Monthly Archives: July 2010

Jesse Edward Smith Recalls Jesse James, His Namesake & Cousin


My mother (ed. Susan Prudence James-Smith) and her brother, R. W. James (ed. Robert Woodson James 1838-1922), were first cousins to the James Brothers. The Jesse in my name was taken from Jesse James. He paid some special attention to me when I was a small boy and made occasional visits to our house until the law was in such… (more…)

Stalkers of Famous & Infamous Families


Yesterday, on the True West magazine web site where I also blog, there was a shootout. Not with bullets, but with words. The perpetrator was a known stalker of mine, who came gunning for me. The stalker made his violence palpable. The topic of the blog was titled, “Related to a Historical Person?” (The posting has since been taken down… (more…)

John M. James Appears Before The Kentucky Humanities Council in Restless for Revolution


Last week I had the opportunity to perform John M. James before the Kentucky Humanities Council. John M. James is my 4th great grandfather. See the video below. Every year the Humanties Council contracts with five performers to add to its stable of historical performances. The Council then sends out the performers around the Commonwealth throughout the year to schools, organizations,… (more…)

Fake Photo Reveals New Jesse James History


Anyone who knows the history of the West probably instantly recognizes this image. When Jesse James abandoned his children and his wife and his family, he freebooted himself west to Las Vegas. Jesse had in mind to re-establish his faded and flawed career as the high wire attraction his Civil War life on the partisan trapeze had prepared him to… (more…)

Heather Lee James, Dead at 23 from Diabetes


Regardless of age, diabetes kills. The future of Heather Lee James lay before her, but Heather knew her diagnosis with diabetes could prove an obstruction to her future happiness. Though she was young, energetic, and vibrant, Heather was encountering problems already. The disease had begun to impact her so much that Heather no longer trusted herself to live on her… (more…)

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  • Welcome to LEAVES OF GAS, the official blog for the family of Frank & Jesse James & their offical web site Stray Leaves. Under the WELCOME link you will find News & a photo Gallery with biographies of James family members. The CONTENTS page will take you to our main content menu. Click JESSE JAMES for content specifically related to Frank & Jesse James. In the SURNAMES genealogy database, you can explore all the known relatives of the James family. We hope you enjoy our web site & blog. Whatever interests you, be sure to LIKE us, or SHARE the page. Thanks.