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The Story of Cole Younger, by Himself
The Story of Cole Younger, by Himself
Being an Autobiography of the Missouri Guerrilla Captain and Outlaw, his Capture and Prison Life, and the Only Authentic Account of the Northfield Raid Ever Published
In this account I propose to set out the little good that was in my life, at the same time not withholding in any way the bad, with the hope of setting right before the world a family name once honored, but which has suffered disgrace by being charged with more evil deeds than were ever its rightful share.
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2. THE DARK AND BLOODY GROUND
Many causes united in embittering the people on both sides of the border between Missouri and Kansas.
Those Missourians who were for slavery wanted Kansas admitted as a slave state, and sought to accomplish it by the most strenuous efforts. Abolitionists on the other hand determined that Kansas should be free and one of the plans for inviting immigration from the Eastern Northern states where slavery was in disrepute, was the organization of an Immigrant Aid Society, in which many of the leading men were interested. Neither the earnestness of their purpose nor the enthusiasm of their fight for liberty is for me to question now.
But many of those who came to Kansas under the auspices of this society were undesirable neighbors, looked at from any standpoint. Their ideas on property rights were very hazy, in many cases. Some of them were let out of Eastern prisons to live down a "past" in a new country. They looked upon a slave owner as legitima
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Cole Younger's autobiography is far from brilliant. Sketchy at best, downright evasive at worst, it presents in the broadest strokes possible a career of violence and theft that netted him a 25-year stretch in the penitentiary. He admits to only one crime - the attempt on the bank at Northfield, Minn. -- and blames much of his reputation on the wild speculation of others.
The best part of the entire book is a chapter near the end called "What My Life Has Taught Me," in which Younger makes some very good observations. Otherwise, this autobiography is deeply disappointing in both detail and substance.
And Quantrell was not a "southern hero," as opined by a former reviewer. Heroes do not massacre 200 men and boys.
The best part of the entire book is a chapter near the end called "What My Life Has Taught Me," in which Younger makes some very good observations. Otherwise, this autobiography is deeply disappointing in both detail and substance.
And Quantrell was not a "southern hero," as opined by a former reviewer. Heroes do not massacre 200 men and boys.
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A brilliant book,an interesting account of Cole Younger's life.Highly enjoyable and informative.It has given me a thirst to read more on the Southern heroes especially Quantrell.A must read book for history buffs.
05/28/2011
a must read!
01/27/2011
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