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The Border Outlaws: An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Most Noted Bandits of Ancient or Modern Times
The Border Outlaws - An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Most Noted Bandits of Ancient or Modern Times is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1881. Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1881
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 8, 2021
This book was originally written and published in 1880 while Cole Younger was still incarcerated in a Minnesota prison and Jesse James and Frank James were still alive and presumably continuing their criminal careers. Therefore it provides an interesting perspective in time when the mythical Robinhoodesk aspects of their exploits were in their early formation.
The book allows what is probably a too generous hearing of Cole Younger's version of his life since he was in prison and accessible for interviews. From Cole Younger's position he and his associates were veterans of the American Civil War who fought heroic guerrilla style battles against occupying Union forces in the Missouri-Kansas border region. Cole Younger pretty much denied participating in any crimes after the war, but of course he couldn't deny being involved in the September 7, 1876 Northfield, Minnesota bank robbery for which he was hunted down, captured, and convicted.
One could make a case that the actions of the Younger and James brothers during the Civil War were military actions. However, the Union Army considered them to be criminals and terrorists, and they went so far as to issue an order saying that the members of the Quantrill gang were not eligible for prisoner of war status if apprehended.
The book makes no specific reference to "General Order No. 11" by name, but describes it and its results as follows:
However, they probably relished their notorious reputation. While leaving one of their robbed banks the gang rode past a crowd listening to a politician giving a speech. Jessie James stopped next the crowd and interrupted the speaker by shouting to the crowd that if they went down to the bank they would learn that it had just been robbed. It was so audacious that the crowd didn't take it seriously at first, but of course they eventually learned the truth.
The book allows what is probably a too generous hearing of Cole Younger's version of his life since he was in prison and accessible for interviews. From Cole Younger's position he and his associates were veterans of the American Civil War who fought heroic guerrilla style battles against occupying Union forces in the Missouri-Kansas border region. Cole Younger pretty much denied participating in any crimes after the war, but of course he couldn't deny being involved in the September 7, 1876 Northfield, Minnesota bank robbery for which he was hunted down, captured, and convicted.
One could make a case that the actions of the Younger and James brothers during the Civil War were military actions. However, the Union Army considered them to be criminals and terrorists, and they went so far as to issue an order saying that the members of the Quantrill gang were not eligible for prisoner of war status if apprehended.
... guerrillas captured would not be treated as ordinary prisoners of war, and that all parties found bearing arms against the United States of America, in the district specified in the proclamation, would be regarded as guerrillas and punished as such. The inference gained from reading the order was that thereafter all guerrillas or armed forces opposing the United States would, in case of capture, be executed.At one point during the war Quantrill requested a commission in the Confederate Army so he could be recognized as a military combatant, but the Confederate States declined to do so.
The book makes no specific reference to "General Order No. 11" by name, but describes it and its results as follows:
After Lawrence came the famous order of Gen. Ewing, requiring all the men in Bates, Vernon and Cass counties to abandon their property and report at once to the nearest military headquarters for service. The force of Federals increased rapidly through the instrumentality of this order, and Quantrill found himself in desperate quarters, day and night. The warfare became even more cruel than before; revenge was not satisfied by the mere killing, but extended frequently to the mutilation of the victims. Squads were massacred almost daily, and life went for naught wherever found.Reading this book is similar to reading a book of short stories because it is a collection of descriptions of a number of separate incidents. The first third of the book is comprised of the description of various guerrilla attacks—half of which are incidents where the guerrillas were attacked and the other half where they were the attackers. The rest of the book is filled with post-war accounts of various bank and train robberies—the identity of the perpetrators being uncertain in many cases. It is possible that the Younger and James brothers are given credit for more robberies than they actually committed.
However, they probably relished their notorious reputation. While leaving one of their robbed banks the gang rode past a crowd listening to a politician giving a speech. Jessie James stopped next the crowd and interrupted the speaker by shouting to the crowd that if they went down to the bank they would learn that it had just been robbed. It was so audacious that the crowd didn't take it seriously at first, but of course they eventually learned the truth.
