Cole Younger is charged with having been connected with a great number of
wild adventures where stages, railroad trains, banks and stores have been
robbed, and his connection with them is not doubted by many, although he
has proved by respectable parties that he had nothing to do with some of
them.
A series of desperate crimes commenced to be committed as early as 1868,
and it was evident that a regularly organized band existed. It was, and
is, believed that the Younger brothers and the James brothers were the
leading spirits of the organization, and that it consisted of desperate
characters living in all parts of the western states as far south as Texas
and north through the territories. In 1868 a bank was robbed in
Russellville, Ky., and a good haul was made. In the same year the bank at
Gallaten, Mo., was attacked, and the cashier, J. W. Sheets, was killed.
In August, 1873, the safe belonging to Wells, Fargo & Co’s express company
was taken from a stage in Nevada territory, by four masked brigands, and
broken open and robbed of about $12,000 in gold and greenbacks, while the
driver and passengers were prevented from interfering by cocked guns held
at their heads.
In January, 1874, a stage en route for the Arkansas Hot Springs, was
stopped at Gain’s place by five men wearing army overcoats, and all of the
passengers were forced to give up all of their money and valuables. There
were a number of gold watches taken, the robbers declining to receive any
silver ones, and the sums of money received ranged from $5 to $650. The
robbers asked if any of the passengers had been in the Confederate army,
and when one responded in the affirmative, his property was returned to
him, with the remark that they only robbed Northern men, who had driven
them into outlawry. Another man who was entirely crippled by rheumatism
was not interfered with and was not robbed.
In February, 1874, the First National Bank of Quincy, Illinois, was robbed
of over $500,000 in money and bonds, but as the work was done in the
night, it is thought that the Younger gang was not concerned in it, as
they have never been known as burglars, but bold, daring highwaymen, who
work openly.
It is thought there can be no doubt but that the Youngers were among the
gang that attacked the train at Gad’s Hill, in 1873, as it was one of the
boldest robberies on record, the passengers in an entire train being
intimidated and robbed by a few men.
Cole Younger was one of the principal actors in the Northfield tragedy,
leading the squad which dashed through the streets to intimidate the
inhabitants while his comrades robbed the bank. Undoubtedly he is accused
of many crimes he never committed, but he has made himself a name that
will long exist, as one of the most bold and reckless outlaws of modern
times.
He claims that he is now for the first time in prison, and one cannot but
wonder how, in this age of intelligence and civilization, so terrible a
freebooter could have carried on his nefarious business for fourteen long
years almost unmolested.
[JAMES H. YOUNGER.]