The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-04-06

the Inquest
Mrs. sAmueIs Curses Dick Little for His
Treachery.
Murder in the First Degree
Against Ford.
Personal characteristics OF the Noted
Outlaws.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, April "a great
sensation was created here this morning
by the announcement that Jesse James
had been shot and killed here in St Joe
The news spread with great rapidity,
but most people received it with doubts
until investigation established the fact
beyond question. Then the excitement
became more and more intense, and
crowds of people rushed 10 that quarter
of the city TO view the body of the dead
outlaw and learn the particulars.
In small frame shanty in the south
eastern part of the city, on the hill not
far from the Worlds Hotel, Jesse James
has lived with his wife since some time
in November last. Robert and Charles
Ford, two of his gang, have also made
their headquarters with him at this
house. Charles, it is said, has lived with
him in that shanty ever since November.
Robert arrived about ten days ago, and
the three have been making preparations
for raiding expedition, on which they
were to start tonight. James and the
two Fords being in the front room
together about 8 this morning, the
former took off his belt and laid his pls
tolls on the bed, preparing to wash him.
self, when Robert Ford sprang up be.
hind him and
SENT BULLET THROUGH HIS BRAIN.
The ball entered the back of his head
at the base of the right brain, coming
out over the eye.
The Ford brothers at once made
known what had been done, and gave
themselves up. They are now under
guard at the court house. The body OF
Jesse James was conveyed to an under
takers, where it was prepared for buria
and where a photograph was taken
James wife has telegraphed his mother
the news of his death. A number o.
men have identified the body, and there
is no question about it being Jesse
James.
A Heard Reporter viewed the body
at the undertaker's when it was being
photographed. He was fine looking
man, apparently forty years old, with {
broad forehead, and his physiognomy
was that of an intelligent as well as q
resolute and daring man. The house
where James lived, and in which he wa:
killed
HAS THE APPEARANCE OF AN ARAIORY
A number of guns and pistols, including
q repeating rifle, a needle gun, navy re
volvers, with good store of ammuni
ton, were found there. Jesse was in
the habit of wearing two belts with {
brace of very fine rcvolvers and twenty
five extra cartridges.
In a small stable near by were discov.
cred several fine horses, The property OF
James.
The Ford brothers
CLAIM THAT THEY ARE DETECTIVES,
and that they have been on James track
for long time. 1t is believed that they
were with James in the Blue Cut rob
berry, and that they were influenced il
killing him by the hope of getting the
big reward which has been offered fol-
James, dead or alive, by the governor
and by the express and railroad com
panies.
THE NEWS AT KANSAS CITY.
KANSAS CITY, April 3.-The news Of
the killing of Jesse James has created
an immense excitement in this city
though the report is treated with incred
ulity, and even at this late hour many
unbelievers can be found. AS soon as
the news was received here this after
noon Commissioner Craig left for St
Joe with heavily armed posse of men
to guard the body of Jesse James and
protect Ford, the man who killed him.
At the police station it was learned
that Bob Ford, young mau who has
been hanging about the station for sew
eral weeks past, was the person who
shot and killed Jesse James. Ford left
the city about week since, and Joined
James in the vicinity Of St. Joe, remain
ing with him until an opportunity TO
kill him was found.
From the police it is learned tina;
Ford, who is said to be a member of the
gang, was under the control of Craig
and has been used as an instrument for
James destruction. Ford IS a young
man about twenty-five years old, and
looked like verdant youth from the
country in appearance. He is a mere
boy and. IS the last person in the worlC
to be taken for the slayer of the famou:
outlaw.
DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo, April 3-Between
and 8 O'Clock this morning Jesse
James, the Missouri outlaw, before
whom the deedsof Fra Diavolo and
Dick Turpin dwindle into insig
nif1cance, was killed by a boy
90 years old, named Robert Ford, at his
temporary residence, on the corner o
Thirteenth and Lafayette streets in thi:
city. In the light of all moral reason
ing, the shooting was unjustitiable, but
10. nnf
reward offered by the state for the body
of the brigand dead or alive, will doubt
less go to the man who had the courage
to draw a revolver on the notorious out
law, when his back was turned, as in hi:
case there is little doubt that the killing
was the result of premeditated plar
formed by Robert and Chas. Ford severa
months ago. Charles had been q com
rade of Jesse James since the Sd o.
last November and entirely possessed
his confidence. Robert Ford, his brother
joined Jesse near Mrs. Samuels' house
mother of the James boys, last Friday
week ago, and accompanied Jesse
and Charles TO this city, Sunday, March
Esd. Jesse has wife and two children
who removed from Kansas City, where
they had lived severel months unit
they feared their whereabouts would BIZ
suspected, in a wagon to this city, ar
irving here November l, 1881, accom-
panied by Chas. Ford, and rented g
house on the corner of Lafayette and
Twenty-first streets where they secured
the house No. 1918 on Lafayette street
formerly the property of Councilman Ay
lesberg, paying $14 a month for it and
giving the name of Thos. Howard. The
house is one story cottage painted
white, with green shutters, and is
DRAMATICALLY SITUATED
on the brow of lofty eminence east OF
the city, commanding fine view of the
principal portion of the city, the river
and railroads. and adapted as by nature,
for the perilous and desperate calling
of Jesse James. Just cast of the house
is deep gulch-like ravine and beyond
that is broad expanse of open
country skirted by a belt OF timber.
The house, except from the west side,
can be seen for several miles. There is
large yard attached to the cottage, and
a stable where Jesse had been keeping
two horses, which were found there this
morning.
Charles and Robert Ford have been
occupying one of the rooms in the rear
of the dwelling, and have
SECRETLY HAD AN UNDERSTANDING
to kill Jesse ever since last fall. A
short time ago. before Robert had Joined
James, the latter proposed TO rob the
bank at Platte City. He said the Bur
CESS murder trial would commence
there today, and his plan was that if
they could get another companion TO
take view of the Platte City bank, and
while the arguments were being heard
in the murder case, which would natur-
ally engage the attention of the citizens,
boldly execute one of their favorite
raids. Charley Ford approved of
the plan and suggested his
brother Robert as companion
worthy of sharing in the enterprise
with them. Jesse had met the boy
at the latteF's house, near Richmond,
three years ago, and consented to see
him. The two men accordingly went
to where Robert was and arranged to