 Preface of the Border Bandits The career of Jesse and Frank James has been as checkered as the sunlight that streams through a lattice window, and their crimes are a commentary upon the development of intellectual America. No one can afford to ignore the lessons which the lives of these outlaws teach, and therefore a correct history of their desperate deeds becomes necessary as a part of the country's annals, in just a position with the commendable heroism of our brightest characters. So many improbable and romantic incidents have been credited to these noted brothers by sensational writers. So many dashing escapades of their hair-breath escapes attributed to them, which they never even dreamed of, that thinking people, especially in the East, have begun almost to regard the James boys as a myth, and their deeds as creations of sensational dreamers. It has been my purpose for more than three years to prepare a true history of these noted outlaws, and during that time material has been collecting, which is now given to the public, entirely free from fulsome description or elaborated sensation. In the main essentials that James boys themselves will confirm the truthfulness of this narrative, which has been written with special regard for candor and indisputable facts only. During several years of the most exciting period of the career of these noted bandits, I was engaged as reporter for the Kansas City Press, and not only became acquainted with many of their relatives and friends, who reside in that section, from whom were obtained numerous facts and incidents never before published. But my duties as a journalist gave me many excellent opportunities to learn the real truth in regard to many of their most daring adventures, to one of which, the robbing of the cash box at the Kansas City Fair, I was and I witness. As time unfolds the mysteries which have gathered around the names of these desperate outlaws, it will be seen that this is the most faithful history of their exploits that has ever been presented to the public. J.W.B. St. Louis, December 15th, 1880. CHAPTER I OF THE BORDER BANDANCE This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Larry Wilson. THE BORDER BANDANCE by J.W.B. Buell. Jesse and Frank James, Their Youth. Strangely and yet a not uncommon circumstance, Jesse and Frank James were the sons of a respectable Kentucky minister of the Baptist persuasion. Reverend Robert James, in the good old times, as he was wont to call the early days of his ministry, was a great camp-meeting exhorter, and many of the rock-ribbed hills of middle Kentucky had been musical with the echoes of his strong voice. Like many other pastoral exorters, and close communionists, the Reverend James was illiterate so far as book-learning was concerned, but his sincerity was rarely debated. It has been asserted that he passed an academic course at Georgetown College, but the records of that institution show the name of no such person. Zarell de Kohl, the mother of the noted outlaws, was married to the Reverend Robert James and Scott County, Kentucky, the same county in which Georgetown College is located. This fact, added to the desire to hero-wise, to the largest possible extent, the paternity of the James boys, is doubtless the reason for ascribing to the father a finished education and unusual ability. Like father, like son, is a very ancient oriental adage, but it does not apply to Jesse and Frank James, though it is true that their dispositions are due to maternal inheritance. In fact, the wife's strength of will, and uncompaniable traits of character, resulted in a final separation a few years after their removal to Clay County, Missouri in 1843. The Reverend James in 1849 joined in the Pilgrimage to California from whence he never returned. And in 1857 Mrs. James took another husband in the person of Dr. Reuben Samuels. It is quite unimportant to follow the domestic career of Mrs. James, now Mrs. Samuels, and what has been related is merely for the purpose of defining the inherited bent and inclination of the parents of the great-outlaws. Jesse James was born in Clay County, Missouri in 1845, while Frank's nativity is Scott County, Kentucky, where he was born in 1841. At an extremely early age they displayed traits of character which have ever since distinguished them. Their hatreds were always bitter, and their cruelty remorseless. They manifested his special delights in punishing dumb animals, which is evidenced by their cutting off the tails and ears of dogs and cats, burying small animals alive, and diversions of every kind which would inflict the most grievous pains. Among other boys they were domineering and cruel, and would rarely participate in innocent amusements. They were never subjected to parental restraint, and their youth was passed in the most perfect indulgence. At the age of ten and fourteen years respectively, the boys were provided with firearms, in the use of which they readily became proficient, and were no less expert in throwing a buoy knife which they could send quivering into a two-inch sapling at the space of fifteen feet, almost without fail. End of Chapter 1. When the toxin of war sounded and the feverish thrill of excitement ran through the nation. Boys though they were, Jesse and Frank James, were electrified with the ominous news and longed to participate in the affray where human blood might be drawn until, like a fountain, it would swell into a gory river. Soon the unmerciful quantrell, that terrible wraith of slaughter, came trooping through Missouri upon an errand of destruction, and attracted to his banner many impetuous youths of the West, among whom was Frank James. Jesse being the junior brother, and but little more than fourteen years of age, was rejected by quantrell and returned home to his farm labors with sorrow, but he did not remain inactive. The family, being intensely southern in their political predilections, all possible aid and sympathy were given to quantrell. Many dark nights, Jesse would mount his best horse and ride through the gloomy wilderness of western Missouri until he gained the guerrilla haunts where he would deliver important information concerning the movements of federal troops. The part played by Jesse in the open and decided expressions frequently made by Dr. Samuels, and his decidedly demonstrative wife greatly excited the federal soldiers, and it was determined to make an example of the family. Accordingly in June 1862, a company of Missouri militia approached the Samuels homestead, which is near Kearney in Clay County, and first meeting Dr. Samuels, they soon gave him to understand that their visit was made for a purpose decidedly unpleasant to him. A strong rope was produced with which he was securely pinioned and then led away from the house a distance of about a hundred yards. Here the rope was fastened in a noose around his neck, while the other end was thrown over the limb of a tree, and several men hastily drew him up and left him suspended to choke to death. Mrs. Samuels, however, had followed stealthily, and the moment the militia had departed she rushed to the rescue of her husband, whom she hastily cut down and by patient nursing saved his life. The enraged troops decided also to hang Jesse James, whom they found plowing in the field, but his youth saved him from any other violence than a few cuffs in the production of a rope with a suspicious noose which they threatened to ornament his neck with if he again visited the guerrilla camp. Instead of producing the desired effect, this act of the militia only excited Jesse LeMore and led him to deeds of graveer importance. He continued to communicate almost daily with Quantrell, which so exasperated the militia that they paid a second visit to the Samuel's residence, decided upon killing both Dr. Samuels and the daring Jesse. When they reached the place, however, they found their intended victims absent, but determined not to return without some trophy of their revengeful sortie. They took Mrs. Samuels and her daughter, Miss Susie, captive and carried them to St. Joseph, where they were kept confined in jail for several weeks. This last act greatly inflamed Jesse's passions and he immediately mounted his horse and again rode to Quantrell's camp, where after detailing the particulars of this last outrage, perhaps exaggerating the facts some in order to make his appeal more effective, he begged the guerrilla commander to accept his services as a private. So hard did he plead for permission to join the ranks that marched under the shadow of the black flag, that at length the barrier which his youth imposed was overlooked, and the terrible Quantrell Oath was administered to him. CHAPTER III OF THE BORDER BANDEDS This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. RECORDING BY PATRICK MIDDLETON THE BORDER BANDEDS by J. W. Buell THE FIRST SCURMISHES Up to this time the guerrillas had been engaged in but a few skirmishes, their services consisting chiefly in small, foraging expeditions, making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the country preparatory to engaging in more effective measures. There was a slight brush at Ridgefield in which Captain Scott, with twelve of Quantrell's men, surprised thirty militia whom they captured after killing ten, and in this attack Jesse James participated. Upon his return to camp he was sent out with orders from Quantrell to scour the counties adjoining Clay and locate the militia. After passing through Clinton County, he paid a short visit to his mother, who received him with many manifestations of pleasure, and then began to unload herself of the valuable information she had gathered for the benefit of the guerrillas. She told him that the attack on Ridgefield had resulted in massing the militia for a determined stroke, and that the troops were concentrating near that point. That Plattsburgh had been almost entirely relieved of its garrison and would fall in easy prey to the guerrillas if they chose to profit by the opportunity. Jesse lost no time in communicating the situation to Quantrell, and accordingly, three days after the capture of the squad of militia men at Ridgefield, Captain Scott took fifteen men and silently stole upon Plattsburgh, which he found defended by less than a score of Federals under the command of a Lieutenant. The guerrillas dashed into the town about three p.m., August twenty-fifth, yelling like a tribe of Comanche Indians. The citizens fled into their houses with such fear that few ventured to look into the streets even through keyholes. The Federal Lieutenant chanced to be in the public square when the charge was made, and Jesse James had the honor and credit of capturing him. The rest of the militia gained the courthouse where it would have been impossible to dislodge them and to have attacked the building would have exposed the guerrillas to the fire of the enemy. It was here that Jesse James' strategy and military tact were first manifested. Turning his prisoner, the Lieutenant, over to Captain Scott, he said in a loud voice, Captain, there's no use parlaying with these cutthroats. Shoot this fellow if he don't order his men in the courthouse to surrender immediately. Captain Scott replied that he would if the courthouse was