July 28, 1881 . . . Crittenden Offers Reward For Arrest and Conviction Of James Gang

For almost two decades one of the nation's most notorious bands of bank and train robbers led by Frank and Jesse James operated in Missouri and neighboring states. July 28, 1881, Governor Thomas T. Crittenden of Missouri issued a famous proclamation, thereby inaugurating a plan which in a little more than a year resulted in the arrest, imprisonment, or death of each of the principal gang members. A reward of $5000 was offered for the arrest, delivery, and conviction of each of the men who participated in the train robberies near Glendale, Jackson County, October 8, 1879, and near Winston, Daviess County, July 15, 1881. The governor directed his campaign especially against the leaders and offered a reward of $5000 for the arrest and an additional $5000 for the conviction of either Frank or Jesse James.

William Ryan, first gang member to feel the effects of the campaign, was arrested in Kentucky, October 15, 1881, and brought to Missouri where he was sentenced to twenty-five years in the penitentiary. Less than two months later Wood Hite was killed by a comrade and in February 1882, Robert Ford and Dick Lidell surrendered. During the same month Clarence Hite was captured in Kentucky. Robert Ford later went to St. Joseph where he shot and killed Jesse James, the outlaw chief, April 3, 1882. On that same day Robert Ford and his brother Charlie surrendered to the Buchanan County officials. Both were found guilty of first degree murder at the April 1882, term of court, but in the interest of public policy they were pardoned by Crittenden. Frank James, the only outstanding member of the gang still at large, concerned for his family and fearing treachery and the increased vigilance of the law, offered to surrender. On receiving assurance that he would have a fair, impartial trial, he surrendered in Jefferson City, October 5, 1882.

October 7, 1882, Crittenden revoked the history-making proclamation because "all the principal members of the gang were either dead or in the custody of the law." To secure reward money, Crittenden received pledges of $50,000 from railroad and express companies. In a message to the legislature in January 1883, Crittenden said he paid $20,000 in rewards, none of which came from the State treasury. The reward was substantial enough not only to stimulate peace officers to greater vigilance, but also to prompt some of the men to surrender and turn state's evidence.

For primary source material on the Crittenden Proclamation and the James Gang see: