Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-07-27
THE YOUNGERS.
visit to the Governor of an Uncle and
Cousin With an Application for Their
Pardon

Visit to the Governor of an Uncle and
Cousin With an Application for Their
Pardon.
Yesterday afternoon Gov. Pillsbury was
waited upon by Col. Littleton P. Younger,
ty, Oregon, uncle and cousin respectively of
the Younger brothers, Cole, Bob and Jim, con-
fined in the State peniteutiary, their mission
being to present to the consideration of the
governor certain facts connected with the life
of the Younger boys, which, in their opinion
would justify him in interposing the pardon
ing power.
Col. Younger is apparently about 60 years
of age, and his son 35 TO 38 years. They each
stand nearly six feet IN height, are well devel-
oped physically, and countenances expressive
of strong wills and great nerve. Col. Younger
formerly resided in Missouri, but emigrated to
Oregon in 1858, SO that he knew little of the
boys in whose behalf he visited the governor,
Cole being mere boy, Jim babe, while Bob
had not been born.
Early in September last, Col. Younger and
son visited Missouri for the purpose of in
stituting measures for ths pardon of the boys,
in which service he has since been engaged,
resulting in getting together number of
letters and documentary evidence bearing upon
enO ii1C VI Guc UOyo, Cuc SOOu CudTdCGcT VI
their father, etc, which was laid before the
governor yesterday.
From these documents it appears that Cole
Charles Younger, the father of the boys. was
q first settler in st. Charles and Clay counties,
Mo-, where he was highly respected. During
the troublous times just before the late war
the father wOs murdered upon the highway.
Then came the war, during which the Young
er homestead was burned and the mother and
sister maltreated and imprisoned, while the
boys, driven by the force of circumstances,
gers which infested that section of Missouri.
The war ended, the boys, through their
friends, sought pardon of the State authori-
ties, but the effort failed, and price was put
upon their heads, effectually shutting them
out from any peaceful calling.
These facts, and much other information of
the same general character, were laid before
the governor, both in the documents present
ed b. Col. Younger, and in an earnest and
touching personal plea he made for the inter-
position of the pardoning power in favor Of
his nephews, who, he felt confident, would
lead honest and respectable lives for the future,
If his prayer was granted.
Gov. Pillsbury listened attentively to all the
points made by Col. Younger, but
at the conclusion told his visitors
plainly that, while he deeply sympathized
with them, it was impossible for him to grant
their prayer. Without provocation of any kind
they had invaded Minnesota and taken the life
of two of their citizens, one OF whom was
KILLED after they had failed in the robbery up
on which they had entered, and when there
was no occasion for the deed. They had been
afforded fair trial, and but for the clemency
of our laws, would now be beyond reach of
earthly assistance. The governor bore will
ling testimony to the commendable conduct
of the boys since confined in the pen
itentiary, and also expressed his
sorrow that three men, SO well fitted to become
honorable members of society, should have
placed themselves in the situation they were
in, but further he could not go. The case
was an aggravated one, and, while he could
sympathize with their misfortune, he could
not step in and relieve them of the punish
ment the laws of the State had imposed.
COL Younger, and also his son, manifested
a good deal of feeling while the governor was
speaking, and also considerable disappoint-
ment, but seeing in his manner that their mis-
sion was fruitless, after thanking the governor
for his courtesy, withdrew, and by the train
last evening left on their return to Missouri,
from whence they will soon return to their
Oregon homes.