Happy Birthday, Mr. James!
Posted By BGRoberts on January 10, 2010
165 years ago today, on a small farm in rural Clay County Missouri, Frank James was born. He was the firstborn son, and I’m sure there was much joy and excitement surrounding his birth. I’m also sure that the Reverend James and his wife Zerelda had no idea of just how important and famous he, and his yet to be born sibling Jesse, would become.As is often the case with legends, the beginning was quiet and barely noticiale.
I grew up in the land of Jesse James. We raised cattle and farmed just a few miles from the James farm, where Jesse and Frank were born. I attended school in Kearney, the nearest town to the James place. I could look out the window of my 3rd grade classroom and see the cemetary where Jesse James was laid to rest. My grandparents are buried there.
We went to Liberty Missouri, and past the site of the first daylight bank robbery, pretty much on a weekly basis. I was baptised into one of the churches founded by Jesse James’ father. I’ve ridden horses and driven cattle down country lanes and roads that Jesse and the gang most likely used. Jesse James has been a part of the backdrop of my life for the biggest part of it.
We now live back in the land of Jesse James, just a few miles from his old home. We still raise cattle on lands that most likely were ridden over by the James Gang during their infamous career. While Jesse James blood does not flow in my veins, his history and influence still rests in my heart.
Yet, I would have to say “Jesse, I barely knew ya.”. I think that happens many times when the shadow of legends is too close, and too readily available. So in these pages, I intend to share my quest to learn more about Jesse, Frank, and the wild west they were a part of.
Today this website, YourWildWest.com, is born. I have no pretentions that it will become important and famous, let alone legendary. But I aim to bring to it as much information and insight as I possibly can as I wander through the past and present in the land of Jesse James, and the old wild west. I will trust to the winds of fate as to where that may lead.
I hope you’ll come along for, and enjoy, the ride!
~BG Roberts
About The Author
Hi Mr. Roberts!!
You have done it again! You never cease to amaze me! I truly think you have a calling to be a writer! I LOVED your Blog! Please keep them comin!!
I will be along for this ride through ‘Your’ Wild West and ‘mine too’!
A+ BG…AA++!!
Linda =)
I appreciate your kind words, Linda.
Glad you’ll be along for the ride!
~BG