Follow In The Footsteps Of Jesse James

In today's article, Mark Scriven
takes us back in time...
When Jesse James and his gang
were robbing banks and trains on
regular basis.


Who said History was boring?
Definitely not us. :-)


Enjoy...


Loup Dargent


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Follow In The Footsteps Of Jesse James


Movie tourism has been growing in popularity
for decades and the USA is a prime destination as
so many global cinematic blockbusters are made there.
Movies have the power to bring characters from the past
alive again in glorious Technicolor and this rekindles
interest in the places and people.

Following the release of the `Assassination of
Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford', starring
Brad Pitt, interest in the iconic outlaw has reached
a new high. If you have a yearn to learn more about
Jesse James, after seeing the movie, and to sort out
some of the fact from the fiction that has grown around
his life and times, visit Missouri and follow in the footsteps
of this infamous gunslinger, who later died by the hand
of an associate. Most sites are located within 50 miles
of Kansas City.


Not withstanding that the movie was shot in
Alberta, Canada, James hailed from Kearney, Missouri.
His notoriety began in February 1866, when he and his
gang, which included his brother Frank, stole $60,000
from a bank in the town of Liberty.


Today the same building houses the Jesse James
Bank Museum – here you can see period furnishings, look
into the original bank vault, and read an account of that
fateful day's action. For 15 years the James gang traveled
throughout the U.S. robbing trains and banks.


At the Jesse James Farm and Museum, in Kearney,
you can visit his old home. An audio-visual presentation
recaps the exploits of Jesse James and his gang of outlaws,
and there is a large collection James family artifacts on display,
including Jesse's boots and spurs. His original burial place is
also at the farm. Near the farmhouse is the childhood swimming
hole where Jesse and brother Frank spent many a hot day.
Mount Olivet Cemetery, also in Kearney, is James' final resting
place, after his remains were moved there in 1902, to lie beside
those of his wife Zerelda.


Winston's Historic Depot Museum, once home to the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Depot, is where the Jessie James
gang's Great Train Robbery took place in 1881. The displays
relate railroad and local history, as well as James gang lore.


Finally, at Independence, Missouri is the two-story Jail,
Marshal's Home And Museum, dating from 1859. Jesse James'
brother, Frank, spent time here, and in fact was acquitted by a
sympathetic jury when tried for bank and train robbery.


The Patee House Museum in St. Joseph, was once known as
World's Hotel, a luxury hotel that served travellers as the railroad
pushed westward to St. Joseph and the starting point of the Pony
Express. Today, the extensive museum has an 1854 Buffalo Salon,
and exhibits of western art, antique toys, and other western
memorabilia.


You should also visit the nearby Jesse James Museum Home,
where the outlaw was shot and killed by Robert Ford in 1882.
Interesting displays include mementos from Jesse's grave when
he was exhumed in 1995, and a bullet hole in the wall reputed
to be from an unsuccessful attempt on his life.



About The Author:
Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor,
writes for many publishers including
AA Publishing and Fodors.
Go America (www.goamerica.co.uk)
offer cheap flights to America plus discounts
on USA car hire and hotels.


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