Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-04-20
Jesse JAMES.
The Notorious Outlaw and Bandit
Killed at st. Joseph, Mo.

. and 9 o'clock this mornin0 less
James, the Missouri outlaw. befor
whose record the deeds of Fra Diavolc
DICK Turpin and Shinterhannes d windl
into insignifcance, was killed by a DO,
II years old named Robt. Ford, at hi
temporary residence on Thirteenth ant
Lafayette streets, in this city. In tn,
Dght OF all moral reasoning the shoot
ing was wholly unjusti6able, but the
law is indicated, and the $4,000 re
ward offered by the state for the body
or the brigand dead or alive will doubt
less 60 to the man who had the cour.
age to draw a revolver on the notorious
oatlaw when his back was turned, as
in this case. There was little DOUBT
that the killing was the result of a
premeditated plan formed by Robert
and Charles Ford several months ago.
Charles had been an accomplice of
Jesse James since the Sd of last No
vember, and entirely possessed his con-
6dence. Robert Ford, his brother,
Joined Jesse near Mrs. Samuels (the
mother of the James boys) last Friday
week ago, and accompanied Jesse
and Charles to this city Sunday, March
%.
Jesse. his wife and two children re-
moved from Kansas City (where they
had lived several months until they
feared their whereabouts would be sus
pected) TO this city. arriving here Nov.
3, 1881. coming in u wagon and accom-
panied by Charles Ford. They rented
house on the corner Of Lafayette and
uUa VI RET az nh Baxy 49,
two months. when they secured the
house M. 1913 on Lafayette street, for
merly the property of Councilman
Aylesbury. paying ga a month for it
and giving the name of
THOMAS HOWARD.
The house is a one story cottage.
painted white, with green shutters, and
is Economically situated on the brow of
lofty eminence east of the city. COM
manding fine view of the prin ipal
portion of the city. river and railroads.
and adapted by nature for the perilOus
and desperate calling of Jesse James.
Just east of the house is deep, gulch-
like ravine. and beyond that a broad ex-
panse Of open country backed by 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 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, be-
fore Robert had joined James, the lat
ter proposed to rob the bank at Platte
City. He said the Burgess murder
trial would commence there to- day and
his plan was if they could get another
companion to take view of the situa-
ton and while the arguments were be.
ing heard in the murder case, which
would naturally engage the attention
of the citizens, boldly execute one of
his
FAVORITE RAIDS.
Charley Ford approved of the plan,
and suggested his brother Robert as a
companion worthy Of sharing the en-.
terprise with them. Jesse had met
the boy at the latter's house, near
Richmond three years ago and con
scented to see him. The two men &C.
cordiDgly went TO where Robert was
and arranged to have him accompany
them to Platte City. AS stated, all
three came to st. Joe a week ago Sun
day. They remained at the house all
the week. Jesse thought it best that
Robert should not exhibit himself on
the premises, lest the presence of three
able-bOdied men who were doing
nothing should excite suspicion.
They had fixed upon tonight to 20
to Platte City. Ever since the boys
have been with Jesse they have watch
ed for an opportunity to shoot him,
but he was always so heavily armed
that 1t was impossible to draw a weap-
on without Jesse seeing it. They de.
clare that they had no idea of taking
him alive, considering the undertaking
suicidal. The opportunity they had
long wished for came this morning.
Breakfast was over. Charley Ford
and Jesse James had been in the stable
currying the horses preparatory to their
night ride. On returning to the room
where Robert Ford was, Jesse said
ats an awfully hot day., He pulled
off his coat and vest and tossed them
on the bed. Then he said, 81 guess
Ill take of my pistols for fear somebody
will see them if 1 walk in the yard
He unbuckled the belt in which he
carried two As caliber revolvers, one a
Smith and Wesson and the other a
Colt, and laid them on the bed with
his coat and vest. He then picked up
a busting brush with the intention of
busting some pictures which hung on
the wall. To do this he got on a
chair. His back was now turned to
the brothers, who silently stepped be-
tween
JESSE AND HIS REvoLvERs.
AT motion from Charley both drew
their guns. Robert was the quickest
of the two. and in one motion he had
the long weapon to n level with his
ara NTH tho vnn11la NOT mora 49,,