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FltANK JAMES.Frank James on the WItnes Stand.He Gives a Gong and Detailed Statement of His Life andTravels.The State and the Defence Get ting Ready for the Argn-ments.THE FIRST WITNESS.Samuel T. Brasilia was the first witness called, and testified as follows :“I live in Gallatin, and have lived here since I was two years old remember the time ot the Winston robbery. It took place in July of 18S1. I was on the train when robbed, and was in the smoking Shortly after we left Winston, very shortly after, the glass in the front door was broken, and two men tercd with two revolvers each, and called out, “hold up,, and commenced firing through the car. Tbe conductor #as about three or lour tect from the front; advancing, I saw they had shot the conductor. They passed him out and then catne back. There was firing on the outside, looked at one of the men, the smaller one ot the two as I held up my hand*, to see if he perceived that I had my hands up. The smaller man was a lull-faced, full-whiskered man. There was no mask on the face ot either men. The defendant was not the man.THE NASHVILLE DETECTIVE.Fletcher W Horn, the Nashville detective, was the next witness. He, after giving his name and place of residence, said : I know the defendant as B ] Woodson; knew him at Nashville, and knew him from the midsummer of 187710 March 1881. He was a resident all the time, or nearly so, of White’s creek settle-ment; he was farming and working for the Indiana Lumber company.I saw hi in as frequently as once a week. Saw him last about] the time BHI Rvan was arrested. Ryan was arrested on March 36. and that is about the last time I saw woodson. Woodson dressed plainly. The last time I saw him. he had full whiskers, short and thin on the sides, but long on the chin, some six inches long. His whiskeis were sandy. During the time I knew him as woodson his deportment was good, he conducted himself as a gentleman, and was a hard working man. His associates were the best residents of white’s creek settlement. I have seen Dick Liddil in Nashville as Smith; saw him first in about 1S79 or 1SS0. Nevar saw Dick Liddit with wood-son, except in Foster’s saloon. The next time I saw him was after he had been tried at Huntsville, and was introduced to him by Squire Fnce as Dick Liddii, I knew Jesse Tames as J D Howard. First met him at a sale of blooded stock; it was three year* ago. Once or twice saw him tit the pool with defendant. Last saw Howard a short time before I saw defendant. I knew Jim Cummins. I don’t hnovv the Hites. I never saw defendant associating with these parties during the periodThe last time I saw him he had on a light coat, sunburned cowhide boots and pants in his hoots. He wore full whiskers, and the whole time he was there lie never shaved. There was a light growth on the cheeks and thicker and longer at the chin. His whiskers were light sandy. This was about the same way he dressed all the time. I can’t say how often I saw him ; at one time saw him daily while he v as a witness in an assault and battery case. Saw him drive an ice wagon, teaming around, and have seen him cutting wood,GENERAL SHELBY.General Jo. O. Shelby taking the stand, said:I have resided for thirty-four years j in Lafeyette and within nine miles . of Lexington, or near a village call-Page City. In the fall of 1SS0 I met j Jesse James, Dick Liddil and Bill! Rvan near my residence near Page City. 1 was breaking hemp at the I time. On returning home I found j four men there with horses. They were Jesse James, Bill Rvan, so I was told, Jim Cummings and this man Liddil. who it was said, was named Black. I stated in Dick Lid-dil’s presence to jesse James that two young men had been arrested in our vicinity for the alleged robbery of the Concordia bank and T asked Jesse who did do it. lie answered pointing to Dick Liddil. “That’s the man who knocked the Dutch cashier down.” I met Lid-dlc, Jesse James, Jim Cummins and a man who L was to hi was Hite, 111 the fall of 1SS1.fkank James.Frank James was not with that party, The last time I saw him was 1873 when lie was doctored at my house. lie was not with *i»® party, **ud Jesse said in Liddil’s presence that Frank was south tor his health, and had not been in state lor five years.Just here the general was asked if he had seen Frank James since being here, and answered;“No.”The general was then asked to point out Frank James and did so,The sewing machine episode was taken up. The general said :I was summoned to Ftram robberies* unci tie sum mat correct he wasn’t there.On cross-examination