The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-11-10
THE YOUNGER BROTHERS,
Another Attempt Being Made TO Sc
cure Their Release

A dispatch from St. Paul, of Oct. 30,
says: Major l.. P. Younger and Mrs.
Sophia l.. Regain, uncle and aunt of the
Younger boys. now serving life sen,
tence III the Minnesota penitentiary at
Saltwater for the Northteld 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-
cesstul with the governor they will try
to work upon the sensibiities of mem.
bers of the legislature, and get an act
passed ordering a new trial. This
method was tired las! year il 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
bearing, 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
sutiused 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
atives on their mothers side, who
were strong rebel sympathizers. Only
once since the war up to yesterday has
Mrs. Regain seen the boys, nor has she
had any correspondence with them
until about a 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 il
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
cumstances. 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 tc
assist them i'll their trial, and it is moi
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 woulc
60 out now and be men among men
they would go to the Pacific slope, es
chew all their former associations, anc
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 ever
had a case in court. They have beer
honored and respected citizens, smar
business men, and very wealthy. Sh.
now considers that the boys have beer
sufficiently punished for having beer
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 thu
boys at this visit has been of old timel
and old friends.