Daily Republican., 1882-04-19
Was Jesse James Murdered:

ma ture in the action OF Governor Crit
tenden, of Missouri, in pardoning with
almost indecent haste the two Fords
for the murder of Jesse James, the
train robber. No one pretends to doubt
that James was desperate OF the most
dangerous character and richly de-
served the forfeiture of his life, but the
manner in which he lost it creates
sympathy for the murderer and robber
felt even by those whom he had ina
mously robbed, How stands the case?
Jesse James was bandit, a robber,
murderer of the first water, an aouor-
NAL product of tie late civil war.
He and his gang robbed railroad Trains
individuals, cracked banks, and COM
mitted murder W heney er 1t was neces-
sary that au individual should be put
out of the way that their guilty tracks
might be covered up-and they have
been known TO kill out of mere devlitry
then murder was not required to FUR
ther their objects. Jesse James was
the acknowledged leader of the gang
Tall, and well proportional, with a
commanding presence, he was man
that would gather to his aid daring
spirits like his own, and OF whom ne
was fit leader. Officers of the law
and detectives who were sent out to,
arrest him were waylaid and shot
d own. Something had to be done to
stop the depredations Of James and lis
gang, for mortal terror had spread it
self over all western Missouri and a
part of Kansas and Iowa. People were
afraid to travel, The name of James
was a horrid household word used onl y
to scare upruly children into subsection.
In this dilemma Governor Crittenden
came to the aid of the people. He de-
cided that be must be captured dead or
alive. To effect this, he for the time
encouraged robbery and murder him
self, by inducing the Ford boys, who be-
came part of James gang, to watch
their opportunity to entrap the bandit
and bring him to him dead or alive
The Fords undertook the work. They
became experts with James in robbing
trains and banks, but they were L.
csnsed by the Governor to do so. Was
the Governor Unsuitable in comforting
such a privilege? But this is not the
first. After many successful raids the
Forls saw that their time had come to
execute their own and the Governors
bloody purpose. james was caught in
his own house for once unarmed. His
wife was pursuing peacefully her wife
" household duties. James, a hand
some man, was arranging his toilet be
fore a mirror, and being warm for the
time laid aside his belt containing his
pistols. Having implicit confidence in
all around him, he dreamed not of dan
ger. He knew not that one he called
lis friend had already his hand upon
the pistol that in second more would
send a leaden messenger crashing
through his skull. The time had come.
Charles Ford, his trusted accomplish in
crime, quick as flash, fired the deadly
pistol stealthily from behind into the
To- Tho bandit
derer and robber fell to the floor wei
tering in his own blood, murdered by
his friend, to obtain the reward offered
for his arrest. "And thou too Charley"
he might have exclaimed in his dying
agony, as Caesar exclaimed: "And
thou too Brutus." The desire of the
Governor was now accomplished
James, the bandit, was killed by his
express orders. Ford killed him be-
cause the Governor told him to kill
him. He did not tall fighting and resist.
ingthe officers Of the law. Was James
mn rdered? and how tar was the Gov.
VI 4hlESoulA lOnpShci"C AoA LAC
mu rider? But now comes the reward
Of the n urderers of James. How much
money was paid them we know not, but
the Fo1ds knew they were in no danger
10 lCng asCrittenden was Governor of
Kentucky. Knowing they were safe if
they could hut avoid the lynchers, they
Immediately placed themselves under
arrest and claimed the protection 0,
that law they had SO shamefully vic.
lated.
On Monday, in the city of St. Jos
ephs, Missouri, the balance of the State $
farce of justice was detiantly played.
The case OF the Fords for the murder OF
Jesse James was sent to the grand jury.
With mock gravity they returned true
bill of indictment. With the holiness
of mu rderers protected by law, they
plead guilty to the charge. With an
offensive manner the Judge carries out
his apparently pre-arranged part of the
programme, and sentenced the muir.
derers to Re hung on the 10Th of May,
knowing when he pronounced the sen.
tencs that they were not to he hung.
Then ca me the last act of this grand
farce CT justice. In few hours after
wards, the unconditional pardon of
GoveraCr Crittenden was on its way
from Jeiterton City to st. Josephs Is the
Governor of Missouri clear of the muir.
der Of }, $50 James, though the latter be
u bandit aud Al outlaw?
LET ALL Republicans honestly differ
about who their choice shall be for
Mayor before the nomination, and af.
forwards lex all honestly unite in elect
ing the successful nominee.