LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
FRANK AND JESSE JAMES

THE

NOTED WESTERN OUTLAWS.

BY

HON. J. A. DACUS, Ph. D.

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"Strange murmurs fill my tingling ears,
Bristles my hair, my sinews quake,
At this dread tale of reckless deeds."

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ILLUSTRATED.

ST. LOUIS:
W. S. BRYAN, Publisher,
602 North Fourth Street.
San Francisco: A. L. BANCROFT & CO., 721 Market Street.
Indianapolis: FRED. L. HORTON & CO., 66 East Market Street.
Chicago: J. S. GOODMAN, 142 LaSalle Street.
1880.

Copyrighted, 1879, by W. S. BRYAN

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.—The James Family.—The Rev. Robert James—His marriage—Removal to Missouri—His death in California, 11 -16 CHAPTER II.—Frank and Jesse.—Their childhood and youth—They desire fire-arms—Youthful Nimrods—Pistol practice, 17 -24 CHAPTER III.—In the Guerrilla Camp.—Frank joins Quantrell—Outrage on Dr. Samuels and Jesse—Mrs. Samuels and daughter, Susie James, arrested—Jesse as a courier for the Guerrillas, 25 -28 CHAPTER IV.—Bloody War.—The hatreds of the border people—The partisan rangers—Frank James as a scout—Fight at Plattsburg, 29 -34 CHAPTER V.—At the Sack of Lawrence, Kansas.—The black flag unfurled—The Guerrillas mass their forces—The march to Lawrence—Capture of the town—Frank and Jesse participate, 35 -39 CHAPTER VI.—A Gory Record.—The cruel strife of the border—Death in the thickets—Quantrell and his followers, 40 -56 CHAPTER VII.—Adventures in Separate Fields.—Frank James follows Quantrell into Kentucky—Fierce partisan contests—Death of Quantrell—Jesse follows George Shepherd to Texas—The last fight of the war—Jesse wounded, 57 -65 CHAPTER VIII.—The Brandenburg Tragedy.—Frank James followed by four men—They attempt to arrest him—Terrible fight—Frank wounded in the left hip—Concealed by friends, 66 -70 CHAPTER IX.—The Liberty Bank Affair.—A great robbery—St. Valentine's day, and the prize drawn by bold marauders—The James Boys accused of the crime, 71 -73 CHAPTER X.—Jesse's Sortie against the Militiamen.—Attacked at night—The family council of war—Jesse desires to look out on the cold moonlight scene—Throws the door open and fires upon the militiamen—Three corpses on the crisp snow, 74 -77 CHAPTER XI.—In the Hands of Friends.—Jesse goes to Kentucky—Among his relatives

and friends—Placed under the care of Dr. Paul F. Eve—A good time, 78 -81 CHAPTER XII.—The Russellville Bank Robbery.—A large haul—The James Boys connected with the robbery—They ride away on George Shepherd's horses—Shepherd arrested and imprisoned—Death of Oll Shepherd—Persistent pursuit of the robbers—The Jameses escape, 82 -90 CHAPTER XIII.—On the Pacific Slope.—Jesse James sails for California—At Paso Robel—Frank goes West—On the Laponsu ranche—Adventures in Nevada—A dark seance—The Boys return to the East, 91 -102 CHAPTER XIV.—Were They Driven to Outlawry?—The peculiar circumstances surrounding the Jameses—Social and political ostracism—The vigilance committees—Not allowed to remain at peace in their own home—They go forth as enemies of society, 103 -107 CHAPTER XV.—The Gallatin Bank Tragedy.—Strange men in Gallatin—They call upon the cashier—Captain John W. Sheets shot by Jesse James—Pursuit of the man slayers—The escape of the robbers, 108 -111 CHAPTER XVI.—Attempts to Arrest the Boys.—The people aroused—Detectives on the trail of the Boys—Their neighbors arrayed against them—Captain Thomason expresses himself—He is interviewed by Mrs. Samuels—Failure of all efforts to arrest them, 112 -115 CHAPTER XVII.—Outrage at Columbia, Kentucky.—The citizens of Adair county, Kentucky, startled—Bold daylight robbery of the bank at Columbia—Murder of the cashier, Mr. Martin—Chasing the robbers—The marauders escape, 116 -121 CHAPTER XVIII.—Out of Exile.—Domestic and social relations of the Boys—Their visits to the cities—The theaters and concert stage—Life in hotels—How the Jameses play the part of gentlemen, 122 -130 CHAPTER XIX.—The Corydon Raid.—The robbers pay a visit to Iowa—Their sudden appearance at Corydon—They secure a large sum of money and ride away—Hot pursuit by Iowa officers—Jesse as a rustic, 131 -133 CHAPTER XX.—The Cash Box of the Fair.—Frank and Jesse at Kansas City—The gate money seized and carried away—The pool cashier interviewed by Frank, 134 -138 CHAPTER XXI.—Ste. Genevieve.—The cashier of the bank at Ste. Genevieve surprised—Narrow escape of young Rozier—The bank plundered by the raiders—Escape of the robbers, 139 -145 CHAPTER XXII.—A Railway Train Robbed in Iowa.—A night vigil—On the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railway line—A locomotive ditched and a fireman killed—A successful raid, 146 -150 CHAPTER XXIII.—The Gaines' Place Stage Robbery.—How the invalids en route to Hot Springs were plundered on the Malvern road—Scenes and incidents of the robbery—Grim jokes at the expense of the passengers, 151 -158 CHAPTER XXIV.—Gadshill.—A startling sensation—The robbers at the lonely

