The James Gang: From the FIRST ROBBERY to the FINAL SURRENDER | History Traveler Episode 213

The James Gang is easily one of the most notorious groups of outlaws in American history. Having ridden with men like William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson, the Civil War became a training ground for Jesse and Frank James where they learned the art of violence. In this episode, we're going to the location of the very first daylight bank robbery in peacetime and the jail cell where Frank James was held after his final surrender (www.jchs.org/1859jailmuseum).
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
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- The Bullet That Killed Lincoln!!! | History Traveler Episode 15: • The Bullet That Killed...
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- Holdy Battery: The Sister Gun Battery of Brecourt Manor | History Traveler Episode 187: • Holdy Battery: The Sis...
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Outside the Jesse James Bank Museum
01:34 Robbing the bank
08:09 The 1859 Jail Museum
09:38 The jail cell of Frank James
13:20 Executions in the jail
15:34 The upper room of the jail

[@TomKD0QKK]

Brother, thank you. I'm a life long Missourian and a Civil War history geek. My state was a particular kind of hell, a cauldron within a maelstrom. It burned with long simmering familial hatreds, with grudges that needed settling. The war here was so very personal; and so very long. 1854 to 1882 and still being fought, in some respects today. Thank you for telling our story.

[@jasonpayne3363]

As much as I love all the WWII content you have given us, I sure do love all of the old west history as well. Hope there is more to come. Thanks for all your hard work!!!

[@sarahr2498]

Agree Jason! This is such a wonderful channel👏🏻👏🏻

[@jasonpayne3363]

@@sarahr2498 no doubt. JD is incredible how brings all of this to us

[@martinadrempetic2395]

I am really enjoying this videos of old wild west! So interesting to see where Frank James was held prisoner!

[@ronnylee8393]

Thank you for the shows. I am old and unable to go to these places anymore. So thank you so much for your hard work.

[@mrspankytank2858]

You were just down the road from Winston MO. Where the James gang waited in a train tunnel and waited for the train to arrive to rob it and the station. The tunnel and bridge itself is actually still there just off the highway in the woods. Everything is still original. All that’s been removed is the actual tracks. My wife grew up in Winston and took me on a small hike to the tunnel for our fourth date. She knew I loved history and stories about outlaws during the Victorian era. Coolest thing to be standing in the exact spot Jesse James and the boys was so many years ago. Knowing the exact stones of the tunnel witnessed this moment.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh dang! I’ll have to check that out. Thanks!

[@mrspankytank2858]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Awesome! Keep in mind if you park on the shoulder of the highway to go out to the tunnel (you can actually see the bridge tunnel from the highway) to be sure to park more in the grass. We had a Very nice state trooper inform us of this.lol

[@mrspankytank2858]

@@TheHistoryUnderground A couple more tidbits of info, while it crossed my mind, it’s actually a train bridge (not tunnel) to allow the train to pass over a small creek. The town actually has a small celebration every year called “Jesse James day” I believe. You can actually tour the station but the bridge has been left somewhat neglected because of the lack of funding. According to history a young man lost his life during the robbery. I’m assuming Jesses gang waited in the far side of the tunnel furthest away from the road which is now a main highway. So they wouldn’t be seen by passerby’s. There’s also a really old cemetery across the highway close by. A lot of other really neat and almost forgotten stories in this area of MO. Take care watch for snakes if you decide to go to the tunnel itself. It’s said some locals help take care of that area because the state won’t.

[@Stopsign32v]

Been waiting for a LONG time for this moment!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome!

[@jacobcardiff8757]

Lived in liberty my whole life, thank you for sharing the history!!! Also every year they have a reenactment of the robbery

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Really enjoyed my time there.

[@pjr102]

Loving the Jesse James videos. Hoping there’s more to come.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂👍🏻

[@pigybak]

Going from the Civil War to outlaws. Maybe some Bonnie and Clyde??

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That’s on my list.

[@mickeydee3595]

I'd love to see you come to Australia one day and do a series on Ned Kelly, our most famous outlaw & bush ranger. Excellent video as always mate :)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh man, that would be cool.

[@mattanderson6336]

Since Mick Jagger starred in the 1970 bio-pic of Ned Kelly maybe he would narrate it.

[@karengailpetty7159]

I'm never ready for your videos to end. Thanks for stirring interest!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that!

