This thread is about the existence of Jesse James treasures. I've stated before I think there may be traveling banks but doubt others are around. I say this because Frank James had to work after Jesse's death and why would he if he had access to treasures. The following is an excerpt from the Clinton(MO) Daily Democrat 12-29-17.
Cole Younger and Frank James,having acquiesced to societal demands, ceasing their accumulation of wealth through highly irregular methods of acquisition, found employment through various shows and exhibitions. Like everyone else, they had to make a living. One such job in the early 1900's was with "Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show" which traveled in these parts. Cole agreed to manage the show, with the agreement he, himself, would not have to go on exhibition, and was to receive 25 percent of the proceeds as his salary. Frank on the other hand, was signed to a contract which stipulated he was to be paid $300 a week, a princely sum in those days.
The show arrived in Osceola (MO) on a Sunday morning in 1903 and located on the north bank of the Osage River, across the river from the town. It was a peaceful morning in Osceola. However, that was to soon change. Accounts state that Cole Younger attended Mass that morning at the Catholic Church in Osceola. In the afternoon, he drove a carriage to the site of the grave of his brother, John Younger, who had been killed by a Pinkerton Detective in 1874. The John Younger grave is in Yeater Cemetery, established in 1843, located northwest of Osceola.He also called on and visited at length with George McDonald, an African American who was, unusual to say the least, a Confederate Veteran, his faithful friend in the old days and who had buried John Younger. Cole, it is said by those present, wept at length several times during the visit.
As these things go, a peaceful Sunday then
began to unravel. Back in Osceola, the St. Clair County Sheriff, Mayor of Osceola and Osceola City Marshal, approached Frank and told him they'd heard the show was made up of grafters and plunderers. Frank allowed he was sorry to say this was so. However, he stated he was powerless as he was just an employee but he would do what he could to straighten things out. The officials then approached McKinley and Hoffman, the show's primary managers, and warned them shortchanging and thieving would not be tolerated. The managers knew Frank had confirmed their method of business to authorities.
Later that day, following one show, they encountered Frank on an Osceola street and cursed him in front of an admiring crowd of the former Confederate Army Veterans, some of whom he had been acquainted with during the war.
There are some men who go through life proclaiming through their behavior and commentary, "Shoot Me!" and, generally, at some point there will be folks who will happily oblige them.
The two managers apparently were not, as the quaint term goes, "quite right" as in addition to cursing Frank, one of them tried to pull a handgun. Witnesses stated Frank had his own weapon out and ready in an instant before the handgun of the manager could be fully drawn. Confederate Veterans present begged Frank not to shoot. Frank then addressed the two managers in eloquent and impressive terms.
By this point covered by rifles pulled from carriage,buckboards and saddles by Confederate Veterans, the tow idiotic managers descended into further difficulties. Cole Younger drove by in his carriage, took in the situation, halted, placed a carriage brake in place, leaped down and stood by James, stating,"What's the matter,Frank? I'm with you." Confederate Veterans convinced Frank and Cole to walk away.
City Marshal Calvird, who had arrived on the scene understandably concerned there was going to be major gunplay in the streets of Osceola, ordered McKinley and Hoffman to depart the area and go to their show train cars on a siding. For his troubles, Marshal Calvird was also cursed by the two men who were then promptly arrested with, it is said, commendable vigor by law offices with the "assistance" of a number of Confederate Veterans.
McKinley and Hoffman were frog marched to the jail and locked up, fined $23.65 each for disturbing the peace, told to get out of town within the hour and informed there were people in St. Clair County who, if they could get their hands on them, wanted to "counsel" them on the errors of their ways. It was later learned Frank, in advance of the show traveling to Osceola, had warned Hoffman and McKinley some of them would probably be, at the least, beaten up or even killed if they swindled St. Clair County people, whom he knew from the war, would not stand for such business.
Ultimately, both Cole and Frank left this particular show after being in Butler(MO) and then Clinton(MO). They filled a lawsuit saying their contracts had specified the show was to be a high grade attraction and instead, they stated sanctimoniously, lawless people had plundered the public, McKinley and Hoffman accused Cole's nephew, Harry Hall, of embezzlement of $6000 from the show as treasurer.
Publisher Charles Whitaker of the Clinton Daily Democrat in 1903 interviewed Frank who piously said, in a message to the people of Clinton, We keenly feel the disgrace of having our local friends come to our show only to be robbed and swindled by thieves who are hired for that purpose by the owners of the show." The Clinton Daily Democrat in turn editorialized. "The show is now traveling in Kansas and the Indian Territory. And in every town it visits, the thieves are loose to ply their vocation to rob and shortchange people."
I think Frank and Cole later, perhaps the next year had their own show but as short lived. My point again is, if there were buried treasures, why did they work?
