Cole Younger, Old West Outlaw. James-Younger Gang

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Thomas Coleman 'Cole' Younger while he was a prisoner at the Minnesota State Prison ca. 1889.

Cole Younger's signature.

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Blog Created: 12-9-2023

Last Updated: 12-10-2023

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Thomas Coleman Younger (January 15, 1844 – March 21, 1916) was an American Confederate guerrilla during the American Civil War and later an outlaw leader with the James–Younger Gang. He was the elder brother of Jim, John and Bob Younger, who were also members of the gang.

Early life ~

Younger was born on January 15, 1844, on the Younger family farm in Jackson County, Missouri. He was a son of Henry Washington Younger, a prosperous farmer from Greenwood, Missouri and Bersheba Leighton Fristoe, daughter of a prominent Jackson County farmer. Cole was the seventh of fourteen children.

Civil War ~

During the American Civil War, savage guerrilla warfare wracked the state of Missouri. Younger's father was a Union supporter, but he was shot dead by a Union soldier from Kansas. After that, Cole Younger sought revenge as a pro-Confederate guerrilla or "bushwhacker" under William Clarke Quantrill. By 1862, the Confederate Army had been forced to withdraw from the state, and most of the fighting involved pro-Union and pro-Confederate partisans rather than regular armies. However, the bushwhackers held a special hatred for the "red leg" Union troops from Kansas who frequently entered Missouri and earned a reputation for ruthlessness. Younger rode with Quantrill in a retaliatory raid on Lawrence, Kansas on August 21, 1863, during which about 200 citizens were killed and the town looted and burned.

Print shows Rebel troops killing the citizens of Lawrence, Kansas, and setting fire to the buildings.

Lawrence in ruins, 1863.

Younger later claimed to have eventually left the bushwhackers and enlisted in the Confederate Army. He claimed he was sent to California on a recruiting mission, and returned after the war's end to find Missouri ruled by a militant faction of Unionist Radicals. In the last days of the war, the Radicals had pushed through a new state constitution that barred all Confederate sympathizers from voting, serving on juries, holding public office, preaching the gospel, or carrying out other public roles. The constitution freed all slaves in Missouri in advance of the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It enacted a number of reforms, but the restrictions on former Confederates created disunity.

Outlaw career ~

Most of the former bushwhackers returned to peaceful lives. Many left Missouri for friendlier places, particularly Kentucky, where they had relatives. Most of their former leaders, including Quantrill and William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, had been killed during the war. But a small core of Anderson's men, led by the ruthless Archie Clement, remained together. State authorities believed that Clement planned and led the first daylight peacetime armed bank robbery in U.S. history when he held up the Clay County Savings Association on February 13, 1866. The bank was run by the leading citizens of Clay County, who had just held a public meeting for their association. The governor posted a reward for Clement, but he and his band of outlaws conducted further robberies that year. On election day of 1866, Clement led his men to polling places in Lexington, Missouri, where they intimidated citizens and secured the election of a slate of candidates. A state militia unit entered the town shortly thereafter and killed Clement when he resisted arrest.

It is uncertain when the Younger brothers joined the Clement gang. The first mention of their involvement came in 1868, when authorities identified Cole as a member of a gang that robbed Nimrod Long & Co., a bank in Russellville, Kentucky. Former guerrillas John Jarrett (Younger's brother-in-law), Arthur McCoy, and George and Oliver Shepard were also implicated. Oliver Shepard was killed resisting arrest and George was imprisoned. Once the more senior members of the gang had been killed, captured, or quit, its core thereafter consisted of the Younger brothers, Frank James, and Jesse James.

Jesse and Frank James.

Witnesses repeatedly gave identifications that matched Cole Younger in robberies carried out over the next few years, as the outlaws robbed banks and stagecoaches in Missouri and Kentucky. On July 21, 1873, they turned to train robbery, derailing a locomotive and looting the express car on the Rock Island Railroad in Adair, Iowa. Younger and his brothers were also suspects in robberies in Missouri, Kentucky, Kansas, and West Virginia.

