James-Younger Gang Conference, 2010


On Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, I dropped in on the annual conference of the James-Younger Gang, gathered in Bardstown, Kentucky, where I visited with some old friends. Here’s John Koblas, author of Faithful Unto Death, The Jesse James Northfield Raid, The Great Cole Younger & Frank James Historical Wild West Show, and Jesse James Ate Here. Donna Rose Harrell (L)… (more…)

Wilbur Allen Zink – In Memoriam


The James family has lost a dear and treasured friend. Wilbur Allen Zink passed away September 26, 2010. He was born April 30, 1926. Wilbur was a pallbearer at the re-internment of Jesse James on October 28, 1995. He was co-founder of the James-Younger Gang, and an honorary board member of the Friends of James Farm. He was a member… (more…)

Campbell E. James Takes Bashi-Bazouk to Victory


From the Turkish, Bashi-bazouk translates as “damaged head,” “disorderly,” or as “leaderless.” The term was commonly applied to irregular soldiers in the Ottoman Army. In her book Filling the Chinks, Ermina Jett Darnell wrote about everyday life in Frankfort, Kentucky. As a descendant in the Cole family, Darnell was a 3rd cousin of Frank & Jesse James. Campbell Edmundson James, or… (more…)

OUR JAMES FAMILY IN SINGAPORE


About a year ago Doug and Sara Whitaker moved to Indonesia with their two daughters Bailey and Kylie. Ever since, they’ve been blogging and posting pictures about their adventure. The title of their web site is Our “Every Tribe.” Be sure to check out their Wants & Needs section. They’ve found some necessities are not found in foreign lands. DOUG… (more…)

HISTORIC TINTYPE of RHODA MAY-JAMES


RHODA MAY (1806-1889) is the stalwart spouse of the “talented, but erratic” Rev. Joseph Martin James (1791-1848). Rhoda withstood all transgressions, indignities, & social ostracism that her husband created with admirable Teutonic stoicism. When acute alcoholism took Joe’s life at age fifty-seven, Rhoda became a forty-two year old widow, left alone to raise nine children. For the next forty-one years… (more…)

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…)

C. E. James Authors History of Franklin County, Kentucky


CAMPBELL EDMONDSON JAMES (1852-1921)                                                      C. E. James was twenty-seven years old when he authored this short history of Franklin County, Kentucky. The work was Kentucky’s response to the resolution of the U. S. Congress encouraging celebration of the nation’s Centennial Anniversary of the American Revolution.  His father, the esteemed jurist A. J. James, already has served in the Kentucky State Legislature,… (more…)

Visiting the Second Great Grandparents of Frank & Jesse James in Cole Cemetery


  In 1754 at the age of 24, John Cole signed a lease with Hancock Lee for 150 acres of land on the north side of Horsepen Run, adjoining the plantation of John Herndon in King George County, Virginia. In 1775 and 1776, Lee’s son Willis Lee entered Virginia’s District of Kentucky and encamped at the spring named Lee’s Big… (more…)

Book Royalties of Jesse James Author Donated to James Farm & Museum


  Book royalties from Frank & Jesse James, The Story Behind the Legend by Ted Yeatman are being donated to James Farm & Museum. The author died November 1, 2009 in Maryland after a lengthy illness. His family has approved the donation. James Farm & Museum is owned by the County of Clay in Missouri, and is operated by its… (more…)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
1 2 ... 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
  • Meet Eric James - the Leaf Blower

  • Meet Eric James - the Leaf Blower

  • 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.