Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1882-10-28 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

FEARFUL STORY.  English readers of American news will remember that some months since Jesse James, a noted bandit and railway train-robber in Missouri, was shot by the Ford brothers. The act was committed at the instance of the Governor of Missouri, who thus got rid of One ol the pests of the border. The Ford brothers, I promptly relieved of all legal responsibility for L the murder, have since been going about the country exhibiting themselves, and are now in New York. The murder of Jesse James practically broke up his gang of train-robbers, who scattered over the country., the Governor, by proclamation last July, offering rewards for their capture. Among them was Frank James, who is only less notorious than his brother Jesse. The bandit business not proving profitable, Frank James has now created a sensation by voluntarily surrendering. After moving about the Mississippi Valley in hiding for several weeks, he addressed on October Ist a letter to Governor Crittenden, of Missouri, dated at St. Louis. In this letter he offered to surrender, describing his reasons at length, and saying he is prompted to this act through consideration for his wife and children, and a desire to clear his name from the shadow which has been cast upon it, and, through it, upon the good name of Western Missouri. He pleads that he is not as bad as he has been painted; that the outlaw has the thoughts and impulses of a man, and that he desires to return to the home of his parents, and there, with his family, to pass his days in peace, and thus gain the respect of his fellow men. He thinks it unnecessary at present to recount the history of his lifd ; those who are his friends are already acquainted with it. The public at present is not disposed to judge him charitably. He thinks that his sufferings have already done penance for his acts. He denies the authorship of any of the letters threatening assassination in retaliation for the murder of Jesse, and which have been attributed to him. He submits the question whether Frank James,. humbled, repentant, and reformed, will not be an example before the world more fraught with good to the rising generation than Frank James, the outlaw and wanderer. He says this letter is the result of a determination formed during the past four years of industrious farm life which he has spent. He asks for amnesty, if possible, and states that an answer will reach hun through his wife, who is at Independence, Missouri. Upon receipt of this letter the Governor promptly replied that he could make no definite promises, but would recommend that James present himI self before the Court and answer to them. Aceordingly, James appeared in public at Jefferson City, Missouri, on October 5, and was met by the Governors private secretary, and also by I counsel. They visited the Governor, and in the L presence of the leading officials of the State he voluntarily surrendered, giving up his pistols, L which, he said, had never before been out of his possession. His body bore 17 wounds, two of them from Mime balls that passed entirely through the body, and his scars show the many desperate contests he has had. The Governor, after hearing his surrender and request for pardon, said this was no time to consider the matter of amnesty, but if after the verdict of the Court the consideration of the question of pardon appeared justifiable, he would then consider it. The next day the private secretary and counsel accompanied him to Independence. At all the railway stations on the route crowds of people appeared, showing the greatest curiosity. Arrived at Independence, he met his mother, wife, and child at the station' and then they were taken in carriages to the hotel, where he wrote his name in the register, stating it was the first time he had signed his real name in sixteen years. He appeared broken down physically, showing the approach of consumption, his weight being 1251135. The party went to the Court-house, but the authorities were not ready to take up his case, and he then went to gaol. A great crowd surroundedihe gaol where he passed the night, and he held quite a levee within, personal friends being admitted. The expectation is that he will be liberated on bail. The Governor, now that the robber bands are practically broken up, has withdrawn the proclamation offering rewards for their capture, while Frank James is living in clover in Independence Gaol, receiving every attention, and thus awaiting the action of the Court. He claims to have lived an honest life for over four years past.  A Snootoo,