wayside station—The passengers made prisoners and robbed, 159 -165 CHAPTER XXV.—After Gadshill.—Pursuit of the robbers—Trailed through southern Missouri to St. Clair county—Diversions in Bentonville, Arkansas—The campaign leads to a tragedy, 166 -172 CHAPTER XXVI.—Whicher's Ride to Death.—The brave detective caught in a trap—Jim Latche's observations in Liberty—The use he made of his knowledge—The last night ride—Whicher shot, 173 -181 CHAPTER XXVII.—A Night Raid of Detectives.—Attempt to avenge Whicher's death—Preparing a trap to catch Frank and Jesse at the Samuels place—Fire balls and bomb shells—A terrible scene—Death of a boy and wounding of Mrs. Samuels, 182 -190 CHAPTER XXVIII.—Proposed Amnesty.—Movement in the Legislature—Gen. Jones' amnesty bill—Jesse quietly awaits the turn of events—Failure of the bill to pass in the Legislature—Taking vengeance, 191 -195 CHAPTER XXIX.—San Antonio-Austin Stage Plundered.—Bandits on the prairies—Strange horsemen at eventide—The stage halted—The passengers plundered, 196 -201 CHAPTER XXX.—Farmer Askew's Fate.—The house of Askew—The farmer incurs the hatred of the James Boys—Vengeance threatened—Assassinated while standing on his porch—Jesse and Frank believed to be the guilty parties, 202 -207 CHAPTER XXXI.—Gold Dust—The Muncie Business.—Lying in wait—The evening train bound from the mining regions—Golden galore—The train stopped by masked men and the express car plundered, 208 -210 CHAPTER XXXII.—Huntington, West Virginia, Bank Robbery.—A band of robbers in the streets—The people alarmed—Demand upon Mr. Oney—The robbers make off with the bank's funds—Capture of Jack Kean, and death of McDaniels—The handiwork of the Jameses shown, 211 -214 CHAPTER XXXIII.—Jesse's Wooing and Wedding.—Courting under difficulties—A fair cousin—She admires the outlaw—The courtship continues, and Jesse takes his cousin as his bride, 216 -222 CHAPTER XXXIV.—A Dream of Love.—Frank James cherishes tender sentiments and goes a-wooing—A fair girl, beautiful and accomplished—Frank's suit encouraged, 223 -227 CHAPTER XXXV.—Fair Annie Ralston, the Outlaw's Bride.—How Annie Ralston carried off the honors of her class at college—A belle in society—Her admiration for Frank James—She quietly collects her effects, and leaves her home to share his fate with Frank, 228 -233 CHAPTER XXXVI.—A Seventeen Thousand Dollar Haul.—The train robbery at Otterville—The Youngers and the Jameses—Frank James the planner—How the train was halted—Capture of Hobbs Kerry—He gives away the gang—The escape, 234 -245 CHAPTER XXXVII.—In Minnesota.—The bandits seek a new field—Frank James and the Younger Brothers—Bill Chadwell, Miller and Pitts—The long ride,

