Description:

FRANK JAMES
(1843 - 1915) American desperado and older brother of Jesse James. James rode with William Quantrill and his raiders, participating in the destruction of Lawrence, kansas in 1863. After the war, James teamed with brother Jesse on a 16-year run of bank and stage robberies. Following Jesse's murder, Frank surrendered to authorities, was tried for murder, and eventually acquitted. Historic content A.L.S "Frank James", 2pp. legal folio, "Huntsville Jail, [Huntsville] Al.", Mar. 12, 1884 to "My Dear Wife and Robert". After surrendering and while awaiting trial for bank robbery, James writes his wife and son, in small part: "...I am truly in hope I may not be ill any more while in jail at least...the only money I spend is for stamps and tobacco...As I write it rains and the heavy peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning very nearly raises me out of my chair...I have scarcely any fire and think I will let it die...I am waiting very impatiently for Mr. Cooper to come from the post office. I am in hopes I will get a letter from some one. No where on earth is letters so much appreciated so highly as when in jail...Edwards is undoubtedly the very best friend I have on earth...I wish all my pretended friends were as true as he...I know he done just what he said he did and that was give them the very devil. How did Rob like the deaf and dumb alphabet I sent him?...I heard the jailor's voice a few moments ago...[he] had letter from you dated March the 7...Should I want you to come to the trial I want you to get Rob a handsome suit and one that fits him perfect...Be sure to be ready (and tell Josie) by the first of April and keep ready to start at moment's notice...". Very good to fine condition. Five months after the murder of his brother Jesse by Robert Ford in 1882, James met with Missouri Gov. Crittenden. Placing his holstered pistol in Crittenden's hands, he explained: "I have been hunted for twenty-one years, have literally lived in the saddle, have never known a day of perfect peace. It was one long, anxious, inexorable, eternal vigil". He then ended his statement by saying, "Governor, I haven't let another man touch my gun since 1861". Frank was tried for only two of the robberies/murders - one in Gallatin, Mo. for the July 15, 1881 robbery of the Rock Island Line train at Winston, Mo., in which the train engineer and a passenger were killed, and the other in Huntsville (this case) for the Mar. 11, 1881 robbery of a Corps of Engineers payroll at Muscle Shoals. Partly through the use of his ex-Confederate comrades, James won acquittal in both states, and retired quietly. The only Frank James letter from prison we've ever encountered. With Charles Hamilton letter of authentication, in custom slipcase.

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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