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

FRANK JAMES From Gallatin, Missouri, while awaiting trial for murder and armed robbery, James handwrote this remarkable and very affectionate 20-page letter to his wife, even quoting Shakespeare. This rich content letter includes references to some of James' friends and former partners Ebenezer Magoffin, and Bill and Frank Gregg. Curiously, James signs with the alias he used as an outlaw, "Ben". Autograph Letter signed: "Your true husband/Ben", 20 pages, 5x8. Castle St James [Gallatin, Missouri], July, circa 1883. A loving letter from Frank James to his wife, on his affection for her and recent happenings. In full: "My dear wife: Do you know your letter of last Sunday was the most interesting communication I have had from you since you left me. I think you are awakening to the fact that I love you much more than a "little bit" as you express it. Let me whisper to you right now that I feel a hundred times better since you have written as you have. How kind and good you can be when you want to. I have felt very much like spanking you several times of late, when you would say for instance "I sometimes believe you do love me a little bit".

EMMETT DALTON The former outlaw writes to a history professor regarding an old friend and photos of his brothers. Typed Letter Signed: "Emmett Dalton", 1p, 8½x11. Hollywood, California, 1934 April 1.On his personal stationery, which is imprinted "Author of/'When The Daltons Rode'" at upper left. To Virgil Y. Russell, History Dept, Casper, Wyoming. In full: "It has been seldom that I have been so, in years, that I could not answer my letters but natural conditions seem to have gotten the best of me. I have Been [handwritten by Dalton] on the 'Bum' for four or five years, cant (sic) die nor get well, but in the last few months I seem to be getting better. I remember old 'Tex Cooper' well. I always considered him one of my best friends. Under separate cover I am mailing you one of my small photos, taken about four years ago. It would not be possible to get one of my brothers at this time, as you suggest, you know, men were not much for having their picture taken, in those days, little did they think about getting into trouble. With sincere apologies for my delay in not ansewering (sic) sooner. P.S. The photograph you mention was publisher (sic) in the American Magazine about four years ago.

FRANK JAMES Awaiting his second trial in a year, the famous outlaw writes to his wife and son, expressing (well founded) optimism about the outcome. Autograph Letter signed: "Frank James", 2 pages, 8½x14. Hand addressed envelope included (toned and torn from opening). Huntsville, Alabama, 1884 February 29. To "My dear Wife and Rob", in full: "This being my lucky day I will write you a brief. Although the situation has not changed materially since I last wrote you I am feeling real well today, much better than for some time. It may be from the fact I got up much earlier than common. I arose this morning before seven, three hours earlier than I usually get up. I had a long conference with General Walker yesterday and you may hear some good news in the next week. I am spending my time as usual. As Rob would say 'the same old thing' each and every day. Tell Rob I heard someone singing his song this morning, 'Goodbye my love, goodbye'. Who do you think I wrote today I bet you can't guess in twenty guesses. See if you can. I will tell you in the last of this who it was. As yet I have not heard from any of my 'Mo' friends. I guess they are waiting until the weather gets warm. I am going to live on eggs from this on.

JOHN H. SELMAN The criminal signs documents in jail; he later becomes a lawman and kills John Wesley Hardin. Manuscript DS: "J.H. Selman", 1p, 7¾x5¼. Shackelford County, Texas, 1880 September 10. In full: "Personally appeared before me John Selman who on oath says that the allegations in the foregoing petition he believes to be true." Also signed: "W.C. Pice/ADSCS". In full: "Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 10 day of Sept AD 1880." On verso is related unsigned manuscript. In part: "The petition of John Selman would show that petitioner is illegally restrained of his liberty by J.C. Jacobs sheriff of Shackelford County Texas...." Selman lived on both sides of the law. His career included cattle rustling, robbery and murder -- and arresting cattle rustlers, robbers and murderers. Three months before this document was signed, he was arrested in Fort Davis, Texas just two days after his second marriage. His brother and fellow outlaw Tom Cat Selman had been lynched when they were taken into custody, but John was transferred back to Shackleford County for trial. He had lived there several years earlier and had connected with gunfighter John Larn.

COLE YOUNGER Writing from prison in Stillwater, Minnesota shortly before his release, he thanks a state senator who helped to secure it. "Time will prove whether we are worthy or not ..." Autograph Letter signed: "Cole Younger", 1 page, 7½x9½. Stillwater, Minnesota, 1910 March 31. To "Hon. M. G. Daly, Senate Chambers, St Paul, Minnesota". In full: "My Noble friend - Your kind favor was received yesterday Eve. Many thanks for the kind words and let me assure you and all the Noble Members of the Senate and House and old friends that we appreciate your good work in behalf of humanity with all our heart. And time will prove whether we were worthy of that. I hope Mrs Daly and the [Illegible] Children are well and happy and believe me all ways your true and grateful but informant friend". Accompanied by original mailing envelope addressed in Younger's hand. Also accompanied by a copy of 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 my Younger to the Daly home in Perham, Minnesota following his relief. (A copy of a photo of the Daly home is also included.

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.

PAT GARRETT Letter to his wife about their old ranch in Roswell, New Mexico; with envelope incorporating a second signature. ALS: "P.F. Garrett", 3p, 6x8½. Roswell, N.M., 1893 July 16. To his wife. In full: "This is Sunday evening. I got here Thursday and find this country dryer than I ever saw it. Everything looks bad. The cattle are dieing (sic) and everything has a desolate appearance. I went out to our old place this morning. It looks about as it did when we left except the cotton-woods have grown considerable, the grape vine (sic) are loaded with grapes and look well but the Peach trees look bad several have died. I find the Horses in bad shape. Garvey has sold and stole them so that there are not a great many left. I will begin to gather them tomorrow and am going to sell for some price. I intend to close out all we have here. So I will never have to come to this country again. I cant tell yet when I will get home. Write me at once and let me know how you all are getting along. If you had come with me this trip you would never want to see this country again. Mr. Coburn died yesterday and was buried this morning.

EMMETT DALTON The only surviving Dalton Gang member signs this letter regarding his new book and wanting to hang a photo relating to the James Boys in his den, dated 1931 Typed letter signed: "Emmett Dalton", 1p, 8x10. No place, June 19, 1931 . To Marx Reimers, St. Paul, Minnesota. In full: "Thank you very kindly for your letter of June nineteenth, with enclosures. I am sending you an autographed photograph of myself, taken about ten years ago. The story 'West of 96' is published by Doubleday, Doran and Company, Garden City, New York, and is on sale at most all the large book stores and many department stores also. It is published under the title of 'When the Daltons Rode' and is about 80,000 words, illustrated, and much more complete than 'West of 96' which is about half that length. I would be pleased to receive a photo of the arch from which you say the James Boys started, for my private 'Den'. With Kindest regards." Emmett Dalton (1871-1937) and his three brothers led a murderous gang of train robbers, who used a network of informers and hideouts to evade a widespread manhunt.