246 -254 CHAPTER XXXVIII.—The Attack at Northfield—Haywood's Death.—The raid on the bank—The cashier shot—Bill Chadwell killed in the street—The citizens come to the rescue—Fusilades in the town—The bandits forced to go out in quick time—A hot pursuit—Capture of the Youngers, 255 -266 CHAPTER XXXIX.—Escape of Frank and Jesse James.The terrible retreat—Worn out, and yet no chance for rest—A remarkable escape—They disappear from the very midst of those who were hunting them—How they went away, 267 -273 CHAPTER XL.—A Visit to Carmen.—Frank and Jesse go into Mexico—They rest at Carmen, in Chihuahua—The silver conducta—They join the Mexican party—Capture of the treasure bags of the Mexicans, 274 -282 CHAPTER XLI.—The Robbers and their Friends.—The various classes of people who exhibit friendship for the Jameses—Some are bad men, who gather about them because they are brave—Social peculiarities, 283 -290 CHAPTER XLII.—Excursions into Mexico.—Wild adventures beyond the border—Chasing Mexican cattle-thieves—A serious time at Monclova—Frank and Jesse escape, 291 -299 CHAPTER XLIII.—Death to Border Brigands.—Frank and Jesse pay their respects to Palacios' band—The raiders of the border punished by the American outlaws—A pleasant meeting with troops, 300 -313 CHAPTER XLIV.—The Union Pacific Express Robbery.—The Big Springs ventures—The persons who engaged in it—Large amount of gold coin taken—Pursuit of the robbers—Death of Collins at Buffalo, Kansas—Jim Berry trailed to Missouri—Shot by the sheriff of Audrain county, 314 -325 CHAPTER XLV.—A Visit to the Home of Frank James.—A Georgian's experience with the great outlaws—The home life of Frank, 326 -336 CHAPTER XLVI.—Epistles of Jesse James.—How Jesse takes his own part with a pen—Some terse specimens of Jesse's style, 337 -344 CHAPTER XLVII.—Glendale.—The last great train robbery—A night ride to a lonely wayside station—How the robbery was effected, 345 -353 CHAPTER XLVIII.—Hunting Clues.—Marshal Liggett—His efforts to hunt down the robbers—Jesse James once more to the front, 354 -356 CHAPTER XLIX.—George W. Shepherd.—The childhood and youth of Shepherd—His adventures in Utah—Enters the Confederate service—Joins Quantrell's band—Gets into trouble with the gang at the time of Russellville—Becomes inimical to the Jameses—Engages with Marshal Liggett—Joins the band—The Short Creek fight, 357 -367 CHAPTER L.—Pursuit of the Glendale Robbers.—Shepherd goes south with the gang—He plans an ambuscade—Failure of his plan—The robbers suspicious of Shepherd—The fight in the forest,

tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">368 -374 CHAPTER LI.—Allen Parmer.—Becomes a member of Quantrell's band—Takes part in the sack of Lawrence—With Quantrell in Kentucky—Marries Jesse James' sister—Accused of complicity with the Glendale robbers, 375 -379 CHAPTER LII.—Jesse James still a Free Rover.—The sequel to the fight with Shepherd—Jesse and his wife visit relatives and friends in Kentucky—An unsuccessful attempt to capture the outlaw, 380 -384

Illustrations

Jesse James. 3 Frank James. Jesse James. 4 Quantrell's Last Fight. 10 In The Woods With Their New Shot-Guns. 21 Girdling A Tree. 23 A Moonlight Conference. 30 After Lawrence. 37 A Deed Of Mercy. 45 A Narrow Escape. 48 Jesse James' Escape From "Pin" Indians. 59 A Horrible Deed. 60 Death Of Oll Shepherd. 89 Fight In A Gambler's Den. 100 Whicher Meets His Fate. 180 Night Attack On The Samuels Residence. 188 Death Of Farmer Askew. 205 An Alarmed "Cow-Boy." 303 After The "Greasers." 307 Fight With Mexican Cattle Thieves. 311 The Home Of Frank James, In Texas. 333 Geo. W. Shepherd. 364 Allen Parmer. 376 Wild Bill. 384

LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
FRANK AND JESSE JAMES.

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The Rev. Robert James, the father of Frank and Jesse, was a native of Kentucky. His parents were quiet, respectable people, belonging to the middle class of society. Their desire was to raise up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Being themselves persons of intelligence and culture, far above the average of their neighbors in those days, the parents of Rev. Robert James resolved to give him as good an education as the facilities accessible to them would permit. Accordingly, Robert was early placed

in a neighboring school, and made such progress as to gladden the hearts of his parents, and call forth auguries of future distinction from the friends and neighbors of the family. Robert James was a moral, studious youth, much given to reflection on subjects of a religious character. Before he had attained his eighteenth year, he had made an open profession of faith in the Christian religion, and united himself with a Baptist church, of which his parents were members. After passing through the various grades of an academic course, young James entered as a student of Georgetown College, Kentucky. Resolving to follow the profession of a minister, he commenced the study of Theology, was licensed to preach, and began his ministry in his twentieth year. Even then he was regarded as a youth of decided culture and more than ordinary ability.

