You're right "Shadow of the Sentinel" does get your blood pumping and your heart pounding. . Just about any medium that has something about treasure hunting has that affect on me; I’m always chomping at the bit to find something new.
However, Bob’s book did not change my mind on the James/Younger gang and their non-involvement in the KGC. There still is no documented proof regarding the KGC, what is out there on the KGC is all conjecture, granted that doesn’t mean they did not exist, but it does leave a gaping hole for the power of invention.
If someone can produce any historical, or antiquated documented evidence of the KGC's existence and their relationship to the Confederacy or James/Younger gang then that may influence my decision.
But from what is known as fact about the James/Younger gang activities, their whereabouts, personal data and using "logical deduction" (a very broad term) the evidence leans heavily in favor of NO KGC involvement but instead stronly suggests they operated for their own independence.
If you consider the ages of the James/Youngers that alone leaves one doubtful of the experience or maturity level possessed by them and would be required for involvement in such an organization at just about any level not to mention a leadership role of any kind. Especially in the case of Jesse.
When compared with other more “qualified” individuals around at the time to serve and head the KGC, it makes Jesse James and the entire gang look like a bunch of Lee Harvey Oswalds, just a bunch of patsies, that is if you want to connect the gang with the KGC.
To view the gang in this light detracts from the James/Younger legacy and solidifies the fact for me that they operated for themselves as their actions clearly show they were not someone’s patsy, they were independent of anyone, including each other. They simply conducted their activities against the banks and railroads as they did while fighting as guerillas during the war.
What better way to confront any chaos and mayhem that might arise out of robbing banks and trains. It worked in Lawrence and many others, it was a proven method, and unique to them. The James/Younger gang continued to operate against Northern oppression, for 17 years after the wars end. True Sons of the South, Soldiers of the Confederacy, bless them for their conviction to our cause.
A lot more information can be found of that period, as well as before and after the war that sheds more light on the motivations of their activities. Additionally, a lot of reference material exists out there on what is mentioned in Bob’s book with regard to these “organizations,” although his book is excellent.
