Details
YOUNGER, [THOMAS COLEMAN] "COLE," outlaw, member of James-Younger gang. Autograph letter signed ("Cole Younger"), to Cora McNeil, from Minnesota State Prison, Stillwater, Minnesota, 27 February 1898. 2 full pages, large folio, 307 x 193 mm. (12½ x 7 5/8 in.), very closely written, small separations at two fold intersections.
A SURVIVOR OF THE JESSE JAMES - YOUNGER GANG GIVES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF A FRONTIER SHOOT-OUT
A long, very detailed narrative of a shoot-out on a darkened road (Younger's indifferent spelling is retained here): "...I will not take up space to tell you of Bennetts visit...But I will say I fear he with his strict notions of law & evidence will caus you to take unesery [unnecessary] trouble hunting up facts that are immaterial...He spoke of the Lull affair. As the Boys [the gang's] version was never given the way you have written it is the only one known in St. Clair. Co[unty]. The facts are as follows the Boys had been up to Chalklevel returned to Snuffers...while eating three men rode up and enquird the road that lead out north to Dr. Lewises...after the Boys got through eating they caught their horses to go ...where they were to meet some Girls....at the forks they seene by the horse tracks the men had taken the road to Monagaw and in about two hundered yards they seene the three men coming back meeting them. When the Boys left Snuffers they had no idea of seeing any thing more of the three men. But when they saw them comeing back on the road they were going John remarked them fellows are after something so less pass on by. So when they got near the boys turned to the right to pass saying good evening. Lull had his pistol in his hand under his large Cape and just as they were passing he pulled it out and fired hiting John. Jims horse whealed with a jump (as Daniels fired missing Jim who fell from his horse) & then quick as thought John killed Daniels and tuck after Lull who had put spurs and was runing down the road toward Snuffers the way the Boys had com while the third man...whirled and ran west...to Chalklevel. So when Jim got to his feet Daniels was dead John(?) and Lull were in full run going East with John clost behind and in about two hundred yards John shot Lull from his horse and turned back to go to where Jim was...thinking Jim had been killed[.] [I]n the mean time Jim turned Daniels over and started on after John & Lull as his horse & Daniel had run the same way[.] [W]hen he seen John...he then noticed John was holding with both hands to the horn of his saddle when Jim called to him he raised his head and then commenced to real [reel] and before Jim got to him he fell off and was dead. Jim turned him over and then called to colored folks at old Aunt Haners to come & take care of his body...Now the above is the story in full as full as I know. But I don't suppose it would make any difference so...make any changes if it interferes with your romance. As far what I said about Jim as a soldier leave him just as you had put it...In the appendix merely speak of who he was run in by if you wish..."
"...if you wish ask Norton if he hasen't General Buckman's memorys of the war and if the General had anything of interest to say about me I know he did...I think Barns statement is sufficent proof as to the western trip...I havent been able to write Mrs. G. and when I do I will tell her I have been in the hands of a women and as she is one herself she knows what tyrents they are. Jim [Younger, his brother] & myself are well havent any news...You spoke of me in former letters not wanting or giveing you one hour The facts are I havent 25 minutes during the twenty four hours of my own only when I am a sleep we have had some vary sick people and my room is headquarters for the nurses...I suppose it is becaus I am so goodlooking or my bald head..."
Younger (1844-1916) served with Quantrill's raiders, was mustered into the Confederate army with the band, and finished the Civil War with the rank of captain. After the war, he and two brothers, Jim and Robert (Jim is mentioned in this letter) teamed up with Jesse James. Their murderous depredations ended with the shootout in the the disastrous Northville raid in September 1876 (Cole had eleven gunshot wounds when he surrendered). He served 25 years of a life sentence and was released on condition that he remain in Minnesota in 1901. He died in 1916.
A SURVIVOR OF THE JESSE JAMES - YOUNGER GANG GIVES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF A FRONTIER SHOOT-OUT
A long, very detailed narrative of a shoot-out on a darkened road (Younger's indifferent spelling is retained here): "...I will not take up space to tell you of Bennetts visit...But I will say I fear he with his strict notions of law & evidence will caus you to take unesery [unnecessary] trouble hunting up facts that are immaterial...He spoke of the Lull affair. As the Boys [the gang's] version was never given the way you have written it is the only one known in St. Clair. Co[unty]. The facts are as follows the Boys had been up to Chalklevel returned to Snuffers...while eating three men rode up and enquird the road that lead out north to Dr. Lewises...after the Boys got through eating they caught their horses to go ...where they were to meet some Girls....at the forks they seene by the horse tracks the men had taken the road to Monagaw and in about two hundered yards they seene the three men coming back meeting them. When the Boys left Snuffers they had no idea of seeing any thing more of the three men. But when they saw them comeing back on the road they were going John remarked them fellows are after something so less pass on by. So when they got near the boys turned to the right to pass saying good evening. Lull had his pistol in his hand under his large Cape and just as they were passing he pulled it out and fired hiting John. Jims horse whealed with a jump (as Daniels fired missing Jim who fell from his horse) & then quick as thought John killed Daniels and tuck after Lull who had put spurs and was runing down the road toward Snuffers the way the Boys had com while the third man...whirled and ran west...to Chalklevel. So when Jim got to his feet Daniels was dead John(?) and Lull were in full run going East with John clost behind and in about two hundred yards John shot Lull from his horse and turned back to go to where Jim was...thinking Jim had been killed[.] [I]n the mean time Jim turned Daniels over and started on after John & Lull as his horse & Daniel had run the same way[.] [W]hen he seen John...he then noticed John was holding with both hands to the horn of his saddle when Jim called to him he raised his head and then commenced to real [reel] and before Jim got to him he fell off and was dead. Jim turned him over and then called to colored folks at old Aunt Haners to come & take care of his body...Now the above is the story in full as full as I know. But I don't suppose it would make any difference so...make any changes if it interferes with your romance. As far what I said about Jim as a soldier leave him just as you had put it...In the appendix merely speak of who he was run in by if you wish..."
"...if you wish ask Norton if he hasen't General Buckman's memorys of the war and if the General had anything of interest to say about me I know he did...I think Barns statement is sufficent proof as to the western trip...I havent been able to write Mrs. G. and when I do I will tell her I have been in the hands of a women and as she is one herself she knows what tyrents they are. Jim [Younger, his brother] & myself are well havent any news...You spoke of me in former letters not wanting or giveing you one hour The facts are I havent 25 minutes during the twenty four hours of my own only when I am a sleep we have had some vary sick people and my room is headquarters for the nurses...I suppose it is becaus I am so goodlooking or my bald head..."
Younger (1844-1916) served with Quantrill's raiders, was mustered into the Confederate army with the band, and finished the Civil War with the rank of captain. After the war, he and two brothers, Jim and Robert (Jim is mentioned in this letter) teamed up with Jesse James. Their murderous depredations ended with the shootout in the the disastrous Northville raid in September 1876 (Cole had eleven gunshot wounds when he surrendered). He served 25 years of a life sentence and was released on condition that he remain in Minnesota in 1901. He died in 1916.