Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was a outlaw, a
gang leader, robber of banks and trains as well as a murderer from the state of
Missouri. He was the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. Jesse
was a celebrity when he was alive, and a legendary figure after his death. The
James brothers gang was most active from about 1866 until 1876, when an
attempted bank robbery resulted in the capture or deaths of several members
of the gang. On April 3,1882, Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford, below,
who was a member of the gang living in the James house. He was hoping to
collect the reward on James’ head.

Robert Ford

An engraving (above) depicting Robert Ford shooting Jesse James inside
his house in St. Joseph, Missouri. James’s wife and children are shown in
the adjoining room

The corps of Jesse James on display