The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-15
BRONAUGH HAS A LAST WORD.
Declares Afidavits in Younger Cases
Are False.

Declares Afhdavits In Younger Cases
Are False.
To the Editor of the Globe:
There has been so much said for and
against the Younger brothers, through the
press of this state that l desire to make a
few explanations with reference to my att-
tude and the interests l have taken in the
case. l had hoped that the board of pardons,
after having carefully considered all of the
circumstances connected with the early his
tory of the Youngers and some of the cir
cumstances connected with the raid at North
field, and the unparalleled record in
prison for good behavior would in their
wisdom grant them pardon and allow them
to go home to spend their remaining years
in Missouri among their friends and relatives.
l believe that if the board of pardons knew
these men, and the penitent spirit now pos
sessing them, they would not hesitate to
pardon them out of prison. l am aware that
there has been a great deal Of newspaper
criticism which has reflected very seriously,
particularly upon Cole Younger, and the
deliberately displayed in afIidavits read by
c. p. Carpenter, of Mortified, before the
board Of pardons, in which they seek to
establish the fact that Cole Younger de-
Swede, GustafSon.
In the makeup of these affidavits the
statement previously made by Cole Younger,
and purporting to be a true statement of
what transpired during the robbery at North
field, is used. The evident purpose of the
attidavits seems to have been given to dis
that might come from the above statement
made by Cole Younger. 1 do not want to
impugn the honesty of any of the gentle
men who made these affdavits, although it
has been suggested to me by several gen.
tlemen in this state, two of whom are resi-
dents of Mortified, that it is passing strange
that no one could be found in Mortified
Immediately after the bank robbery took pace
that were willing to testify that they saw
Cole or Jim Younger shoot this inoffensive
Swede, or, for that matter, any one else,
hut fXlvlT ~ Uno~ Lot NOR 90
be found who are willing to come forward
and state under oath that they were eye
witnesses to all that took place during the
progress of the Sobbery, and that they saw
Cole Younger deliberately shoot and kill the
inoffenSive SWede.
l read in this mornings Pioneer Press a
copy of a telegram sent to Gov. Clough from
G. N. Baxter, who was prosecuting attorney
at Mortified in 1876, and who prosecuted the
Youngers III which Mr. Baxter states that
no could be found at Mortified at that
time who was able to say whether this young
Swede killed by citizens or robbers; that
they finally decided that his death was caused
by a stray bullet, but were unable to say
from which side. This plainly indicates, to
my mind, the danger of accepting eX-parte
statements in form of affidavits. Is is posi-
bic that these men living at Mortified at
that time could not furnish this information
when that city, as we'll the whole state,
were in a condition of excitement over the
robbery. and all were so anxious to punish
the perpetrators to the full extent of the
years they are able to recall and accurately
describe in minutest detail incidents and in
formation that they were unable to give
when the facts and incidents were of recent
occurrence and were fresh in the memory
of those who witnessed it. 1 contend that
! these afidavits are not only unworthy of
public credit, when carefully considered, but
that they are manifeStly unfair to the pris-
onerS.
These prisoners are unable to defend them
selves-they behind prison walls-de-
Of chance
defense. l do not wish to speak harshly
to insinuate that these gentlemen intended
to give any false testimony, but | cannot
help thinking that they induced to
draw upon their imagination in the make
up of these affidavits. and that the state
ments made are entirely unwarranted by the
facts. | cannot conceive how any man with
a living conscience can permit himself to
make such an unwarranted thrust at men
who are in prison and unable to use any
of the avenues open ordinarily to citizens for
self defense. l hope with all my heart that
some of the good citizens of this state will
take it into their hands to see that a thorough
whole truth may be known. 1t is due to
Cole Younger, as we'll as to the law-abiding
and justce-loving people of this state If he
is innocent, as | confidently believe he is, he
should be vindicated If he is guilty of de-
liberately taking the life of the inoffensive
Swede, let the truth be known, but if he
is not guilty Of this fresh accusation made
for the first time twenty-one years after the
crime is alleged to have been committed.
His innocence should be fully and finally
established. A great deal of stress is laid
upon the fact that Cole Younger failed to
give in his statement the name of the man
who rode the buckskin horse or who was las.
in the bank, the claim being made that, if
he was, truly penitent for past msdeeds, he
| would have given full information as to his
confederates. | do not understand why the
| inasmuch as it has been frequently asserted
| that they fully aware who these parties
were. and that acting upon reliable infor-
| NATION, a requlsition has been made by the
governor OF this state upon the governor Of
| Missouri over twelve years ago for the body
OF the prisoner who, it was claimed, was the
only person, aside from the Youngers
/ now living who participated in the bank rob,
| berry. The Youngers feel, as I would feel I'M
i DER similar circumstances, that it would not
reGouna to their credit as men to put them
| serves IN the position as turning informants
f9r the purpose of securing clemency for
themselves. They feel, as I would feel, that
| they were responsible for their part in the
crime committed and should suffer the pen
atty without attempting to save themselves
| by turning states evidence.
| honor the Youngers for this position
and ! believe that every fair-minded man
VII do the same. ] noticed in one of the
minneapolis papers some days ago COM
munication from Mr. McMath. who claimed
TO nave been shot by Cole Younger three
| dinerent times during the war; that after
ne had been shot from his horse Co.e Young
er directed one OF the men under his COM
mand to knock his brains out with stone
l nave lived in Missouri all my life,
! know the Youngers thoroughly, am acquaint-
! ed with the family history, and the part the
| Youngers took during the war in the Con-
| federate service. l know and can prove that
the Youngers were never guilty of any I'M
soldierly conduct. The numerous letters on
file before the board of pardons have fully
established this, and this testimony is given
! not by Confederate soldiers and officers
| but by Union men of unquestioned verac-
| 1ty, scme of whom were Federal Of
fcers in the army and are holding positions
| OF great responsibility in public life today
| foremost among whom I will mention United
| States Senator S. B. Elkins, of West Vir-
| ginia. and Col Emery S. Foster, of st. Louis
| Both of these gentlemen not only testify
| that the Younger brothers were never guilty
! OF any unsoldierly conduct during the war
| but that upon several occasions they used
! their influence and power to stay the blood
| thirsty disposition on the part of some of
| their comrades on the battlefield; that they
| were indebted to the Youngers for their
| lives, and that had it not been for vigorous
| interference by the Younger brothers in their
plead in their behalf at this time l sub
nit that this is ample proof that the blood
| thirsty story told by Mr. McMath, of Mime
apolis, has been wholly drawn from his i'm
| agination. and has foundation in fact. The
relatives and friends of the Youngers in
| Missouri will deeply lament our failure in
securing their pardon. We felt confident
that the justice of our cause would receive
| recognition, and the prayers so earnestly
made by sister state would be answered
| l believe, however, that the members COM
posing the board of pardons honest
| and conscientious in giving their decsion
| that they believe it for the best interests of
| society that these men should be longer
| continued in prison and submitted to in