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Good morning, World!
Dave, I hope you're saving all these messages. You and I have a pretty descent comedy act forming here! If (and that's a BIG "if") our radio station had a TALK format, I would LOVE to have you on. But its just your basic news, weather, sports and music. "Your home in the country...regional radio KAAN".
I'll try to go over some of your recent comments, questions and replies. If I miss something, it is NOT an intent to avoid the subject. I think you know that. But I'll try to get it all in.
I fully agree that I have the "traditional viewpoint" concerning the death of Jesse James (you put that SO diplomatically, by the way!), and admit that
it will take hard evidence to convince me otherwise. I'm just not that quick to abandon 100 years of history and jump on the conspiracy bandwagon.
It was the same way with Oliver Stone's movie, "JFK". Great movie! LOUSY history! But then again, I'm talking with a Texan and we don't want to initiate another debate here! LOL (By the way, "LOL" means either "Lots of
Laughs" or "Laughing Out Loud". But I liked your "Lots of Luck" definition, too!)
On the Wood Hite issue, you pointed out that some of the sources had "different content". I think we should point out right now, and we should ALL consider, that MANY of those newspapers and other "sources" from that time were not exactly reliable or accurate in many cases. I have found SO many erroneous comments in those old newspapers that I don't consider it reliable unless I can find it in at least three independent sources, and even then sometimes I have my doubts. News just wasn't that reliable back then, communication was even worse, and many newspaper editors just weren't that concerned with the accuracy as long as it would sell papers. So, with
that said, lets get into the information:
Two researchers, one of which is a college professor of history, have identified all but three individuals in the "Barrel Factory" photo. I'm not 100% sure about it, to be honest, because I haven't checked his sources myself. But he has been accurate in other topics that I HAVE checked on.
Please understand, but I would rather not put out his name until I contact him and make sure it is OK. There are some legal considerations with that photo and I sure don't want to cause him any problems. I'll see what I can do and will let you know.
Your Question: What source reported Dick Liddle's confession to Commissioner Craig.....
A: The confession itself has been published in a few books, and in Governor Crittenden's memoirs. As far as publically, it was published in the KC Journal "around" April 10. I'm not sure of the exact date, but can find it
if needed. I have a copy in my files someplace!!!
Betty's Comment/Question: She quotes the Omaha Bee of April 6: "The remains of Wood Hite were found on their (the Ford boys) farm where they were buried last evening." Her comment is that this would mean that the body was buried on the 5th.
A: We have a poor choice of wording here. The body was FOUND "last evening"...not buried. It would have been clearer if the writer had said:
The remains of Wood Hite were found last evening on their (the Ford boys) farm where they were buried." Poor wording. Nothing more.
Also, if the body HAD been buried on April 5, it would not have been nearly as decomposed, which is another element of Betty's theory. GOTCHA!
As we have discussed many times, I think the Wood Hite topic is a "dead" issue in regards to Betty's scenario. (Get it? "Dead" issue?) While I admit that Betty has some very "interesting" information", the whole Wood
Hite thing just doesn't fit. If (AGAIN, a very LARGE "if" here!!) that is NOT Jesse James buried in Kearney, I am SURE that it is NOT Wood Hite. I can track Wood Hite's activities and movements through the last half of
1881, and can do the same for Jesse for that matter (step by step). I will say that there has been some speculation as to WHY Wood was killed. Some have said that it was because of his interest in Martha Bolton while others
have said that it was a dispute over money. I KNOW why he was killed.
Betty is not the only one working on a book, by the way. You're just going to have to trust me on this one. Wood was killed because he was a threat to Dick Liddle and his plans to surrender and give Jesse away. He showed up at Bolton's (Bob and Charlie's sister) at the wrong time...just as the plan was formulating. They had to get rid of him. More on this when the time is right. Besides, if there was a conspiracy to help Jesse fade into obscurity, why would his own cousin have to be killed? Wouldn't Wood have willingly assisted? And if the theory is that Wood was killed, so they decided to use his body as that of Jesse's, that doesn't make sense either because there just wouldn't have been enough time to get everyone together
who would have had to go along with the plan, brief them, make sure they all went along, and put the conspiracy together.
Your Comment/Question: "The recent statement from Mr Hoctor casts reasonable doubt that the tooth did not come from the grave claimed to be Jesse's."
A: I decline to comment on Mr Hoctor's statements at this time. Not that I'm afraid to!!! I just don't want this discussion to become personal (I'm sure you agree), and if I do, it will. Hope you understand.
As far as the tooth and its origin, I will say that I have absolutely NO respect for Prof. Starrs or his motivations! I think he is FAR more concerned with his own reputation and finances than he is in history.