August 17, 2017
I was not prepared for the book that author James Buel put together, detailing the adult lives of Cole Younger and his brothers as well as Frank and Jesse James. I had thought it was going to be just another history book, but it turned out to be much more. Subtitled as “The Younger Brothers, Jesse and Frank James, and Their Comrades in Crime,” the book appears to be well-researched if we are to believe the author. My gut tells me I should.
The book centers around Cole Younger, beginning with a short history of his father before jumping into Cole’s years with Quantrill during the Civil War. Almost the first half deals with his war exploits, and we begin to get a sense of the kind of man Cole Younger had grown up to be. This part of the book is extremely important, because the war and how his family was affected were influential on Cole’s life after the war. Indeed, many of the outlaws had fought in the war, and having been anesthetized to violence, they carried on in the same manner (in fact, some of the incidents described during the war were much more coldblooded than many of the outlaws’ acts).
Having set the scene, the author then moved on to the different train and bank robberies that Cole Younger has been accused of committing. Mr. Buel was extremely careful, and attempted to have justification before adamantly accusing Younger (or any of the outlaws) of being present at a robbery. However, Cole and his brothers were easily recognizable and many folks knew them on sight, so the author was able to corroborate his stories with eyewitness accounts.
It was very interesting to read some of the letters written by Cole Younger as well as read the conversation he had with the author while in prison. I now have a different understanding of who Cole Younger was, based upon everything the author shared in the book. Mr. Buel published the book in 1881, and it is a fascinating piece of history itself. The author writes in the style of the times, and I had to wonder at times whether he was serious or if he was spicing his words with a bit of sarcasm. For instance, when describing a lynching by vigilantes: “They only decorated Andy with a new grass rope and hauled him skyward over the branch of a big oak, with the usual manifestation of sympathy.”
Admittedly, the author appears to have a level of respect for Cole Younger. I am not sure if this is due to their correspondence or from meeting. Some of the other characters, such as Jesse James, are painted as being nothing but mean and vile. Readers will have to judge for themselves on some of the incidents and personalities. All things considered, this was a great book, allowing me to learn while having a bit of fun at the same time. Four stars.
The book centers around Cole Younger, beginning with a short history of his father before jumping into Cole’s years with Quantrill during the Civil War. Almost the first half deals with his war exploits, and we begin to get a sense of the kind of man Cole Younger had grown up to be. This part of the book is extremely important, because the war and how his family was affected were influential on Cole’s life after the war. Indeed, many of the outlaws had fought in the war, and having been anesthetized to violence, they carried on in the same manner (in fact, some of the incidents described during the war were much more coldblooded than many of the outlaws’ acts).
Having set the scene, the author then moved on to the different train and bank robberies that Cole Younger has been accused of committing. Mr. Buel was extremely careful, and attempted to have justification before adamantly accusing Younger (or any of the outlaws) of being present at a robbery. However, Cole and his brothers were easily recognizable and many folks knew them on sight, so the author was able to corroborate his stories with eyewitness accounts.
It was very interesting to read some of the letters written by Cole Younger as well as read the conversation he had with the author while in prison. I now have a different understanding of who Cole Younger was, based upon everything the author shared in the book. Mr. Buel published the book in 1881, and it is a fascinating piece of history itself. The author writes in the style of the times, and I had to wonder at times whether he was serious or if he was spicing his words with a bit of sarcasm. For instance, when describing a lynching by vigilantes: “They only decorated Andy with a new grass rope and hauled him skyward over the branch of a big oak, with the usual manifestation of sympathy.”
