The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-20
James Younger, Famous ss Q Member of Jesse James
 Gang, Shoots Himself
WANTED NO CROCODILE
 TEARS FROM RELATIVES
Noted Bandit Has Led Exemplary Life Since Release from Prison, and
 His Action is Said to be II Result of Love Affair

St. Paul, ATinn., October 19.-James Younger, formerly member of the mo- torious James band of outlaws which h. fested the western country quarter or a century ago. committed suicide today by shooting himself. On bureau in the room was found a long Manila en- velope on one side of which was writ ten
 ITO all that is good and true love and bid farewell.
 "JIM YOUNGER" On the other side of the envelope were these words:
 "Oh 1assie, goodbye.
 "All relatives just stay away from me. No crocodile tears wanted.
 Reporters, be my friend. Burn me up.
 "JIM YOUNGER" The envelope contained a package of letters that had passed between Younge- and lady with whom he is said to have been much in love. The lady who Is prom inently connected, is said to have recipro- cated his affections and 1t was reported at one time that they were to be mar ried.
 The lady's relatives raised strenuous  obstacle was the fact that paroled pris- oner could not legally contract mar riage. The couple determined to disre- gard the objections of relatives and an effort was made to overcome the ob- stacles to their marriage, by securing from the state board of pardons full pardon and restroation to citizenship. This effort failed, and this 1t is thought had much to do with Younger's determin- ation to end his life. The lady is said to be now in Boise. Idaho, for her health. On another sheet of paper Younger had written this message, evidently his last words before committing suicide:
 October IS. Last night on earth. So good bye lassie for l still think of thee. Forgive me, for this is my only chance. have done nothing wrong. But politics is all that VanZant. Wolfe and others of their stripe care for. Let the people judge. Treat me right and fair, re- porters, for I am square man. A socialist and decidedly in favor of wom- ans rights
 "Bryan Is the brightest man these United States has ever produced. His one mistake was in not coming out for the people and absolute socialism. Come out Bryan. There is no such thing as personal God. God is universal and know him well and am not afraid
 The suicide is supposed to have occur ed about o'clock this morning. Younger occupied a room in a down town block and when he did not make his appear ance as usual today a search was made for him.
 Dead Body Found.
 About o'clock this afternoon the door of his room was broken in and his dead body found stretched on the floor beside the bed, a revolver clutched in his right hand. He had shot himself through the head and evidently had been dead for sev- eral hours.
 Younger since his parole from the state penitentiary in July of last year, had led an exemplary life. His first em- ployment was as travelling agent for tombstone dealer, and on one of his trips he was quite seriously hurt by fall from wagon. Old wounds he had received earlier in life also gave him much trou- ble and although he soon obtained lighter employment, his health was pre- carious and this caused him much wor- ry. He was 54 years of age
 James Younger was the youngest of three brothers Robert, Coleman and James Younger, who between the years of 1866 and 1873 gained graet notoriety through their associati with Jesse and Frank James. The band, headed by Jesse James, was charged with innumerable robberies of banks and railroad trains in the execution of winch many desper- ate encounters took place and number of men were killed. The band had served through the civil war fighting on the side of the Confederacy with Quantrell and his guerillas.
 NorthfeId Bank Robbery.
 The scene of most of their alleged post belum depredations was the state of Mis- souri and those states adjacent there to, but in September, 1876 the band en- tered Minnesota traversing the state as far as the little town of Northfeld, in Rice county. There on September r. af- ter terrorizing the people on the street an attempt was made to loot the First National bank. Cashier J. l.. Heywood, who was in charge of the bank made a plucky fight and was shot and killed but not, however until he had wounded one or more of the raiders. The citizens of Northheld quickly recovering from their panic, armed themselves and started in pursuit of the deSperados, who had mounted their horses and were attenpt- Ing to escape. week was spent in their desperate retreat the pursuing posse of citizens time and again coming into contact with the bandits and ex- changing shots with them. The raiders were handicapped in their retreat by the wounded whom they were endeavoring to carry along with chem and finally in a thick wood, the posses succeeded in surrounding them. A battle ensued in which three of the members of the gang were killed and the three Younger broth DTS were captured. Jesse James and the remainder of the outlaws succeeded in making their escape.
 All of the Younger brothers had been wounded in the series of battles that had marked their retreat and on this day carry the bullets fired at them by the citizens The prisoners on November 21, ls7e nleaded guilty to the charge of murder in the first degree and were sem fenced to the Saltwater pententiary to serve a life sentence.
 Efforts for Pardon.
 Tn 1889 an effort was made to secure an Unconditional pardon for them it being pleaded in support of this effort that it had not been proved that either of the mothers had fired the shot that killed