - -"There was a man at the top of the steps to receive us, another -official with the conventional bunch of keys. 'Come this way,' said -he, and we followed him into a square room with walls and ceilings of -stone. There were chairs and we sat down. A door at one side opened -and three men walked in. They were Cole, Jim and Bob Younger. They -took chairs opposite and directly facing us. They wore the prison -garb, and their faces were shaven and their hair cropped close. They -looked so genteel, despite their striped clothing, that my nervousness -disappeared at once. I told them who I was and whence I came, and -introduced my wife. They were very courteous, and bowed, and said they -were glad to see me. Jim hitched back in his chair, and addressing my -wife, said, laughingly: 'It is so long since we have been permitted to -converse with anybody that I don't know as we can talk.' Then followed -a desultory conversation. Cole said his health was poor; he complained -of suffering from the effects of the wound in his head, received at -the time of his capture. The rifle ball entered near the right ear -and lodged under the left ear and has never been removed. Jim was -shot in the mouth, but there are now no signs of a wound. Bob had his -jaw broken, but he too has entirely recovered, and is the handsomest -one in the trio. He is the youngest. I remember him as a boy. He has -developed into a robust, fine-looking young man. The escape from death -these men had at the time of their capture was a miracle. Sixty guns -were discharged at once. Cole and Jim lay on the ground--the one with -a bullet through the head and the other with a frightful wound in his -mouth; Bob's jaw had been broken but he did not fall--he threw up his -arms and cried, 'Don't fire again, gentlemen, they're all dead.' And so -they were to all appearance. The pursuers picked them up and carried -them back. Slowly they began to mend and ultimately they recovered. By -pleading guilty to the crime charged they escaped the death penalty and -were sentenced to life imprisonment." - -"It was really very touching," pursued Col. Gaston, "to hear them talk -of the past and of the present. Cole told of his army life--how at the -age of nineteen he had been promoted to a captaincy in the Confederate -army. He spoke of the murder of his father and of his career since -the close of the war. 'My exploits in the army were exaggerated,' -said he, 'just as my exploits as an outlaw have been exaggerated. In -one instance I have been too highly praised, and in the other grossly -wronged.' - -"I learned from their own lips the story of their prison life. Cole -Younger is a changed man. I found him positively entertaining. He -converses with a correctness, fluency and grace that are charming. None -of the brothers are compelled to do very much work; they spend a great -deal of their time reading in their cells. Jim is reading law books and -Bob is studying medicine; Cole seems to have developed a theological -turn of mind. These three men are great favorites in the prison--they -are looked up to by their companions as sort of demi-gods, creatures -immeasurably above the ordinary inmates of the penitentiary." - -"The most dreadful feature of their life," said Col. Gaston, "is the -fact that though they occupy adjoining cells, they are not permitted to -converse with each other. It is only once a month that they can meet -and talk to one another, and then only for a few moments. They told -me that they prayed earnestly every night that the month might pass -quickly. It was touching beyond expression to hear Cole speak of his -early days. His misspent life he charges to the faults of his early -training. He says he was taught to be ruled by his passions and his -passions alone. And as he talked in this vein the tears came into his -eyes and I felt that he was indeed a penitent man. He inquired after -his old army friends, and I told him what I knew of them and their -whereabouts. In the course of our conversation the James Boys were -mentioned. 'Do you believe Jesse is dead?' I asked. Cole straightened -up, glanced quick as a lightning flash at his brothers on either side -of him, and replied, 'He is, if George Shepherd says he is.' I asked -him what he meant, and he answered: 'There are sometimes two things -alike in the world, and Jesse James and George Shepherd were as near -alike as they could be, in character, I mean. Both are quick, nervous -and brave. Jesse was so nervous that sometimes he did things rashly.' -As Cole said this he leveled out his right arm as if he were aiming -a pistol. Instantaneously it struck me that he sought to convey the -impression that it was Jesse James who perpetrated the Northfield bank -murder in a moment of nervous rashness. But the subject was pursued no -further. As we left them I felt that we were leaving the most wretched -and hopeless of men." - -Col. Gaston said that upon his return from his interview with the -Youngers, inspector Reed told him the following, which has never -before been made public: "A short time before the Northfield robbery," -said the inspector, "I was on my way home to St. Paul from a point in -Iowa. I endeavored to secure a Pullman car berth, but found that I -had been preceded by two men who had engaged eight berths--the only -ones remaining in the car. Later, however, I was informed that I could -have one of the berths, as one of the party had failed to put in an -appearance. As I sat in that car that evening a man wearing a slouch -hat sat directly behind me; in the seat opposite him was a man whom I -subsequently discovered was Cole Younger. While thus seated, a big, -boisterous countryman, accompanied by his young lady, entered the car -and demanded my seat. 