COLE YOUNGER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/26/1899 - HFSID 354663
Price: $12,000.00
COLE YOUNGER
Writing from prison in Stillwater, Minnesota, the outlaw thanks a
state senator for a speech advocating his release.
Autograph Letter signed twice: "Cole Younger", 2 pages,
7½x12¼. Stillwater, Minnesota, 1899 March 26. Signed on both pages. To
"Hon. M. G. Daly, Senate Chambers, St Paul, Minnesota". In full
(spelling errors in original): "Mrs. McNeil, Mrs. Greene and Hon. G. H.
Schurmer was here to day. Wish I could repeat all they said in regard to the
speech you made in the Senate in favor of the Wilson Bill. I had read what
little the papers give and felt very grateful. But if posable I would
feel still more after hearing them speak so highly. They were wishing I could
have herd you. I told them I would feel very happy as it was if you could
only here them praising you. They said everone said it was one of the best
speeches made in the Senate during the session. Let me assure you there will
never be any act of ours in or out of prison that will caus you to regret having
extended a helping hand to us in this our hour of distress and our heart felt
gratitude is yours in full and our wish will ever be that Gods best blessings
will fal upon you and your Family and believe us truly your ture and greatful
but unfortunate friends. [signature] Over. One thing gave me pleasure in
your speech and that of Senator Stockwalls your both referring to Senator Wilson
and his effort in such high terms. God bless him for he has acted from the
highest standpoint that of humanity and without money and without fear. Your
friend always". Accompanied by original mailing envelope addressed in
Younger's hand. Also accompanied by a typed letter signed by M. J. Daly, son of
the Senator Michael J. Daly to whom Younger was writing, describing visiting
Younger in prison in the company of his father, and a visit by Younger to the
Daly home in Perham, Minnesota following his release. (A photo of the Daly home
is also included.) Cole Younger (1844-1916) was a Confederate
guerrilla fighting in divided Missouri during the Civil War. Joining the
band of William Quantrill, he participated in the bloody raid on Lawrence,
Kansas. After the war, Missouri was under Radical Republican governance, and
Younger and his three younger brothers became outlaws, first robbing
banks in the gang of Archie Clement, and - as other gang members were
gradually killed off - becoming leader of the group, along with Frank and
Jesse James. In 1873, the James-Younger gang moved on to train robbery. They
probably owed their long career to Confederate sympathizers in the area, who
sheltered them. On September 7, 1876, they staged a bold daylight raid on a
bank in Northfield, Northfield Minnesota, far outside former rebel territory.
This raid failed, resulting in a bloody gun battle which claimed the life of
one Younger and several other gang members (as well as townspeople). The
James brothers escaped to Missouri to continue their life of crime. Three
Younger brothers were captured and, after a swift trial, sentence to life in the
Stillwater Prison. Bob Younger died in prison (of TB) in 1889. Gradually,
however, sentiment developed for the release of Cole and his brother Jim. Two
years after this letter (July 10, 1901), the two surviving brothers were
released. Cole Younger then paid a thank you visit to the home of Senator
Daly, as described in the accompanying letter from his son. Younger claimed to
have repented his sinful ways, and joined the surviving James brother (Frank),
in tours of the South which featured lectures and Wild West shows. Multiple
mailing folds. Notches at right and left edges at folds. Notches at center of
vertical fold. Lightly toned. Ink smear at "C" in Cole (legible). Corners
lightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.
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