Nineteen century biography of the James Boys
There has been much written about the notorious outlaws Frank and Jesse James over the years. “Missouri Marauders” was actually completed while the James Gang was still active, thus it is compelling to see what was written before many legends and myths grew after Jesse’s alleged assignation in 1882. I appreciate that older works are now being released as audiobooks, like this title.
Frank and Jesse James were the son’s of a Baptist minister, who decided to travel west to California, where he passed away while the brothers were young. Like many at the time, the family was caught up in the middle of the Civil War, and tensions were high. Being southern sympathizes, the James farm was visited by Union forces. Frank joined the Confederate army, while Jesse would learn guerrilla warfare from the merciless William Quantrill and his raiders.
Author J.A. Dacus recounts many of the bank, stagecoach, and train robberies attributed to the feared James-Younger gang. Ultimately, the gang failed to rob the Northfield bank in Minnesota in 1876, and members of the gang would be killed, and the Younger’s were captured after a two-week manhunt for the desperadoes. The book notes that Cole Younger opposed the idea of robbing a bank in Minnesota and favored a bank robbery in Canada.
I have read many books on Jesse James, and I can honestly say this book told stories I hadn’t previously heard. Most books on the topic end with James being killed by the cowardly Bob Ford or speculates that Jesse might have faked his death. This book closes with the reasons they were still on the loose in 1879. This is an interesting perspective.
By: J.A. Dacus
Narrated by: John Guccion
Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 05-10-24
Publisher: John Guccion Voiceovers LLC