o cut her down and
restored her to her senses, she would in a few moments have been as dead
as her would-be-murderers hoped.

One of the numerous books purporting to be a history of my life states
with the utmost soberness that, as a boy, I was cruel to dumb animals and
to my schoolmates, and, as for my teachers, to them I was a continual
trouble and annoyance. A hundred of my friends and schoolmates will bear
me out in the statement that, far from being cruel to either dumb animals
or human beings, I was always regarded as kind and considerate to both.

One of my old school-teachers, whom I have never seen since the spring or
summer of 1862, is Stephen B. Elkins, senator from West Virginia.

July 4, 1898, Senator Elkins wrote: "I knew Cole Younger when we were boys
and also his parents. They were good people and among the pioneers on the
western border of Missouri. The Younger brothers maintained a good
reputation in the community where they lived and were well esteemed, as
were their parents, for their good conduct and character. In the spring
or summer of 1862 I was taken prisoner by Quantrell's men and brought into
his camp by the pickets who had me in charge. On reaching the camp the
first person I saw whom I knew was Cole Younger. When I was taken
prisoner, I expected to be shot without ceremony. As soon as I saw Cole
Younger I felt a sense of relief because I had known him and his parents
long and favorably, and as soon as I got a chance I told him frankly what
I feared and that I hoped he would manage to take care of me and save me
from being killed. He assured me he would do all he could to protect me.
Cole Younger told Quantrell that my father and brother were in the rebel
army and were good fighters, and that I had stayed at home to take care of
my mother; that I was a good fellow and a non-combatant. This occurred
just before I entered the Union army, and it was generally known, and I am
sure Cole knew, that I was strongly for the Union and about to enter the
army. Cole Younger told me what to do to make good my escape and I feel
that I owe my life to his kindness."

Another old school-teacher is Capt. Steve Ragan, who still lives in Kansas
City, Mo., and will bear testimony to the fact that I was neither cruel
nor unmanageable.

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