Cole Younger's life spanned 72 years from 1844-1916. Cole Younger was born in Lee's Summit in 1844.  By the age of 17 he had killed his first man during a border skirmish serving as a Confederate soldier in  the Civil War. Cole was 21 in 1865 when the Civil War ended. He returned to Lee's Summit to join his ailing mother and three brothers.  He had 11 bullets still imbedded in his body at his death. He and his brothers, Jim - 17, John - 15, and Bob - 12, were the mavericks of the family. Bob was born on October 29, 1853 and died of tuberculosis in prison September 16, 1889 age 35. Jim was born January 15, 1848 and died October 2 1902. He committed suicide because he was not allowed to marry his girl friend. The romance and violence of an outlaw life apparently appealed to Cole and his brothers.

They joined the James Gang in 1869 to carve a place in the history of the Midwest that was both bloody and legendary. The Younger Boys led quite the untamed life as outlaws, which led to the 25-year prison sentence they would serve at the Minnesota State Prison, at Stillwater, January 10, 1877. After Cole was released he returned to Lee's Summit. He died in 1916 and was buried in the Lee's Summit Cemetery.

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