Following the robbery of the Iron Mountain Railroad at Gad's Hill, Missouri in 1874, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency began to pursue the so-called James–Younger Gang. Two agents (Louis J. Lull and John Boyle) engaged John and Jim Younger in a gunfight on a Missouri road on March 17, 1874. Lull and John Younger were killed and Boyle and Jim Younger fled the scene. Another Pinkerton agent who pursued the James brothers, W. J. Whicher, was abducted and later found dead alongside a rural road in Jackson County, Missouri.

Some Younger families changed their last names to Jungers to avoid a family association with the gangsters. The James and Younger brothers survived capture longer than most Western outlaws because of their strong support among former Confederates. Jesse James became the public face of the James–Younger Gang, appealing to the public in letters to the press.

Bank building at Northfield, Minnesota.

Downfall of the gang ~

On September 7, 1876, the James–Younger Gang attempted to rob a bank in Northfield, Minnesota. Cole Younger and his brother Bob both later said that they selected the bank because of its connection to two former Union generals and Radical politicians, Benjamin Butler, a Democrat, and Adelbert Ames, a Republican. Three of the outlaws entered the bank, as the remaining five, led by Cole Younger, remained on the street to provide cover. The crime soon went awry, however, when the townspeople sent up the alarm and ran for their guns. Younger and his brothers began to fire in the air to clear the streets, but the townspeople (shooting from behind cover, through windows and around the corners of buildings) opened a deadly fusillade, killing gang members Clell Miller and William Chadwell and badly wounding Bob Younger through the elbow. Herb Potter rode off in a hail of bullets.

Interior of the Northfield bank.

The outlaws killed two townspeople, including the acting cashier of the bank, and fled empty-handed. As hundreds of Minnesotans formed posses to pursue the fleeing gang, the outlaws separated. The James brothers made it back to Missouri, but the three Youngers (Cole, Bob, and Jim) did not. They and another gang member, Charlie Pitts, waged a gun battle with a local posse in a wooded ravine along the Watonwan River west of Madelia, Minnesota. Pitts was killed, and Cole, Jim, and Bob Younger were badly wounded and captured. Cole, asked about the robbery, responded, "We tried a desperate game and lost. But we are rough men used to rough ways, and we will abide by the consequences."

Cole, Jim, and Bob pleaded guilty to their crimes to avoid execution. They were sentenced to life in prison at the Minnesota Territorial Prison at Stillwater on November 18, 1876. Frank and Jesse James fled to Nashville, Tennessee, where they lived peacefully for the next three years. In 1879, Jesse returned to a life of crime, which ended with his death on April 3, 1882, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Frank James surrendered to Missouri Governor Thomas T. Crittenden on October 4, 1882. Eventually, Frank James was acquitted and lived quietly and peacefully after that.

Later years ~

While in custody, Cole, Jim and Bob donated money for the creation of the Prison Mirror, one of the first prison newspapers in the US. Cole also worked for the newspaper as their printer's devil, and also worked as the prison's librarian. Bob Younger died in Stillwater prison on September 16, 1889, of tuberculosis. Cole and Jim were paroled on July 10, 1901, with the help of the prison warden. Jim committed suicide in a hotel room in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 19, 1902. Cole wrote a memoir that portrayed himself as a Confederate avenger more than an outlaw, admitting to only one crime, that at Northfield. He lectured and toured the south with Frank James in a wild west show, The Cole Younger and Frank James Wild West Company, in 1903. On August 21, 1912, Cole declared that he had become a Christian and repented of his criminal past. He was baptized at Lee's Summit Christian Church on 16 August 1913.

Postcard showing Frank James at the James Farm shortly before his death.

Admission ticket to the Cole Younger / Frank James Wild West Show.

Frank James died on February 18, 1915. A year later, Cole Younger died, on March 21, 1916, in his hometown of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and is buried in the Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery.

