Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-10-19
DIS, WIS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1882.

huSsels Sh0aIS, Ala, f0r rObblng
government contractor. His wife
now living at independence with he
father, Colonel Ralston, a vety respect
able old farmer. James will from ther
be taken to Kansas City and put OF
trial at the November term of tn
Criminal Court.
ON TO JAIL.
He left for independence on the fol
lowing day, in company with crowded
train of excited and interested people
He was there placed IN jail where ht
will remain until bailed out by friends
or tried.
THE OUTLAW s APPEARANCE.
James is five feet nine inches il
hight, is Of spare but sinewy build
with rather q thin face and prominent
check bones. He has light blue eyes
small blonde mustache and rather
dark hair. His complexion is that Of
man who has been for some time il
confinement. His weight is 125 pounds
Because of his spare form he appears
taller than he really is. His manner
IS quiet, his language that of q man in
the ordinary walks of life. His dress
is altogether unobtrusive, his only Jew.
elry being q gold watch and chain. In
an Interview he stated that, although
receiving no promise of clemency from
Governor Crittenden, he had at last
nerved himself to an act which he had
long contemplated and surrendered
himself to the state. He is confident
that If he is tried on any single charge
he will not be convicted, and, although
having received no promises, he seems
to hope that in case of conviction
cIemency will be shown because of his
voluntary action. He says that his
desire henceforth is to lead q quiet life
with his family, and, instead of an out
laws life, to aid in the protection OF
the state against criminals. He de-
clares that from April, 1877, until
April, 1881, he lived quietly with his
wife uOOn a rented farm in Tennessee,
near Nashville. This, he asserts, he
can prove by stanch business men of
Nashville. Regarding his whereabouts
since April, 1881, ne is silent. He says,
however, that he read the news of the
shooting Of Jesse James in New York
paper the morning of its publication,
indicating that he was in that vicinity,
and admits that he has been east of
the Alleghanies and 10 Kentucky dur
ing the past year. Regarding the vari-
Gus crimes charged against him he de-
cllnes to speak, thinking this is not the
proper time to do SO, but declares that
he has been much maligned; that he
has never written q letter which ap-
peared in print, and never threatened
vengeance for his brothers death. AS
the train swept through the timber
country James spent much of the time
looking out Of the windows. Pointing
toward the wooded hill and thlcket
grown pastures he remarked, that's a
kuUW UVUI I5yUV Nyl 1II,vJ y 4aar4rI
time have [ watch ed from those hills
and seen the soldiers passing up and
down.
PUBLIC CURIOSITY.
At stations all the way from Jeffer-
son City, Mr.. Fair states, tho same
strained interest was manifested, and
depot platforms were crowded with ex-
pectant people-mcn, women and chill
dren. Speaking Of the scene at Jeffer-
son City, Monday, Mr.. Fair said it was
one long to be remembered. The vol
unteer prisoner was the coolest man in
the hall when the governor, surround
ed by g. number Of officials, received
him as man who has lived for years
moving about through the heart of the
country with an enormous price on his
head. He bears the marks of many
battles. He has seventeen scars to
show for as many wounds and has been
tw &c shot through the body with Mimic
ba, Is. The last member of the most
re lmarkable gang of bandits that eve
infested the country he comes at last
voluntarily to place himself within the
hands of the law. When the train
reached Independence the crowd fell
blck. Upon the meeting of James
with his mother, wife and child-a boy
of four years-Mrg. Samuels, James
mother, wept and her sons eyes were
wet with tears. The wife seemed to
think only of the JOY of meeting her
husband again. The child looked won
deringly from his fathers shoulder
upon the scene. The waiting officers
joined the party, which was then
driven to the court house. With all
the sentiment which necessarily sur
rounds 9 history SO mysterious and an
event so dramatic the conviction rests
among the citizens generally that the
law should take its impartial course
and justice be meted as seems best.
The feeling expressed, however, con-
tains nothing of opon violence. and
there is no possible danger os any at,
tempt in that direction.