Jesse James

            Jesse Woodson James: An American Rebel.
             They live on forever through the stories and tales told about their lives. These tales have told us about many people including the infamous western outlaw Jesse James. Jesse James was a rebellious bank and train robber following the years after the Civil War. He rode with a group of outlaws called the James-Younger Gang, which included his brother Frank and two cousins, Cole and Jim Younger. There were many robberies and murders that Jesse had committed through his life. So let's saddle up and get on with the tale.
             Jesse Woodson James was born in Kearney, Missouri on September 5, 1847 ("Jesse James: Outlaw"). His father, the Rev. Robert James, was a Baptist minister who helped found William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri. His mothers name was Zerelda James. Through James's life, he had several father figures, but little guidance from his own father. His mother had remarried twice by the time James was eight. He has two step-brothers, two step-sisters, and two natural brothers ("Biography of Jesse James").
             Some people say it was the cruel treatment from Union Soldiers that turned Jesse to a life of crime during the Civil War. James had wanted to join the rebels" cause for much of his teen life. He was too young to join when he first got interest, but by 1862 he .
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             had joined Quantrill's Raiders ("Biography of Jesse James"). As one of Quantrill's fighters, Jesse learned the art of being an outlaw. James attacked Union Supply trains and depots. Many individual atrocities were committed by this notorious band of guerrilla fighters in Missouri (Farrow).
             In 1866, Jesse became one of the leaders of a band of outlaws with the Younger brothers and Jim Reed, where his partnership in crime and trail of robberies and murders moved through most of the central states (Belle). Jesse's method of combat was rapid strike and scatter.