The Murder of a Murderer.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1534, 4 May 1882, Page 3

The Murder of a Murderer.

Jesse James, the most daring ami successful border desperado that America has ever known, has at last met his fate. And what a fate ! Shot down fvoin behind by a cowardly lout who had won the robber's confidence, and shared his plunder, participated in his nefarious plots and deeds, and all this when in heart and nerve he was not fit to lick the mad off the boots of the man he so basely murdered. The community could well spare Jesse James. No honest and lawabiding man will regret his death, but no brave man and adtniier of desperate valor need blush to lament the manner of his taking off. It is u> well-known fact that the murderer is not alone responsible for the dastardly act that earns a big reward from the Government. It is an open secret that he and his confederate were employed by the State authorities for months to ingratiate themselves with James and kill him at the hist opportu nity. The fact that they were so long in finding this opportunity shows the different sort of stuff that went to make up the victim and his assassin. It will be urged that in the killing of James the end justified the means. It may be so, but there is room to doubt whether the method of slaying the robber reflects any credit upon the sheriffs, detectives, etc., who could find no other way of getting a share of the offered reward than by a betiayal which Judas Iscariot himself would have been ashamed to take part in. These precious authorities were afraid of Jesse themselves. With Law and xight on their side and unlimited resources of men and money at their command, they feared to tackle their man, or, at all events, were not smart enough to catch him. The meanest sort of treachery was their last resource. But, though the success of their plans may put money in their pockets, it is not likely to bring them much renown. — News Letter.