Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-21
THE KILLING OF JESSE JAMES.
The Story I'm Detail as Told By His
SlAHers-M YsIerIOus ciIOn on the
Night BefOre-The JewelrY In she
Bed.

Bed.
IHteTvteto tctth the BOrds in the Cincinnati
Enquirer.
DO you know" said Bob, speaking
OF the killing, that when we surreu-
dered to the Marshal he wouldn't be-
lleve what we said until he looked, as
we directed him. between the mattress
and tick on Jesse's bed and found the
Jewelry marked with Jesse's initials"
1t was enough to sstonish anybody, -
said the writer. The boys then went on
and described in a minute manner the
way In which Jesse was removed. On
the night before April 8, the day Of the
killing, all were about to retire, when
Bob had occasion to 90 out into the yard
They had been sitting together in Jesse's
room with Mrs. james and the children.
AS Bob stepped out Jesse got up and fol-
lowed him, keeping his eyes, however,
on Charley. Jesse invited Bob to take q
walk, and Bob said all right, but watched
his companions movements closely. He
didn't Ike the looks of a large knife
Jesse had been carrying in his belt that
day. Charley grew suspicious, and fol-
lowed along out. Jesse and Bob walked
down the hill nearly to the Worlds Hotel,
Jesse looking back all the time at
Charley. The two stopped. and, as
Charley came up to them, Jesse began
to laugh and joke. Finally, he said !:
Lets go to bed, boys" and they started
back side by side, each man being afraid
to be in front of the other, but not daring
to let on or say so. The next morning
they were all up pretty early. In bed
the night before Charley and l resolved
that the coming day should be Jesse
James last" said Bob with great en-
phasis, as he sat toying with his revolver.
Jesse and Charley went to the stable,
which is to the southeast Of the house.
and Bob remained to make up his bed
and sweep his room, as was his usual
custom. After cleaning the horses Jesse
and Charley came in, washed them
selves in the kitchen and then
stepped into Jesse's room, where Bob
joined them, having just come from
his own room. Mrs James was at work
in the room back Of the Kitchen and the
children were playing in front of the
house. Jesse stepped up to the bureau
and Combed his hair, and then, turning
around, said he guessed he would take
off his pistols, as some Of the people
passing might see them. The front door
was open and passers by could look
right into the room. He removed his
coat and then his belt containing two
pistols and a number of cartridges and
threw them carelessly On the bed. He
was in a good humOr, and looking to-
ward the east side of the room, remarked
that Miss Mimms' picture needed dust
ing The picture was a cabinet size
painting of the face and shoulders of
Miss Mamie Mimms, of Adairville, Ky,
who is a niece of Mrs James. He
picked up the buster from the bureau
and got up on a char, which he had
placed under the picture. Bob at this
time stood leaning against the bureau,
and Charley was near the window on the
west side of the room. AS he stepped
up on the chair Jesse turned his head to
the right to look at Charley, and then TO
the left toward Bob. AS he again faced
the picture both Of the boys drew their
weapons. Jesse probably heard them
cock, for he quickly turned and saw
Charley with the pistol pointed at him.
He was apparently about to
spring, when Bob let fly, and
the bullet, 45 calibre, from a
Colts revolver, struck him in the
head and he fell. He struck on his
shoulder and rolled over on his back
The boys stepped up to him, ready to
fire again, but saw that one shot had
been sufficient. Mrs. James, who had
heard the report, came through the din
ing room, and Charley walked to the
door and met her. She asked what the
matter was, and Charley replied that the
pistol had gone off and killed jesse She
said she guessed it was on purpose, and
broke out crying, and entered the room
and stopped down and tried to raise up
Jesse's head. "YOu have killed my hus-
band" she cried. Bob and Charley then
took their departure, but not before the
latter picked up Jesse's belt and pistols,
which he carried away with him in his
hand. They hastily proceeded to the
telegraph office, and sent the following
telegram to Governor Crittenden, Tim
berlake and Craig:
Meet me in Kansas City to night or
tomorrow morning. | have my man.
"BOB FORD"
Then they went to the Marshars office
TO give themselves up. A policeman
told them that the Marshal had gone out
on the hill, where a man had been shot.
"Well, we are the ones who killed
him, said Bob.
''Is that SOP" replied the Marshal
"Who was the MANI"
"An outlaw and horse thief" an
sYered Bob"
This was all they said, and the police
man went back with them to Jesse's
house. The party waited on the out
side, and the Marshal came out. He had
no idea who the dead man was, as Mrs.
James had told him her husbands name
was Howard The Ford boys then in
formed the Marshal that they had killed
Jesse James. and the official was dumb
founded. The boys told him where to
find Jesse's firearms, and he went in
and got them. There were two
rings marked "Jesse," and a scarf pin
marked u. w. j." The boys were then
taken to the police office, and from there
to the COrOner's jury, when they were
held for murder. They were in jail two
weeks before the trial came off During
this time they communicated with Tim
beIlake and Craig, and were given to
understand that they would soon get off.
The trial lasted about an hour, and the
boys were found guilty and sentenced to
be hung on May IS That day the pardon
came and they were released.
AS the boys finished a letter was hand.
ed to Bob. 1t was from a young man
living on Fourth street, who wanted the
autographs of the boys for his collection.
"ThiDk III have to oblige him, "said Bob.