[@robertbenson9797]

Excellent video! I am a graduate of William Jewell College in Liberty. The college campus is about a mile to the east from the bank museum. Although Frank and Jesse did not attend William Jewell, the James family is tied into the early history of the college. Robert James, Frank and Jesse’s father, was a Baptist minister in the Kearney-Liberty area. When the college was founded in 1849, Revered James signed the charter for the college, along with other members of the Missouri Baptist Convention. His name appears on my diploma. Reverend James left the Kearney-Liberty for California in the early 1850s. It is not known if he was looking for gold or preaching to the gold miners. He died in California without ever seeing his family again.

[@mominpa5211]

totally rocking vid.. loved it I love your vids just came across you by accident. I lived in Missouri and it has a lot of history indeed. I will subscribe want to learn more... I cannot get out much anymore and this is how I see and learn the world! thank you for sharing

[@SueProv]

Before you said that they allowed Frank James to put some homey things in the cell and I saw the furniture. I thought of Mayberry and Aunt Bea making meals. The drop ceilibg was brutal

[@TimMillernapavalleyfilmworks]

Huh?

[@cyndiebill6631]

I wonder why Frank James was allowed to have such a nice cell? 🤔This was a fun video. Can’t imagine cooking for all those prisoners and raising kids around them. Great job JD this is why history is so much fun. Thank you!👍😁

[@kathyrichardson7568]

JD Thank so much!! Another great episode!! My wife an I could watch all day !! You could even make your episodes longer. ! Never get bored with them ! We both seem like we know you personally! Thanks again! Semper fi LDR from southern Indiana

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that. Gotta keep the episodes fairly short so that teachers can use them in the classroom. Plus, there’s only so much of this face that you can look at before you need a break.

[@kathyrichardson8735]

J.D., You might enjoy the American Military Museum in Vincennes, Indiana. Just an hour north of Evansville and an hour south of Terre Haute. We were very impressed with it. Also, the Evansville Wartime Museum right by the airport off if Hiway 41 has some really impressive collections. Hope you can check them out.

[@cherylpalian3254]

I just love your western/civil war history. I learn so much from you “hands on” experience

[@1psychofan]

Watching again because it’s so great! Well done JD! This episode is a classic!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@mikenixon2401]

It is amazing how much American forgotten history is involved in Missouri alone. Thank you for covering these "small"details everyplace you go. Keep traveling. Oh, among suggestions for ideas, rail road decetives during the late 19th and early 20th Century. Many were used by the treasury department and several insurance carriers. My great grandfather was William Stamper and even was featured in a newspaper in Macon. Mo. It was a big deal at the time. I had some skelton keys he and a partner used in an undercover bust.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure! Lots of history in that state.

[@Williamgarity]

I was in the bank building in the early 60's. Back then, it was a dry cleaners. The folks that were running the dry cleaners were used to history buffs stopping by, and almost required us to go into the vault.

[@mikehawthorne3374]

J.D. great one, I love the way you can go from Gettysburg, to Normandy, to real time Ukraine and back to the civil war era, keep it up I'm a big fan.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Yeah, I’m kind of all over the place. Thanks.

[@1psychofan]

Another fantastic (and a bit funny!) episode! How strange that the kid’s room was so close to the prisoners! Talk about a “scared straight” program!!! Thanks JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha!

[@seambrooks7346]

Yea great deterrent ! Wages if sin is death approach

[@seambrooks7346]

*of

[@1psychofan]

@@seambrooks7346 ha! Imagine if they did that today? 😳

[@seambrooks7346]

They would be sued by ACLU etc

[@swtexan6502]

I told my wife that you were referring to wives when you were discussing "the classic ball and chain"! She didn't find that funny one bit.....🤣

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha!

[@jodiehighroller9820]

Lol..hopefully she isn’t the “classic ball and chain”in your life..😂sure sounds like she might be

[@swtexan6502]

@@jodiehighroller9820 Far from it, thankfully. I am blessed beyond measure.

