Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1881 — AN OUTLAW’S WIFE. [ARTICLE]

AN OUTLAW’S WIFE.

An Interesting Chapter of the Early Life of the Wife of Jesse James. Omaha Republican. The wife of the noted train robber, Jesse James, was formerly an Omaha girl Daring the day a reporter of the Republican met several gentlemen who were well acquainted with the Ralston family, and who remembered Annie, who married Jesse James. From these gentlemen several quite interesting facts were obtained concerning the Ratetons. They came to Omaha immediately after or near the close of the war, as the sympathizers with the lost cause made it so unpleasant for them because Mr. Ralston was a Union man and had served in the Uriion army. They resided in a small brick house, standing at that time ner the corner of Seventeenth and Davenport streets. Mr. Ralston engaged in the freighting business to the West, and was assisted by his son John. Annie was then a mere child, and there are now in this city several young gentlemen and ladles who can remember her as the playmate of their childhood days. After residing here several years Mr. Rateton’s business dwindled away and he returned with his family to Independence, Mo.,the bitter feelings originating from the war having almost entirely subsided, and they are living there yet. In 1774, Annie Ralston,having grown up to be a brigh and handsome young lady, came back to Omaha on a visit, and was the guest of her cousin, who was the wife of a well-known business man here. During her stay in Omaha she attended numerous parties and also Prof. Duval’s dancing school. She was quite a favorite among those who made her acquaintance,as she bad prepossessing manners and winning ways. Among her young gentlemen friends was one who fell deeply in love with her, and she received his devoted attentions until he proposed marriage to her, and then she coldly refused him. This was entirely unexpected on his part, and. to use a very forcible expression, “it broke him all up.” He took to drink, and soon became a moral and nearly a physical wreck. His djwnfall and ruin were due to Annie Ralston’s refusal. Up to this time he had been a model young man, had excellent prospects, and was highly respected by all who knew him, but since that event he became entirely changed, and his course* from that time was downward. He is the son of a well-known professional gentleman residing in Omaha. He is now a wanderer in the new towns of the rough West, and is probably leading a reckless life of dissipation. , ' -

Annie Ralston returned to Independence, and one night about a month afterwards, she ran away from home and married the noted Jesse James, who, it seems, had met the girl by chance, and courted her clandestinely until he won her affections. She was full of romance, and she no doubt became infatuated with the bold desperado, with whose exciting career she had become well acquainted. Her marriage with the bandit was a complete surprise and a terrible blow to her respected parents, who could not believe the announcement until it was proven to them by indisputable evidence, and then they disowned their truant daughter. Her cousin in this city learned the particulars of the affair from John Ralston, who resides in St. Louis, and also from the girl’s father. Boon after the marriage the Younger brothers made their famous and fatal raid on the Northfield Bank of Minnesota, and it was generaly suspected that the two James brothers were members of the gang, and that in making their escape they followed the Missouri river down to the vicinity of Kansas City. It was thought that Jesse James would come to Omaha, and here meet his wife. A detective was detailed to keep a sharp look-out for her, but she never came hree after her marriage. Such is a chanter from the history of Annie Ralston, the outlaw’s wife.