The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-04-06


strife between Missouri aud Kansas that
Jesse and Frank James became Injured
to those dangers and imbibed those bit
ter animosities which determined the
destiny Of their future lives.
When the war closed, their situation
was q sad one. While the Jameses had
many friends, they had likewise many
enemies, and they soon learned the I'M
welcome lesson that foes are more tire
less and more active than well wishers.
II Is asserted that Jesse and Frank, az
ter the cessation of hostilities In which
they had participated, made an attempt
TO adapt themselves to the arts OF peace
and 10 rebuild and beautify their wasted
homes But the secret foe destroyed
their crops and cabins and sought
their lives by stealthy hunt and
ambuscade, and 80, patience being wear
led and forbearance exhausted. they rose
and turned upon their invaders with
terrible furry, and in the pursuit Of ven
gance for real and fancied injuries, the
boys for whom the fates had woven their
tragic crimson and black, were hurried
on to those desperate adventures AMI
dark crimes which have appalled, even
those who were familiar with blood and
violence.
The father Of the object Of this sketch,
Rev. Robt James, was q studious and
cultivated man whose eloquence in the
sacred desk is said to have been electric
and convincing. and whose labOrs as the
pastor OF Baptist congregation in his
native state Of Kentucky, were more
than ordinarily successful. While
still young he welded Miss Zerelda
Cole. and the youthful pair soon re-
moved TO Missouri and made their home
in Clay county. Mrs. James was made
OF sterner stuff than her husband, and
Il was she who gave to her boys that
spirit of determination and daring
which has characterized their lives. Her
temper was imperious, her manner CON-
handing, and while she is described as
having much of the repose associated
with native strength, she was frank
and open in her resentments and was
not of forgiving disposition.
In 1850 Mr.. James was persuaded to
leave his family to try his fortunes on
the Pacific coast, the excitement over
the discovery of gold in California then
being at its height. He babe his wife
and little children hopeful farewell
and sat out upon the trail which he never
lived to retrace. His grave was hol-
lowed in alien soil by strangers hands,
and he found his final rest far from
home and kindred long before sorrow
and disaster came TO those he loved.
Under the fostering care of their
mother, who had admirable executive
ability, the orphan boys grew apace and
improved with cagerness such educa-
tional advantages as were within their
reach. After six years of widowhoOd
Mrs. James was again married to DIR.
Reuben Samuels, who proved TO her a
devoted husband and kind father to
his step-sons. When the roll sounded
that called 10 arms in 1861 Frank James
rode-off with party of guerrillas, pre-
ferring that kind of warfare to the regu-
lar service. Jesse, two years younger,
remained at home and helped TO cult
vate the fields. His gIrlish face and
pleasant smile" says his blogra-
pher, would have looked strange
in a camp where killing was
q pastime, and he had NO thought OF
raising his arm until the militia hung
DIR. Samuels to q tree, leaving him for
dead. and pricked with bayOnets the
slight boy whom they found blowing in
the field"
The next day Jesse James was with
Quanlrell and with his brother Frank,
and in few days more he was one OF
the seventy who annihilated the Ninth
Kansas Cavalry at Kansas City. Then
came the terrible massacre at Lawrence,
the home of Jim Lane, where all human
pity seemed to have left the breasts OF
the guerillas, aud there might have been
seen Jesse James, the blue-eyed lad,
with a smile upon his youthful, oval
face, reveling in such fiendish atrocities
as the most blood-thirsty savages might
shrink from.
Amid the horrors and barbarities
which belong to the history of the war
Of the rebellion, Frank and Jesse james
were always to be found in the most fu-
rious parts of that unceasing whirlpool.
Just after the surrender of the confed-
crate armies, Jesse with a party of his
companions became involved in fight
with Wisconsin regiment Of cavalry,
and being wounded almost TO death,
found an asylum at the home of his
mother who had fed to Nebraska. Here
he met Frank. and the two, softened by
the remembrance of the dangers they had
shared, and being stated with revenge,
resolved TO go back To the old home and
surround their mother with the comforts
which her increasing years demanded.
But at the very turning point of this
new career which promised so much Of
peace and joy, some wanton fate inter
posed and before the din of war had
died out in the ears of the multitude the
names of Frank and Jesse James were
associated with fresh blood and rapine.
and they became outlaws in name and
in truth.
The subsequent history of the James
boys is known to every reader of the
public prints whose columns have
teemed with the thrilling accounts of
their bold exploits. Their names have
been associated with innumerable bank
and train robberies in different parts Of
the west, and they have been recognized
as the leaders OF a gang whose depreda-
tons have extended over Missouri, Ar.
kansas, Iowa and as far north as Mime
sofa. Bold and full OF reckless daring
as all their movements have been
they have until now, successfully
eluded apprehension, and have
for years bid defiance to the
state government which had placed
a price upsn their heads. The fall of
Jesse James at the hands of one who
was supposed by him to be his accom-
plice in crime, has in 1t something Of
poetic Justice. The Ielribution which
has been so long stayed has at last over
taken the man whose strange and event.
full life went out Yesterday in the quick
fash OF the deadly weapon which pal
sled the hand that has been raised so
persistently against his kind to their
hurt and destruction.
LeavenwOrth Times: The Common
weallh's statement that there Is consider
able onnosit;on In Hon. Thomas RYAN