Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-10-20
James Younger Shoots Himself Because
Unable to Marry.
JESSE JAMES BANDIT DIES BY OWN HAND
Leaves Fianoess Letters and Asks False
Mounsn to Stay Tears.
WOUNDS HELP TO MAKE HIN BESPoNOEN
Injuries Sustained in Old Desperate Days
Bother Till the End,
HAS TROUBLE WITH REMAINING BHOTHEF
Woman. wounds and Money All Com
bine 20 Drive Him to Rash Act
while on Parole from
Minnesota Prison.

ST. PAUL, MINI. Oct 19.-James
Younger. formerly a member of the no
torious James band Of outlaws which in
tested the western country a quarter Of
century ago committed suicide today by
shooting lie left a letter to the press in
which he gives as a reason for his act de-
spondency over continued ill-health and
separation from his friends. The suicide
IS supposed to have occurred about
o'clock this morning.
Younger occupied room in a downtown
block and when he did not make his ap-
pearance as usual today search was made
for him. About o'clock this afternoon his
door was broken in and his dead body
found on the floor beside the bed, with a
revolver clutched tightly in his right hand.
He had shot himself through the head and
had evidently been dead for several hours.
Younger, since his parole from the state
penitentiary In July OF last year, had led
an exemplary life, but he was recently
quite seriously hurt by fall from wagon.
Other wounds he had received earlier in
life also gave him trouble. and although
he soon obtained light employment his
health was precarlous and this caused him
much worry. He was "a years Of age.
bids Girl Good Bye.
on bureau in the room was found
long manila envelope, on one side OF which
was written:
To all that is good and true love and bid
farewell. JIM fOUNGEh
on the other side we're these words;
OH lassie, goodbye. All relatives Just
stay away from me. No crocodile tears
Reporters: Be my friends. Burn me up
JIM YOUNGER.
The envelope contained a package of let
ters that had passed between Younger and
lady with whom he is said to have been
IN love. The lady, who is prominently
connected, is said to have reciprocated his
affection and 1t was reported at one time
that they were to be married. The ladys
relatives raised objections 20 the wedding
pnd a further obstacle was the fact that
paroled prisoner cannot legally contract
marriage. The couple determined TO disre
gard thosohjections OF relatives and an -ef-
fort was made to overcome the other OBJ
stacle by securing from the State Board Of
Pardors full pardon and restoration to
citizenship. This effort failed. aud It Is
thought this had much to do with Young
er's determination to end his life. The
lady is now said to be In Boise. Idaho, for
her health.
II is also said that relations between
Jim and Cole Younger we're very much
strained in fact, that the brothers had not
been on speaking terms for six months.
Cole is confined TO his bed with sickness
aAd could not be seen tonight but the diff
fereEce between them is reported to have
been over money matters.
The body was viewed by the coroner.
who decided that an inquest was not neces-
sary. II is not known what disposition
will be made Of the remains, some doubt
he m
whether the body can be removed from the
state.
James Younger was the youngest OF three
brothers. Robert. Coleman and James, who
gained great notoriety between 1856 and
1873 through their association with Jesse
and Frank James.
The band headed by Jesse James, was
charged with innumerable robberies OF
banks and trains, in the execution OF which
many desperate encounters took place. and
q number Of men were killed.
The members OF the band had served
through the Civil war, fighting on the side
OF the Confederates with Quantrell and his
guerillas The scene of the most of their
alleged post-belum depredations was Mis-
souri, and states adjacent thereto, but In
September. 1876. they entered Minnesota,
trayersing the state as far as Northheld in
Rice county There. on September 7. after
terrorizing the people on the street. an at
tempt was made to loot the First National
bank.
Cashier Fights 20 Death.
Cashier J. L. Haywood, IN charge of the
bank. put up a plucky hight and during the
encounter was killed. but not until he had
wounded one or more OF the raiders.
The citizens Of Northheld quickly recov.
ering from the panic into which the raiders
had thrown them. armed themselves ant
started In pursuit.
During the next week the pursuing poss,
time and again came into contact with tn,
bandits and exchanged shots with them
The raiders we're handicapped in their re
treat by the wounded, whom they were en-
deavoring TO carry along with them, an,
finally. in thick wood. the posse succeeded
in surrounding them.
A battle ensued in which three of tn
members OF the gang were killed and tn
three Younger brothers were captured
Jesse James and the remainder of the out
laws succeeded in making their escape.
All the Younger brothers had bee
wounded. and 10 this day carry the bullets
They were brought to trial and on Novem
Der 81. 1876, pleaded guilty to the eharg
of murder In the first degree. this plea,
10 cdiu udNluB pttu cuNcINu IN oTueT I
escape conviction by a jury which woul
have involved the inhlction OF the deaf
penalty.
Gets Life Sentence.
The brothers were sentenced to the still
water penitentiary to serve a life sentene,
In 1888 an effort was made 70 secure a
unconditional pardon for them. Il bein
pleaded In support that it had not bee
rka ha III haf
wood and a further plea for mercy Wi
based upon the ground that Bob Young,
was dying OF consumption.
Superintendent OF Census William
Merriam, who then occupied the guberni
torial cnair. refused to aceede TO the II
quest. there still being a strong sentimel
against the brothers in Northheld and Ri
Ccontnued on Third PaEs,l