Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1901 — PAROLE FOR THE YOUNGERS [ARTICLE]

PAROLE FOR THE YOUNGERS

Minnesota Prison Board Recommends Clemency. PRISONERS FOR 25 YEARS. Befor* They Can Be Released the Board of Pardons Must Pass Upon the Beoommendatlon of the Prison Board —One Died in Prison. The Minnesota board of prison managers has unanimously recommended the parole of Coleman and James Younger, the celebrated bandits, who have been in prison here twenty-five years. Before they can be released, however, the board of pardons must pass upon the recommendation of the prison board. The report will be submitted to the pardon board immediately, but it is not known whether it will convene in special session. The first regular meeting comes in July and the Youngers may have to remain in prison until that time. Before the parole becomes effective it must be approved in writing by all of the members of the board of pardons, Governor Van Sant, Attorney-General Douglass and Chief Justice Start. Cole, James and Bob Younger were imprisoned for their raid on the Bank of Northfield in September, 1876. The James brothers, Jesse and Frank, escaped to Missouri. Two members of the gang were killed and Bob Younger died in prison. For six years attempts have been made during every session of the legislature to secure the enactment of a law permitting the parole of life prisoners. At one session the bill was introduced, but was allowed to die. Two years ago it was passed by the senate. This winter it passed both houses and went to the governor. Before it was signed it was recalled, reconsidered and killed. The following day it was reconsidered, passed and became a law. The bill was passed with especial reference to the Younger brothers, as there is but one other “lifer” who comes within the requirements of a twenty-five year imprisonment before action can be taken. One Has Died in Prison. There were six Younger brothers, one of whom died in childhood. They were the sons of Colonel Henry W. Younger, a wealthy southerner, who moved to Cass county, Missouri, in 1830. When the war broke out the Younger property was raided first by one side and then the other. The boys, in revenge for the injuries indicted upon their father, became guerrillas and created so many political erifemles that pardon was denied them at the close of the war. They then joined with the James brothers and began a long series of bank and train robberies. The most famous detectives were sent to hunt them, and were in turn hunted themselves. In one of these fights John Younger was killed, but after he had fallen from his saddle he rallied and killed the detective who had shot him. At the time of the Northfield robbery

the Youngers might have escaped had they not stopped to assist a wounded companion. The James boys wanted to kill the wounded man, but the Youngers would not listen to the proposition. The James boys then pushed on and escaped, while the Youngers, in trying to get the wounded man away, were surrounded and captured. Their prison record is excellent.