Frank James wrote to his wife Annie, “Burn these letters.” Now Frank’s letters are going to auction.
I learned about Frank’s letters from Wilbur Zink personally. They were my partial impetus for writing Vol. IV of Jesse James Soul Liberty, Frank James in Atonement & Retirement. On June 22, 2013, Frank’s letters will beat my book about Frank to market by three years, as Wilbur Zink’s collection of letters, photos, artifacts, and memorabilia related to Frank James, his family, and the James-Younger Gang, go on the auction block.
Often I’ve been put in the position of challenging auction houses and their exaggerated or outright misrepresentations. At an auction of a gun, advertised to have belonged to Jesse James, I feared my life was in danger as Jesse’s great-grandson, Judge James R. Ross, marched up to the podium, snatched the microphone from the auctioneer, and read the Judge’s statement of Denial of Authenticity. Jim was shouted down, booed, and threatened. I didn’t know if we’d get out alive, especially since we now had to sit in the front row until the auction ended, to see if the auctioneer would re-introduce the item he withdrew.
This auction is far different.
We know the artifacts are bone-fide.
We know their provenance is genuine.
And we’re working with a reputable auction house that has engaged the support of the James family, and myself in particular. Other authentic authorities also have been consulted.
While today’s economic climate remains troubled, and the expected institutional bidder may, or may not, appear due to budget constraints, these artifacts may go for bargain prices. They are certainly realistically priced enough to start the bidding.
For anyone wishing to own a piece of the history of Frank & Jesse James, this opportunity may prove the most affordable bargains of all…then again, the James family always have been known for confounding expectations.
LINK to Heritage Auction & entire collection
ABOUT Wilbur Zink
CLICK photos for larger images
Photos from Jesse James Soul Liberty, Behind the Family Wall of Stigma & Silence’s post
As a 6-year-old boy, Jesse Edwards James Jr. was a witness to the murder of his father, Jesse James. The event impinged on his life forever after. His unruly childhood was brought to heel by both family and community, which included the Crittenden family of Gov. Thomas T Crittenden. It was the family friend Gov. Crittenden who put the bounty on Jesse James that resulted in his killing. Law school and a job in the Crittenden law office directed Jesse Jr. into his future as a lawyer. He did alright until he was solicited into producing a movie about his father. After collecting production money from family, friends, and business associates, the movie flopped. Jesse Jr. assumed responsibility, but he never could never repay the money lost. Severe depression overcame Jesse Jr. He required hospitalization, and then institutionalization. Equilibrium escaped him every living day. He died at age 50 in the care of his loving wife Stella and his four daughters. His grandson Jim Ross, whom he raised with his daughters, became a lawyer and judge.
That was cool but creepy at the same time. Last photo looked like there was no one home. You can see the change in his eyes.
He has his mother's nose.
HAPPY 30TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to the 2nd great-grandson of Jesse James, David James Ross, and his wife Jessica Lemoine Esq. David & Jessica appear here at their 20th anniversary in Jamaica, and more recently in 2018 supporting their adopted family, the Los Angeles Kings ice hockey team.
FROM SYRIA, ANOTHER BIG SUCCESS FOR STRAY LEAVES!
Todays’ email reads,
“Dear Eric, You will remember that you wrote about my looking for Wanda Mimms, born 1939, daughter of Wyatt Leon Mimms, my step-Uncle. I found her. Her granddaughter saw online what you had written in Stray Leaves. She contacted me and I was able to confirm it was her. Wanda had been adopted but knew her birth name. In the meantime, she died, but I am in contact with 2 of her granddaughters. You have helped me to solve this mystery. Thank you so very much. Lilly Martin”
Lilly Martin Sahiounie is a relation of the Mimms family. She lives in Syria from where she began her search for Virginia Hill Mimms the missing mother of Wanda Mimms.
Below is Lilly’s story from Stray Leaves “ HELP! VIRGINIA HILL MIMMS ESCAPED!” that led to this remarkable discovery.
ericjames.org/wordpress/2019/04/17/virginia-hill-mimms-escaped/
HELP! Virginia Hill Mimms Escaped! – S t r a y L e a v e s
ericjames.org
After leading a burglary ring of children, Virginia Hill Mimms escaped. A distant cousin in Syria pursues Virginia to learn what happened.
ZEE MIMMS JAMES AUTHENTIC PHOTOS ANIMATED . . . Zee was named after Jesse’s mother, Zerelda Cole. Zee and Jesse were first cousins. John M. James was grandfather to them both. Despite the strong family tie, most of the family disapproved of their marriage. Their uncle, Rev. William James a Methodist minister and himself a black sheep among the James, married Zee and Jesse. Zee bore Jesse five children. Two lived to adulthood. A set of twins died soon after birth. A fifth child was miscarried. Zee died at age 55 of neurasthenia, a condition characterized by lassitude, fatigue, headache, and irritability, associated chiefly with emotional disturbance.
youtu.be/C0IaHZtis1o
Eerily Amazing 😳 Thank You