'We've been to a dance and are tired'--that was -his apology. I told him that his lady could sit beside me, but I didn't -propose to yield my seat to a man. As we were arguing, the man in the -slouch hat came over and said to me quietly, 'Why don't you throw the -d--d yahoo out of the window?' I made no reply, whereupon he turned to -my persecutor and said, 'Here, you d--d loafer, if you don't go about -your business I'll throw you off the train. You have been dancing and -enjoying yourself and I guess you can stand up awhile. This gentleman -has a long way to travel, he has paid for his seat, and by G--d, he -shall keep it.' This was quite enough. The big man moved off. The next -day, when I was in my bank, in walked the two strange men who had -secured the berths on the car. They asked for a bank almanac of last -year. I told them we had none to spare; that the almanacs were issued -to banks alone and were really invaluable. Then they asked if they -could borrow an almanac of the previous year, and I said yes, if they -would be sure to return it. As I passed it over the counter the man in -the slouch hat pushed a ten dollar bill toward me. 'Take this,' said -he, 'so you will be compensated if we should fail to return the book.' -I reminded him he had promised to return the book--that it was part of -a file and could not be spared. He insisted, however, that I should -retain the money, because something might occur preventing the return -of the almanac. Well, the book never came back. Three days later the -Northfield Bank was robbed, and shortly afterward I identified Cole -Younger as one of the two men who had taken the almanac from me. From -the descriptions I have read and the pictures I have seen of the men, -I am satisfied that the other man, the man with the slouched hat, the -one who came to my rescue on the train, was the notorious outlaw, Jesse -James." - - - - -ANECDOTES OF JESSE AND FRANK JAMES. - - -Sometimes incidents, in themselves trivial, serve to reveal the -character of persons connected with them better than those actions -which are esteemed as more important. The James Boys are robbers, but -nevertheless they are still capable of generous actions. It may be -that the remembrance of former days sometimes disposes their minds to -the contemplation of the true, the beautiful and the good in humanity. -Jesse James was once baptized, and became a member of a Baptist church -in Clay county, Missouri, and it is said that for a considerable time -before the war, his conduct was exemplary in the highest degree. But he -has since sadly fallen from grace. - - * * * * * - -Some years ago a tenant on the Samuels farm had a difficulty with -the mother of Jesse and Frank. In the heat of passion he denounced -the old lady as a liar. Jesse heard of the affair, and, as he always -exhibited the warmest affection for his mother, those who knew of -the circumstance fully expected that the tenant would be called to -account in the usual way by Jesse James. One day the offending tenant -was engaged in some domestic labor near his home and adjacent to a -corn-field, when suddenly there was a rustling of the dry corn-blades -and the next instant the dreaded outlaw leaped his horse over the -fence and dashed up to the affrighted citizen with a heavy revolver -ready cocked in his hand. "I have come to kill you!" he said, at the -same time making an ominous motion with the pistol. "Did you not know -better than to call my mother a liar? Now, if you want to make your -peace with God, you had better be at it." The poor man dropped upon -his knees and began to pray. As he proceeded, he became more and more -fervent. He asked God to pardon his transgressions and have mercy -upon him. Then he commended his loved ones to the protecting care of -that Beneficent Being to whom alone they could look, now that he was -so soon to be taken away from them. The prayer had become pathetic in -its earnestness. As the man proceeded, the hard lines in Jesse James' -features relaxed, a shade of sadness stole over his countenance, the -muzzle of the pistol was unconsciously lowered, and when the poor -frightened farmer had finished, the look of stern resolve was all gone, -and the outlaw's pistol had been sheathed. "I cannot kill you thus," -he said, "but you must leave the country," and Jesse James wheeled his -horse and disappeared as he had come. - -What tender reminiscences may have come to Jesse James then? Who can -tell? The farmer settled up his affairs and departed from the country -soon afterward. His prayer had prevailed with Jesse, and he was spared -to his loved ones. - - * * * * * - -The following anecdote illustrates a trait prominently developed in the -character of the outlaws--that is, their willingness to make personal -sacrifices to serve anyone whom they regard in a friendly light. - -It was during the war. Col. J. H. R. Cundiff, now editor of the St. -Louis _Times_, had been in North Missouri on recruiting service -for the Confederate army. The whole country was overrun by Federal -soldiers, and the situation of the recruiting officers in that region -was perilous. One night Col. Cundiff and several officers visited the -house of Mr. Bivens, in Clay county, to obtain food and secure a trusty -guide to pilot them out of that region. They learned that a man who -resided some miles away was thoroughly acquainted with the by-ways -of the country, and could be relied upon in such an emergency. Among -all the men present not one knew the way to the house of the person -whose services were sought. Miss Bivens, a beautiful and accomplished -young lady, at length offered to venture through the darkness and -find the guide. Frank James was there, and spoke up, "Oh, no, that is -not necessary. Just get on my horse behind me, and I will take you -there." The lady, who was at that time very fond of the society of the -guerrilla, trusted herself with him, and mounting on the horse behind -him they rode away into the night, she indicating to him the route to -be taken. Though the roads were guarded by Federals, the gauntlet of -pickets was successfully run, and the guide was secured. In those days -Frank and Jesse James were esteemed as chivalrous gentlemen, and fit -guardians of female honor. Col. Cundiff and his fellow officers were -enabled to effect a change of base in comparative security, by the -chivalrous services rendered by Frank James. - - * * * * * - -A story is told of Jesse, which shows that he is not impervious to the -appeals of the suffering. One day he was riding in a sparsely settled -region in western Texas. Passing through a belt of timber along a -stream, he came to the camping place of an emigrant family. There a -most distressing spectacle presented itself. The "movers" were people -in indigent circumstances, evidently. The old blind horse and poor -mule which had drawn the rickety wagon seemed as if their days of toil -were about numbered. The man who had driven them had died there under -a tree two days before; the woman was extended on the earth, almost in -the agonies of death, and three children, the eldest not more than nine -years of age, were crouched around, wailing piteously for something to -stay the ravages of hunger. - -Jesse saw the miserable condition of the unfortunate emigrant family. -He at once dismounted, examined the poor sick woman, administered to -her necessities as best he could, and also gave the children something -to eat from his own small store of supplies. He then bid the woman be -of good cheer, promised to come again before night, mounted his horse -and galloped away in search of assistance. Ten miles from the camp -he found a physician, and two miles further he found a coffin-maker. -The first he sent to the lonely camp by the stream, the other he set -to work to make a coffin. Then he found a man with a spring wagon and -engaged his services. With a supply of things of present necessity, he -turned once more toward the camp. Arrived there he prepared the food -and made the coffee himself for the unfortunate family. The physician -came and prescribed for the sick lady. The undertaker brought the -coffin, and the owner of the spring wagon came to remove the bereaved -woman and her little ones to a place of shelter. The stranger was -buried--where?--in an untimely tomb. - - - "No human hands with pious reverence rear'd, - But the charmed eddies of autumnal winds, - Built o'er his mouldering bones a pyramid - Of mouldering leaves in the waste wilderness." - - -The bereaved one and her orphaned children were carried to the house of -a pioneer some miles away, and every want was bountifully provided for, -and in a pleasant farm-house she and her children call their own home, -she blesses the outlaw, and prays that he may be kept from harm, and -that he may be led aright at last. - - * * * * * - -They tell a story of Frank James which illustrates one peculiar trait -of the outlaw's character--that is, his gallantry and knightly -devotion to the honor of the fair sex. It happened in Kentucky. There -was a young lady resident in a neighborhood where Frank James was a -visitor, who had become the victim of the persecutions of a certain -fellow whose addresses she had refused. On every possible occasion -this low-bred person sought to mortify and insult the young lady, who -was unfortunate in not having any near male relatives to