Central States Lawman and Outlaws Historic Assoc.
In the late 1800s - and early 1900s The River of humanity flowing west, was both wide and deep. Caught in the current of manifest destiny, were settlers, soldiers, business interests, and Outlaws. It was a perfect whirlwind of the Wild west.
G.C. Stevens
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."
Photo was noted as a false photo in the book "The Many Faces of Jesse James" By Phillip W. Steele and Artist George Warfel Published in 1995 by Pelican Publishing Co .
*Note
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.
Photo collecting is like another form of archaeology, in that some photos have their own type of cuneiform etched into them by the Photographic Artists who created them. If we are lucky, some of these artifacts have the names of the subjects in the photo written on the back. If we're really lucky, additional information could also appears on the back of the photo if another person, such as a relative took some due diligence to record more data on the photo. Though in most cases the antique photos are as blank as the face of the sphinx in Egypt, and all we are left with is the faces of the person(s), who sat for the picture. But luckily many cabinet cards bare the names, logos and artworks of the photographers and the companies who employed them embossed on the front of each photo, and many of them are from the early days of the frontier (1860's-1890s) Photographers. Author, Carl Mautz, captured the names and the essence of the frontier "Shadow Catchers" in his book, "Biographies of Western Photographers". One of the Photographers listed was Charles M. Flanders, who was active in Corydon Iowa from 1889-1892. This towns name conjures up images of outlaws because eighteen years prior in 1871, the famed outlaw Jesse James had robbed the Ocobock Bank in Corydon, as I looked at the pictures, I wonder if any of the people in the in the photos below were old enough to remember when that happened? But alas... We may never know.
CM Flanders:
Name appears in the book "Biographies of Western Photographer", by Carl Mautz (Pg# 225)
Flanders, Charles M.
Flanders had a studio in Glenwood, Mills County, in the 1890s. NSA reports a single view seen of a group of women posed by piano in studio. Burgess lists Humeston (1887–1892), Corydon (1889–1892), and Glenwood (1895–1897)
The Nebraska photo: Signed "Jesse James" From the author collection
On December 7, 1869, Frank and Jesse James robbed the bank in Gallatin, Missouri. The target was the Daviess County Savings Association, a modest one‑story bank on the southwest corner of the town’s business square. The robbery began shortly after twelve noon in dense winter fog, which enveloped the small town of about 1,000 people Inside the bank were the cashier, Capt. John W. Sheets, and a lawyer, William McDowell. One of the robbers, possibly Jesse—asked to have a $100 bill changed. As the cashier wrote a receipt, the robber drew his revolver and fired two shots: one into the cashier’s chest and another into his forehead, McDowell, fleeing through the doorway, was shot. Jesse James grabbed a portfolio of bank paper and escaped outside. He and Frank rode away, pursued by a posse, but they escaped. Taken the transcripts the Liberty Tribune newspaper dated: June 24th, 1870, tells the harrowing tale of what occurred that day and about a letter written by Jesse James.
G.C. Stevens
Monument in front of the Court house that tells the story of the Trial of Frank James on the charges stemming from both the Gallatin bank robbery ang the train robbery in Winston Missoui on July 15th 1881 Photo by the author
The Gallatin courthouse photo by the author
The train depot at Winston Missouri photo by the author
From the Kansas City Times.
More of the Shooting at Gallatin.
A LETTER FROM JESSE W. JAMES.
It will be remembered that on the 7th of December, 1869, the cashier of a bank at Gallatin, Missouri, was shot and instantly killed by some unknown parties. This cashier was named J. W. Sheets, and he was well known throughout that portion of Missouri. A horse belonging to the men who did the shooting, was captured in the town, and this horse was identified as one that had belonged to the two James' brothers, of Clay county—Jesse and Frank. Straightway it was declared that these two young men done the killing, and a great hue and cry were raised against them. The citizens of Gallatin offered a large reward for their apprehension; the Governor of Missouri added an additional sum to this one, and militia were ordered to be made ready to hunt down the brothers.
They were come upon at their home in Clay county, by a squad of men headed by the Sheriff and his deputy. A fight ensued, the Sheriff's horse was killed, the two James brothers escaped untouched, and from that day to this they have not been heard from.
