The following is the proclamation of the Governor of Missouri, announcing rewards for the arrest of train robbers following the crimes which occurred near Winston, MO, in 1881 (the reward was really offered by the railroad companies through the governor, together with what was already authorized by the legislature to pay the rewards offered).
WHEREAS, It has been made known to me, as Governor of the State of Missouri, that certain parties, whose names are to me unknown have confederated and banded themselves together for the purpose of committing robberies and other depredations within this State; and
WHEREAS, Said parties did, on or about the Eighth day of October, 1879, stop a train near Glendale, in the county of Jackson, in said state, and, with force and violence, take, steal and carry away the money and other express matter being carried thereon; and
WHEREAS, On the fifteenth day of July, 1881, said parties and their confederates did stop a train upon the line of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, near Winston, in the County of Daviess, In said State, and, with force and violence, take, steal, and carry away the money and other express matter being carried thereon; and, in perpetration of the robbery last aforesaid, the parties engaged therein did kill and murder one William Westfall, the conductor of the train, together with one John McMillan, who was at the time in the employ of said company, then on said train; and
WHEREAS, Frank James and Jesse W. James stand indicted in the Circuit Court of said Daviess County, for the murder of John W. Sheets, and the parties engaged in the robberies and murders aforesaid have fled from justice and have absconded and secreted themselves;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises, and in lieu of all other rewards heretofore offered for the arrest or conviction of the parties aforesaid, or either of them, by any person or corporation, I, Thomas T. Crittenden, Governor the State of Missouri, do hereby offer a reward of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the arrest and conviction of each person participating in either of the robberies or murders aforesaid, excepting the said Frank James and Jesse W. James; and for the arrest and delivery of said
FRANK JAMES AND JESSE W. JAMES
and each or either of them, to the sheriff of said Daviess County, I hereby offer a reward of five thousand dollars, ($5,000.00), and for the conviction of either of the parties last aforesaid of participation in either of the murders or robberies above mentioned, I hereby offer a further reward of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri. Done at the City of Jefferson on this 28th day of July, A.D., 1881.
THOS. T. CRITTENDEN
By the Governor:
Mich’l K. McGrtath, Sec’y of State