not surrendered in two minutes. The result was that Plattsburg fell into the hands of the guerrillas, who pillaged the town and gathered booty consisting of two hundred and fifty muskets, several hundred rounds of ammunition, ten thousand dollars in Missouri warrants, besides a large quantity of clothing, etc. The money was divided among the participating guerrillas, each of whom received nearly one thousand dollars in warrants, besides clothing and other articles of value. The guerrillas compelled the landlord of the principal hotel to prepare them a good supper, to which they invited their prisoners, whom they paroled, and after feasting until nine o'clock p.m., they withdrew to the cover of the forest. After raiding Plattsburg, Quantrell broke camp and moved southward, passing through Independence and Bivouac near Lee's summit. The residents of that section suffered pitilessly, from the sack and pillage of both Federals and Confederates. They occupied a middle ground which was subject to the incursions of both armies, and what was left after the forge of the Union forces was remorselessly appropriated by the guerrillas. There were skirmishes almost daily, and every highway was red with human blood. The James boys, young as they were, became the terror of the border. The crack of their pistols or the war of their pirueting bowies, daily proclaimed the sacrifice of new victims. The sanguinary harvest grew broader as the sickle of death was thrust in to reap, and the little brooks and rivulets that had babbled merry music for ages, and laved the thirst of man and beast. With their crystal water suddenly became tinged with the dye fresh from the fountain of bitterest sorrows, and thus the days sped on heavy with desolation. Quantrell and his followers were scarcely interrupted by the militia, who never attacked them except at the price of terrible defeat, but length the direful scheme was proposed, in which the desperate character of these free writers was manifested in its blackest hues. End of Chapter 3 by J. W. Bue, The Desolation of Lawrence Lawrence, Kansas, a thrifty town located on the core river, was selected by Quantrell as the place upon which to wreak a long pent-up vengeance. Sitting around the campfire on the night of August 18, 1863, the chief of the Black Banner held a consultation with Frank and Jesse James, the younger boys, the Shepherd brothers, and other of his most daring followers, as to the next advisable move upon a place which would furnish the best inducement for their peculiar mode of war. There was a concert of opinion that Lawrence was the most available place. The point having been selected, Quantrell did not neglect to inform his followers of dangers such in undertaking involved, that their road would be infested with militia, the forces of which would be daily augmented when the first intimation of the purposes of the guerrillas should be made known, that it would be ceaseless fighting and countless hardships, and many would be left upon the prairies to fester in the sun. He then called his command to arms and acquainted every man with the decision in the following speech. Fellow soldiers, a consultation just held with several of my comrades has resulted in a decision that we break camp tomorrow and take up a line of march for Lawrence, Kansas, that we attack that town and, if pressed too hard, lay it in ashes. This undertaking, let me assure you, is hazardous in the extreme. The territory through which we must pass is full of enemies and the entire way will be beset by well-armed men through whom it will be necessary for us to carve our way. I know full well that there is not a man in my command who fears a foe, that no braver force ever existed than it is my honour to lead, but you have never encountered dangers so great as we will have to meet on our way to Lawrence. Therefore, let me say to you, without doubting in the least your heroism, if there are any in my command who would prefer not to stake their lives in such a dangerous attempt, let them step outside the ranks. At the conclusion of Quantrill's remarks, a shout went up from every man, on to Lawrence, not a face blanched, but on the other hand, there was but one desire, to lay waste the city on the call. On the following day, the order was given to mount, and with that dreadfully black flag streaming over their heads, the command 200 strong turned their faces to the west. As they crossed the Kansas line at the small town of Aubrey, in Johnson County, Quantrill compelled three men whom he found sitting in front of a small store kept by John Beeson to accompany him as guides. The command passed through Johnson County midway between Olathe and Spring Hill and through the northern part of Franklin County. When they reached Cole Creek, eight miles from Lawrence, the three guides were taken into a clump of thick words and shot by Jesse and Frank James. One of the party, an elderly man, begged piteously to be spared, reminding his executioners that he had never done them any wrong, but his prayers for mercy ended in the death rattle as a bullet went crashing through his neck. Quantrill had been agreeably mistaken concerning the resistance he expected to encounter. Not a foe had yet appeared, but he never permitted a person to pass him alive. No less than 25 persons whom he met in the highway after getting into Kansas had been shot, and yet he avoided the public roads as much as possible. Early in the morning of August 21st, Quantrill and his band came in sight of the fated down. The sun was just ragging above the undulations of the prairie and the people of the place were beginning to resume the duties of a newly born day. With a cry which froze the blood of everyone in the town who heard it, Quantrill and his 200 followers descended upon the place with pistols, sword, and fire-band. The prime object of the guerrillas was to capture General Jim Lane, who resided at Lawrence and retaliate upon him for the burning and sacking of Osceola, Moe, which had been accomplished by men under his command. But Lane fled on the first alarm and concealed himself in an adjacent cornfield. Foiled in their desires to capture him, the enraged guerrillas turned their vengeance loose upon the ill-fated town, killing every man who came within range of their deadly revolvers. Quantrill's order were to kill all the men, but to spare the women and children. By accident, however, possibly by design of some drunken privates, several women and children were shot, and this fact was made use of in subsequent reports of the affair to greatly exaggerate its barbarous details. It was certainly sufficiently inexcusable and barbarous without exaggeration. The torch was applied to the light frame buildings as the killing progressed and the beautiful little city was soon enveloped in a sheet of flames. Stores and saloons were broken into and robbed of their contents, and the guerrilla band soon became a howling mob of drunken madmen. The dreadful harvest of death and destruction lasted nearly all day, and when the guerrillas took up their line of retreat toward the borders of Missouri, the city of Lawrence had disappeared from the face of the earth. In this affair, Jesse James is said to have killed 30 men and Frank 35. They seem to take a shot of devilish pride in numbering their victims. Quantrill and his men hastily retracted their steps, but they were terribly harassed during the entire return march by the Kansas militia and federal troops that hurriedly concentrated and went in pursuit of them. This force has been reliably estimated at fully 7,000 and nothing but hard marching, determined fighting and an endurance that has never been equal to save the guerrillas from total destruction. At Blackjack, about 15 miles from Lawrence, a stand was made and some brisk fighting occurred. The guerrillas took to cover in a large barn which stood at the edge of an orchard. Several assaults were made to dislodge them but in vain. The horses of the guerrillas were suffering severely, however, and realizing that without horses they would be unable to get out of Kansas, the guerrillas made a desperate charge in which 32 of the militia were killed and a panic was the result. But the guerrillas did not care to follow up the victory as every moment was precious. The militia were swarming and closing in upon them rapidly and it was only by the rarest stroke of fortune that Quantrill and his men ever escaped from Kansas. This rare fortune was due entirely to the unparalleled cowardice of 300 well-armed and mounted men who had been organized into a militia force near Spring Hill, Kansas. These men exhibited remarkable bravery until the enemy appeared in sight when they immediately retreated and ever halted until they were 10 miles from the place where they saw Quantrill. Had they engaged the enemy which was one-third less in number, besides badly fatigued, they could either have beaten Quantrill or held him at bay until enough reinforcements were received to have annihilated every one of the guerrilla band. It was a continual fight however, and as Quantrill predicted, many of his followers were left dead and unburied on the hot prairies where they became the prey of carrion birds. At Shawnee, in the northern part of Johnson County, the last stand was made but the fight lasted only a few minutes for the guerrillas appreciating the critical position they occupied with nearly 5000 militia gradually surrounding them in the manner of early settlers who joined in general hunts for the destruction of obnoxious wild animals, Quantrill soon ordered a charge and retreat. After breaking through the lines, the guerrillas disbanded and each one then considered alone his own safety. This rendered a general pursuit impossible and with a total loss of 21 men, the bands reached the coverts of Jackson and Clay counties where they were comparatively safe. End of chapter number four. Chapter number five of the Border Bandits. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Shashank Jagmola. