Frank James to Anna and Robert James

As a member of the notorious James-Younger Gang, Frank James participated in an estimated twelve robberies between 1866 and 1881. Informally led by Frank's brother Jesse, the gang included Cole, Jim, John, and Bob Younger, Dick Liddel, Clarence and Wood Hite, and John Jarrette [1]. During their years as outlaws, these men stole sums ranging from $300 to $30,000 per robbery. Though he traveled with notorious men, James did not always play the role of a stereotypical bandit. The following letter, written on August 15th, 1882, in the wilderness (possibly in Tennessee or Missouri), adds an emotional dimension to his image as a rugged outlaw.

Written to his wife Anna and son Robert nearly one year after the gang's last robbery, James's letter demonstrates his eloquence. Surprisingly well-read, he frequently and casually references Julius Caesar, the Bible, and Shakespeare. Of his time in hiding, James states, "Sometimes 'tis sweet to wander to rude solitude where naught but heaven can hear us holding converse with the sad heart. But let me say to you i've had enough of it. Now I long and sigh to be with my dear 'little family.'" Weary of solitude, he emphasizes his similarity to Timon of Athens, a Shakespearian character abandoned by his friends and exiled in the wilderness after committing countless acts of generosity.

James's sentiments also reveal his devotion as a husband. Praising Anna, he writes, "You possess all the endearing qualities of a beautiful and loving wife. Whereas the majority of women in this world are clever in smiles and born proud of equipage and dress well versed in falsehoods looks and vows deceitful smiles and bland caresses. Not so with my dearest one." He attests to Anna's loyalty despite the generous reward posted for his capture. Admitting trust (and possibly insecurity) he informs her, "When you tell me a thing I believe it no matter what all the world may say my faith and good opinion of you can never be shaken. And were it Fifty million offered for my capture I should have no more fears of you than if it were one dollar."

James had sufficient reason to fear betrayal, seeing "Judas in the face of every friend." [2] In April 1882, Charles and Bob Ford, allies of the James-Younger Gang, traveled to Jesse James's home in St. Joseph, Missouri, to plan a bank robbery scheduled for nearby Platte City. During the meeting Jesse uncharacteristically laid his holstered pistols on the table and turned his back to the Fords to adjust a picture on the wall. When he turned, Bob Ford shot him in the back, a betrayal which later incited Jesse's epitaph "Murdered by a traitor and coward whose name is not worthy to appear here."[3] Still seething with anger several months after his brother's murder, Frank vehemently declares to Anna "there is not in all dark seated hell two such vile and loathsome wretches." Reflecting on the Fords' treachery and the reward posted for his capture, James must have continuously weighed the monotony of isolation in the wilderness against the danger of possible betrayal.

Surprisingly, James harbored respect instead of resentment for Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden, the man who posted his reward. James considered Crittenden honorable and trustworthy, expressing hope that "Gov Crittenden means to do something for us ... if the Gov tells you or our friend he will meet me in good faith to discuss our interest I will do so without any fear of treachery whatever." A meeting between Crittenden and James did indeed occur when James surrendered in Jefferson City, Missouri, on October 5, 1882. He was escorted to Crittenden's chamber by John Newman Edwards, most likely the mysterious "friend" he earlier mentioned to Anna. Edwards was a Kansas City Times editor noted for perpetuating the heroic outlaw image of the James-Younger Gang, and had previously served as a liaison between James and Crittenden. James knew that while the Governor would not grant him a full pardon, Crittenden would assure him a fair trial. We will never know what actually transpired between Governor Crittenden and the outlaw since they were alone in the meeting and no valid documentation of their discussion survives. It is clear, however, that James did not receive harsh treatment following his surrender; he instead enjoyed a brief period of something approaching celebrity status.

Possibly as a result of Edwards' heroic newspaper portrayals of the James-Younger Gang, Frank James's transport to the courthouse in Independence, Missouri, turned into a hero's parade. It is said that James's presence produced a reception attended by the wealthiest bankers and politicians in Missouri, many of whom offered to post bail for his release. Reports indicate that while in jail he enjoyed luxuries including a Brussels carpet, quality furniture, and access to a rocking chair in the hallway outside of his cell. Because of Crittenden's refusal to deliver James to the state of Minnesota, he did not have to serve trial for the Northfield Bank robbery in that state. Eventually, all of the charges leveled against him were dismissed.

Following his legendary trial, James eased back into typical daily life. He went on to work as a doorman at a burlesque house, a shoe salesman, and as a partner with Cole Younger in a traveling Wild West show before his quiet death in February of 1915. James's own words offer a reassessment of his popular image as a reckless bandit, showing us a multidimensional portrait of an outlaw, a concerned husband and father, and a man weary of years in the saddle and life on the run.

Alyson Barrett
Manuscripts Cataloger

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[1] Many of the James-Youngers met as members of William Clark Quantrill's Raiders, a group of Confederate guerillas who continued their military activity after the Civil War was over.

[2] Quoted from an interview printed in the St. Louis Republican, October 6, 1882.

[3] Quoted from Robert Barr Smith.

