Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-01-15
EX-OUTLAW HERE.
Frank James of Missouri in
Morgantown

Personality.
Frank James whose name is a
house hold word is in Morgantown.
He is travelling with a Theatrical
troupe which is billed TO appear at the
Opera House this evening in across
the Desert. Mr.. James was seen
by representative of this paper and
asked for an interview.
He talks but little for publication,
but on this occasion departed from
the conventional interview and talked
freely and frankly of his adventures
when Kansas was ablaze and bleed
ing; of the years of treason, strategy
and spoils, of the sequel to the
whirlwind and of his future aspira
tions.
Mr.. James is about 5s years Of age
is well preserved, never took drink
of whiskey, or used tobacco, has an
exceptional breadth of shoulder and
the poise and eye of an Indian. He
has the air of born fighter, and the
polish of successful dealer in
woman's fabrics, along with social
side that exemplities the only way
to have friend Is to be one
Much has been written and pub
lished Of the dolngs OF the James
brothers, Jesse and Frank, much
that is frankly dramatic or glarily
irresponsible, and in the course of
his remarks Mr. James stated that
never one word had been authorized
by him and he has never received
penny from the sale OF it. He con
demned the publication Of the trash
which finds such ready sale among
the youth Of the country, and so far
as he is concerned in it feels that
damage suits against the authors
aud publishers could and should be
sustained in the courts. Mr.. James
remarked that he had as good a
right TO lead decent life as any
one, and had perfect right to win
and hold the respect and confidence
OF the world at large, but the prom
iscuous sale of such literature not
only poisons the mind Of the youth
of the country, but is agreat ifnped-
iment in the upbuilding of good
name and character which he hopes
to leave as an heritage to his son,
He prizes this above all else, is not
anxious to acquire riches and feels
that he is greatly wronged by the
dissemination of such literature.
Mr.. James stated that shortly at
ter the completion of his last trial
he scorned an offer of one thousand
dollars per week to lend himself for
exhibition purposes and accepted a
salary Of thirty five dollars per week
in an humble but honorable calling
He has since refused fabulous sums
for an authentic sketch of his life
and adventures, and it IS likely that
such work will never be written.
1t will never be unless Mr.. James
can see that some real and enduring
good to the world may ensue, some
thing aside from individual gain.
The gentleman, in the course of
his review of the long procession OF
past events, stated that he was but
eighteen years of age when he en-
listed with the command OF Guam
trell, the famous guerrilla chieitain,
the body of men that scourked the
state Of Kansas and other states
with fire and sword in desperate
endeavor TO even up with Jim Lanes
gang of Jayhawkers and the raids
of regular United States soldiery.
The command numbered $50 men.
most of them mere boys, the average
age being twenty three years. They
were but the natural product of the
times, the out cropping of a spirit
demanding revenge for real wrongs.
All were uniformed as federal sol
diers and their accoutrements were
of strict regulation pattern. There
was but one distinguishing mark,
all wore gray flannel shirts. On
one occasion the uniform worn cost
them dearly. They were ambnshed
by another band OF confederate
guerillas and lost some of the best
men in the command without being
able to return shot.
The personnel of the organization
was of the highest standard, so far
as courage and fighting capacity
was concerned, but Mr.. James is of
the opinion that there is a little
streak of yellow" in every man and
sometimes the most determined
fighter is a coward at heart and
would run if he was not ashamed to
do So To illustrate this he told a
story of how this command, alter
raiding and burning Lawrence Kan
sas, and after passing through many
tight places and winning reputa
tion as Ere eaters, happened che day
to encounter large body of Union
cavalry. Owing to the size of the
opposition Quantrelps little force