St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-20
CRANK JAMES PROSPECTS.
Coz. johnson Thinks He VIII be acquitted
in ALnbdntd.


"What are Frank James prospects of an
acquittal on the Mussel Shoals robbery
charge!'' Post Dispatch reporter asked to-
day of Gov. Johnson who said, II do not
think that he will be convicted. There is
said to be feeling of prejudice against him
down there, but think that will be cleared
away during the trial. He is in excellent
hands. His attorneys will have no difficulty
in clearing him.
"Are you going down to help them out!'
''No; [ cannot very well, as another branch
of the James family will be requiring my at
tentlon. The civil suit of old Mrs. Samuels,
the mother of Frank and Jesse, and Mrs.
Jesse James, who is in town to day, against
Chambers 81 Co., to recover unpaid royalties
on their book is set for trial on April II, and
as | am to represent the plaintiffs in that
suit, and Franks trial comes off two days
later, [ don't very well see how can take
part in the latter. There will be no need,
however, for any one to assist the very able
counsel which Frank has already secured"
''Where does the money come from to pay
these high-class lawyer!''
yers have virtually to be content with his
promises to pay when he is able to do so.
There is no doubt that Frank will if he gains
his liberty and succeeds in making money,
keep all the promises he has made. He and
all the other members of the original James
boys gang-the Jameses. the Youngers,
Clell. Miller, Ryan and others of that class
were essentially men Of their word. They
were bound together simply by word Of honor
but no case is known in which that word was
broken by any member of the original band.
In its later days, when force of circnmstan-
ces caused it to include such men as the
Fords, Liddil and others, the old mutual trust
was at an end and the destruction Of the
band was inevitable"
eff Frank James is acquitted at Hunts
vile, Ala, he will be practically free man,
won't he!''
''No; he will have to be tried up at North
field, Mimi, but | think he will be acquitted
there without doubt. They could not con-
Wet him without the testimony of the Young
ers, and no matter what inducements might
be offered, the prosecution would not be able
to get them to turn recreant to their old
comrades That Cole Younger is wonder
full man in many respects, His loyalty to
During his long incarceration in the Still
water, Mimi, Penitentlary he has never let
slip a single word supplying information
concerning the more fortunate survivors, of
the gang's disastrous raid. He is man of
extraordinary courage and determination.
He was the only man that ever had any in
fuence whatever over Jesse James. Mr.
Wallace, the prosecuting attorney of Jackson
m StratiVn
One night, he said, the Jameses, Youngers,
and other members of the original band were
spending few hours together, when the
conversation turned upon a certain party.
and the result of discussion of his recent
doings was the announcement by Jesse
James that he intended Immediately to hunt
him up and kill him. None of the party,
apparently had any objections, but five
minutes after the catter of the horse's hoofs
which were carrying Jesse on his murderous
GRAND had died away, Cole Younger quietly
left the house, mounted his horse and fol-
lowed. He caught up with Jesse after ride
of few miles, stopped him, and said: Jesse
want YOU to come back home with me-
Not till I've killed. was the answer.
"But you must not kill him. Cole insisted
quietly, but with determination that Jesse
understood thoroughly. Il am going to kill
that man. Jesse answered, wheeling his
horse around and letting his right hand fall
upon the hostler containing his pistol, as he
added the words. unless you can give some
good reason, Cole, why l shouldn't 1 give
no reason, Jess said Cole, preparing forw what
looked like an inevitable conflict, If you are
bound to kill that man, you and must have
If out first right here The two desperate
men looked into one another's eyes for
few moments and then Jesse turned his
horse's head homeward, remarnng as they
began to gallop back together, 4 guess you
mean what you say, Cole; lets get home"
Mr.. Johnson stated that there was no
doubt Frank James would find abundant OPP
portunity to turn his notoriety to profitable
account, if he felt so inclined, after he re-
gains his liberty. There was standing
offer of a six weeks engagement in the city
at $500 a week which had peen accepted.
Then there was no doubt that Frank had
considerable histrionic ability and if he chose
to take the star part in a drama written to
fit him, he would prove drawing card.
''Whatever he does,n said the governor,
che has assured me that he would never be
engaged in such blood-and thunder exhibit
lions as the Ford boys have been making of
themselves" Mr.. Jesse James leaves to-
night for Huntsville, Ala.