Yesterday, however, we received the following letter from Jesse W. James, the eldest brother. It had neither postoffice mark nor was it dated upon any day, but had evidently been enclosed to us by some one else. It is addressed to Governor McClurg, and is as follows:
June, 1870.Governor McClurg:DEAR SIR: I and my brother Frank are charged with the crime of killing the cashier and robbing the bank at Gallatin, Mo., Dec. 7th, 1869. I can prove, by some of the best men in Missouri, where I was the day of the robbery and the day previous to it, but I well know if I was to submit to an arrest, that I would be mobbed and hanged without a trial. The past is sufficient to show that bushwhackers have been arrested in Missouri since the war, charged with bank robbery, and they most all have been mobbed without trials. I will cite you to the case of Thomas Little, of Lafayette county, Mo. A few days after the bank was robbed at Richmond, in 1867, Mr. Little was arrested in St. Louis, charged with being one of the party who perpetrated the deed. He was sent from St. Louis to Warrensburg under a heavy guard. As soon as the parties arrived there, they found out that he (Mr. Little) could prove, by the citizens of Dover, that he was innocent of the charge—as soon as these scoundrels found out that he was innocent—a mob was raised, broke in the jail, took him out and hanged him.
Governor, when I think I can get a fair trial, I will surrender myself to the civil authorities of Missouri. But I never will surrender to be mobbed by a set of blood-thirsty poltroons. It is true that during the war I was a Confederate soldier, and fought under the black flag, but since then I have lived a peaceable citizen, and obeyed the laws of the United States to the best of my knowledge. The authorities of Gallatin say the reason that led them to suspect me, was that the mare left at Gallatin, by the robbers, was identified as belonging to me. That is false. I can prove that I sold the mare previous to the robbery. It is true that I fought Deputy Sheriff Thomason, of Clay county, but was not my brother with me when we had the fight. I do not think that I violated the law when I fought Thomason as his posse refused to tell me who they were.
Three different statements have been published in reference to the fight that I had with Thomason, but they are all a pack of falsehoods. Deputy Sheriff Thomason has never yet given any report of the fight, that I have seen. I am personally acquainted with Oscar Thomason, the Deputy's son, but when the shooting began, his face was so muffled up with furs that I did not recognize him. But if I did violate the law when I fought Thomason I am perfectly willing to abide by it.
But as to them mobbing me for a crime that I am innocent of, that is played out. As soon as I think I can get a Just trial I will surrender myself to the civil authorities of Missouri, and prove to the world that I am innocent of the crime charged against me.
On May 09th, 2026, a group of metal detector enthusiasts converged on the site of the Jesse James 1873 train robbery in Adair Iowa. The train robbery site which is located along the famed "white Pole Road" is a very significant historic location because it marks the spot of the first train robbery in the American west, an event that would send shockwaves across the nation. This robbery also solidified the reputation of Jesse James as a controversial post-civil war figure, and feared outlaw whose escapades would lead to many large scale man-hunts to try to arrest the outlaw and his gang. The location is also important to railroad history because the Rock Island and Pacific railroad line that ran through here would pave the way west and the rails would contribute to the growth of small towns along the tracks leading to Omaha Nebraska.
The event was coordinated by historian, author and blogger Gene Stevens. The objective was to locate and recover any possible artifacts at the site to be given to local museums. Approximately thirty people from the Iowa Metal Detecting Groupattended the event and assisted with the expedition. Many items were recovered that revealed the rich railroading history of Iowa in this region. Of particular interest was the presence of narrow gage railroad track and smaller railroad spikes which indicated the presence of a possible connected narrow gauge rail operation or spur in this location.
Many thanks to all the great people who came out to help! Photo courtesy of Sandy Riley, Adair News.
Frank James and Jesse James photos from the authors collection
Flyer courtesy of the Adair County Conversation Board
Flyer courtesy of the Adair County Conservation Board
Part of the initial of items included the expected roadway and construction debris, but in the debris was found many significant railroad related items.
