These biographical and historical sketches are highlights of Missouri history. Many sketches are from Missouri, Day by Day , published by the State Historical Society of Missouri in 1942. Links are to related primary sources at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection on the four campuses of the University of Missouri system.
Previous sketches are also available.
For almost two decades one of the nation's most notorious bands of bank and train robbers led by Frank and Jesse James operated in Missouri and neighboring states. Less than two months later Wood Hite was killed by a comrade and in February 1882, Robert Ford and Dick Lidell surrendered. During the same month Clarence Hite was captured in Kentucky. Robert Ford later went to St. Joseph where he shot and killed Jesse James, the outlaw chief, April 3, 1882. On that same day Robert Ford and his brother Charlie surrendered to the Buchanan County officials.