champion -her cause. One evening, at a social entertainment, the neighborhood -coxcomb and instinctive ruffian approached the young lady in a very -rude and offensive manner, just at the time when she was engaged in -conversation with Frank James, who had been only a few minutes before -presented to her. Without apparently noticing the insolence of the -person, Frank suggested a promenade, and the young lady took his arm, -and they walked away. In no long time they met the rude fellow again, -and he took special pains to mortify the young lady, and threw out a -gratuitous insult to her escort. Very politely Frank begged the lady to -release him for a moment, and he followed the coxcomb. Coming up with -him, he quietly requested him to step aside for a moment. The fellow -treated the request with contempt, and added insult to injury. Without -the least show of passion, Frank rejoined the lady and conducted her -to her friends. He then calmly awaited his opportunity. It came that -same evening. Some persons present knew the desperate character of -Frank James, and had told the fellow he was in danger. The fellow -attempted quietly to withdraw from the company, but he could not effect -his purpose. Frank James had his attention fixed upon the ill-mannered -man. When he had gone away from the house some distance, Frank arrested -his progress. He had a pistol drawn, which he presented. "You deserve -to die," said Frank James in a low, quiet tone, "but on one condition -I will spare you, under the circumstances. Will you comply?" "Name -your conditions!" responded the other, now thoroughly frightened -"These:" said Frank James, "You must write a note to the lady, abjectly -apologizing for your conduct. It must be done before ten o'clock -to-morrow, and you must leave the country within five days, and never -return. If the letter does not reach the lady by noon to-morrow, I will -hunt you until I find you, and then as sure as there is a God in heaven -I will kill you. If after five days you are found in this country, I -will shoot you. Remember what I say!" The man promised compliance, -and Frank James returned to the merry-makers, and no one who saw him -suspected that the quiet gentleman had thoughts of bloodshed in his -mind. The letter came, and in three days the neighborhood fop had -disappeared. - - - - -BASSHAM'S CONFESSION OF THE GLENDALE ROBBERY. - - -The robbery of the Chicago and Alton train at Glendale, Missouri, as -already described, has been surrounded with considerable mystery, -concerning the identity of all those engaged in the outrage. - -The large rewards offered for the apprehension of the -robber-band,--amounting to $75,000--caused a very active search, which -resulted, at last, in the capture of Daniel (better known as Tucker) -Bassham, under circumstances already related on page ninety-nine. The -writer visited Bassham at the county jail in Kansas City, in October, -1880, for the purpose of interviewing him, with the hope of obtaining -some interesting facts concerning the robbery, but though he had made a -written confession, he refused to talk on the subject, saying that he -had already told too much for his own good. - -On the 6th day of November, Bassham was brought into court for trial, -having entered a plea of "not guilty," despite his confession, but this -plea was soon changed to that of "guilty," and he then threw himself -upon the mercy of the court. The following summary of his confession -appeared in the Kansas City _Journal_ of November 7th: - - - "On Monday night preceding the robbery," said Bassham in his - confession, "two neighbors of mine came to me and said they had - put up a job to rob a train, and wanted me to go in with them. - I told them I didn't want nothin' to do with robbin' no train, - and wouldn't have nothin' to do with it nohow; but they kept on - persuadin' and finally went away, sayin' they would come back in - the morning and that I must go with them. They said a very rich - train was coming down on the C. & A., and that we could make a big - haul, perhaps $100,000. Wa'al, that kind o' half persuaded me, but - still I didn't like to go. They finally told me that Jesse James - was arrangin' the thing and that it was sure to be a success. - - "Wa'al, then they left. My wife kept pesterin' me to know what - was goin' on an' what they wanted, but I didn't like ter let on. - I kept thinking about it all night. Of course I'd heerd often of - Jesse James and kinder had confidence in him, then I was pretty - poor, there wasn't much crops on my place and winter comin' on, - and I tell you it looked pretty nice to get a little money just - then, no matter whar it kum from. 