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Bob Younger | |
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 Injured Bob Younger after his capture in 1876 | |
| Born | Robert Ewing Younger (1853-10-29)October 29, 1853 Lee's Summit, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 16, 1889(1889-09-16) (aged 35) |
| Burial place | Lee's Summit Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Banditry |
| Parent(s) | Henry Washington Younger,Bersheba Leighton Fristoe |
| Relatives | Jim Younger (brother) John Younger (brother) Cole Younger (brother) |
Robert Ewing Younger (October 29, 1853 – September 16, 1889) was an American criminal and outlaw, the younger brother ofCole,Jim andJohn Younger. He was a member of theJames–Younger Gang. He stood six feet, two inches tall and had deep blue eyes, muscular arms, and a thick neck.[1]
Born inMissouri on October 29, 1853, Robert was the thirteenth of fourteen children born toHenry Washington Younger andBersheba Leighton Fristoe. During the Civil War his brothers Cole and Jim rode withQuantrill's Raiders. Bob was only 8 when the war broke out in 1861. He saw his father killed by Union soldiers and his home burned to the ground.
After the war, his older brothers formed the James–Younger Gang withFrank andJesse James. For ten years the gang robbed banks, trains, and stage coaches across Missouri, Kansas and other nearby states.
Bob Younger is believed to have first joined the gang in 1873. He was likely involved in the James-Younger Gang's first train robbery on July 21, 1873.[2] The robbery of theChicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad took place inAdair, Iowa, yielded about $3,000, and resulted in the death of an engineer during derailment of the train.[2]
Other robberies where Bob Younger is believed to have participated include the gang's first train robbery in the state of Missouri on January 31, 1874, atGads Hill on the Little Rock Express/Iron Mountain Line, as well as the $30,000 robbery of theKansas Pacific Railroad inMuncie, Kansas, on December 8, 1874.[2] Bob Younger was implicated along with two of his brothers by robber Hobbs Kerry, who was caught and convicted for his role in a robbery of theMissouri Pacific Railroad atOtterville, Missouri, on July 7, 1876.[2]
On September 7, 1876, the gang attempted to rob the First National Bank inNorthfield, Minnesota.[2] The citizens included many Union army veterans who fought back effectively, and in the ensuing shootout all three of the Younger brothers were wounded, including Bob, who was wounded in the elbow and later in the chest.[citation needed] Two Northfield citizens were killed in the botched raid. Bob, Cole and Jim surrendered on September 21, after they were surrounded, while Jesse and Frank James escaped Minnesota.[2]
Bob Younger pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He died oftuberculosis in prison atStillwater, Minnesota on September 16, 1889, at the age of 35. His body was shipped toLee's Summit, Missouri where a funeral was held. He was buried in theLee's Summit Cemetery.
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