Assassination of Jesse Woodson James
"The Two Bullet Theory"
The two bullet theory is a copyright story presented about
the assassination attempts of Jesse Woodson James, brother
of Frank James. No part of this story may be reproduced or expressed without written consent of the Leathers Collection.
Evidence may indicate that Jesse James was twice a victim
of assassination attempts. Futher evidence may also prove he
was killed on April 3, 1882 as history has protrayed from two seperate autopsy's.
Did Jesse James once try and fake his death with help from
Shepherd, or was Jesse Woodson James a victim of an earlier attempted assassination? "It was once claimed by a man named Shepherd that he shot Jesse James in the back of the head,and that when killed or captured the wound would show
it. (*1)
Did Jesse carry an old bullet from a previous attempt on his life? Dr. Catlett and Coroner Heddens performed an autopsy
on Jesse James on Monday night, April 3, 1882.
Dr. Catlett states after the autposy;  In the first place we
found that the reports about the shooting were all wrong. The
bullet, which killed the man did not go clear through the head.
The boys must have clubbed the man with their revolvers after the ball went into his head, for that cut on the side of
his head was made with the trigger of a revolver and not by
a bullet. "All the officers thought the bullet must have gone
clear through his head into the wall or ceiling of the room.
"It never went there at all, and they need not look for it. We
have it all safe and sound, and took it out of his head. (*1) 
Though Dr. Calett dismiss Shepherds claim of shooting Jesse
several years earlier, Dr. Calett did confirm that the skull was
badly shattered, which may suggest the reason why the pior
wound was never seen or found.
Evidence would indicate over 100 years later during the
second autposy of Jesse Woodson James in 1995 that Jesse
was indeed a victim of two seperate assassination attempts
when a second bullet (ball) was found. The first assassination
by Shepherd who fail, and perhaps later brought a body in
claiming it to be Jesse James for the reward money. The
second assassination when Robert Ford shot Jesse James on
April 3, 1882.
It is my belief, that my gg great uncle, Jesse W. James was a victim of two seperate assassination attempts and the
two bullet theory proves it.
                   Mike A. Leathers gg great nephew of Jesse W. James
Is this the Death Photo of Jesse Woodson James ?
This death photo shows no exit of any bullet to the eye area. Thus allowing no escape of the bullet. No visual wound is found in the
photo except for a cut over the eye.
Copyright by the Leathers Collection, 2002, All Rights Reserved, No unauthorized reproduction.
*1   The Life, Times and Treacherous Death of Jesse James
Triplett-Snell, 1970. The Swallow Press.  Page 293-294
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