An American Style engine of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Photo courtesy of Black Hawk Railway Historic Society
Railroad items recovered, railroad spikes, track bolts, track plates and one track rail anchor
Historian Gene Stevens showing a railroad track bolt that was recovered from the site.
Of particular interest was the large pin at the top of this photo. The pin is part of a "link and pin coupler" which dates between 1873 and 1900. The link and pin was the coupler of the day. Photo by the author
"Historically, the Brakeman held the most dangerous job on the train. They had to walk atop moving cars and manually apply the brakes. The brakeman was also in charge of coupling the cars. He stood between the cars while holding the link in position to slide into the receiver of the car being coupled as it was pushed by an engine. The brakeman held the link in one hand an a second pin in the other while the next car is pushed into position. At exactly the right moment, he must let go of the link and insert the second pin into the pocket of the oncoming car. Early cars had no means of cushioning the impact so if the brakeman's timing was off, he could lose fingers, a hand, or even be crushed completely between the two cars. Links were kept short to reduce slack."
ref Tools from Our Collection: The Link and Pin Coupler
Article Contributed by Patrick Meguiar of Portland Tennessee.
The article appeared in the Kansas City
Star April 6, 1888. Photo provided by Michelle Pollard
"The Guerilla photo was taken at Platte City Missouri on July 10th, 1864."
-Milt Perry
The pursuit of history is an ongoing, unending endeavor and the 21st century has become fertile ground for both the revisionists and the truth seekers. Social media is filled with the ruminations, investigations and epiphanies of emerging evidence. No where is this truer than in the story of the famed outlaw Jesse James. The young man in the picture above could have been easily forgotten to history. But his reputation and the civil war in Missouri could not be easily dismissed. The very nature of the war in the Trans-Mississippi, exemplified the nature of the war being epitome of a brutal personal war fought amongst families and neighbors. The end result of this was a long and bitter process of reconciliation in Missouri. It also spawned Jesse James and his brother Frank as outlaws who continued to fight the war between the states for many years afterwards, in retaliation for what they saw as a grave injustice that had been committed against their community and family. However, after Jesse was killed in St. Joseph Missouri and his brother Frank settled back into his life and his own family, Jesses story would become a legend not only in Missouri but around the world. Adding to the conversation was (and is) the many photographs that have appeared and have been said to be Jesse James. The most famous and widely accepted photo of Jesse James is the guerilla, or "Partisan ranger" photo. This photo is a very important aspect of the Jesse James story, but little is actually known about it, and the story is not complete without understanding meaning and use of these photos. There are, however, pioneers and historic detectives who took up the mission of revealing the truth behind each story that concerned Jesse James. One of those pioneers was Historian Milt Perry.
Enter Milt Perry
The article posted here (above) was written by Milton "Milt" F. Perry (1926–1991). Milt was a noted historian and the curator for Clay County, Missouri, historic sites, including the Jesse James Farm and Museum. He was instrumental in developing the site after the county purchased it in 1978 and designed the museum. Perry served as the Superintendent of Historical Sites for Clay County, where he managed and developed local historic landmarks. His work was crucial in managing the James farmstead after the county acquired it in March 1978, helping to develop it into a legitimate tourist attraction. According to online resources, before working for Clay County, Perry was a curator at the West Point Museum and served as the first curator of the Truman Library until 1976. He was described as a key figure in managing the public perception and historical accuracy of the Jesse James story for the county.
The article
According to Bryan Ivlow who is the Current President of "Friends Of The James Farm," thought that the article was probably featured in the Plattsburg Missouri Newspaper which has since been taken over by the "Clinton County Leader." More information is pending this part of the story. In the article Milt points out some interesting facts about the photo and does a true investigative assessment and brings forth some additional points about the photo which add considerable common-sense information.