the witness stuck to his story and was not shaken witness said he was at work in a hardware store, and before that in a lirerv stable, and before that he worked six weeks at his trade ofhigh forehead, with full whiskers; Frank James and Mrs Bolton's dec-thcv were kind of dark and hair lighter: he had a big nose and big prominent ears.HARBORING OUTLAWS.Witness did not know Dick Liddil was dodging the officers; yes, he baillaiation that she had not seen him lor two years, came out in asking who were about the Bolton place about the time Wood Hite was killed, and which she Hall or Frank James was there about that time.carpenter. j heard of it, and notwithstanding She stdl said she had not seen hima member of the FAMILY. witness knew lie was accused of rob- lor years.Thomas M. Mimms, the next wit- j bing the Glendale train, yet he fed fank james story,ness, testified that he was in the them, and did so alter the winston Resuming business after recess, queensware business, and is employ- ' robwry. At the time of the rob- the audience became breathless with ed by T M james Co.. Kansas I bing none of the men were around j eagerness ai.d silent to eaten eyery City : nave lived in Kansas Citv | but ten days afterwards saw Wood word, for Frank James had beencalled to the witness stand.He said I am the defendant in thisFRANK JAMES,AS SKETCHED BY A SPECIAL ARTIST IN THE COt RT lt(l(GALLATINtwenty-six years. Knows the defendant, and Hu* known him since he was a boy; was horn in Logan county, Ky.; knew Jesse. The James’ were his cousin®. He knows where Mrs Samules lives, and was at Mrs Samuels’ in the summer of iSSt, about the 1st of June, and was there twice during the summer being there again the latter part of June. Saw jesse james, Clarence and woodLiddilBeing told to begin his statement by Colonel Philips when the state had begun its case 111 1876, he said: THE RAND IN TENNESSEE.In the winter of 1S76 I went across j southeast Missouri direct into Tcn-i nessee, crossing the Mississippi river ! on Ihc 3U1 or 6th of January. I rived 111 Nashville July. '877, and went out to 1 he White’s Creek set-, tlcment and rented a farm, which I took possession of January, 1878.I hoarded near by for a year; 1 lived on the place I rented for a year; then rented the Felix Smith place and remained there a year: the next . year I rented a place nearer Nashville, three miles from the city. That 1 year was 1879. T did not farm hut worked for the Indiana Lumber j company, logging. I went in 18S0 into Nashville because my health had become impaired.THE FLIGHT.“During that time the gentleman, Mr. Ryan, was arrested. I did not know what kind of a man he was, having u alight acquaintance, and being apprehensive and fearing to gain his own liberty he might sacrifice mine, T fled. My hrst meeting with jesse in Nashville was accidental, and in 1S77. We met, and he cried out “Hello;” wc shook hands, but T called no name, because I did not know what he went under. He went out home with me on the Wal-Hitc. Clarence, Dick Jesse. They went away in a wagon, to which was hitched Charlie Ford’s black pony and Dick Lirldil’s sorrel horse.On re-examination witness insisted so tar as he knew Frank James was not in the country m 1S81,IMPEACHING THE FORDS.On reassembling, the grind began . , , , . , . ,f ton P*acc’ an“ *,e sat“ e was 1,1 taegrain business, and lived in Humphreys county. I first saw Bill Ry-see a lady. I went and found Mrs Frank Tames in great distress, and advised her to go to her father’s.” As to the sewing machine the witness said: “The sewing machinewas not consigned to ine. and theagain by calling Major Williams Hite there at the last time. He ncv- Ray county to the witness stand.er saw Frank, and heard none of the Witness is it farmer, and is acquaint- , . , „. , ,, , | * . | ., ... ar. m the winter ot 1879. lie camepartv say where he was. Saw wood 1 ed with Mrs Bolton, living within, Hite, and have known him since a three and a half miles of her; have[e City to | jjOV. was a cous;n 0f witness. I known her and her family for tivHe, wood Hite, w wood was a tall,. fall, I believe. , -------vas about 51 or ij. or six years years, and her general ... ,.. J . , , ' - - , , much m their company, but, slim man. light ’ character for veracity is bad. .machine came afterward, and was | wooj sent forward.MR. riTT’s TESTIMONY.Frank K. Tutt has resided m Kansas City for Rvo years, and before in Lexington. Witness knows DickLiddle. A short time after Ford’s trial at St. Joseph, witness met 1complexion, blue eves, light mustache and full whiskers. He was five lect ten