Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-18
THE KING OF THE BANDITS.


James.
HIS FIRST MURDER-HIs FAvORrTE SONG, GAM 1
SOLDIER OF THE CROSS Pulling A CON-
RADE BECAUSE HE DOUBTED THE EXISTENCE OF
HEIL-HS REMARKABLE ADVENTURES IN ST.
LOUIs-HIs COMPARATIVE POVERTY.
Prom the Kansas City Times.
KANSAS CITY, April 10-Beneath the ground
his boysh feet oft trod, at the old homestead,
sleeps one of the most remarkable men that ever
lived He was q man who never knew fear,
and whose good actions in life were 80 few that
they appear small by the side of his many
crimes. That he was brutal none will deny who
knew him. vet there was something about him
that compelled admiration. Seemingly rash. he
was one of the most prudent of men. Dick Lit
tie says he was not brave man. but Dick lies
when he SAYS so. There was nothing chvalrOUs
In Jesse's nature. He lived for himself alone
Devoid OF education, he had managed to become
thoroughly posted on the affairs of the day. Lii
eenticus and cruel, yet there was something in
his nature that led him to respect good women
and form liasOns with hundreds of Others who
were rot pure. natural child of his, girl
about 10 years of age, is now living in Howard
county. this state She is the daughter of
fascinating grass-widow of Salt Creek Bottom.
The country is well rid of Jesse. but having
saved my life and spared life for me- was I'M
der eternal obligations to him, and am glad to
say his trust was never betrayed. Dick Little
and the Ford boys do not know, and am not
prove satisfactory, but it is the truth unembel-
ished
During the spring. summer and fall OF 1854
Bill Anderson operated through Boone, Howard
and adjoining counties. making his headquar-
tiers at Rocheport, Boone county, where then
lived, and it was there / became acquainted
with him and all of his gang among whom
Jesse James was conspicuous member. An
derson celebrated his arrival in northern Mis-
souri, by robbing the bank at Huntsville. RAN
dolph county, securing about 1000. A st.
Louis drummer who happened to be walking
along the street that day, was shot and killed
out OF pure wantonness by Jesse James. The
day after the robbery the band was In Roche
port, flush with money, and amused themselves
by getting on a huge drunk.
While the orgie was in progress a steamboat
rounded the bend, going down the Missouri
river. and was fired into by the euerrillas A
company OF United States troops, armed with
l0ng-ranged rifles, made it rather unpleasant
for the lOng-haired gentlemen who found 1t
convenient to seek shelter behind buildings with
the exception of Jesse James and Hedge Rey-
holds. vino, under murderOuS fire from the
troops on board followed the boat for mile
down the river and Jesse, with a carbine, sue
ceeded in killing the captain of the troops, he
having thoughtlessly exposed himself to his
unerfing aim. Shortly after the skirmish An
derson formed his men into lne and, sitting
on their horses in front Of the Bailey house
they sang Quantrelrs call, favOrte song of
the freeboOters, the first stanZa Of which is as
follows:
Up, comrades, up, the moons In the west
And We must be gone ere the dawning OF day.
The hounds OF old PennOck will find out our nest
But the Quantreli they seek shall be far, far away.
This song was an especial favorte Of Jesse's.
and as he was intensely emotional in his nature
ne Could sing 1t with as much gustO as he could
cut throat Another favOrite song of his was
Am Soldier of the Crosse Strange as it
may appear, Jesse believed in a God and it is
said he once put daylight through a COM
panion's liver for dOuDting the existence of a
he'll. will not vouch for the story
10 resume: Anderson had not been ont of
town more than an hour before Bill Stuart. jim
carter and Jesse James came back and going
INTO Harris Il Hubbard's dry goods store ordered
the clerk to open the safe. About $50 was all
that was secured Stepping out of the door
Jesse CONFRONTED negro who was passing and
ordered him to dance The darkeys steps were
accelerated somewhat by Stuart and Carter see
ing how close they could shoot to his feet with
out hitting them.
When the dance was over Jesse with charac-
terstlc generosity, with other peoples money!
presented the negro with the $50. cracked him
over the head with his revolver as a gentle re-
minder OF how good he had been to him
Jumped ON his horse, and went yelling out of
town.
One night in July, during the summer of 1884
Jesse James, Arch Clements, Ben Broomfeld.
Jim Anderson, and Luke Bssell went to the
house Of Harry Tumy, a Union man, and highly
respected citizen OF ROchepOrt, and demanded
raise the amount. Mr.. Tumy had but $500 in
the house, and he was given an hours time i'm
which TO raise the balance He secured it from
neighoor, southern sympathizer, whom Jesse
Told he would go Mr.. Tumy's security II
wasn't needed. 1t was shortg after dusk when
the robbers had secured their booty. and while
tney were sitting on their horses dividing the
SPOTS, happened to pass them. Hearing at
the same time body OF men on horseback cross
ing the bridge, over the MOniteau about half
nile from where We were, Jesse James called
me ana sent me down town to see who they
were, ordering me to report as quickly as posi-
pie; 1"und out it was Anderson and the rest
Oh Dis men, and went back to where the five
were awaiting my arrival. AS no signal had been
agreed upon 1 walked boldly up, and when
within few PAGES of them. was surprised to
near the report Of a pistol and feel ball cut
away lock of my hair. Jim Anderson had
nred point blank at me- but the quick eve of
Jesse mad seen the movement and he knocked
the pistol to one side with his hand In the
SUBURBS OF the town there lived two notorious
women named Tucker. The five spent the nipht
ut their house, and SO abused one of them that
she died next day
neighbor boy Of mine, Allen Bysfeld, who
had espOused the Union cause, and who was
. ;ai. at fayette, Howard county, paid
WISH 10 his mother. BY some means his pres
ence IN town was made known to the puerriIas
ana search made for him. It was fruitless
however, during the day, and I had gone to bed
CONTEMPLATING myself on Aliens escape. About
door found Jesse James. John Hubbard and
John Van Meter who demanded of me the oars
10 small boat had, the oars being at home for
sale Keeping. 1t at once flashed through INV
mind that young Bysfield had succeeded In cross
ing the river and that the party had determined
10 follow him to the death. asked and received
permission to go with Them and we were soon
N Cooper county. The young man was found
wing asleep In an old shanty and captured with
out any difficulty. 1t was decided to kill him
oy cutting his throat, and Jesse was chosen as
Necutioner IL ever / pleaded for anything /
hd Tor that young mans life. For while was
without hope. but when / spoke OF the bows
mother aud his desire to see her which had led
ann 10 brave all danger, Jesse laughed and said:
"D-n man that wouldn't 20 through hell TO
see ms mother. Goodbye, pard, you can &c.
u you can ever do this boy good turn do it,
Tome on; let's go back"
Inc river was crossed In silence and a the
E0oo angel had possession of Jesse that night
De rocked every inch noble man. although but
sbOy in years himself
IL ~ claimed BY some that Jesse could not
CONCEIVE. but only execute. The following lit
incident will show N tho I.SSs,