"The picture has given rise to the legend that Jesse James was left- handed. Actually, it was and "ambrotype," a photo on glass, that is a reversed mirror image. Ambrotype glass plates were exposed in the camera, developed and displayed in little cases with black velvet. As they are the original plate, all images are backwards. The boy dressed carefully for the picture. His hair was neatly combed, hate creases smoothed and the brim pinned up, the left sleeve of his shirt was tucked up near the shoulder by the photographer. James wore a clean shirt and a tie, both probably taken from Lawson Holmes dry goods store, as guerillas who lived in the "brush" had little use for such clothing. The identity of the photographer is unknown, as none appears in any of the Platte City records available at the time. The original photograph was seen at the James Farm in 1881 by a writer and an engraving was made of it for John N. Edwards book Noted Guerillas, published in 1877. In 1882, after James death, his widow had the picture copied, and small "carte-de-visite" prints were made at Ragans Photographic Rooms in Kansas City were widely sold.
-Milt Perry
Perry Goes onto explain that guerilla photo had been reprinted hundreds of times in hundreds of books, and he mentioned that the London Daily Telegraph had featured an 8x10 inch copy of the guerilla photo in the travel section of their Sunday edition. According to historian Michelle Pollard, the the London Daily Telegraph article was run on 13 February 1988.
Milt then tells us the rest of the story:
"James had been a guerilla less than a month, and probably had his photograph taken of himself in his new uniform, for his mother, as have hundreds of soldiers all over the world. The original glass ambrotype disappeared years ago"
Jesse James from John Newmans book "Noted Guerillas"
The Itinerate Photographer
So the reality is that only one unknow witness saw the guerilla photo, and engraving was completed. The rest is a bit mystery. However, with that said, another idea to contemplate, is who and how the image was created. In an article written by the author (also found on the blog) which involved the investigation into the "Cantey Myers" collection gives some basic and common-sense clues, add to this an article. And that information addresses the Itinerate (traveling) photographers of the day,
"From the latter half of the 19th century until nearly the middle of the 20th, one of the easiest ways for the average American to obtain a portrait photograph was by approaching a booth such as the one above or giving their pennies to an itinerant or street photographer. The process, from posing for the camera to a finish ed portrait in hand, such as the one at right, required only a matter of minutes. And it was indeed, cheap, costing only a few cents for a likeness of oneself – or perhaps a child or sweetheart."
-Anything to Get the Shot: Itinerant Photographers
The photo was very likely taken by an Itinerate traveling photographer. These traveling photographers have been well documented;
"The soldiers’ portraits served a similar function of replicating place for the families at home. Soldiers arrived in their uniforms, and props were displayed to signify the soldiers’ role in the army. Some posed with instruments, canteens, or, as in this photo, their weapons. Painted backdrops, like the one of an army camp behind the unidentified soldier, were sometimes included to make the image appear more “realistic.” Otherwise, there was rarely any indication on the image of who the soldier was, where he fought, or even who the photographer was. The personal nature of these portraits did not require such identification, as they were soon sent home to the soldier’s family. The stylized composition of soldiers’ portraits recreated the camp life of a soldier in a romanticized way. The soldiers appeared strong and dignified, and provided a sense of comfort for families at home. Any emotions expressed through soldiers’ letters were masked in these portraits, and provided families with a felt connection to the men in the fields"
In 1873, Jesse James and his gang robbed the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Train at Adair Iowa. This was the first train robbery west of the Mississippi River, and a historic moment that launched the fame of Frank and Jesse James. Two local historians, Author Gene Stevens and historian Dennie Anderson who are both from Iowa, set out to investigate the site further and discovered that railroad track and other possible artifacts might still be located at the historic site. We approached the county board and told them the story and set the goal of recovering the historic pieces of track and sharing them with other historic organizations and museums. The county board gave us the green light to proceed. But funding will be needed for logistics such as insurance, excavation equipment and transportation of the track to the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad Museum, who will help us to process the track and other artifacts that may be located there.
It was a pleasure talking to Matthew from Dusty Trails and Tall Tales!
Take a listen as we talk about civil war reenacting, the Black Hawk War of 1832, the frontier, Jesse James, old photos, legends, Tombstone AZ and the darker side of the frontier!!
*Note The incident I mentioned about the shooting of a local Mayor occurred in Maxwell Iowa not Cambridge. The towns are in the same vicinity but I mentioned the wrong place.
Patrick Meguiar: Tells us of an incident where a detective encounters Jesse James, this incident is talked about in Ted Yeatman's book on Jesse James.
