River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-11-10
THE YOUNGER BROTHERS.
Another Attempt Being Made to BE.
cure Their Release


A dispatch from st. Paul, of Oct. 80,
says: Major L. p. Younger and Mrs.
Sophia L. Regain, uncle and aunt of the
Younger boys. now serving a life SEN
tence In the Minnesota penitentiary at
Saltwater for the Mortified bank rob-
berry, are now here to bring influence to
bear upon the governor to secure a
pardon. 1t is said if they are unsuc-
cessful with the governor they will try
to work upon the sensibilities of mem
bers of the legislature, and get an act
passed ordering a new trial. This
method was tred last year in the case
of Louters and Blair, serving out life
sentence, and very nearly succeeded.
Mrs. Regan was interviewed by your
correspondent this morning. She is a
refined and matronly looking lady, past
the middle age, rather large figure,
pleasant features, still bearing traces of
early beauty, an intelligent and ladylike
bea ing, showing high degree of breed
ing and culture, while her language
was elegant and refined. She impresses
one as most thoroughly in earnest, and
while reciting the wrongs and indigni-
ties which is alleged to have been
heaped upon the family, driving the
boys into the life which they led, tears
suffused her eyes and her voice trem-
bled with emotion. The Younger fam
lily were all unionists during the war
save these boys, who were led into
the rebel side by the influence of rel
were strong rebel syinpathizers. Only
once since the war up to yesterday has
Mrs. Regain seen the boys, nor has she
had any correspondence with them
until about year and half ago. At
the time of their visit to this state they
were on their way to the British posses
sions, whittier they were going to es-
cape from the life they were forced to
lead, and which they detested Falling
in company with these outlaws, some
whom belong to this state, and were
drinkers and gamblers who had lost
considerable money at gambling, some
of which had been won by some one
connected with the bank at Mortified,
and they were anxious to secure it
again. The Younger boys tried to dis
suade the others from the work, but
without avail, and SO had to enter into
the job with them by the force of cir
cAmstances. The others did the work
and committed the murder while they
were on the outside. Although called
upon for aid at this time, none of the
Younger family would lend their aid to
assist them in their trial, and it is not
until quite recently that they have
made any effort to secure their pardon.
Believing now that the ends of justice
have been served, and that they would
go out now and be men among men,
they would 60 to the Pacific slope, es-
chew all their former associations, and
there begin life anew by the aid of the
wealth which abounds in the family.
Mrs. Regain claims that the record of
the Younger family is without blem-
ish for generations back. No indict-
ment had ever been found against any
member before, and no member even
had case in court. They have been
honored and respected citizens, smart
business men, and very wealthy. She
now considers that the boys have been
sufficiently punished for having been
caught in bad company and is exceed
ingly earnest and determined in her eff
fort to secure their honorable pardon.
Most of the conversation had with the
boys at this visit has been of old times
and old friends.