Outlaw and older brother of Jesse James (1843–1915) who at times went by the alias ‘Ben J. Woodson.’ Scarce ALS signed “Ben,” four pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, August 6, 1883. Letter to his wife, written while in jail on murder charges, in part (grammar and spelling retained): “I was sick last Friday and Saturday. I acted for all the world like one in a family may. I threw up all my meals, was giddy headed, in fact I had all the symptoms and it may be I have been ‘caught.’ I am feeling all right this A. M. however I was out yesterday and just thirty two men by actual count was asking me question at the same time, if free once more not a single human being do I want to be introduced to unless it is known to a certainty they are in sympathy with us. I never was so tired of any thing in my life. The majority that come do so simply to satisfy their morbid curiosity. It will do me so much good when I get out to pass the majority as I would a dog…I hope you may enjoy your proposed visit to our friends in the ‘Six Mile.’ I want you to insist on them coming to my trial. I think Babe will be sure to come. I hope he will I am not going to write you any more affectionate letters as you do not return the compliment…I had a letter from Edward Saturday and he is doing all he can to raise some money for our benefit. He is going to send me his picture to me this week. I want you to do some good talking when you go down below and get those peoples sympathy worked up to fever heat…I know you succeeded in capturing your ‘hubby’ when I least expected it…Well thank God after this weeks I can count the time by days instead of weeks. I wish my trial had commenced today.” At the top of the final page, James has added a brief unsigned postscript. In fine condition, with a uniform shade of overall toning, with a slightly heavier block to the center of the final page. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed by James.After spending years robbing banks, stagecoaches, and trains with his brother and the rest of the James-Younger gang, Frank turned himself in to authorities in Gallatin, Missouri, in October 1882, fearing for his life because of the bounty on his head—a few months earlier, Jesse James had been murdered by one of their own gang members and close associates, Robert Ford. He was indicted for participating in two murders during a train robbery in Winston, Missouri, in which they had managed to steal a meager $650. The trial commenced just a few weeks after this letter, on August 21, 1883, and lasted until September 13, when James would find himself "free once more." The jury pool was so tainted—surely in part due to the success of his wife's attempts to "get those peoples sympathy worked up to fever heat"—that the prosecutor, looking over potential jurors, remarked, 'The verdict of the jury that is being selected is already written.' James walked, cementing his place in history as one of America's most notorious outlaws.Format: ALS