Jesse James

Jesse James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, and guerrilla leader. Born and raised in Western Missouri, James and his brother Frank were part of pro-Confederate guerrilla groups during the Civil War. They were accused of committing atrocities against Union soldiers and abolitionists. After the war, the James brothers formed their own gang and gained national fame for robbing banks, stagecoaches, and trains across the Midwest. Despite the brutality of their crimes, they often received popular sympathy. Their criminal activities continued until 1876 when a failed bank robbery led to a decline in their influence and eventual demise.