The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-04-20
JESSE JAMES, PHE BANDIT.
Incidents In the Career OF the Outlaw
OespoTado who had Traits that might
have Made u great Leader.
Letter from Sti,ston Hntchin.

desperate men IN the olden time than
Jesse James, the Missouri bandit, who was
assassinated last Monday at ST. Joseph.
but tis not probable that for audacity cool,
calculating courage and resources Of skill
and endurance, his equal has either been
seen during the last twenty years, or sur.
wives him. Outside of Missouri his name
stands for nothing but colossal theft and
brutal ferocity. In Missouri or in certain
sections of the State he is better Known
and understood. and possibly more Justly
appreciated. For ten years lie has been
the terror of railroads, banks, express
companies and Pinkerton's detective
force. AS long ago as 1872, Pinkeyton.
the original, took contract to catch him.
and since that time Mr.. Pinkerton's de.
tectives hare been free warren for the
James boys and their gang. The mortal.
ity among them has been excessively
large and steady.
II is certainly instructive to reflect
what Jesse James might have become if
he had fallen into legitimate as we'll as
congenial channels. In licensed murder
or spoilation--like war-he had no su.
perior. Such splendid courage as lie
has exhibited was surpassed on neither
side during the great civil war. He must
have been n master of strategy, for he
planned his campaigns with absolute pre-
cision. On every one of his expeditions
he was forced to take thousand chances.
and yet coolly and sagaciously provided
against every one Of them. He was the
unquestioned leader of all his followers.
and although the price set on his head
was enormous, he has been able at all
times to protect himself from the treach
cry of his gang as well as the cupidity of
his common enemy-the public. Give
such n man the command of an army
and what laurels might he not have won?
His control of himself was more wonder
ful than his control over those who served
with hin. It is reported of him that
nobody ever knew him to be disconcer-
ted-not even for moment no matter
how great the peril. His wits were like
lightning flashes, and always at his COM
mand. They never fell short of the ne.
cessities of his situation. Most men tenn
porize, and fit their remedies to their dis
orders. This superb villain always al.
lowed liberal margin and took bond
of fate.
In one Of the last years of the war he
was captured at Mississippi River town
and put on board steamer to be taken
to Memphis. Even then he was known TO
be desperate man, and to prevent any
attempt at escape or suicide he was
handcuffed to Federal soldier-one of
his guard-and confined to the lower
deck. 1t was desperate case and re.
quired heroic treatment. About mid
night he struck his captive companion a
stunning blow on the head, which killed
him instantly, and without sound or
alarm deliberately cut off the arm of the
dead man to which he was handcuffed.
jumped into the river and swan ashore.
am not sure about my dates, but this
story and the one which follows l know
to be in everything but mere detail, true.
Before his name had become the terror
of the State of Missouri, he was SUP.
posed, with his brother and the Younger
gang, to have committed daring bank
robbery and mur63r at q small town in
the northern part of the State, and Pink.
erton put one of his ehrewdest and bravest
detectives on his track. James was at
last o7erhauled at Hannibal, q town
ninety miles or more above St. Louis, on
the river. The detective knew his man
and resolved to take no chances. He
waited until he found him seated in a
BARRIERS chair, his face covered with lath.
er and his deadly hands folded 10 mis- lap.
The pursuer pushed open the door OF
the shop, quietly drew his "Navy" to
dead cover and announced that if he
moved he would be shot dead. James
attempted to jump to his feet, but the
handles OF his heavy navy revolvers had
dropped over on either side, and, coming
in contact with the arms of the chair.
fairly pinned him to it. AS he rose the
detective fred and the ball went crashing
through his mouth, taking two or three
teeth along with it, glancing, passed out
of his neck. A faint conception of his
splendid courage and presence of mind
can be got from what he did. Olsen.
gaging both pistols from the chair, he
drew one in less time than it requires 10
record it and shot the detective dead.
rushed from the room and made his way
out OF the town to safe covert, with o
wound which would have deprived nine
ty-nine men out of hundred of their
senses
There is hardly any doubt that along
in 1874 both of the James boys honestly
desired to call the old account even and
settle down TO q peaceful life. Jesse. who
is now said to be the younger of the two,
but have always understood him to be
the elder, had q genuine love affair and
contemplated matrimony. 1t wasat this
time that those who had known him and
served with him during the war, applied
to the Missouri Legislature for some act
of amnesty or clemency that would insure
the brothers against indemnity for their
past if they would give security for the
future, and this they agreed to do. The
matter was discussed seriously, as the ex-
ploits or rumored exploits of the gang
were doing infinite injury TO the State.
AS it seemed impossible to catch them or
to prevent them from doing as they
pleased, sensible men thought it best TO
accept the inevitable and legislate upon
it. It was found impossible TO do this.
A pardon could not be granted for an un-
convicted crime and the Jameses did not
propose to put their heads in halters. For
year or two they were quiet, however.
Jesse married, aud 1t is believed, went TO
Texas with the notion of DESTROYING his
identity and becoming good citizen. but
he came back to Missouri, either on q visit
or to remain, and it was while he was at
his mothers housc-a Mrs. Samuels-
about forty miles from Kansas CITY. that
Pinkerton's force surrounded the place
end attempted to dislodge the occupants
by throwing in hand grenades. One ex-
ploded, killing little child of Mrs. Sam
uel's In the cradle, and tearing off her
arm. This crazy act was an excuse and
Justihcetion for q new campaign, and the
James boys seem from that time to have
taken the field for life. OF the fifteen or
more men who made up the party which
conducted the yortie on the SamueIs house
10 aMt hat -.