The Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1882-1883, 1882-04-07
Jesse James.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Alhrcu o.-ucsse
James, the outlaw, whose namo has
been a terror throughout this section
for many years, is dead. His death
is not 20 much surprise ~ would
have been tho report of bis capture,
for nobody who know1 anything o!
the man or bis record ever thought
10 would be taken alive. The man.
ner of his taking of, 90 gathered
from conversations with the officera
aud those conversapt with the facts
ia about az follows: Jesse James
came to ST. Joseph some time last
fall, and made Lis home here with
his wife and two children, aged I
and 4. 1t seems in pursuance to n
plot made by Robert md Charles
Ford, two yorny men whose home liz
in Ray county, No, and who have
been members Of tho James Gang.
Charles has been living with Jesse
ever since last November. Three or
fonr days ago r ebert slso came to
The house, aud the thrce havo baen
planning ,aid which they were to
make tonight. Robert Ford 10 the
man who has figured in ell the train
robberies, but who has only been
known as mysterious Bob No
body seemed to know WHO no was.
On February 22nd, Gov. Critten-
den went to Kansas City ostensibly
to attend the Craig Rifles ball, but
his visit had greater import. On
the midnight OF the %, 10 made an
appointment with Mysterious Bob. a
young man Of twenty-five or therea-
bout to meet him ut room II OF the
o.. James Hotel. Al nine O'clock
tho next morning Bob was on hand
and then and there agreed to deliver
Jesse James dead or alive if given
free scope. Bob himself was train
robbcr, but desperate remedy was
necessary for q desperate disease
and Bob was employed. Ever since
that dale ho has been in and around
Clay and Ray counties keeping n
sharp lookout. A few days ago Bob
received visit from jesse James
and notocr companion at q farmers
house in Clay county and started
away with him riding behind one OF
tho party, bu! making an excuse he
slipped back to the housc for mo-.
ment and charged his hos', q former
friend Ct the James, bat who, par
ceiving tho game was closing in, had
turned against them, to deliver n
message to Capt Craig and Sheriff
Timbcrlake tia. he would within ten
days either bring in Jcase James, Kill
him, or be killed in tho attempt. The
message WAS duly delivered to The
officers. Robert having bOen with
the great outlaw knowing him well,
evidently knew the difficulties alton
ding the job be had undertaken. lie
waited and tried until he concluded
that it was an absolute impossibility
to take him alive. 90 he decided on
the other thing. Accordingly
this forenoon about ton o'clock, he
was sitting in the front room OF the
house in conversation with tho rob-
Der chief. IIis brother Charles was
not in the room, but according to
one account was keeping Mrs. James
in the back part of tho house, that
she might not witness the death CT
her husband.
The great bandit, oil unconcious
Of his impending fate, laid his coat
to ono side and taking of his pistol
belt containing his pair Of revo!vers,
laid It TO ono side preparatory to
washing himself. This was The OPP
portunity Ford had been waiting for
for months. Quick rs a fish, he
jumped to bis feet, and pulling and
cooking his navy six. at the came in
sian. sent bullc: crashing through
Jesse James brain. He wss stand
ing only about an arms length from
bis man in tho rear, and the bali
striking at the base OF tho brain, n
little 10 tho right, ranged upward
and camo out just ovor tho right
eye.
Tho news spread like wild Ere, ard
it seemed tie entire population Of tho |
city locked to the scene.