Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-10-23
JAMES YOUNGER KILLS HIMSELF.
He Was Dead Man Already in the Eyes
of the Law and Could Not be Married to
His Sweetheart


He Was Dead Man Already in the Eyes
of the Law and Could Not be Married to
His Sweetheart.
ST. Paul, Mimi, Oct. 19.-James Younger,
one Of the famous Younger brothers, com
patriots of Jesse James, committed suicide
today by shooting. Younger was not long
ago pnroled from the Saltwater Peniten-
tiary where be and his brother Coleman
were serving life sentences for participation
In the Northheld Bank raid in 1876.
Younger WIS engaged TO Miss Alice
Miller, pretty girl who lived in saltwater.
where he had served his term in prison.
She fell In love with him when he was in
prison garb and they hoped TO be married
when his parole was granted. After they
had secured the consent of Miss Miller's
family to the union 1t was found that under
the laws of Minnesota Younger, as life
convict, was legally dead and therefore
could not be married until he had secured a
full pardon, which he found 1t impossible
to obtain.
This disappointment in love, after all his
other hardships, may have led to his self
destruction.
On bureau in the room where he killed
himself was found a long manila envelope,
on one side of which was written;
To all that is good and true love and
bid farewell. Jim Younger.
On the other sile of the envelope were
| these words:
| Oh, Lassie, good-by.
All relatives Just stay away from Inc. No
| crocodile tears wanted.
REPORTERS, be my friends. Burn me up.
| jim Younger.
| The envelope contained Iackage OF
letters that had passed between Younger and
| his sweetheart. WHO is said to be now IN
| Boise. Idaho, for her health.
| 1t is said that the relations between James
and Coleman Younger were strained and
that the brothers had not been on speaking
terms for six months. Coleman Younger Ia
confined to his bed with sickness. The
| difference between the brothers is reported
| to have been over money matters.
| Younger left a letter to the press, in which
he gives as reason for mis- act dependency
over continued i'll health, he having suffered
from old wounds, and separation from his
| friends
His death is supposed to have occurred
j early in the morning. Younger occupied a
/ room in a downtown block, and when he
Itdid not make bis appearance as usual today
Search was made for him. The door Of his
room was broken in, and his body was
found stretched on tho floor besice the bed,
revolver clutched in his right hand.
The coroner decided that an inquest was
not necessary. 1t Ii not yet known whnt
disposition will be made OF this remains.
some doubt arising under the terms Of the
parole as TO whether the body can be re-
l uloVe1 from tne Sthte.
Under the terms of the parole the Younger
brothers were not 10 leave the Stnte. and
since their release they have been Engaged
| in business.
Many times after they began in 1876 to
serve life sentences for the Northfield inur-
der and robbery were efforts made to secure
an unconditional pardon for the brothers,
1t being pleaded that ID had not been proved
that either of the brothers had fired the shot
that killed Cashier Haywood, bat William X.
Merriam, who was then governor, refused
to grant pardon.
Among those who nade especial effort 10
secure the granting of pardon was SenutoI
Stephen b. Elkins of West Virginia, who is
said TO have known the brothers well in the
days before the Civil War. All efforts al
securing an unconditional pardon having
failed, bill was introduced in the State
| Legislature in 1901 empowering the state
Board of Pardons to grant paroles 10 life
prisoners who had served 25 years or more.
The bill was opposed, but finally pnssed
both branches of the Legislature and wat
sent to Gov. Van SAINT for his signature.
The governor had thres days within which
to sign or veto the bill, failing which tht
aot would become a law without mis- sigma
ture. Before the three days had expired the
House recalled the bill and did not return il
to the governor until the time for his actor
had elapsed. The State Pardoning Board
however, of which the Chief Justice Is 9
member, decided that the bill had becoins
law without the signature of the governor
Of the Board Of Prison Commissioners. 6
parole was granted to James and Coleman
Younger, and on July Iath they were re
| Ieaead