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

ing their horses and escaping from the
town, and then began fight and pur-
suit which for persistency and endur-
ance is almost without parallel. The
robbers were in strange and unknown
country, followed by fifty armed men,
and when it was seen that the race was
to be one for death, proposition was
made to separate. Before this time
Jesse James wanted Bob Younger
killed. AS the blood from his wounds
made plain trail, but Cole Younger
would not allow it, and said he would
kill the first man who dared lay finger
on his wounded brother. AS settle
ment Frank and Jesse James went off in
a northerly direction, while the three
Youngers and Charles Pitts remained in
a body. As, on all previous occasions,
luck followed the James boys, for while
they escaped after being pursued nearly
500 miles, the Youngers we're shot down
and captured, and Pitts killed. The
three former were terribly wounded be-
fore they would surren Ter.
This disastrous affair quieted their
operations for long time, but in the fall
of 1879 the James boys recruited new
party and made descent on the Chicago
and Alton road at Glendale, little sta
ton in Jackson county, seventeen miles
from Kansas City. Like all preceding
train robberies this was success, and
after battering down the door of the ex-
press car, Jesse James and Ed. Miller
entered with revolvers in their hands,
and compelled Grimes, the messenger,
to unlock his safe and hand over the con-
tents, variously estimated ut from $25, 900
to $4,000.
Their next noted exploit was the Win.
ston robbery, on the Chicago, Rock
Island and Pacific road. That occurred
on the night of July Is, 1881. Winston
is small town on the Rock Island and
Pacific, few miles beyond Cameron.
1t is supposed the robbers boarded the
train at Cameron, for at Winston they
made themselves known, and proceeded
after their accustomed style to rob the
train. As will be remembered, Con-
ductor Westfall was wantonly shot down
as is now known by Jesse James, and
train hand named Mcconnell was also
murdered. After securing their booty
the robbers took to the woods and effect
ed their escape as usual, though vigor-
Gus pursuit was undertaken and kept up
for several weeks.
Following this robbery, after some
delay, Governor Crittenden invited the
railroad authorities to q consultation at
st. Louis. There it was determined to
offer a reward of $4,000 for the appre-
hension, dead or alive, of the robbers.
Hardly had the country time to re-
cover from the shock of the Winston
robbery, than it was startled by the COM
mission of another. This time the Chi
cago and Alton Railroad Company was
the victim of the band. The affair took
place on the evening of September z,
1881, at Blue Cut, within mile or two
of Glendale, the scene of the former ex-
plot. The usual tactics were employed,
but failing to get enough from the ex-
press company, after having half muir
dered Fox, the express messenger, the
passengers were robbed.
Frank James, the elder, is credited
with the better education, more brains,
and thorough acquaintance with hu-
man nature. Jesse was fiercer in tenn
permanent than his brother, and a fiend
incarnate when aroused. Seemingly he
killed for the pleasure it gave him, and
to him may all the wanton murders be
attributed that have taken place at their
numerous robberies.
Frank was married in 1875 to Miss
Annie Ralston, whose father resides eight
miles from Kansas City. She is reputed
to have been beautiful and intelligent,
but sentimental girl, who became car
ried away by her romantic temperament
with accounts of the James boys. Ac-
cidentally meeting with Frank, she fell
in love with him, and clandestine mar
rage followed. Jesse was married to his
cousin, Miss Zereido Mimms, in 1874.
At the time she was a public school
teacher in Kansas City. On the occasion
OF one of Jesse's rare visits to his moth
er's she was summoned there, and the
two were united. Both ladies are repre-
sented to be devoted to their husbands,
who, in turn, were kind and affectionate.
A BEQuEsr That CANE A DAY Too
LATE.-The Troy Press Wednesday gave
the particulars Of the death of Herbert
Thayer, brakeman who was killed near
Fort Edward by the cars. 1t now ap-
pears that the unfortunate had brother
residing in the West. The parents and
grandfather of these young men died.
bequeathing about $14 900 to be equally
divided between them. Herbert had
been notified of the bequest, and ex-
pected to come in possession of the lit
tie fortune the day of his tragic death,
and was on his way to that city for that
purpose. A short time prior to his