The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-26


Kansas, and in her earlier Womanhood
she was intimately associated with
many of the leading characters in that
drama of war. Indeed hers was TO-
mantle maidenhood, vet in her later
life she tried to put back the memory
of that time and in her declining days
there was always hesltancy in speak
ing of the past or to discuss her hus-
bands exploits She was thoroughly
domestic. and never left her home UNI
less it was absolutely necessary, and
she devoted herself solely to the care
and education OF her children. Her
solicitude for the welfare of her son
jesse dominated her household, and
she was never at ease unless he was
with hey. She lived in constant fear
| that young Jesse would fall into evil
| associations.
Before her marriage Mrs. James was
Zerelda Mimms. She was born in Ken
! lucky of old revolutionary stock. She
passed her childhood days in the Blue
Grass state, moving to Clay county as
| she blossomed into womanhood. She
was a quiet unassuming girl, with
loving nature, beauty and refinement.
! - VI lis tile wax t>Idy guilty anu llllo
| vicinity We're the scene Of much blood
shed, and it was amid these stirring
times that she became attached to
| Jesse James, the most daring of the
| border Quantrells. All during these
wild war times their courtship was car
ried on, the famous bandit often risk
ing his life to see her for o few hours
Their WoOing was a most romantic one.
Even at the time the authorities were
making every effort to capture him,
dead or alive, and men who professed
to be his friends would have slain him,
to secure the large reward placed upon
the heads of Jesse and Frank James,
had they had the opportunity. Once,
while the future Mrs. James was in
Kansas CITY James rode into town to
see her His presence was discovered,
and posse was hastily organized, and
had it not been for a man who Is now
one of Kansas City's most prominent
citizens Bob Ford would never have
had the opportunity Of killing the ban
dit. Jesse had left his bride-to-be and
was riding south OF the city.
He passed man in the road and
turned east toward the Blue. Although
Jesse was not aware of the fact, he had
been recognized Hardly a minute
later a band of men with shot guns
drew rain and incurred if a man on
horseback had passes.
Yes" was the reply "he just passed
over the hill" and the party galloped
on over the Brush creek hills and the
much sought outlaw rode on in safety
Shortly after the war Mrs. James nursed
him through sick spell, after he had
been badly wounded, and after that al
though they were first cousins, they de-
cided to be married. Her mother, who
was living at the time, strongly object
ed, and also their uncle, the Rev. will
liam James. But she refused to be dis
suaded and insisted that Jesse was not |
as bad as he was pictured SO on
April a. 1874 they went to Kearney a
little town on the Hannibal and st. |
Joseph, twenty-three miles northeast of |
Kansas City. and were married by the |
Rev. William James. After their mar |
f-iage they returned to Kansas City, |
Then they moved to Nashville, Tenn, \
and in June of 1881, rented a house on I
Woodland, between Thirteenth and |
Fourteenth streets, in Kansas City,
white frame building on the west side |
They went under the name of Jackson |
After four months they moved to
East Ninth street, between Woodland
and Michigan. A month later they
move to 1.o17 Troost. and in November
went by wagon to st. Joseph, living at
1918 Lafayette, where Jesse was killed.
In ST. Joseph he was known by the
name OF Howard
On April g. 1882, Jesse James, while
busting a picture, was shot in the back
and killed by Bob Ford Mrs. James
was in the kitchen at the time. and
when she rushed into the front room,
Jesse was lying on the floor in q pool
Of blood. He tried to speak but could
not and soon died in his wife's arms.
She was greatly affected by the trag- |
ady, accounts of which filed the papers
If the entire country, but she bore her
great sorrow without a breakdown until
he body of her dead husban was ready
o be lowered into the grave. Then she
gave way and with agoniz-
ng cries fell across the coffin and called
or the wrath of God against those who
lad killed her husband
Nltci the uedlH OF Jesse James the |
widow moved to Kansas City. She was |
without money and was obliged to sell
Ter furniture and other personal prop
'rty. Everything that could be disposed |
Il was sold and she started out in her
onely life with nothing but pluck and |
mercy She took in sewing, and |
worked in the households of others.
arning enough to clothe and feed her
amlly. 1t was her determination \
through all these trying years to rear
Ter children to be honest and respecta-
lie, and that no faint of the heritage |
eft them by their father should cling
o them She was a member of the
Methodist church.
Young Jesse had little opportunity
or schooling, and was only eleven
ears OF age when he started out to
nake living for himself and those de-
endent upon him. He was a delicate
oy, but he had inherited the persever-
nee and energy of his mother. and | 4
rom the first moment that he began to |
arm money he gave it to his mother 4
nd during all the years that followed
e supported her and his sister, giving
he latter an education that he had |
cen denied. He was Industrious and
onest and made friends rapidly, and