Missouri History Today September 5, 1847: From Missouri Roots to Infamy: Jesse James Is Born
Jesse James
Jesse James and his family were on the run when they rented a house in St. Joseph to hide. Robert Ford was one of the only people James trusted, but unbeknownst to James, Ford had been communicating with Missouri governor Thomas Crittenden behind James’ back. He was going to help capture the fugitive during a …
Jesse James pulled off one of his first known bank robberies on this date in Missouri History.
Bob Ford was the man who killed Jesse James, who is considered one of America’s most famous bandits. The killing of Jesse James was considered a cowardly act and Bob Ford’s actions followed him for the rest of his days.
Missouri History Today September 5, 1847: From Missouri Roots to Infamy: Jesse James Is Born
He may have been an outlaw, but that didn’t stop Jesse James from being a good friend. At the height of his infamy, James disguised himself so he could be a pallbearer at the funeral of his good friend John Sallee, Jr. James would evade capture and live for nearly another 5 years, dying at …
In the mid-to-late 1800s, Missouri was known as the Outlaw State, with considerable justification. Missouri contributed far more than its share of bushwhackers, stock thieves, band and train robbers, and killers. Here’s a roll call of some of the most infamous outlaws.
The only crematorium west of the Mississippi was located in St. Louis. On this day the body of Frank James was cremated there so it could be kept in a bank vault until the eventual burial with his wife in Independence.
You will be surprised by some of the songs about Missouri and some of the celebrities who sang them. Our state, its people, and their stories are reflected in these six songs from our past.
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.
In the stories told about them during their careers the Youngers were often cast in the classic Robin Hood mold. It was an image they worked hard to cultivate, but it was only half true. They did steal from the rich but, as biographer T.J. Stiles wrote, “There is no evidence that they did anything with their loot except spend it on themselves.”
“Bloody” Bill Anderson, Jesse and Frank James, Cole Younger, and other Bushwhackers took 20 Union soldiers off a train and executed them in what became known as the Centralia Massacre. Anderson’s gang was later attacked by an inexperienced Union force and more than 120 Union troops were killed in a battle outside Centralia. Missouri Life …
Governor Crittenden offered a $5,000 reward for anyone who could help in the arrest and conviction of the James Gang.
Frank James surrendered on the steps of the state capitol. He made a short speech and turned his gun over to the Governor. Read more about this in Tales From Missouri and the Heartland.
Jesse James was shot dead by Robert Ford, who was secretly working with Missouri Governor Thomas T. Crittenden. The assassination took place in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The James Gang robbed the box office at the Kansas City Fair right in the middle of a crowd of 10,000 people. The K.C. papers praised the outlaws for how daring they were.
The first Missouri train robbery by the James Gang took place on this date.
The James Gang robbed the bank at Lexington.
