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Betty Dorsett Duke just wrote an Article about Her Grandfather, Jesse James a.k.a. James Lafayette Courtney

The article is in Texas CO-OP Power Magazine, Volume 55, Number 7, January 1999 issue, article, Titled "Jesse James was my Great Grandfather, a Missing arm points to the real Jesse James", by Betty Dorsett Duke Pages 22 &23. Texas CO-OP Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperative Inc. 8140 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757 (512) 454-0311 (NOTE: use your browsers "back Button" to return to this page)
If you have comments to add, please Join the discussion group on the Genforum pages- Please review the previous comments at the James/Courtney Genforum Index page

The article is in Texas CO-OP Power Magazine, Volume 55, Number 7, January 1999 issue, article, Titled "Jesse James was my Great Grandfather, a Missing arm points to the real Jesse James", by Betty Dorsett Duke Pages 22 &23.
Texas CO-OP Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperative Inc. 8140 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757 (512) 454-0311
(NOTE: use your browsers "back Button" to return to this page)

If you have comments to add, please Join the discussion group on the Genforum pages- Please review the previous comments at the James/Courtney Genforum Index page

Comments and reviews on Betty Dorsett Duke's Article and book about Jesse James

The article is in Texas CO-OP Power Magazine, Volume 55, Number 7, January 1999 issue, article, Titled "Jesse James was my Great Grandfather, a Missing arm points to the real Jesse James", by Betty Dorsett Duke Pages 22 &23. Texas CO-OP Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperative Inc. 8140 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757 (512) 454-0311 (NOTE: use your browsers "back Button" to return to this page)	"Jesse James Lived & Died in Texas", by Betty Dorsett Duke, Melissa Roberts Hardcover - 208 pages 1 edition (December 1998) Eakin Publications; ISBN: 1571682872 Click to purchase Jesse James Lived & Died in Texas
(Note this is not an exact word for word copy, but more of a book report/review of the article. all attempts to not change the meaning or facts of the article have been made) I extracted some of the information out of the copyrighted article, she is claiming that the DNA was not done properly and other discrepancies. In 1996, James Starrs announced to everyone that mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) extracted from what was claimed to be a tooth of Jesse James matched the MrDNA extracted from the blood of descendants of Jesse's sister, Susan, proving with a 99.7 degree of certainty that the exhumed body was that of Jesse James. Betty states that the general media seemed to accept Starrs' conclusion, yet She found many findings that cast doubt on the validity of Mr. Starrs investigation. To compare MtDNA, it was extremely important to obtain the Mother�s (Zerelda) MtDNA for an accurate testing to see if Jesse was her son. The mother passes her MtDNA down to all her children, as in this case including Frank and Jesse, but only daughters can pass it on to the next generation. It appears that James Starrs said that Missouri law prevented him from exhuming Jesse's mother for the purpose of extracting MtDNA from her remains, because she died of natural causes. Betty was unable to find such a law preventing Jesse�s Mother from being exhumed. Historical records, a metal coffin was supposed to hold the remains of the Jesse James, but it was a rotted, wooden coffin that was unearthed. Inside the grave a ..38 caliber bullet was found even though Bob Ford claimed he shot Jesse dead with a .44 caliber pistol. (NOTE: I was told that the .44 bullet was in the wall and the .38 bullet came from a robbery where Jesse was shot) Why would a loving Mother bury her son face down? The body in the grave was buried face down. (Note I was told that she done this to prevent grave robbers/diggers from getting at him???) Jesse James did not use tobacco according to some historical records, but the teeth recovered from the grave were stained and corroded because of regular tobacco use. "According to the author of this article , No MtDNA was obtained from any of the remains exhumed from the questioned grave. She also wrote, �A documentary covering the exhumation has been aired on television had has led the public to believe that the tooth used for the MtDNA testing came from the exhumed body, but it didn�t. She claims that she found a report that clearly states that only one tooth and one head hair retrieved from the James Farm Museum carried sufficient MtDNA for testing. The museum is located on the James Farm in Missouri." In 1978, Clay County, Missouri took ownership of the James Family Farm and discovered two human teeth. Since the James�s had lived on the farm from 1842 through 1902, the two human teeth found probably belonged to some member of the James Family. She said that Starrs proved nothing with his exhumation. Origins of the tooth the scientists used for extracting MtDNA to compare to Jesse is in question and that there are other discrepancies. I suspect she will sell a lot of books whether she is correct or not. More to come about Grandpa Courtney's mothers photographs and comparison tests made I wonder if it would be possible to compare her Grandfather's DNA to Zerelda's or Susan's MtDNA. Seems that would settle the question of whether he was the son of Zerelda. Comments by Sharon Ivy January 5, 1999 Return Back to Ivy Place
please Join the discussion group on the Genforum pages- Please review the previous comments at the James/Courtney Genforum Index page Return Back to Ivy Place