(Surprised?) But I have done a little checking into the reputations of those who ACTUALLY conducted the exhumation and testing, and have found them
to be VERY credible. The primary responsibility of the exhumation fell on Prof Michael Finnigan (REALLY!) and he is of the highest order. Also, I was present for about 75% of the exhumation. Not ALL, I admit. And I was not
making a list of items recovered. But it WAS done with the utmost care and professionalism. I just find it hard to believe that they would have gone through that much time and effort, and then perpetrate a fraud. Besides, what would it gain them? It would have been MUCH more "lucrative" and even BIGGER news if they had found that it was NOT Jesse James! To prove that it AS was almost anti-climatic.
Your Comment: "So how many people really knew him?"
A: LOTS! The arrogant little cuss rode right down the main street of Kearney to get married! He had several friends in Jackson County, mostly old war buddies, who sheltered and protected him, and knew him on site.
Sheriff Timberlake knew him on sight. Many of the neighbors had grown up with him.
Your Comments, and Betty's Questions: "The man killed on April 3, 1882, may have had all the above wounds, but how do we really know if it was Jesse James?....Wood Hite was probably missing a fingertip and had chest and leg wounds. Where did the "experts" get their information about Jesse's wounds?
A: (Going to have to take this one in segments. Three sentences...three responses.)
1. How do we really know if it was Jesse James? Well, that's what we're here to determine. Isn't it.
2. Two guys with EXACTLY the same wounds? OH, COME ON!!!!! Jesse had six bullet wounds, including the one that killed him, and I can tell you EXACTLY
when, where and how he got every one. Now excuse me, but to even SUGGEST that Wood Hite had the EXACT same wounds as Jesse James is just rediculous!
What on earth would be the chances of THAT happening? Three of the wounds were received during the war. I can even give you the name of the doctors who treated him! Wood was not in the war. Too young. As as far as Betty's comment of "Wood Hite was probably missing a fingertip and had chest and leg wounds."... WHAT? Where did THAT come from? To my knowledge, The only wound that Wood ever suffered was the one that killed him.
3. On the subject of "Where did the "experts" get their information about Jesse's wounds?" Well, all things considered, I'm going to include myself into the "experts" classification, and I got my information from a variety
of sources including witness statements, several newspaper articles, statements from several individuals who knew Jesse James, the statement of one of the doctors who treated him, etc., etc., LOTS! I sure don't mean to sound disrespectful or sarcastic (REALLY!), but to even SUGGEST that both men had the same wounds is just SILLY! For Wood to have been mistaken for
Jesse James, and to have had all the same wounds as Jesse is known to have had, he would have had to assume the identify...and life...in 1864, and that is just not possible. Wood was still back home in Kentucky with his Mamma.
As Dennis Miller would say, "I don't mean to get off on a rant here,but......."
HEY! We agree on something!!! You said, or better yet Betty said, "that Jesse came to Texas in 1871. Likely he participated in gang robberies after that time...." YEP!!!! Totally agree! Frank and Jesse DID make several trips to Texas, and I admit that IF Jesse was going to drop out of the gang at that time, Texas would probably have been one of his top choices! You are also correct in saying that there is no legal document that says that Jesse ever married Zee. A marriage license wasn't required back then!
Marriages were recorded, if the parties chose to do so, but for the most part it was nothing more than a matter of finding a minister, judge or justice of the peace and getting married. Got an actual marriage license for James Courtney? Hey, I've been married and divorced TWICE. Have no idea where the marriage licenses are!
On the Charlie Ford suicide issue: Your comment: Charlie and Bob were in on the hoax and Charlie didn't die as history records."
A; So we have another conspiracy here! RIGHT! Would you like a copy of the newspaper article and the doctor's statement as to the suicide? I have them! WHY? Why would Charlie want to fake HIS death? The only possible reason would be because he was tired of being ridiculed and harrassed because of how Jesse was killed. Charlie has always gotten a bad rap over this deal. Personally, I don't think he knew anything about the plan to kill Jesse until the night of April 2nd! But why would he fake his death, then keep his own name? And who was killed in his place and why? Why would the doctor lie? I don't know this Willie Ford who has contacted Betty, but someone might want to check into his geneology a little. Does Betty know for SURE he is even related to the Ray County Fords? Some people will do a lot of strange things for a little attention. I'm sounding pretty sarcastic, aren't I. Sorry. But for all this to fit together as Betty describes it, the "conspiracy" would have had to have gone on for YEARS and would have involved dozens if not HUNDREDS of people!
Betty says: Willie Ford said his grandfather Charles Ford...did not die and I believe him."
My comment: WHY? I have a bridge to sell if anyone is interested! LOL
GOT TO GO! Or I'll be late for work!
Take care, keep me posted, and you KNOW you'll hear from me again!
Later! Have fun!
Phil
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