Old West outlaw who began his career by joining a band of Confederate marauders who rode through border states creating havoc against the Union. Younger joined the holdup gang of Frank and Jesse James in 1866 and soon convinced his own brothers to join the gang. During the next decade, the Younger and James brothers staged a string of bank robberies and train holdups throughout Missouri and the surrounding states. A bloody shootout after an attempted robbery of the First National Bank on September 7, 1876 resulted in the deaths of many of the gang’s members. When a posse caught up with the survivors two weeks later, there was another fatal shootout, and brothers Jim and Bob Younger were captured. Cole received an official pardon in 1903 and eventually reunited with Frank James in a touring Wild West show. Before his death on February 21, 1916, Younger went on the lecture circuit preaching the evils of crime. Bold, clear ink signature, “Cole Younger,” on a lightly lined off-white 3.5 x 1.25 slip. In fine condition, with folds (away from signature) and slightly irregular edges. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