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell. Desperate fighting by squads. After spending a month in apparent leisure, during which time Jesse and Frank James were frequent night visitors to their old home, Quantrill again called his command together for the purpose of resuming active hostilities, but he changed his tactics and added new terrors to the border counties of Missouri. The command was divided into squads of 20 and 30, by which means they could make bold ashes at various points almost simultaneously and so confuse their enemies as to make pursuit futile. Indeed this peculiar and remorseless warfare gave rise to the strange superstition that Quantrill was some spirit of darkness who could transport himself and troops from place to place in the twinkle of an eye. He became no less dreaded by the federal troops than by union citizens and day and night non-combatants as well as armed militiamen fell victim to the terrible gorillas. In the early part of October, Jesse James, in charge of a squad of 25 men, learning of the movements of a company of federal cavalry under command of Captain Ransom, who was marching towards Pleasant Hill, made a rapid detour and flanked the federal's five miles north of Blue Springs. Jesse selected a place near the road which was well screened by a dense thicket. Here he stationed his men and when the federal scheme riding leisurely by, unconscious of any lurking danger, suddenly a storm of bullets poured upon them from the thicket and men fell like leaves in an autumn gust. The entire company was immediately thrown into the greatest confusion. The youthful commander of the gorilla made the most of his advantage and ordered a dash into the confused and stricken rank of the enemy, which he shone down with as little resistance as is offered by dumb animals. The havoc was terrible for out of nearly 100 federal's, less than one-third the number escaped, while the loss of the gorillas was only one killed and three slightly wounded. On the following day, another squad of control's men ambushed a body of militia who were returning from a forage in Lafayette County and mercilessly annihilated nearly every one of the unfortunate command. One week later, Frank and Jesse James, with 50 men, suddenly appeared in Bourbon County, Kansas, five miles south of Fort Scott and swooped upon Captain Blunt and his company of 75 mounted infantry and, with a yellow fray and triumph, swept with deadly missiles the astonished federal's, leaving 40 of them to bleach in autumn rains. The next attack was upon Lieutenant Nash's command, three miles west of Warrensburg, Missouri, which was surprised by the gorillas and cut to pieces. Following close upon this came the furious desolation of Captain. This little town was garrisoned by a small company of federal's, who, upon the day in question, were in the midst of a Bacchanalanean drivels and unable to offer any resistance. This fight was a slaughter, in which the drunken soldiers were shot down without compunction and the riot of murder was a pastime sport for the gorillas. After completing the harvest of death, the town was spillaged and fired and when the gorillas rode out of the place they left its ruins in charge of the dead. Another squad, under command of George Todd, suddenly encountered the second Colorado cavalry under command of Captain Wagner and a desperate fight ensued. The Colorado troops understood Guerrilla warfare and Wagner was as brave a man as ever mustered a company. The gorillas made a furious charge, but the onslaught was met with such resistance that the opposing forces mingled together in a hand-to-hand contest. The fight was terrible, the rattle of revolvers being at times almost drowned by the clash of sabers. Jesse James fought like a hungry tiger and his dead-dealing pistol made terrible inroads among his foes. Singling out the Captain, who was fighting with wonderful desperation, Jesse rode by him at a furious pace and discharging his pistol with remarkable accuracy, he sent a bullet through the brave Captain's heart. This act sent consternation through the ranks of the Colorado troops and a retreat in confusion was soon begun. Those that were wounded received no mercy at the hands of the gorillas, but were shot or put to the sword and then left unburied. Every attack made by the gorillas added new terrors to the neighborhood. There was a concentrating of militia at every available point in a thousand schemes proposed by which to surprise and bring to punishment the desperate band, but the gorillas were kept thoroughly posted and continued the reckless mode of warfare with varying success. In the early part of 1864, Frank James was sent out by Bill Anderson to locate a number the Federal Force at Harrisonville. The duty was fraught with much peril, but it was danger the James boys courted as the spies of existence. He rode straight for the town until within sight of the picket lines. He then hitched his horse in the closest thicket he could find after which he approached with great care and at night succeeded in passing the pickets. Very soon after reaching the outskirts of Harrisonville, he met a negro from whom he obtained what information he desired and then crept back again through the lines and mounted his horse. At this juncture he was spied by two of the picket guards who commanded him to halt. The reply came from his pistol and though the night was without moonshine he sent a bullet through the brain of one and another shot tore through the body of the other picket. The camp was speedily enarmed, but Frank rode rapidly out of harm and delivered the information he had gained with such risk to Anderson. On the second day thereafter the plan of attack on Harrisonville was consummated and a hard fought battle was the consequence, but the gorillas were forced to retire and they turned their attention to a company of federal volunteers who were encamped on Grand River at Flat Rock Ford. These they attacked with determined fierceness, but they were met with equal force and were again compelled to retreat. In this fight Jesse James was badly wounded, a musket ball having passed through his breast, tearing away at a large portion of his left lung and knocking him from his horse. Notwithstanding the rain of bullets, Ark Clemens and John Jarrett rode back and gathering up their wounded comrade, they bore him to the house of Captain John M. Rood where for several days his death was hourly expected. Carefully nursing and the best surgical skill however saved his life and in one month's time he was able to resume the saddle and in six weeks he again went on active duty. On the 16th of September 1864 Jesse James concluded to pay another visit to his mother, but the road thence was beset with a thousand dangers which were very few men could be induced to encounter. During the ride he came suddenly upon three uninformed militia who ordered him to halt, but instead of obeying the summons he whipped out two pistols and in a moment the three men were struggling in the throes of death. Jesse met with no other adventure on the journey and after spending two days with his mother returned to the camp of the gorillas. Immediately upon his return he was informed of the plans conceived during his absence of attacking Fayette, Missouri. On the 20th the attack was made and charge after charge with all the force the gorillas could command was hurled against the stockades which protected the Federals, but every onslaught was firmly met and left a trail of dead and wounded gorillas. Lee McMurtry, one of the bravest of Anderson's forces, fell dreadfully wounded directly under the federal parapets. Jesse James was an intimate comrade of McMurtry and he determined to rescue his friend. What a nature is that which can rush up to the very blazing muzzles of deadly rifles to drag away a wounded friend, but Jesse James seemed to court death without the ability to win it. He braved that lurid stream of fatal fire and drew away the gasping form of his friend and yet escaped unscathed. This battle also resulted adversely to the gorillas and they were driven with great loss from Fayette. Leaving this place they rode west again and went into camp near Wellington. End of chapter number five. The act of service he delegated to the most strategic and unmerciful members of his command. Bill Anderson, a human tiger in disposition, was placed in charge of the full force when it was decided to move upon Centrelia, a small town in Boone County on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway. On the 27th of September, one week after the attack on Fayette, the gorillas numbering 150 men headed by Anderson and that most ominous of banners, the black flag with skull and crossbones, marched upon Centrelia, which they took possession of without resistance. After pillaging the place, the gorillas took up their station at the depot and awaited the coming of the train. They had not long to wait, for soon the shrill whistle of the engine as he came thundering through a cut, drawing five passenger coaches loaded with soldiers and civilian travelers, announced the coming of the prize. The moment the train stopped, the dreadful black flag was flung out and with the exchange of a few shots, the messengers of death boarded the cars. Everyone on the train was ordered out and made to form a line after which the 32 soldiers were separated from the other passengers and all disarmed. Now the breathless suspense, the terrible forebodings and the anxiety as to the fate that will be meted out to them. Every soldier was shot as unmercifully as if they had been obnoxious beasts or poisonous snakes. The passengers were relieved of whatever valuables they possessed, after which they were permitted to proceed on their journey. In the afternoon of the same day and before the gorillas had departed from Centrelia, a body of Iowa volunteers, 100 strong, under the command of Major J.H. Johnson, rode into the town and in the space of a few hours the two forces met and engaged in a terrible conflict. Again, Jesse James, who was the best pistol shot in the gorilla service, made a furious dash at Major Johnson and planted a pistol ball almost in the center of the brave Major's forehead. The gorillas now rushed upon the terrorized volunteers with such resistless impetuousity that they broke in confusion. The fight became a massacre, but very few of the brave volunteers escaped to convey to anxious friends the dreadful fate that had befallen their comrades. One of the militia men had a very remarkable escape. Being badly wounded in the early part of the fight, he remained unconscious, with the blood streaming from a saber gash in his head until the foe had departed. When the fight was over, the gorillas went among the wounded and shot them with their revolvers, determined that not a soldier should escape. This single exception to the consummation of gorilla vengeance was supposed to be dead, and he therefore escaped the crowning feature of that day's massacre. When consciousness was regained, he found himself alone among the dead bodies of his comrades, and his shouts for help brought to his assistance the services of a kind old negro woman who took him to her house and obtained surgical aid, so that in two weeks' time he was able to return home. The result of the fight at Centrelia was not such as brought great encouragement to the gorillas. The victory they gained was at the cost of nearly 50 of their number, whom it would be impossible to replace, because men of their bold reckless and desperate character are rarely to be found. It was therefore determined to again divide up into squads and renew the warfare, which they had waged so successfully in the previous year. But the gorillas never fought again as they had at Fayette and Harrisonville. Their courage to meet an armed force seemed to have vanished. End of Chapter 6 Recording by John Brandon Chapter 7 of The Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell Fortune Turning Against the Gorillas The numerous and desperate deeds of the gorillas received the earnest condemnation of the Confederate forces, and for a time it was seriously considered by many of the most distinguished Confederate officers advisable to unite in the effort to rid Missouri of this terrible scourge. But their career was rapidly culminating. In attempting to cross the Missouri River in Howard County, a detachment of the gorillas headed by Bill Anderson was attacked by a force of Federals under