Monday, January 24, 2011

Another Liddil Coward

On January 24,1882,Dick Liddil surrendered to Sheriff James H.Timberlake. The surrender came from Liddil's fear that Jesse was to soon find out about the death of his cousin,Wood Hite(which either Robert Ford or Liddil shot and killed).Liddil sent his wife,Mattie Collins,to Judge W.H.Wallace,where she set up a deal that Liddil would not be charged with Hite's murder,if he were to give information on the other gang members.Below is a picture of Liddil.



Saturday, January 15, 2011

RIP Nichols & McMahon

On January 15,1871,John Younger was giving a weapons demonstration on an elderly man in Scyene,Texas by shooting a pipe out of his mouth.The next day,the elderly man went to the sheriff and stated that John was trying to kill him.The sheriff sent out deputy Charles Nichols and James McMahon to arrest John.After taking John out to the livery stable,a gunfight ensued.Both Nichols and McMahon were found dead while John was wounded in his arm.He fled the scene.Below is a picture of John Younger.



Jim Younger's Birthday

On January 15,1848,Jim Younger was born in Jackson County,Missouri.He was the ninth of 14 children.Jim joined Quantrill's guerrillas until 1865,when he was captured by Union soliders.He was held prisoner until the end of the Civil War.Afterwards,he tried to live a civil life,but he ended up joining the James-Younger gang.He was off-and-on with the gang throughout their reign,going back and forth from a civil life to robbery.He was known to be the quiet one,but a great listener of the gang.Below is a picture of Jim.



Cole Younger's Birthday

On January 15,1844,Cole Younger was born in Harrisonville,Missouri.He was the seventh of 14 children.He joined Quantrill's guerrillas after his father was killed by a group of Jayhawkers.After the massacre at Centralia,Cole joined the Confederacy.After their defeat he came back to the guerrillas whom were now led by Archie Clements.It's believed that Cole didn't participate in the robberies until 1868 in Russellville,Kentucky.Below is a picture of Cole.



Hot Springs,Arkansas

On January 15,1874,the James-Younger gang robbed their first stagecoach in Hot Springs,Arkansas.Present at this robbery was Jesse,Frank,Cole Younger,John Younger,and Bob Younger.No one was hurt and the gang robbed around $3,000 plus valuables.Below is a picture of the stagecoach and men they robbed.



Friday, January 14, 2011

RIP John McCorkle

On January 14,1918,John McCorkle died of natural causes and was buried on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River in Lisbon,Missouri. McCorkle fought alongside Jesse in Quantrill's guerrilla group;he was a scout and a sniper.He surrendered after Quantrill was murdered,and after being released from prison,he returned to Missouri to work on a farm with relatives.He later wrote a book about Quantrill and his guerrilla unit.Below is a picture of McCorkle.



Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Beginning of the End

On January 13,1881,Robert Ford met with Governor Crittenden in questioning of the murder of Wood Hite,Jesse's cousin.Ford ended up making a deal with Governor Crittenden and authorities,stating that he would receive complete clemency and some of the reward money if he were to kill Jesse James.Below is a picture of Ford with the gun he used to kill Jesse.



Monday, January 10, 2011

Frank James' Birthday

On January 10,1843,Frank James was born in Kearney,Missouri.Before the Civil War,it is stated that Frank wanted to be a teacher;he loved reading,especially Shakespeare. Frank joined the Confederacy when he was 18-years-old.Afterwards,he would join the guerrilla movement and pave the way for his younger brother,Jesse,to join him.Below is a young photo of Frank.



Sunday, January 9, 2011

Clell Miller's Birthday

On January 9,1850,it's believed that Clell Miller was born in Clay County,Missouri.Miller joined the guerrillas under William Anderson's rule when he was only 14-years-old;he was practically with the James gang from beginning to the end.He was 5'8" with auburn hair and he was noted to have been the "clown" in the group with an unforgettable laugh.Miller was the brother of Edward Miller,who was believed to have been murdered by Jesse.Below is the death photo taken of Clell.



Sunday, January 2, 2011

Benjamin Simms

On January 2,1854 Jesse's second step-father,Benjamin Simms,died in Clinton County,Missouri when he was thrown off his horse. Jesse didn't care for Simms because it has been stated that Simms was mean and cruel to both Jesse and Frank.The marriage only lasted a little over a year,and Zerelda was in the midst of divorcing Simms at the time of his death(something not usually seen in the 1800s).Below is a picture of Zerelda and Simms.



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Archie Clement's Birthday

On January 1,1846 Archie Clements was born in Johnson County,Missouri. Archie rode with Jesse while being with Quantrill. Archie fought with Jesse at the Centralia Massacre. Jesse and Archie were so close to one another that Jesse had his younger half-brother named after him. It is said that Archie is the one that brought the James boys into bank robbery;he was one of the masterminds behind the Clay County Savings Association robbery on February 13,1866.