The 30 Minute Rule begins May 21 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By May 21 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
ALS signed “Your true and loving Hubby, Ben,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, August 16, 1883. Handwritten letter to his wife from "St. James Castle," a joking nickname used by James for the Daviess County Rotary Jail in Gallatin, Missouri; as usual, he signs using an alias to ensure their privacy should his letter fall into the hands of reporters. In full: "Ha ha you knew I would laugh and be happy when you told me the 'Enigmatical question' had been solved. I am just as frisky as a colt feeling good all over. But Saturday my happiness will be complete. How awful sweet you can be when you try. You are too sweet yes precious you are the essence of grace distilled from the birds of perfection. I had almost come to the conclusion that you was no good since the reception of your letter of the 12th I retract all I have thought and really think I have been mean to doubt for one single moment that you did not love and think of me But as I had always heard from you on Monday and your letter was so long on the road not coming until last night it was enough to vex me. Don't you think so? Oh! Lord I think you are giving me a little 'taffy' when you tell me that you have told several that I was the best man in the world. I don't think you every talk so extravagantly as that.
Ah! well we will see just how much you do love me when you come and one proof of your sincerity will be to see you in this jail early Saturday morning. It is only two days but oh! my what long ones they will be to me. Don't I wish you were here now I would love you and make you feel good all over. If any thing should occur to prevent you from arriving here to morrow night I will do what the woman did that Mrs. H spoke of. Let nothing but sickness prevent you coming to morrow night. I think Col. M can bring up the forces without a doubt. See Col. M and find out upon what day he will come and get Harry to go see Duck and Bell H. and tell them to meet Col. M in Independence at the appointed time ready to come. Do not fail to come I must see you Saturday. It may be of absolute nececity for you to be here. I have just this moment telegraphed Johnnie Samuels to come here at once. There is no little important things to do between this and Monday.
I of course can not tell you all I want done. You may understand from my general fun of conversation why I am so anxious for you to put in an appearance at this place If you get this and are coming Friday night telegraph me from Independence just let your answer by wire to me be O.K. sign Red Cloud instead of your own name. Again let me urge upon you the importance of you being here Friday night Love to all. Hoping to see you early Saturday morning I will now say Good bye." 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.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$250.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
