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ALS signed “Your Loving Husband, Ben,” one page both sides, 8 x 12, September 30, 1883. Handwritten letter to his "'Little' 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: "Your precious 'little' letter was received yesterday and I was happy to know you still love your hubby a 'little' yet. There is nothing new more than Paddy has left this detestable town and God knows I would love to say farewell to it There is not a meaner set of people take them as a whole living on the face of the globe. There was many of them who before the trial appeared friendly. Why? because they feared if they showed their true colors we would take a change of venue. There is only a bout a doz. in this town that are really our friends.
I wish you would see Mr. Glover and ask him how long are they willing to let me remain in jail for the purpose of getting the people in a good humor? I had a letter from Mr. Garner yesterday and he is anxious to see me out of prison. He thinks the State will dismiss the cases here and then I will be taken to K.C. or Independence and then give bond. I don't believe they will do any thing of the kind so long as my Attys make no effort to get me and they will delight in keeping me here. Should they dismiss them and I am returned to K.C. or Independence I don't want to go to jail at all. So state to Mr. Glover I would much rather remain here than to be in jail at K.C….with Langhorn as keeper. He I think would put up a job to have the Fords or Liddil kill me if I was in his charge.
I am like you I becoming thoroughly disgust with the proceedings and the way we are being treated. Darling do you know I was with you about this time last year and how I wish I was with you now we would be so happy you are so good kind and how I worship you and don't think there is an other woman like you on earth Oh! I am so proud of you." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed by Frank James to "Mrs. A. F. James, Independence, Mo."
This interesting letter boasts noteworthy references to both Robert Ford, the killer of Jesse James, and Dick Liddil, another former associate of the James–Younger Gang, who had implicated Frank James in the 1881 Muscle Shoals robbery and was pardoned in exchange for his testimony. Despite Liddil's testimony, Frank James was acquitted, reportedly because the jury concluded that the turncoat Liddil was not a reliable witness.
The Western Americana auction of Jochen Zeitz.
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