"I will say that since our capture we have met with uniform kindness, and while in the penitentiary our relations with the officers have been cordially pleasant, and for their considerate and kind disposition we feel profoundly grateful"

The quote credited to Cole Younger, a noted outlaw of the late 19th century, provides a glimpse into his experience during imprisonment and shows a sense of unanticipated gratitude. Younger, notoriously part of the James-Younger Gang, was infamous for his criminal exploits, which included bank and train burglaries. Recorded and subsequently incarcerated, this quote clarifies his time in the penitentiary and his interactions with the jail personnel.

Regardless of his notorious background and the harsh truths of a criminal way of life, Younger acknowledges the "uniform kindness" he got after his capture. This kind treatment might have been surprising to him, provided his past encounters with law enforcement likely did not have such civility. His expression of appreciation suggests that the humane and considerate treatment from the penitentiary officers substantially affected him. In a place where he might have anticipated hostility or retribution, Younger rather experienced people who treated him with self-respect.

The phrase "cordially pleasant" suggests that the officers reached him considerate interactions that possibly transcended the common prisoner-guard dynamic. To call their relationship "cordially enjoyable" is significant coming from somebody whose past was laden with violence and lawlessness. It suggests that Younger discovered an unexpected sense of peace or approval in the structured environment of the jail, assisted in by these favorable interactions.

Furthermore, Younger's expression of being "profoundly grateful" points to a reflective frame of mind. It represents a shift in his point of view, potentially a recognition of the fundamental human decency he experienced despite his criminal activities. Such thankfulness might also indicate a kind of reconciliation with his circumstances-- accepting his fate with a step of humbleness and understanding the value of kindness even in locations typically without it.

Overall, this quote highlights the enduring human capacity for appreciation and the positive effect of empathy and regard, even within the boundaries of a penitentiary.