The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-08
weary way. All day they Travelled without

Sduuicu. Iucy spoke 10 ulu, ana from his
manner and the answers he made them they
were convinced that he had not head any
thing about the affair at Mortified. They
asked him if he would like to sell the horse
he was leading. He answered that it was
his business to deal in horse flesh. What
would he take for the pair The man nam.
Ell the price, and, after some banterinr. a
trade, was effected, and even the saddle on
which he rode was transferred, the horse
trader declaring he did not own anytLIno
wnich he would not sell.
The domestic life of the outlaws find
space on this book. The ccurtship, elope-
ment and marriage of Frank James to a
beautiful and highly educated young lady,
and her subsequent removal to his pleasant
home on the frontiers of Texas, affords a
theme for a chapter Of romance.
Annie father had been ardent in his at
tachment to the southern cause, and all who
had contended in behalf of that cause were
ever welcome to the hospitality of his home.
He had suffered much from the consequences
OF the war, and perhaps more from the ge-
NAL cOnvivialties in which he INDUCED,
and which had extended beyond the bounds
of propriety. Frank Jessie James with
their confederates, became frequent visi-
tors at the Ralston home. People saw them
there often, and it was whispered soft
~ dI uISl, DuL SuOUGPu dlOuu ldlcT, C1dU
pretty Annie Ralston was an attraction for
the outlaws, and received from them, with
out rebuke, their openly expressed admira-
ton, and then her social star paled, and
finally went out. Frank James became to
hera hero worthy OF her love, nay, her hearts
deep alteration. She waited with impa-
tl"nce his coming, and when he was away,
and she thought of the hazards which he
might make. and the destruction which
might overtake him. she grew faint through
apprehension. TO her, he assiduous and
gentle and kind, whatever might be his
disposition towards others, and she gave
her heart to him long before an orportuni-
ty was presented to her to yield to him her
hand.
One bright day in 1875, some friends who
had known pretty Annie Ralston from the
days of her childhood, met her at the Union
depot. Kansas City, with many valices and
travelling bags IN charge. "Would she
go up in town? Could they render her any
service p were questions which were asked.
No, at another time she would go up town;
there was nothing they could do for her.
Soon she was joined by
HER LOVER.
Together they took a train and proceeded
to L~evenworth, Kan, where the vows
which they had made to each renewed and
sealed by legal authority, and fair Annie
Ralston became the outlaws bride and with
him she journeyed toward the yellow south
ern sea, where the sunlight is warm and the
breezes balmy.
Both the outlaws are married both were
Successful in winning handsome and &C
cOmplished young aides for brides. Each
has a PLEASANT home in Texas, and Frank,
especially is a man of considerable wealth
and carries a heavy bank account in St.
Louis under another name.
For a couple of years the press of the en-
tire country has teemed with an almost un-
interrupted record Of their rascalities, their
bloodthirsty exploits and their hairbreadth
escapes from lynching. On January q,
1873, Jesse and his gang threw a hand
grenade into a house in Clay county. Mo-, |
Instantly killing several persons. For this
they were pursued and overtaken by the
marshals. Being men of reckless
valor, and being reinforced, they succeeded
in beating off the officers of the law and
make good their escape. This was follow
ed by the brutal murder of a citizen named
Daniel Ashland on April IA, 1873. Fol
up these exploits Jesse James and
his two brothers, assisted by a gang of 9TH
er masked burglars, broke into the North
field Bank Of Minnesota, helped themselves
to a large sum of money, and wound up by
numbering the cashier. All these crimes,
and others too numerous to chronicle, were
perpetrated with impunity. An unsuccess-
full attempt to take these freebooters into
Gust 1dy was mace on October 23rd follow
ing. They, however, eluded their pursuers,
but were again brought to bay on the 25th
November, with the same result. Another
for their apprehension was made
On the 29th, but they seemed to be possess.
I'd of superior strategical ability, and al
ways either beat off the pursuing party or
managed to conceal themselves in some in
resort only known to themselves,
they could rest securely and defy the
of an army.
FLIGHT TO TEXAS.
After spreading terror and dismay
throughout the length and breadth of Mis-
'ouri a number of the gang fled to Texas.
\ thrilling narrative was tel%egraphed from
City, Mo-, on the Ord of last No