In popular culture

Film ~

Jesse James as the Outlaw (1921), played by Harry Hoffman.

Bad Men of Missouri (1941) featured Younger, played by Dennis Morgan, and his two outlaw brothers fighting the bank.

Return of the Badmen (1948).

The Younger Brothers (1949) had Wayne Morris play Cole in a fictional story of the Youngers receiving their pardon.

Kansas Raiders (1950) featured James Best playing Younger in a depiction of his time spent with Quantrill's Raiders.

The True Story of Jesse James (1957), directed by Nicholas Ray, featured Alan Hale, Jr. as Younger.

Cole Younger, Gunfighter (1958) featured Cole played by Frank Lovejoy.

The Intruders (1970) featured Cole played by Gene Evans.

The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972) depicts the failed Northfield bank robbery, with Cliff Robertson as Cole Younger.

The Long Riders (1980) depicts the era of the James–Younger Gang's exploits, with David Carradine playing Cole.

Frank and Jesse (1994) depicts the James–Younger Gang's outlaw days, with Randy Travis playing Cole.

American Outlaws (2001) depicts the early years of the James–Younger Gang, with Scott Caan playing Cole.

True Grit (2010) briefly depicts Younger operating his Wild West show in the early 1900s, with Don Pirl playing Cole.

Television ~

In 1959, the episode "Cole Younger" (Season 4, Episode 17) of the western television show Tales of Wells Fargo shows Cole Younger (Royal Dano) and his brothers having a run-in with Jim Hardie (Dale Robertson) of Wells Fargo after their Northfield, Minnesota bank job.

In a 1959 episode of The Rifleman (Season 1 Ep. 28, "The Challenge") the outlaw Jake Pardee is referred to as being: “Even bigger than Cole Younger”.

In 1960, Robert J. Wilke played Younger in the episode "Perilous Passage", the series premiere of the NBC western Overland Trail, starring William Bendix and Doug McClure.

In 1960, an episode of Bronco, "Shadow of Jesse James", told the story of the Northfield Bank Robbery.

In "One Way Ticket", a 1962 episode of Cheyenne, Clint Walker, in the title role of Cheyenne Bodie, is a federal marshal escorting Younger, played by Philip Carey, to prison to begin his sentence.

In a 1983 episode of Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983) (Season Nine, Episode 14 - 'The Younger Brothers', Cole was portrayed by Geoffrey Lewis, who had brothers Bart ( Robert Donner ) and Lonnie ( Timothy Scott ) bungling robberies and kidnappings after fourteen years in prison, then realizing they were no longer up to it. The episode was done in a more comedic style.

The TV series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman featured Cole portrayed by Ian Bohen in the episode "Baby Outlaws".

Cole Younger is the main antagonist in the Hulu Original Series Quick Draw. In the show, he is characterized by a large leather mask that he wears in perpetuity, and the only reference to a brother is his follower: Ephram Younger. The character resides just outside the town of Great Bend, Kansas and is played by Brian O'Connor.

Literature ~

Cole Younger appears briefly towards the end of Charles Portis' 1968 novel True Grit.

Cole Younger is a major character in Wildwood Boys (William Morrow, 2000; New York), a biographical novel of "Bloody Bill" Anderson by James Carlos Blake.

Music ~

"Bandit Cole Younger' by Ed Crain was originally recorded in 1931 and was included in the first volume of the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music in 1952.

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Wounds received by the gang members at the Northfield Robbery

Cole Younger’s Wounds ~

At Hanska Slough, a ball entered just behind the angle of the right side of Cole’s jaw, passing over the palate arch and lodging in the left side of the upper jaw. He also had four bullet wounds in the back, whether they were received at Northfield or Hanska Slough is unknown. Buckshot penetrated his left shoulder blade, another two inches below, both lodging in fleshy parts and two inches deep. Another entered the middle third of his arm, passing upwards two inches; still another passed behind the armpit. His feet were painful to the touch, and his toenails came off when his boots were removed.