While yet a young man, Rev. Mr. James decided to remove to the then new State of Missouri. He settled on a farm in Clay county, and commenced in earnest the onerous duties of a pioneer preacher. His labors were not unrewarded. He soon had the satisfaction of garnering the harvest of his sowing. A congregation was gathered and a church organized in Clay county, called New Hope, which is still in existence. For some years the Rev. Mr. James ministered to the people who had been gathered by his exertions, with great acceptance. Nor were his labors confined to the spiritual welfare of the people of New Hope. He visited many distant churches, and preached with great acceptance in many places.

Old citizens of Clay county still entertain pleasant recollections of the earnest, God-fearing pastor, who went about only to do good, by cheering the despondent, consoling the sorrowful, assisting the needy, upholding the weak, confirming the hesitating, and pointing the way of salvation to the penitent. Everywhere, in that region of country, he was held in the very highest esteem. So the years of his early manhood passed away while he was engaged in the commendable effort to better the condition, by purifying the moral nature of his friends and neighbors.

In 1850, following in the footsteps of hundreds of others, Rev. Robert James bade adieu to his family, friends and neighbors, and set out for "the golden land" of California, on a prospecting tour. We do not know what motives actuated him in making this move, nor is it pertinent to this relation. He went away, and was destined to return no more. Not long after his arrival in California, whither he had been preceded by a brother, Rev. Mr. James was stricken by a mortal disease which terminated his life in a short time. Far away from home, where the tall sequoias rear their lofty branches above the plain, on a gentle slope which catches the last beams of the setting sun, they laid the minister to rest, in a soil unhallowed by the dust of kinsmen, in a grave unbedewed by the tears of loved ones left behind.

When yet a young man, Rev. Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Zerelda Cole, a native of Scott county, Kentucky. Mrs. James is a lady of great determination of mind, and a masculine force of character. Those who knew the couple in the old days seem to think that the minister and his wife were an ill-assorted pair. He was gentle and amiable, while, on the contrary, his wife was strong in passion, and of a very bitter, unrelenting temper—traits of character prominently developed in her sons, Frank and Jesse. It is said that the home-life of the minister was not as smooth as it might have been, had he been united with a companion of a less passionate and exacting temper. With his domestic life, however, we have nothing to do, except in so far as the home influences thrown around his children gave direction to their character, and tinged their mental disposition. Whatever home-cares he might have had, the public has little cause to inquire now. He went down to death with a stainless name long years before his sons entered upon a career of crime, and made their names a terror to those who care to obey the dictates of justice, love and mercy.

Mrs. Zerelda James was left a widow, having the responsible charge of a family of four small children. She was not left unprovided for, as Mr. James was a prudent, careful man of business, and had already established a comfortable home. With that courage and determination which is so prominently manifested in her character, Mrs. James commenced the battle of life as the head of the family. With all the favoring circumstances, the task assumed by her was not a light one. But she was equal to the performance of any required service.

The years went by, and Frank and Jesse and their sisters were advancing toward manhood and womanhood. The mother was not neglectful of their mental training, and the children were very regular in their attendance at a neighboring district school.

So passed away six years of Mrs. Zerelda James' widowhood, and life became lonely; the children were growing up, and her cares and responsibilities seemed to increase as they advanced in age and stature. Though not of a romantic disposition, the widow James was yet young enough in years and comely enough in person to attract to her side more than one substantial citizen on matrimony intent.

Among the number of those who sought to produce a favorable impression on the widow's susceptible heart, was Dr. Reuben Samuels, who, like herself, was a native of Kentucky. To him she was not indifferent. She listened to his plea, and in 1857 they were united in marriage, near Kearney, Clay county, Missouri. Dr. Samuels at once undertook to perform the duty of a parent toward her children.

Thus the career of the noted outlaws, the James Boys, was commenced, under auspices fully as favorable as fell to the fortune of any of the boys of their own age, in their country home. And so the years rolled on, and the boys were approaching the estate of manhood; while fate was shaping them to perform a part in those troublous times, of which they dreamed not in the days of boyhood.

One of the sisters of Frank and Jesse died just as she was approaching the estate of womanhood. She is represented as having been a beautiful and amiable child, who was called away from the world while life was still beautiful and all the promises of the future bright. Miss Susan James was arrested with her mother in the early part of the war and confined in the jail at St. Joseph for several months. Afterward she went to Nebraska and remained there for more than a year. She married a gentleman named Parmer, several years ago, and with her husband, resided for a time in Sherman, Texas. From that place she removed to Henriette, and was living there in 1879.

Mrs. Samuels had an eight year old son killed in January, 1875, when the detectives attacked the Samuels' house. A daughter, a half sister of Frank and Jesse, remains unmarried, and resides with Dr. and Mrs. Samuels.