Admittedly, the author appears to have a level of respect for Cole Younger. I am not sure if this is due to their correspondence or from meeting. Some of the other characters, such as Jesse James, are painted as being nothing but mean and vile. Readers will have to judge for themselves on some of the incidents and personalities. All things considered, this was a great book, allowing me to learn while having a bit of fun at the same time. Four stars.
March 30, 2017
Interesting.....
I think this is meant to be written as a true story. I actually believe half of it but I'm not sure of some of the details. A little far-fetched in places.
I think this is meant to be written as a true story. I actually believe half of it but I'm not sure of some of the details. A little far-fetched in places.
December 18, 2021
Some outlaws are daring. This group was among the most daring I have ever read of. The author seemed to have a fondness for them and at times the book is written in a way that one may catch themselves rooting for the bandits. The group listed here included the James gang which was comprised primarily of both the James and Younger brothers. The men had all fought as rebels in the civil war and had formed iron bonds that can only be forged when people find themselves facing death together. I learned a lot from this narrative. Some of the things I learned are following:
1. Relationships forged through life-threatening endeavors are rock solid and these types of friends are loath to forsake one another.
2. Through the use of bold daring, a small group of people can accomplish great things, regardless of whether these things are dastardly or wholesome.
3. A fight isn't over until the fighters are willing for it to be over. People can push through their pains and wounds to finish a fight.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history which encompasses the civil war or post-civil war. This is also a good read for people interested in strategy. Keep in mind, these men may not have been cowards outright, but they did perform some cowardly acts, such as killing unarmed people, including women and children. I don't idolize them, but it sure is fascinating to read about them.
1. Relationships forged through life-threatening endeavors are rock solid and these types of friends are loath to forsake one another.
2. Through the use of bold daring, a small group of people can accomplish great things, regardless of whether these things are dastardly or wholesome.
3. A fight isn't over until the fighters are willing for it to be over. People can push through their pains and wounds to finish a fight.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history which encompasses the civil war or post-civil war. This is also a good read for people interested in strategy. Keep in mind, these men may not have been cowards outright, but they did perform some cowardly acts, such as killing unarmed people, including women and children. I don't idolize them, but it sure is fascinating to read about them.
November 24, 2019
I really enjoyed the book. It had a lot of historical information, that flowed like an adventure novel. Buel wrote about the beginnings of the Civil War and how being a member of the pro-Confederate partisan guerrillas also known as Quantrill’s Raiders or bushwhackers naturally explained why they became bank and train robbers. They just kept doing what they were doing during the war. They joined Quantrill’s Raiders bc of the atrocities committed by abolitionist during “Bloody Kansas” just prior to the beginnings of the Civil War. So, it was a profitable enterprise with military precision, and being members of the defeated confederacy with their farms destroyed and no money it just naturally fit!
The only thing I didn’t like was how it abruptly ended.
The only thing I didn’t like was how it abruptly ended.
February 11, 2020
Enjoyed the complexion of this book being so near the principles in time and location
This was one of the Historical eBook selections, of which most are written at a time closer to the actual events. We have had the opportunity to visit western Missouri, especially Cass County many times over many years, but had not realized that this was the home of the Youngers. The book does not try to make these men heroes, but only human. The situations of war can lead us all down a path that quickly leads to less than righteous decisions to protest those we love and to maintain some sense of honour.
This was one of the Historical eBook selections, of which most are written at a time closer to the actual events. We have had the opportunity to visit western Missouri, especially Cass County many times over many years, but had not realized that this was the home of the Youngers. The book does not try to make these men heroes, but only human. The situations of war can lead us all down a path that quickly leads to less than righteous decisions to protest those we love and to maintain some sense of honour.
October 25, 2019
Choppy But Interesting
The book is well over 125 years old, and is based on an interview and research into the Younger brothers. The book is more of an anthology of detached stores, predominantly around the Civil War. A book that is occasionally interesting to read, but very choppy with little background. Was probably better when folks could identify with the Youngers.
