The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-05
THEIR OLD HOMIE DOING WHAT
THEY CAN
TO GET THEM SET FREE.
COL. WALL BRONAUGH THE LEAD
Err OF THE MOVEMENT In
MISSOURI.
TALK WITH MIR. BRONAUGE
Minnesota Men Whom He Has Inter.
ested in Behalf of the Younger
Brothers.

AS stated In the C | b of yestec-
day, the petition for the pardon of the
Younger brothers comes from Missouri.
The work in their behalf has been
largely in charge of Col. Bronaugh.
The st. Louis Republic, Of Saturday,
says:
For years one Missourian has worked
day and night to bring about the re-
lease of the Youngers, and to him is
due much credit for the systematic eff
fort which will give them their free
dom. This man is that we'll known
farmer, stock raiser and Democratic
politician of Henry county, Col. Wall
Bronaugh. Strangely enough, no ties
of previous friendship enlisted Col. Bro
naugh's interest in these men. Ten
years ago, when they had already seen
ten years Of prison life, he first met
them, and since then he has been active
and faithful in their behalf He can
hardly tell you himself how he hap
pened to take up the work. But it is
no mystery to the friends Of big-heart
ed Wall Bronaugh. Feeling that Justice
should be tempered with mercy, his
warm and genial nature impelled him
to an individual effort in their behalf,
miles and spared no expense in enlist
ing the friendly assistance of prominent
men, whose words might carry weight.
"It will be the proudest moment Of
my life" he remarked, when 1 can
take Cole and Jim by the arms and
lead them outside of the stone walls
which have frowned OH them for TWEEN
ty years.
Nnl
ed of the friends who had helped him
in his long. enduring effort.
First of ALL" he exclaimed, "here
is Henry Wolfer. warden of the Still
water penitentiary. God bless him! I
love him as a brother. He is heart
and soul with us. He knows what kind
of men the boys have been, and he be-
lieves they can be trusted and will be
good members Of society"
Continuing, he said that among his
hundreds Of letters were many from
the most prominent people of Mime
sofa. One of these is ex-Gov Mar
shall, a former Boone county (MissourD
man, who is an active friend Of the
cause, and by his advice and encour-
agement has done much to further it.
When D. M. Clough, the present gov
error, was state senator, he wrote
a. me lelleI IdNOTIuS IuelT release, anu
his words doubtless have had much
weight with the board Of pardons.
Among other prominent men who have
signifed their hearty accord are: EX-
United States Senator Sabin, eX-Post-
masters Day and Lee, of st. Paul;
Mayor Smith, of st. Paul, and Mayor
Durant, of Saltwater
Two states feel an especial interest
III the fate of the Youngers. If Min
n will
release be looked upon in Missouri? The
answer to this may be found in the
fact that Col. Bronaugh has been re-
markedly successful in his appeals to
the prominent men Of Missouri Of
the present state senate, every senator
but three gladly signed the petition. OF
the members of the lower house all
but five signed, only two refusing Gov.
Stephens, eX-Gov. Stone and all of the
state officers gladly added the weight
of their influence by written statements
of the pleasure it would give them to
see clemency extended; while Senator
Vest contributes a characteristic and
fOrceful letter. Missouris congressman
nearly to a man indorse the pardon,
and among the prominent Republican
politicians Of this state who have glad
dened Col Bronaugh by Endorsing his
work, are: Maj. William Warner, ex-
Mayor Webster Davis and Congress-
man Van Horn, of Kansas City, and
Gen. John B. Henderson. Several
months ago Editor McCullagh re-
marked to Col. Bronaugh: II would like
very much to see the boys out" and
only the day before the journalists
tragic death Mr.. Bronaugh called at
his home for the promised signature,
but could not be admitted.
One of the most highly priced of all
the documents is the letter furnished
by that eX-Missourian, Senator Stephen
B. Elkins, of West Virginia, whose &C
quaintance with the Younger brothers
began as their school teacher. After
making a strong plea for their par
don he remarks that he owes his life
to them, abiding to an episode famil-
lar to old MisSOurians. Ell<inS fell into
the hands of Quantrell's men, who were
about to execute him forthwith, when
Cole Younger happened along, and, by
a vigorous Flea, saved his former teach
er's life. The debt Is one Senator Ell
kins is only too glad in a small meas
ure to repay.
Asked what plans they had made for
the future. Col. Bronaugh said he
would accompany them to their old
home near Liberty, Mo. and there
leave them to begin life over again
among their old friends and neigh
bors.