Think you know Jesse James ? Wait until you meet his family
Read chapter previews of Jesse James Soul Liberty now
Jesse James Soul Liberty, Vol. I
Authorized historical biography of the family of Frank & Jesse James. The first of five volumes, drawn from primary family sources. Includes family photos, letters, documents, memoirs, interviews, genealogy, with source citations, notes, bibliography, & index.
Published in the USA by Cashel Cadence House, 2012. ISBN 978-0-8957469-0-2. Hardcover, $36.95
“Eric James knows more about the Jesse James family than anyone in America.”
– Charles Broomfield, former Clay County (MO) Commissioner, responsible for the transfer of James Farm in Kearney, Missouri from the Jesse James family to Clay County.
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REVIEW: James-Younger Gang Journal
REVIEW: Wild West History Association
Most longtime outlaw-lawman aficionados have probably read a number of books about Jesse and Frank James. Those books probably included Background of a Bandit by Joan M. Beamis and William E. Pullen and Jesse and Frank James: The Family History by Phillip W. Steele. Chances are you think you know a lot about the family of America’s most famous bandits. However, if you think this– think again– you have seen only the tip of the iceberg.
Jesse James fanatics are going to be delighted with all the new material and serious historians are going to wonder how they have missed so much for so long…
In summary, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I did not want to put the book down. It reads a lot like the family sagas written by Howard Fast and John Jakes. However, this is all fact, not fiction.
If you have any interest in the James gang and their history this book is a “must read”. And do not skip the notes; there is a wealth of material to be found in the notes and the bibliography is a gold mine. Four more volumes of James family history are to follow this book. I eagerly anticipate all of them.
REVIEW: Western Writers Association of America
The extended family of the James outlaws has unjustly been ignored by historians. The abundance of the accomplishments of the James family is more than enough to mitigate any stigma attached because of the outlaws. This family has led the way for social justice in many fields. They have been leaders in law, business, church, education and the arts…
The research and writing is outstanding and there is awealth of photos. There are excellent notes, bibliography and family charts. The book is very highly recommended.
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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
Impressive
Eerily Amazing 😳 Thank You
BOB FORD AUTHENTIC PHOTOS ANIMATED . . . Yesterday, June 8, 2021, was the 129th anniversary of the murder of Robert Newton Ford by Ed O'Kelley in Creede, Colorado. The murder was the retribution of Bob Ford's assassination of Jesse James on April 3, 1882. History recalls Ford as "that dirty little coward."
