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) presented an excellent paper on the Columbia Bank robbery. Frank & Sharon Younger (C) never miss a meeting, though they live in Canada. New this year was Sr. Gemma Younger and Judy Younger Hofstetter (R).

Marjorie Highley Best is the daughter of Rev. Robert E. Highley, who baptized Mary Susan James, the daughter of Jesse James, in Nashville.  Rev. Highley wrote the book Jesse James Though OfficiallyDead Lived on for 65 Years, in which he accounted the actions of his own family and some con artists who claimed to be Jesse James. Marjorie’s family may be related to the James, through her Poore ancestors, though it remains to be proved.

Tom Nall is a relation of Clara Nalle, the wife of John M. James. Like many among the Nall/Nalle family who have been university professors, Tom also has been a teacher for 39 years.