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Outlaw and older brother of Jesse James (1843-1915). ALS signed “Your True and Loving Husband, Ben,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9.75, April 22–23, 1883. Lengthy and deeply emotional handwritten letter to his wife while jailed in Gallatin, Missouri, awaiting trial for murder during a train robbery; as usual, he signs using an alias to ensure their privacy should his letter fall into the hands of reporters. In part: "I thought when you let me I would certainly hear from you by this time and I must believe you have written and it may be that Rush has a letter for me at this very hour if so it is real mean in him not to give or sent it to me. I have thought of you every hour since you left me. I miss you so much and regret that you went. I was out for a long walk to day and we spent several hours in the sunshine which you know I enjoyed very much.
When we came back I was invited to take dinner with the family. I done so and a most excellent one it was. I then returned to my cell, had some company, tried to sleep by could not for thinking of my little family. I do wish you was with me to night but as I cannot, I console myself with the reflection that you love me….
Monday April 23rd. This morning broke gloomy and cold. The fire feels real comfortable. I have just finished cleaning house…I am waiting very impatiently for the morning's mail hoping and believing with it will come a letter from my precious darling. If I hear nothing from you today I shall be very much disappointed. I feel as a letter will come sure, you have always been so good and punctual to write I feel as you will not disappoint me this time.
I will now await the mail a kiss goodbye until after dinner. It is now 1:20 pm and so far no news from my darling. Had a postal from Bob Sampson but he said nothing about my darling. I don't know why you do not write.
I think your deauty to write me first anyway if I do not hear from you by to morrow I shall not stand on formality but send this letter. I know you have grounds for this delay which will be fully explained when I do hear from you. I asked Mr. Crozier to day if he could board you and ma during the trial. The answer he gave me that he thought Mr. Burns would board you. He lives right across the street from the jail. I think will have you come up about the first of June. I wish to the Lord you were here now. I am just too lonesome for any and don't think I can really stand to be here in this miserable place by myself. I will now put my letter up for a while hoping to hear from you.
5:35 pm Well I have just been handed your loving and interesting letter…yours was a loving and newsy letter and no mistake. Oh well I can stand any thing let them be filled with or cussing I realize I am just as near alone in this world as a man could well be. You are growing very strange of late and if you do not care any thing for me I am grieved to know it. Why do I write this I will just return your letter to you and ask you to read it.
Do you suppose if you were in jail I would write you such a brief and unloving not as that. No, no, that I would not. It makes my heart ache as I look at it on the table before me…I have been sadly disappointed My God when a man's wife ceases to console him Heaven help him. But no matter I love you more than all the world notwithstanding you are cold towards me. After this I know not what is ahead what desertion of friends may occur what defeat I may have to hear; nor what intrigues I may be called upon to guard. There is one thing however I do know and that is nothing could cause me to feel much worse than I do this evening. I simply feel as I did not have one single friend on Earth and if it was God's will I wish that I might be able to go to sleep and not wake up untill June. I have heard nothing from any of my atty. I'll tell Rush the first time I see him that I will go to trial with him alone. I am determined that the end shall come. If I am to lead this life always death will be preferable…Hoping to be free and regain your love." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed by Frank James to "Mrs. A. F. James, Independence, Mo."
In September of 1882—five months after his brother Jesse was gunned down by fellow gang member Robert Ford—James turned himself in to Missouri governor Thomas Crittenden in Jefferson City, tired of running and hoping to avoid the same gruesome fate. He was held and put on trial in Gallatin, Missouri, for participating in two murders during a train robbery. However, having reached folk-hero status within the general population, he was acquitted by the jury.
The Western Americana auction of Jochen Zeitz.
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