[OUTLAWS & LAWMEN]. A group of 4 items, highlighted by: RALSTON, Sam (1809-1899). Autograph letter signed ("Sam Ralston") to son-in-law, Frank James. Independence, MO, 8 April 1883. 2 pages, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 in.

Frank (Alexander Franklin James 1843-1915) had married Sam’s daughter, Annie Ralston in 1874. General “newsy” letter, lots about people’s health as was common then (and now). Ink a bit light.

[With:] Modern copy image of Jesse James in death. St. Joseph, MO: Lozo, n.d. 3.73 x 6.5 in. photograph. Classic image of Jesse James (1847-1882) in the morgue.

[With:] HUGHES, Sarah Louisa Chauncey (1818-1854). Autograph letter signed to Emily Hayes. Liberty, 14 Aug. 1843. 3 pages, 8vo. From sister, Louisa. Mostly personal information about family and friends. She always refers to her husband as “Mr. Hughes.” The first person mentioned is “Mr. Hayes.” Sarah Louisa married Graham Hughes in 1837. She died at 35 years of age, her sister, Emily, later died at only 36 years. (Two other sisters lived to 80 and 86.)

[Also with:] HUGHES, Sarah Louisa Chauncey. Autograph letter signed to Emily Hayes. N.p., 12 December 1848. 1 page, 8vo. “The weather still continues very cold, the snow has not melted the least. Ben Holladay staid here last night on his way to Lexington in a sleigh when he came in whiskers & moustache were full of icesicles [sic] though he said he was not very cold.” Holladay is also mentioned in the earlier letter.

Emily Martha Gertrude Chauncey Hayes (1821-1857) was born in Hartford County, MD. (Gertrude was a confirmation name taken when she married Benjamin Hayes. She did not use it much.) She died of tuberculosis at the age of 36. After marrying Benjamin Hayes in 1848, she had a son, John Chauncey Hayes (1853-1934) and a daughter who died in infancy in 1855.

Benjamin Ignatius Hayes (1815-1877) was born in Baltimore, MD, and graduated from St. Mary’s College in that city. (Ignatius was his confirmation name - also not used much.) He married Emily Martha Chauncey in 1848 and the couple moved to California in 1850. Hayes was elected the first judge in the district that included Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Bernardino County.

[OUTLAWS & LAWMEN]. A group of 4 items, highlighted by: RALSTON, Sam (1809-1899). Autograph letter signed ("Sam Ralston") to son-in-law, Frank James. Independence, MO, 8 April 1883. 2 pages, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 in.