The Notorious Younger Brothers: Jesse, Frank, and Their Gang of Outlaws

The Younger brothers, Jesse and Frank, were two of the most notorious outlaws in the American Old West. Along with their gang of loyal comrades, they terrorized the Midwest and beyond, robbing banks and stagecoaches and leaving a trail of chaos in their wake.

The Border Outlaws: An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Most Noted Bandits of Ancient Or Modern Times: The Younger Brothers, Jesse and Frank James, and Their Comrades In Crime

by James Buel

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2073 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	172 pages

FREE

Early Lives and Family

Jesse Woodson James was born in Clay County, Missouri, on September 5, 1847. His younger brother, Franklin James, was born on January 10, 1849. The brothers grew up on a farm with their parents and six other siblings.

Their father, Robert James, was a successful farmer and minister. Their mother, Zerelda Cole James, was a strong-willed woman who taught her children the importance of loyalty and self-reliance.

The Civil War

The American Civil War broke out in 1861, and the James family found themselves divided. Robert James supported the Union, while Zerelda and her sons sided with the Confederacy.

Jesse and Frank joined the Confederate guerrilla band led by William Quantrill. They participated in several raids and skirmishes, earning a reputation for their daring and ruthlessness.

Outlaw Career

After the war, the younger brothers were eager to resume their lives as farmers. However, they faced persecution from Union sympathizers, who accused them of war crimes.

In 1866, Jesse James killed a Union veteran in self-defense. This incident made him a target for the authorities, and he and his brother were forced to flee.

They joined forces with other former Confederate guerrillas, including Cole Younger, Bob Younger, and Clell Miller. Together, they formed a gang that became known for its daring robberies and brutal violence.

Bank and Stagecoach Robberies

The younger brothers and their gang robbed numerous banks and stagecoaches in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. Their most famous robberies include:

* The Liberty Bank Robbery (1866) * The Russellville Bank Robbery (1868) * The Northfield Bank Robbery (1876) * The Willow Springs Stagecoach Robbery (1879)

They became legendary for their ability to plan and execute complex heists, often using disguises and insider information.

The Northfield Bank Robbery

The Northfield Bank Robbery, on September 7, 1876, was a turning point in the career of the younger brothers. They attempted to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota, but they were thwarted by the townspeople, who formed a vigilante posse and engaged them in a fierce gunfight.

Frank James managed to escape, but Jesse James was shot and wounded. The gang was pursued by law enforcement and public opinion turned against them.

Downfall and Death

After the Northfield Bank Robbery, the younger brothers were hunted relentlessly. Frank James surrendered in 1882 and was sentenced to life in prison. Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang, on April 3, 1882.

The younger brothers' gang was eventually disbanded, and its members were either killed or captured.

Legacy

The younger brothers have become iconic figures in American history and popular culture. They are often portrayed as romanticized outlaws, symbols of the Wild West and the struggle for independence.

However, they were also ruthless criminals who committed numerous acts of violence and terror. Their legacy is a complex one, reflecting both their audacity and their brutality.

Comrades in Crime

The younger brothers did not operate alone. They were joined by a loyal band of comrades, including:

* Cole Younger: A skilled tactician and strategist, Cole Younger was a key figure in the gang's leadership. He was captured and sentenced to life in prison after the Northfield Bank Robbery. * Bob Younger: Bob Younger was Jesse James's cousin and a trusted member of the gang. He was also captured and sentenced to life in prison after the Northfield Bank Robbery. * Clell Miller: Clell Miller was a reckless and violent outlaw who often served as the gang's muscle. He was killed in a gunfight with law enforcement in 1874. * Arthur McCoy: Arthur McCoy was another cousin of Jesse James and a member of the gang. He was captured and sentenced to 25 years in prison after the Northfield Bank Robbery. * Charlie Pitts: Charlie Pitts was a young outlaw who joined the gang in 1879. He was killed in the Willow Springs Stagecoach Robbery.

The younger brothers and their gang of outlaws remain a source of fascination and controversy to this day. Their daring robberies and violent behavior have made them legendary figures, but they also left a trail of bloodshed and destruction. Their legacy is a reminder of the lawless and chaotic times of the American Old West.

The Border Outlaws: An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Most Noted Bandits of Ancient Or Modern Times: The Younger Brothers, Jesse and Frank James, and Their Comrades In Crime

by James Buel

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2073 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	172 pages

FREE