Famous quote by Cole Younger

"I have been wounded altogether twenty times; eleven of these wounds were received at Northfield"

About this Quote

The quote by Cole Younger, "I have actually been injured completely twenty times; eleven of these injuries were received at Northfield", uses a look into the rough and risky life of among the infamous Younger bros, who belonged to the James-Younger Gang, a band of criminals that ran in the post-Civil War age in the United States. This gang is most well-known for bank and train burglaries.

In the context of Younger's life, these words show both an admission of the violence he came across and possibly a badge of survival through various dangerous encounters. The statement is factual, yet it subtly implies the intensity and strength of the skirmishes he dealt with. Receiving twenty injuries shows his continuous immersion in violent endeavors, and highlights the harmful nature of his way of life. That majority of these wounds were sustained during a single event, at Northfield, highlights the significance of that incident.

The reference to "Northfield" points to the messed up bank burglary in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876, one of the most infamous tried heists by the James-Younger Gang. The raid rapidly devolved into chaos, as the residents of Northfield withstood fiercely, leading to a violent gun fight. This disastrous result led to heavy casualties for the gang, with two members killed and the rest, including Younger, severely injured. Numerous wounds being sustained in this single event enhance the bravery and resistance faced from the townspeople, indicative of a turning point that highlighted that hooligans were not invincible.

Younger's quote encapsulates the severe realities of hooligan life, marked by narrow leaves and relentless conflicts. It also appears to carry a specific aura of bravado or resignation; accepting his wounds could be interpreted as approval of his options and their effects. The juxtaposition of numerical precision--"twenty times" and "eleven of these"-- against the chaotic background of Wild West violence paints a vivid picture of a life survived on the edge, identified by constant threat, and ultimately, a nod towards the inescapable downfall of a notorious lifestyle.

About the Author

USA Flag This quote is written / told by Cole Younger between January 15, 1844 and March 21, 1916. He/she was a famous Criminal from USA. The author also have 10 other quotes.
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