Jim Younger’s Wounds ~

A ball entered the center of Jim’s upper jaw, destroying nearly half of the upper jawbone. Witnesses later saw pieces of his jawbone removed showing two or three double teeth. His upper lip was swollen and the inside of his mouth was sore, making it difficult for him to speak. Jim was also hit by buckshot in the fleshy part of his middle thigh. A doctor gave him and the other Youngers opiates to help them sleep.

Bob Younger’s Wounds ~

In Hanska Slough, Bob was hit by a ball that entered just below the right side of his shoulder blade, passed around the body and exited near the nipple. His broken arm, which he sustained in Northfield, was nearly healed by the time the doctor examined him. A large man, light complexioned, no beard and, at his capture, his face recently shaved, Bob was intelligent, shrewd and not as communicative as either of his two brothers.

Charlie Pitts’s Wounds ~

Charlie was six feet tall, 175 pounds, with thick black hair and a heavy moustache and goatee. The fatal bullet entered his left breast, one inch from the center of the breastbone and approximately three inches from the neck. Pitts’s corpse was shipped to St. Paul and displayed in the west wing of the capitol. Over 2,000 of the curious paid 10 cents each to file past the dead robber.

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Cole Younger after being wounded and captured in 1876.

Thomas Coleman 'Cole' Younger while he was a prisoner at the Minnesota State Prison ca. 1889.

Cole, after his release from prison in 1902.

Cole Younger, c. 1915. Shortly before his death.

Colorized version of last photo.

Sitting left-to-right; Bob, Jim and Cole Younger, with their sister Henrietta. A photo taken on a visit with her brothers in the Stillwater, Prison..

Bob Younger after 1876 capture. Robert Ewing 'Bob' Younger (1853–1889), an American criminal and outlaw, the younger brother of Cole, Jim and John Younger.

Bob Younger.

A wounded Jim Younger after his arrest in 1876.

James Hardin 'Jim' Younger (January 15, 1848 - October 19, 1902) was a notable American outlaw and member of the James-Younger gang.

Charles Richard Younger.

John Harrison Younger.

John Younger.

Caroline Younger Clayton.

Emily Jane 'Emma' Younger Leach.

Frances Isabelle Younger Hall.

Henrietta Virginia 'Retta' Younger Rawlins.

Laura Helen Younger Kelly.

Laura Helen Younger Kelly.

Martha Ann Younger Jones,

Mary Josephine 'Josie' Younger Jarrette.

Father ~

Col. Henry Washington Younger.

Henry Washington Younger, father of the Younger brothers.

Mother ~

Bursheba Leighton Fristoe Younger. Mother of the Younger Brothers.

Jesse James.

Jesse James at his hideout cave.

Alexander Franklin James (1843 – 1915), an American outlaw. Brother of Jesse James in his later years.

Jesse and Frank James during their bandit years.

Jesse James in his coffin after his 1882 murder.

From left to right; Arch Clements, Dave Pool, and Bill Hendricks brandishing revolvers in Sherman, Texas, 1863.

Benjamin Franklin Butler Honorable Senator from Massachusetts.

Thomas Theodore Crittenden.

William Quantrill.

Notorious Confederate bushwhacker Bloody Bill Anderson.

Gen. Adelbert Ames.

Dick Liddil. Outlaw gang member.

Joseph Lee Heywood. Cashier at the Northfield bank. He was shot in the head by Jesse James after refusing to open the bank vault.

These members of the Madelia posse shot it out with the robbers at Hanska Slough. Each man received $246 for their efforts. (From left) Sheriff James Glispin, Capt. William W. Murphy, George A. Bradford, Ben M. Rice, Col. T.L. Vought, C.A. Pomeroy and S.J. Severson.

Cole Younger's Scofield revolver.

Cole's .45 revolver.

Cole's Civil War revolver.

