The Story of Cole Younger, by Himself

In this candid memoir, a seasoned outlaw steps back from legend to share the unvarnished story of his life. Written near his sixtieth year, he explains why he feels compelled to correct the sensationalized accounts that have long painted his family in lurid black, offering instead a personal record that blends gratitude for loyal friends with an honest appraisal of his own deeds. The narrative opens with a heartfelt thank‑you to the many who stood by him, setting a tone of humility and responsibility.

The early chapters recount a restless childhood on the Missouri‑Kansas border, where political feuds and frontier hardships shaped a proud, large family steeped in Southern heritage. From his days hunting along Big Creek to the simmering tensions that would soon erupt into war, the author paints a vivid picture of a world on the brink of conflict, hinting at the forces that would later pull him into a life of daring raids. This first act promises a fresh, grounded perspective on a figure long mythologized by popular lore.