The Delta independent., 1891-04-15
TIN ROBBERS ASSASSIN.
THR LATEST TRUE STORY OF
JESSE'S DEATH.
A soeap of OUTLAW History Revised Ia
tie Light Of Recent Information
Two Brave Men Foiled
by Bob Ford.

In all that has been written about the
James Boys and their associate high
waymen 1t can safely be put down that
very large portion is pure romancing
by sensational scribblers. or the
books which still remain the standard
literature in the stock of every train
boy from New York to San Francisco
there Is but IL smattering that is true,
But volume OF facts Of thrilling in
terest might be written OF the career
of these bandits that would be of great
interest.
The death of ex-Sheriff Timberlake,
last winter. was followed by clearing
the history OF the last days of Jesse
james of much misrepresentation.
Bob Ford was not ''hired" to kill jesse;
nor was he told to kill him, but merely
to locate him and either capture him
or notify Sheriff Timberlake and Capt.
H. H. Craig, police commissioner of
Kansas City where he might be found.
Capt. Craig, like Timberlake, was one
OF the bravest men who ever lived. and
it was the hope of his life during those
days to capture the bandit chief.
When Bob Ford left Tmberlake and
Craig he proceeded direct to rendez-
vous of the james gang in Clay county
and, as he expected, met Jesse James.
Accompanying the famous outlaw lead
er was Bob's brother Charley. Jesse
had planned a daring robbery / Platte
City, and ut the time Bob was hunting
him he and Charley were in search of
him to secure his cooperation in the
.1ntn Mo, nk %la
famous trial in progress at Platte City
tho Anderson murder case-and
Jesse knew that everybody not only in
the city, but in the county roundabout,
flocked to the court room. The con-
Guiding arguments in the case were set
for April 8, and Jesse rightly conjec-
tured that on that day a bigger crowd
than usual would be ut the court room
and that the bank would be left prac-
tically unprotected, or at the most with
only the cashier in charge. They de-
termined upon numbering him, and
after robbing the safe. make bold
dash and escape. Before any pursuit
could be organized they would be out
Of reach.
To more fully mature the plan for
this robbery, Jesse went to his home
ut St. Joseph and told the Ford boys to
accompany him. It seems that Jesse
mistrusted the brothers from some
marks corresponding with Captain
Craig's initials he had recently found
on one Of Bob Ford's undergarments.
He never allowed either of them out
OF his sight during the ten days of en-
forced waiting at st. Joseph. II the
FOrds went to the barn to curry and
care for their horses Jesse was sure to
accompany them. Under this constant
coveted opportunity of sending a mes
sage to either Craig, Timberlake or
the governor, as had been agreed upon,
md thus the time wearily passed until
the ninth day, when Governor Critten-
den sent o message TO Sheriff Timber
lake expressing his fear that Bob Ford
had been "put under the daisies"
Bob and Charles were not idle, how
ever. They might have shot and
killed Jesse james several times on
any of the days. but their express
orders were not to kill him, but rather
TO capture him alive or send word of
their whereabouts to Timberlake,
Craig or Crittenden. The latter they
could not do, because Of Jesse's catlike
watchfulness, and tho former they were
incapable of doing. They had both
challenged Jesse James to wrestle,
and, after throwing them singly, the
outlaw leader easily threw them both
together.
Convinced finally that they could
not capture him alive, and realizing
the hopelessuess OF getting any word
TO the authorities, Bob Ford finally
determined to kill jesse James at the
first opportunity. On Monday, April
8, 1882, the tenth day, Jesse James
was hanging picture in his house.
He got upon chair to do this, taking
OIL his pistols and placing them upon
a table by his side. 1t was the first
time in the criminal career Of the out
law leader that he was ever known to
remove his weapons from his person.
Bob Ford, who was in the room. en-
braced this opportunity and quickly
sDatching up the weapons. drew his
own revolver and fred at Jesse James
before the latter had time to fully
realize his danger. The shot was
fatal and killed the outlaw instantly.
Leaving the body Ford hurried to the
nearest telegraph Office and sent the
following dispatch to Henry Craig.
II have got him. BOB"
Capt Craig did not understand the
telegram until arrangements were
completed by which a posse started
for ST. Joseph to assist in taking the
outlaw to Kansas City.
EaroPean P.uper..