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Jesse and Frank James: THE FAMILY HISTORY OATEN DR0HCHH3 JUL 16 2082 PROJECT and rs.s ZlMlftN *0^ * -iff- **' Jesse Wvods&n James in Confederate guerrilla uniform. Pfmto modr at Pkit* Cityt Missouri in 1864 whnn /*£** utat-sixteen years of age. (Photo courtesy 0/ the James Farm.) JESSE AND FRANK JAMES THE FAMILY HISTORY By PHILLIP W. STEELE us/, w * PELICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY T GRETNA 1987 I -*\*-5 FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY 35 NORTH WEST TEMPLE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150 Copyright © 1987 By Phillip W- Steele All rights reserved Library of Conjjrr*. Cai*lo^rn| in Puhlj<?->uon Data Steele, Phillip W. Jei*e md Frank jamea: the family hUtory, IV' p. Includes index. h Jamei family. 2- Jamei,J«ie, 18471882- Family. 3. Jam*,, Fr-uut, 1H44 191 ri-Family. 4, Wett (UA.)-toiriipliy. I. TW*. CT274JS5S74 1987 929'.2'0973 B74524 ISBN; 0^8289^55*9 Manutacturrd in the United Stales of America Published by Pelican Publishing Company, Inc. ] JOI Monroe Street Gretna. Louisiana 70053 f Contents Acknowledgments 7 Introduction 13 Chapter . The James Family 23 Chapter 2 The Samuel Family 61 Chapter 3 The Woodson—Poor—Mimrns Family 77 Chapter 4 The Tho mason Family 79 Chapter 5 The West and Howard Families 81 Chapter 6 The Tennessee James Family 89 Chapter 7 The Ford Family 95 Family Trees 102 Index 107 5 Alexander FnmkHn (Frank) Jumesr ground age 21, (Photo courtesy of the James Farm,) Acknowledgments .icknowfedging aii thr murves neeeafury to make tAis James family his fon nvuld hr imtmssibie. Hundred* ui family researehm andfeiiouf James mstamm hair contributed. This writtr, as weft as the thousand* ofJiiture James researchers, awes d tremendous debt ojgmtitude fnr the assistance of U who ha\<e made thin study possible. Sources that have bent especially helpful are as folienvs: LavYrencr H, Bart, Jesse JamcsS jrniu.lsoii. Overland Park, Kansas Thelma Duncan Barr, Overland F\nk. RasiSSS- James R. Ross, Jesse Jain* Lirai-graiuls-rtit, Santa Ana. Califorru.i Milnm F Prrry. Superintendent. Clav Counrv Park* and Histork Site* and inter, fames Farm* kiCarney, Missouri The James Runt— Staff and FamiU PtCJean h Henirdv Kearnev, Missouri Friends ot rhejan.es Farm — Board of Directors Dr, William A. Setde, anthor oxjrtsrjamfs Was His Name Carl W. Brrihan. author ol The Man Wha ShMjciw Jamts Kentucky H mimical Society; Frankfort, Kentut Lv Ted Yeatirran, Nashville, Tennessee Steve Eng, Nashville. Tennessee National Oudaw and Lawmen History Association Western Research Center, University of Wyoming. Laramie, Wyoming Forks of Elkhorn Church History, Kentucky James Coleman James, Old Hfckory. Tennessee Wynne Jam cw ..J. Bethesda, Maryland Wanda James Rv.ni, Kokom*., Indiana Peggy Woods, Orosi, California Diana Faber, Brewster, Kan.as Claudia Wagoner, Fayetteville, Arkansas • Mrs. Arnold C, Franklin. Jr., Brooksville, Florida Charles Luton, Danville. Illinois Frank James, MtEwrn, Tennes*ee Dr. and Mrs- Till Husrnn. Athens. Georgia s Alva Lester Burden, Tecumseh, Oklahoma Rick Burden, Prairie Grove, Arkansas Georgia Hall. Lngandalc. Nevada H. L. Griftey, Kearne.; Missouri Dale Samuel. Spanar Ken tuck v Bill Stamper. Spnngdale, Arkansas torn Vaughan, Clifry., Arkansas Clifford Samuel Springdalc, Arkansas Maisie Mob ley. Prairie Grove, Arkansas Joan M Beamis, William £. Pulien, authors of Batkgnsund of a Bandit Kelley Louise, author of Wkhite County B winnings Jack Loftim author of Tfaih Ihma^h .\rehe* Cuunn Ruth E. Reuch.' author of ,4 Century cf Faithful Wttneu Dr. J. R Rcuthrr, Wichita Fall*. Texas Marlev Brant. Burbank, California Barry Roland Weaver, author of Jesse James in Arkansas" Paul Bonner. James Farm Statf Mary Susan and Jesse Edumfds James, nhildren af Jesse Woodson and Zeretdo Mirnms James, (Photo courtesy of the James Fuftn.) Jesse and Frank James: THE FAMILY HISTORY • f Zertlda James 5dftnc«i, mother of Jess*, Frank, and 5uj«tn James, The black hand hand she is wearing signifies her mourning over Jesse'f death. Her right arm. which u.»ew blown away by ihe Pinker- ton *t flare explosion m her home, is covered. (Photo courtesy of the James familyr) Introduction Most people would agree that over the past century Jesse and Frank James have retained their position as America's greatest folk heroes, and this position will likely continue unchallenged for years to come. Folk heroes exist in all nations, societies, and cultures, although these honored personalities do not always merit the distinction bestowed. Often, folk heroes are created to fill a social need. Such social need may have contributed to the James legend. Born along the Mis souri-Kansas border, these sons of a Baptist minister experienced armed conflict* political turmoil, and deprivation at an early age. Their legend no doubt had its beginning during the Civil War, as a result of their participation with Confederate guerrilla forces and