" Ariane Olson SCOPE 98 December 16, 1998 The James-Younger Gang For fifteen years they robbed midwest banks, trains, stagecoaches, and even a ticket stand. A lot of the time this gang got away with thousands of dollars. They were the James-Younger Gang. The main members included Jesse James, Frank James, Cole Younger, Jim Younger, Bob Younger, John Younger (Younger). Of course, others participated as short-term members of the Gang. In choosing a bank, the James-Younger Gang scouted out the town to get to know it's personality. Often they had family or friends nearby to take them in after a robbery was completed. They knew several escape routes and could easily go from one 'plan to another if any complications arose. The robberies were planned with much precision like their Civil War battles (Morris). The James-Younger Gang's first robbery was in Liberty, Missouri on 13 February 1866. Twelve men rode into the town from all different directions and congregated in fro~t of the Clay County Savings Association Bank. Two men entered the bank. The bank employees inside were Greenup Bird, the head cashier, and William Bird, his son, the assistant. William approached the counter. The two men drew their guns and demanded money, fast (Younger). The gang got away with $60,000 in greenbacks, national currency, government bonds, and gold and silver coins belonging to the bank (William 33). The next job the James-Younger Gang was involved in was the robbery at Lexin~on, Missouri, on 30 October 1866. Of the five riders, two of them entered the Alexander Mitchell and Company Bank. The cashier, J.L. Thomas was the only one in the b~ at the time (Younger). Then two other robbers came into the bank with guns pointed at Thomas' heart. They demanded $100,000 but only got away with approximately $~,OOO . "'~~-)' (Brant 53). ~ t!~>o! The next robbery the James-Younger Gang perpetrated was at Savannah, Missouri, on 2 Marcp 1867. Judge John McClain, refused the demands of six robbers to give up the key to the vault of his private banking house, The Judge John McClain Banking House. The robbers shot him, not fatally though, and fled without any money (William 34). The fourth robbery the James-Younger Gang did was at Richmond, Missouri. - The Hughes and Wasson Bank was robbed on 22 May 1867. Twelve men rode into Richmond from all different routes and congregated in front of the bank. Four men dismounted their horses and entered the bank. Mayor John B. Shaw was shot fatally in the chest. Frank S. Griffin was shot in the head and died. His son got shot in the head and died too. The Gang got away with $4,000 (Younger). The next robbery the James-Younger Gang participated in was the robbery at Russelville, Kentucky on 20 March 1868. At this time five men were part of the Gang. The robbers went into the Nimrod Long and Co. Bank. They asked Nimrod Long to cash a bond. .