James, Jesse

James, Jesse (1847-82), American outlaw.

Jesse James is the most famous of all American outlaws.

At the age of fifteen, he joined a band of outlaws led by James Clarke Quantrill during the American Civil War and after the war he led his own gang.

The gang robbed banks and trains in Missouri and nearby states and a reward of 10,000 dollars was offered for the capture of Jesse, dead or alive.

In April 1882, he was living at St. Joseph, Missouri, under the name of Mr. Howard. A member of his gang named Bob Ford went to see him there and shot him in the back to earn the reward.

Many stories are told about Jesse James today. They make him out to be a hero and Ford to be a 'dirty little coward'.

See T.J. Stiles Jesse James