Jesse James Trivia Quiz

Answer: Clay County

Jesse James was born on September 5, 1847, in Clay County, Missouri. He had two older brothers and a younger sister.

Answer: minister

Jesse's father, Robert, died when Jesse was three years old. His mother married Benjamin Simms, but they later separated. She then married a doctor named Reuben Samuels, who fathered a son (and half-brother of Jesse James) - Archie, who they all doted on.

Answer: True

Jesse belonged to "Bloody" Bill Anderson's guerrilla band while his brother, Frank, was part of William C. Quantrill's band. The defeat of the South left them embittered and rebellious.

Answer: The Youngers

Cole, Jim and Bob Younger were the James' cousins.

Answer: February 13, 1866

The James gang committed this robbery in Liberty, Missouri. On July 21, 1873 they robbed their first train, September 7, 1876 was the day of the notorious Northfield, Minnesota bank robbery and April 24, 1875 was the day Jesse and his wife, Zerelda, married.

Answer: The ill-fated robbery at the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota

Jesse, Frank, the Younger brothers, Charlie Pitts, Clell Miller and Bill Chadwell rode into Minnesota and attempted to rob the First National Bank in Northfield. The Younger brothers were wounded and taken into custody. Pitts, Miller and Chadwell were killed. Jesse and Frank were the only ones to avoid capture. Three years later, they re-emerged with a new gang.

Answer: Jesse's half-brother, Archie

Jesse's half-brother, Archie, who he and Frank always looked out for, was instantly killed and their mother had her arm blown off. The public sympathized with the Jameses because they believed the government was out to get them.

Answer: Missouri governor Thomas Crittenden

Crittenden originally offered $5,000 for the capture of either Jesse or Frank. It was even rumored that he conspired with the Fords to assasinate the famed outlaw.

Answer: Straightening out a picture on the wall

Bob and Charlie Ford, who Jesse recruited for his new gang, made a deal with Crittenden and killed Jesse at his home on April 3, 1882, while Jesse was planning the gang's next job. Zerelda, Jesse's widow, heard the shot but Bob Ford told her the gun went off by accident, to which she replied "Yeah, I guess it went off on purpose". Crittenden pardoned Ford for this and other crimes he committed and gave him his reward money.

Answer: True

According to this legend, Jesse stole from the rich to give to the poor. However, the facts show that Jesse stole from people of all classes and gave the money to himself.