Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-09-02
FRANK JAMES
Taxes the Witness Stand In His Own
Behalf and Tells the
Story Of His
Wanderings Through half Dozen
stiites- His Life In Middle
Tennessee.

GALLATIN, Mo-, September 1.-Yester-
day afternoon Frank James took the wit
ness stand. He showed not the least
trepidation, but, looking the Jury sduareiy
IN the face, gave, in clear, distinct voice.
ms testimony, which WIS sribstantiaiiy az
follows: ! am the defendant III This case
In the winter of 1876 l went from Mis-
sour to Tennessee, and came TO Nashville
IN IN, July, lS1I rented a. farm in the
hlte creek ne!gnborhood. In 1880
was ioggs--mg for the Indiana Lumber Com
pary. and was hard at work; but my
health heeemihy impaired moved into
Nashville 10 go into other business. |
first met Jesse the year after I went to
Nashville; it was in a store. He stepped
up and spoke, but called no names He
said he was living in Hampburn county,
Tenn, and buying grain, / saw Bill RYAN
in 1879, but did not see Dick Liddell.
Ryan and Jesse were together very often.
left Nashville; finally; to LOOK for live
lihood for my fan1ile; secohdly, to get
away from these parties. We went to
Geo. Hite's house, relative in Kentucky.
Regarding the officers appearance near
Hite's, three men approached, and Jesse
said, 'They are after u.s." / said, ''No,
they can't be after u.s." when Dick Lid
dell said, Jesse and borrowed couple
of horses at Nashville, and they are after
u.s." The officers passed and did not come
back Wood Hite .ollowed them a short
distance. IL Was said. there was strong
resemblance between Wood Hite and nv
self. We went from Hite's to Logan
county, KY, and Jesse and Dick went
away, | don't know where. There was no
arrangement between them and me to rob
the express at Kansas CITY; on the con-
trary tried to dissuade them from going
to Missouri, as it was not safe. / advised
Dick to go to work. Between the 10th and
18th of May, 1881, went to Louisville,
and thence TO Clay county, Tex. / went
to Mrs. Palmer's in June, and stayed five
or. siE weeks; went from there
into the Indian Nation, a distance
of l20 miles. / returned to Mrs.
Palmers when I heard of the Winston
robbery, because L supposed that / would
be looked for as having hand in that
transaction. While away on that trip /
heard of the Blue Cut robbery. When 1
left Tennessee / instructed my wife to 90
to Gen. Shelby and see if anything could
be done for me, as L wanted to surrender
if / could have fair and impartial trial.
told her if nothing could be done to go
to her brothers In California, which she
did. In Texas my health was bad. From
there l returned to Tennessee. l met my
wife in Kentucky, and we travelled through
Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina
looking for secluded place for residence,
and finally returned to Lynchburg, Va.
In April | heard of Jesse's assassina-
ton. | saw an interview with
Gov. Crittenden, in which the Gov
ernor stated, when the question was
asked what about Frank James, that as
none of Frank James's friends had ever
said anything TO him about it, he would
not say word about it. 1t gave me hope
/ might be permitted to give myself up
and have fair trial. had nothing to dc
with shipping arms into Missouri; was moi
in the State from the time went to Texas
in 1876, to when | passed through from
Texas, in 1881. Cross-examined, he said
Il went to Texas in a wagon Jesse and
separated in Southeastern Missouri; dom
know where he went then; have known
Liddell several years; remember that
had an interview with Frank O'Neil; dom
remember whether / made the statement
ascribed; if so, it was statement made tc
| a newspaper | am now stating facts undel
oath"
This morning the State named witnesse.
| in rebuttal
Brasseaus, an attorney and witness fo
the defense, who was on the train, was re
called, and numerous witnesses were ther
introduced, who impeached his testimony
| Mrs. Sarah Hite testified that there wa
no physical resemblance between Woot
Hite and Frank James.
Silas Morris testified that Wood Hit
was not as tall as Frank James, and bor
little resemblance to him.
Maj. j. II. McGce, who was on the trail
at Winston, was put on the stand, but hi
evidence was not material
This closed the case, and the court ad
journed until Monday, when argument
| will commence.