inches, and there was a strong family resemblance between Hite and Frank, Wood'*to my house with Jesse James. He remained about Nashville until the 1 never saw Jesse my im-1 pression is they were together w hen out of my sight. My first object in leaving Tennessee was to save my... , , , , pressionWitness had the same to say otEliastlnd Cap Fold.Witness knows old man or J T , . . r , ,„ , , , , ; ntc and support mv family, and the1-ord. and knew what his reputation , . . , , . , ,, . second was to get rid of these fel-for truth and veracity was 111 the . , 11 ,.... . . , . , .lows. I could exert no control overmother was a James. Y\ itness had community. It is bad. 1 ^ ^not seen Frank for years, when he W itness could not single out Wil- JX Kentuckysaw him a week after his surrender. ' lie Bolton, so couldn’t say what his “J Went, or we went to George B.Never saw wood Hite after the stir reputation for truth and veracity is. Hite, mv uncle hy marria -e, in Lo-render of 1SS1. Did not see all to- m. g. Duvall. gan county. Kv, While at Hite’s,gether at Mrs Samuel,. A1 G Duvall, the next witness, re- and on Suudnv, as 1 remember, theWitness continuing said: “Jesse 'sided in Ray county, and had been j report came from Adairsville thatDick Liddil m Kansas City.in front I went to St. joe after he left Kansas { raised there. Lives north of Rich- there were detectives mere from0 ardner s and Liddil saul he did City, and lived in St. Joe unlil kill-' niond on his farm ; knew J T Ford Nashville. The next morning. Sun-1 ot ’no'- where Funk James was etj jjc left Kansas CifyonNovem and on lighter Mrs Bolton, by sight, day, some otic saw three membersand had not seen him for several j fcer 2. and he hadn’t been south up and Cap Ford as well by sight, coming towards the bouse, and mvc sau esse ami Frank (q that time* Dul not see ivt ii after J They live about* two and one-bait . mother, who is an excitable woman,1 ^ t get along well together. , he went to St. Joe. While in Kan- J miles from witness’ house. Never at once said they were detectives,The cross-examination amounted , sas City Jesse had no horses.” j have had any particular acquaintance I said no, hut Dick Liddd said yes.nk indisturJ in„ the witness. re-examination witness averred ( with either. Is acquainted with T T you must remember Jesse a-.d I bor-mr. crowper's contribution. ; he never knew where Frank was aftehe lived in and around Nashville. I know Mr Wallace, and saw him at the Maxwell house in Nashville two weeks ago. I was subpomaed by the state, and had transportation furnished me.A TENNESSEE LAWYER.acquainte*, , Ford’s reputation, and his character rowed horses near Nashville.T. N. Crowder, marshal of Lex- he left Missouri the first time, ami lor truth a net veracity is bad. Witnessington, v\ ho was present at the con-, never saw him in the state until at-j testified the *amc regarding Mrsversation related by preceding wit- j ter he surrendered. None of the | Bolton.s. was next called, and confirmed family knew of Frank’s whereabouts And gave Cap Ford the - •'«lt;■Mr. Tutt’s testimony in regard to it.looks like old Father Grimes.’ 1 asked who old Father Grimes was. and Jesse said he is jour cousin, Woodson Hite. Clarence Hite was a stripling, loose-jointed, and was of light complexion.“From Hite’s we went to Nelson county. Kv.. within tortv miles u: Louisville. I stopped at a Mr. Buskin's, and there I separated trom Jesse James and Dick Liddil and saw them no more. 1 know Hall, Robert Halt.THE CONSPIRACY.I never agreed with the others at his house to go to Missouri and rob the express opposite Kansas City; on the contrary, 1 tride to dissuade them, saying it would jeopardize the life of our mother; they knew what had occurred, and there was no safety for our families 111 Missouri, let alone ourselves; they talked oteoing hack to Missouri all along the mad from Mneklinville, Dick Liddil e*. pectally being anxious to get back to his reputed wife, Mattie Collin*; they said they would, and I said I would not, and we separated ; I saw them afterwards at Hull's however; jesse was not there.IN TEXAS.On about the 15th of May I went to Louisville, and troiu there to Tt* as, by rail. From Texai cana I went to Dallas, and then took the road to northern Texas, and got to Mix, Palmer’* the last of June. 1 remain, ed there possibly five weeks. When J heat'd ot Garfield's assassination, it was after 1 left mv sister's the lint time. I went then to the Indian Hi* tkm, and was there about fifteen days. I went on horse (tack. The I Indian nation is thirty mites ftom mi I sister's, I traveled, however, 