| The Plot to Kill Jesse |
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| The time was running out for Jesse James, a few citizens of Clay County had already met and sent word to Jesse's mother that they wanted the robber to either turn himself in or leave the country. Jesse's mother with a hell no attitude told them point blank what she thought about the idea. Late 1881 Jesse came looking for one of his old gang members Jim Cummings who he thought might be going to turn him in for the reward now offered for him. Cummings had said to have been seen around the home of William Ford who was an uncle of Bob and Charlie Ford. Jesse had already killed Ed Miller one of his old gang members who he didn't trust and it looked as if Cummings was next. Arriving at Ford's house Jesse found only William's 15 year old son and wife. Jesse started slapping the boy trying to get him to tell where he could find Cummings, but the kid didn't know. The slapping turned into a pretty good beating before he left and word about it spread fast. Jesse once a favorite of the people was now begining to be disliked so much that the people wanted him arrested, some even begining to talk about having him killed and William Ford was one. |
| Dick Liddil who had been with Jesse during the last robbery, but was now afriad of him,left the gang. Most of the people who had sent word to Jesse's mother about him giving up had dropped the idea when the word started about killing Jesse. Having Jesse surrender was one thing but murder was another. The group that wanted Jesse dead was made up mostly of William Ford, a brother Elias Cap. Ford and the Cummings family. In November the Fords contacted Sheriff James Timberlake and told him they were willing to help with the arrest or killing of Jesse James. Timberlake responded by offering them $1000.00 for their help. Timberlake and Cap. Ford travelled to Kansas City where they talked about their plan with the police commissioner Henry Craig. Craig travelled to Jefferson City and talked with Governor who promised none of the Fords would be proscuted if Jesse was killed. At lest one attempt was made to capture Jesse in December when he rode into town looking for Dick Liddil who had been with Jesse during the last robbery, but had now quit the gang. Cap. Ford told Jesse that Liddil was at the Bolton home, Jesse rode off and Ford sent word to Sheriff Timberlake that Jesse was at Bolton's but when the Sherrif arrived he had already left. On January 6, 1882 Sheriff Timberlake had another informer, Dick Liddil contacted him wanting a full pardon for the help in killing or the capture of Jesse James. Timberlake worked all the arangments out with the Governor and the plan was slowly falling in place. On Febuary 13, 1882 Bob Ford wanting the same agreement as Liddil surrendered to Police Commissioner Craig. Sheriff Timberlake, Governor Crittenden and Police Commissioner Craig met with Bob Ford and Diclk Liddil in Kansas City to lay out their plan. |
| The Killing of Jesse |
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| Jesse, was working on another plan to rob a bank sometime in March or April, but his gang consisted only of him and Charlie Ford. He needed more men, at lest one more and the picking was slim. Charlie suggested his younger brother Bob. Jesse wanted someone older with experience but could not find anyone and finally agreed to let Bob in on the robbery. If all went well this was to be his last robbery, he was planning to move on futher west. On the last of March Jesse and Charlie Ford rode out looking for Bob. First stopping at Martha Bolton's house and then on to Richmond to the home of Cap. Ford. Finding Bob with his uncle Jesse ask Bob to join them and he agreed. Jesse, Bob and Charlie rode off heading back to Jesse's home, Cap. Ford sent word to Sheriff Timberlake that the plan was now in progress, and he knew where Jesse was heading. April 2, 1882 Jesse was home where he spent the evening going over details of the next robbery with the Fords. On the morning of April 3, 1882 With his wife in the kitchen perparing breakfast Jesse sat and talked to Bob an Charlie Ford. After a few minutes Jesse got up and walked across the room and started to dust off a picture hanging on the wall. Bob looked around and saw Jesse's guns laying on a table, now was the time. Bob drew his pistol and shot Jesse in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Jesse James was dead at the age of 34. Shot from behind by supposedly one of his friends. Ford ran out of the house yelling "I just killed Jesse" In a matter of minutes a mob had swarmed the house stealing anything they could get their hands on for souvenirs. Bob Ford was arrested for murder but was pardoned by Governor Crittenden and collected the 10,000 dollar reward money. Ford left town and went to Colorado where he opened a saloon and was later shot and killed by Ed OKelly in 1892. Charlie Ford who knew nothing about the plan to kill Jesse James, until the night before the murder could not live with himself and the fact that his brother had shot Jesse in the back. He committed suicide in 1884. Five months after the death of Jesse, Frank turned himself in to the Governor and was tried numerous times but was never convicted of any crime. Later the state of Minnesota tried to extradite Frank for his involvement in the robbery there but never had any success. |
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| 1874 |
| A Few Facts and Quotes |
| Bob Ford I don't trust; I think he is a sneak; but Charlie Ford is as true as steel." Jesse James I was tired of an outlaw's life. I have been hunted for twenty-one years. I have literally lived in the saddle. I have never known a day of perfect peace. It was one long, anxious, inexorable, eternal vigil. When I slept it was literally in the midst of an arsenal. If I heard dogs bark more fiercely than usual, or the feet of horses in a greater volume of sound than usual, I stood to arms. Have you any idea of what a man must endure who leads such a life? No, you cannot. No one can unless he lives it for himself." Frank James, regarding his reason for surrender. It was the earliest desire of my parents to prepare me for the ministry, but the horrors of war, the murder of my father, and the outrages perpetrated upon my poor old mother, my sisters and brothers, destroyed our hopes so effectually that none of us could be prepared for any duty in life except revenge." Cole Younger quoted from an interview 1882 "In a running gunfight, Frank James had few if any equals" Jim Cummins |
| A revolver used in the ill-fated Northfield bank robbery, a Colt Pocket Navy, was sold at this auction for $36,800 (est. $10,000/ 15,000) and was accompanied by a 1929 letter stating Jesse James had dropped it on the bank's floor, where a deputy found it. The notarized letter, however, gives an incorrect year for the robbery. |
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