Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-10
FRANK JAMES.

The Refusal of Gov Crittenden to Honor
RequisitiOn For His Return to Minnesota
to Answer to the Charge of Completely
in the NOrtbfield Robbery-An Interview
With the PfisOner-He Says He Was
Never in Minnesota in His Life.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.
KANSAS CRY, Mo-, Feb. 9.-The public
announcement from Jefferson City that
Gov. Crittenden had refused to honor
requisition from the governor of Mime
sofa for Frank James, the noted outlaw
now in Jail at Independence, has caused
considerable talk in county official circles
here. 1t has been known for long time
to Prosecuting Attorney Wallace, of jack
son county, that such demand would be
made from Minnesota. The governor of
that state based his action upon the sup
posed connection of Frank James with the
famous band of robbers who, one Septem
Der day in 1878, made the disastrous
raid upon the Northfield bank.
1t has always been claimed by detectives
and those supposed to be posted that the
gang who raided Northfeld consisted of
Frank and Jesse James, Clell Miller, Frank
Pitts, Bill Caldwell, Jim, Cole and Bob
Younger. Miller, Pitts and Caldwell were
killed in the pursuit which followed the
killing of Hayward, the bank cashier. The
three Youngers were shot to pieces and
finally captured and sentence to the state
prison for life, while Jesse and Frank es-
capped. The above is thought by the
Minnesota officials to be the story
of the Mortified raid, and, as Jesse
James is dead, they are now anxious to
secure Frank, the last of the gang.
A reporter visited Frank James in his
cell at independence to-day, and had an
extended conversation with the famous
prisoner. Maj. John N. Edwards, of Sc
dalia, who, it will be remembered, ushered
James into Governor Crittenden's presence
at Jefferson City last fall, was also caller
upon the prisoner, and the conversation
which ensued, in general way, had to do
with the Minnesota requisition and the
charges hanging over the prisoner in Mis-
souri,.
Ct am not at all afraid to return to Min
nesota," said James, eff they will only
give me fair show and honest trial. I
was meyer in Minnesota in my life, and it
is all nonsense about trying to connect me
with the Northfeld robbery"
'Do you know upon what testimony the
requisition was issued?"
''Not in detail, but I understand Bob
Ford and Dick Liddell are the witnesses
the officers rely upon for testimony to con-
vict me-"
''How about that Davis county indict-
ment?"
"That is another charge am not afraid
OF, and, again Ford and Dick Liddell are
to be the prosecuting witnesses. If I was
sure that would not be locked up in jail
in Davis county, and day for trial was
set, would be on hand. To do that, how
ever, I would have to furnish bonds here,
and then, if taken to Davis county and
locked up without bond, my bond in
Jackson county would be declared for
feited, and would be in more trouble"
''It has been stated that your health was
bad since you were locked up"
II am pretty well now, and
have no particular fault to find.
1t is not like being free man, though,
can assure you. A mans liberty to go and
come at will is great boon. would
rather rot here, though, than go back on
any of my friends"
A few days ago James received letter
from the brother of Wicher, the dead de-
tective. The writer, now resident of Col
orado, wrote unsolicited and began by the
statement that he had noticed in the news
papers that the Indictment against Frank
James for killing his (Wicher's) brother
had been dismissed. He said, furthermore,
that before that time he had been under
the impression that Frank and Jesse James
did kill his brother, but was now ready to
let bygones be bygones. He hoped they
did not kill him and that Frank would be
able to disproye other charges made
against him.