Another .45 revolver used by Cole Younger.

Believed to be Cole's favorite pistol. This one is silver plated with pearl grips.

Gun taken from Cole Younger when he was arrested.

Prop gun used by Cole Younger in his Wild West shows.

Remington Revolver ~

Remington Model 1890 Single Action Army Revolver Attributed to Outlaw Cole Younger of the James-Younger Gang.

This is one about 2,000 Model 1890 Single Action Army revolvers manufactured by Remington from 1891 to 1894. With serial number 2021, this revolver is likely one of the last Model 1890s Remington manufactured. This example is attributed to outlaw Cole Younger as the right grip panel is hand marked "COLE YOUNGER/1865" on the inside. A notarized letter from the consignor accompanying the revolver states that "1865 signifies the year that the James-Younger gang was formed" and that "Cole Younger was known to use lanyards on his pistols, like the one on this gun, so that he could tie multiple firearms to his saddle horn. He always filed down the front sight on the barrel so that the gun would not get caught in a holster as it was being drawn, and the sight on this gun is filed down in that manner." According to David Fagan of the Remington Society, (as stated in the letter) this revolver with serial number 2021 "could be the last Model 1890 Single Action Army Revolver made, which would mean that it was made in 1894". In the letter the consignor also proved the provenance of the revolver: "This firearm would have to have been purchased after Younger's release from prison in 1901, and was probably used in the Wild West Show. It was purchased by my family in the early 1920s in Jefferson City, Texas." Thomas Coleman "Cole" Younger (January 15, 1844 - March 21, 1916) was a Confederate guerrilla during the Civil War and after the war joined forces with notable outlaws Jesse and Frank James to form the James-Younger Gang. In Early February 1866, Jesse and Frank James met with Cole Younger to plan the first bank robbery and over the next few years Cole and his brothers participated in 12 bank robberies, 7 train robberies, 4 stagecoach robberies and various other criminal acts with at least 11 citizens killed by the gang. Cole Younger was captured after the gang's failed attempt to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota, on September 7, 1876. Cole and his two brothers were badly wounded and captured during a shoot out with a local posse. The three Younger brothers pleaded guilty to their crimes to avoid being hanged. Cole was paroled on July 10, 1901 and returned to Missouri where he joined a Wild West theme show with Frank James, the brother of Jesse James. The top of the barrel is marked "REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, N.Y." and "44 C.F.W" on the left side of the frame just below the cylinder. The revolver has a blade front and frame notch rear sights, lanyard stud and ring mounted on the butt and checkered hard rubber grips with the "RA" monogram at the tops. The Model 1890 Single Action Army revolver is the most sought after of all of the Remington produced handguns.

Fair. The revolver has a smooth dark brown patina overall with some minor pitting. The ejector rod head has been period reattached using copper braising. The worn grips are fair with a large chunk of hard rubber missing from the left panel and a smaller chunk of hard rubber missing from the right panel. Mechanically needs work as cylinder does not lock when action is cycled.

Northfield bank building as it appeared when the James-Younger gang robbed it.

Northfield Bridge, Northfield, Minnesota. The gang crossed this bridge on their entry to town.

Wide angle shot of the town square with the bank in the center.

Bank interior view as it was at the time of the robbery.

Drawing of the robbery in progress.

The streets around the bank were covered with blood, ded outlaws and dead horses.

Henry Wheeler, Northfield, Minnesota resident who began shooting the outlaws.

Henry Wheeler.

Joseph Lee Heywood was the bank employee who told the members of the James gang that the safe was on a timer lock and that he couldn't open it. When in actuality the inside door of the safe was completely unlocked. Jesse James shot Heywood in the head.

Joseph Heywood's grave and monument. He was dubbed the hero of Northfield.

Nicolaus Gustafson was a Swedish Immigrant who just happened upon the events in history on Sept 7th, 1876. He did not speak English and did not understand the instructions that the James gang yelled at him. He was shot.