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| The Legend of the James Gang Survived "Across the American Desert" Frank James 1901 |
| The legend of the James gang was still remembered as Frank James prepared to embark upon the stage. Twenty five years had past since Frank James rode his dun horse out of Northfield, Minnesota in 1876. His brother Jesse rode with him, the only two who escaped while the Youngers boys were captured and others killed during the raid. Performing at the Masonic Temple after his arrival to Fort Wayne, Indiana on the evening of November 25th, 1901 Frank captured the audience. The theater was packed to the doors and the police had to restrict the number of "gods to the gallery". The man whose iron nerve has made his hand steady with death at his elbow stated "it takes more courage to be an actor than a bandit". The words that would win Frank James his ovation by the audience however came at the close of the play, "the man who refusees to forgive his fellow man burns the bridge over which he himself must pass". The man who represented the James gang 19 years later redeemed himself on stage. It was 19 years earlier when Frank James, the last of the James-Younger gang would come in. Six years had past since Cole and his brothers were captured. Jesse was shot by an unknown boy called Bob Ford in 1882 as Frank James, leader of the James gang would turn himself in to the governor of M0. |
| Photo sketch from the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Nov 10, 1901 Courtesy from the Armand De Gregoris Collection. |
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| Copyright 2002, for the Frank James Collection, by Mike A. Leathers. All Rights Reserved. |