Injustice James In Liberty Missouri

Liberty Missouri, 1886: Authorities investigate a $60,000 robbery of a bank, occurring in plain daylight, while war was not in session; a new concept to most. Little did they know, this robbery would turn into one of the most famous lawless rampages in American history and the man behind it was Jesse James. He is considered to be the most influential and well known outlaw to this day. Jesse and his brother Frank grew up during the Civil War time period. When Jesse came of age, he joined Quantrill's Raiders Guerillas, following his brother, where he neither fought formally for the Union or Confederate side, but sympathized with the Confederates. During his time with the Raiders, he learned Guerilla war tactics and developed a love for

Carl Bankston states, “His teen years were marked by the bloodshed of the Civil War and its devastation of Missouri” (Bankston 523). Missouri was torn between the Union and Confederates. Frank joined the souths rebel army, but soon became ill and was captured by the Union. He was able to get home by making a “promise” not to fight again. However, he soon joined Quantrill’s Raiders who broke the rules of war, fighting as guerillas. Jesse was found plowing a field when the Union stopped and asked him some questions, but he would not talk, and was tortured. He was angry and wanted to join his brother, but was too young (Green 15). The book, Great Lives from History, explains, “Jesse James learned guerilla tactics that would later serve him well as the leader of an outlaw gang” (Bankston 524). When Jesse turned 17, he joined the Raiders where he would learn guerilla war tactics as well as kill some of his first victims. Green states, ““He took part in a raid on Centralia, Missouri. The Raiders looted the the town and shot captured Union soldier. Fresh Union troops traced the Raiders and attacked their camp. In the battle that followed, Jesse shot the Union commander. It was his first killing” (Green 16). Jesses first killing had a great effect on his life. At this moment, he learned that when he shot, he did not feel, he did not become upset. His upbringing,

He joined a rebel gang when he was seventeen where he learned guerilla war tactics that aided him in his later robberies. When the war ended, he was left with no way of making the fortune he wanted, so he rejoined with some of his friends from the Raiders and created his own gang where he carried on those actions of the Raiders (Bankston 524). His robberies and killings greatly reflected those actions he learned in his rebel years. He used guerilla war tactics in his robberies while robbed banks which was common during war, but a new concept to many when war was not occurring. In his first robbery he stole $60,000 from a bank in Liberty, Missouri. Carl Green explains, “He decided to live by his guns, just as he had during the war. Robbing banks and trains might lead to jail or an early grave. But a life of crime could also lead to quick and easy money” (Green 18). The decision James made of living his life as an outlaw had great risks to it, but he also knew that he would not have to work in a traditional manner to make his fortune on which he would support his family. Soon, Jesse James became a household name, read in newspapers across America. James thrived on this lifestyle he had chosen, for he was able to carry on his love of “war” and killing as well as make the fortune which he longed to have. Bankston states, “Over the following fifteen