Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-11-13
AN OUTLAWS auIcKNEss.
Frank James Display of Skill When
He Surrendered.

He Surrendered.
While Thomas T. Crittenden,
Consul General to Mexico, was in
Kansas City recently some new de-
tails were related Of the great event
of his term as Governor, the death OF
Jesse James, the outlaw, and the
disruption of the gang. lEinis 9.
Farr, who was Governor Crittenden's
private secretary, and is now an at
torney in Kansas City, was present
when Frank James surrendered. and
it was in connection with the surren-
der that one story YVES told.
Governor Crittenden has always been
very proud of the fact that he was
the means of ridding the State Of the
James gang. After he had arranged
for the surrender of Frank he invited
several gentlemen to be present to
witness the scene.
Negotiations for the surrender OF
the outlaw had been made by Col.
John Edwards, who was at that time
editor of the Kansas City Times.
The guests assembled at the appoint
ed time in the reception room OF the
Governors mansion, Promptly at
the hour designated Col. Edwards
appeared with Frank James. The
two walked arm in arm, and Col:
Edwards advanced and introduced
the Governor to James. With the
guests standing about him, James
acknowledged the introduction and
said that he had come in to surren-
. der and become once more citizen
who observed the laws OF. the State.
In token of his surrender he un-
buckled his belt, on which swung
two large revolvers, and laid the
weapons on the table in front OF
Governor Crittenden, remarking that
as citizen he would have no further
need of them.
The surrender was acknowledged
by the Governor in a few words pleas
antly spoken, and then the guests
and the outlaw were all introduced
and seated. Conversation did not
proceed very briskly, for constraint
was felt on both sides. James was
seated in front Of the door, and sat
with his eyes at all times directed
toward it. Every noise in the haH
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 companions.
Finally, after some time had 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 man in the country could
draw a gun and get ready for defense
80 quickly as Frank James. Then ne
asked James to show how quickly
such work could be done. Evidently
the proposition pleased James, for ne
smiled and said he would do so if the
gentlemen wished it.
sJames sat about six feet from the
table on which lay the weapons he
had put aside" said Mr.. Farr in tell
ing the story. 'While all were
watching his actions he suddealy
arose, sprang toward the table, seized
the belt and swung it around his
weist, as he brushed his long coat
aside, and in the shortest time i'm
aginable he snapped the fastening,
his hands crossed on his body, and
then from the belt he drew forth two
pistols and stood with them pre-
sented. All this was done in sec
ond, it seemed to me. 1 was watch
ing him as closely as possible, and it
surely did not seem to be more than
a second from the moment he rose
from his chair until he stood with
two pistols presented, ready for war
or defense. 1t was so marvellous an
exhibition that the gentlemen pres
emit were all astonished and congratu-
lated the man on his skill and de1-
terity.
'The compliments appeared to
please him greatly, for he smiled as
he heard them. and bowed his ac-
acknowledgements to the men who
were talking He soon changed the
conversation to arc ier subject, and
the matter was not mentioned again."