The daily Republican., 1902-10-20
FAMOUS BANDIT
. KILLS HIMSELF.
Jam es Younger, Freed From
Western Prison, Shoots ,
Himself in the Head.
ONE OF THE JAMES GANG.
Had Been Serving Life Sent
IL ence In a Minnesota Peni-
Tertiary, But Was Re-
:. comfy Paroled.

ST. PAUL. Mimi, Oct. 2O-James
Younger, formerly member of the
notorious james band of outlaws,
which infested the western country a
quarter of century ago, has commit
ted suicide by shooting He left a let.
ter to the press, in which he gives as a
reason for his act dependency over
continued i'll health and separation
from biz friends. Death Is supposed to
have occurred early yesterday morn.
Ing. Younger occupied room in
| downtown block, and when he did not
make his appearance as usual search
was made for him. The door of his
room was broken In last night and his
dead body was found stretched Oh the
| floor beside the bed, a revolver clutched
in his right hand.
Younger since his parole from the
state ponitentlary in July Of last year
has led an exemplary life.
james Younger was the youngest of
three brothers Robert, Coleman and
James-who between the years 1866
and 1873 gained great notoriety through
their association with Jesse and Frank
James. The band headed by Jesse
James was charged with almost innu-
merabla robberies of banks and rail-
road trains, in the execution Of which
many desperate encounters took place
and many men were killed. The men,
bers Of the band had served through
the civil war, fighting on the side Of
the Confederacy with Quantrell and
his guerrllas. The scene of most Of
their alleged post bellum dcpredations
was the state of Missouri and those
adjacent thereto but in September,
1876, the band entered Minnesota,
traversing the state az far as North
field, in Rice county. There on Sept. 7,
after tcrrOrizing the people OIL the
street, an attempt was made to loot
the First National bank. Cashier J. l..
Haywood. who was in charge of the
bank. made Il plucky fight to preserve
the funds of the institution, and dur
ing the encounter he was shot and
killed, not, however, until he had
wounded one Or more Of the raiders.
covering from the panic. armed them
selves and started in pursuit Of the
desperudocs, who, baflled by the resist
anCe they had encountered, had mount
ed their horses and were attempting to
escape. A week was spent in their
desperate retreat, the pursuing posse
of citizens time and again coming into
al il,,
ing shots with them.
The raiders were handicapped by the
wounded, whom they were cndeavor-
Ing to carry with them, and finally in
a thick wood the posse succeeded in
them. A battle ensucd, in
which three members Of the gang
were killed and the three Younger
brothers were captured. Jesse James
and the other outlaws succeeded in
making good their escape.
The prisoners We're brought to trial
and on Nov, q, 1876, pleaded guilty to
the charge Of murder in the first de-
gree this plea. ii is said, having been
death penalty The brothers were SEN
fenced to serve life sentences.
In 1889 an effort was made to secure
an unconditional pardon for the BROTH
ers, 1t being pleaded that 1t had not
been proved that either of the brothers
had fired the shot that killed Cashier
Haywood. and a further plea for mer-
~ was based upon the ground that
Bob Younger was dying Of Consump-
ton. Superintendent Of Census VIII
lam II. Merriam, who then occupied
ho gubernatorlal chair. refused to
grant pardon, there still being a very
strong sentiment against the brothers
Il Mortified and Rice county Soon
lftcr this Robert Younger died in
prison.
All efforts Mt securing an uncondition-
i pardon having failed, bill was in
reduced In the state Legislature in 1901
the state board of pardons
o grant paroles to life prisoners who
ad served twenty-five years or more.
he bill was opposed. but finally passed
10Th branches Of the Legislature and
vas sent to Governor Van SAINT for his
ignature. Upon recommendation Of
he board Of prison commissioners Il
arole was granted to Coleman and
ames Younger and on July II they
we're released.