The Russellville Democrat., 1880-05-20
JESSE JAMES JOKE.
"Charge Three More suppers to the Gov ernment."
 Globe Democrat

"Chargc Three More suppers to the Gov,
 ernment."
 Globe-Democrat
 The Pullman sleeping-car passengers who arrived in this city yesterday morn ing by the Kansas City passenger tram over the Chicago and Alton road had an interesting experience, and one that created no little alarm In theil midst, few miles this side of Kansas City, as they were en route here Wed nesday night. It was learned by Globe Democrat reporter, 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 fellow passengers with their bravado and importance in a manner that would not readily be for. gotten, at least by the timid and peace loving ones in the number. The rail. way officials knew nothing of the affair whatever, and from the passengers the particulars of the sensation were gleaned The first one found was Mir. J. b. Wood worth, well-to-do lumber and hard ware dealer, of Garnett, Kansas, who was registered at the Planters House. He had just come in from Kansas City, and corroborated the statement made by the train hand as to the presence of the James gang on the train.
 | MT. Woodwork said:
 | "We left the Kansas City Union Depot last night shortly after dusk, with a pret- ty full train. had birth in the rear sleeper, and passed through the cars back to that birth, and did not go for ward again after we left the Grand Av- 1 enue 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 case, and appeared to be; on the alert | for some important development. They 1 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 overcoat. thought they might be officers of the law await ing the coming through of some crim- lnal, 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 announced and several of the sleeping-car passen- gers and myself went back to partake of the meal. E ~ s21g
 The walters were flying around as if their lives depended on their alertness | and strict attention to duty, and then down at the rear l saw the three men who had acted so strangely in the sleep- CT. They were seated at table. eating and on the table rested three murderous- looking large revolvers at full cock. The man in charge came up to me, and sad, in low voice, not to express any sur prise at what I 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 injunction was cautiously repeat ed to the other half dozen persons aboard, and we all fell to eating in silence, and casting occasional glances at our celebrated companions. The leader who tallied exactly with the description given of Jesse James, exhibited the ut most sang froid. He laughed and chat | ted in rather boisterous manner with his companions, but apparently closely observing 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 cooly 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 suppers by the employees, but as James (if the leader was he) closed the door, doffed his hat by way of partial salute, snd cried out ill clear, ringing voice, Charge three more suppers to the Government"
 A Mir. Wild, from Springfield, Mo-, an other one of the passengers, bore out the statement made by MT Woodwork, and stated that the two men accompanying the leader were unknown to him, but the leader was none other than the noto- rious guerrilla ands- train-robber, Jesse James. He had encountered him on numerous occasions, and could not be mistaken as to his identity.
 The probabilities are that Jesse James and his companions are either planning some bold raid, and revealed themselves on Wednesday night in the above man. uer so that, when the job is completed at point removed to Kansas City, sus. picion will be allayed as to their com plicity, or, through a sheer spirit oi braggadocio, wishing to run down a few miles over the line, adopted that method of introducing themselves to their fel. low passengers.
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