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Details
JAMES, Frank.
Autograph letter signed ("Ben"), to his wife, Gallatin, Missouri, October 19, 1883, in pencil, with transmittal envelope. 2 pages recto and verso, folio, split along the vertical fold, and minor paper loss along the top and bottom edges not affecting the text or signature, some minor tape repairs at upper right. The letter has been deacidified and is enclosed in archival acetate. Finally, the '3' in 1883 has been altered to appear as an 8. The accompanying address envelope is postmarked at Gallatin, October 20, 1883. It is directed to his brother, Robert James, c/o Mrs. Margaret Ralston of Independence Missouri. James sent letters this way and signed with his alias, Ben Woodson to avoid the press. As he writes this letter Frank James languishes in a Missouri jail, where he is waiting trial for robbing the Davis County Savings Bank of Gallatin, Mo., and murdering the owner. "My dear wife. Bond has been refused and my case set for the third week in December -- two long months, it is just awful but you must try and not take it too hard at heart. I will make the best of it, I will not trust all I think to paper! When I see you I can tell you all, I am getting thoroughly disgusted with everything and everybody except you ... I am so anxious to have you with me, but on Rob's account I suppose I must make up my mind to spend my two months alone. Darling you need not expect me to write anything of interest for the reason my letters are liable to get into the papers, if you will just be as cautious as you can be, at the same time we can't tell what will happen. I felt as I ought to write you today although I am afraid you will not go to the post office before Tuesday and then you will get two for I intend to write Monday. Kiss my little man for me. Love to all -- Your loving husband Ben". He adds the postscript, "I have no heart to write by Monday I will feel better I hope."
The James Gang robbed the bank at Gallatin on December 7, 1869 and shot the proprietor, Captain John W. Sheets. James was finally brought to trial in 1883. He drew a jury packed with ex-Confederate soldiers and was acquited.
Provenance: Gary Hendershott, Catalogue 87, Lot 11.
Autograph letter signed ("Ben"), to his wife, Gallatin, Missouri, October 19, 1883, in pencil, with transmittal envelope. 2 pages recto and verso, folio, split along the vertical fold, and minor paper loss along the top and bottom edges not affecting the text or signature, some minor tape repairs at upper right. The letter has been deacidified and is enclosed in archival acetate. Finally, the '3' in 1883 has been altered to appear as an 8. The accompanying address envelope is postmarked at Gallatin, October 20, 1883. It is directed to his brother, Robert James, c/o Mrs. Margaret Ralston of Independence Missouri. James sent letters this way and signed with his alias, Ben Woodson to avoid the press. As he writes this letter Frank James languishes in a Missouri jail, where he is waiting trial for robbing the Davis County Savings Bank of Gallatin, Mo., and murdering the owner. "My dear wife. Bond has been refused and my case set for the third week in December -- two long months, it is just awful but you must try and not take it too hard at heart. I will make the best of it, I will not trust all I think to paper! When I see you I can tell you all, I am getting thoroughly disgusted with everything and everybody except you ... I am so anxious to have you with me, but on Rob's account I suppose I must make up my mind to spend my two months alone. Darling you need not expect me to write anything of interest for the reason my letters are liable to get into the papers, if you will just be as cautious as you can be, at the same time we can't tell what will happen. I felt as I ought to write you today although I am afraid you will not go to the post office before Tuesday and then you will get two for I intend to write Monday. Kiss my little man for me. Love to all -- Your loving husband Ben". He adds the postscript, "I have no heart to write by Monday I will feel better I hope."
The James Gang robbed the bank at Gallatin on December 7, 1869 and shot the proprietor, Captain John W. Sheets. James was finally brought to trial in 1883. He drew a jury packed with ex-Confederate soldiers and was acquited.
Provenance: Gary Hendershott, Catalogue 87, Lot 11.