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JAMES, FRANK (1843-1915). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("FRANK") TO CHARLES FLETCHER, "IN JAIL AT GALLATIN, MISSOURI," 7 APRIL 1883. 1 PAGE, 4TO, WRITTEN IN DARK INK, faint staining.
JAMES PREDICTS HIS ACQUITTAL, "IF JUSTICE PREVAILS"
An excellent letter written by James from jail while he awaited trial on murder charges. The James brothers, who had served in William Quantrill's infamous Confederate Raiders during the Civil War, turned outlaw at the war's close, robbing their first bank at Liberty, Missouri in February 1866. Joined by Cole and Frank Younger, the gang terrorized a whole region, robbing banks, stagecoaches and trains from Iowa to Texas to Alabama. On 7 September 1876, while attempting to rob a bank in Northfield, Minnesota, six of the eight gang members were shot and killed by bank guards. Only the James brothers escaped. Jesse was later shot by gang member Robert Ford who sought the reward that had been placed upon the outlaw's head. Frank surrendered for trial shortly thereafter.
James begins with apologies, and explains that his wife will be smuggling his letters out of jail to avoid the prying eyes of the law: "I should of written you before this but all my mail had to be inspected by the Sheriff. But as my wife is now with me and can smuggle this through the lines and she can receive letters addressed to her from my friend, hence this letter." He expresses satisfaction with conditions in jail and assures Fletcher of his continued friendship: "I am getting on as well as one could I suppose in jail. I look upon Charles Fletcher and no mistake as one of my best friends. You have so proved yourself." In closing, James confidently predicts that he will be released from jail as a result of the trial: "I hope you will be so situated as to be able to attend my trial in June. I am expecting to be acquitted if justice prevails I will be undoubtedly."
JAMES PREDICTS HIS ACQUITTAL, "IF JUSTICE PREVAILS"
An excellent letter written by James from jail while he awaited trial on murder charges. The James brothers, who had served in William Quantrill's infamous Confederate Raiders during the Civil War, turned outlaw at the war's close, robbing their first bank at Liberty, Missouri in February 1866. Joined by Cole and Frank Younger, the gang terrorized a whole region, robbing banks, stagecoaches and trains from Iowa to Texas to Alabama. On 7 September 1876, while attempting to rob a bank in Northfield, Minnesota, six of the eight gang members were shot and killed by bank guards. Only the James brothers escaped. Jesse was later shot by gang member Robert Ford who sought the reward that had been placed upon the outlaw's head. Frank surrendered for trial shortly thereafter.
James begins with apologies, and explains that his wife will be smuggling his letters out of jail to avoid the prying eyes of the law: "I should of written you before this but all my mail had to be inspected by the Sheriff. But as my wife is now with me and can smuggle this through the lines and she can receive letters addressed to her from my friend, hence this letter." He expresses satisfaction with conditions in jail and assures Fletcher of his continued friendship: "I am getting on as well as one could I suppose in jail. I look upon Charles Fletcher and no mistake as one of my best friends. You have so proved yourself." In closing, James confidently predicts that he will be released from jail as a result of the trial: "I hope you will be so situated as to be able to attend my trial in June. I am expecting to be acquitted if justice prevails I will be undoubtedly."