The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-11-16
UNPUBLISHED INCIDENT.
How Capt. Harvey Plattenburg Came
Near Accompanying Frank James
to Jefferson City.

The late Major John N. Edwards, who
is SO well remembered throughout Mis-
souri, as q journalist, author n soldier,
has generally the credit of having sur
rendered Frank James to Gov. Critten-
den, says the Kansas City World. AS a
matter of fact he did so, but there were
incidents and circumstances leading up
to the historic incident in which other
people bore an important pant and with
whose services in this transaction the
public is not acquainted.
Down at the village of Dover, Lafay-
cite county, Mo-, lives Capt. Harvey
Observation-Disclosures Of the late
Major Edwards. He was but a youth
when he went into the confederate SER
vice with Gen. 10 Shelby, and did not
only regular but guerrilla warfare. he
at length became intimately acquainted
with the James and YOungers II rode
with them on many a raid and fOray.
1t was shortly after Jesse James was
killed in st. Joseph that rumOrs were
rife to the effect that Frank would sur
render were he given an opportunity OF
a fair trial.
Major Edwards was then residing in
| Sedaiia, Mo. He was editor of the Dis
patch, a splendid morning paper, and
with him was associated his kinsman,
Capt. Harvey Plattenburg. Both were
intimate friends of the James boys, and
in them the latter put the most implicit
confidence.
Major Edwards resided on East 7th
street then, in u fashionable part Of the
town, and with him boarded his broth
er-in-law, Capt. Harvey ~Plattenburg.
Zone cold, gloomy night" said Capt.
Plattenburg, II heard the door bell ring,
and l also heard Major Edwards get up
and go to the door.
AS soon as the door was opened, 1
recognized the voice of Frank James.
Years had passed since l had see or
met him, but that peculiar voice Of his
was familiar to me In Q very singular
way. 1 had heard 1t On many an Occa-
casion when q voice makes q deep i'm
preston, and l could not mistake 1t
now.
Major Edwards, as l could judge
by his conversation, was the prince of
pOliteness, and cordially invited Capt.
Wilson in.
"All went quietly the remainder Of
that night. The next morning | was
called to breakfast and was introduced
bv Major Edwards to Capt Wilson. ,
The latter looked at me closely with his
keen gray eyes, and then q smile spread
over his haggard face.
I1dtSCy. tudS ID yOu, anu yOu huOW
know me. Sit down.
About this time, Major Edwards,
who had recovered from the sudden turn
things had taken, Joined in the CONVEX
satiOn, and the result raj o happy re-
union all round a pleasant meal.
Frank James renamed ut Major
Edwards home on East It'll street sew
eral days, and was met by many friends
of the genial host, who introduced him
as Captain Wilson, All old army. COM
rade of mine."
Major Edwards happened to leave
Sedalia on a certain day, and James and
Plattenburg were left ut his homo.
Erank--the day after the Majors de-
parture-s said: 1T have determined, to
surrender. and l am going 10 jefferson
City tomorrow
Plattenburg tberenpOn agreed to &C.
company him to the state capital to
meet the governor.
The next morning they went to the
Fifth street depot, and were just about
to board the cars, when of stepped
Major Edwards. The latter inquired
what was the object Of Messrs. James
and Plattenburg in thus going away.
and satisfactory answer was given him.
Finally it was agreed that Major. Ed
wards and Capt. Plattenburg should
both 20 with James to Jefferson City,
and that the historic interest, il not the
honor, Of surrendering Frank James
should be borne by Edwards,