Jesse James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary figure of the Wild West after his death. His exploits inspired the imagination of America, including a whole series of dime novels dedicated to his adventures. This tale was originally published in 1901.