The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-04-15
THE MISSOURI BANDIT.
Testimony of His Wife.

Testimony of His Wife.
Sunday, March 90, Jesse and his wife
and two children removed from Kan
s..ls City, where they had lived several
months, until they feared their where
abouts would be suspected, in a wagon,
to this city, and secured the house No.
1878 Lafayette street, giving the name
of Thomas Howard. The house is a
one-story cottage, painted white, with
green shutters, and Economically stu.
ated on the brow of lowly eminence
east of the city, commanding fine
view of the principal portion Of the
city, the river and the railroads, and
adapted, as by nature, for the perilous
and desperate calling of James. Just
east of the house is deep guich-like
ravine, and beyond a broad expanse of
open country, backed by belt of tim
Der. The house, except from the west
side, can be seen for several miles. There
is large yard attached to the cottage
and stable, where Jesse had been keep
ing two horses, which were found
there this morning. Charles and ROB-
ert Ford have been occupying one Of
the rooms in the rear of the dwelling,
and have secretly had an understand
ing to kill Jesse ever since last fall. A
short time ago, before Robert had joined
James, the latter proposed to rob the
bank at Platte City. He said the Bur-
CESS murder trial would commence
there to. day, and his plan, ifhe could get
another companion, was to take view
Of the situation of the Platte City bank
and while the arguments were being
heard, which would naturally engage
the attention of the citizens, boldly
execute one of his raids. Charles Ford
approved of the plan and suggested his
brother Robert as a companion worthy
of sharing the enterprise with them.
Jesse had met the boy at the latter's
house three years ago and consented
to see him. The two men accordingly
went to where Robert was and arranged
to have him accompany them to Platte
City. As. stated, all three came toSt.
Joseph IL week ago Sunday. They
remained at the house all the week.
jesse thought it best that Robert should
not exhibit himself on the premises,
as the presence of three able-bodied
men doing nothing would excite sus-
picion. They had fixed upon last night
to go to Platte City. Ever since the
boys had been with Jesse they had
hnI tn Cd,
him, but no was always so heavily !
armed that it was impossible to draw
a weapon without his seeing it. They
declare they had no idea of taking him
alive, considering the undertaking sui
cidai. The opportunity they had long
wished for came this morning. Break
fast was over, and Charley Ford and
Jesse James had been in the stable cur
rying the horses preparatory to their
nights ride. On returning to the room
where Robert Ford was, Jesse said,
"It's an awful hot day." He pulled off
his coat and vest and tossed them on
the bed then he said, stI guess I'll
take of my pistols for fear somebody
will see them if I walk in the yard"
He unbuckled the belt in which he
carried two forty five caiibre revolvers
one a Smith & Wesson and the other
II Colt-and laid them on the bed with
his coat and vest. He then picked up
the busting brush with the intention of
busting some pictures which hung on
the wall. To do this he got on a chair.
His back was now turned to the BROTH
ers, who silently stepped between jesse
and his revolvers, and, ut motion
from Charley, both drew their guns. !
Robert was the quickest Of the two. In |
one motion he had the long wcapon to
level with his eye, with the muzzle
not more than two feet from tho back
of the outlaws head. Even in that
motion, quick as thought there was
something that did not escape the acute
ear of the hunted man. He made "A
motion as if to turn his head to ascer
tain the cause of that suspicious sound,
but too late. A nervous pressure OH
the~trigger, quick flash, a sharp re-
port, and a well-directed ball crashed
through the Opltlaw, 70 SlSnll rTherr xyos