11c I miles.THE WINSTON ROBBERY.It was about the time of the Win*- I ton robbery— 1 think I read it ini I paper -saw I was accused, am! I thinking it was time tor me to get I back, I went to my sister's and ft* 1 n;aincd there the month ot August, j ami left there the 1st ot September, 1 or about there. I a in tali riled I left { there Hot later than the 15th, and ia going hack I heard of the Blue Cut robberrv. That fixed the time in mj mind.WANTED TO SURUENOCH.When I lett Tennessee I sent wife to General Shelby’s to see it 1 could rot surrender. I was resdr to sui render then and told her to inform me in Texas what had bee* the result of her mission. If *ht failed, as the time was not pmpitiow she should go on to California to b*r brother’s. While in Texas I lounged around the house; I did not atari When I left my sister's I went into the nation north of Denison and remained there three weeks. Then i went to Kcntuckv by Ihc Mis«nin. Kansas and Texas to St. Louis, and over the Baltimore and Ohio to Louisville, and thence to Samtiti* station in Kentucky. I received n® word as to mv surrender in 1881.when out ot the state- Witness witness then went on to relate that knew Jim Cimmins, but had not General Shelby was seated at the seen him for a long time, supper table and opposite him a man another member of the family. witness came in and seated himself ' Wm. Nicholson, r. son-in-law of near General Shclbv; tie was talk- Mrs Samuels, the mother of mg and muttering about scoundrels “the boys,” was next sum-and thieves. He said nothing to the moned. and he testified that he lives man, but eyed him. 1 he persistence three miles north-west ot Keamev,Had lived there all his life, and is a farmer. Knows Charlie Ford, Jesse James, Dick Liddil and Clarence Hite, but does not kr.ow Frank. Had go: acquaint-R 15 Sloan of Tennessee was the ' of the examination to prove that this | Clav county, next Witness. He said: **I am an man was mistaken for Dick, was ex-attorney-at-law in Nashville, am! ] eluded by the court, have lived there forty-three years. * j. b. childs.Knew defendant by the name of Mr. Joel B. Childs, of Kansas Woodson- I knew him from the City was next called, and stated that minter ot i8;6-’77; about that tirno he knew Dick Liddil, had seen h-mKAY COUNTY WITNESSES.TENNESSEE DKTECTIVfc *. “They went down stain,, and I implored them not to kill any of them unless their lives were in danger. I went up-stairs. Wood Hite followed the men, and found out they were The impeachment of the Fords as we suspected detectiv es, was continued by the introduction We came back and we left torot testimony fro;:; Mr. Norvillc. G John Hite’s. At the time vvc were W Trigg, Caption james, T Farris, at Hite’s, there were there G. B. representative in the legislature. Hite, Mrs. Sarah ILtc, Wood Hite. Arthur D Elliott and John Milstcd, old Mr. Harris and his wife. 1 all reputable citizens ot Ray county should judge Wood was 33 or 35 and one and all swore exactly to years old at that time: I judged I what the preceding witness had was a few years older. Mv recol-stated—that the Fords and Mrs Bol- lection of him is that he was five feet ton’s have a iiard reputation for truth nine to five feer nine ami a half inch- • and veracity. es tall: his eves I cannot rememhei ;ed with him in jail here. Had known Jati.es Duvall, beside* swearing his whiskers were on the dark. «andvFrank eighteen vears ago. In the I to what the other Ray county w;t- ^order; he had a large, prominentRETURN TO KENTUCKY.After reaching Kentucky, |DT wife met me in Nelson countv. 16 Kentucky, in the latter part of October. We went trom there to Gcorgr town, Scott county, and took tlx train to Chattanooga, and sloppy at the Stanton house, registering * J. Ed. Warren ; from there we wec--to J.ynchburg, Va. I remained fc* some time in Lynchburg, itopp^f at the Arlington. My intention w*» to go into North Carolina , I did going to Danville and thence t® Richmond, an# from there to S* lem, N. C.. at the toot of the moo®] tains, a secluded place. I had h*-some experience in logging- and * there were several mills there I found j I could make a living; but fiudn?there was much sickness, I conclwri ed not to stop, and went to Jon**- j boro—and finding it a dead town* IJ went to Norfolk, registering ^
Newspaper Details
Butler Weekly Times
Butler, Missouri, US
Wed, Sep 05, 1883
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Joplin P.
MO, USA 24 Sep 2024
Other Publications Near Butler, Missouri
Butler Weekly times and the Bates County record
Butler Weekly Times
Butler Bates County Record
