The signature of the rotten coward who shot Mr. Howard is becoming better recognized. New samples of Robert Newton Ford’s handwriting and autographs now are on display at James Farm & Museum in Kearney, Missouri.
Swann Galleries Queries Stray Leaves
Early in October of 2018, the auction house of Swann Galleries in New York City petitioned Stray Leaves for signature samples of Bob Ford, the assassin of Jesse James.
Stray Leaves responded, citing a copy of a letter, dated shortly after the assassination, written by Bob Ford to the president of the Wabash, St. Louis, & Pacific Railroad. Ford and his brother Charlie were seeking a rail pass for themselves and their family.
Swann Galleries was delighted with the response from Stray Leaves.
Bob Ford’s Letter Appears
Nothing more was known about the letter cited by author Sybil Montana. Subsequently, the letter appeared in its entirety as a stock photo image on the website alamy.com.
James Farm & Museum Acquires Ford Autographs
In the Fall 2019 edition of the James Farm Journal, published by the Friends of James Farm, an announcement heralds the display of two new samples of Bob Ford’s signature. One also includes the addition of the signature of Charles Wilson Ford, Bob’s brother and co-conspirator.
As the Friends of James Farm state, the inscription signatures appear in an autograph album originally owned by Ms. Annie Hancock of Pennsylvania. The signatures are dated November 16, 1882, following the assassination on April 3, 1882, at which time the Ford brothers appeared at Harris’ Mammoth Museum in Pittsburgh. The museum was an entertainment emporium for the public display of curiosities and oddities.
The earlier signature sample of Bob Ford was created on July 12, 1880, two years prior to Ford’s assassination of Jesse James. This signature was entered in the Guest Register of the Harry House Hotel in Hamilton, Missouri. The register lists Ford’s residence as St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Claimed Photograph of Robert Newton Ford
Just learned of the passing of John Broadus James. I met John and his son Anthony Neal "Tony" James in Texas about 20 years ago. He learned of my research trip there and insisted I make time to see him. John rearranged his schedule so he could bring Tony along to hear my stories about his great-grandfather John James "of Alvarado." We spent the evening over dinner exchanging stories. I learned about John's father, the preacher and poet Rev. Maurice Broadus James. Sometime after, Tony went into the military. John was very proud. Unfortunately, Tony was in a helicopter accident and was relieved from service, which must have been a great disappointment for Tony and John. I'm sorry we never got together again, as I am with many of the descendants of John James "of Alvarado."
Obituary for John B. James | Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home
www.marrsjonesnewby.com
Share memories & support the familyNOTICE to reality TV producers...STOP CALLING! WE'RE NOT INTERESTED! Magilla Entertainment called two days ago wanting to enlist our participation in another Jesse James treasure hunting unscripted series for TV. We guessed that Ron Pastore is behind the move. After some discussion, the producer stated our idea of a scripted docu-series for Netflix based on the factual lives of Jesse James' family members might be the better way to go. The producer said our idea would be discussed in yesterday's production meeting, and he would get right back to me. I wasn't holding my breath. So far, no call from the Magilla.
Comment on Facebook 699902420163063_1721083071378321
They only want to sensationalize the James Brothers story. Add and subtract information to attract newcomers.
Here's some colorful video history on George Morgan Chinn, a grandson of Frank James' cohort John Pendleton "Black Jack" Chinn. Whenever I drive from Danville to Midway or Lexington, Ky, I pass the ruins of Chinn's Cave House.
Here also are a couple of testimonials about George, also colorful, from the files of the James Preservation Trust.
#1- "I remember George very well. He was my late father's cousin and we do have his linage through the Morgan's, dating back to John Morgan in 1778. He was a really smart fellow and funny. His [Ed.: grand] father was Jack Chinn. I have a picture of him with William Jennings Bryan, Dicky Brant, and Frank James (Brother of Jesse) seated in a buggy hitched to the only grey horse that won the Kentucky Derby. Jack was fined five dollars for speeding in a horse-drawn vehicle. He paid ten dollars and told them to keep the change because he was going out of town (Harrodsburg, Ky) the same speed he came in. My dad had a lot of these old family tales."
And #2 - "hi I knew him personally. He has a lot of historical books at the Fort Harrod Museum. He also published one about Brooklyn or the Palisades area of Jessamine and Mercer Counties. His wife's nickname was Cotton because of her white hair. They were both feisty. I lived and grew up on five acres that attached to the Chinn land. It was at 5555 Lexington Rd in Mercer county. The Chinn mansion was in a hairpin curve...'Chinn curve.'
"We had hunters and trespassers that would go on the property and we would have to call the Chinns to have them removed.
"My grandfather grew up and ran with Jack Chinn. Jack had a moonshine still in a cave across the ky river from the mansion. He would take a boat across to the cave.
Mr. George Chinn was a historian and you can look for his books on google. Or contact the Fort Harrod in Harrodsburg or the local library. Sorry, that is all I have except I know George had a daughter."
George Morgan Chinn also was a director of the Kentucky Historical Society and editor of their publication "The Register." He authored several books, including "Kentucky: Settlement and Statehood, 1750-1800," still in print, "The Encyclopedia of Hand Arms," and the five-volume work "The Machine Gun."
This 1879 map from the US War Dept. shows the extent of the 10,000 acres rancho of Drury Woodson James. The rancho reached from Paso de Robles to Chalome. The map also identifies the probable route DWJ took through the Palonio Pass and past the Salt Springs during the drought of 1863-64 when he drove 5,000 head of cattle from Paso to Lake Tulare to save and preserve the bulk of his wealth.
Comment on Facebook This 1879 map from ...
...and we're speaking the same language! Really awesome!
The Diety is pulling in the line of Susan Prudence James. After the recent passing of Kurt Leslie James last week, now comes the news of the passing of his cousin Shirley Jane Russell Turner. We are informed by Shirley’s sister Sandy Russell Kassen. Shirley is a great-granddaughter of Susan Prudence James & 2nd great-granddaughter of Dr. John R. James, a brother of T.M., Drury Woodson, & Rev. Robert Sallee James the father of Frank & Jesse James.
delphosherald.com/Content/Obituaries/Obituaries/Article/Shirley-Jane-Turner/194/1192/212603
delphosherald.com
May 5, 1933-June 17, 2020 DELPHOS — Shirley Jane Turner, 87, passed away at Vancrest of Delphos on Wednesday. She was born on May 5, 1933, in Excelsior SComment on Facebook May 5, 1933-June 17,...
She was Shirley, not Susan😊
