Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-02
JESSE JAMES WIDOW.


was ever q CRIMINAL, and this l shall
do, out of the respect that | bear for
his memory" On the day following
the shooting Of Jesse, Frank James
arrived in st. Joseph to look upon his
dead brothers face and counsel with
the widow he remained at the World
Hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday,
aud during this time he told Mrs.
James to carefully conceal everything
that might be used to indicate Jesse's
crimes he also advised her to have
pictures of herself and children taken,
and also TO have a tin-type of jesse
that was made in 1878 copied, and to
copyright and sell them for her bene.
fit. These instructions she has car
ried out, with the exception Of enter
ing into contract which she is now
anxious to have concealed. By the
terms of this contract she was to be in
St. Louis to-day Thursday to inspect
the matter already proposed for the
book, and she expressed a determine
ton to withdraw from the arrange.
ment with the publisher atany cost.
Bob and Charley Ford and Dick
Little are in Liberty, Mo-, under the
charge of Sheriff Timberlake. In a
conversation, the other day, Bob Ford
made the following statement: II was
with Jesse james nine days preceding
his death, constantly seeking an op
portunity to insure his arrest or kill
him. On Sunday, the day before the
shooting, decided to take a buggy
ride in st. Joe by myself, and while
away from Jesse send telegram to
Governor Crittenden and Sheriff Tim
berlake. informing them of jesse s
presence in st. Joe; but shortly after
making this decision | thought the
matter over, and concluded that such
course might result disastrously to
others as well as myself. Such tele-
gram. l knew. would cause the Gov
ernor or Sheriff to send posse Of men
to surround Jesse's house, and in this
event desperate fight must ensue, in
which perhaps a half-dozen men would
be killed, and maybe jesse would also
die in the struggle, for he never could
have been captured alive; there was
also a possibility Of him killing several
of the posse and then escaping, in
which event | would have been an OBJ
ject Of Jesses vengeance, and doubt
less be shot. / therefore changed my
mind, and getting the drop on him
made certain of the work | had or
hand. | will say positively that neither
Governor Crittenden, Commissioner
Craig, Sheriff Timberlake nor any
other law officer knew that jess,
james was in St. Joe, or had any init
nation of the fact until after sho
him, and, further, that had no direc
orders to kill him from anybody"
| Jesse Edward James, the sever
year old son Of the noted outlaw, is
precocious child, who gives earl
promise of what he is to be whel
grown to mans estate, unless careful
training eliminates from his natur
the vicious temperament he has in
herited. A few day ago, Colone
Hare, Mrs. James attorney, was a
the latter's home consulting with he
about some of Jesse's effects. Mr.
James had explained to the Colone
that she was afraid some one nigh
steal the two pistols which Jessie ha
when shot. Lester Wallack, the Me-
York theatrical manager. had offere
ier 500 for the arms, which she re
fused, saying that $4,000 would nc
buy them. Understanding how anx
ious several persons were to get pos
session Of the pistols, she asked Cole
mel Haire TO have them put in som
secure place beyond the reach of an
4 one save himself. The pistols wer
lying on a table and ColonC
HARE picked one Of them up, where
upon young Jesse. in rage, spran
forward and snatehed up one ofthe pil
tolls, at the same time exclaiming. M
you won't take these pistols; they be
long to my papa" Colonel Hair
paid no attention to the boy, bt
started TO put the pistol he held in h.
pocket. The boy quickly cooked th
one he held, and snapped it directly
Colonel Haire's head, 80 that had
been loaded his murder would hay
been certain. Discovering that it W,
not loaded, the boy ran 10 bag col
tanning cartridges, fully intent on shoe
Q ing the Colonel. Interference pr
Q vented, but the will and determine
ton Of young James we're clearly den
strated.
e An effort is now being made to s
6 cure through Legislative enactment
full pardon for Frank james. al
many prominent persons in Kans
! City believe the effort will ultimate
be successful. Frank is in Kans
|; City once or twice every week, a
] tending to legal matter in which !
: is complainant through another part