Update Titled, " Dave's Updates 12-29-99 #1 "
by David Hedgepeth, Dallas Texas - [email protected]
Subject: Dave's Updates 12-29-99 #1
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 11:05:38 -0600
From: [email protected]
To: Mailing list members
Questions posed by Linda of Texas at [email protected] on 12-28-99 in
response to my comments on the Jesse James Forum.
Some of this is a repeat of my response to Linda of KCMO on 12-29-99.
Linda's Question = (Q)
My Response = (R)
Q-1: "I have to agree with Linda of KCMO that there's no way she can
respond to your question about why Betty's relatives won't give up
control of information. That's an issue for Betty to sort out."
R-1: I should have stated that better. My point is not that she should be
able to respond to the unknown, but rather, isn't it strange that family
members opposing Betty's claim to Jesse James, hides the evidence that
could prove her right or wrong? That is why some of Betty's information
is limited. Usually when there is this kind of reluctance it is a
cover-up of the truth. Why?
Q- 2. "I also agree with Linda of KCMO that Betty hasn't proven that
Bill Wilkerson was the same Bill Wilkerson of the James Gang. I've know
several Wilkerson families in Texas and haven't heard any of them claim
connections with the James Gang--of course, it could be that they just
never told me about it."
R-2: There is a good reason that this Bill Wilkerson is highly likely to
be a James Gang member. Bud Singleton, another known gang member, is also
mentioned as an associate in JLC's diary. Here is collaborating evidence.
What is the coincidence with all the other evidences that Bill and Bud
were not Gang members? If so why would JLC be linked as such? You have
mentioned and I have thought that JLC at least may have been a gang
member. That would be my likely conclusion too, if the JWJ/JLC pictures
did not match.
Q- 3. If James L. Courtney IS Jesse James---what do you think happened
to the real James L. Courtney? Do you have a death certificate, an
obituary, a gravesite??
R-3: There several James L. Coutneys we are trying to track. One in
particular was in Brown Co., TX. If a person died before 1900, death
certificates are rare in Texas.
Actually JLC was reported as a deserter in the Civil War. If he died
thereafter, then this would be an easy name for Jesse to assume.
Q-4.1: Is the birthdate on JLC's grave (31 Oct 1846) consistent with the
birthdate of the REAL JLC? Seems to me that even if Jesse James wasn't
killed by Bob Ford, it still doesn't mean that JLC ISN'T JLC.
R-4.1: The birthdays do not match. JWJ was born September 5, 1847
according to James family records and JLC's tombstone says October 31,
1846. But on Halloween? Seems that someone with an alias might see that
as the last laugh. Nearby to JLC's grave is a familiar name of William
Anderson also with the same exact birthdate of October 31, 1846. Hummm.
(See page 15)
Betty does not claim to have absolute proof that JLC was JWJ were the
same persons. If she did then the discussion would be ended. She is
gathering evidences to develop the ultimate proof as far as possible.
Q-4.2 "According to the 1860 census James L. Courtney was 14 years old.
The cemetery states his birthdate as 31 Oct 1846, son of Stephen and
Dianah Courtney. Someone should send for his death certificate. I have
seen no documents from Betty, have you? I have her book btw."
R-4.2: Keep in mind that the children of JLC provided information for the
death certificate. There seems to be a consensus among many of the
Courtney family that "the secret" must be kept even to this day. There is
a death certificate in Grandbury for Jesse W. James (who was AKA J. Frank
Dalton). How valid do you think that death certificate is? Information on
a few death certificates can work both ways to hide or give identity. Oh
yes, most are true, but not all.
Q-5: "I agree with Linda of KCMO that just because JLC MAY have actual
photos of the James family, it doesn't prove that they are photos of
JLC's family. I assume she has evidence to prove they are??? I have a
photo that is presumably of Buffalo Bill among those passed down in my
family--I assume someone saw him at the Wild West Show. My husband has a
very old photo of the woman commonly believed to be Wyatt Earp's
mistress--he got it at a market sale in England."
R-5: Keep in mind that JLC was in the picture with the person identified
as Zerelda. Professional labs that analyze photos have confirmed this.
Courtneys on both sides of the issues agree that is JLC and his mother in
the pictures.
Q- 6: "About the money. I agree that JLC may have been a
questionable character. It is even possible that he stumbled across some
of Jesse's hidden money and possessions. Or that he acquired his gold in
a questionable past. After reading Betty's book, I suspected him of
being a serial killer--seems like a lot of people died after he handled
poison. Even Betty's grandfather died at a young age after a visit to
JLC's house. Could it be that other family members are trying to hide
another "truth" about him?"
R-6: May Courtney, a grand-daughter, destroyed some 200 of JLC's letters
for what she said was the good of the family. She is 90 and still living,
but still won't say. Remaining records are being withheld. It does leave
the mind to wonder. Betty says that if her grandfather had an issue with
someone, he would have handled it with a gun. Certain speculation as you
suggest can be hurtful to the family and without several evidences I
believe those things are better left unsaid. Again I repeat. The pictures
of JWJ and JLC do match according to the professionals and that plus
family stories passed down to Betty plus other supporting evidence soon
to be published grounds me and thus I do not entertain other scenarios.
Betty's claims need to be examined to conclusion.
Q-7: "To both of you... Betty has the letter I wrote to her with a
number of questions and observations I posed. I hope it helped her to
resolve loose ends. I can even come up with some pretty extreme
speculations of my own."
R-7: I think we could all speculate. That is necessary sometimes to check
out possibilities. At some point a serious researcher needs to develop a
theory and put it to the test. It is hard and long but it is the only way
to find proof and truth.
|
Thank you for your interest.
Your comments, information and support would be greatly appreciated.
David Hedgpeth- E-mail: [email protected]
Contact me if you want to be added or deleted from the update notices.
David Hedgpeth
Dallas, TX
Send Regular E-mail to: [email protected]
Send Attachments to: [email protected]
Note to readers: You may review all the past and present correspondence
on the Jesse James/James L. Courtney Debate at
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ivyplace/hedgpethg.html
Also you may contact David Hedgpeth at [email protected] to be added to the
e-mail list ("Dave's Updates") or for direct comments/questions.
PS: Those subscribing to "Dave's Updates"may want to subscribe to
[email protected] for some valuable discussion on history
related to the Jesse James Family and the James Gang.
Go Back to top Or use your Browser's back button to return to the page you came here from
|
|
Courtney and James GenConnect Boards by Rootweb 
