Reports were printed in St. Louis about the Lexington Band. This mid-Missouri band was returning home from a week of playing at a fair and had their pay with them. The band feared a holdup so they armed themselves. The James gang stopped the train but, seeing so many armed men, decided to leave.

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.