Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1882 — SURRENDER OF FRANK JAMES. [ARTICLE]

SURRENDER OF FRANK JAMES.

The Notorious Outlaw Turns Himself Over to the Authorities. His Pistols Handed to Gov. Crittenden in Person. Frank James, the noted outlaw, surrendered himself to Gov. Crittenden, at the capital of Missouri, on the sth inst. At dusk on that evening, the notorious desperado, accompanied by Maj. John N. Edwards, of the Sedalia Democrat , entered the Governor’s office, at Jefferson City. Maj. Edwards introduced Frank to the Governor. The two shook hands, and then Frank unbuckled his belt, and, handing it and his revolvers to Crittenden, he said: “You are the first man to handle that weapon since 1861. ” He meant that he had carried the pistol in his belt those twenty-one years. After this performance he was handed over to officers. This startling news, says a Kansas City dispatch, was a profound surprise to even the officials here. Just after the killing of Jesse James at St. Joseph, last spring, the friends of Frank James in this State made overtures to Gov. Crittenden looking to the pardon of the noted robber. Papers were full of the matter at the time, and it was even reported that Gov. Crittenden was willing to grant a pardon in the case if Frank would agree to give information concerning the members of the gang yet out. Gov. Crittenden himself says he told Frank James if he wanted to surrender he must come in as any other criminal and stand trial for crimes committed. Since then the matter has dropped from public attention, and it was even stated that Frank had gone t,-> Australia. Suddenly he reappeared on the scene, however, and this week sent Crittenden a letter from St Louis, stating in substance that he is anxious to be restored to citizenship; that he wants to put the past behind him; that he is heartily sick of the life of an outlaw; and that he has a wife and child to plead for him and make him human, even though he were as bad as he has been described, and throws himself on the clemency of the Governor and asks that he *be saved. Under date of Oct. 2, Gov. Crittenden responded that he could not grant a pardon, if inclined to, before conviction for some crime. He hopes he will abandon his past life, and if he surrenders will see that he gets an impartial trial. The response is a surrender. James’ history is known. He engaged in the Northfield bank robbery and some dozen other noted deeds of outlawry. He is under indictment in lowa for the Corydon Bank robbery; in Missouri for the Glendale, Blue Cut and Winston train robberies; in Arkansas for stage robberies; in West Virginia for bank robbery, and in Mussel Shoals, Ala., for robbing a Government contractor. MONUMENT TO JESSE JAMES. A dispaten from Muscatine, lowa, saysA large marble-cutting establishment of this city has ju-t been awarded th 9 c intract for erecting a monument over the grave ol Jesse James, 'lhe monument will be red beach granite and stand twelve or fourteen feet high, be iring the plain and simple inscription, “Mv husband, our father, Jes6e James, died April 2, 1882, aged 34 years 6 months and 8 days. ” The contract was signed by Mrs. Jesse W. James, and the stone was selected by her. THE BANDIT JAILED AT INDEPENDENCE. Frank James was taken from Jefferson Chy to Independence by Gov. Crittenden’s Secretary and placed in jail, bail being refused. A correspondent telegraphs that, “at the station was an anxious crowd, at the car windows and filling the aisle inside, eager to get a glimpse of the man who, for twenty years, has apparently defied the law. Once here, and several- times along the route, James was recognized by old confederates —men who had known him in the guerrilla days. Evidently he had changed much in appearance, as none of them recognized him until he had been rein ted out. .Tames is 5 feet 9 inches in height, of spare but sinewy build, with rather thin face and prominent cheek bones, lg ht blue eyes, small blonde mustache, and l air somewhat darker. His complexion is that of a man who has been for some time in confinement. His we’ght is 125 pounds. Because of his spare frame he appears taller than he really is. His manners is quiet, and language that of a man in the ordinary walks of life. His dress is altogether, unobtrusive, the only jewelry being a gold watch and chain. He stated that, although receiving no promise of clemency from Gov. Crittenden, lie had at last nerved himself to an act wh-'ch he had long contemplated, and surrendered himself to the State. He is confident that if he be tried on any single charge alone he will not be convicted; and, although having received no promises, he seems to hope that, in case of conviction, clemency will he shown because of his voluntary action. He says that his desire is to lead henceforth a quiet life with his family, and, instead of an outlaw’s career, to aid in the protection of the State against criminals. He declares that from April, 1877, until April, 1881, he lived quietly with his wife upon a rented 1.-vm in Tennessee near Nash ville. This he asserts he can prove by staunch business men of Nashville. Regarding his whereabouts since April, 1881, he is silent He says, however, that he read the news of the shooting of Jesse in the New York Herald tbe morning of its publication, indicating that he was in that vicinity, and admits he has been east of the Alleghanies and in Kentucky during the past year. “When the train reached Independence the crowd fell back upon the meeting of James with bis mother, wife and child, a hoy of 4 years. Mrs. Samuels wept aloud, anil her" son’s eyes were wet. The wife seemed to think only of the joy of meeting her husband again. The child looked wonderingly from his father’s shoulder upon the scene. The waiting officers joined the party, which then drove to the Court House. “The bandit bears the marks of many battles. He has seventeen scars to show fox as many wounds; has been twice shot through the body with Minie balls.”