Montgomery, and in the fight which ensued, Anderson and five of his men were killed, while the others escaped to the hills. They were again surprised while in camp on the black water and several more were killed, and Jesse James was badly wounded in the leg, besides having his horse killed under him. In another fight which followed soon after on Sugar Creek, George Todd, one of the most daring and shrewd of Quantrell's old comrades, was shot to the death, and in the latter part of 1864, in order to save themselves from capture or annihilation, the gorillas concluded to disband finally. Jesse James joined his fortunes with George Shepard and went to Texas, while Frank James followed Quantrell to Kentucky. End of Chapter 7 Recording by John Brandon Chapter 8 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by John Brandon The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell The World Wind of Destruction Changes In January 1865, Quantrell collected together nearly 50 of his old followers, among whom was Frank James, and started for the hills of Kentucky, where he expected to continue his warfare. Their route lay southeast, and before they got out of Missouri, they came very near falling into the hands of Curtis, who pursued them hard almost to the Arkansas line, where the trail was lost. The gorillas crossed the Mississippi River at Gaines Landing, nearly 20 miles above Memphis, and made their way through Tennessee, entering Kentucky from the south. At Hartford in Ohio County, the command met a squad of 30 militia, under command of Captain Barnett, whom they readily deceived into the belief that they were federal troops, searching for gorillas, and that Quantrell was a federal captain. Indeed, the deception was played so successfully that Barnett was induced to accompany them upon an expedition. Quantrell managed to communicate with each of his men, whom he instructed to ride beside the Federals, and when he should draw his handkerchief and throw it over his shoulder, it was the signal for the slaughter. At about five o'clock in the afternoon, Frank James rode up beside Captain Barnett, while Quantrell moved forward, and as his horse stepped into a shallow branch where all his men could see him, he drew the fatal handkerchief, and without looking back, he waved it and then threw it over his shoulder. There was a rattle of pistol shots, and Captain Barnett and his men fell dead under their horses. Near Hopkinsville, the gorillas met 12 federal cavalrymen who sought the shelter of a barn and gave battle. The fight lasted for more than an hour, and until the barn was fired, when the 12 brave fellows were forced from their defense and were shot as they rushed from the flames. Their horses then became the property of the gorillas. Frank James stopped one day with an uncle, who lives about 50 miles from Hopkinsville and thus permitted the command to get so far ahead of him that he did not engage in any more skirmishes in Kentucky. For two days afterward, Quantrell was driven into a small village called Smiley, where finding escape impossible, he made his last stand. It was for he against nearly 300, and Quantrell knew that it was a fight to the death. Leading almost at every poor, the Black Banner'd bandit fought like the Gladiators. Until blinded by his own blood and with a score of gaping wounds, he fell mortally wounded with an empty pistol in one hand and a bloody sword in the other. It was thus that the entire force of Quantrell's gorillas died, except Frank James, whose life was spared for darker deeds. End of Chapter 8, Recording by John Brandon Chapter 9 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by John Brandon. Jesse James Career in Texas As previously stated, Jesse James left Missouri in company with George Shepard and 40 or 50 gorillas for Texas, where they spent the winter of 1864-65 without special activity. And in the spring it was decided to return to Missouri, although such a decision was pregnant with the renewal of all the dangers from which they had just escaped. Upon reaching Benton County, Jesse James, Arch Clements, and another comrade proceeded to the farmhouse of James Harkness, who was known as an uncompromising union man. They decoyed him a short distance from his house by requesting him to direct them to a spring which they knew was in the neighborhood. When out of sight of the house, Jesse James and his comrade caught Harkness by the arms and held him firmly, while Arch Clements drew a large buoy knife, with which he cut the throat of the defenseless farmer, almost severing his head. Fresh blood being upon their hands, they rode into Johnson County to the house of Alan Duncan, another union man, and finding him chopping wood in his yard, Jesse James first accosted him and then sent a bullet into his brain. The gorilla band now numbering scarce a score before getting out of Johnson County were surprised by a company of federal volunteers and almost annihilated. Jesse James had his horse shot under him and a musket ball went crashing through his lungs. Supposing him dead, the Federals gave pursuit to the fleeing gorillas and chased the remaining few for nearly fifty miles. The wounded gorilla lay for two days where he fell in terrible agony and would have died except for the kindly administrations of a farmer who chanced to find him. The care he received after weeks of suffering enabled him to again resume the saddle and he went to Nebraska where his mother was temporarily living and where he remained until the return of Frank James from Kentucky late in the following summer. Before Frank left Brandensburg, however, he met with an adventure which nearly cost him his life. The vicinity of Brandensburg was infested with horse thieves and suspicion was directed against Frank as one of the guilty band. It was determined to arrest him and for this purpose a posse of six men went to the house where he was stopping and after charging him with horse-ceiling demanded his arms. The response was most unexpected for with an oath he drew his pistol and shot three of the party and in return was badly wounded in the thigh. The other three fled but a large crowd soon collected to intimidate which Frank backed up against the house and threatened to shoot any one who made the least motion to harm him. A horse was standing hitched conveniently near and compelling the crowd to fall back. He drew his suffering body into the saddle and made his escape. The wound proved a very serious one and kept him confined to his bed at the house of a friend where he found refuge nearly 75 miles from Brandensburg for several months. End of Chapter 9. Recording by John Branden Chapter 10 of The Border Bandits. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by John Branden. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell. Robbery and Murder It is a trite old saying that one crime begets another and in the life of Jesse and Frank James it is well illustrated. When the war closed and the occupation of the guerrilla under color of authority was gone the James boys were loath to change the exciting and dangerous vocation to which they had become enured by nearly four years of almost ceaseless activity. Other guerrillas who had been their comrades in so many desperate struggles which had made their very names a terror had surrendered themselves when the bond of national union had been repaired and returned to peaceful pursuits. But Jesse and Frank James affected to despise the ordinary walks of life and refused to tread other than paths which bristled with danger and anxiety. Both were sorely wounded and a period of recuperation was necessary and this respite from the turmoil of bandit life was employed in the conception of bold schemes by which to enlarge the notoriety of their names and to accumulate wealth. When they had somewhat recovered from their wounds Mrs. Samuel's returned to her old home in Clay County where the boys paid her occasional visits as opportunity offered but generally keeping themselves well hidden in the fastnesses of Jackson County. In the latter part of 1866 Jesse James was attacked with a severe type of malarial fever which the exposure he had to endure so intensified that he determined to secretly visit his mother and place himself under her immediate care. The record which he had made during the war rendered him amenable to the vengeance of a large number of the residents of Clay County and adjoining counties who had suffered by his desperate acts. Consequently Jesse knew that eternal vigilance was necessary but hoped to so conceal his presence at the Samuel's homestead that no one would suspect his location or condition. But in this he was deceived for only a few days had elapsed after his arrival at home when by some means unknown to the writer it was discovered that Jesse had taken up at least a temporary residence with his mother. It was a bitter cold night in the month of February 1867 that a band of six persons each of whom had a special grievance to revenge knocked at the door of Dr. Samuel's residence and demanded immediate admittance. Jesse was in a bed upstairs but he was the first to hear and understand the peremptory challenge as it were of the men outside. Hastily drawing on his pantaloons and boots he grabbed his two heavy pistols and looked out of the window where by the light refracted by the snow he saw six horses and only a single man. He knew then that the house was surrounded and all chance of escape lay in a bloody fight. He silently descended to the first floor where Dr. Samuel's was rattling the door and explaining to those awaiting admittance that the lock was out of repair so that the key would not work readily. This was a ruse however to secure time for Jesse who Dr. Samuel's hoped would be able to escape through a back window. Locating the voice of one of the men who was threatening to break in the door Jesse fired through the panel and a stifled groan told him that his aim had been perfect. On hearing the shot the other five rushed to the front of the house. Jesse threw the door partly open and the light from the snow made the men outside easy targets for his unerring aim while he was so hidden by the door and darkness within that the attacking party could not fire with the least accuracy. In half the time it is taken the reader to even scan this report three of the six men were lying dead in the snow and two others were desperately wounded while the other fled in mortal terror. Suffering as he was from a very high fever Jesse lost no time in mounting his horse and with a hurried goodbye he again rode into the wilderness leaving his mother and her family with the dead and wounded. It was a ghastly scene there upon the white shrouded ground one man dead on the doorstep two others stiff and frozen in their own blood which chrismed the yard while the groans from the wounded made the place more hideous. Dr. Samuel's notified his nearest neighbor as soon as possible and with the assistance he secured the two wounded men were taken into the house and cared for while a lonely vigil over the dead was kept until morning. A large crowd collected at the homestead on the following day and removed the bodies while more than 50 well-mounted citizens went in pursuit of the youthful