| Frank James Leader of the James - Younger Gang |
| The "Undisputable" Facts |
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| As history continued to maintain its debatable views after the James Gang came to its end in 1882, others have treaded in to form their own opinionated perceptions, while the search of the Outlaw James Gang survived for over 100 years. Much compiling of information occured before, during, and after knowledge that the James brothers were involved in outlawery. Knowledge which first surfaced in December, 1869, as the James Gang continued to operate near and far. Only family members, close friends, or former guerrillas could identify Frank James and others suspected in their outlawery. The killing of Jesse James on April 3, 1882 brought family members together while observing the body of the slain outlaw through the identification process before the funeral precdures were completed. As family members mourned the loss of a son and husband, the process of compiling information continued. Newspaper Journalist's and book writer's flooded the press with interviews, antedotes, and documented source's. Each seeking insight for their stories, as family members met in grief after Jesse was shot and killed. ( A well and respected modern day writer of our time was the researcher and Compiler named William A. Settle, University of Missouri Press.) Mr. Settle is given Great credit in his years of research as material was gathered for his work on the Jameses. Frank Triplett, who lived during the assassination of Jesse James, and like Settle, sought insite into the legendary gang. As family members mourned the loss of Jesse James, much compiling of information was in the process by Frank Triplett. A book writer who talked with family members, and gathered some brief insight into some well documented conculsions. Supporting the book by Frank Triplett in 1882, or denial of the the book by Zee James before or after Frank Triplett's publication; is really irrelevant when acknowledgement to the "Undisputed Facts" of who the Leader of the James - Younger gang was. However; this denial of facts by Zee James, would support the many James enthusiast's into their decending theories of just who; the Leader of the infamous James gang was. Left penniless after the assassination of her husband Jesse, Zee James was paid part of the royalties from Frank Triplett's work. As well as the fact that others never came forward to deny Frank Triplett's compiling of information. After Frank James came in, he and the Governor of Missouri fought to have the book suppressed from the public, reducing circulation and keeping much information from being known. Revealing insight into who was the Leader of the James gang, Bowling Browder, the brother-in-law of slain Jesse James was possibly interviewed by Frank Triplett. As the family mourned the loss of Jesse James, Bowling Browder lived at the time of Jesse's death, and revealed from within the family of who the mostlikely leader of the James gang was. Bowling Browder, who is never mention in any of the James decending theories, gave insite as Frank James being the Leader of the gang. Bowling Browder lived at Adairville, Kentucky where Frank James and the gang had visited several times before Frank's surrender. Giving insight as Frank being leader of the gang was mostlikely from first hand knowledge. As family members attended the funeral of Jesse James, Frank Triplett continued to acquire his information which included Browling Browder of Adairville, Kentucky. Source; The Life, Times and Treacherous Death of Jesse James J.H. Chambers & CO, 1882, St Louis, Missouri Chicago, Ill Atlanta, Ga. According to Bowling Browder; Frank James was the Leader of the James gang and will remain the "Undisputable" leader; as the legend of the James gang continues to influence many from their internal workings. |
| Copyright, Leathers Collection, 2001, All Rights Reserved |
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