The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-11-05
jim YOUNGER A SUICIDE
The Noted Desperate Shoots Himself
at St. Pau, MINI.
He WAS NOT ALLOWED TO MARRY

Who Returned His Anection-But the
Law Would Not Permit Him to Wed
Letters Left by Him Indicated Dis.
ordered Mind-Had Been In III Health
st. Paul, Minn.-"Jim" Younger. the
outlaw. who on July 16. 1901. was re.
leased on parole from the State prison
with his broth Cole. after serving
twenty-five years Of n hfe sentence,
killed himself 3y shooting here. From
notes he left 1t Is apparent that his
mind was unbalanced
A quarrel with his brother. Cole. and
an infatuation for a young woman be.
yond his station resulted In a conflict
between Younger and the friends who
had been most instrumental In his lib
Grafton from the penitcntiary and his
final banishment from the home Of the
friend that had consistently worked
for his freedom.
Besides this. 1t is said that James
Younger. who was naturally naughty.
dlsliked the notoriety that attached to
him. He felt that he was despised and
the object Of observation everywhere.
He became morose and often told
people that he had no friends" He
was a constant sufferer from a bullet
wound In his face. for which he had
had frequent consultations with bis
physicians since his parole. It Is.
thought that this affected his mind.
His knowledge Of secrets Of the State
penitentiary Of Minnesota and his
threat to have them published are cited
as another cause for the mental break
down. 1t Is said that he was greatly
harrassed by politicians. who feared
that the statements he might make
would disturb existing conditions. A
large manila envelope found on his
bureau contained a package Of letters
that had passed between Younger and
n woman with whom he Is said to have
been much in love. The woman, who
Is prominently connected. Is said to
have reciprocated his affection. and
though he was fifty-four years old and
much broken down. II was reported at
one time they were to be married. Her
relatives raised strenuous objections to
the marriage. and further obstacle
was the fact that q paroled prisoner
could not legally contract marriage.
The following notes were also found
in his room:
"All relations Just stay away from
me. No crocodile tears wanted. Re.
porters. be my friends. Burn me up.
JIM YOUNGER.
ITO all that's good and true I love
and bid farewell. JIM YOUNGER.
"Over-Oh, lassie. goodbye.
"a. U. G.-Last night on earth. So
goodbye. lassie. for still think OF
thee. A. U. G. Forgive me. for this Is
my only chance.
II have pity for the Pardoning Board.
They do not stop to consider their
wives, or to think Of the man that
knows how to love and appreciate
friend in truth.
Goodbye. sweet lassle. ,
Jim YOUNGER" !
James Younger. his brother Thomas
Coleman Younger. better known as
Cole" and Bob Younger. were mem.
bers Of the famous James hand which
committed all sorts Of depredations in
the Southwest just after the end Of the
Civil War. The band originated from
the guerilla warfare on the border line
In the war. The Youngers and others
refused to accept Lees surrender as
the end Of the war. or at least offered
that as an excuse for their criminal
acts. q.
In 1916 the gangs operations in the
Southwest had been pretty well stopped
and the Youngers, with Jesse james
and his brother Frank. robbed q bank
in Northfeld. Mlnn., killing the cashier
and several others. Posses were start.
ed after the gang and all three Young.
ers were captured.
Bob Younger died in prison. james
and "Cole'' were released on parole In
July. 1901.