The Truth About The Widow Of Jesse James

One of their children had died in infancy, and twins were stillborn, says Historic Missourians, but two children survived and were in the kitchen with their mother when Robert Ford, recruited for a new gang, shot Jesse in the back of the head as the outlaw straightened a picture on April 3, 1882.

One of their children had died in infancy, and twins were stillborn, says Historic Missourians, but two children survived and were in the kitchen with their mother when Robert Ford, recruited for a new gang, shot Jesse in the back of the head as the outlaw straightened a picture on April 3, 1882.

At Jesse's death, Zee seems to have sunk into a grief-driven depression from which she never really recovered. Part was no doubt because Jesse left her destitute. There was no hidden loot; just a few weapons and stolen pieces of jewelry. She was forced to move in with her brother in Kansas City. She refused all offers to publish her story (or stories). She became something of a recluse; her son went to work at the age of 11 to support the family.

Even if you wanted Jesse's girl, she wasn't really available. In the best Victorian tradition — the tradition of Queen Victoria of England, widowed herself in 1861 and never remarrying — Zee James remained a widow for the rest of her life. And, like the Queen across the ocean, Zee wore black for the rest of her days as well. Mrs. James died November 13, 1900, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was 55 years old.

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