The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-02-17

robbed and the cashier, Capt. Sheet, muir
dered. 1t was currently stated and posi-
| lively denied at the time that the james
brothers committed the deed 1t is for
This offence that Frank James is now to
be put OF trial in Gallatn. He was trans
ferred from Jackson county to Daviess
county on SATURDAY. last The
Kansas City Times recites some of the
facts of the escape of the perpetrators of
| the crime for which Frank James stands
indicted, and hints at some of the evidence
relied on by the state:
| THE ESCAPE.
When the assassns reached the horses
| the larger of them mounted, while IA e
| other became entangled in the straps and
| trappings of high-spirited and thorough
| bred mare he rode, and which, during the
excitement, made her escape. Thus stu
ated. both mounted one horse and
hurried off in a sOuthwesterly di
rection. When about two squares
from the scene of the tragedy, they met
the Rev. Mr.. WiInnot, who, thinking the
horse beyond the control of its riders.
essayed the role of Samaritan and en-
deavored to check it's advance. His APP
prehensions ere speedily dissipated, how
ever by the mounted men presenting their
revolvers and commanding him to stand
one side, as they flew on in the direction
of the brush.
A crowd soon collected. Pursuit was
commenced at once but without results.
The robbers when two miles out of town,
met an old citizen, Daniel Smout by name.
who was on horseback proceeding to the
village. He was compelled to dismount,
when one of the fugitives took his place,
and their race against time and popu-
L. IL, Il. xtxa1
upon the landscape the blood stained
scoundrels reached the residence of
settler. at which the Rev. John Helm. an
itinerant circuit-rider of the Wesleyan
faith, as also book canvasser, had put up
until morning.
LOSING THEIR WAY.
The ne wcemers had lost their way, and
in the midst of their desperation born of
such ignorance, they compelled Helm to
guide them across the Hannibal and St.
Joe track, around Kidder station and then
dismissed him with a warning of the con
sequences if he informed of the course they
had taken, They were the James boys"
they said, land came of family that kill "
Once, upon the route. Helm be
came dazed and lost the track. He found
it again. however. his apprehensions in
that behalf being quickened by threats of
instant death, emphasized at the point of IA
Derringer revolver.
The commencement of their identity with
Frank and Jesse James, coupled with the
fact that the mare which escaped at the
time of their flight confirmed the impress
sion to the personnel of the murderers
1t is stated that the mare belonged to one
of the young lady sisters of the james BOYS, |
who claimed subsequently that she had |
sold her 10 man in Kansas. From this |
time the hunt for the guilty parties was un
dertaken, prosecuted. and the belief enter |
tanned that the mystery of the guilty par
ties would be solved by the arrest of the |
James boys. Their fate has since become |
part of the history of the state-one sleeps |
beneath the sod whereon he played IN in
fancy: the other awaits the trial in the |
tolls of the law. 'As summer flies in the |
THE EVIDENCE.
What evidence will be offered in support
Of the indictment for the murder of Capt
Sheets was not accessible to inquiry The
attorney declined to state upon
" hat the conviction would be sought. Ii
is said that he has a witness who will
swear that he sold the mare that was said
to have been ridden into Gallatin
by Frank James on the day of the
murder, and escaped to Frank
James one week before the tragedy But
such evidence is considered as entirely too
for judicial or individual con
It will demonstrate, say those
with whom your correspondent conversed
either the honesty of james or the asinia
ty of the witness. In any case it woul
have no weight with a jury. Mcdowell
and Helm are without the Jurisdiction OF
the court, Smoet is dead. and City Marshal
Cox says he cannot identify Frank James
as one of the men whom he saw endeavor
ng to escape in the gloom of that Decem-
Der afternoon The Indictment is regarded
as feint, the ultimate object being to
secure his conviction in the Winsi 4 Ill
berry case. where, it is limited, coruol alton
assistance will endeavor to promote that
End In the latter case, the strongest evil
fence heard mentioned would be that of
blacksmith named Potts who has shop
wo miles northeast of Winston. He viz
ted the prisoner this afternoon and thinks
he resembles man who procured his horse.
10 be shod-two days before the commission
IF he crime Thomas Brosins and one
McGee. who were on the train at the time
all to identify. and one of the Jurors, Mr.
1amkin, is reported To have said that the
evidence of James participation in the
,obbery was neither direct nor substantial
ON THIRTY DAYS TRIAL.
The Vo1taic Belt Co Marshall. Mich. :
Kill send DIR. Dyes Celebrated Electro Vol
sr.D DIE A