At Ripley's Believe It or Not!, in Grand Prairie, Texas, you'll find a gun that belonged to one of America's most infamous outlaws, Jesse James. Believed to be his first, the gun was found under the floorboards of his childhood home. But how did this conniving criminal get his start, and did he actually die in the way we all believe?
Farm Boy to Fugitive
Before the infamy, Jesse James was just another kid growing up on a Missouri farm. But when the Civil War broke out, his family’s life was turned upside down. His older brother, Frank James, joined a group of Confederate guerrilla fighters, notorious for their ruthless attacks. Union soldiers eventually came looking for Frank, and when they couldn’t find him, they brutally assaulted the family. The event fueled Jesse’s bitterness and set him on the path to a life outside the law.
The First Heist
By 1869, Jesse and Frank were ready to make a name for themselves. They robbed a bank, with Jesse killing the teller on the spot—a move that cemented his reputation as the most brutal outlaw in the South. Over the years, their gang pulled off daring robberies and heists across multiple states.
The Beginning of the End
In 1876, the gang set their sights on a Minnesota bank, hoping to seize funds tied to two famous Union soldiers. But this time, the townspeople fought back. The robbery ended in disaster, and only Jesse and Frank escaped alive.
A Quiet Life or the Perfect Disguise?
After the failed heist, Jesse tried to leave crime behind, living under the alias Thomas Howard. His quiet life ended in 1882 when a friend shot him in the back for a $10,000 bounty. At least, that’s the official story.
Nearly 50 years later, a man named J. Frank Dalton claimed to be Jesse James, producing affidavits from people who swore they knew him and even offering $5,000 to anyone who could prove him wrong. No one ever collected the reward.
See the Gun That Started It All
Want to see the infamous outlaw's gun for yourself? Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Grand Prairie to see a piece of the Wild West’s greatest mysteries.