Humboldt Times, 13 October 1883
A Life of Terror.
Rochester Herald.
The Ford brothers have been starring
through the country as murderers, but
just at the present they are not happy.
The acquittal of Frank James, brother
of Jesse, whom one of the boys treach-
erously shot from behind his back,
as well as the existence of a large
number of sympathizers with the James
brothers, the most of whom handle
fire-arms freely and skillfully,
are considerations that tend to
make life a burden to the Ford boys.
They have been in Louisville for some
time, and the Commercial thus refers
to their presence there and their departure:
“After a stay of a week in Louisville, and
it has been a week of terror to them, the
Ford boys left this city last night by the
O. and M. railroad for Toledo, Ohio.
They were in a constant state of fear, and
both of them went heavily armed all the time.
Both wore belts, in which they carried a
brace of huge Colt’s six-shooters, and
two extra rounds of cartridges.
One of the pistols carried by Bob Ford was the
one with which Jesse James was killed.
In addition to the pistols, Bob carried a murderous
knife, in the use of which he is very dexterous,
being able to slash an enemy into ribbons before
a hand could be raised in defense. While here they
roomed on Gray street, near Second, and slept with
their pistols at their sides.
Bob is actually expecting to be killed at any
moment, and life is anything but a pleasure to
him under the circumstances.”
It is a rude state of society that nourishes
and encourages such characters. It is true
the Fords, in killing Jesse James, delivered
society from one of the most hardened and
villainous criminals of the age, hut they had
themselves associated with James and had been
concerned in many of his offenses. It is probably
that they are lacking only in the courage and
brains, but not in the depravity, which made
Jesse a leader of his gang.
Unfortunately for the region where they flourished
there are many men with characters, dispositions
and tastes similar to theirs. Fire-arms and dirks
are openly worn and many are ready to draw and
fire at sight when an enemy comes in view.
The killing of one or both of the Ford brothers may
be announced any day. They clearly understand that
society can not be depended upon to protect them
either by its officers or penalties from violent
death at the hands of the avengers of Jesse James.
Thus it will ever be until a decent public sentiment
shall be created in the south and southwest and
render punishment of lawlessness certain and speedy.