Younger, Cole (1844-1916) to Fannie Truman
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01694 Author/Creator: Younger, Cole (1844-1916) Place Written: Stillwater, Minnesota Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 December 1885 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 26 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his aunt while in prison in Stillwater, Minnesota. Discusses the travels of Captain and Mrs. Barton. Relates news received while in prison including Harts Bonnys' marriage on 25 December to Alice Sumner, and Ciry Jones' fall from his delivery wagon. Insists Frank James does not fit the description of anyone in the party at the Northfield, Minnesota bank raid in 1876 any more than the "man in the moon." Discusses the Missouri River waterway convention, scheduled to meet in Kansas City 29 December. Those expected to attend include "all the leading men of state," among them General Joseph Shelby and Fletcher Taylor. Comments that as the Bartons pass through the Missouri countryside, they can see the Younger family farms.
Younger participated in the James-Younger Gang of outlaws, active in the late19th century Midwest. The Northfield Bank raid failed, and Younger was imprisoned for his participation. After his arrest, Younger was first held by Sheriff Ara Barton; '"Captain and Mrs. Barton" likely refers to Ara and his wife. Shelby served as a Confederate general in the Civil War. Taylor served with Cole Younger in William Clarke Quantrill's guerrilla squadron during the Civil War, was part of the James-Younger gang, and was later elected to the Missouri State Legislature.
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