The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-05-06
JESSE JAMES JOKE.
The Notorious Outlaw and Two of His
Band In a Pullman Dining Car
Wednesday Night. L.: =.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat

The Pullman sleeping-car passengers
who arrived in the city yesterday NOM
ing by the Kansas City passenger train
over the. Chicago and Alton road had
an interesting experience, and one that
created no little alarm in their midst, a
few miles this side of Kansas City, as
they were en- route here Wednesday
night. 1t was learned from one of the
train men that the notorious Jesse
James and two Of his gang had been
part of the human freight for short
distance, and had impressed their fel-
low passengers with their bravado and
Importance in manner that would not
readily be forgotten, at least by the
timid and peace.lOving ones in the num-
Der. The railway officials knew moth
ing of the affair whatever, and from the
passengers the particulars of the sensa-
ton were cleaned. The first one found
was Mr.. J. D. Woodwork, well-to-do
lumber and hardware dealer of Garnet.
Kansas, who was registered at the Plan
ters' house. He had just come in from
Kansas City, and corroborated the state
ment made by the train hand as to the
presence of the James gang on the
train.
A PASSENGERS STORY.
Mr.. Woodwork said: "We left the
Kansas City union depot last night,
shortly after dusk, with q pretty full
train. I had berth in the rear Sleep
er, and passed through the cars back
to that berth, and did not 60 forward
again after we left the Grand Avenue
depot. As the train was pulling out
from that depot three men entered the
sleeper and stood just within the door
for several minutes. They did not seem
at home, but on the contrary ill at ease,
and appeared to be on the alert for
some important development. They
were all decently dressed, and one, who
appeared to be the leader, held re-
volver by his side, partially concealed
by the folds Of his overcost. thought
they might be officers of the law await
ing the coming through of some crimi-
nal, and not wishing to offend, turned
my gaze in another direction. About
ten minutes elapsed ere they left their
position by the door, and the leader re-
marking something about supper, the
trio passed on through the sleeper and
into the dining-room car, the last car of
the train. Supper was shortly an
nounced, and several of the sleeping
car passengers and myself went back to
partake of the meal. The walters were
flying around as if their lives depended
on their alertness and strict attention
to duty, Ind then down at the rear I
saw the three men who had acted 80
strangely in the sleeper. They were
seated at q table, eating, and on the ta-
BILE rested three murderous looking
large revolvers at full cock. The man
in charge came up to me, and said, in
a low voice, not to express any surprise
at what saw, as the strangers were
THE NOTORIOUS JESSE JAMES
and two of his men. If let alone they
would harm no one, but if an attempt
at their capture was made some one
would assuredly get hurt. This injunc-
ton was cautiously repeated to the 9TH
er halfdozen persons aboard; and we
all fell to eating in silence, and casting
occasional glances at our celebrated
companions. The leader, who tailed
exactly with the description given of
Jesse james, exhibited the utmost sang
froid. He laughed and chatted in 8
rather bolsterous manner With his COM
panions, but apparently closely obse1y.
ing everything and every one in the car
at the same time. The subject of their
conversation was lost to me, but it
seemed to amuse them hugely. at the
completion of the meal, the leader cool
]y picked his teeth, and AS the engine
whistled for Odessa they all three arose,
picked up their revolvers and walked
out on the rear platform. Nothing was
said as TO payment, for the supper by
the employees, but as James (if the lead
er were hey closed the door, he dotted
his hat by way of parting salute, and
cried out in clear, ringing voice,
Charge three more suppers to the gov.
ernment!"
THE STORY C0RROBORATED.
A Mr.. Wild, from Springfield, NO.,
another one of the passengers. bore out
the statement made by Mr.. Woodwork,
and stated that the two men accQmpa-
nying the leader were unknown to him,
but the leader was none other than the
notorious guerrilla and train robber,
Jesse James. He had encountered
him on numerous occasions, and could
not be mistaken as to his identity. ..
Responsibilities are that Jesse James
and his companions are either planning
some bold raid, and revealed them
selves on Wednesday night in the above
manner so that, when the job is com.
pleted, at q point removed from Kan
sas City, suspicion will be allayed as to
their completely, or, through spirit of
sheer braggadocio, wishing to run down
q few miles over the line, adopted that
method of introducing themselves to
their fellow passengers.