Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1882 — SENTENCED TO DEATH. [ARTICLE]

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

The Slayers of Jessie James Plead Guilty of Murder and Receive the Death Penalty. St. Joseph, Mo., April 18. The Grand Jury having found a true bill against Robert and Charles Ford for the murder of Jesse James, they were arraigned in the Circuit Court yesterday, and, after the indictment was read, a plea of guilty was entered and sentence passed. The court-room was crowded, although quiet and order prevailed. The boys were very respectably clad, and were perfectly cool and self-possessed. The indictment was read to the boys by County Attorney O. M. Spencer, who read it to Bob first, after which the Attorney asked him which plea he made, when he replied promptly and firmly, “Guilty.” He then took his seat, and the indictment of Charles Ford as aider and abettor was read to him, and in a firm, even tone Charley pleaded guilty also to the charge of murder in the first degree. The Judge then, after a few minutes' meditation, said that, under the circumstances, there was only one thing he could do, and that was to pronounce sentence upon the boys. He said that as they had pleaded guilty there was no alternative for him but to pass sentence, and it would remain for others to say whether the sentence should be finally carried out. He then asked Robert Ford to stand up. The latter rose promptly, and was asked if he had anything to say why the sentence of the court should not be passed upon him. He replied, in his usual firm tone, “ Nothing,” and Judge Sherman in substance said : “ Robert Ford, you have pleaded guilty before me to the crime of murder in the first degree, and it becomes my duty to pass the sentence of death upon you. It is therefore the sentence of this court that you be taken back to the jail, and on the 19th day of May be taken to some convenient place and there hanged by the neck until you are dead.” Robert then took his seat, and the Judge ordered Charles to stand up, and asked him if he had anything to say why the sentence of death should not be passed upon him. Charles replied firmly, "Nothing,” and the Judge passed the same sentence upon him as was passed upon Robert. After this there was no other action taken, and the boys were remanded to jail. The general understanding is that this action was taken in accordance with the Governor’s views on the premises, and that a pardon of both of them will reach here in the course of a day or two. The Governor, it is understood, was opposed to trying them, because he considers that they have done the State a great service, and are entitled to a pardon at once. The people can rest assured that the boys will be free in a very short time, and there will end the great sensation.

Frank Janies Organizing a Gang of Desperadoes to Avenge His Brother’s Death. A telegram from Atchison, Kan., says : Frank James is at the head of a movement which has for its aim the extermination of all whose names are associated with the death. The fact is known to a few that Frank passed through Atchison on Friday, going southwest, having four people with him ; that on the same day Mrs. Jesse James went to Kansas City. Yesterday Frank James returned from a mysterious visit, followed by the same pals. Mv informant states that the gang of which Frank James will now take the lead is taken from that section of the country in the Missouri bottoms opposite here which produced Polk Wells, Bill Norris, Jim Dougherty, John Pomfrey and many others, composed of the same class and material, having for its purpose the avenging of the death of Jesse James and other lawless deeds. To this gang will be added a few tried mountain odtlaws that Frank James picked up during a residence for some time in New Mexico on a small sheep ranch. Robert and Charles Ford are never to enjoy a moment’s peace, no matter what the advice or assurance from Gov. Crittenden. These brothers begin where Jesse James left off. They will be hunted and hounded as persistently as he was. Were the reward they are supposed to obtain twenty times $50,000 it will not purchase one day’s rest, one peaceful meal or blessed night These boys are not alone to be removed, but all informants and witnesses in Cracker Neck. These death avengers are backed by the entire constituency of Jesse James. Released from the St. Joseph Jail and Robert Immediately Rearrested. St. Joseph, Mo., April 19. The pardons issued by Gov. Crittenden to Robert and Charles Ford reached St. Joseph at noon yesterday, and the boys shook hands with everybody and passed out of jail. They were delighted at once more regaining light and liberty after a most-trying confinement of thirteen days. They had scarcely emerged from the shadow of the prison door when Sheriff Trigg, of Ray county, stepped up with a paper in his hand, to which he called the attention of Robert while he read it The paper proved to be a warrant for his arrest, charging him with the murder or complicity in the murder-of Wood Hite, whose body was found in an old well on the Ford farm, near Richmond, a week or ten days ago. Robert has proved himself not only a man of nerve, but cool and self-possessed, throughout the trying ordeal through which he has passed, but this sudden and unexpected performance somewhat unnerved and flustrated him, and, beside coloring up, his features twitched a trifle and his hands got in his way. He was soon at himself, however, and, with a careless “All right,” said: “Come along, let’s go to Ray.” A brief conference was had between Robert and Charley, Sheriffs Timberlake of Clay, and Trigg of Ray, Marshal Craig of Kansas City, some lawyers and others, and it was agreed that the entire party would go to Kansas City, thence to Richmond. The prisoner was attended by his father and brother and guarded by officers.