Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang
The annals of the American West are filled with tales of daring outlaws, audacious robberies, and complex relationships forged in the crucible of the Civil War and its aftermath. Among the figures who played a role in this turbulent era are the Pence brothers, Donnie and Bud, whose lives intersected with some of the most notorious names in Western history, including William Quantrill and the infamous James-Younger Gang. This is a story of divided loyalties, youthful indiscretions, and the difficult path to redemption in a land grappling with its own identity. The tale of the Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang is a compelling chapter in the narrative of the Old West.
The Pence Brothers: A Missouri Upbringing
Alexander Doniphan "Donnie" Pence and Thomas Edward "Bud" Pence were born into a large family in Clay County, Missouri, a region that would become a hotbed of Confederate sympathies and outlaw activity. Bud, the elder, arrived on November 28, 1842, while Donnie followed on August 15, 1847. Growing up in close proximity to Frank and Jesse James, the Pence brothers formed a strong bond with the future outlaws, their shared youth laying the foundation for a relationship that would be tested by the trials of war and the lure of criminal enterprise. The Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang were bound together by their shared experiences in Missouri.
Confederate Ties: Quantrill’s Raiders
The outbreak of the Civil War deeply divided Missouri, a border state with both Union and Confederate leanings. Fueled by strong Southern sympathies, both Frank James and Bud Pence joined Quantrill’s Raiders in 1863, a notorious pro-Confederate guerrilla group known for its brutal tactics. Six months later, the younger Donnie Pence and Jesse James followed suit, immersing themselves in the violent conflict that engulfed their homeland. The experience with Quantrill’s Raiders left an indelible mark on all four men, shaping their views of authority and their willingness to resort to violence.
Quantrill’s Raiders were a particularly brutal group. William Clarke Quantrill led a band of Confederate guerrillas who terrorized Union sympathizers and soldiers in Missouri and Kansas. Their most infamous act was the Lawrence Massacre in 1863, where they attacked the undefended town of Lawrence, Kansas, and killed over 150 men and boys. The ruthlessness and brutality of Quantrill and his men were well known, and their actions instilled fear and hatred in the hearts of many. For young men like the Pence brothers and the James brothers, joining Quantrill’s Raiders was a way to strike back at the Union and defend their way of life. However, it also exposed them to the horrors of war and the allure of violence, setting them on a path that would lead them down a dark and dangerous road. The early life of Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang was rooted in the violence of the Civil War.
The Liberty Bank Robbery: A Step into Infamy
Following the end of the Civil War, Missouri remained a volatile place, rife with economic hardship and lingering animosities. It was during this period that the James-Younger Gang began to coalesce, drawn together by shared experiences and a desire to profit from the chaos. In 1866, the gang planned and executed a daring robbery of the Clay County Savings Bank in Liberty, Missouri, marking a significant turning point in their criminal careers. Both Bud and Donnie Pence were allegedly involved in this audacious heist, solidifying their association with the notorious outlaw band. This event cemented the link between the Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang.
The Liberty bank robbery was a carefully planned operation. The James-Younger Gang, led by Jesse James and Cole Younger, had been planning the robbery for months. They knew the bank well, having scouted it out numerous times. On the day of the robbery, they rode into Liberty with guns blazing, terrorizing the town and taking control of the bank. They made off with over $60,000, a huge sum of money at the time. The robbery was a major success for the gang, but it also put them on the radar of law enforcement. The Pence brothers, having allegedly participated in the robbery, found themselves on the run from the law.
Flight to Kentucky: Seeking Refuge
After being identified as participants in the Liberty bank robbery, Bud and Donnie Pence fled back to Nelson County, Kentucky, seeking refuge from the law. Missouri authorities attempted to extradite Bud back to Missouri to face charges, but he managed to escape from jail, likely with the help of sympathetic locals who harbored lingering Confederate sentiments. The Pence brothers found a degree of sanctuary in Kentucky, a state with its own complicated history related to the Civil War.
Donnie’s Redemption: From Outlaw to Sheriff
While Bud continued to live a life shrouded in uncertainty, Donnie Pence embarked on a remarkable transformation. On November 10, 1870, he married Sarah Isabel Samuels and settled down at the Samuels Depot in Nelson County, Kentucky. By 1871, Donnie had seemingly turned his back on his outlaw past, embracing a life of respectability. He became a respected sheriff, a position he held for over two decades, earning the trust and admiration of his community. Donnie Pence’s journey from Confederate raider to alleged bank robber to lawman is a testament to the possibility of redemption and the complexities of human nature. His life paints a portrait of Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang.
Donnie’s transformation was a testament to his character. He was a man who had made mistakes in his youth, but he was determined to turn his life around. As sheriff, he was known for his fairness and his dedication to the law. He was respected by the community and was a popular figure in Nelson County. His story is a reminder that people can change, and that even those who have made mistakes in the past can go on to do great things.
Donnie Pence died of typhoid pneumonia on February 25, 1896, and was buried at Stoner’s Chapel Cemetery in Nelson County, Kentucky, leaving behind a legacy that defied easy categorization.
Bud’s Uncertain Fate
Bud Pence’s life after the Liberty bank robbery remains more enigmatic. On December 1, 1867, he married Mary Rachel Samuels and, by 1880, was living with Mary’s widowed mother in Nelson County, Kentucky. He died of unknown causes on September 15, 1880. His early death leaves a gap in the historical record, making it difficult to fully assess his role in the James-Younger Gang’s activities or his ultimate fate. Bud’s life story is a mystery, a shadow cast by the brighter narrative of his brother’s redemption.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy
The story of the Pence brothers is a microcosm of the turbulent era in which they lived. Their lives were shaped by the Civil War, their association with Quantrill’s Raiders, and their alleged involvement with the James-Younger Gang. While Bud’s life remains shrouded in mystery, Donnie’s transformation from outlaw to respected lawman offers a compelling narrative of redemption. The Pence brothers’ story serves as a reminder of the complexities of the American West, where the lines between right and wrong were often blurred, and where individuals could reinvent themselves in the face of adversity. The story of Pence Brothers and the James-Younger Gang offers a glimpse into a complex period of American history.