The Washington times., 1904-02-07
Charged With Crimes
He Never Thought of
Committing.
ROBBED MINNESOTABANK
Driven Into Career of Ad-
venture by Conditions at
Home After the War.

Cole. more widely known than any
other member Of the famous family Of
Missourians whose very name, in the
dark days of the civil war. and for years
afterward was used to frighten chill
dren to bed. is in Washington on mis-
sion Of peace and patriotism.
In his advocacy Of single Statehood
for Oklahoma and the Indian Territory.
Cole Younger Is daily in conference at
the National Hotel with members of the
Senate and House of Representatives
Some Of these distinguished lawmakers
have known Mr.. Younger since he was
a school boy I'm Missouri. Others knew
him when his valor in a mistaken cause
was unquestionably one of the mos-
striking proofs of his true courage. stu
others only became acquainted with
Younger when he was behind prison
bars in Saltwater. MINI. under life SEN
tence for the -be-forgotten raid
on the Mortified Bank. nearly three
decades ago.
Mr.. Elkins' Friendship.
The friendship of at least one of
founger's distinguished callers Is not
hard Of explanation. The Hon. Stephen
b. Elkins. Senator from West Virginia
thus describes the origin or his regard
for the former Missourian:
Il knew Cole Younger when we were
boys together, and also knew his par
ents. They were good people. and among
the pioneers on the western border az
missouri The Younger brothers main
tained a good reputation in the com
munity where they lived. and were well
esteemed, as were their parents for
good conduct and character.
In the spring or summer Of go. I was
taken prisoner by Quantrells band. and
brought into his camp by the pickets
VINO mad me in charge. On reaching the
camp the first person 1 saw whom 7
knew was Cole Younger
When l was taken prisoner ex
pected to be shot without ceremony
AS soon as 1 saw Cole Younger. felt
sense Of relief, because 1 had known
MIN and his parents long and favorably.
and when 1 got a chance I told him
frankly what feared and that 1 hoped
that he would manage to save me from
being killed. He assured me he would
do all he could to protect me
Cole Younger told Quantreu that M
rather and brother were in the rebel
army and were good fighters. and that
had stayed at home to take care Of
my mother; that l was a good fellow
and non-combatant. This occurred
just before 1 entered the Union army.
and 1t was generally known. and l am
sure Cole knew, that 1 was strongly
for the Union. and about to enter the
army. Cole Younger told me what to
do to make good my escape. and 1 feel
that 1 owe my life TO his kindness"
A Conspicuous Figure.
In the group OF Westeners and South
erners with whom Mr. Younger was
standing in the hotel lobby yesterday
afternoon, he was easily the most con
spicuous figure Six foot tall. stalwart
in figure, with a head well set on
broad shoulders. and the stride of a
man Of force Of character, Cole Young
er at sixty. or whereabouts. carries
his years well. and no one would think
that-in addition to the scars he bears.
and the bullets in his body-he has
spent twenty-six years in prison His
features are clean cut. and, far from
being repulsive, may easily be called
handsome. His manners are those of a
gentleman. his conversation that OF a
man OF the world. yet entirely unas-
Stunning.
One look into Cole Younger's eyes
convinces the observer that here Is a
man who can see quickly and shoot
straight His eyes still have the fire OF
man Of earlier years, and there IS
nothing shifty about his gaze.
So much for the personality Of the
man who has figured I'm border tales.
stories OF guerrilla warfare. tales of
dashing rescue, steadfast devotion 10
friends, and, lastly, in highly colored
dime novel romances, holding him up as
one Of the prime movers in train rob
berries, bank raids, uncalled-for killings
and other crimes peculiar to the bad
man" Of the West.
Few Of those who were not residents
Of Missouri in reconstruction days. and
the regime Of the Youngers and James
boys, have any understanding OF the
actual conditions. hence their inability
10 fathom the attitude OF Missourians
as whole toward these men, WHOSE
names were synonyms for premier
outlaws Of history. The Youngers and
the James boys were members or Guam
trells noted guerrilla band. History Is
beginning 10 find a legitimate place for
the guerrilla warfare which waged 50
fercely on the Kansas border. When
neighbor IS divided against neighbor.
and father against son, on great
economic question. warfare becomes
personal. rather than the movement Of
great bodies.
War Leaves Rancor.
For the same reason the close OF war
in such a region leaves far greater por- |
sonal rancoT than in other sections
With the surrender Of Lee the Young
ers and James brothers essayed 10 re- 4
turn TO their homes and take UP tie |
peaceful avocation or farming Yam
kee' neighbors refused 10 allow them /
this privilege Their lives were IN /
hourly danger, and attempts at assas- |
sination were frequent. until. in truth. /
they were practically forced into out
lawTy.
Another explanation OF the condone-
ment or those careers, which earned for
Missouri an unenyiable reputation she
has not yet succeeded in living down.
is that her citizens know that neither
Cole Younger nor Jesse James was