'Sides I thought to myself, ef I - don't go it'll be done jest the same anyhow, they'll be down on me - and ten to one I'll be more likely to git arrested if I ain't thar - as if I am. - - "Wa'al, I kep' kinder thinkin' it over an' in the morning they - came to the house early and eat breakfast, and then went out and - loafed around the timber and in the cornfield all day so nobody - wouldn't see 'em. In the evenin' they all cum in and we eat supper - and then they giv' me a pistol, an' we all got on our horses an' - rode off together. We soon met another man on the road, an' when - we got to Seaver's school-house, 'bout a mile and a half away from - my house, they giv a kind of a whistle for a signal, and two men - came out of the timber an' rode up. I was introduced to one of - them as Jesse James. This was the first time I had ever seen Jesse - James in my life." - - "And who was the other?" demanded the prosecutor. - - "The other was Ed. Miller, of Clay county." - - Bassham said that Jesse James then gave him a shot-gun and - furnished each man with a mask, and that they all then rode on in - silence toward Glendale. No instructions were given to any one - man. When they arrived at Glendale they noticed the light in the - store, and Bassham was ordered by Jesse James to go in, capture - the inmates and bring them over to the station. On looking in - the windows he found the usual crowd of loiterers had left the - store and lounged over to the depot to wait for the train to come - in. He then went on over to the depot and found the crowd in the - waiting-room guarded by one of the men. Jesse James then told - him to walk up and down the platform, as the train approached, - and fire off his shot-gun in the air as fast as he could. The - telegraph operator was forced, at the point of the pistol, to - lower the green light and thus signal the train to stop. Jesse - James then asked him if there were any loose ties there that they - could lay across the track, and he said he didn't know of any. - The men then went and got logs and laid them across the track to - obstruct the train if it should take the alarm and not stop for - the green light. Meanwhile the train approached; Bassham walked - up and down the platform firing off his gun; Jesse James and one - of the men jumped into the express car, and Miller jumped on the - engine in the manner already described and with which all are - familiar. The train was not stopped more than five or six minutes. - - As soon as it was over, Jesse James fired off his pistol, which - was the signal for all to leave, and they jumped on their horses - and rode rapidly for about half a mile, till they came to a - deserted log-cabin. Here they alighted and entered. Somebody - produced a small pocket-lantern and somebody else struck a match. - Jesse James threw the booty down on a rude table in the middle of - the compartment, divided it out, and shoved each man a pile as - they stood round the table. Bassham's share was between $800 and - $900. Jesse then said: "Now, each one of you fellows go home and - stay there. Go to work in the morning, and keep your mouths shut, - and nobody will ever be the wiser. This country will be full of - men in the morning hunting for me and you." - - -It will be observed that in the confession, as reported, only the -names of Jesse James and Ed. Miller appear, when it is now positively -known that the gang comprised not less than six persons. The -confession implicated two of the most respectable farmers in Jackson -county, Kit Rose and Dick Tally, one a brother-in-law and the other a -cousin of the Younger brothers, both of whom were arrested, but soon -afterward released, as not a scintilla of evidence could be discovered -corroborating Bassham's disjointed statements. The other party, who -Bassham swears was connected with the robbery (and in this he certainly -guessed rightly), was Jim Cummings, who shot George Shepherd in the -affair at Short Creek. - -In November last (1880), Bassham was brought into court with a plea of -"not guilty," notwithstanding his confession, but he had so completely -convicted himself that the plea was withdrawn, and he threw himself -upon the mercy of the court. He was then sentenced to the penitentiary -for a period of ten years. Since his confinement at Jefferson City, -there has been a considerable change of opinion respecting his guilt, -and there is no doubt but that now a large majority of persons believe -Bassham innocent of any complicity with the train robbery, and that his -so-called confession was the result of influences which the writer does -not wish to assume the responsibility of naming. - - - - -The James Boys Heard From Again. - -THE TRAIN ROBBERY AT WINSTON, MO., JULY 15, 1881. - -FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD OFFERED FOR THE ARREST OF THE GUILTY -PARTIES. - - -The Border Outlaws, those whose crimes began with the hot and -infectious breath of war and left a bloody trail around Jackson, -Clay and Harrison counties, Missouri, still survive to wreak a -desperate vengeance, and live by tributes levied upon corporations and -individuals. Many of the old band, it is true, have been palsied by -death, dying, belted and armed, by a fate anticipated, but like the -excision of a cancer, the germs have remained from which a new growth -has constantly developed to harass the State and disorder society. - -The James