Old West outlaw (1844–1916) associated with Jesse James as a leader of the James-Younger Gang, who eventually turned from a life of crime to Wild West shows and public speaking. Rare matte-finish 4.5 x 7.25 oval portrait of the James-Younger gang leader, affixed to its original 8 x 12 mount, signed and inscribed on the mount in ink, "To W. A. Bell, Yours Truly, Cole Younger.” In very good to fine condition, with small tack holes to the corners, dampstaining to the bottom edge, and a smattering of light foxing. Younger's autograph is scarce in all formats, with signed photographs—especially in such a large size—being extremely rare.
Younger (1844-1916) was one of Quantrill's Raiders, a notorious band of American Civil War guerillas, as well as a member of the James-Younger Gang with Frank and Jesse James. Younger, a Missourian, joined William Quantrill after Union-supported bandits from Kansas killed his father. He participated in Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas, one of the worst atrocities of the war, in which about 180 people were killed. After the war, Younger became an outlaw with brothers James, John and Robert, later joining the James brothers, who had also been members of Quantrill's Raiders. He may have felt forced into crime; a new state constitution passed after the Civil War severely curtailed the rights of former Confederate sympathizers. Younger robbed trains and banks and murdered policemen and civilians from at least 1868 until Sept. 7, 1876. On that day, the James-Younger Gang tried to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota. After the murder of cashier Lee Heywood, the town fought back and captured Cole and his brothers Bob and James. He was sentenced to life in prison but was released in 1901, spending his last days lecturing and touring with Frank James in a Wild West show.
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