[@backwoodspiper3033]

Lol I said the same to my wife. She did laugh... Before informing me to hush while I was able 😂

[@phyllishershkowitz3806]

Oh, Wow! That was great! I have loved period set rooms since I was a child. It just stimulates my imagination as to how people lived in another point in history and what they might have experienced. More please :)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Got some more on the way 🙂

[@scottdesart275]

Someday, it would be very interesting if you did the Northfield raid and the escape route the James Younger gang took and trier ultimate demise. Love your videos, and have watched the vast majority of them. Keep up the great work

[@joyousfive]

Super fantastic !!! LOVE the west and ALL!! that happened .👀❤ Thank You !! I LOVE Jesse James !! 👀❤- So Long ! from Toronto Canada - 1/19/23🤠

[@deadlyoneable]

For a guy walking around with the camera trained on him, you deliver some good content brother. I think you’ve gotten better at it over the years. Keep it up for us free loaders that love history!

[@redcastle12b31]

I remember going to Jesse James bank in elementary school. I still have the wanted posters I bought in the gift shop to this day.

[@carlenlanser2276]

Loving the Old West history series! We haven’t seen anything that you made that we didn’t like. You take great care to study the subject matter, videoing the subject & surrounding area & using the right music to pull it all together. Keep up the outstanding work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks so much!

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Great work as always JD! And yes your Gettysburg videos are my favorite! I like all your videos, but Gettysburg holds a special place in my heart, and I thank you for the reverence you show on all your videos. That is important to me and I appreciate it!

[@michellepotter628]

I am loving this. I hope your trip to Missouri was great. We have so much history here and it is wonderful to see you remind us all of the good, the bad and the ugly!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that!

[@what7587]

I'm sure the hanging area so close to the jail cells was an encouragement for the other prisoners to rethink their life choices.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! It would certainly get me to thinking.

[@aussieoffroader1974]

That was amazing, loved that tour and only you have that great delivery way about you. Another top self episode.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks so much!

[@stephenrrose]

Great video, always learning and making me dig more into that time period! I hate to admit it, but I remember using "chamber pots" at my Mamaw's house in Kentucky! I was told #1 only, #2 had to wait for the outhouse in the morning! But man, Mamaw's feather bed was the best!

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

What if you can hold it till the morning, we all know what bubble gut means. I get it sometimes after eating 5 chili cheese burritos from Taco Bell.

[@vickistevens423]

Great video. I have to admit I am rather partial to your Civil War and Old West content. Great job.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@jimarmstrong5637]

Grew up in Clay County, and my maternal great-grandfather rode with Quantrill and the James Gang. Been by the bank hundreds of times, but never have been in it. Need to pay it a visit!

[@charleyshack]

What is your great-grandfathers name?

[@jimarmstrong5637]

@@charleyshack William Hensley, they called him "Uncle Billy".

[@tylerclift2425]

Man you were right around the corner from me when you visited the jail. Wish I’d have known, would have offered to show you a few more James and younger places.

[@lizlittle1641]

The bank and jail were fascinating! I love looking at how people lived long ago. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!

[@rashedalbuainain4344]

As an Arab and from the Gulf, I loved your channel very much and I am very interested in the American Civil War, and its great leaders, whether the North or the South, all of them are honest men.

[@danlitteer2178]

A drop floor in the jail? Whoa, talk about being "scared straight"! Great Job!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Pretty wild.

[@melaniecroft5576]

I am so glad I discovered this channel. Absolutely fantastic and well presented.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@melaniecroft5576]

I'm addicted! It's fantastic. Well done!

[@jenniferhendricksen7859]

I appreciate a break from the Gettyburg stuff and showing us other places that we too could visit

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. There might have been a few episodes that you missed. I think the last History Traveler video from Gettysburg was back in August. Always trying to mix it up :)

[@tennesse_courier]

Like others I really enjoy the change of pace going into The James Gang history it's just so fascinating ...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Gotta switch things up every once in awhile.

[@jefferyfowler7860]

I just couldn't imagine being on the run for so long. I would go insane. Great video JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Seems like it’s take it’s toll.

[@Chiller01]

Another great episode. I love the flatpicking background music. The craftsmanship in those old structures is pretty cool. The stonework in the jail and the wood floors,moulding and turned 4 poster bed are really interesting. The whole worldview and morality of that period in the western US is so complex. Im always amazed by the fluidity of the outlaw/law enforcement boundary. So many individuals were both depending on timing and location. Thanks for continuing to make history entertaining and informative.

[@terryeustice5399]

All very historic. And the bank was neat. The Jail where Frank James turned himself into . Was pretty tough.