boys, aside from their reckless courage, are possessed of -extraordinary capabilities, cunning resource, domineering resolution, -woods-craft and dash. As if by a thorough consideration of the -beneficial result to be secured thereby, they first terrorized the -people of Western Missouri, and then heroized themselves in the eyes -of those whose political sympathies were in consonance with their own. -Thus upon the one side the people were afraid to attempt any punishment -of the outlaws or give information of their rendezvous; while upon the -other they were protected and encouraged without concealment. It is for -these reasons that the James boys and their confreres have eluded every -pursuit and been able to give free license to their impious passions. - -There are peculiar features, however, connected with every outrage -perpetrated by the James gang which readily manifest them in the deed. -Among these several distinguishing features are: their appearance -in the vicinity where the robbery occurs some days before its -accomplishment; the thorough maturity of their plans; the wearing -of long linen dusters; unhesitating disposition to commit murder; a -splendid mount; the invariable sack carried in which to deposit the -plunder; the line of retreat always southward when the robbery has -been committed north of Clay county, and _vice versa_; masks of red -handkerchiefs, and the ease with which pursuit is eluded. In addition -to these unmistakable peculiarities, another fact is particularly -noticeable, viz: within twenty-four hours after the James boys commit a -robbery, Mrs. Samuels, their mother, never fails to make her appearance -in Kansas City, the purpose of these visits being undoubtedly to -discover what means are employed looking to the apprehension of the -gang, and gather up any and all such information as might prove -serviceable in aiding the escape of her sons. - -Considering well all these points of evidence, any shrewd analyzer of -human nature can readily determine whether or not either of the James -boys was connected with any robbery reported. - -On the night of July 15th, 1881, an outward going passenger train -from Kansas City over the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad -was robbed at Winston Station, Daviess county, Missouri, under the -following circumstances: The train left Kansas City at 6:30 P. M., in -charge of William Westfall, the conductor; Wolcott, the engineer, and -Charlie Murray, express messenger. The train consisted of six coaches -and a sleeper, all of which were well filled with passengers. Reaching -Cameron, a stop was made for supper, and when the train started off -two men were observed to jump on, each of whom wore a large red -bandana handkerchief around his neck, partly concealing his features. -Nothing indicative of the robbers' intentions, however, transpired -until the train reached Winston, at 9:30 P. M., at which station four -men took passage, each having his face covered with a handkerchief -identical with those worn by the two that got on at Cameron, and all -wearing long, linen dusters. Getting under headway again, the train -had proceeded nearly one mile from Winston when suddenly, as Conductor -Westfall appeared in the second car to collect tickets, the passengers -were startled by the largest of the robbers rising from his seat and -shouting out in a loud voice, "All aboard!" which was the signal for -action. The large man, heavily masked with a red handkerchief, as were -all the others, seven in number, thrust out a large pistol, and saying -to Westfall, "You are the man I want," fired. The ball struck Westfall -in the arm, producing only a flesh wound, but as the wounded man turned -to run out of the car two more shots were fired by the same robber -without effect. This bad shooting seemed to exasperate another one of -the outlaws, who gave an exhibition of his skill by shooting Westfall -in the brain, killing him instantly, the body falling off the platform -onto the ground. - -[Illustration: DEATH OF CONDUCTOR WESTFALL.] - -While this unprovoked murder was being perpetrated three others of the -outlaw gang rushed through the cars toward the engine. Wild confusion -followed, and a stone mason named J. McCulloch, from Iowa, who had -been working near Winston, attempted to get out of the baggage car as -the robbers entered it. Suspecting that he was either the engineer or -intent upon raising an alarm, one of the outlaws shot him dead and -pushed his body off the train, which had now come to a stop. - -The robbers then went about their business of robbing, two mounting the -engine, three were left to guard the passengers, while the remaining -two made for the express car. Mr. Murray, the express agent, hearing -firing and suspecting the real cause, made a hasty attempt to close -and lock the doors of his car, which had been left open, owing to -the oppressively warm weather, but while he was thus engaged one -of the robbers jumped through the partly closed door and grabbing -Murray, struck him a