Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08991

Author/Creator: James, Frank (1844-1915)

Place Written: Gallatin, Missouri

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 4 October 1883

Pagination: 7 p. : envelope ; 23 x 14 cm.

Summary of Content: Letter to his wife from prison. Discusses plans for the future, their relationship, his case, and the mugging of his friend. Expects ”When I come I am going to have my way for the same length of time that you have had yours, that will be will be five years, Dont say a damed word, You should be willings to live up to the ”Golden rule” If you dont write me word that I can do as I please I am going to take a bee line for ”Salt Lake” when I get out.” Discusses an incident that happened to his friend. ”I had a letter from Marth and she tell me she and Buck was going out calling the other evening and a big black negro caught her around the waist and snatched her pocket off her arm and made away with all her valuables...if that had been Mage and she had that little pistol Mr negro would of got a leaden missile in his back side when he went off. Inquires after his children, ”How is Mage getting on at School? And whats my little precious man doing every day? Does he ever talk about his old father? I would like for him to learn his book a little but so he can read to me when I get old and blind...I tell you when a poor fellow is locked up and his wife is sailing around it keeps him right uneasy...But I must try and not think about it, for I don’t want to loose my mind, I hope to live to do some good in this world, if only to raise boys, I want just about six...when I get old, it would do our old hearts good to see in our old age six or seven fine manly looking men and with pride we could point and say, ”All those are ours” Dont you think so? I am not simply talking to hear myself talk or to tease you but I am in dead hard earnest and mean it all and if do not agree with me I may not be as faithful in the future as I have been in the past. Tell me when you write all that is going on and for heaven sake dont forget your poor old hen picked husband. Signed ”Ben,” for his alias Ben Woodson.

People: James, Frank, 1844-1915., Ralston, Anna, 1853-1944.

Historical Era: Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900

Full Transcript: ”Don’t you think I am a dandy? [”aint”] you glad your old ”hubby” think he has the best and truest ”little woman” in America [whose] but [] you love he when he comes to you, I am not going to have any foolishness either when I come I am going to have my way for the same length of time that you have had yours, that will be will be five years, Dont say a damed word, You should be willings to live up to the ”Golden rule” If you dont write me word that I can do as I please I am going to take a bee line for ”Salt Lake” when I get out I have give you fair warning so you can consider the matter I had a letter from Marth and she tell me she and Buck was going out calling the other evening and a big black negro caught her around the waist and snatched her pocket off her arm and made away with all her valuables ”Lord God” she says but I was [scared] and it was enough I [gues] if that had been Mage and she had that little pistol Mr negro would of got a leaden missile in his back side when he went off. Ask her if he wouldnt? What would you of done [] under those circumstances? What Mrs H. said [] liked to done I expect. The weather has been quite cool for some time I have had fire for some time, I had a [] from Allen Yesterday and he told me he gave Col Phillips $100 for me when he was here, kind of him wasnt it though, He also wrote me that he had heard John [Kritzer] had raised $700 for me and he had wrote him to send it to you if that proves true it will be a great help. Allen also told me that he saw the man who [will] get up and [jingle] the []. You know [] also told me that he was just ready to start with 3000 head of cattle for the [Cimorone] River which is 20 m. from Wichata and that he could not possibly get back upon the first of Nov and told me I must have the case continued for he was satisfied that when he came he could bring all parties so you can inform [Mr] Philips if you see him and if they will only get me out I can [] all things to a [] say nothing to no one of what I have told you about the [expect] money and only to Philips of what I have said in relation to the case. I of course know you never tell any I only caution in order you may not let any thing escape your lips around home, you are the only confidant I have or ever expect to have How is Mage getting on at School? And whats my little precious man doing every day? Does he ever talk about his old father? I would like for him to learn his book a little but so he can read to me when I get old and blind. Ask him if he wont? And I would love to know what mamma is doing all the time too. I tell you when a poor fellow is locked up and his wife is sailing around it keeps him right uneasy. You may [] But I must try and not think about it, for I don’t want to loose my mind, I hope to live to do some good in this world, if only to raise boys, I want just about six dashing [] when I get old, it would do our old hearts good to see in our old age six or seven fine manly looking men and with pride we could point and say, ”All those are ours” Dont you think so? I am not simply talking to hear myself talk or to tease you but I am in dead hard earnest and mean it all and if do not agree with me I may not be as faithful in the future as I have been in the past. Tell me when you write all that is going on and for heaven sake dont forget your poor old hen picked husband. Remember if you forget me then I am gone world without all the good there is in me (if any) it has been brought by you It is all with you so far as my future goodness is conserned I must think you always will be the dear [] ”Little Wife” that you have been [] precious? Does my little man ever dance the hoe down now? It is now raining hard, has been since last night, I guess it will be cold when it clears off. Well I shall have to close I want you to write me a long letter I am expecting one from you to day if it come I will just write OK at the bottom of this and answer Monday I will now kiss you good bye I would like to know about the X tell me wont you? Again, Good bye, Your true Husband, Ben.

Sub Era: Development of the West

Background: Frank James was an outlaw, member of the James-Younger gang, and the brother of Jesse James.