Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-04-15
Jesse James-Fun Particulars of his
Tragic Death.

haIlstS lily, hpTii t--ht ott''N
yesterday morning the notorious outlaw
and bandit, Jesse James, was shot and
instantly killed 1T st. Joseph, Mo, 10y
Robert Ford, Of Richmond county.
Jesse, it appears, has been living in that
city since the Sth of last November, un-
der the name Of Thomas Hall. Robert
Ford, the slayer Of James, and his
brother Charles. had been shadowing
Jesse James for many months past, fol-
lowing him from place to place, their
purpose being 10 kill him the first time
that an opportunity offered, but they
never succeeded in finding him nn-
armed until this morning. The boys
went 10 ST. Joe about one week ago.
Previous to this they had ingratiated
themselves into the confidence Of James,
claiming they were train robbers and
horse thieves. For once the redoubted
Jesse was caught mapping, and seemed
to have believed all the FordS told him,
and yesterday paid with his life the
penalty Of his creduli.y. The Fords i'm
mediately upon their arrival in st. Joe,
went to the honse at the corner Of 18th
and Lafayette streets, where jesse was
living under the name of Thomas Hall,
and remained there until the tragedy
occurred. Yesterday morning Jesse and
Ford were talking together and Jesse
had Just laid his pistols on the table for
a moment when Ford pulled ont his
revolver and shot Jesse. The revolver
was a 45 calibcr Smith and Wcsson.
The ball entered Jcssc's head behind
the left ear and passed ont over the
forehead, death being instantaneous.
The identity Of the bold man is beyond
question. He perfectly answers the
descriptions heretofore given of jesse
James, and the assassin described hin
perfectly even TO the marks on his per-
son before the clothes were removed
from his body. Jesse James wife was
living here with him at the time. She
says it's Jesse and tells the story Of their
recent movements in detail. In May. a
year ago, they located in Kansas City
where they resided until November last
when they removed to st. Joe. Since
they arrived in st. Joe they have lived
i'm three different places. Mrs. James is
u handsome brunette. about 81 years of
age. She was handsomely dressed, wore
a profusion Of jewelry, and seems to feel
Jesse's death keenly. On Jesse'S person
were found heavy plain gold ring
marked Jesse" two gold watches, one
IL stem winder engraved a. S. b."
which he is said to have taken from a
former governor of Arizona at the Sweet
Springs robbery. The other watch, a
key winder was taken together with a
solitaire ring at the time Of the robbery
of the Mammoth Cave line in Kentucky
a few years ago. There were also found
Il set ofjet studs and ladies' opal breast
pin. Jesse's arms consisted of 45
caiibre Smith & Wesson revolver, a As
calibrc Colts revolver, Winchester
repeater and double-barrel shotgun.
The Ford boys had no other object
in view than TO obtain the reward offered
by Governor Crittenden for jesse James,
dead or alive. They recently had two
interviews with the governor at the ST.
james hotel in Kansas City. The gov
ernor was informed of their plan of
action, and approved wholly. The boys
have been in constant communication
with Sheriff Tumberlake and III. Fl.
Craig, and acted under their instruc-
tions The assassin is 20 years old and
his brother %. They are fine looking,
intelligent young men. After the shoot
ing they promptly gave themselves up
to the authorities to await judicial ac-
ton The coroners inquest is now in
progress. Robert Ford and also Frank
James whereabouts are unknown. Mrs.
James is under advices not to talk more
than she has already done She says,
however, she will prosecute the Ford
DOyS W tic DIllSI CIlus llCI
name was Miss Mimms.
BODY IDENTIFIED.
st. Joseph, Mo-, April 5.-At the
coroner's inquest Jesse James mother
identified the body and denounced the
treachery of Dick Little. The governor
has arrived.
Prosecuting Attorney Wallace and
Dick Little arrived this morning and
identified the remains of Jesse James.
Captain Ford, brother of Charles and
Bob, says he knows where Frank James
is. He is in the east. Frank will
avenge Jesse's death, and somebody will
doubtless be killed. This matter is not
yet ended.
THE FORDS.
st. Louis, April 5.-The Ford brothers
reside on farm near Richmond. this
state. Their house was a rendezvous
for the James boys. The family is very
respectable.
Kansas City, April Sit is now