Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-14
CHARLIE FORD
Tells What He Knows of Ger
tain Exploits Of the Late
Jesse James Gang.
Globe. Democrat Special.

KANSAS CITY, June 9.-Charlie
Ford was asked to-day about the truth
of the story published to the effect
that he was the party who struck the
express messenger over the head at
the Blue-cut robbery, and he said it
was not true, Il was right mad when
| saw tha5 in the paper the other day,
aud thought | would call at II o
Times Office and deny it, but l con-
cluded | had better not. | reck0n it
was Wood Hite that struck him.
Wood and jess went into the express
car, and the messenger tried to hide
big long pocketbook full of money.
Wood saw him do it, and told him
to give it up. The messenger
said he hadn't any more money.
Wood told him he knew better, for he
saw him hide it, and again ordered
him to give it up. The messenger
continued to deny having the money,
and Wood struck him over the head
with his pistol. If the messenger had
done as he ought to, and
GIVEN UP THE MONEY
at first, he never would have been
hurt. Wood had an ugly temper,
and you never could depend upon
him. He might be your friend to-
day and tomorrow your enemy.
Frank and Jessie we're both afraid
Of him, He and Frank got into
dispute one day over a game of cards,
and both went for their pistols. Jess
saw that Wood was going to get the
drop on Frank. and dropped in be-
tween them. Dick Little was there,
and he and Jess kept them apart
until they cooled. Jesse and Frank
didn't hitch very we'll in the last few
years. They were always quarreliUg.
Jessie didn't like Franks wife. She
is q real hightoned lady, and a grea.
favorite with the boys. Jesse was a
great lover of notoriety. He'd do
to get his name in the pa
pers, and when he'd see a paper
with a story about him in il he'd
show it to Franks wife. She'd throw
it down and wouldn't read it when
she saw what i. was. That made
j ess very mad. Frank is a different
man to Jess. He does not like to have
about him in the papers, He
does not like notoriety and never did.
Dick was a great friend of Franks |
wife and thought
A GREAT DEAL CT HER.
Dick is one of those fellows who. when
any one does him favor, will do all |
be can in return. Because be was I
friendly to Franks wife Jesse got
down on him, I'd Ike to see Franks
Wife, | don t know whether she has
any hard feelings toward us or not for
killing Jess. l don't know how she
could"
"You must have derived consider.
able amusement rom reading the
aeysPaper reports of the robberies
and pursuit.
Yes, we did, indeed. After the
Blue cut robbery Jesse and Frank
md Clarence Hite and | Walked into
Kansas City. The next morning |
vent over home. | expected to find
Wood and Dick at my house, but they
]id not arrive until Sunday morning
They found all the crossings guarded !
Ind had to hide in the woodg day or
,wol then they worked down the river
iome distance until we found a skiff.
Aftar We left the train that night we
iivided up the money before we had
rome very far. Dick and Wood then
eft US, and we walked into town. We
we're in the bushes at the side of the
rack when the special train came
loWn with the
POSSE or OFFICERS
rom Kansas City. After the Win.
ton robbery the boys hid around near
here for week or two, and then we
il came into town together. We drove
n with wagon. When we got near
he bridge Dick aud | got out and
7alked. Jess and Clarence sat I
q the front seat. Clarence was
ressed IN woman's clothes, and Frank
nd Wood lay in the bottom Of the (
Tagon with a hlanketthrown over them.
)ick and followed about one hun.
red yards behind the wagon, when
1e got over 10 town We separated.
frank went down TO his father.in-
lW Is at Independence, Jess went home
o his wife, and the tof usscattered
round generally" t