Jesse James’ Grave

Jesse James didn’t find his resting place easily. After being shot dead by Bob Ford, James’ body was buried three times and exhumed twice. Today, his final resting place is in a cemetery down the road from his birthplace in Missouri. He is buried next to his wife, first cousin Zerelda, as well as his mother, stepfather, and half brother.

On the run and without many former members of his gang, time was running out for Jesse. A hefty reward had been offered for his capture. He was wanted, dead or alive. The Ford brothers, who were newer members of the James gang, waited for the perfect moment. With James' back turned, Bob Ford shot him in the head. Though they collected the reward, both Ford brothers met horrifying fates shortly after.

For years, vagrants would come to Jesse James’ grave in the night and chip off pieces of his tombstone, down to a stump. When his wife passed away in 1902, he was moved to Mt. Olivet where she was buried. In 1995, conspiracies ran awry of Jesse James faking his death. Demand for DNA testing led to another exhumation of his corpse. Though decomposed, DNA proved that was indeed the body of Jesse James.