Civil War Figures: Jesse James
by
findingDulcinea Staff
Everyone knows about the 19th-century outlaw Jesse James, whose colorful exploits were recorded in song and legend. But the life of the historical figure is often disputed. Was he, in fact, a Robin Hood character, who stole from the rich to give back to those less fortunate? Or was he only a former soldier with a thirst for violence, sustaining his criminal career by marketing himself as a noble thief?
James the Soldier
Jesse James began his career as a soldier in the Confederate army. According to a PBS biography, “Jesse James never really stopped fighting the Civil War.” James had violent inclinations beginning in his youth, when his older brother went away to defend his family’s right to own slaves. Born and raised in Clay County, Missouri, Jesse James joined a gang when he was just 16 years old. Fascinated by a life of crime and rebellion, he created a myth of himself, with an allegedly forthright cause: to defend the disenfranchised against the bureaucratic and the wealthy. Make your own decisions about James’ motivations by visiting PBS’s “Jesse James,” a complete look at the outlaw’s career.
Source: PBS
For an even more objective profile, read a full criminal overview of Jesse James from the FBI’s Web site.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
James the Icon
Despite his violent past and criminal history, Jesse James was still a celebrated American icon. The legend he created for himself contributed to popular culture: for example, Dime Novels and Penny Dreadfuls were short, popular stories designed to appeal to young (often male) readers in the early 20th century. This collection of stories from Stanford University is made up of several chapters in a weekly series about the James boys—Jesse and his brother, Frank.
Source: Stanford University
Visit the Jesse James Home, a museum in St. Joseph, Missouri. The home contains a number of items that belonged to the James family, and the exhibit includes photographs and objects from James’s life. Take a virtual tour of the house through online photos of the living room (where James was shot to death), the kitchen, and the bedroom, along with some other images of the house.
On the Farm
You can also visit the James Farm, located in Kearney, Missouri. The farm was owned by the descendents of Jesse and Frank James, and maintains a museum with artifacts that include remnants of Jesse James’ tombstone, the boots he wore when he died, Jesse’s guns, and the James family bible. The James Farm Web site can help you stay abreast of James family history: go to “This Month in the history of Jesse & Frank James” to read about the James brothers’ exploits 12 months a year.
Source: Friends of the James Farm
In Northfield, Minnesota, on September 7, 1876, the James-Younger gang tried to rob the First National Bank of Northfield with disastrous results: a prominent Northfield citizen was killed and the Younger gang was captured. The James brothers went on to form a new gang, which ended with Jesse’s death six years later. The town of Northfield recreates this historic event every year at the “Defeat of Jesse James Days.”
Source: YouTube
On the Big Screen
Jesse James remains a cultural icon. If you want to learn more about the legendary figure, read “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” by Ron Hansen. Or watch the film version, which came out in 2007, starring Brad Pitt and Mary-Louise Parker.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