GLC 01692 Frank James to Anna and Robert James.
August 15, 1882

For more information or to obtain copies, contact Ana Ramirez-Luhrs at reference@gilderlehrman.com or call (212) 787-6616 ext. 209.

August 15^th 1882

My Precious Ones.

I wrote to you on the 11th. was mad and have but a faint recollection of what I said. I have been sick ever since about this time last summer was effected just as I am now. I suppose you want to know what I am doing. Spending the most of my time alone scarcely ever see any one when I do only for a few moments at a time. Sometimes 'tis sweet to wander to rude solitude where naught but heaven can hear us holding converse with the sad heart. But let me say to you 'ive had enough of it. Now I long and sigh to be with my dear "little family." I am growing so tired of this lonely life nature is almost exhausted and it will be impossible for me to endure it much longer. I do nothing but sit here day after day and think and wonder what will be the result and like "Timon of Athens" my only companions are the dear little birds by day and boding "Screech Owl" by night -- with his horrid cry (I always think of Ma when I hear it.) While you are with dear parents and kind friends I thank God that you are in sprit -- I too am with you, always will be. Wish I was with you in person. I do love you more [2] than all else on earth. You possess all the endearing qualities of a beautiful and loving wife. Whereas the majority of women in this world are clever in smiles and born proud of equipage and dress well versed in falsehoods looks and vows deceitful smiles and bland caresses. Not so with my dearest one. When you tell me a thing I believe it no matter what all the world may say my faith and good opinion of you can never be shaken. And were it Fifty million offered for my capture I should have no more fears of you than if it were one dollar. You are with me as Cesar said his wife should be. That is beyond any suspicion. Why I talk this way I know from what you tell me that some one has intimated that you might give me away. No doubt there are those who profess to be our friends that would only be too glad to have you do something that would cause me to loose confidence in you. Simply for them to have the pleasure of saying, "I told you so." It has been well said that gratitude is the most beautiful of all the human virtues. If this be so then I thank our Heavenly Father, For he a lone knows how greatful I am [3] to you for all you have done for me. For what you are doing now. Did I not appreciate you I should feel as I was a disgrace to humanity and should and sho be universally and deservedly detested as the most ungrateful being that ever lived. I stand upon my honor as much so as any man I care not who he is. I have never proved requeant any trust. God being my helper never will any man who does I think cannot be loaded too hevy with infamy and dishonor. Darling we have had much to contend with since we were married notwithstanding I never knew what real happiness was 'til since you have been mine No doubt we may in the future have may things thrown in or way to impede our onward march to victory. No matter let us press on with the work began. "Shrink thou not if thou canst lighten one ray of hope to hopelessness afford. With Heavens rich promises one dark mind brighten. Lead one unhappy mind back to God." Why go on never cease until we triumph in the bright "Lexicon of fame" let there be no such word as fail. If we listen to others and were as despondent as some we would be sure to fail. But you and myself have always been hopeful every thing His Excellency has said in regard to us has been favorable to our cause.The door of State has been opened for us and I believe Gov. Crittenden means to do something for us. I will not believe otherwise 'til we have it from him direct that he will do no more. I sometimes think if I could see him it would [4] be best. I do not think him so mean as some would have us believe. His Excellency perhaps was the only conspirator who had the name of justice and honour for his motive in doing what he did. The rest were wholly actuated by the hope of being remanded in a pecuniary way and today if Crittenden would express his honest opinion in regard to the Fords, I am satisfied in my own mind that he would say there is not in all dark seated hell two such vile and loathsome wreches. A man with his teaching could not think otherwise, I have had some of my friend my friend to say to me don't you think the Gov. will have you killed if you meet him." I say to you that if the Gov. tells you or our friend he will meet me in good faith to discuss our interest I will do so without any fear of treachery whatever. You know I have always tried to take an impartil view of every thing and because a few have acted badly is this sufficient reason for condemning every one. Why certainly not. The only safe plan is to render unto Cesar the things thats are his and unto God the things that are His. Darling am getting us anxious to anxious of course and you know the Bible tells us to "Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him &c." But I suppose as you say we will have to await their pleasures. I don't know when I will write again [continued at top of page 1] if you do not hear from me in a year know that I am always thinking of you Robie and will love you on to end devotedly.
AFJ
[note at top of page 1] Rob! i Had crow for dinner to day but don't hanker after it. J.E.W

[These initials most likely refer to an alias. James’s most common alias was “B. J. Woodson" - Woodson was also Jesse’s middle name.]

James, Frank. The Trial of Frank James for Murder with Confessions of Dick Liddil and Clarence Hite and History of the "James Gang." New York: Jingle Bob/Crown Publishers, 1977. Originally published in 1898.

Smith, Robert Barr. The Last Hurrah of the James-Younger Gang. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 2001.

Stiles, T. J. Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War. New York: Knopf, 2002.

The Wikipedia Website, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page, search terms: Jesse James, Quantrill's Raiders, James-Younger Gang.

The Civil War St. Louis Website, http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/History/jamesgang.htm, offers various accounts, biographies, and discussions of the outlaws, robberies, and historical controversy related to the James-Younger Gang.