TX BIOS:  James McGuire
   Selected and converted.American Memory, Library of Congress.
   
   Washington, 1994.
   
   Preceding element provides place and date of transcription only.
   
   This transcription intended to be 99.95% accurate.
   
   For more information about this text and this American Memory
   collection, refer to accompanying matter.
   
   U.S. Work Projects Administration, Federal Writers' Project (Folklore
   Project, Life Histories, 1936-39); Manuscript Division, Library of
   Congress.Copyright status not determined.
   
   00011
   
   [?], Lettie, PW., Wichita Falls Texas
   
   Words 1300
   
   Page 1 [125?] Wichita County DAYS WITH JESUS JAMES
   
   With an Irish accent, an Irish chuckle, and an Irish twinkle in his
   eye, James McGuire, 98 year old veteran of the Civil War, is an
   interesting talker. He visits his son G.R. McGuire, 208 Burnett
   Street, Wichita Falls, Texas. Though at prevent (1937) a resident of
   the Soldier's Home in Leavenworth, Kansas, Wichita Falls claims him as
   he was a cowhand for Waggoner in the early days. Born in Kilkenny
   County, Ireland, in 1838, McGuire came to the United States in 1857,
   locating at St. Louis, Mo. At the out-break of the war, he volunteered
   his services, en-listing in Co. H. 11th Regiment, Missouri volunteers
   at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. He described vividly the battle
   of Chattanooga and Chickmaugua. The regiments were constantly on the
   march and his "legs gave out". He spent five months in the hospital in
   Chickmaugua. The hardest battle was the struggle at Vicksburg Landing,
   Mississippi, July 4 to July 7, 1865. Both sides lost heavily and the
   soldiers suffered for lack of food. Later the regiment moved on to
   Savannah, Georgia, to join Sherman in his march to the sea. The
   following reminiscences include his acquaintance with the James boys
   and experience with the Indians.
   
   "[Yes?] I know Frank and Jesse James. Now don't misunderstand me. I
   never was with them in their meanderings or maraudings, but we were
   raised in the same community and as young fellows, they were pretty
   good boys.
   
   "I was living in St. Joseph, Mo. when I became acquainted with them.
   That with in the days of course before they became the notorious bank
   and train robbers. I also knew the Younger borthers, Bob Ford and the
   Dalton boys. We all went to grammar school together in St. [?]
   
   "We had a favorite swimming hole in the Missouru River and it became a
   favorite spot for us on the hot summer days. It was a favorite [DEL:
   [?] :DEL] trick of Frank's to throw mud on Jesse when he came out of
   the water. One day Jesse had taken avout enough of it and he rushed at
   Frank and told him he'd kill him if he didn't stop his teasings.
   
     NOTE: C12. Tex.
     
   00022"The real turning point in shaping the destiny of the James
   brothers came when one day their stepfather, a man named Benders, was
   hung by a mob in the orchard at his home. He was accused of harboring
   desperadoes. A negro servant was treated cruelly by a gang of men who
   tied him and burned off his arm with an ignited turpintine ball.
   
   "Frank James appealed to the governor of the state for protection. The
   governor said that he would give him, protection. 'If I don't get [?]
   I'll protect myself" he said. And from that time the two boys formed a
   [?] that later terrorized the southwestern section of the country.
   
   "Cole Younger told me that Jesse James knew no mercy. One time the
   James boys and Bob and Cole Younger pulled a big job and were in a
   hurry to make a get-a-way. Bob was wounded, exchanging shots with a
   sheriff's posse. Jesse turned to Cole and said 'Kill Bob and ler's get
   away'. Cole said he would do no such thing. 'Well, Frank and I have to
   get away', Jesse said and they did. They left the rest of [DEL: [???]
   :DEL] them at the mercy of the posse. That took place in Indian
   Territory near site of Sulphur, Oklahoma.
   
