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ALS, one page both sides, 7.5 x 12.5, dated 1898. Addressed from the Minnesota State Prison, a handwritten letter to “Mrs. Deming,” Cora ‘Corona’ McNeill Deming, in full (spelling and grammar retained): “I write this note to say you have our Sympathy, as well as our best wishes, but keep up all you can the courage you have shown in the past, I was there in the astral, and looked in at you all, Mama M’c was looking sad, but the little one was shakeing her little fist, as she exclaimed, those Boys mean just what they say, and you would not allow you to sacrifice your health and happiness for them, then I steped out on the pavement and was met by an angry man, who seemed to be insane, but I caught him by the arm and led him away, he seemed to hate evry body, but was powerless in my grasp, I saw and heard a great deal I cannot here relate, but in my own mind I am satisfied of what is takeing place, and will in the future as the past, visit you and other frinds, and if posable, tell you what I cannot write, my little friend of whom I wrote in my last letter, is keeping a sharp look out for me, and sends in report evry knight, so you see that I keep pretty well posted, and if I could only have found the astral plane clear, I could have told you what I may never be able to do, but I will say courage, yes courage, for that more than alls else has kept many others living. I know the shaddow in the path, I have seen it many – yes many times, but I fear it not read my last letter why I did not follow, kindest regards to all.” In fine condition.
Cole and Jim Younger began their life of crime during the Civil War as members of the notorious Quantrill's Raiders. The brothers avoided arrest longer than many other outlaws due to the sympathy and support of many of their fellow Confederate veterans. However, in 1876, the Younger luck ran dry when their attempted bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota, went famously awry. Armed townsfolk disrupted the robbery, chased off the gang, and in the ensuing melee, two townspeople were killed. When the Youngers were finally captured, they were tried and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Minnesota State Prison in Stillwater—a guilty plea saved them from the hangman's noose. After two years of legislative wrangling, a parole bill was passed in Minnesota's legislature, and Cole and Jim Younger were freed on July 10, 1901. After his release, Jim became engaged to Alix Mueller, but due to the terms of his parole, Jim was not legally allowed to marry. In 1900, he was listed as a farmer in the census and killed himself on October 19, 1902, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Cora McNeill was born in St. Clair, Missouri, in 1862. She was an admirer of Cole and Jim Younger, and it is believed that she was a sweetheart of Jim's before he went to prison. She continued her correspondence to both Jim and Cole while they were incarcerated in Minnesota following the botched Northfield bank robbery. She was married to Minneapolis judge George M. Bennett, who attempted to secure a pardon for the Younger brothers.
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