The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1895-08-30
THE QUlcKNEsS OF AN OUTLAW.
Frank James Display of Skill When He
Srrro,darad IN Gnysrnor Crttenden,

Frank James Display of Skill When He
Surrendered to Governor Crittcnden.
While Thomas 7. Crittenden, consul
general to Mexico, was in this city re-
Gently, some new details were related
Of the great event Of his term as govern
or, the death Of Jesse James, the outlaw,
and the disruption Of the gang. FINS
G. FAIR, who was Governor Crittenden' S
private secretary and is now an attor-
ney in the city, was present when Frank
James surrendered, and it was i'll con.
nection with the surrender that one story
was told. Governor Crittenden has al
ways been very proud Of the fact that
he was the means Of Kidding the state OF
the james gang. After he had arranged
for the surrender of Frank he invited
several gentlemen to be present to wit
ness the scene.
Negotiations for the surrender Of the
outlaw had been made by Colonel John
Edwards, who was at that time editor
Of the Kansas City Times. The guests
assembled at the appointed time i'll the
reception room of the governors man
sion Promptly at the hour designated
/ Celonel Edwards appeared with Frank
/ James. The two walked arm in arm,
! and Colonel Edwards advanced and in
/ troduced the governor to James. With
the guests standing about him, James
acknowledged the introduction and said
that he had come in to surrender and to
become once more citizen who observed
the laws of the state In token of his
surrender he unbuckled his belt, on
which swung two large revolvers, and
laid the weapons ON the table in front
of Governor Crittenden, remarking that
as a citizen he would have no further
need of them.
The surrender was acknowledged by
the governor in few words pleasantly
spoken, and then the guests and the out
law were all introduced and seated
Conversation did not proceed very brisk
", for constraint was felt on both sides
James was seated in front of the door
and sat with his eyes at all times direct
ed toward it Every noise in the hall
attracted his attention and caused him
to watch the door more closely. He was
evidently uneasy without the pistols
that had so long been his constant com
panions.
Finally, after some time bad passed
in that manner, one Of the guests made
bold to say to the outlaw that for years
it had been common report that no mar
in the country could draw a gun anc
get ready for defense so quickly a.
Frank James. Then he asked James tt
show how quickly such work could b.
done. Evidently the proposition pleased
James, for he smiled and said he wouit
do so if the gentlemen wished IT.
James sat about six feet from thu
table, ION which lay the weapons he ha'
put aside, " said Mr.. Farr in telling TN
story "While all were watching his &C
tions he suddenly arose, sprang toward
the table, seized the belt and swung
around his waist, as he brushed his lem
coat aside, and in the shortest time I'M
aginable he snapped the fastening, hi
, hands crossed on his body, and the
, from the belt he brought forth two ps
tolls and stood with them presented. 81
this VS. done il I ncond. it seemed {
me. was watching him as closely a
|, possible, aud it surely did not seem