Name/Title
Jesse James' Loot Still Lost After 70 Years, 1952Entry/Object ID
AM1981.1.51ABScope and Content
Jesse James' Loot Still Lost After 70 Years, 1952 .
Seventy years ago this morning--between the hours of 8 and 9 to be exact--St. Joseph lost one of their most notorious citizens. April 3, 1882, 22 years after the first Pony Express rider left here in a burst of speed for California a quiet Mr. L. Howard--in reality the notorious Missouri bank robber, Jesse James was shot to death by Bob Ford in a little frame house on a hill at 13th and Lafayette streets. The death of Jesse, a legendary figure, variously described in phrases ranging from "quiet gentleman'" to '"cold blooded killer," touched off a wave of historical essays and purported "true" stories that even yet keep bobbing up occasionally.
One point , however, history leaves almost wholly unrecorded. That concerns the loot the bandit surely must have accumulated in his years of raiding. What happened to it? Is it still, hidden--buried perhaps --in St. Joseph.
The quite Jesse James did not have a spending habit. He did not smoke or drink. He gambled only in a minor way. He must have had a good nest egg saved up. How much was left when Ford killed him?
Some private digging may have occurred shortly after the funeral. If any loot was discovered it has not been disclosed. When the Jesse James residence was lowered several feet, If they found any money it was not recorded..
When Jesse lived near Messanie street, John Roach 91 years old was a former Buchanan county sheriff heard nothing of money being found. Mr. Roach stated the gang used to stop at their farm south of town for breakfasts frequently when he was about six.
Mr. Roach said he identified him when he and Cole Younger came in to inspect the bank at Troy, KS owned by Bartlett Boder's father, but he never heard about any of the money he left.
Probably the mystery of whether --Jesse left thousands of dollars, and where, if he did, will be kicking around forever. don't be too surprised if some industrious St. Joseph gardener unearths a cache of Jesse's gold.Lexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
OutlawsSearch Terms
James, Jesse, Jesse James LootRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Ford, BobPerson or Organization
Jesse JamesPerson or Organization
Bartlett BoderPerson or Organization
John RoachPerson or Organization
Cole YoungerPerson or Organization
Tom Howard