What did outlaws like Frank and Jesse James do with all the loot they stole?
Mack Maloney
Newbury, Massachusetts
One thing they didn’t do—share the loot with the poor. They divided up the money among the gang and each member spent his share on what he wanted. The James boys lost a fair amount of money in gambling, either at the racetracks or the gambling halls. Some went toward booze. They bought new horses, weapons and clothing, especially when they were planning another holdup. Frankly, they squandered most of the cash.
Marshall Trimble is Arizona’s official historian. His latest book is Wyatt Earp: Showdown at Tombstone. If you have a question, write: Ask the Marshall, P.O. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 or e-mail him at marshall.trimble@scottsdalecc.edu
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