The James Boys In Kentucky
© Sandi Gorin
Frank James Surrenders
Frank JAMES and his wife Annie, and children lived quietly as a respectable farm family in Tennessee from 1878 to 1882. On October 5, 1882, in company with John Newman EDWARDS, the fiery editor of the Kansas City Times, a man who had registered as B. F. WINFRED, Marshall, Missouri, at the McCARTY House, Jefferson City, Missouri, walked from the lobby to the state capitol. B. F WINFRED was none other than Frank JAMES. The two men walked into the suite of Missouri Governor Thomas CRITTENDEN, who had secretly granted JAMES this audience. After greetings, JAMES threw back his coat and slowly unbuckled a cartridge belt with pistol which he handed to CRITTENDEN saying, "Governor, I want to hand over to you that which no living man has been permitted to touch since 1861 except myself and to say, "I am your prisoner."
According to the leading Missouri newspaper of that day it was an incredible scene. The beaming Governor, flanked by a group of awed newsmen and leading statesmen, gathered there by the Governor, were told by him that he had a "Christmas box surprise." They gathered around JAMES to listed to the famous fugitive tell how crime does not pay and how he hoped there was a new life for him in the future.
Word had leaked out beyond the capitol building and in a few minutes spectators milled around the McCARTY House where the Governor's secretary escorted them back. Crowds shook JAMES' hand and slapped him on the back and the streets were filled outside with those eager to catch a glimpse of Missouri's living legend.
The next day the St Louis, Missouri, Republican and the Sedalie Dispatch filled their columns with the account of Franks JAMES' journey to Independence to wait trial for murder. It was a triumphant tour worthy of a returned hero rather than an outlaw charged with murder of a train conductor and passenger. Crowds lined the train tracks, and the train had to stop several times to permit JAMES to appear on the rear platform and wave.
The news accounts further stated that a reception was held that night, with the wealthiest and most influential men wanting to shake his hand. Banker, who only a few years ago had trembled with the name of the JAMES gang was mentioned, pledged to post a hundred thousand dollar bail bond if necessary. Even the Governor and his wife were there. The next day the St. Louis Globe Democrat wondered editorially whether it was the state of Missouri that had surrendered rather than Frank JAMES.
James had previously given Frank O'NEILL, one of the best reporters of the West, the fascinating story of his life as a hunted man, which was widely published. The ability to have won acclaim as "the best teacher in Barren County" at this point in time emerged in this excerpt from his story."