desperado but after a week's fruitless search they returned to their homes and quiet again brooded over the distressed neighborhood. End of Chapter 10 Recording by John Brandon Chapter 11 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell. Wondering a Kentucky bank. The bloody record of the James Boys had been almost forgotten for they had not been seen in Clay County for many months and no specially reckless deeds had been committed to bring back a remembrance of them. When suddenly the town of Russellville, Kentucky was thrown into a greater excitement than it had ever before experienced. The James Boys had paid the place of visit and left a souvenir of their desperate valor. On the 30th of March, 1868, Jesse James accompanied by four comrades, George Shepard, Al Shepard, Cole Younger, and Jim White dashed into the town like a hurricane, yelling and firing their pistols until every one was frightened from the streets. They then rode to the bank where four of them dismounted and entered with drawn revolvers. So intimidating the cashier that he opened the safe to Jesse James while Cole Younger gathered the money that was lying upon the counter. The amount appropriated by the bandits was $14,000, which they threw into a sack and then leisurely departed. Everything connected with the robbery showed thorough system and a management which could be attributed to none other than the fierce Missouri Free Boaters. When the excitement and surprise had somewhat subsided, the sheriff summoned 20 deputies and started in pursuit. The chase continued through Kentucky and Western Tennessee. Telegrams were sent in every direction with the hope of intercepting the robbers, who, finding themselves close pressed, scattered as was their custom. And all save George Shepard eluded pursuit and gained the marshes and dense coverts of Arkansas, where it was impossible to trail them. Shepard was captured two weeks after the robbery in a small drugstore in Tennessee and taken back to Logan County, where he was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of three years. Oliver Shepard, a brother of George who was also connected with the bank robbery, was afterward found in Jackson County, Missouri, and a requisition being first obtained. A dozen men attempted his arrest, but all, as he was called, was made of that sterner composition which would not broke a curtailment of his liberty, and he threw defiance at the officers of the law. Then began a battle of extermination. The officers had armed themselves with carbines because they knew that a common range of the old guerrillas pistols would be death to many of them. The hero of the hundred desperate conflicts felt that his time had come, so bracing himself against a large tree, he stood and received the fire of his slayers at a range of nearly two hundred and fifty yards. His pistols were useless, although he fired every shot, fourteen rounds at the officers, who from behind trees shot seven terrible slugs into his body before he fell. Even then, like Spartacus, he struck out towards his foes in the last throes of death. The James boys appeared twice in their old haunts in Missouri, but spent nearly a year in Texas and Mexico, in remote districts, where they were free from the interference of officers anxious for their capture. It was not until the latter part of 1869 that they resumed criminal operations, their plans being laid to rob the bank at Gallatin, Missouri. In this scheme, they were assisted by the three younger brothers, whose career for consummate daring and recklessness is fully equal to that of the James boys. It was on the 7th of December that a body of seven thoroughly armed men, superbly mounted, galloped into Gallatin, and commenced firing their pistols indiscriminately, shouting most terrible oaths and fearful threats. After alarming the residents of the place and preventive resistance, Jesse James and Cole Younger dashed into the bank, and at the mussels of drawn revolvers, they compelled the cashier, Captain John W. Sheets, to deliver the keys of the money department of the safe, the main door being open. After rifling the bank of seven hundred dollars, Jesse and Cole whispered a few words together, put the money in a bag, and then one of them, but which of the two it is not known, deliberately shot Captain Sheets dead. The reason given for the commission of this crime was that Captain Sheets had, during the war, led a party of militia against the guerrillas in which conflict Bill Anderson was killed, and that the killing of Sheets was in revenge for Anderson's tragic death. Captain Sheets was a very popular man in Gallatin and the surrounding neighborhood, and when the news of the terrible tragedy and robbery spread, nearly the entire county arose in arms and demanded the blood of the assassins. Several bands were organized and started in pursuit, each taking a different route, with the hope that one of them might be able to apprehend the bandits before they could get out of the county. One of these bands, numbering twelve citizens, overtook the robbers on the edge of Clay County, and a running fight ensued, in which one of the citizens was wounded slightly, and the horse of another killed. These casualties ended the pursuit, and the bandits reached Jackson County in safety, where they disappeared. End of Chapter 12, Recording by John Brandon Chapter 13 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell, the mysterious hiding place in Jackson County. In perusing books and newspaper articles recording the adventures of the James and Younger Boys, the reader must have been impressed with the somewhat singular assertion that pursuit of the bandits generally ended by their sudden disappearance in Jackson County, Missouri. I will confess that I have often wondered how it was possible for a body of men to mysteriously disappear in a certain locality, and thereby end a close pursuit. A gentleman who has been intimate with the James Boys for a period of nearly 20 years, and with whom I am intimately acquainted, volunteered to me the long wished for information, which he gave as follows, omitting only the exact location. I will use his own words as nearly as possible. You know, said he, that Jackson County is one of the most rugged and broken districts in Missouri. It not only abounds with bluffs, but also in at least a few places, with almost impenetrable thickets fit only for the abode of catamounts and foxes. One day I was riding through Jackson County. I will not tell you where, when suddenly I was confronted by Frank James. He greeted me cordially and then said, I have every confidence in you, and I know you would not betray us to save your right arm. Therefore I invite you to our retreat. Come with me. I followed him in a bridal path for nearly a mile, when we came to a precipitous bluff, the base of which was completely hidden by a thick growth. There was an entrance between the growth and bluff, where anyone would least suspect it, because at the mouth are two bold rocks, which are apparently attached to the bluff itself. This delusion is accomplished by keeping the interstices filled with fresh brush, so late as to appear like a natural copis. This passageway leads about 50 feet to a large fissure in the side of the bluff, resembling a vestibule. From this we stepped into a large cave quite roomy enough to contain comfortably more than a score of men and horses. I was astonished at the completeness of the arrangement of things in the cave. There was a cooking stove, the pipe of which extended up and was lost in the top of the cave. Frank James told me that this smoke from the stove passed into a fissure of rock which evidently opened into another cave, as no smoke could ever be seen issuing from the bluff. He then took me over to another part of the cavern, where there was a clear spring of beautiful water, and over this was another fissure from which there was a cool draft of air, which thoroughly ventilated the entire cave. I could see that many of the conveniences of the place were due to no little labor. A part of the cave was sealed nicely with grooved pine lumber, so as to prevent dampness, and in this division was a large heating stove, and about a dozen beds, all supplied with neat bedding. In the rear of the cave, which was perhaps 100 feet deep by 60 broad, were 21 stalls for horses. And over the stalls was a large feed bin filled with oats and corn, but no hay, as the latter was too bulky to convey readily into the cave. But what surprised me most was the means of defense. There was an arsenal of firearms and a magazine of ammunition, while the approach to the cave was commanded by a fierce, breach-loading 10-pound cannon, which was kept constantly loaded with buckshot, and looked out towards the entrance in such a way that one man could defend the place against a hundred, for a discharge of that cannon would sweep everything out of the passage. The place is absolutely impregnable, even if it could be found, which it would be exceedingly difficult to do. I would not have told you this, except for the fact that the cave is now abandoned and may never be occupied again. But yet there is a certain obligation from which I do not feel myself wholly relieved that causes me to keep the location of the cave a secret. Frank James is in the east, and Jesse James, well, I don't know what has become of him, but I hope he is living in safety and happiness, as I believe he is. Because with all their crimes, the James boys have been good friends to me. A terrible fight in Mexico. After robbing the Gallatin Bank, the James boys left Missouri and went to Texas, where they remained a short time and then crossed the border into Mexico. It has been suspected that they drove a herd of cattle across the border with them, but of this there is no ready proof, and the crimes of some greasers may have been attributed to the bandits. In the month of May 1860, Frank and Jesse James rode into Matamoros, and as there was a Fandango advertised to take place at a public house on the night of their arrival, they decided to attend. Accordingly, when the night shadows fell, they paid the price of admission and entered the hall, which was rapidly filling up with Swarthi, Senoritas, and Hidalgos. From the belts of the latter protruded the glittering handles of bright, keen stilettos in preparation for the Afray, which is always anticipated. The dance began about eight o'clock with much spirit, and the world of the graceful girls soon excited a desire on the part of Frank and Jesse to participate, although they were not familiar with the movements and figures of the Spanish dances. Nevertheless, they essayed an attempt, which only served to excite the ridicule of the Mexicans, who by gesture and speech went so far in their sport and mimicry of the outlaws that at length, Frank James knocked down one of the boldest. This act came near proving disastrous to both the boys. For the moment the Mexican fell to the floor, another powerfully built Hidalgo struck Frank a blow on the cheek, which sent him spinning into the laps of two girls who were seated on a bench awaiting partners. For a moment he was so stunned, as to scarcely know what to do. But Jesse saw where his aid was most needed, and the