"Jesse James Lived & Died in Texas",

by Betty Dorsett Duke, Melissa Roberts Hardcover - 208 pages 1 edition (December 1998) Eakin Publications; ISBN: 1571682872

Click to purchase Jesse James Lived & Died in Texas

(Note this is not an exact word for word copy, but more of a book report/review of the article. all attempts to not change the meaning or facts of the article have been made)

I extracted some of the information out of the copyrighted article, she is claiming that the DNA was not done properly and other discrepancies.

In 1996, James Starrs announced to everyone that mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) extracted from what was claimed to be a tooth of Jesse James matched the MrDNA extracted from the blood of descendants of Jesse's sister, Susan, proving with a 99.7 degree of certainty that the exhumed body was that of Jesse James.

Betty states that the general media seemed to accept Starrs' conclusion, yet She found many findings that cast doubt on the validity of Mr. Starrs investigation.

To compare MtDNA, it was extremely important to obtain the Mother�s (Zerelda) MtDNA for an accurate testing to see if Jesse was her son. The mother passes her MtDNA down to all her children, as in this case including Frank and Jesse, but only daughters can pass it on to the next generation. It appears that James Starrs said that Missouri law prevented him from exhuming Jesse's mother for the purpose of extracting MtDNA from her remains, because she died of natural causes. Betty was unable to find such a law preventing Jesse�s Mother from being exhumed.

Historical records, a metal coffin was supposed to hold the remains of the Jesse James, but it was a rotted, wooden coffin that was unearthed. Inside the grave a ..38 caliber bullet was found even though Bob Ford claimed he shot Jesse dead with a .44 caliber pistol.
(NOTE: I was told that the .44 bullet was in the wall and the .38 bullet came from a robbery where Jesse was shot)

Why would a loving Mother bury her son face down? The body in the grave was buried face down.
(Note I was told that she done this to prevent grave robbers/diggers from getting at him???)

Jesse James did not use tobacco according to some historical records, but the teeth recovered from the grave were stained and corroded because of regular tobacco use.

"According to the author of this article , No MtDNA was obtained from any of the remains exhumed from the questioned grave. She also wrote, �A documentary covering the exhumation has been aired on television had has led the public to believe that the tooth used for the MtDNA testing came from the exhumed body, but it didn�t. She claims that she found a report that clearly states that only one tooth and one head hair retrieved from the James Farm Museum carried sufficient MtDNA for testing. The museum is located on the James Farm in Missouri."

In 1978, Clay County, Missouri took ownership of the James Family Farm and discovered two human teeth. Since the James�s had lived on the farm from 1842 through 1902, the two human teeth found probably belonged to some member of the James Family.

She said that Starrs proved nothing with his exhumation. Origins of the tooth the scientists used for extracting MtDNA to compare to Jesse is in question and that there are other discrepancies. I suspect she will sell a lot of books whether she is correct or not.

More to come about Grandpa Courtney's mothers photographs and comparison tests made

I wonder if it would be possible to compare her Grandfather's DNA to Zerelda's or Susan's MtDNA. Seems that would settle the question of whether he was the son of Zerelda.

Comments by Sharon Ivy January 5, 1999
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please Join the discussion group on the Genforum pages- Please review the previous comments at the James/Courtney Genforum Index page

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Special Thanks to Joe Holley, Editor of Texas CO-OP Power Magazine for granting permission to use extracts of the article.

If you have any additional information or comments on this book/article to share, Please Contact Sharon Ivy

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