The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-01-02
DOWN IN MISSOURI
Minnesota Man "ShoWs" the
Natives Some Things.
Tells Them Where the Youngers Re-
ceived Their Education and Were
Made Men Of.

j. A Clark writes The GAINESVILLE
Argus as follows:
During my stay in st. Joe, Miss
ouri where Mrs Clark was in the hos
pital, boarded at very pleasant
hotel, half block from the hospital.
Among the guests was an elderly
gentleman of unlimited acquantances
in the city and many questions under
discussion were referred to him for
settlement One evening there was a
very interested crowd listening to his
narratives and to his recollections of
the James family and also the Young
or brothers As the old gentleman
failed to eulogize them to the salts
faction of, one listener, an old gentle
man who was professor il one of the
schools of the city. took up the history
where the old gentleman left off.
Jessie James was shot in his own
house few blocks away, Frank
James in Kansas City preparing for an
eastern trip ana he--Youngers in Min
nesota. The professor claimed to have
visited Minnesota and to have met
Cole Younger by appointment. He
gave very glowing description of his
personal appearance, of his wonderful
memory and of his thrilling adven-
lures and concluded by censuring the
state severely for not allowing such a
brilliant man more freedom. The
professor was surprised at the learning
and language of the Youngers.
81 asked him where he supposed
Younger got his education, as he had
entered the Confederate service in his
youth. He admitted he did not know.
told him when, where and how.
He came to Minnesota an outcast. a
robber and a murderer. Minnesota
took him in, educated him and made
him what he was and would have
been equally as successful with the
James boys had they not run away.
l attempted to convince the professor
that Minnesota ranked No in edu-
eating all classes. / asked him why
he didn't think so. Such talent as he
had described was developed out of
the material that came here. His only
answer was "perhaps So He want |
ed to know If was not from Mime
sota I admitted 1 had lived there, |
not far from where the Missouri |
crowd had made their debut. [ as
sured him that while Minnesota took
pride in it's educational advantages
it also prided itself for its humanity.
Hence, the liberty that was granted
the Younger brothers Missouri should
thank them for the same. There was
no reward offered by the governor for
their bodies dead or alive, no pardon
promised, but they were taken in,
furnished nice library, treated hu
manly and when the state had reason
to believe that they were entitled to
their diploma they got it and were
very thankful for it as you said that
Cole told you the very happiest mo-
ment of his life was when he turned
around and looked upon the barred
windows and walked out of Saltwater.
The Younger boys feel very grateful
whether Missouri does or not. That
fine speech that you told of made by
Cole has had plenty of time to mem
orize during the last twenty five
years. He has access to the thoughts
and speeches of many brilliant minds.
1t has made him what brilliant
speaker ought to be, hope sgood
citizen.