next instant the powerful Mexican fell with a bullet in his brain. A general fight then ensued in which Jesse and Frank rushed for the door. But their passage was impeded, so nothing remained for the boys, except a clear away by shooting those who stood before them. Frank received a thrust in the shoulder from a stiletto, and Jesse's right forearm was punctured with a similar instrument. But the boys fired rapidly, and with such effect the four Mexicans lay dead, and six others were dreadfully wounded, some mortally. Jesse was the first to break through the doorway, and as he did so, he turned at the very instant a dagger in the hands of a strong Mexican was directed at Frank's heart. But ere the hand fell to its purpose, a bullet from Jesse's pistol entered the Mexicans eye, and he dropped dead at Frank's feet, striking the dagger deep into the floor as he fell. This fortunate shot enabled Frank to escape from the building, and as the Mexicans had no arms except stilettos, they were powerless to continue the fight. But many of them rushed to their homes to procure firearms and horses, and the place was swarming so rapidly with blood-craving hidalgos and greasers that the only avenue of escape lay in the river. They accordingly rushed toward their horses, which were hitched in the woods nearby. But just before reaching them, three powerful Mexicans suddenly sprang upon Frank James, who was a little in the rear, and attempted to bind him with a stout cord which they threw over his shoulders. Fortunately, in running, he had picked up a large bludgeon which lay in his path, and shaking himself loose from the grasp of his assailants, he laid about him so briskly with this formidable weapon that in a moment the three Mexicans lay stunned on the ground at his feet. Then hastily joining Jesse, who had already mounted and was holding his horse for him, he sprang into the saddle, and putting spurs to their restless steeds, they plunged boldly into the Rio Grande and swam to the other side, while the Mexicans were riding about in every direction trying to find the bandits, whom they did not imagine would dare to take to the river. The boys made good their escape, but the wounds they had received in the fight were of a most painful nature and required careful attention. Franks was the most severe, and had not Jesse bandaged it with the greatest skill, the outlaw must have bled to death before obtaining medical aid. For what of the veins in his neck had been severed? The two reached Concepcion, a small town in Texas, about one hundred miles from Matamoros, where they remained in charge of a surgeon for nearly three months, before their wounds had healed sufficiently to permit them to travel. In the spring of 1871, Jesse and Frank James secretly returned to their haunts in Jackson County, Missouri, where they remained for some time, arranging for an expedition into Iowa. Their plans being perfected, they with five other bandits started north riding by night until they reached Corridon, the bank in which place they had previously decided to rob. At ten o'clock in the morning, the seven desperados made a furious charge into the center of the town and commenced a fuselage of firing, threatening to kill every person found on the streets within five minutes afterward. None of the citizens thought of offering any resistance, and dashing up to the bank three of the robbers dismounted and rushed in with cocked pistols and demanded of the cashier every cent the bank contained. Finding himself powerless and realizing the death would be his certain portion if he refused to comply with the immediate demands of the desperate outlaws, the cashier opened the safe and permitted them to appropriate nearly forty thousand dollars. The money was placed in a sack, which they invariably carried with them for the purpose. And then the seven desperados rode rapidly out of the city, firing their pistols indiscriminately as they swept through the streets. The citizens were of course intensely excited, and after the disappearance of the robbers, a hundred persons volunteered their services to the sheriff to assist in the apprehension of the bold plunderers. Efforts at capture were made by a large body of men, but like all similar attempts, the result was nothing. They were followed into Missouri, and telegrams sent to every town in the state. But like imps of darkness, the seven daredevil disappeared, and were not again seen for several months. But it is now known that they were lying quietly in their impregnable haunt in the eastern part of Jackson County, waiting for a return of quiet. Chapter 16 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell. Another bank robbery in Kentucky. In the latter part of 1870, Jesse and Frank James visited Kentucky, where they had a large number of friends and relatives who admired their bravery and condoned their crimes. They remained here until in the early part of the spring of 1874, when they and the younger boys conceived a plan for robbing the bank at Columbia, Kentucky. On the 29th of April of that year, the three youngers and the two James boys entered Columbia about the same hour from five different roads, so that there was not the least apprehension excited. Just before three o'clock in the afternoon, the five Desperados rode up to the bank together. While Frank James and Cole Younger leisurely dismounted and entered the bank, where they found the cashier, Mr. Martin, the president, Mr. Dal Rimpel, and another gentleman engaged in a conversation. Without losing any time or creating any suspicion from the citizens of the place, the two bandits drew their pistols. And going behind the bank counter, leveled them at the heads of the cashier and president, and demanded the keys to the safe. Seeing at a glance, however, that the safe was secured by a combination lock, they commanded the cashier to open it under penalty of immediate death if he refused. Martin was a brave man, and instead of being intimidated, tried to raise an alarm. But at the first outcry, Frank James thrust a heavy navy revolver into his face and fired, killing him instantly. At the same moment, Cole Younger fired at the president. But luckily, that gentleman struck up the pistol and, running into the back office, escaped with his life. The two robbers hastily gathered the money that was in sight, about two hundred dollars. And gaining their horses, the five rode out of town at a rapid pace. Fifteen men, headed by the sheriff, went in pursuit of the desperados and chased them hard into the eastern part of Tennessee, where the trail was lost in the Cumberland Range. Again, the bandits doubled on their tracks, after the pursuit was abandoned, and went into the western part of Texas, where they mingled with the lawless elements of the border. Every attempt at their capture had proven fruitless, and for the time being, the provincial banks were kept well armed in anticipation of a raid. The James boys were too crafty to appear again in the counties where their terrible deeds had excited the people to desperation. They waited until the memory of their crimes had been partially forgotten, and then, planned new schemes of pillage. End of Chapter 16, Recording by John Brandon by J. W. Buell, robbing of the cash box at the Kansas City Fair. On the 26th of September, 1872, the people of Kansas City had an opportunity for considering the cunning and bravery of the James boys for immediate circumstances which suddenly involved the city in a furor of excitement. It was on Thursday the big day of the Kansas City Exposition, when nearly 30,000 visitors were assembled to see the races, and particularly to witness Ethan Allen trot in harness against a running mate. The crowd was immense, and of course the gate receipts were correspondingly large. About four o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Hall, the secretary and treasurer of the association, counted up the receipts of the day, which were nearly $10,000. And placing the money in a tin box kept for the purpose, he told one of his assistants to take it to the First National Bank, where although it was after banking hours, arrangements had been made to make the deposit. No thought was entertained that any attempt would be made to steal the cash box while so many people were constantly on the highway leading to this city. And the young man started off whistling gaily carrying the treasure box by a wire handle in his right hand. As he reached the entrance gate, where more than a dozen persons were coming in and going out, three men on horseback, Jesse and Frank James and Bob Younger, dashed up to the young man with such reckless haste that a little girl was badly trampled by one of the horses. At the same moment a pistol shot was fired, and Jesse James jumped from his horse into the confused crowd, and snatching the cash box from the hand of the affrightened messenger, he leaped into the saddle again, and the three highwaymen disappeared, with a clatter of fast flying feet, like the sweep of a whirlwind. For several minutes it was thought that the little girl had been struck by a pistol ball, but after she was carried home it was ascertained that her injuries, which were not fatal, were caused by the horse of one of the robbers, knocking her down and trampling upon her hips. The news of the robbery spread over the city in a few minutes, and Marshall Shepard sent out some of his detectives, while several gentlemen mounted fleet horses and used every possible endeavor to capture the robbers. The trail led over the hills east of Kansas City, and about ten miles into Jackson County, where every trace was suddenly blotted out. The outlaws had reached their favorite haunt where no pursuer had ever been able to find them. The writer was a reporter on the Kansas City Journal at the time of the robbery, and reported the details, as here related. End of Chapter 17, Recording by John Brandon Chapter 18 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell Plundering the St. Genevieve Bank The success of the bandits thus far greatly encouraged them, in their lawless operations, and they were constantly planning new and still more reckless adventures. They remained in their secure hiding place during the winter of 1872-3. Retiring upon their laurels and living royally upon their immense gains. During this period of jolly hibernation, schemes were proposed for wrecking railroad trains, and before the appearance of spring, Frank James and Jim Younger were sent into Nebraska for the purpose of gathering information concerning the express shipment of treasure from the west. Not hearing from the robber agents as soon as was expected, Jesse James, Bill Chadwell, Clell Miller, and Bob and Cole Younger decided to pay their respects to another bank before venturing upon their railroad enterprise. And the Savings Association at St. Genevieve, Missouri, was selected for the strike. Accordingly, early in the morning of May 27, 1873, the five desperate freeboaters appeared in the streets of that old-time Catholic town, and the moment that Mr. O. D. Harris, the cashier, accompanied by F. A. Roseyer, a son of the honorable Furman A. Roseyer, the president, entered the bank to begin the business of the J. The three jarring bandits