violent blow on the head with his pistol, at -the same time saying, "Open up, d--n you, or I'll kill you!" Looking -into the muzzles of two large pistols, Murray was forced to comply, -and delivered up the safe keys. The treasure box was quickly opened -and its contents extracted, consisting of coin and currency to the -amount of $8,000 or $10,000, which was thrown into a sack the outlaws -carried for the purpose. The train was then started up by one of the -robbers, but after proceeding a few hundred yards stopped again and -the bold free-booters jumped off, running for their horses which were -tied in a clump of trees less than one hundred yards from the track. -They did not take the time to untie their horses, but cut the reins, -and mounting, rode in a half circuit around Cameron, then took a -course almost due south. They crossed the Missouri river near Sibley's -Landing, in couples, having divided up immediately after the robbery -was consummated. - -[Illustration: THE SHOOTING OF J. MCCULLOCH.] - -On the morning following the robbery, an examination of the immediate -vicinity about where the train was stopped, resulted in finding where -the robbers had tied their horses, and there, lying on the ground, was -found the following letter: - - - KANSAS CITY, July 12. - - CHARLIE--I got your letter to-day, and was glad to hear - that you had got everything ready in time for the 15th. We will - be on hand at that time. Bill will be with us. We will be on the - train; don't fear. We will be in the smoker at Winston. Have the - horses and boys in good fix for fast work. We will make this - point again on the night of the 16th. All is right here. Frank - will meet us at Cameron. Look sharp and be well fixed. Have the - horses well gaunted, for we may have some running to do. Don't get - excited, but keep cool till right time. Wilcox or Wolcott will be - on the engine. I think best to send this to Kidder. Yours time and - through death. - - SLICK. - - -After receiving the first particulars of the robbery by telegraph, -I went to Kansas City, and from thence to various points in the -vicinity, for the purpose of prosecuting an investigation with the -view of discovering, if possible, who the outlaws were, where they -came from, whither they went, and how the authorities prosecuted the -pursuit. From these efforts I am prepared to state, with circumstantial -positiveness, that Frank James and Jim Cummings were the parties who -planned, and with the aid of their confreres, executed the robbery at -Winston, and that the proof may not be wanting, the following several -facts are recited: - -A few weeks ago I received a letter from Frank James, acknowledging -the receipt of a copy of "Border Outlaws," which I sent to him by -a relative. Shortly after its receipt, this same relative, who is -known to be in communication with Frank James, visited St. Louis and -confidentially conferred with my publisher upon the advantages which -we might mutually reap by a sudden stimulation in the sale of "Border -Outlaws," for which he was then acting as agent. His proposition -embraced a statement that Frank James and Jim Cummings were at that -time in Missouri planning a campaign; that a large robbery would -soon be consummated, attended with some startling results. All these -facts he agreed to furnish us the very moment the robbery should -be completed, comprising the names of those engaged, how they had -organized, where assembled, cause for their acts, etc., provided my -publisher would give him a certain sum of money. The incentive on our -part to comply with his proposition was in securing this reliable -information, which might be added as an appendix to a new edition of -"Border Outlaws," and issued contemporaneously with the first newspaper -reports, thereby creating a largely increased demand for the book. -Of course there appeared so much doubt involved in this singular -proffer, and the proposition within itself being of such questionable -character, that it was rejected with little consideration of the -probability of a robbery such as was declared about to take place. At -this time, however, the assertions then made assume an interest which -throws much light upon the problem, "Who committed the robbery?" - -But this is not all the evidence I am in possession of respecting -this latest adventure of the old gang. In pursuing my investigations -I visited Olathe, Kas., twenty miles south of Kansas City, and there -found a gentleman well known in that town, who had met Frank James -walking on the south side of Olathe's public square, well-armed, on the -10th inst., or only five days before the robbery occurred. It was not a -mistaken identity, for the gentleman in question was raised within four -miles of the present residence of the James boys' parents, and was for -years upon terms of the greatest social intimacy with them, attending -the same school, participating in the same sports, and in later years -meeting with them as old acquaintances. Being well acquainted myself -in Olathe, I can