A Detour From the Outlaw Trail

Frank James’ brief retirement brought peace and contentment.

For Frank James, the years just after the James-Younger Gang’s disastrous raid on Northfield, MN in 1876 were a revelation.  He and his wife moved to Tennessee—and welcomed a son in 1878. Frank held regular jobs, as a farmer and teamster, and talked about the enjoyment he got from them. And his personality mellowed.  He stopped drinking and swearing. He regularly attended the Methodist church. And Frank made many friends—including some officers and patrolmen of the Nashville Police Department.

Frank James was forced to leave that life when the law got too close in 1880.