The Holt County sentinel., 1900-12-14
Was it Jesse James.

!
A number of years ago, while DIR. j. r
Kearney was still practising his profes
sion at New Point, he started out one
day on a collecting "trip, after making
a round of several miles he headed back
toward New Point. ami while riding
along the road between Forest City and
Oregon, stranger overlook him. DR.
Kearney was somew hat OF horse fame er
in those days-in fact some OF the old
settlers say that he was pretty near as
good a horse trader rs he was Doct II,
and he was no slouch of Doctor elt her
So he noticed ut once that the stranger
rode splendid animal,a great big rangy,
handsome single footer, speed and
strength showing in every line, kearney
struck him for trade, but he laughed
at the idea, the horse wasn't for trade or
sale But he said, that's pretty good
colt of yours, all right. how would you
like to trade him for good
gold watch? Well it wasn't long
until they made deal, Kearneys S
horse for the strangers watch.
But Kearney says "I'll have t. ride my
horse home" that's all right sa the
stranger, "you take the hor-e on home y
I'm going over to Jesse Coles over in
Andrew county and I'll be back in about
week and get the horse"
They rode on some distance chattir g,
and before ther roads parted kearney
asked the stranger his name, the stran-
ger oked at him moment an then
with a peculiar smile said, I'm Jesse
James chief of the James gang" Kearney
laughed at the joke but aeked no more
questions.
In just week from that day Kearney
WAS goirg down the street in New Point,
when he saw the stranger on his big fine
saddle horse come riding up the street.
They met and chatted while and the
stranger asked Kearney to show him
where he could get something to drink,
Kearney took him in to Windows drug
store and introduced hm to the proprie-
tor as Jesse james chief of the james
gang" Winslow laughed and shook
hands with the stranger, who smiled
and said nothing.
They got half pint of whiskey, which
the stranger put in an inside coat pocket
and then went up to the barn where DR..
Kearney kept his horses. On reaching
the barn the stranger opened his coat
to take out the bottle of whiskey and
Kearney noticed that he had an ivory re-
volver in each upper pocket of his vest.
He barely touched the whiskey, to his
lips and passed the bottle to Kearney.
Kearney insisted on his drinking, but he
refused saying, Keep it, | haven't any
use for it. | never drink" After chat
ting few minutes longer they prepared
to make the exchange agreed upon and
the stranger wanted Kearn-y to throw
in the halter. Kearney refused and told
him he could get web halter at Barnes
store for fifty cents. The stranger said
''all right" and went down and bought
the halter, Mr.. Barnes daughter
Mrs. Hitchcock, was in the store and her
attention was attracted to the stranger
He returned to the barn, gave Kearney
the watch and rode out of town leading
his newly purchased horse.
When he had gone, Mrs Hi chcock
came running up to DIR. kearney in
terrible state of excitement. 'Do you
know who you have been trading horses
with" she cried. swell" said Kearney
81 know who he said he was" II know
who he was' said she. Kearney said,
tell me who he was, then. My curiosity
has been aroused and I'd like to know
for certain" That was Jesse James
she replied, II know him better than |
know you"
The stranger, whoever he was, was
seen no more in that vicinity: and few
months later Jesse James was killed in
st. Joseph. The pictures of the dead
outlaw published in the papers bore a
resemblance to DIR. Kearney's
strange acquaintance.