Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-04-26
THE FORD BOYS.
Senh need 10 he Hrsged on the l0fh Of Ma.

= =
Sennncei TO he Hrsged oa the l0fh Of May.
ST. JosErH, Mo-, April 1s.
The Grand jury having found true bill
egainst Robert and Charles Ford for the MUIR
der OF Jesse James. they were arraigned In the
Circuit Court yesterday, and, after tho indict-
ment was read. plea of guilty was entered
and sentence passed. The courtroom was
crowded, although quiet and order prevailed.
The boys were very respectfully clad, and were
perfectly cool and seIf-possessed. The indict-
ment was rcsd to tho boys by County
Attorney o. M. Spencer, who read
il TO Dob ilrst, after which the Attorney asked
him which plea he made, when he replied
promptly and firmly, "Guiity.r He then took
Lis seat, and the indictment d Charles Ford as
sider and abcttor was read TO him, and in
firm, even tonc Charley pleaded guilty also 10
the charge OF murde: in the first degree. The
Judge then. after q few minutes' meditation,
said that, under the circumstances, there was
only one thing he could do, and that was to pro-
nounoe s0iiteii5e upon the boys. He said that as
they had pleaded guilty there was no alterz.a-
tive for him but to pass sentence, and II would
remain for others to say whether the sentence
Robert Ford to stand up The latter rose
promptly, and was asked IL he had anything to
say why the sentence OF the court should not bc
passed upon him. He replied, in his usual firm
tone, Nothing" and Judge Sherman In sub
stance said "tobert Ford, you have pleaded
fret degree, and it becomes my duty to pass tho
sentence OF death upon you. II is therefore the
sentences OF this court that you DO takea back
to the Jail, and on the 18th day OF May be taken
TO some convenient place and there hanged by
the neck until You are dead" Robert then
took his seat, and the Judge ordered Charles to
stand up, and asked him II he had anything 10
say why the sentence Of death should not 90
passed upon him. Charles replied firmly,
"Nothing," and the Judge passed the same
sentence upon him as was passed upon Robert.
After this there was no other action taken, and
the boys wsTo s5ss;sss.a:csS .so j.! is... -
The general understanding is that this action
was taken in accordance with the Governors
views ON the premises, and that a pardon Of
both Of them will reach here in the course Of .
day or two The Governor. il Is understood,
was opposed to trying them, because be con-
sidcrs that they have done the state great
service, and are entitled to pardon at once:
Tho people can rest assured that the boys viii
be free in q very short time, and there win end
the great sensation.
Frank James organizing Gang cf
Dcspcradoes 60 Avcnge Sis Broth
cr's Death.
telegram from Atchison, Kan, says Frank
James Ia at the head Of q movement which has
for its aim the determination Of all whose
names are associated with the death. The
fact is known to a few that Frank passed
through Atchison on Friday, going south
west, having four people with him that on
the same day Mrs. Jesse James went to Kan
sas CITY. Yesterday Frank James returned
from mysterious visit, followed by the same
pals. Ny informant states that the gang OF
which Frank James will now take the lead is
taken from that section Of the country In the
Missouri bottoms oppos ite here which produced
Polk Well. Bill Norris, Jim Dougherty, John
Ponfrey and many others, composed OF tho
same class and msterisl, having for It's purpose
the ayengiug OF the death OF Jesse James and
other lawlcss deeds. To this gang viii be
added few tiled mountain outlaws that Frank
James picked mp during residence for some
time in New Mexico on q small sheep ranch.
Robert and Charles Ford are never to enjoy
a moments peace, no matter what the advice
or assurance from Coy. Crittenden. These
brothers begin where Jesse James loft on.
They viii be hunted ana hcmuded as persist
ENTITY as he was. We're tho reward they arc
supposed to obtain twenty times ESQ, 900 II wiz
not purchase one days rest, one peaceful moL
or blessed night. These boys are not alone to
be removed but all informants and witnesses
in Cracker Neck. These death avengers arc
backed by the entire constituency Of jesse
James.
Released from tine ~. Joseph Jaii and
R0herl immediately lReArressed.
ST.. JosEpH, No., April 10.
The pardons issued by Gov. Crittenden to
Robert and Charles Ford reeched st. Joseph at
noon yesterday, and the boys shook hands with
everybody and passed oEt OF Jail. They we're
delighted at once more regaining light and
liberty after . most-trying confinement OF
thirteen days. Tbey had scarcely emerged
from the shadow OF the prison door when
Sheriff Trigg, 81 Ray county, stepped mp
with paper y. his hand, to which be called
the attention " Robert while he read 1t. The
paper proved TO be warrant for his arrest,
charging him with the murder or completely In
found vi an old well on the Ford farm, near
proved hin,self not only man of nerve. but
cool and self-possessed, throughout the trying
ordeal through which he has passed, but this
Yndden and unexpected performance some
what unnerved and frustrated him, and, be-
side coloring mp, his features twitchet .
trfeDrd his hands got in bis way. He was
soon at himself, however, and, with n careless
"Al right" said: .sCome along, lets 90
TO Ray brief conference was had between
RoLet and Charley, Sheriffs Tmberlake OF
Clay, and Trigg OF Ray. Marshal Craig Of Kan
sas City. some lawyers and others, and It was
agreed that the entire party would 90 TO Kan
sas City, thence 10 Richmond. The prisoner
was attended by his father and brother aud
guarded by officers.