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Discover Mid-America — May 2005

Jesse James Farm houses relics of outlaw past

When Jesse James turned his back on Bob Ford to straighten a picture on the wall of his home in St. Joseph, MO, he received a fatal bullet wound to the back of his head. The date was April 3, 1882, a day that would mark the end of the James Gang’s reign of crime in Mid-America.

With his end also came the beginning of the world’s curiosity about one of this country’s most notorious outlaws. From the outset, the family welcomed such interest in Jesse James.

Despite her grief, Jesse’s mother, Zerelda James Samuels, never declined the opportunity to take money from curious tourists who traveled to the family farmhouse near Kearney, MO, intent on viewing the outlaw’s grave. In addition to the fee she charged to see the gravesite and tour the farmhouse, Zerelda sold small stones, which had been placed on the grave. When she ran out of the original stones, she replenished them from a nearby creek that ran through the farm.

After Zerelda moved off the farm, Frank James and his wife, Annie, continued the tourist enterprise, supplementing Frank’s income as a shoe salesman and race starter. When Frank died in 1915, their son, Robert Franklin James, continued to maintain the farm until his death in 1959.

By 1978, the farm had fallen into disrepair and the house was nearly in ruins. The county purchased the property from the family, and started restoration work with help from a newly formed organization, The Friends of the James Farm. After a year, visitors began to return. Today, the farm has been restored as closely as possible to the condition it was in when the James family lived there. Annually, as many as 18,000 persons have visited the farm, coming from all over the world.

A state-of-the-art museum shows visitors what life was like in the 1800s, along with displays of artifacts used by the family and others of the era. On display are three of Jesse’s guns, the boots he was wearing when he was killed, and the family Bible with notations written by Zerelda.

Remnants of Jesse’s original tombstone are on display. (He was reburied in a family plot — with his wife and mother — in Olivet Cemetery in Kearney.) There is a model of the James farm, surrender papers by Frank James, family photographs, and other items. A small theater, decorated with posters of James Gang-related movies, shows a film depicting outlaw days.

In the house, visitors can see furniture and household items that were used by the James family. On one wall are framed tributes Zerelda had made to commemorate her dead sons, Archie (killed in 1875 by a bomb thrown into the house by the Pinkerton Detective Agency) and Jesse.

The restored main cabin, built in 1822, is thought to be the oldest standing structure in Clay County. The restored fireplace, where the Pinkerton bomb exploded can be seen here.

Elizabeth Gilliam Beckett, Clay County Historic Sites director, offices downstairs. She showed me the museum’s research library, also in the downstairs area, that serves as an important resource for historians.

Carolyn Brennecka, who has worked as an interpreter for more than nine years, said she was always excited about showing the old house.

“We get visitors from all over the world,” she said. “I learn new things about the James family all the time. Every day is different.”

An excellent gift shop at the museum offers historical books and many other items.

Friends of the James Farm will host a Reunion June 10 at the James Farm. A writers’ conference, movies and barbecue will be featured. A Blackpowder Shoot will be held the following day.

The James Farm is located east of Kearney, MO. Take Hwy. 92 just out of town to N. Jefferson St. then go left and keep to the right. The James Farm is on the left at 21216 James Farm Road.

Visitors can tour the museum and farmhouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and over) and $3.75 for children 8-15. Children under 8 are free.

Learn more by calling 816-628-6065 or log on to the Friends of the James Farm website: www.jessejames.org. Other James history can be found at www.legendsofamerica.com.

Discover Mid-America founder and Senior Contributing Editor Ken Weyand files regular reports on notable Midwest destinations. He can be reached at kweyand@gbronline.com.

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