Frank – The Other James Boy
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James, often overshadowed by his younger brother Jesse, carved a unique, albeit intertwined, path through the tumultuous landscape of 19th and early 20th-century America. While Jesse’s name became synonymous with outlawry and a romanticized vision of the Wild West, Frank’s story is one of complexity, contradiction, and ultimately, a life that transitioned from Confederate soldier and bank robber to a respected, albeit controversial, citizen. This is the story of Frank James, the other James boy, a figure whose life extended far beyond the shadow of his more notorious sibling.
The popular narrative often casts Jesse James as the quintessential outlaw, a figure immortalized in dime novels and Hollywood films. This image, fueled by a dramatic death in 1882, tends to eclipse the life and experiences of his elder brother. Yet, understanding Frank James provides a more nuanced perspective on the era, the motivations of those who turned to outlawry, and the complex social and political factors that shaped their destinies. Frank’s life, spanning from 1843 to 1915, witnessed the Civil War, the Reconstruction era, and the transformation of the American West, offering a fascinating lens through which to examine these pivotal periods.
Born on January 10, 1843, on the family farm near Kearney, Missouri, Alexander Franklin James displayed an early aptitude for learning. Unlike the stereotypical image of a rough-and-tumble outlaw, Frank was a studious young man with aspirations of becoming a teacher. He possessed a deep appreciation for literature, particularly the works of William Shakespeare. It is said that even while evading Union soldiers and, later, law enforcement, Frank carried copies of Shakespeare’s plays in his saddlebags, a testament to his intellectual pursuits amidst a life of violence and uncertainty. However, the escalating tensions and the outbreak of the Civil War would dramatically alter the course of Frank’s life, diverting him from his academic ambitions and plunging him into the heart of the conflict. The history of Frank James is a story of conflict and contradiction.
At the age of 18, Frank James joined the Confederate cause, enlisting under General Sterling Price. He participated in the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, a significant early engagement in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Price, commanding the Missouri State Guard and aided by Confederate General Benjamin McCulloch, aimed to assert Missouri’s neutrality in the conflict. Frank followed Price as far as Springfield, Missouri. Illness forced him to remain behind when Price abandoned the area to Union forces after a victory at Lexington. Captured, Frank was compelled to swear an oath of loyalty to the United States, a coerced act that would later fuel his resentment and further entangle him in the violence that engulfed the region. This initial foray into military service, albeit short-lived, exposed Frank to the brutal realities of war and laid the foundation for his subsequent involvement in guerrilla warfare.
An interview Frank James gave to the Springfield Republican on September 27, 1898, offers valuable insight into his wartime experiences. He recounted his capture in Springfield in 1862 and his subsequent escape from the courthouse where he was held. He described how he evaded Union forces and eventually joined William Clarke Quantrill’s infamous band of Confederate bushwhackers. "I wanted to join my regiment," Frank stated, "but was cut off from Price and knew that the chances were greatly against me if I attempted to get past the Yankees who were between me and Price, so I started north and one evening rode into Quantrill’s camp… I remained with Quantrill for some time and finally became one of his regulars." He considered Quantrill to be the greatest guerrilla leader. The association with Quantrill would indelibly shape Frank’s future and solidify his reputation as a Confederate sympathizer and, ultimately, an outlaw.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Jesse James joined Quantrill’s Partisan Rangers in 1863 at the young age of sixteen. These guerrilla fighters, operating outside the conventional rules of warfare, engaged in raids, ambushes, and acts of violence against Union soldiers and civilians alike. The brutality and lawlessness of Quantrill’s men instilled a deep-seated animosity towards the Union and contributed to the escalating cycle of violence that characterized the Missouri-Kansas border region. Frank James served alongside notorious figures such as "Bloody Bill" Anderson and the Younger brothers, forging bonds that would later influence their criminal activities.
During the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on December 7, 1862, Frank James reportedly came to the aid of General Joseph Shelby, rescuing him from capture or death at the hands of a Union officer. This act of bravery forged a lifelong friendship between Frank and Shelby, who would later become a staunch supporter and character witness for Frank during his trials. After the war, Frank followed Quantrill into Kentucky. He was present near Judge Alex Sayer’s home on May 10, 1865, when Quantrill was mortally wounded in a shootout. After Quantrill refused to escape, Frank surrendered on July 26, 1865, at Samuel’s Depot in Nelson County, Kentucky.
With the Confederacy defeated, Frank James, along with his brother Jesse and the Younger brothers, turned to a life of crime. They embarked on a series of bank and train robberies that spanned several states, from Mississippi to Minnesota. The James-Younger Gang, as they became known, gained notoriety for their daring heists and their ability to evade law enforcement. Unlike the stereotypical depiction of uneducated outlaws, Frank James and his associates were often described as intelligent and well-mannered individuals who could blend seamlessly into polite society.
The James-Younger Gang’s criminal exploits were not limited to Missouri. On February 13, 1866, Frank, Cole Younger, and a group of men robbed the bank at Liberty, Missouri, taking money that belonged to the government. One citizen was killed during the robbery. On July 21, 1873, they robbed the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad at Adair, Iowa, derailing the train and killing the engineer. These acts of violence and theft solidified their reputation as dangerous outlaws and fueled the relentless pursuit by law enforcement agencies.
In 1874, Frank James eloped with Annie Ralston, a well-educated woman from Independence, Missouri. Despite his outlaw lifestyle, Frank maintained a close relationship with Annie, who provided him with stability and companionship amidst the chaos and uncertainty of his criminal career. On September 7, 1876, the gang attempted to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota. This disastrous robbery resulted in the deaths of two gang members and a bystander, and the wounding of Frank and all three Younger brothers. The failed Northfield raid marked a turning point for the James-Younger Gang, leading to their eventual capture or dispersal.
Following the Northfield debacle, Frank and Jesse James remained on the run, evading capture for several years. They sought refuge in various locations, including a farm near Nashville, Tennessee, where Frank and Annie lived under assumed names. Their only child, Robert Franklin James, was born on February 6, 1878. Jesse persuaded Frank to resume his outlaw ways. In March 1881, Jesse, along with two other men, robbed an army paymaster near Muscle Shoals, Alabama. One of the robbers was captured and identified Jesse and Frank James as his accomplices.
With a $10,000 reward on their heads, the James brothers were living on borrowed time. On April 3, 1882, Jesse James was shot and killed by Bob Ford, a member of his own gang, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Jesse’s death marked the end of an era and left Frank to confront the consequences of his past.
On October 5, 1882, Frank James surrendered to Missouri Governor Thomas Crittenden in Jefferson City. He was subsequently tried for various crimes, including the Northfield robbery and the murder of Frank McMillan during a train robbery in Winston, Missouri. Despite overwhelming evidence against him, Frank was acquitted in both trials, owing in part to the sympathy of juries comprised of former Confederate soldiers and the skillful defense provided by his team of prominent lawyers.
Following his acquittal, Frank James attempted to reintegrate into society. He worked various jobs, including as a shoe salesman and a race starter. He also capitalized on his notoriety by appearing in Wild West shows and giving tours of the James-Samuels Homestead. Frank James died on February 18, 1915, a devout Christian and respected citizen. His life, a complex tapestry of violence, loyalty, and redemption, stands as a testament to the enduring fascination with the American West and its legendary outlaws. Even at the age of 70, Frank James stood at the gate of the Jesse James Farm, allowing curious spectators to pay to see the farm and Jesse’s grave.