The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-11-16

he went In those Gays, even tuO lBh puo
war and its troubles were over, he car
ried pair of navy revolvers, and he
would not hesitate to use them either.
His reputation was that of desperate,
without the generous nature OF those
dashing knights of the road, and who
would shoot as quick as he would drink,
In 1868, q bank in Russellville, KY, was
robbed in daylight of $40, 900. The news
spread like wildfre over the entire coun-
try. 1t came to Lees Summit, and crea-
ted considerable comment. A vigilance
comittee took the matter under consider
alton, and without suspeCting either Jar
rett or Cole Younger, wrote the bank Of
ficers for description of the men. Ii
resulted in establishing the fact that three
of their own citizens we're concerned in
the robbery, being no others than Cole
Younger, John Jarrett and AL. Shepard,
Neither Jarrett or Shepard ever came
back, but Cole Younger appeared and
admitted that he was guilty. This out
lawed him from society, and after visit
or two, he too, disappeared, His crimes
since that time are familiar to every one.
But this was his first bank robbery, his
first deliberate crime, and his relatives
lay it at the door of this man Jarrett.
The Jameses have been by far the worst
of the gang, never caring whether they
murdered or not. But their time has
come. Frank is in the hands of the law,
and it will not be long before Jesse will
be taken.
Their career has been successful one,
and they had become terror in this
State. The real cause of the robbers GO
ing to Minnesota has never been told.
When the detectives made the raid on
Mrs. Samuels' house they consulted an
attorney at Liherty-a town near by-and
he furnished them assistance. The James
boys found this out, and for fear of his
life he removed to st. Paul. To kill him,
and avenge their brothers death they
followed him, Getting out Of money they
decided to rob the Northfield bank, and
thus were captured.
KANSAS CITY, Oct. l7.-All parties who
know the james boys in this vicinity de-
clare that the prisoner at st. Louis is not
Frank James. Mrs Samuels, the mother
of the boys, told relative here not to be
alarmed; that Frank and Jesse were safe.
A telegram has just been received from
St. Louis, from party who is well ac-
quainted with the boys, which says that
the prisoner is not Frank James, bit
probably the party he claims to be-
Goodwin, of Louisiana.
THEIR FIRST BANK ROBBERY. AND PERHAPS
THEIR FIRST MURDER,
From the Boonvllle Advertiser.l
Living in Kansas City, a respected and
wealthy merchant, lie Mr.. Greenup Bird,
all old resident of Missouri and one Of the
best men in the State. In 1865 he was a
banker at Liberty, Clay county, a town
not ten miles from the home of the James
boys. One day while he and his son
William were alone in the bank, three
strange men entered and asked him to
change ten dollar note. He took the
bill and stepped 10 side table to procure
the change, and on bis return was met
with revolver presented to his face, He
realized at once that he wasin the power
of men who would not hesitate a mo-
meat to take his life if necessary. What
followed can be told almost in word.
The robbers leaped over the counter, and
while Mr. Bird and his son were guarded
by one the others secured one thousand
dollars from the vault, the door of which
unfortunately was standing open. The
banker and his son were then hastily
thrust into the vault, and the door closed
The robbers then fed, mounting their
horses, which were in charge of associ-
ates on the street. They dashed down
the principal street of the town, the peo-
pie looking on in wonder, not knowing
what had been done. The younger Mr..
Bird succeeded in opening the door ofthe
vault, and rushing to the window he gave
the alarm in time for citizen to draw
revolver and fire at the retreating rob-
bers. Unlncky shot for hiln; the robber
turning in his saddle, and taking deadly
aim, sent ball through the brain of the
man who had missed his mark. Out of
the town they went without further mo-
lestation.
But the James boysand Younger broth
ers were unknown as dashing highway
men in those days, and party immedi-
ately started in pursuit. They chased
them to the Missouri river and there
overlook them. "A running fight ensued,
bnt the robbers escaped, and from that
time forward until they murdered the
cashier of the Mortified bank, followed
their daring calling with success.