James Andrew “Dick” Liddel – Riding With the James Gang
The annals of the American West are replete with figures both romanticized and reviled, individuals who carved their names into history through acts of daring, defiance, and often, outright lawlessness. Among these figures stands James Andrew "Dick" Liddel, a Missourian who rode with the infamous James Gang during its waning years. His story is a complex tapestry woven with threads of outlawry, betrayal, and a surprising reinvention in the world of horse racing. James Andrew “Dick” Liddel was one of the last surviving members of the notorious James Gang.
Born on September 15, 1852, in Jackson County, Missouri, to Milton and Elizabeth Liddil, James Andrew Liddel’s early life offered little indication of the path he would eventually tread. Jackson County, a fertile landscape bordering the burgeoning frontier, was a place of both opportunity and turmoil. The shadow of the Civil War loomed large, its echoes reverberating through the lives of its inhabitants. This environment, steeped in conflict and economic hardship, likely contributed to the rise of many outlaw gangs, including the one that would eventually claim Liddel.
Liddel’s initial brush with the law came in the mid-1870s when he was imprisoned in Mt. Vernon County, Missouri, for horse theft. This period of incarceration may have served as a turning point, solidifying his association with the criminal element. Upon his release, Liddel found himself drawn into the orbit of the James Gang, a group already notorious for their daring bank robberies, train heists, and ruthless reputation.
In 1879, James Andrew “Dick” Liddel formally joined the James Gang. This marked a significant escalation in his criminal career. The gang, led by the charismatic and ruthless Jesse James, operated with a boldness that captivated the public imagination, even as it terrorized communities across the Midwest. Liddel’s first major participation with the gang was the Glendale, Missouri train robbery in October 1879. This audacious heist reportedly yielded a staggering $40,000 for the bandits, a sum that would be equivalent to nearly a million dollars today. The Glendale robbery cemented Liddel’s place within the James Gang and established him as a key player in their operations.
The following years saw Liddel involved in numerous other criminal enterprises. In July 1881, he participated in the robbery of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad in Gallatin, Missouri. Two months later, in September 1881, the gang returned to Glendale, staging another train robbery that netted them approximately $3,000. These actions painted a picture of a man deeply entrenched in a life of crime, seemingly committed to the outlaw lifestyle. He was a full-fledged member of the James Gang.
However, the seeds of the gang’s destruction were already sown, and Liddel’s involvement in a deadly love triangle would ultimately lead to its unraveling. In December 1881, a dispute erupted between Liddel and fellow gang member Wood Hite over the affections of Martha Bolton, a captivating widow who was also the sister of Robert and Charlie Ford. The tension escalated, and Robert Ford, siding with Liddel, fatally shot Hite in the head.
This act of violence marked a turning point for James Andrew “Dick” Liddel. Faced with the consequences of his actions and the looming threat of the law, Liddel made a fateful decision: he turned himself in. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Liddel offered a full confession, revealing everything he knew about the James Gang’s past robberies and activities. This act of betrayal irrevocably shattered the gang’s unity and set in motion the events that would lead to Jesse James’s demise.
Robert Ford, seeking his own redemption and a hefty reward, also struck a deal with authorities to bring down Jesse James. On April 3, 1882, Ford infamously shot Jesse James in the back, effectively ending the reign of the notorious outlaw. Liddel’s testimony played a crucial role in dismantling the James Gang and bringing its members to justice, albeit at the cost of his own reputation.
The summer of 1882 saw Liddel facing trial in Alabama for his involvement in the Muscle Shoals robbery. He was found guilty but received a pardon as part of his agreement to testify against Frank James, Jesse’s brother and fellow gang leader. However, despite Liddel’s testimony, Frank James was acquitted in August 1883. Some accounts suggest that the jury found Liddel’s testimony to be unreliable, highlighting the deep-seated distrust and animosity he faced as a confessed traitor.
Following the trials and the dissolution of the James Gang, Liddel sought to escape his past and forge a new identity. He ventured to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he partnered with Bob Ford to co-own the Bank Saloon. This unlikely alliance between former enemies suggests a complex and perhaps uneasy truce, driven by a shared desire to leave their outlaw past behind.
However, the allure of his former life seemed to fade over time. In the 1890s, Liddel returned to Missouri, seemingly drawn back to the land of his birth. It was here that he embarked on a surprising new chapter, reinventing himself as a prominent figure in the Midwest racehorse circuit. Liddel became a respected horse trainer, owned several fine thoroughbreds, and earned a reputation as one of the most skilled horsemen in the West. This transformation from outlaw to respected equestrian suggests a remarkable capacity for change and a desire to find redemption through honest work and skill.
James Andrew “Dick” Liddel‘s journey, marked by sharp turns and reinvention, came to an end on July 13, 1901, when he died of a heart attack while attending the Queen City Races in Covington, Kentucky. His death marked the final chapter in the life of a man who had lived on both sides of the law, a man who had ridden with the notorious James Gang and later found solace and success in the world of horse racing.
Liddel’s legacy remains a complex and controversial one. He is remembered as an outlaw, a betrayer, and a survivor. His story serves as a reminder of the turbulent times of the American West and the individuals who shaped its history, for better or worse. James Andrew “Dick” Liddel‘s transition from outlaw to horseman makes his life a fascinating study of the old west. While his actions as a member of the James Gang cannot be excused, his subsequent efforts to rebuild his life and contribute to the world of horse racing offer a glimpse of a man seeking redemption. He was a man who embodied the contradictions and complexities of the Wild West, a time and place where legends were born, and reputations were easily made and broken.