Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-07-25
THE ''Y0BNGERS.
4 Missouri Mans Visit to the Famous
Brothers at Saltwater.
An Account of the Robbers as Related by
Cole Younger-A Talk with Jim
Younger-Exemplary Prisoners

Statesman VIII prove of interest: Like
every other resident of Missouri, - said
NM Thrclkeld, 81 had heard more or
IeA Of the Younger brothers, and as
happenedfo be in saltwater, where the
Minnesota penitentiary is located, l con-
Guided TO call upon them, as the authori-
ties allow them certain days on which
they can receive visitors. The day I went
out to see them was beautiful one, the
air being soft and balmy, a regular May
day, just one Of those days, you know,
when a man can I nelp but feel grateful
that he IS free and can roam at his will
- ARRIVING at the prison ] was admit
ted and conducted to the Office, where l
was pleasantly met by the warden, to
whom I stated my purpose in calling.
After quite a talk with him, during
which he spoke in the highest terms of
the behavior and bearing Of the brothers
while iIr prison, a deputy was summoned
and under his guidance [ made my way
to the library, q large, well-lighted
apartment, filed with literature of every
class, from the latest periodicals and
novels of the day to well assorted COL
lection of historical, philosophical and
literary works. It was a pleasant look
ing room, and but for the bars through
which the light peeped at the windows
and doors-those emblems of forbidden
freedom-no objection could be found to
it as a place of residence.
CONTRARY to the usual custom on
visitors day, no visitors were present
when / called, though several handsome
bouquets and other nicknacks lying on
the table testified to the fact that visitors
had but lately quilted the room, and
that among them was one or more
women.
Eyes, the warden told me that the
boys had scores of visitors and that no
small share of them belonged to the gen.
tier sex; the decorations on the wall as well
as the bouquets evid snced this. The out
law librarian, as well as the other broth
ers, has made himself a general favOrite
with all of the prison officials and every
thing Is done to make his prison life as
easy and free from restraint IS possible.
and, as more than one official told me,
they deserve this kind treatment, as
their conduct while under confinement
has been most exemplary, none of them
having ever infringed the smallest rule,
and even on one occasion having refused
to escape when the opportunity was pre-
scented.
''This good behavior, as the warden
himself told me, accounts for their hay-
ing been given such easy beTths under
the prison management; he also told me
that their record as prisoners is unsur-
passed and that he would do anything in
his power to secure the pardon of either
Of them But / started to tell you of my
visit to the library and to the librarian,
Cole Younger. Around the walls of the
he Of
Of many prominent persons, most of the
latter with autographs attached and in
scTibed with Compliments to Cole
Younger.
''CoIe 5 duties are light and he has a
great deal Of time TO devote to his own
pleasure and improvement, and I found
from conversation with my guide that he
had awaited himself of these advantages
and is now well-read man.
''Of course l did not notice all of these
little details when l first entered the
room, but took them in while | sat and
talked with Cole. At first he was rather
reserved, but as soon as he learned that
[ was from Missouri and was well ac-
quainted with many spots with he was
perfectly familiar, he thawed out almost
Immediately and talked quite freely and
unreservedly of his past life.
''What was he like and how did he
look? Well, no matter when or where !
you met him you would never take him !
for the outlaw and desparado that many |
pens have pictured him, on the contrary |
you would very probably take him for |
quiet and unpTetentious, though highly |
learned professional man. He is tail, |
brOad-sEouldeTed and finely proper |
toned His head is almost entirely bald, |
only a fringe of hair being left; his fore |
head is high and expansive, and his deep |
set, clear blue eyes, that l imagine can |
look clear through q man if occasion re-
Quires, CLEAN with intelligence. One of |
his most prominent features is a large >
long and rather pointed nose, a big
mouth, with thin lips pressed tightly to-
gether, complete q tne-looking face.
Eyes, ii s true that his face has more
of n clerical cast than what a person
would suppose would belong to a border
outlaw. l have no doubt but that nine
people out of ten would take him for a
if he was dressed in q suit of
black bToadclOth. His voice also would
bear ont such an assumption, for it is
clear and musical, and he uses the best
language.
81 was very deslrous of hearing his
account of the raid that ended so disas-
trously TO the robbers and so expressed
myself After a little hesitation he said
that he would tell me about it, but that
as its recital gave him anything but a
feeling of pleasure he would necessarily
be brief and only touch on the main
points
''RefeTTing to his war record, he told
me what first sent him 10 Quantriu' 5
band and how he happened TO join those
desperate fighters, every one of whom
had a wrong to avenge. While, he
said, 4 had 4 terrible cause for which
10 seek revenge, was not guilty of the
black and bloodthiTsty crimes of which
hey did and do stin accuse me. NV
father was q respected and wealthy cit
zen of CasS county when the war broke |
out, and was 4 strong Union man, |
mt his fire stock and horses
aroused the spirit of cupidity and
lis place was raided and he was
'obbed of nearly everything he had: not
content with this the IDarauders. at n
ateT day, as he was returning home
lfter having lodged complaint with the
7ederal authorities at Kansas City ,foullv
md brutally murdered him in the road
This aroused in me the spirit Of revenge.