Robert Ford – Jesse James’ Killer
Robert Newton Ford, a name inextricably linked with infamy in the annals of the American West, remains etched in history as the man who fatally betrayed Jesse James. Born on January 31, 1862, in Ray County, Missouri, Ford, one of seven children born to James Thomas Ford and Mary Ann Bruin, would forever be remembered as the "dirty little coward" who brought down the notorious outlaw. His story is a complex tapestry of youthful admiration, opportunistic betrayal, and a life ultimately consumed by the very notoriety he sought.
From a young age, the wiry Robert Ford was captivated by the daring exploits of Jesse James. The allure of the outlaw life, the tales of daring robberies, and the romanticized image of the James Gang fueled the young boy’s imagination. This fascination eventually led to a fateful meeting in 1880, when Ford finally encountered the object of his admiration.
He and his older brother, Charles, began to gravitate toward the periphery of the James Gang. By this time, the infamous gang had been significantly weakened by death, capture, and desertion, leaving its ranks depleted. Recognizing an opportunity, the Ford brothers eagerly sought to join, and Jesse, perhaps desperate for manpower, allowed them into the fold. However, neither brother initially played a significant role in the gang’s operations.
Charles Ford allegedly participated in the Blue Cut train robbery near Glendale, Missouri, on September 7, 1881. This daring heist, which netted the six participating members approximately $3,000 in cash and jewelry pilfered from the unfortunate passengers, marked the James Gang’s last train robbery. Among the participants were the notorious brothers Frank and Jesse James, Dick Liddel, and Clarence and Wood Hite.
There is no documented evidence of Robert Ford’s involvement in any of the James Gang’s robberies. He was largely considered a "hanger-on," relegated to menial tasks such as holding horses while the more seasoned outlaws carried out their crimes. His role was insignificant, a far cry from the legendary status he craved.
In November 1881, Jesse James, under the alias J.D. Howard, moved his wife and family to St. Joseph, Missouri. He intended to settle down, hoping to lead a more respectable life. Yet, the lure of one last score proved too strong to resist. Jesse envisioned robbing a bank in Platte County, Missouri, believing that the spoils would provide him with the financial security to retire as a gentleman farmer.
However, the State of Missouri, weary of the James Gang’s reign of terror, had reached its breaking point. Around the same time, Missouri Governor Thomas Crittendon offered a substantial reward of $10,000 for information leading to the capture, dead or alive, of Frank or Jesse James. This bounty would ultimately prove to be the catalyst for Jesse James’s downfall.
In January 1882, two James Gang members, Wood Hite and Dick Liddel, sought refuge at the home of Martha Bolton, Robert Ford’s widowed sister, while evading the law. One morning, during breakfast, a heated argument erupted between Hite and Liddel. Robert Ford, witnessing the escalating conflict, remained on the sidelines. The argument quickly spiraled out of control, culminating in a violent shootout.
Hite fired four shots in rapid succession, one of which struck Liddel in the leg. Liddel returned fire, hitting Hite in the arm. In the ensuing chaos, Robert Ford, ostensibly acting in defense of his friend Liddel, drew his own weapon and fired a single shot, fatally striking Hite in the head. Wood Hite succumbed to his injuries moments later.
Ford, concealing the crime, wrapped Hite’s lifeless body in a blanket and transported it to a secluded area in the woods, where he buried him in a shallow, unmarked grave. This act of violence, combined with Ford’s insatiable greed and thirst for fame, sealed Jesse James’s fate. The name of Robert Ford would forever be associated with this act.
News of the shooting quickly reached the authorities, leading to Ford’s arrest. However, upon informing detectives that he possessed information regarding the whereabouts of the highly sought-after Jesse James, Ford was released. Subsequently, Ford secretly met with Missouri Governor Thomas T. Crittenden, who offered him a deal: in exchange for assassinating Jesse James, Ford would receive a full pardon for the murder of Hite and the killing of James, as well as the reward money.
Ford, driven by ambition and a desire to escape the consequences of his actions, agreed to the governor’s proposition. He then met with the Sheriff of Clay County, and together, they devised a plan to capture Jesse James. This plan revolved around betrayal and deception.
By March 1882, several members of the James Gang had begun surrendering to the authorities, leaving Jesse James with a dwindling number of associates to plan his next bank robbery. Among the few remaining were Charles and Robert Ford. Despite harboring a deep distrust of Robert Ford, Jesse proceeded with his plans.
On the morning of April 3, 1882, Jesse James was having breakfast with the Ford brothers at his home in St. Joseph. After the meal, the men proceeded to the parlor, where Jesse outlined his plans to rob the Platte City, Missouri Bank. During the discussion, Jesse noticed that a framed needlepoint picture, crafted by his mother, was hanging crookedly on the wall.
He stood on a chair to adjust the picture. In that moment of vulnerability, he heard the distinct sound of Robert Ford’s pistol being cocked. As Jesse turned slightly, Robert Ford fired a shot, striking him just below the right ear. Jesse James, the notorious outlaw, toppled to the floor, dead at the age of 34.
Initially, Robert Ford was charged with the murders of both Wood Hite and Jesse James. However, true to his word, Governor Crittenden pardoned him while he stood trial for the murder of Jesse James. The act of killing James was considered an act of service to the state.
However, the reward money proved to be less than promised, and Ford received only a fraction of the anticipated sum. Upon returning to their hometown of Richmond, Missouri, Bob and Charles Ford were met with hostility and disdain. The residents, repulsed by the brothers’ betrayal of Jesse James, made their lives unbearable.
Fueled by paranoia and fear, Charles Ford began moving from town to town, constantly looking over his shoulder. He changed his name several times, attempting to evade the vengeance of Frank James, who was rumored to be seeking retribution for his brother’s death. After two years of living in constant fear, Charles Ford, unable to cope with the psychological burden, committed suicide in 1884.
In the meantime, Robert Ford, attempting to capitalize on his notoriety, embarked on a theatrical career. He appeared in a stage production entitled Outlaws of Missouri, where he retold his version of the events leading to Jesse James’s death, conveniently omitting the fact that he had shot James in the back.
However, Ford’s theatrical endeavors were short-lived. He was met with jeers, catcalls, and challenges from audiences who viewed him as a cowardly betrayer. Eventually, Ford abandoned the stage and relocated to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he operated a saloon for a time before moving on to Creede, Colorado.
After arriving in Creede, Ford became involved in a saloon brawl. Drunk and enraged after losing a bet, he and an associate named Joe Palmer, a member of the Soapy Smith gang, began shooting out windows and street lamps along Main Street. Soapy Smith helped Ford and Palmer escape before they could be arrested. The two men were banned from returning, but with the help of friends and business partners, they were soon allowed to go back into Creede.
On May 29, 1892, he opened a Ford’s Exchange dance hall. But luck was not with Ford, and just six days later, on June 6, the entire business district, including Ford’s dancehall, burned to the ground. Wasting no time, Bob reopened another saloon a few days later in a makeshift shift tent.
The very next day, June 8, a man named Edward O’Kelley walked in with a sawed-off shotgun. As Ford’s back was to the door, O’Kelley said, "Hello, Bob," and as Ford turned around to see who had addressed him, O’Kelley shot him with both barrels, killing him instantly. Some historians speculate that Soapy Smith was involved in Ford’s death, perhaps talking O’Kelley into the act. Ford was buried in Creede but was later exhumed and reburied in his hometown of Richmond, Missouri.
O’Kelley was arrested and tried for murder. He was convicted and given a twenty-year sentence in the Colorado Penitentiary. However, after serving ten years, he was released in 1902. Two years later, in January 1904, lawmen shot O’Kelley down in the streets of Oklahoma City.
The life of Robert Ford, Jesse James’s killer, came to a violent end, mirroring the violence that had defined his life. His legacy remains a cautionary tale of ambition, betrayal, and the consequences of seeking fame through dishonorable means. He is forever remembered not as a hero, but as the "dirty little coward" who shot Jesse James in the back.