Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-02-14
WERE DEEDS OF NERVE
How the James Boys Held Up
the vandalia Express.
JESSE JAMES AS A HOST
How No'ed Gun Man of Kentucky Met
a Bloody Pea h--Dramatic
Scenes.

At one of the city restaurants lit
tie group of government officials were
discussing the removal of George
Mimms from the position of Chinese
inspector. HE is hot-headed south
erner, but brave as lion." said one of
them. Il have seen his nerve tested,
and do not believe that he knows
what fear is"
| That poker game was a most unfort-
innate affair."" said another. "Mimms
got the worst of it all along the line.
The other fellows got all his cash, and
then they took a meaningless o U,
which was afterward thrown out of
court, but which brought about the
loss of his position in the government
| service"
| From the troubles Of Mimms the con-
versation drifted to "reminiscences OF
| acts of nerve and bravery, and C. P.
| Hill, deputy collector of customs for
Idaho and Montana, who is stationed
| at the international boundary line on
the Kootenai river. entertained the
gathering with recollections of stirring
times when the James and Younger
boys were the bandit heroes of Mis-
| souri,.
II was running on the vandalia line
at the time they held up the express
| on that road" he said. "It was in 1883.
The train stopped at Spring Lake to
water, and Frank and Jesse James and
band of 16 men with 30 horses rode
| quickly into position and proceeded to
business. l heard a commotion and
| stepped out on the platform. 1t was q
DiptlIra not RI he
rough men with their air of cool de-
termination, mounted and rifles across
their arms ready for action; the clear
lake, with a long point of brush, AMI
the sky and the woods and the figures
of the outlaws reflected in the still
| water. Frank James was up near the
head of the train, covering the en-
| gineer, and heard him say, Don't be
| alarmed; we don't want to hurt any
| body; all we want Is a little packet in
| the express car. Jesse was back near
| the Pullman. One Of my friends urged
| me to go inside, but replied there was
| no danger, as 1 never had any trouble
with these men and had nothing to
| fear from them.
That's right, son. Clipped in Jesse
James. Come out here; want to talk
| to YOU I was nervous for moment,
| but then reflected that 1t Is not in hui
man nature to kill a person unless there
| is a motive, and ! knew there was no
motive in this case. So stepped out
| and walked up beside the outlaws
horse. We talked for several minutes.
and 1 remarked as said goodby that
1 could not help admiring his nerve.
1.-TWO years later / was in Kansas
City, where met an old friend, bust
ness manager of the New York World.
He knew that Jesse James was living
quietly in that city, and asked me II
thought the outlaw would remember
me. thought not, but at my friends
solicitation we went out to Jesses cot
tage and knocked at the door. He
answered the call and gave us keen
look. DO you remember me-? asked.
He answered Immediately telling me
where we had met before and laughing
over it. He invited us into the house.
set out the whisky and cigars, and in
sisted on our staying for lunch. 1t was
in this same cottage that he was after
ward killed by Bob Ford in the most
treacherous and cowardly manner.
James was hanging picture for his
wife, when Ford stepped UP behind and
shot him.
1.-THE James boys were ideal high
waymen," added Mr.. Hill. "They were
soft of voice and polished in their man
ners. Frank in particular had voice
that was even caressing in Its softness.
He was the more polished, but Jesse
had the bigger BRAIN"
Then Major Gwydir had one-a good
one from Kentucky-to tell. 1t was
about Noah Alexander of Paris, KY,
who loved fighting as most men like
eating, and had been out in half a
dozen sanguinary engagements.
Zone DAY Alexander walked into the
Bourbon house, kept by the widow
Thurslon. Lee Kendrick was the clerk.
He had been one of Morgan's captains,
and was a man of great courage. Alex
ander had been drinking and began
making things disagreeable for some
of the guests. Kendrick protested
against his action in thus annoying the
guests and Alexander turned on him.
He said that he had nothing against
Kendrick, but since the clerk had seen
fit to take the matter up, they would
fight 1t out. He therefore challenged
Kendrick, who replied that he was at
tending to his duties then. but would
take pleasure in accommodating Mr..
Alexander after Office hours. Alexan-
der refused to postpone matters. and
went out declaring his purpose of going
across the street to take a shot at Ken
drick through the window. He went
! to the other side of the street, and Ken
drick, who knew his ways, reached for
,, his revolver. Sure enough Alexander
, opened fire, and Kendrick returned 1t.
The first exchange was harmless, but at
the second round Alexander was kill
ed"
What was done with Kendrick?''
: was asked.
I what was done with him?" said the
e major, severely. by hockey, sab. he
s was congratulated by the entire COM
munity."
They Are Lovers Still.