The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-05-11
The JAMES BOYS.

Tho appropriately tragic death of the
1oeorious Jessie James, the Missouri
.sutiaw, virtually breaks up band of
desperadoes which has terrorized the
western country for many years, and
which had its origin in the lawless era
<,f the war of the rebellion, This gang
has made the States of Arkansas, Ken
sElclxy, Tennessee, Kansas, Iowa, and
x,crtions of Minnesota and Texas its
stamping ground, and has kept all that
region in a condition of abjecs fear, de-
flying thes officers OF the law, raidlng
peaceable communities by day or night,
disturbing routes of travel and commu-
uication, pilaging, robbing, and murder
Sug with seeming impunity. Nothing in
the annals of brigandage can furnish
more romantic and sensational incidents
than the exploits of the famous James
gang.
The two James boys, who were the
acknowledged leaders of the gang, Frank
and Jesse, were the SOUS of Baptist
clergyman. Rev. Robert j. James, OF
Kentucky, who left his wife and re-
moved to California. where he died.
Frank was born in 1S41, and Jesse in
ISl5. Their mother, who is still living,
rs reI resented to have been the initial
csz1lse of the boys wild and reckless
course in life. they inherited from her
eIuick, fiery, passionate dispositions, and
inbibiug from her example reckless
disregard of the consequences of giving
full play to their evil impulses and in
clinations.
Early in 1861 Frank James, then 81
wears old, went to the war. His inclina.
ZION led him to join QuentrelIs band Of
gaerillas, in which he soon became
noted for his daring and murderous fe-
rocity. Jesse, only IA years old, sought
service at the same time, but was relec-
ted as too young. Returning home he
b4scame serviceable as spy for the guer-
alas infesting Clay and adjoining coun.
ties of Missouri. His stepfather, DIR.
Samuels, was pronounced secessionlst,
ard old Mrs. Samuels gave unbrldled
sisense to her tongue in advertising her
sympathy for the South. The family
thus making themselves conspicuous
were marked for vengeance by the
Union militia of the State, who were
stationed at Kearney, and other towns IN
glzzt locality. Sometime in the early
summer of 1862 the Federals visited the
ssxm. DIR. Samuels was encountered
@rad abruptly told it was their design to
isang him. A rope was produced, and
s-audeting him a few rods from the
house, he was actually swung up with
oaS giving him time TO expostula.e. His
ulfe, fearing danger-having seen the
squad of soldiers meet her husband and
so off with him-followed and reached
The scene of the hanging just after the
Etaieials had turned from their work,
thanking it a completed job, and cut him
sks~n. He was resuscitated with great
difficulty. Jesse James was threatened
with hanging, but his youth saved him.
lie escaped with many cuffs and blows
At the hands of the soldiers.
Later Mrs. Samuels and her daughter
were arrested and confined at st. Joseph,
which so enraged Jesse that he again
sought admission to Quantrell's band
ssnd was finally accepted. Frank had al
sSSly risen to emipence in that gang of
murders and cutthroats, and Jesse, en-
aa6iag the example, soon eclipsed him
and became the leader in all expeditions
where nerve, daring and reckless dis
regard for lives were required. A
book could not begin to tell in detail the
war adventures of the James brothers
tDOoc VI tuclI aooOCidtCo. SOiuOiOOuCo
murder became their delight and their
pastime was to seek foe, armed or I'M
armed, and slaughter him. In Guam
trelrs command they found congenial
spirits in Cole and Jim Younger, Jar
rette, Clell Miller, George Shepherd
and others, who have been partners in
their robberies since the war. Both
were in Quantrell's band of 200 when
Lawrence, Kansas, was sacked, burned,
and nearly every male inhabitant
ruthlessly murdered. Jesse James
boasted at this time to have shot down
Shirty -six.
At Centralia. d way station on the
Wabash railroad, in September, 1861,
Bill Anderson, assisted by Jesse and
Flank James, displayed their fendish
spirit. They first raided the village,
and sacked the stores; then waiting for
theeast bound train, they robbed it, and
robbed the passengers of their money
Amsng the passengers we're 81 sick sol
diers, en- route from st. Joseph to st
LOUIS for better hospital accommoda
tions. These poor wretches were
marched into line by Frank and Jesse
james, and Bill Anderson, with his owr
hands, shot and killed every man OF
them, . pistol being handed him by
either Frank O. Jesse as fast as he emp
tied the one in hand. No amount O