Famous People Jesse James

Jesse James Pre-Reading Warm Up Questions ☀

1. What is an outlaw?

Jesse James and his outlaw gang robbed banks and trains in the 2. Have you heard of any famous outlaws? American west from 1866 to 1881. 3. When was the American Civil War?

James was born near Kearney, Missouri, on September 5, 1847. His 4. Explain the meaning of “rob”. What is the difference father was a Baptist minister. He died in California when Jesse was between the words “robber” and “robbery”. Use the three about 3 years old. words in different sentences.

Jesse and his brother Frank fought for the south in the American Civil War (1861 to 1865). They were part of a group known as Quantrill’s Raiders. They killed many people during the war.

After the war, Jesse and Frank returned to Missouri. In 1866, they and the Younger brothers started robbing banks and trains. They did this for about 15 years in Missouri, Kentucky, and the Midwest. They often killed people during these robberies. When they weren’t robbing and killing, they were hiding from the law. They became legends in the American West and beyond.

The gang’s last attempted robbery was their most famous. On September 7, 1876, they tried to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota. The bank clerk would not open the safe for them, and they murdered him. When they tried to escape, some of the townspeople shot at them. Two of the gang members were killed. The Younger brothers got away but were captured soon after. Jesse and Frank James were hurt, but they escaped and, before long, were robbing banks and killing people again. COMPREHENSION ✍

In 1881, the governor of Missouri said anyone who killed or A. True or False. Read the statements below. If the captured Jesse or Frank James would get $10,000. Jesse had already statement is true, write T beside the sentence. If it is moved his wife and two children to St. Joseph, Missouri. They lived false, write F. If it is false, correct the information. quietly in a small house, and Jesse called himself Thomas Howard. 1. Jesse James fought for the north in the American Civil But Jesse soon needed money. He asked two brothers, Robert and War. Charles Ford, to come to his house and help him plan a robbery. 2. Jesse’s brother was a minister. The Ford brothers came to Jesse’s house but they wanted the $10,000 reward. On April 3, 1882, when Jesse had his back turned, 3. Jesse James died before he was 40 years old. Bob Ford shot and killed him. 4. Jesse James was a robber for about 20 years.

5. Jesse James was killed by a policeman.

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B. Practice asking and answering the following questions with your partner. Then write the answers in complete sentences.

1. When and where was Jesse James born? 2. What happened when Jesse was three years old? 3. What did Jesse and his brother start to do after the Civil War? 4. What were Jesse and his brother doing when they weren’t robbing banks? 5. Where was their most famous robbery? 6. Why did they kill the bank clerk in their last attempted robbery? 7. Who offered a $10,000 reward for Jesse James’ capture? DISCUSS 8. How did Jesse James die? 1. Have you ever seen a movie about VOCABULARY REVIEW ✍ Jesse James or any other famous outlaws? A. Match the words on the left with the correct meaning on the right. 2. Why do you think Jesse James _____ 1. outlaw a. cause pain or injury became a bank robber? Do you think _____ 2. gang b. a famous or old story told by many people that his father’s early death might have _____ 3. minister c. get free had something to do with this? _____ 4. raider d. take by force, make a prisoner 3. What kind of punishment do you _____ 5. legend e. money paid for finding something think a bank robber should receive? _____ 6. beyond f. strong box to hold money or other valuable things _____ 7. attempt g. kill a person on purpose, against the law 4. Do you think that offering a reward _____ 8. safe h. someone who makes surprise attacks is a good way to catch an outlaw? _____ 9. murder i. farther Explain your reasons. _____ 10. escape j. try _____ 11. capture k. criminal, someone who breaks the law _____ 12. hurt l. a religious person, leader of a church _____ 13. reward m. group of people, often together for criminal reasons

B. Choose the correct word or idiom from the left column above to complete the following sentences.

1. When the police arrived, the robber tried to ______through a window. 2. The ______will perform the marriage ceremony next week. 3. Three people were very badly ______in the car accident, but fortunately no one died. 4. I gave him a big ______for finding my wallet and passport. 5. Jesse James and his ______robbed many banks and trains. 6. They killed the bank clerk because he would not open the ______. 7. The police are offering a $20,000 reward for any information that may help them ______the killer.

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ANSWER KEY

Please note: The reading for this topic is also available in full-page format at the end of the lesson (page 4).

PRE-READING QUESTIONS 1. An outlaw is someone who has committed criminal acts and is a fugitive from the law. 2. Individual answer 3. The American Civil War took place during the years 1861-1865. 4. Individual answer 5. To rob is to take something away by force or without the consent of the owner. A robber is someone who commits a robbery. (& Individual)

READING COMPREHENSION A. True or False 1. F 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F

B. Written Answers 1. Jesse James was born near Kearney, Missouri, on September 5, 1847. 2. When Jesse was three years old, his father died. 3. After the Civil War, Jesse and his brother started robbing banks and trains. 4. When they weren’t robbing and killing, they were hiding from the law. 5. Their most famous robbery took place on September 7, 1876, when they tried to rob the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota. 6. They killed the clerk because he would not open the safe for them. 7. The governor of Missouri offered a $10,000 reward for the capture of Jesse James. 8. James was shot and killed by Bob Ford, one of the two brothers who had come to James’ house to help him plan a robbery.

VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT A. Matching 1. k 2. m 3. l 4. h 5. b 6. i 7. j 8. f 9. g 10. c 11. d 12. a 13. e

B. Complete the sentences 1. escape 2. minister 3. hurt 4. reward 5. gang 6. safe 7. capture

3 Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details. Famous People Jesse James

Jesse James

Jesse James and his outlaw gang robbed banks and trains in the American west from 1866 to 1881.

James was born near Kearney, Missouri, on September 5, 1847. His father was a Baptist minister. He died in California when Jesse was about 3 years old.

Jesse and his brother Frank fought for the south in the American Civil War (1861 to 1865). They were part of a group known as Quantrill’s Raiders. They killed many people during the war.

In 1881, the governor of Missouri said anyone who killed or captured Jesse or Frank James would get $10,000. Jesse had already moved his wife and two children to St. Joseph, Missouri. They lived quietly in a small house, and Jesse called himself Thomas Howard. But Jesse soon needed money. He asked two brothers, Robert and Charles Ford, to come to his house and help him plan a robbery.

The Ford brothers came to Jesse’s house but they wanted the $10,000 reward. On April 3, 1882, when Jesse had his back turned, Bob Ford shot and killed him.

4 Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] for complete details.