Cole Younger

Joe Smith and Brigham Young laid out Independence, but very soon thereafter enough citizens of the county collected to drive them off, after several stubborn fights.

In the war of 1856 Jackson county, and the settlement about Independence especially, was more largely represented, perhaps, than any other section.

I want it understood that all these men fought for principle, not for plunder, and that they were true-hearted, honorable soldiers, fighting for what they esteemed was a righteous cause.

I occupy much of my time in theological studies for which I have a natural inclination.

I have been wounded altogether twenty times eleven of these wounds were received at Northfield.

Jim was wounded four times at Northfield, and six times in all. Bob was never wounded until the pursuit in Minnesota, where he was struck three times.

The world may believe as it pleases.

I will say that since our capture we have met with uniform kindness, and while in the penitentiary our relations with the officers have been cordially pleasant, and for their considerate and kind disposition we feel profoundly grateful.

They had scarcely established themselves, however, before another company of Jackson county citizens, chiefly from around Independence, organized to drive them off.

I never, in all my life, had anything whatever to do with robbing any bank in the state of Missouri.

I am aware that my name has been connected with all the bank robberies in the country but positively I had nothing to do with any one of them. I look upon my life since the war as a blank, and will never say anything to make it appear otherwise.

Jim and I are still receiving surgical attention, and will be the remainder of our lives.

The people of western Missouri are, in some respects, very peculiar. We will take Jackson county where I was born for instance. In that section the people seemed to be born fighters, the instinct being inherited from a long line of ancestors.