Frank and Jesse James...

 

​(Printed in THE MILLER COUNTY AUTOGRAM-SENTINEL in the column, 'WINDOW TO THE PAST', February, 2011)
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​(Note: This article was also given to the Jesse and Frank James Farm Museum and Society in Kearney, Missouri. - KWS)

"Robbery of a Missouri Pacific Train at Otterville, MO on July 6, 1876"
​(some info. gathered from the Missouri Pacific Historical Society)

"The famous Missouri outlaw brothers, Jesse and Frank James, held up and robbed the Missouri Express passenger train at the Lamine river bridge in the "Rocky Cut", a short distance east of Otterville (Cooper Co. and near the Morgan Co. line). On Tuesday, July 4, 1876 (the centennial anniversary of the birth of America), the James gang gathered at a spot near California, MO in Moniteau County. The outlaw band included Jesse & Frank James, Cole & Bob Younger, Bill Chadwell, Clell Miller, Charley Pitts, & Hobbs Kerry."
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On July 5, a stormy summer day in l876, the group rode into California and spent the entire day in the Moniteau County seat. Early on July 6, the 8 men headed west, riding in two, possibly three groups. 

​​They re-assembled about 2 miles east of the Lamine river bridge about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. About 6 p.m., four of the men went down to the bridge and there they found the bridge watchman, a man named Henry Choteau, smoking his corncob pipe. ​He greeted them with great pleasure, having no idea who they were. He was just 'plain happy' to have someone to talk to.

About 9 p.m. the old man went into the pump house for a drink of water and when emerged out the door, a gun was stuck to his head and his visitors began putting on masks!​​

 

​​​​​​​While he was held prisoner the men piled ties on the track to help stop the approaching train. When the train got near "Rocky Cut" the watchman was told to get his red lantern out and stop the train or take a chance of being shot.....he stopped the train! In the commotion that followed, Henry Choteau ran into the night's darkness and disappeared into safety.
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The Express train had left Kansas City at 4:45 p.m. with several coaches, 2 sleeping cars, a smoker, and an express/baggage car. At Sedalia, the train took on another express car. As the Express train steamed into "Rocky Cut", between l0-11 p.m., a red light could be seen swinging across the tracks and the engineer applied his emergency brakes, fearing the heavy rains may have washed out the bridge. All the outlaws jumped on the train when it had come to a halt.

 

With much difficulty in getting it opened, they robbed the safe in the baggage car. They had to use a fireman's coal pick to get into the safe and never did get the door completely open. They finally managed to reach their hand through a small hole in the door and took the money out-one handful at a time....It is reputed Jesse James exclaimed..."Damn, but that's hot work!"
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The robbers continued on into the passenger cars which were well-filled. The loot they acquired was put into a grain sack which contained money, jewelry, and other valuables. With a wave of his hand, Jesse James and his gang disappeared into the hot July night and rode into the countryside of Cooper County, Missouri.

 

A short while later, Jesse James handed a letter to a Kansas City newspaperman and denied any participation in the "Rocky Cut" robbery! He was famous for his press releases to area newspapers denying the many robberies for which he was blamed over the years before his death.

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