[@dorenelynnbowser]

I love historical video's like this. Thank you so much for sharing. Stay safe.

[@dbach1025]

Awesome advice from JD that all of us should heed...."you don't know what to you don't know". Love it. Awesome video again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍

[@jcvllm]

I really love this channel. Wonderful knowledge!! Just awesome!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@Spitnchicklets]

Thank you for the adventure!!!

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

You missed the clay county historical museum. And there is a really awesome mercantile on the square too! (Both are literally around the corner from the bank, the mercantile is privately owned and is a source for anything period (clothes, fabric, combs, books, etc) it's truly fantastic, it's heavily used by reenactors in the area.)

[@GeoHvl]

While in the US Navy, I knew a guy from Northfield, Minn. His great uncle was in the street shootout when the gang tried to rob a bank there. Don't know if it's true or not, but he did know a lot about the history. Dates, names, and times, all passed down through his family.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@take5DD]

I grew up in Northfield and still live 30 minutes north of there. We go down to the Defeat of Jesse James Day every September. It's a great get together for a small town. They do a reenactment every year with an actual shoot out. Everyone gets dressed up for the event. They close the streets for it. In Northfield, they celebrate it. It's part of Northfield's rich history.

[@jaredevildog6343]

Damn.... you're a man of many hats. Vast knowledge it seems. Thanks for enlightening and entertaining me. I love military history but this video was great. Thank you !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@Stonewaller]

As I sit down for lunch I thank you for providing me with some quality entertainment. You’re appreciated!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@jondoe399]

Always impressive JD, thank you.

[@michaelshank5900]

Another great video! Thanks JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure!!

[@BobVan]

The Stephen King Movie “Sometimes They Come Back” was mostly filmed in Liberty as well. Where the main character stands on the corner a couple hundred feet from the bank door you can see the old liberty highschool which is still there. The James Farm is a few minutes north of Liberty and has wonderful tours where the James family descendants tell stuff about the raid there that you don’t see in the history books. Thanks for sharing!

[@wrangler70jkujeep74]

Start calling you Teacher JD . Love this channel of course I'm history buff myself thank you for doing what you do .

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@wrangler70jkujeep74]

@@TheHistoryUnderground JD want research famous murder in North Carolina history look up Frankie Silvers happened here in Burke County . NC first woman he Hanged in NC

[@mrbakerskatz]

Thanks Great presentation. But yeah , we use to discourage lawlessness …..now we send them to Congress .

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅👍🏻

[@ceceliagallegos7090]

I'm a fan of your channel.👍 love your videos. Keep them coming. Take care and stay safe Jason.❤👍❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@ndog2005]

Having visited Tombstone back in the day, this was more than interesting, Thank you so much..

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely want to get to Tombstone at some point.

[@thinghammer]

These videos simply get better and better. This has become my favorite channel on YT. Outstanding work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@thinghammer]

@@TheHistoryUnderground yeah, man. I hope you get paid for this. I discovered you when I would do these long walks after getting off late (3am..lol) . I didn't want music, I just wanted to hear a good story. And that's when I found your channel. You always bring up the quirks and minor details. That's what I really like about it

[@jimwiskus8862]

Endless fascination & learning on this channel. Thank you JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for watching.

[@curtisgrupe5730]

Great video always loved the history of the James younger gang

[@pheart2381]

I love those quilts😍😍😍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

A girl i was dating when i was just out of high school. We spent a Christmas with her grandparents in Missouri. They showed me a family heirloom. It was a Remington new model army ( civil war pistol) they had town records showing there distant grandfather spent time in jail with Jesse James (must have not been a big thing because it was a few weeks for both). Story has they befriended each other, and Jesse James stayed at their house a few times. Jesse traded the Remington for a horse..have no idea if its really true but the info they showed me really made it seem possible. They also found a picture of jesse holding a Remington that looked identical to the one they had. The grip was slightly broken on the sides. Even in the picture of jesse the grip was broken. they seemed to be a perfect match. It was very interesting. The real reason i still think that might have been a true story is the picture and records of course. but they also kept it as a Secret. in a way they seemed ashamed. I only think they showed me. was i was dating this girl for many years. at the time it looked like i was going to be part of the family. Its funny looking back because that gun started my interest in antique firearms.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

@@TheHistoryUnderground because of this sometime it makes me think of all the lost artifacts...They might not be lost. There owners just don't want them found.

