The James-Younger Gang turns to train robbery. A half dozen men crouched next to the railroad tracks near Adair, Iowa, on July 21, 1873. The Rock...
Truth or Adair
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Jesse James
Shooting Back
Our readers remind us of the variables and vagaries of historic truths, “well-established” facts, headlines and historical photographs. Did Bob Ford...
Riding with the James Gang
For 70 years, True West’s editors have been publishing stories about the legendary Missouri outlaws. In the summer of 1953, True West’s founding...
The Dirty Little Coward Gets His Due
“I remember telling Ron once that I considered The Assassination of Jesse James as by far the best Jesse James movie ever made. He replied that he...
The Strange and Mesmerizing Death of the Outlaw Jesse James
For over 140 years, Bob Ford’s cowardly killing of Jesse James has fascinated historians seeking the truth behind the assassination. “That man is...
One Legit Brit
New research changes the long-accepted story of how Jesse James cashed in his chips. We pride ourselves on telling the true stories of the...
Little by Liddil (Jesse Goes Down)
Wood Hite vs. Dick Liddil Maps & Graphics by Gus Walker. Based on the research of Dr. Sam Palmer and Dan Thrapp. December 4, 1881 James...
The Power of Pictures
The very best historical photographs from our treasured vaults define our idea of the West. In honor of our 70th year, the editors of True West have...
How did Frank and Jessie James Manage to Spend all that Loot?
As with similar stories about Old West outlaws, we hear about the banks and trains they robbed and the amounts of money they stole. Take Jesse and...
Hallowed Ground & Honored Heroes
Across the West, cemeteries, monuments and memorials provide a poignant reminder of the West’s historic past. Across the United States...
How did Bob Ford, the killer of Jesse James die?
Soon after Bob Ford shot Jesse James at Jesse’s home In St. Joseph, Missouri public opinion turned against Bob and Charlie Ford. Bob was seen as a...
A Dry Run for Northfield?
Did Jesse James use another holdup as preparation? July 7, 1876. Members of the James-Younger Gang held up a train outside Otterville, Missouri....