the respect such border ruffians earned among Southern sympathizers. The depriva­ tion and degradation experienced by Southern sym­ pathizers during the post-war period also greatly con- tribuied to the James brothers' becoming outlaws. Their daring exploits, including the nation's first daylight bank robbery and (heir train robbery, often were directed again si enterprises that were owned or controlled by Northern interests. Southern sym- 13 14 JESSE AND FRANK JAMES Themo Duncan Barr, wife of Jesse James's grandson. Lawrence Barr, discusses family history at the 1983 James famiiy reunion on ike James Farm in Kearney, Missouri. (Photo by author.) The Jamrs hem? ff.. // appears today. The front porch was added by Frank James's sont Roberta Introduction 15 pathizers, humiliated by defeat and post-war injustice, considered the James brothers' crimes as a justifiable continuation of the Civil War. Although no proof exists to support the legend, Robin Hood-type talcs of J esse and Frank robbing the rich to give to the poor were invented- The inipovci is hed Southerners and those throughout the nation who were critical of banks and railroads embraced these legends, and public sentiment made ihe James brothers martyrs to their cause, no doubi con- tributing to their successful evasion of the law for some seventeen years. Although rewards were offered totalling as much as $50,000, Jesse and Frank James were never captured. Jesse's career ended when he. was assassinated by his associate. Bob Ford, in 1882 and Frank's when he voluntarily surrendered to the Missouri governor, Thomas Crittenden, a few months later. Several respected, nonficlioti accounts of the Jameses' history have been published over tire years. Far oui nu mbering these respecled authors, however, numerous pulp writers have chosen to use Jesse and Frank James as central characters in fictional, dime novels, Such writers of ^historical" fantasy found thai the use of the James brothers* name was magic to assure fast sales, and this phenomenon still continues to some extent. During a 1983 James family reunion Lawrence Barr, Jesse James's grandson, was asked about the magic ol his grandfather's name in Ameri­ can literature, and he commented, "You can sell any' thing wilt. Jesse or Frank James's name on it. Here in Kearney, Missouri, the best restaurant in town even features a Frank James hamburger," The numerous fictional books and articles written over i he years have been < onfiwclwith hisr^iv. making 16 JESSE AND FRANK JAMES it difficult for the serious historian to separate fact from folklore. William A. Setde, author ofJessejames Was His Name, (one of the most respected and authoritative accounts of die lives of Jesse and Frank James), explains* "Fact and fiction are so intertwined that it is difficult—at times impossible—to untangle them,** Frank James himself apparently found these fic­ tional accounts a matter or concern. In a letter to a friend he wrote, UI found one of those cheap novels about me andjesse. There is no truth in them, and they should not be sold to young boys of today. We will not let our son Robbie read them. The one J found was about us robbing a train. It is sickening to read how Dingus [a nickname for Jesse James) bragged about what he had done. I never heard Jess ever brag about who he was or what he did, A lot of robberies blamed on us we never did." Legend and folklore have generated within Ameri­ can families a desire for reflected glory, and today it has become quite popular to claim a relationship to the James brothers. The James family home near Kearney, Missouri has been completely restored and is operated as a major Missouri tourist attraction by Clay County,, Missouri Department oi' Parks, Recre&tioiii and Historical Sites. Each year hundreds of visitors seek to prove a family connection with the James brothers. Most claims are based on a hapless commem by "grandmother'1 to the effect that the family is "kin" to Jesse and Frank James. Usually, these grandmothers have conveniently died before elaborating on this claim to their descendants, A relationship with the James brothers has become so important that on at least two occasions families have even resorted io alleging illegitimacy to validate their claims. A lady in Hot Springs. Arkansas* whom Introduction 17 Alexander Franklin (Frank) James after his acquittals. (Photo courtesy of the James Farm,) 18 JESSE AND FRANK J AMES Milton Perry, left, curator of the James Farm and Museum; James #_ Ross, great grandson of Jesse James; and Dr. William A, Settle, James historian, all assisted author Phillip W. Steele, right, in this family history of Jesse and Frank J&mes\ this writer interviewed, has reason to believe her grandmother was an illegitimate daughter of Frank James. After his acquittal Frank spent several months in Hot Springs as a horse race starter and operator of a Wild West show in the Happy Hollow Amusement Park.
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