The Story of Yankee Bligh: Delos Thurman Bligh, better known as "Yankee Bligh" was born in Franklin, New York on March 19th, 1823. Bligh worked as a laborer, and bricklayer, but eventually became a night watchman. During the Mexican war he served with the Louisville Legion and was wounded in service with Zachary Taylor's army in northern Mexico. He returned to Louisville and by 1858 was a member of the cities "day watch" a forerunner of the Louisville Police force. When a formal police force was established in 1861, Bligh became one of its first members.
Bligh specialized in investigating con artists and forgers and bagged a number of these criminals during his early years on the police force. Bligh had his first encounter with Missouri outlaws in 1868 in the Russellville bank robbery and was responsible for the capture of outlaw George Shepherd. In 1870 Bligh was made Chief of Detectives in Louisville and established a reputation after arresting J.M. McDonald for three-million-dollar forgery. On August 31st of the same year. Jesse James wife Zee had given birth to Jesse Edward James. Jesse, Zee and the baby moved in November, and they relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. It was probably during this move that Bligh came into contact with a bearded man at the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad depot at fourteenth and Main in Louisville. In one account the stranger recognized Bligh, and the stranger claimed to be a tombstone salesman and asked Bligh if he was still pursuing the James brothers? Bligh replied that "yes he was indeed." a few days later, Bligh received a post card from Indianapolis or Baltimore (different versions cite different cities) signed by Jesse James and expressing regret at not having revealed his identity at the depot. -Ted Yeatman Frank and Jesse James
Patrick Meguiar on the Bligh / James incident:
To prove my point that there is evidence in plain view that Jesse Woodson James used pictures of other men to conceal his true identity is found in Ted P. Yeatman's book. Ted P. Yeatman in his book on page 161, Frank James And Jesse James The Story Behind The Legend cites a story that took place in a Louisville Depot. Yeatman states that Delos T. "Yankee" Bligh, a Louisville Police Detective was approached by a man claiming to be a tombstone salesman who by one account recognized Detective Bligh asked Bligh if he was "still after the James brothers". Bligh said indeed he was in their pursuit. Days later, Bligh received a postcard stating that Bligh had said he would be ready to die whenever he saw Jesse James and Jesse wrote in that postcard you can go ahead and die because you saw Jesse James, the man who claimed to be a tombstone salesman at the Depot in Louisville.
Why didn't Bligh recognize Jesse Woodson James when he was approached by him? Is it possible that Bligh had seen pictures that he was told that were of Jesse James that made him believe Jesse James looked different than the man he spoke with at the Depot? Bligh was a Louisville, Kentucky Police Detective who was hired by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency to capture or kill Jesse Woodson James should have known exactly how Jesse Woodson James looked if he had seen a real picture of Jesse Woodson James, but he obviously failed to recognize him at a Louisville, Kentucky Depot!
The greater question is why was Jesse James so confident that Bligh would not recognize him? Jesse James clearly wanted to approach Bligh to taunt him for sure, but he clearly didn't disguise himself that would have called attention to himself in the presence of a Police Detective like Delos T. Bligh. There is obviously a reason why Jesse Woodson James would not be recognized and it goes much further than his using alias names to conceal his true identity! He obviously used pictures of other men to conceal his identity as well!
If that isn't proof enough that Jesse Woodson James used pictures of other men to conceal his true identity just as he did by using alias names to satisfy the majority of people, GOD forbid that anyone not convinced ever be on a jury!
Patrick Meguiar is a well known antiquarian and collector from Portland Tennessee. Patrick is the keeper of his families photographic collection which consists of hundreds of photos that date from 1855 - 1920's. The photo consists of multiple formats including Daguerreotype's, ambrotype's and modern film formats
I have several boxes, I have my 4th great grandfather's daguerrotype. Ambrotypes of my 3rd great grandfather Meguiar and his 2nd wife. The ambrotype of Jesse Woodson James. Tintypes of my great-grandparents and several uncles and aunts. I have CDV's and cabinet cards. I have given some of them away, but I have hundreds of them still. -Patrick Meguiar
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