The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-08
MAY BE PAROLED SOON
PRISON MANAGERS FAVOR RELEASE
OF THE YOUNGER BROTHERS.
Notorious Burglars who Raided the
Northheld, Mimi, Bank and
Were Sentenced for Life.

ST. PAUL. Mimi. May coleman and
James Younger, the most noted convicts in
the state prison at Saltwater. to-day won
the first step towards freedom from that
institution, to which they were sent for life
over twenty-five years ago. For twenty
years their friends have been working in
their behalf, each Governor being impor-
tuned frequently for a pardon. The third
brother, Bob. died in the Saltwater prison
a few years ago, but the efforts for the
liberation of the now old men have never
ceased. Ten years ago a pardon board,
composed of the Governor. attorney gen.
eral and chief justice, was created, one Of
the arguments in its favor being the relief
il would give the chief executive from the
friends of the Youngers. Since then the
pardon board has been asked repeatedly to
act favorably on applications for pardon
of the Youngers, but the required unani-
nous vote could never be secured. Two
years ago a bill was presented TO tho
Legislature providing for the parole of life
prisoners and passed by the Senate, but
was killed in the House. This year a SINH
lar bill, after several hard encounters on
the floor of the two houses, got through
and secured the approval OF Governor Van
SAINT, but an amendment to il required the
unanimous approval of the board of par
dons before paroles OF life prisoners could
become effective. The opponents of the
Youngers let the bill go through In this
shape, thinking nothing could come Of IL.
Under the provisions of this law the board
of prison managers to-day unanimously
recommended the parole of the Youngers.
This recommendation will be at once pre-
sented to the board of pardons, but none of
the members of the board would say
whether a special meeting would be called
to consider the matter. The next regular
meeting will be held in July. Before final
action ii would be necessary to have the
legality of the two provisions of the new
law passed upon. In the meantime the two
surviving Youngers are rejoicing over the
hope of ultimate release from their prison
home.
Cole. James and Bob Younger were i'm
prisoned for their raid on the Bank of
Mortified in September. 1876. The James
brothers. Jesse and Frank, escaped TO Mis-
souri, Two members of the gang were
killed and Bob Younger died in prison.
There were six Younger brothers. one of
whom died in childhood. They were the
sons of Col. Henry w. Younger. wealthy
Southerner, who moved to Cass county,
Missouri. in 1880 When the war broke out
the Younger property was raided first by
one side and then the other. The boys in
revenge for the injuries inflicted upon their
father became guerrlllas and created so
many political enemies that pardon was
denied them at the close of the war. They
then Joined with the James brothers and
began long series of bank and train rob-
berries. The most famous detectives were
sent to hunt them and were in turn hunted
themselves. In one Of these fights John
Younger was killed. but after he had fallen
from his saddle he rallied and killed the
detective who had shot him.
At the time of the Mortified robbery the
Youngers might have escaped had they not
stopped TO assist wounded companion.
The James boys wanted TO kill the wounded
man. but the Youngers would not listen 10
the proposition. The James boys then
pushed on and escaped, while the Young
ers in trying 70 get the wounded man away
were surrounded and captured. Their
prison record is excellent Ii has never
been established that they were RESPONSE
HE for the death of the Mortified bank
cashier or any other person killed during
that raid.