   "One of the most daring escapes made by Jesse and Frank James was a
   [$80,000] bank robbery at Clarkville, Texas, on Red River, in the
   early 70s. Jesse swung into the town on a horse back one day and
   single handed took that amount. Officers, giving pursuit shot the
   horse from under him. He met his brother Frank on the other side of
   the river.
   
   "Part of the way to the meeting place Jesse walked a picket fence in
   order to keep bloodhounds from trailing him. When he joined Frank, the
   two journeyed on, Frank riding behind with the money. Soon they met
   00033a doctor driving a horse and buggy. They took his horse. A little
   farther on they met a negro on horse back. They took his saddle and
   bridle. Jesse now had a horse and saddle so they made their get-a-way.
   
   "The most exciting experience I ever had in all my life was when I was
   a cowhand for Dan Waggoner in 1871. I was working just then in Green
   Co. One day Waggoner sent me and three other cowboys to round up a
   bunch of cattle that had stampeded. We became separated, and when
   night came I lay down under a mesquite vush to sleep. It was in August
   1871. Along in the night I was awakened by some [ne?] shaking me by
   the sholders. I looked up into the face of an Indian. He said, 'White
   man sabe Indian?' I shook my head. The Indian said 'Come go with me
   then,' in perfect English. I said, 'O, No, not me', but three more
   Indians put in their appearance so I changed my mind. I said, 'I was
   just joking. I'll go, of course'. You see I'd left my gun and
   ammunition in the pocket of my saddle and they had Buck, my horse, so
   I didn't see any use in refusing to go.
   
   "The Indians tied my hands and feet together, and swung me beneath the
   horse's belly and thats the way I rode to their camp.
   
   "Their chief was half white and half Osage. He was good to me when we
   got there; he told me to sit down by him and he ordered soup and meat
   and we feasted. We were sitting in a circle and the Indians had built
   a fire in the middle. I asked 'What that for?' and the chief said 'To
   burn you." I said, "I'll be durned if you'll burn me alive. You might
   burn me after I'm dead, but you'll have to kill me first and I've got
   my knife and scabbard inside my shirt.' Well you see I'm still alive.
   Maybe he just said that ot scare me. Indians think its funny to scare
   folks. I'll never forget the dancing they did that night. 00044"I was
   captive six months and during that time I learned to use the bow and
   arrow and hunt buffalo and antelope.
   
   "One day I told the chief that I'd like to go back to my people.
   They'd be wondering where I was. He gave me a bow and thirty-two
   arrows, a compass, a horse, and $40 in gold and told me, 'See that [?]
   Follow that and you'll come to Wichita Falls.'
   
   "But about fifteen Indians followed me. I reached the North & South
   Canadian rivers and swam my horse across, with the Indians yelling at
   me to come back. I got to Wichita Falls in March 1872. The city was
   nothing but a great trading center with several log cabins scattered
   about. I sold my bow and arrows for [$32?].
   
   "I stayed there three days and journeyed up to the Waggoner ranch When
   I rode up none of them knew me. One of the cowboys walked up to me and
   I asked him if there was a chance of getting a job.
   
   "He asked if I had any experience and I told him that I wasn't
   spoiled, and that I could soon learn. He walked [round2to?] the other
   side of the horse and saw my initials on the saddle. 'You needn't hide
   your face any longer,' he said, --'its Jim McGuire. You old harp!
   Where have you been?' About that time Waggoner himself appeared on the
   scene. The first thing he said was 'Where's Buck?'--meaning the horse
   he'd given me before my capture. When I told him, he said, 'I'll got
   50 men and go over thete in the morning and get him.' And they did.
   
   "I drove the first stage from Nacogdoches to Mansfield, La.(1872-[?] I
   was married Sept. 5, 1878, at Woods post office, 15 miles south of
   Carthage, Texas. When I married I had $1800 in gold, four good mules,
   a wagon and harness, four milk cows, enough hogs to make my meat, and
   had my house and furniture all paid for."

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