| Mystery of the James Gang 1866-1882 |
| "Much information has been lost or clouded by fiction for over 100 years" |
| Return of Frank's descendant, September, 1997 |
| Upon the first appearance to Clay county, Missouri the Shaker found an opinion coming from a source within the Jesse James farm & Museum that Frank James was mostlikely the "brains" of the gang. The Shaker had made indepth research into his gg grandmother Nancy Leathers, formally of Danielville Tennessee, along the Yellow Creek area, county of Dickson Tennessee and Frank James of Clay county, Missouri. Research was done on other family members, with help from my great aunt Mellie, the daughter of a confederate horseman who served under Lt. General N.B. Forrest. This daughter of the confederate horseman would not pass away until 3 1/2 years later. Mellie had lived around the Fletcher, Oklahoma area, and had known the 16 year old son, often refered to by the Publication of the Kansas City Times on April 11, 1882 after the death of Jesse James. Not only had Mellie known the son of Frank James, the son of Frank James purshased material so her sister Sophia could make dresses for her while she was in school. That daughter of a confederate horseman, would signed and endorse the manuscript titled; Lost Legacy of the outlaw Frank James; along with the signed endorsement by my father, born Feb, 1929 and died May, 2000. The Shaker upon appearing to Clay county, Mo found many who were dedicated to the perservation of Jesse James, and some numbered as high as 350. However; the Shaker was concern with the writings, and history of his gg grandfather Frank James. As the Shaker inquired about any knowledge from one historian on the issue if Frank James had ever been baptized, that historian could only speculate that perhaps so, as Robert being a baptist preacher. However; no documentation could be provided as spectulation & opinion could only be given. Opinion would also be given as speculation would rise as Jesse planning the robbery of the Liberty bank in February, 1866 while Jesse remain at home suffering from the lung wound well known. That spectulation would have no foundation, as the acts which occured at the Liberty robbery by the outlaw would again be seen at Northfield in 1876 as that outlaw rode out of town on the horse that has became a legend within itself. The semblance of appearance during the 10 year period, as the outlaw Frank James continued to ride after the robbery of the Liberty Mo bank actually cannot be disputed, while others continue to speculate into their persuasive writing abilities. Opinions respected, but not totally agreed with. The James brothers actual discription as they would appear during 1873. Jesse James, born 1847, age 25 years, ht 5' 8'' to 5' 9" wt. app. 145 to 160 lbs. Frank James, born 1843, age 30 years, ht 5' 11" wt. app. 150 to 170 lbs. Characteristic's of the James brothers; Jesse James; Has a trait and like for being Flamboyant. Entering the Civil war in the last stage of the war, he would have he photo taken around May - August of 1864 at 16 years of age before the war ended. Perjecting himself into the center, he would write his alibi cards after the robbery of the Gallatin bank. Alibi cards mailed after he left his black mare at the scene of the Gallatin robbery in Dec, 1869. ( St. Joseph Mo Daily Gazette, December 9, 1869 ) |
| Copyright, November 1, 2001, Leathers Collection, All rights reserved. |