The Washington times., 1901-07-15
YOUNGER BROTHERS FREE.
Released From Saltwater Peni-
Tertiary Yesterday.
Out of the Prison Walls for the First
Time in Twenty-Five Yenrs-They
Declare Their Intention of Now
Becoming Law-Abiding Citizens.

Time in Twenty-Five Ycnrs-They
Declare Their Intention of Now
Becoming Law-Abiding Citizens.
ST. PAUL, Mimi. July 1.-THE Younger
brothers walked out of saltwater prison
at 10 o'clock this morning free men for
the first time in twenty-five years. They
have been parolled by the State Board of
Parlons after long campaign in their
behalf
During the morning they walked about
the streets of Saltwater unnoticed. AT
noon they returned to the prison. where
they entertained some friends. including
several newspaper men, at dinner in the
Governors private quarters. In the after
noon they took steamboat ride on Lake
St. Croix and tonight they are sleeping
behind the prison walls not as prisoners,
but as guests of the warden.
mmediately after chapel service this
morning, while Cole Younger, head nurse,
was at his accustomed post in the prison
hospital, Jim, librarian and postman. was
in the library, each was informed that he
was wanted down in 'front.' They sup
posed that there were visitors in the re-
ception room, but the brothers met a
deputy warden, who handed to each
suit of civilian clothes and telescope va
lise
The brothers put the clothes on without
delay and in company with several news
paper men they started for the gate. The
Houngers, in their civilian suits, looked
like prosperous business men and they
walked as erect as any of the less aged
men in The party. AS they emerged from
the immense prison gate, behind which
they had been confined for quarter of
century. they looked about in dazed
manner and each .ook a long breath OF
the air of freedom. Then with one look
at the grim walls Of the prison. they
started off at brisk walk toward the
city of Saltwater.
At the edge of the town they caught
sight of an electric street car. The party
stopped while Jim and Cole took sec
ond look at what to them was a marve-
lous sight. The men asked a number of
questions about the working of the
car, and discussed the question of cleo
tricity as they proceeded down town.
For an hour or more the men roamed
about the business section of the city and
enjoyed the. sights, with as much en-
thusiasn as boys. The Youngers were
sentenced to prison for life for bank
robbery and the killing of the cashier.
The James boys were in the party with
them. but escaped.
I'VE would much prefer not to talk
about ourselves" said Cole .'Notoriety
is our greatest worry now. Here we
have been granted our liberty since
Wednesday, and cannot get out of prison.
Newspaper men are sleeping on the front |
steps and occupying the surrounding hills.
Warden Wolfer is doing his best TO keep |
the crowds away.
I'VE want to drop out of sight and live |
quietly. We do not know what we are |
going 10 do after we get out. Warden |
Wolfer is arranging that for us. We will |
do anything that he says. We must re- |
main in the State, for we are prisoners |
still, and may always be- but we hope to |
show that We are willing and anxious to |
do right. and perhaps we may some day |
get a pardon that will let us go back to |
Missouri. where our friends and relatives |
are. After quarter of century behind
prison walls you may be sure that we
will never do anything that will put us
back there
An official telephoning in the next room
said rather sharply to The person he was
communicating with. Don't talk so
loud and both tie grey-clad figures
Started nervously and then laughed, a
mi:tbless little laugh, at their alarm.
You see. we've been in twenty-fivei
y |
lor of MS face grew shade deeper
When we came here, of course, there |
were no electric cars. no telephone. no
bicycles. no electric lights" said Cole. |
II he world must seem very different"
Bot we have read the scientific maga- |
zines. put in his brother eagerly. I'VE |
have kept up with things through them, |
but ii isn't like seeing things"
Then Cole continued: when l think |
of myself walking by those high buildings |
and watching the electric cars / feel |
afraid that l shall forget that | am a |
grown man..
Jim Younger smoothed letter reAec- |
lively It's from girl | went to school |
with in Missouri he exclaimed 'She |
was about eight and / was ten. Now she |
is married, the mother of eight children.
She has written regularly and her letters
prove TO us that she is just as sweet a
woman as she was a girl"
AT this juncture a telegram was handed |
Jim Younger Its from Pawnee Bill. |
of the circus" he said handing it to his |
brother Wants us to show with him. |
Now that we are free" said Jim, sud- |
denly, we don't want to be circus or |
For twenty-five years We have been |
summoned here TO have men stare at us 4
and question US. and then go back and |
write up what they think and believe |
We have been accused of crimes that we |
never heard of.
i know that none of the Younger |
brothers had a hand in the killing of |
Cashier Haywood, of the Northfield Bank |
II was agreed that no shooting should be |
Done, and. as matter of fact ii was
only by a compromise between the MEM
bers that the Northiield raid was attempt
ed. 1t was to be the last job.
Fifteen years ago iiiss Retta Younger
began tc labor for pardon for her
brothers, and during that time petition |
after petition has been sent from Missouri |
to members of the Minnesota Legislature
None of these appeals bore fruit. and il
was not until the Minnesota people be-
gan to aSitate and sentiment grew that
the Legislature found action imperative
No relatives of the Younsers have put
in an appearance, but the devoted sister
VIII be here as soon as her brothers are
comfortably settled. Whether she will
temain here and look after them IS still |
unsettled. but it Is thought she will as
3hey certainly need her care.
shot Dog at Owners Request.
Policeman Tribhy. at the request Of Mrs. Bar
bara StrifleT, shot and killed a dog at her |