Jesse James was an infamous American outlaw and leader of the James-Younger Gang, which was responsible for a series of bank and train robberies during the late 1800s. James became a legendary figure in American folklore and his story has been romanticized in numerous books, movies, and songs.
Born in Missouri in 1847, James grew up during the Civil War and became involved in the Confederate cause. After the war, he turned to a life of crime, robbing banks, trains, and stagecoaches with his gang. They often targeted Unionist targets as well as banks, earning them the nickname “the Robin Hoods of the Ozarks.”
James was known for his cunning and daring, as well as his tendency to kill anyone who crossed him or threatened his gang. He became a public enemy and was hunted by law enforcement for years, leading to several shootouts and clashes with the authorities.
In 1882, James was betrayed by one of his own gang members and was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a member of the gang who hoped to collect a reward for James’ capture. Despite his criminal activities, James has remained a popular figure in American culture, and his story continues to fascinate and inspire people today.
Jesse James
It’s a good idea to look at these 25 interesting facts about Jesse James to know more about him.
- Jesse James was born on September 5, 1847, in Clay County, Missouri.
- His full name was Jesse Woodson James.
- Jesse’s father, Robert James, was a Baptist minister who also owned a hemp plantation.
- Jesse had two siblings, Frank and Susan.
- During the Civil War, Jesse joined a Confederate guerilla group led by William Quantrill.
- Jesse and his brother Frank formed the James-Younger Gang in the late 1860s.
- The gang was responsible for several bank and train robberies, including the famous robbery of the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876.
- Jesse James was known for his sharpshooting skills and his ability to evade law enforcement.
- He was also known for his violent temper and his willingness to kill anyone who crossed him.
- Jesse’s gang was reportedly responsible for the deaths of at least 17 people.
- After the Northfield robbery, several members of the gang were killed or captured, and the James brothers went into hiding.
- Jesse James was married to his first cousin, Zerelda Mimms.
- The couple had two children, Jesse Jr. and Mary.
- Jesse James was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang, on April 3, 1882.
- Robert Ford hoped to collect a reward for James’ capture.
- After James’ death, Robert Ford went on tour with a traveling show, reenacting the shooting of Jesse James.
- The James-Younger Gang was the subject of several popular dime novels and became the stuff of legend in American folklore.
- Jesse James has been portrayed in numerous films and television shows, including the 1939 movie “Jesse James” starring Tyrone Power and the 2016 television series “Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels.”
- The James Farm, where Jesse James grew up, is now a historic site and museum in Kearney, Missouri.
- In 2000, a DNA test confirmed that a corpse buried in the James family plot in Kearney, Missouri, was indeed Jesse James.
- Jesse James’ guns and other personal effects are on display at the Jesse James Home Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri.
- Jesse James was portrayed by Brad Pitt in the 2007 movie “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.”
- James’ death was the subject of a popular ballad called “The Ballad of Jesse James.”
- Some historians believe that Jesse James was not the brutal outlaw he is often portrayed as, but was instead a product of his environment and circumstances.
- Jesse James remains one of the most famous and controversial figures of the American West, and his legacy continues to inspire debate and fascination.
Jesse James was a notorious outlaw and a legend of the American West. He was a skilled sharpshooter and leader of the James-Younger Gang, which was responsible for several bank and train robberies. James was known for his violent temper and willingness to kill anyone who crossed him, and his gang was responsible for the deaths of at least 17 people. Despite his notoriety, some historians argue that James was not the brutal outlaw he is often portrayed as, but a product of his environment and circumstances. Today, the James Farm in Kearney, Missouri, and the Jesse James Home Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, offer visitors a glimpse into the life and legend of this infamous figure.
