JESSE JAMES STILL A FREE ROVER.
"Still Fate, regardless of a mortal's woe,
May have reserved for him a cruel blow--
A blow more dreaded than the passing breath,
Of the grim spectre men call gloomy death."
It required no ordinary sagacity to escape the environments
which his daring deeds had created for him, after the robbery at
Glendale. Had Jesse James been other than a man of extraordinary
capacity in great emergencies, his career would have been brought
to an inglorious close before the clock of Time would have
indicated the commencement of the New Year, 1880. But the destiny
which seems to guide him once more manifested itself, and Jesse
James, the bandit, rode through difficulties and dangers, and away
to repose and freedom on the far off plains of Texas. There were
many persons who believed that the reported death of Jesse James
was true; that the account of the bloody duel between George W.
Shepherd and Jim Cummings, was confirmatory of the statement of the
former, that he had shot Jesse James. It is probable after that
fateful Sunday in the deep recesses of a Southwest Missouri forest,
and the terrible peril to which he was there subjected, that
Shepherd really believed he had shot Jesse. But, be that as it may,
there were many people who resolutely insisted upon it, that Jesse
James rode away unscathed. Time has disclosed the fact that they
were correct. Several circumstances combine to show that Jesse went
away from the vicinity of Short Creek, after the Cummings-Shepherd
conflict, in the enjoyment of perfect health.
A few days after Christmas, the newspapers of Kansas City announced
the arrival in that city of Mrs. Jesse James, from what point they
did not say, perhaps because they did not know. Mrs. James visited
relatives and friends in Kansas City for several days, and her
conduct was not at all like that of a recently bereaved widow.
After spending some days pleasantly in the city, she proceeded with
Mrs. Dr. Samuels to the residence of that lady near Kearney, Clay
County, which fact was duly gazetted in the society notes of the
St. Louis and Kansas City journals. Mrs. Samuels herself, though
professing to believe the reports concerning the death of her son,
yet did not act as though the conviction had taken a very firm hold
upon her mind. Mrs. Jesse James remained some days at the residence
of her mother-in-law, and then suddenly she concluded to visit
her relatives and friends in Logan and Nelson Counties, Kentucky.
These movements of the supposed widow of the late dreaded leader of
the Glendale robbers does not appear to have attracted any great
amount of attention from the officers of the law. Indeed it appears
Marshal Liggett had not yet abandoned the opinion entertained by
him, that George W. Shepherd had shot and seriously if not fatally
wounded the noted outlaw.
One day, after the middle of January, 1880, a young man of
respectability, residing in Kansas City, who had been entrusted
with a certain message to deliver at Russellville, Ky., called
upon another young gentleman of his acquaintance, and invited
him to accompany the first-mentioned young man to Kentucky. It
was a mistake on the part of the message bearer, for the young
man was no admirer of the methods of the chief of the Glendale
band, and, after revolving the proposition in his mind, he came
to the conclusion to acquaint Major Liggett with the facts in
his possession. This he did. The marshal urged him to accept
the invitation, and proceed to Kentucky with his friend. It is
intimated that he supplied the necessary funds to enable the young
gentleman to make the journey. The two men started. There lives in
Kansas City a gentleman who has known the James Boys, and who is
not their enemy, even now. This gentleman received an intimation of
what was going on, and learned definitely the aims of the marshal.
In half an hour a message--it matters not what words were employed,
they were significant--was sent to Louisville, to a friend. That
friend received it, understood it, and a message was at once sent
to a person in Russellville. Meanwhile, the conscientious young man
and his friend journeyed in the ordinary course of travel toward
Russellville. Arrived there, the message-bearer cut his companion
of the journey, and the latter could learn nothing to report to
the marshal of Kansas City. The person to whom the message came
understood precisely what it meant, and the person whom Pinkerton
and his employees have often sought, once more found a quiet
retreat, where he cannot be readily discovered.
There are several stories afloat with regard to the course taken
by Jesse James after the Cummings-Shepherd conflict. The following
is understood to be a correct narrative. Sunday night the party of
robbers separated, each man taking a route of his own selection.
Cummings was first cared for and left in a secure place. Jesse
James made a detour toward the east, and then turned northward. He
remained in St. Clair county two days, and came into Jackson county
while the attention of everyone was directed to the marshal's
posse pushing down through the Indian Territory to Texas. In
Jackson county he remained for some days, and when it suited his
convenience he proceeded to Texas by a route of his own selection,
without molestation. Afterward he desired to enjoy a little
civilized life and went to Kentucky, where he was joined by Mrs.
James. But when the marshal's agent arrived in the region he was
not there.
Thus the great outlaw roves at will over the country, and all the
skill of men clothed with authority to entrap him has for so long a
time proved unequal to the task. But it is said by those who are in
a position to know, that he longs to retire from the business of an
outlaw, make peace with society and prove by an exemplary life in
the future that his nature is not wholly bad.
Life and Marvelous Adventures of
WILD BILL,
THE SCOUT,
BY J. W. BUEL, OF THE ST. LOUIS PRESS.
_ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS._
[Illustration: WILD BILL.]
BEING A TRUE AND EXACT HISTORY OF ALL THE
SANGUINARY COMBATS AND
HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPES OF THE MOST FAMOUS
SCOUT AND SPY AMERICA HAS EVER PRODUCED.
A marvelously exciting book, full of daring adventures and
wonderful escapes among the Indians and lawless white men of the
Far West.
PAPER COVERS, PRICE 25 CENTS.
Sent free to any address on receipt of price.
W. S. BRYAN, Publisher,
602 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, Mo.