Not Frank & Jesse; An RPPC (Real Place Post Card) published by AZUSA Post Card Co. Original Photo in the collection of the Denver Public Library.
Card from the authors collection.
Correct Photos of Frank and Jesse James from the authors collection
While writing my first book on Jesse James, "A Fiendish Crime" I went in search some verifiable photos and artwork for my book. I searched Ebay and found a grouping of several post cards published by AZUSA postcard company. The grouping of cards memorialized the James gang infamous great Northfield Minnesota bank robbery which occurred on September 7, 1876. The grouping was comprised of eight post cards (see photos below) that covered members of the gang and the posse who captured some of the outlaws, with the exception of Frank and Jesse James. The James brothers escaped and blazed a trail through Minnesota and Iowa during their flight back into Missouri. During my research, I ran into a photo, (which is posted at the top this article.) It was on the website of the Denver Public Library and was said to be in their collection. I immediately inquired about the photo of Frank & Jesse James on their website and its provenance. A photo of two men sitting together with pistols drawn, which appeared to be a tintype.
I received a prompt email response from Kellen Cutsforth, who is currently the executive director of the Western Writers Association, he told me:
"So we do not have any provenance for this particular photo. It was acquired long before any of our current staff came on board. When it was acquired, the staff did not sign any agreements nor retain any receipts detailing whether it was purchased or a donation."
This photo is but one of many photos that have surfaced over the years that have purported to be Jesse James. But what was unique about this photo was that it was part of a published set, alongside other photos which were confirmed to be members of the James - Younger gang who were involved in the Great Northfield Minnesota Raid in 1876. There were however, also some inconsistencies with the descriptions of other parties involved.
Top card labeled (more likely mislabeled) Oscar Suborn, probably Asle (Axle) Sorbel.
Bottom Photo: Posse who captured the Youngers (unverified).
"Two weeks after the James–Younger Gang raided Northfield, the gang appeared at the farm of Ole Sorbel on Lake Linden near Hanska. Ole spoke to the men briefly and his wife, Guri, provided the men with bread and butter for breakfast. The gang told the family that they were hunting in the area, but 17-year-old Asle Sorbel didn’t believe them. He had a hunch they were the Northfield robbers that authorities had been chasing around the area for weeks."
Well known photos of the Younger gang, Bill Chadwell and Clell Miller (Top Left)
Cole Younger (Top right), Bob Younger (Right Center), Jim Younger (Bottom Left)
Charlie Pitz (Bottom left).All photos from the authors collection.
Photographic Evidence
Every photograph and caption must be assessed and evaluated just as you would textual documents in your genealogical research. These tips will help to classify and date the images you locate to determine if the pictured subject is appropriate to the date, place, and context observed in the photograph. As researchers, we must always do our own evaluation, seek out original records, weigh the evidence, and come to our own conclusions.
-Library of Congress
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