History of Cole Younger in Timeline

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Cole Younger

Thomas Coleman "Cole" Younger was an American Confederate guerrilla during the Civil War who later became a notorious outlaw leader as part of the James-Younger Gang. As the eldest of the Younger brothers (Jim, John, and Bob), he played a key role in the gang's activities, which included bank and train robberies across the Midwest. Following a disastrous attempt to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876, Cole and his brothers were captured. He was sentenced to life in prison but was eventually paroled in 1901 and released in 1903. After his release, he toured with a Wild West show and later expressed remorse for his criminal past.


July 10, 1901: Cole and Jim Younger Paroled

On July 10, 1901, Cole and Jim Younger were paroled from prison with the help of the prison warden.

October 19, 1902: Jim Younger's Suicide

On October 19, 1902, Jim Younger committed suicide in a hotel room in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1903: Wild West Show

In 1903, Cole Younger lectured and toured the south with Frank James in a wild west show, "The Cole Younger and Frank James Wild West Company".

August 21, 1912: Cole Younger Declares Conversion

On August 21, 1912, Cole Younger declared that he had become a Christian and repented of his criminal past.

August 1913: Cole Younger Baptized

In August 1913, Cole Younger was baptized at Lee's Summit Christian Church on August 16, 1913.

February 18, 1915: Death of Frank James

On February 18, 1915, Frank James died.

March 21, 1916: Cole Younger's Death

On March 21, 1916, Thomas Coleman "Cole" Younger died in his hometown of Lee's Summit, Missouri.