positively state that this information regarding the -presence of Frank James in the town referred to is true beyond all -doubt. But what his business was or when he left, I could not ascertain. - -Within eighteen hours after the robbery, Mrs. Samuels appeared in -Kansas City, evidently for the purpose of collecting such information -as might be useful to Frank James and his confederates. She talked -freely of the robbery, but protested, with repeated declarations, -that both Frank and Jesse were dead, going so far in her assertions as -to say that Frank died three years ago of consumption, in Texas. What -she hoped to gain by a claim so easily disproved it is difficult to -conjecture. - -From the best evidence attainable, the gang who robbed the Rock Island -and Pacific train, among whom were Frank James, Ed. Miller, Jim -Cummings and Dick Little, after leaving the train, mounted their horses -and rode southwestwardly until they reached the outskirts of Cameron, -when they turned and took to the brush again, making directly for the -Missouri river, which they crossed near Sibley's landing, and on the -following evening, the 16th, they certainly passed through Sni-a-bar -township of Jackson county, and, taking a southwestwardly course, -continued on to the Indian Territory. The party, however, did not -remain intact, but divided up into couples, so as to destroy the trail -which so large a number as seven riders would have made conspicuous. -They were at no time so far apart, though, but that a prearranged -signal would have concentrated the outlaws. - -It is a singular fact that with all the atrocious crimes credited to -the James boys and their confederates, there was not so much as one -dollar of reward offered at the time of the Winston robbery, although -at one time the rewards offered by the State and railroad and express -companies aggregated $75,000. During Gov. Hardin's administration -nearly all the rewards offered by the State were withdrawn, then the -private corporations that had suffered so seriously at the hands of the -bold knights of the road withdrew the incentives they had advertised, -after which Gov. Phelps wiped out the few figures remaining. - -On the 26th of July, eleven days after the train robbery at Winston, -Governor Crittenden visited St. Louis and called a meeting of leading -railroad officials in the gentlemen's parlor of the Southern Hotel. The -call was responded to by representatives from nearly all the principal -roads running into Kansas City and St. Louis, and upon assembling -plans were thoroughly discussed for the apprehension of the notorious -outlaws who have wrought such injury to Missouri's reputation. The -session lasted for nearly four hours, though there was the greatest -unanimity of feeling and disposition, and at its conclusion the -Governor expressed much gratification at the results. The power of -the Executive is limited by law, so that he could not offer a State -reward sufficiently large to accomplish the arrest of such notorious -desperadoes as the James boys and their gang are known to be, so he -conceived the excellent idea of calling upon the interested railroad -corporations for needful assistance. The result of this conference was -the immediate issuance of a proclamation by Governor Crittenden, in -which an aggregate reward of fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000) was -offered for the capture of the seven train robbers, or five thousand -dollars for the arrest and conviction of each one of the robber gang. -This proclamation was supplemented by the offer of an additional -reward of five thousand dollars each for the arrest of Jesse and Frank -James, and delivery of their bodies to the sheriff of Daviess County, -and a further reward of five thousand dollars each for their conviction. - -The public which, generally speaking, believe that Jesse James was -never shot by Geo. Shepherd, credit the assertion made by many that -both Frank and Jesse were engaged in the Winston robbery, but whatever -the impression, this belief is undoubtedly without foundation. The -most intimate acquaintances of Jesse James, those who have seen him -many times during the past year, are ready to make oath that he is -a paralytic from the effects of Geo. Shepherd's shot; in fact, in a -demented, helpless condition. - -At one time arrangements were about perfected, through the outlaws' -cousin, by which I was to have a personal interview with Frank James, -each of us to be accompanied by a friend, but owing to some engagement, -which was never explained to me, that meeting never occurred. Frank, -after receiving a copy of "Border Outlaws," expressed a desire to make -a statement, with the understanding that I would embody it in all -subsequent editions of the book; this I agreed to do, but I am now -convinced that the intended interview was not granted because of the -engagement which was kept at Winston. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Bandits, by J. W. 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