followed them into the building and, presenting six pistols, demanded the immediate opening of the bank vault. Young Roseyer, regardless of the danger, made a speedy exit, and as he ran down the street crying for help, a bullet from one of the outlaw's weapons went whistling through the tail of his coat, but he escaped. Mr. Harris, however, was covered by too many pistols to permit of his escape, and stern necessity forced him into a compliance with the wishes of the robbers. He opened the vault from which the sum of $4,100 was taken, a large part of which was speci, and shoving it speedily into the sack provided, the bandits mounted their horses and decamped. As they were riding out of the city, the bag containing the treasure was accidentally dropped, to recover which it was necessary to return and one of the robbers had to dismount. In doing so, his horse became frightened and broke away. At this juncture a German came riding by, and the robbers compelled him to ride after and catch the fleeing animal, which was returned to the riderless bandit. Only after such delay has permitted a hastily organized posse of the citizens to approach within pistol shot of the three highwaymen. An exchange of fire caused the posse to check their pace, and the distance thus gained by the pursuit was never made up. The pursuit was continued for several days, but without result. The outlaws stopped at Hermann, Missouri, two days after the robbery, but as usual there was no posse there to apprehend them. Several well-known detectives from St. Louis were sent out, and the sheriff of every county in Missouri notified and requested to keep a sharp lookout for the Desperados. But though many suspicious characters were arrested, the real culprits were never captured. The amount secured at St. Genevieve was a great disappointment to the robbers, for it was known that the bank usually carried from 75,000 to 100,000 dollars. But at this particular time very fortunately, the association was winding up business and had deposited the greater portion of its funds in the Merchants Bank of St. Louis. End of Chapter 18, Recording by John Brandon Chapter 19 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell Wrecking and Plundering a Train In June, following, both the James boys were seen in Kansas City by intimate acquaintances, and the night of June 27 was spent by both the bandits, with their mother at the Samuel's residence. On the 15th of July, Bob, Jim and Cole Younger, Jesse and Frank James, Bud Singleton and two other bandits, whose names have never been learned by the authorities, left Clay County, Missouri and rode northward to a spot which had been selected by Frank James and Jim Younger on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, about five miles east of Council Bluffs. The reason for selecting this place and time was because of information received of an intended shipment of a large amount of gold from San Francisco to New York, which would be made over this route, reaching Omaha about the 19th of July. How this information was imparted was never ascertained, but its truth has led to the belief that the James boys had confederates on the Pacific slope, with whom they were in constant communication. On the evening of July 21, a formidable band of eight of the most desperate men that ever committed a crime took position in a dense thicket, beside a deep cut in the railroad. They hitched their horses out of view of passengers on the train, and then, after a few minutes' work, displaced one of the rails. This accomplished, they waited the coming of the express train, which was due at that point at 8.30 p.m. From an old near the rendezvous, Jesse James decried the blazing headlight of the coming train and then made everything ready for the villainous work. A sharp curve in the track prevented the engineer from discovering anything wrong until it was impossible to prevent the disaster which the bandit had prepared for. The screaming engine came thundering like an infuriated mammoth, which a reversal of the lever only began to check when it struck the loosened rail and plunged sideways into the bank by the car's telescope and piled up in terrible confusion. The engineer was instantly killed and a dozen passengers were seriously injured, but the desperadoes did not stop to consider this terrible disaster. The moment the havoc was complete, the bandits fell upon the excited passengers, whom they robbed without exception both men and women, taking every species of jewelry and the last scent that could be discovered from the wounded as well as those who remained unheard. The express car was entered and the messenger groaning with pain from a broken arm was compelled to open the safe, which was rifled at six thousand dollars and then the messenger was forced to give the robbers his watch and ten dollars which he had with him. Fortunately the desperadoes were 12 hours too soon for the train upon which the expected treasure was carried as the express that went east on the morning of the 21st carried gold bricks, speci and currency amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars. The total amount secured by the train wrecking band was about twenty five hundred dollars each which they carried off as was their custom in a sack departing southward at a rapid gate. The officers of council bluffs were soon notified of the robbery the wounded and dead were taken to the city and cared for and then another pursuit of the robbers was begun which was united in by sheriffs and posses of other counties until the pursuing parties numbered nearly 200 men. The desperadoes were traced over hill and prairie through clay county and into Jackson where the trail was lost as effectually as if the robbers had mounted into space and fled behind the clouds. Reward after reward was offered until they aggregated more than fifty thousand dollars the most expert detectives from St. Louis and Chicago concentrated upon an effort to win the prize and rid the county of the most consummate highwomen since the days of Rola the bearded night of the forests. But every clue proved deceiving and the most cunning of detectives finally abandoned the chase thoroughly confounded by the marvelous cunning of the bandits. End of Chapter 19 Recording by John Brandon Chapter number 20 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Shashank Jakhmola. The Border Bandits by J. W. B. L. The Stage Robbery near Hot Springs In December of 1873 a council was held in the haunt of the bandits near the big blue in Jackson County in which it was decided to attempt a stage robbery and the line between Melbourne and Hot Springs, Arkansas was selected for the first stroke in the inauguration of a new species of crime. Accordingly on the 15th of January 1874 five of the highway men consisting of Frank James, Clell Miller, Arthur McCoy and Jim and Cole Younger repaired to the scene of their intended operations and secreted themselves in a dense cupboard on the south side of the stage road five miles from Hot Springs and awaited the coming of their victims. The conception of this scheme manifested the judgment of the bandits for they were influenced by the supposition that those who visited Hot Springs in search of health were people of liberal means who would naturally carry with them a goodly sum of money with which to meet expected large expenses and in this the judgment was correct. It was after midday when the heavy concord stage filled with passengers came rattling over the rough and stony road opposite the secret hiding place of the highway freebooters. Suddenly a shot startled the driver and his surprise culminated when Jesse James arose from a clump of brush and with a heavy revolver in each hand commanded the driver to halt. The order was instantly obeyed and as the passengers thrust their heads out of the vehicle they saw five fierce looking men armed and spurred whose purposes were at once divine. Frank James who acted as leader ordered the occupants of the stage to get out which being complied with the passengers were formed into line and then submitted to a search by Clell Miller and Jim Younger while the three other bandits stood guard with cocked pistols. The fright of the travelers was greatly intensified by the bloodshilling threats of the desperados. They gestured with one another and made banters to test their skill as pistol shots on the trembling and unarmed passengers. Now said Frank James to Cole Younger I will bet you the contents of that fellow's pocket book pointing to one of the travelers who was a small tradesman at Little Rock that I can shoot off a smaller bet out of his right ear than you can. I'll take the wager responded Cole but you must let me have the first shot because my eyesight is not as good as yours and if he should hit his ear first the blood might confuse my aim. Frank insisted on shooting first and in the wrangle the poor victim trembled until he could scarcely retain his feet and with the most prayerful entreaties begged the robbers to take what he had but spare his life. Mr. Taylor of Massachusetts a sufferer from eumatism then drew the attention of the bandits and Jesse James offered to bet his share of the booty that he could throw his bowie knife through Taylor's underclothing without drawing blood. It was thus the bandits gestured with one another and in turn had each of the fear-stricken passengers praying for his life. When the search was concluded Frank James produced a memorandum book and took the names of all the travelers saying I am like lightning. I don't want to strike the same parties twice. The total amount of money and valuables taken approximated four thousand dollars. The heaviest loser being ex-governor Burbank of Dakota from whom the robbers secured fifteen hundred dollars. When the bandits left their victims they graciously and with great punctilio raised their hats and bade them a most courteous adieu wishing them a pleasant visit at the springs. When the travelers reached hot springs they were in a sorry plight not one of them having enough money to send a message home for additional funds but the citizens kindly provided for their wants and exhibited much sympathy but little or no attempt was made to capture the highway men. Indeed any such effort would have undoubtedly terminated fruitlessly for in addition to the cunning and bravery of the bandits the mountainous nature of the country would have prevented a pursuing party from making up the time lost in reporting the circumstances of the robbery. End of chapter number 20. Chapter 21 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by John Brandon. The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell. Train robbery at Gads Hill. After leaving the scene of their hot springs adventure the five daring highway men finding that they were not pursued rode up into the northern part of Arkansas where they had several friends and there planned a scheme for plundering a train on the Iron Mountain Railroad. The place chosen for the purpose was Gads Hill very small station in Wayne County, Missouri which in the summertime is almost hidden by the cops of pine trees which surrounds it. The adjacent country was a very jungle in which it was easy to hide and elude the most determined