[@WxPickman09]

I love 10 min east of St. Joseph, MO. Love is video, man. Great content. Would love to see more videos here. This town has such a rich history

[@sue_downing555]

thanks for posting the vid of the tour of historical sites

[@amancalledgevar]

Nice Job, bro! Felt like i was there. Thanks!

[@davidking6172]

Fascinating place. As you say very dark but served its purpose for getting rid of naughty boys almost medieval in appearance the way the sells are constructed. I would not want my kids sleeping in that room. Crazy

[@dcash7018]

I live in Whites Creek TN where Bill Ryan (alias Tom Hill)was arrested at the Whites Creek Saloon and Frank and Jesse left with families next day from Nashville

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Interesting!

[@georgemansbridge6581]

I love these types of videos man. Awesome.😂

[@stevemilam1747]

Wow! Great stuff!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@stevemilam1747]

Thanks JD!

[@jeffsquires6620]

Love the old west. Thanks again.

[@keoliver82]

Thank you from Missouri!

[@dawndickson2156]

Town museums have hidden treasures and some dark things. But none the less always worth stopping in. Thank you for sharing this. Fascinating!

[@johnmcrae3221]

Seriously fascinating jail. No public execution. But doing that in the jail would be hard on the prisoners. Like you, I could not believe that the child's bedroom was a short distance from the upstairs jail. Great video. Thanks.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Pretty amazing place.

[@johnmcrae3221]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I want to tell you too that watching this got me to subscribe. Looking forward to more.

[@LindaGuy-yg6ju]

Another great video.Thankyou.

[@thomasm.7058]

Thanks, well made, great info and nice music...

[@corey513]

Would love a series on the American frontier. Learning more about the Natives and the settlers would be fascinating!

[@michaelbyrne1596]

Another great video JD. I enjoy the honesty that you show when you discover more than you went for. A bit like expecting one gift under the tree but finding more behind it.

[@homercook1953]

Well very good about Frank James worth seeing

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@Wreckdiver59]

Great video. I think the prison was a gem all by itself.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, that place was cool as heck.

[@augiehedquist6020]

Next you’ll be teaching us about butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂

[@michaelsalvatore574]

I enjoyed this video very much! Good work!

[@alanconnors8881]

"Pretty dang cool." Thanks JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@alanconnors8881]

@@TheHistoryUnderground 👊

[@firekev4525]

Another Great video ..thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@markpalmer6760]

I love american history great video as always!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@SkippackCougar]

hi! thank you for the wonderful videos! you give all very valuable information.

[@DillonDaVillain222]

Definitely subscribing I love the story of Jesse and Frank all that badass stuff they did to get killed by a coward shooting him in the back tho sucks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@keithsifford5326]

Another great video! Was wondering if Lincoln’s walking cane was still on display at the bank in Liberty, pretty interesting story. Keep the videos coming.

[@paulasouder1791]

I love all your videos and the history you are talking about I wish they would told me this in high school

[@edwardaustin740]

I really enjoy and appreciate this channel. Thanks for all you do. It's much appreciated 👍.

[@bobgrewe988]

Cool bit of history. Thanks

[@shammydammy2610]

Yes, always fun to go to the lesser known sites. We had gone to Galena IL, and popped into their museum there. Turned the corner into one of their rooms to be faced with the 9 foot by 12 foot Thomas Nast painting "Peace in Union". A painting I've seen dozens of times in history books...just...right there.

[@nozrep]

that was really cool. Glad your video got put into the algorithm and came up on my “recommendeds”. I watch a lot of history content but hadn’t seen yours before. Keep up the great work.

[@gregdiiamond3899]

I love the CW/old west era of history. If it’s history I love it. I guess I should’ve said my favorite era. Love your channel JD!

[@chrishagan9366]

I spoke to the guy at the front desk and she said 🤣 Another sensational video mate. 🇦🇺👌

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

* Guide…..not guy 🙂

[@karinconradie414]

Thank you for another interesting episode. I'm from South Africa and would never be able to visit these places. I enjoy every episode.

[@ricklipford8762]

What a great video J D have been a Jesse and Frank James fan from the first time I heard about them in elementary school many years ago. Enjoyed this video very much thank you so much for your hard work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!