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Show FRANK JAMES SURRENDERS. Repentant, and tired of being hunted. Kansas City, Oct. 6.-A Jefferson City special has a letter from Frank James addressed to Governor Crittenden, dated St. Louis October 1st. It is a lengthy document and says he was prompted to act through consideration for his wife and children and a desire to retire his name from the shadow cast upon it, and through it upon the good name of Western Missourians. He makes the plea that he is not as bad as he has been painted, that the outlaw has the thoughts and impulses of a man, and his desire to return to the house of his parents and there with his family to pass his days in peace and thus [unreadable] of his fellowmen. He thinks it unnecessary at present to recount the history of his life. Those who are his friends are already acquainted with it and the public at present are not disposed to judge him charitably. He thinks his sufferings have already done penance for his acts. He denies the authorship of any of the letters threatening the assassination of the murderers of Jesse, which has been attributed to him. He submits the question whether Frank James humbled, repentant, and reformed before the world will not be an example more fraught with good to the rising generation than Frank James the outlaw and wanderer. He says this letter was the result of a determination formed during the past four years of industrious farm life which he has spent. He asks for amnesty if possible, and states that an answer will reach him through his wife, who is at Independence, Mo. On receipt of this letter Governor Crittenden replied that he could make no definite promises, but would recommend James to present himself before the courts where charges now rest against him, and answer them as best becomes a man. In accordance therewith, James appeared before the Governor to-day, accompanied by Major J. W. Edwards of Sedalia, as counsel, and surrendered himself. He will arrive at Kansas City tomorrow, and have a hearing at Independence, the county seat. The prisoner said he had come to Missouri on September 23d, with the purpose of surrendering. Previous to that time, he said, he had not been in the State for a year. He said: "I came to Missouri to try to regain a home and standing among her people. I have been outside of her laws for twenty-one years. I have been hunted like a wild beast from one State to another, and I have known no home. I have slept in all sorts of places, here to-day and there to-morrow. I have been charged with nearly every great crime committed in either Wisconsin or her neighboring States. I have been taught to suspect my nearest and dearest friends of treachery: and where is the end to be? I am tired of this life of night-riding and day-hiding, of constant listening for footfalls, crackling twigs rustling leaves and creaking doors, tired of seeing Judas on the face of every friend I own, and goodness knows I have none to spare, tired of the saddle, the revolver and cartridge belt; tired of the hoots and horns with which popular belief has ?? me: and I want to see if there is not some way out of it. I think I can give the State a substantial return for what I ask, and I think the dignity of the law will not suffer. I shall prove myself worthy of mercy. It is found impossible to hold an examination to-day. Consequently James was taken to a hotel. Two indictments have been standing against him in this county for about a year, one for the complicity in the murder of young Wiches, near Liberty, in 1874, and the other on account of the Blue Cut train robbery. The Criminal Court does not sit regularly for some time, but Judge White will probably give a hearing upon the indictment in chambers next week. James this evening was removed to a cell at the jail, and there he will remain until the Court grants a hearing. No formal proceedings will be held this week. There was an immense crowd about the hotel all day, attempting to get a view of James, but his wish was to remain as quiet as possible, and see but few callers. With all the sentiment which necessarily surrounds a history so mysterious and an event so dramatic, there rests a conviction among the citizens generally, that the law should take its impartial course and justice be meted out as seems best. The feeling expressed however has nothing of open violence, and there is no possible danger of any attempt in that direction. There will be no examination of James to-day. He will be locked up in the jail at Independence to-night, and possibly his examination will be held Saturday. Chicago, Oct. 6.-It has been discovered that Frank James spent last week in this city, sleeping at night at the Sherman House under the assumed name of Pratt, and spending his days on the West Side in consultation with friends from Missouri with reference to his surrender. The letter to Governor Crittenden, it is said, had been written here and carried to St. Louis for mailing. One of the United States Deputy Marshals here became aware of his presence here and swore out a warrant before the United States Commissioner charging James with robbing the United States mails. For some unknown reasons, however, the deputy made no effort to arrest his man. James left for Missouri Monday evening. Previous to coming here he was at Quebec and Cleveland. Kansas City, Oct. 7.-At Independence to-day a number of old friends were admitted to the jail to talk with James. He seemed in excellent spirits and expressed entire confidence in his ability to clear himself of any charges which may be brought against him. His wife visited him during the morning. At the hotel yesterday, he wrote upon the register, "Frank James, wife and child," remarking that it was the first time he had signed his real name in sixteen years. There was a number of bidders for the autograph, but the landlord declined to permit the register to be cut. James' appearance strongly indicates rapid approach of consumption, although he asserts that he is in good health, and it is evident that he is considerably broken physically, if not in spirit. It is the general opinion that he confidently expected to be admitted to bail yesterday and there is no doubt that he could give a bond in any amount demanded. The regular term of the Criminal Court occurs in November, but it is thought that Judge White will give a hearing to the application for bail before that time. There is a great difference of opinion here as to the probability of sufficient evidence being obtained to convict him of the charges preferred in this county. Opinions also are greatly at variance as to his chances for pardon in case of conviction. Mayor Edwards states positively that James had no encouragement further than that offered in the letter from Governor Crittenden published yesterday. |