pursuit. On the last day of January 1874 but little more than two weeks after their last successful robbery the five bandits with Frank James still acting as leader rode into the station and made prisoners of every man in the place consisting of the railroad agent a saloon keeper blacksmith two wood choppers and the son of Dr. John M. Rock. These were confined in the station house under threats of instant death if any attempt at escape were made. Having prevented every means of alarm the desperados turned the switch in order to ditch the train if it attempted to run past as Gads Hill was only a flag station and then planted a red flag in the track immediately in front of the station house. The train was not due until 5 40 in the evening at which time the shadows of twilight curtained the little place and prepared the approach of darkness. promptly upon time the train came bowling along and the engineer seeing the danger signal ahead brought the engine to a standstill alongside the station house. No one was seen when the train stopped but in a moment thereafter Cole Younger mounted the cab and withdrawn pistol compelled the engineer and fireman to leave the engine and walk out into the woods. Mr. Alfred the conductor was arrested by Jesse James as he stepped from the train to ascertain the cause of the display of the red flag. He was forced to give up his watch and 75 dollars in money after which he was placed in the station house then began a sack of the passengers Clell Miller Jim Younger and Frank James searched the affrightened people in the cars while Jesse James and Cole Younger taking opposite sides of the train maintained a watch and kept shooting in various directions while they uttered terrible oaths and threats to keep the passengers in a state of constant trepidation. After stripping all the passengers of every bit of valuables the outlaws proceeded to the express car where they broke open the safe and secured the contents. The mail car was next plundered and the letters cut open one of which contained two thousand dollars and several smaller sums were obtained. The total amount of booty secured by the bandits was about eleven thousand five hundred dollars. Having again successfully accomplished their criminal purpose without meeting any resistance the five desperados released those confined in the station house. The engineer and fireman were recalled from their position in the woods and the train was ordered to proceed then mounting their horses which were hitched nearby the outlaws rode into the brush and disappeared in the darkness. When the train reached Piedmont information of the robbery was telegraphed to Little Rock, St. Louis and all the towns along the road. On the following day a large body of well armed men started from Ironton and Piedmont in pursuit of the desperate outlaws and soon got on their own track. The pursuing party found where the bandits had breakfasted sixty miles from Gads Hill. Following the trail closely on the second day the citizens posse reached the spot where the outlaws had spent the night and they were encouraged by the belief that a capture might be affected before the close of the day but suddenly the party came to a low marsh through which it was dangerous to ride and in searching for a pathway around the boggy district much time was lost and the trail of the robbers could not be found again so the pursuit was abandoned. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Shashank Jackmola The Border Bandits by J. W. Bull Witcher's Unfortunate Hunt for the James Boys In the spring of 1874 John W. Witcher of Chicago a brave, cool, cunning man scarcely 30 years of age connected with the Pinkerton force and appeared before his chief and asked to be sent out to discover the hiding place of the terrible brigands. He was fully informed of the danger of such a mission but his self-reliance and pride made him anxious to make the attempts which had already cost the lives of so many courageous officials. The chief gave his consent and Witcher set out at once for the Samuel's residence. In the early part of March the detective arrived in Liberty where he soon laid his schemes before the sheriff of Clay County and asked for assistance when the time and circumstances were ripe for a strike. The sheriff promised all needful aid and gave Witcher all the information and his possession concerning the habits and rendezvous of the James and Younger Boys. Changing his garb for the habit of a tramp Witcher left Liberty on the 15th of March and arrived at Kierney on the same day late in the afternoon. He took the road leading directly to Samuel's residence and had proceeded perhaps two miles on the lonely highway when suddenly G. S. E. James walked out from behind a pile of dead brush and with pistol presented confronted the detective. Witcher's surprise was complete but he manifested not the least excitement. His cool self-possession never deserting him for a moment. Where are you going? was the first remark made by Jesse James. I am looking for work, was Witcher's reply. What kind of work do you want and where do you expect to find it? Asked Jesse, his pistol still pointing full in poor Witcher's face. I have been used to farm labour and hope to find something to do on some farm in the vicinity, responded the detective. Jesse James smiled contemptuously and then gave a sharp whistle, which brought to his side Clell Miller and Frank James, whose near presence Witcher had not thought of. The conversation then continued. Said Jesse, you don't look much like a labourer nor is there any appearance of a tramp about you except in your clothes. Now I want you to acknowledge frankly just what your purpose is in this part of the country. The detective began to realise how critical was his position and that, unless the most fortuitous circumstances should arise in his favour, his chances of escape were exceedingly small but with the same coolness he made reply. Well, gentlemen, I am nothing more than a poor man without as much as a dollar in my pocket and what I have told you as to my purpose is true. If you will be good enough to let me proceed or furnish me with means by which I can secure work I shall be thankful. At this the bandits laughed scornfully, while Jesse James proceeded with the examination. I think you are from Chicago and when you arrived at Liberty a few days ago you wore much better clothes than now you have on. Besides it seems that you and Moss, the sheriff, had some business together. Say now young fellow, haven't you set out to locate the James boys whom you have found rather unexpectedly? Witcher then saw that he was in the hands of his enemies and his heartbeat in excited pulsation as he thought of the young wife he had so recently wedded and from whom an eternal separation appeared certain, dropping his head as if resigning himself to cruel fate. Witcher hoped to deceive his captors and in an unguarded moment be able to draw his pistol and fight for his life. Like a flash from a hazy cloud the detective thrust his head into his bosom and succeeded in grasping his pistol but ere he could use it the bandits sprang upon him and in the grip of three strongmen he was helpless. He was then disarmed and firmly bound by small cords which Frank James produced. Clell Miller went into the woods and soon returned leading three horses on the largest of which Witcher was placed and his feet tied under the horse's belly. A gag was placed tightly in his mouth and Jesse James mounting behind the desperados rode into the deepening twilight of the woods with the victim. They crossed the Missouri River at the independence landing and just before the day they halted in the black shadows of a corpse in Jackson County. Here they prepared for the punishment and execution of the prisoner which was taken from his horse and bound fast to a tree. The gag was removed from his mouth and then the bandits tried to exhort from him information concerning the plans of Pinkerton and the number and names of the detectives he had engaged in the attempt to capture the outlaws. Though they pranked him with their bowy knives and bent his head forward with the combined strength until the spinal column was almost broken and practiced other atrocious torments yet Witcher never spoke. He knew that death was his portion and he defied the desperados and dared them to do their worst. Finding all their endeavours fruitless Jesse and Frank James murdered their victim one of them shooting him through the heart and the other through the brain. The moddy was then carried to the nearest highway where it was left to be found next day by a farmer who was driving into independence. End of chapter number 22 Chapter number 23 of the Border Bandits This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Shashank Jagmola The Border Bandits by J. W. Buell Murdering Cowboys and Driving Off Cattle The excitement following the murder of Witcher was so great that the James Boys, Clell Miller, Arthur McCoy and the three younger brothers quit Missouri and again visited Texas. After carousing around the state until their pecuniary means were well now exhausted, they determined upon the commission of a new crime. Stealing a herd of cattle. It was in September 1874 that the seven brigades rode into the southwestern part of the state where they selected a herd of 500 of the finest beef cattle in Starr County, which were being tended by three cowboys. The harders were cruelly murdered and the robbers drove the cattle rapidly towards Mexico with the design of selling them to the Mexicans who cared little for the real ownership of the cattle after they were set upon Mexican soil. On the extensive plains of Texas where the large herd are left in charge of cowboys to roam from season to season subsisting entirely upon the rich grasses of the prairies, the owners often do not see their cattle for months trusting them to the care of the herders. It is due to this fact perhaps that the bandits after killing the cowboys were permitted to drive the herd over 60 miles and into Mexico without being pursued. Reaching Camargo, the bandits had no difficulty in disposing of the cattle and with this money they went on a big spree which terminated in a fight with 15 gringos who were saloon loafers and petty disturbance by profession. The result of this combat was the wounding of Clarl Miller and Jim Younger and the killing of two Mexicans. The bandits were afraid much worse however had they not gained their horses and made rapid retreat, gaining the Rio Grande so far in advance of their pursuer as permitted them to cross the river before the Mexicans reached the bank. The free booters having eluded their pursuers stopped at Camp Hudson for several weeks where the wounds of Miller and Younger were attended to and in December the party returned to Missouri thinking that, as had been usual, the excitement over their crimes had so far subsided as to permit them to visit their old homes and haunts. Their appearance in Clay County, at least the James Boys, was noted on the 20th of January 1875 and report of their return was at once made to Alan Pinkerton who, after some correspondence with county officials and others, formed a plan for capturing the outlaw. End of chapter number 23