The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-22


some of their most noted robberies.
In 1866 he figured in the famous stage
coach robbery near Hot Springs In
this robbery the James boys secured
$500, including a preachers watch,
which Mr.. Hilton afterward carried
as a souvenir. The money was divided
dollar for dollar among the band.
Shortly after this he took part in
the Iron Mountain train holdup, when
$4,000 was taken from the baggage
car. In describing this particular rob-
berry, Mr.. Hilton points out an Incl
dent which is not without significance
in determining the character of Jesse
James.
The bandits had climbed aboard the
train as it was going upgrade, sew
eral crawling back over the coal car
into the baggage coach. Jesse and
Hilton covered the engineer At a
word from Jesse James, the engineer
closed his clutch and threw up his
hands. The fireman, however. made
a move to escape. This motion was
fatal, for scarcely had he moved
when he fell dead upon the tender.
pierced by three bullets from James
revolver. Jesse James quickness to
shoot and his unerring aim We're two
chief characteristics which made the
noted Missourian so much feared by
all who incurred his enmity.
Mr.. Hilton was with Jesse James at
the time Pinkerton sent number of
his foremost detectives to relieve the
community of this band of outlaws.
He played an important part in the
capture of these detectives who We're
completely outwitted by Jesse James
and who fell easily into his hands
after seven of their number had been
killed in a slight skirmish. Six of
the detectives were captured and sent
back to the Pinkerton agency by
James, with Bob Younger's taunt ring
ing in their ears. go tell Pinkerton
you have met the James boys!''
In setting free these men who had
travelled half way across the continent
to capture the James band, Bob
Younger made them an address,
which, according to Mr. Hilton, was
one of fiery eloquence. The heroic
outlaw brought the men before the lit
tie band of guerillas and pictured to
them the conditions which had forced
them into the lives which they were
leading. He ended by stating that
whereas they were being set free,
how little would be the chances of the
outlaws were positions reversed.
That Speech" said Mr.. Hilton.
was the only one that ever brought
tears to my eyes
After these detectives presumably
had left, one was discovered by Jesse
James disguised as porter in a small
hotel. To this man no mercy was
shown. Jesse James, alone, captured
the detective. took him into the woods
and ridded his body with bullets.
The camp life of the James boys
and the way in which they spent their
ill-gotten gains, is Interestingly told
by. Mr.. Hilton. The uncompromising
oath, already several times printed.
and now well known. was one that
bound the James band to eternal 10y
atty. So much was this the case that
every member knew that when wound-
ed so seriously that he could not
keep up with the. remainder of the
band that death was to be his por-
ton, and that at the hands of his as
sociates.
Dead men tell no tales" was q
maxim truly adhered to by the follow
ers of Jesse James.
After following the fortunes OF
Jesse James for three years. Mr.. Hill
ton tired of the life, the doom of
which he foresaw, accepted Governor
Crittenden's pardon proclamation IN