COLE YOUNGER - EPHEMERA UNSIGNED - HFSID 314411

COLE YOUNGER
Plains Indian "peace pipe", an heirloom given by Younger to his close friend Harry Hoffman, who attended Cole at his death bed. This well-used Minnesota red pipestone comes from Hoffman's collection, with a notarized statement signed by him.
Ephemera, unsigned. Catlinite pipestone "peace pipe", each separated piece roughly 8x3½ (due to length of handle), with the much-handled patina of an authentically used pipe (very different from the clean surfaces found on souvenir pipes). This easily worked rock type, drawn from quarries near the Pipestone River in Minnesota, was in use by several Plains Indian nations for making ceremonial pipes. "Catlinite" is a descriptive term applied to the stone since American painter George Catlin wrote about it in 1832. Accompanied by Typed Statement signed: "Harry C. Hoffman", in full: "one Indian peace pipe, given to Harry C. Hoffman by Cole Young", 7¾x4¾. Notarized by Charles Wright at Oxford, Ohio, September 21, 1948.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 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, sentenced to life in the Stillwater Prison. Bob Younger died in prison in 1889. Gradually, however, sentiment developed for the release of Cole and his brother Jim, and they were freed in 1901. Cole 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. While it is not presently known how Younger acquired this peace pipe, it is safe to assume that he attached significance to the memento. HARRY HOFFMAN (1873-1964), a lawman in the Jackson County (Mo.) Marshal's Office from 1909-1917, was an authority on old-time outlaws, and developed a friendship with Jesse James, Jr. and Cole Younger. Hoffman also produced a silent film starring Jesse James, Jr.. Hoffman, who was present at Younger's death bed, received this peace pipe as a gift from him, and has authenticated it in the accompanying notarized statement. Due to the fragile nature of the peace pipe, it is not put together. Typed statement: Surface creases. Lightly toned. Corners lightly worn. Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.