The book is well over 125 years old, and is based on an interview and research into the Younger brothers. The book is more of an anthology of detached stores, predominantly around the Civil War. A book that is occasionally interesting to read, but very choppy with little background. Was probably better when folks could identify with the Youngers.
March 28, 2018
OUTSTANDING
With all of the books and articles written about the James' and Younger's, Mr. Buel wrote from a very unique perspective. It appears this book was written with facts in mind and opinions noted when used. Really interesting read!
With all of the books and articles written about the James' and Younger's, Mr. Buel wrote from a very unique perspective. It appears this book was written with facts in mind and opinions noted when used. Really interesting read!
January 31, 2019
That viewpoint before unheard
A slightly candid story for Cole Younger. But expressing explanations for many of the robberies that occurred . Also a different point of view for Quantrills gorillas.
A slightly candid story for Cole Younger. But expressing explanations for many of the robberies that occurred . Also a different point of view for Quantrills gorillas.
November 19, 2020
Questionable
There are some portions of this that are questionable at best. Keep in !I'd though that the book is written during the lifetime of the bandits so he could have met them. Its worth reading though.
There are some portions of this that are questionable at best. Keep in !I'd though that the book is written during the lifetime of the bandits so he could have met them. Its worth reading though.
December 8, 2025
Different
This is a story that I have never heard before. If true it is one of the worst cases of miscarriage of justice that I have ever heard of. If not true then BB why was it even published.
This is a story that I have never heard before. If true it is one of the worst cases of miscarriage of justice that I have ever heard of. If not true then BB why was it even published.
August 10, 2017
Great read.
This writer took a very concise path to filling in spots of voids in history, and provides a reason for the notoriety.
This writer took a very concise path to filling in spots of voids in history, and provides a reason for the notoriety.
October 6, 2017
Good book
A very good book about the Youngers that gives a different perspective on their relationship with the James boys. Highly recommended.
A very good book about the Youngers that gives a different perspective on their relationship with the James boys. Highly recommended.
October 14, 2017
Blood and Guts
This book is full of all the horror of the Civil War. If you like blood and guts then this book is what you want to read.
This book is full of all the horror of the Civil War. If you like blood and guts then this book is what you want to read.
March 5, 2022
Interesting read
I found this book to be very interesting and historically accurate. I definitely would recommend it. It is a must read.
I found this book to be very interesting and historically accurate. I definitely would recommend it. It is a must read.
January 31, 2015
Very interesting history of the Younger and James Brothers
This book is a very interesting read by a regional reporter who lived during the time of Bleeding Kansas, the border wars, the Civil War and post war era. It is a in depth study of the Younger and James gangs.
In thinking about the book, I am surprised at the depth the author goes into surrounding the development of the Younger's personalities. The James' on the other hand are simply considered just plain mean. Not the profiles that are generally presented in classic tales of the Old West.
I really enjoyed the the study, it's an easy read. I would guess it was scanned from the original text so you do have to use your brain/imagination at times due to scanning glitches. I didn't find the text daunting or really that challenging after the first few pages.
I would recommend the book especially to someone interested in this period.
This book is a very interesting read by a regional reporter who lived during the time of Bleeding Kansas, the border wars, the Civil War and post war era. It is a in depth study of the Younger and James gangs.
In thinking about the book, I am surprised at the depth the author goes into surrounding the development of the Younger's personalities. The James' on the other hand are simply considered just plain mean. Not the profiles that are generally presented in classic tales of the Old West.
I really enjoyed the the study, it's an easy read. I would guess it was scanned from the original text so you do have to use your brain/imagination at times due to scanning glitches. I didn't find the text daunting or really that challenging after the first few pages.
I would recommend the book especially to someone interested in this period.
February 1, 2017
Good read poor editing
Wether the original edit was poor or subsequent editions didn't care it makes for an uneven read
OK for now
Wether the original edit was poor or subsequent editions didn't care it makes for an uneven read
OK for now
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews