Customer Reviews

Jesse James Was My Neighbor

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Homer Croy wrote this informal biography of the James boys of Missouri, first published in 1949. The author uses homespun sources for many of the stories and anecdotes of Jesse and Frank, the Younger brothers, and their nefarious associates. Mr. Croy lived near Jesse's base in northwestern Missouri, hence the title. Croy was born the year after Jesse died, and considered himself almost a contemporary. He traveled to various towns and farms interviewing folks who remembered the Widow James and her famous sons. The result is a casual history, and reminds one of sitting on a front porch in small town Missouri while the old people spin tales. Lest one doubt the credibility of the sources, Mr. Croy takes care through newspaper archives and other, more objective sources to verify the facts. He also briefly examines the influence of Frank and Jesse on dime novels, art, and movies. Croy is forthright in his biases, but also keeps his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. Out in Missouri, folks truly admired Jesse and Frank, especially their low opinion of banks and railroads. It's doubtful that Jesse James was really an Old West Robin Hood, but the book never seriously suggests that as a fact. We can believe that Jesse's killer, Bob Ford, was a coward, and that Pinkerton men were considered polecats. Decent folks just didn't stand for that type of behavior. The book won't give the reader any particular insight, beyond the obvious, of the James boys and their motivations. Nevertheless, it's an entertaining blend of fact and folklore. Good light reading for students of Western history. ;-)

I first read this book in grade school, UMPTEEN years ago, when , mostly to annoy my Mom, I set about reading every book I could find on western outlaws. After my "Billy the Kid" era, I moved on to Jesse James. First I read the "scholarly" books with the ooky pictures of dead outlaws and Jesse's scary one-armed mother (her hand was blown off by a bomb lobbed through the family door by the Pinkertons.) Then I found Homer Croy, who tells roughly the same stories, but with a wonderfully humorous and personal writing style. Stylistic, yes, and probably more legend than truth. But of all the books, this is my very favorite. I was so happy to learn it was back in print. I assume that Mr. Croy has passed on, but he hasn't, I'd travel to wherever he is to buy him lunch. Perhaps not a "great" book in the sense of, say, WAR & PEACE, but a great book nonetheless.

A well written book by a fellow NW Missourian, Mr. Croy interviewed many eyewitness's to the actual James gang robberies. It is easy and fun to read. A must have book.

Published in 1949, a copy of this one came into my hands around 1960, when I was 15 and ready to explore Jesse and Frank James in books instead of films. I was so impressed with it that I wrote my first fan letter, having found Mr. Croy's New York City address in a reference book at my local library. He wrote back, a short, typed note on yellow paper, and initialed it "H.C." rather than signing a full autograph. I no longer have this memento, unfortunately, although I kept it until just a few years ago, when I gave it and a companion book about the James' saga to a friend. Two years ago I had the opportunity to visit the James Farm and museum, not too far from Kansas City, and the Liberty, Mo. bank that was the first victim of what eventually became Frank and Jesse's chief profession. Those sites are fascinating and well worth a visit. As for the book, re-reading it at 64 instead of 15 does bring out its flaws, yet I still enjoyed it very much. Mr. Croy tried to include only stories of the James family which had some verification by his standards, which are not the standards trained historians apply today. But he interviewed, in the 1940's, a few people who claimed to know one of the brothers, and Frank's son and other kin who for sure knew them, at least in Frank's post-bandit career. Some of his sources were the children and grandchildren of men who rode with Frank and Jesse in the border wars, or chased them after robberies up to 15 years later. If the legend of the James Gang interests you, find a copy of this volume. Homer Croy was not a literal neighbor, having grown up some miles from the James land, but, being born the year after Jesse was killed, he was surely steeped in bandit lore from a young age, sharing the streets of small Missouri towns with James family members, victims, and friends.

Jesse James Was My Neighbor, Homer Croy

Homer Croy grew up in an area close to the James' homestead. He decided to write a book about Jesse James to correct all the myths and errors. He talked to old-timers who had known Frank and James. Croy corresponded with Frank's son Bob and Jesse James Jr. He discovered amazing new facts, the truth was more startling than any myth. A family Bible provided the births and deaths. The "Contents" lists twenty-nine chapters, Sources, Necrology, and Index. Croy writes in an entertaining style that is rare nowadays. These stories were carried on by word of mouth; no tape recorders or movie cameras were used. Croy notes the people there had "private and personal feelings about the uncontrolled banks and greedy railroads" (p.94).

I once saw a TV program that said the legends of Jesse James were similar to those of Robin Hood. Similar personalities? Read Chapter IX. The big problem for Jesse James was getting reliable help. Many did not have the temperament for this kind of work. Then there was the risk of someone claiming the $10,000 reward (Chapter X). People knew what to look for regarding robbers (p.105). The gang went to Minnesota and reconnoitered the roads. The robbery of the Northfield bank went wrong. Citizens grabbed their guns and opened fire on the robbers. The James gang left without loot and suffered casualties. The alarm was sounded, the telegraph spread the news (Chapter XI). Hundreds joined in the chase. Only Frank and Jesse escaped. Jesse was protected as no picture of him existed (p.133). But the passage of years brought danger (Chapter XV).

Chapter XVII tells how Bob Ford decided to get Jesse James for money and fame. When Jesse's back was turned Bob Ford shot him in the head. Ford had secretly met Governor Crittenden to arrange things. Many people came to see the body (Chapter XIX). Jesse's mother mourned for her "poor boy who never wronged anybody". Jesse's family was destitute (p.199). Ford did not get the promised $10,000 reward (p.201). Frank James surrendered to Governor Crittenden. Popular opinion now favored Frank, who had eight lawyers. The prosecutor had never lost a case (p.207). The jury said "Not Guilty" (p.208). So did an Alabama jury (p.209). Frank settled down to become an honest citizen (Chapter XXI). Bob Ford quarreled with a man and was shot (Chapter XVIII).

The legend of Jesse James "who robbed the rich and gave to the poor" made him into a latter-day Robin Hood (p.243). The stories about him were pure inventions. A publisher made more money printing stories about Jesse James than the James Boys made as bandits. Six major movies were made about the James Boys between 1927 and 1949. Each provides much drama and few facts (p.245). Chapter XXVIII discusses the Myths of Jesse James. Why was Jesse James able to live undiscovered? There were no pictures of him available. One was taken of his dead body (p.182). The James Boys were never captured because they rode fast racing horses while their pursuers used sturdy but slow farm horses. The Boys also traveled light, no blankets or extra gear to weigh down their horses. Their success was aided by friends or relatives who gave them food and shelter. They never rode together (as in the movies) but separately, like ordinary travelers, sometimes riding around towns rather than through them.

Great book, had some family references in it. I had previously borrowed it from the Library of Congress. Appears correct historically.