December 24, 1881
Jolly old Jesse James dressed as Santa Claus for his two children, Jesse Jr., age 6, and Mary, age 2. It was to be Jesse’s last Christmas.
This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.
Missouri Life archive photo
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December 24, 1861
The Gratiot Street Prison in St. Louis received its first Confederate prisoners.