Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-11-20
CUMMINGS CONFESSION
He Falls Fatally Wounded.
Jesse James Killed With His
gsaOfs On.
ShOal Creek Fight, i'm Which
james was KILLED.


James was KILLED.
Ever since that covered spring
wagon passed through Kearney one
morning last week, there has been Il
grave suspicion existing in the minds
of the officers. and citizens of Clay
county, that it contained either the
body of Jesse James, or Jim Cum
mings badly wounded, or probably
both parties. 1t has been known
that the officials have been on the
hunt for the occupant of that wagon
ever since 1t was seen, and now it has
been pretty definitely ascertained that
Jim Cummings, the desperate, and
pal OF the James, was the occupant
of the wagon, and that he is badly
wounded. Friday evenings Kansas
City papers say that Cummings came
home for medical treatment, believ-
ing he would be as safe there as any
where else. His arrival in Clay coun-
ty was made known to the Sheriff and
that official instituted measures for
his certain capture. The startling
announcement is made that the
wounded outlaw is even now in the
hands of the sheriff, who has kept the
fact from being known, with a view
of capturing some others of the gang.
That Cummings has been captured
there is hardly any doubt. Before
the capture Cummings stated to
friends that a fight took place near
Joplin, between Shepherd, himself
and jesse James, in which the latter
was shot dead by Shepherd. Cum
mings says that after Jesse fell he
(Cummings) attacked Shepherd, and
u running fight of owe two miles
took place, in which he received the
bali in the leg from shepherds pis-
toll. After he was wounded he wheel
ed his horse back to the place where
Jesse fell, and Kaufman and Miller
picked up the body Of James and car
RED it INTO the woods and concealed
ii until such time as they could carry
it away. That he himself being bad
" wounded, had to have medical at
tendance or die, and conceived the
idea that his old home would be as
safe a place as anywhere, as the
probabilities we're that the officers
would not think Of looking for him
there. Two of the gang, Miller and
Kaufman, accompanied him home,
and after seeing him safely housed
and medical ATTENDANCE procured,
left the country, crossed the river at
Wayne CITY, and started for Texas
4 point to meet at, when Cummings
had sufficiently recovered to travel,
was agreed upon before the separa-
ton. A large sum of money was Ia
ken from the body of Jesse james,
the most of which was delivered TO
Mrs. Sainucls, the mother of the
james boys. Ed. Miller delivered
the money in person, and told Mrs.
Samuels thai her boy was dead, and
that she need build no false hopes
that he was still alive. Cummings
gave a graphic description of the
f -iltOtiH0 On h1ll'ti SitNh' cNSFt
James. when lie found that his pre-,
parations to roh the Joplin bank had
been discovered, suspected Shepherd
at once as having given the gang away,
Jesse told Cummings that he believed
Shepherd was ii traitor, and that when
he returned from Joplin, hc (Jessc)
intended to Kill him. Cumming.
persuaded Jesse not to do this, huj
wait further developments. When
Shepherd arrived ut the camp, TIL.
boys were al ready TO leave, and al
ter about one hours delay, the party
q 1t off and started in the direction q
the Indian Territory. Jesse an'
Shepherd rode in front, Kaufman
Miller and Cummings behind; JESSE
and Shepherd were probably twent,
yards in advance of the others. Ate
proceeding about half a mile he saw
Shepherd lag a few steps behind
suddenly draw n pistol and shoe
james in the back 0f the head. Shep
herd again pointed his pistol at Jesse
but Just then the latter fell hcadlon!
from his horse, and Shepherd pu
spurs to his horse and fled. Cum
t mings, surprised and daZed at first
} by the holdness Of the act, soon re
i, covered his senses, and, with tn
others, drew their rcvOlvrrs and start
ed in pursuit. The latter WAS on
/ fast horse, and soon left all his pur
suers behind except Cummings, VIII
. gained on him slowly. Thinkin
t that he was going To be overtaker
/ Shepherd Suddenly stopped, wheelc
= his horse, and, with pistol in hand
waited for him 10 come up. Who
within good shooting distance, SheI
! herd opened fire on him, hitting bin
in the leg at the third shot Comm
up like IA tornado, Cummings Openc
fire on Shepherd at short range, bit
his hand was SO unsteady from til
pain caused by his wound, that Il
could hardly hold his revolver. A
Shepherd fired his last shot, as i
supposed, he turned and fled, an
I Cummings having only one shot lie
in the chambers of his revolver, fire
at him at a distance of not more tina
seven or eight feet. He did NJ
know whether he had hit Shepher
It OF not, until he was told Icy h
g friends, and the papers. AImo
II fainting from loss of blood, he vince
" ed his horse and made his way bac
y to the place where Jesse fell, with Il
possible haste, where he found MILL
y and Kaufman standing over the boo
II of Jesse, gazing reverently upon hin
The death Of Jesse, he says, mu
!" have been instantaneous, as the ba
entered the head 1T the base of Il
j., brain ana passed clear through, con
ing out on the left side near the fro
IL part. His death must have bee
l. from the nature of the wound, pal
is lass and quick.
re DIED.