Dave's Updates

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Below is a update for January 24, 2000 in our search for the truth- Is James Courtney really Jesse James?



Update Titled, "Dave's Updates 1-24-2000 #3"
by David Hedgepeth, Dallas Texas - [email protected]


Subject: Dave's Updates 1-24-2000 #3
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 19:36:23 -0600
From: [email protected]
To: Mailing list members

Reply from Betty Duke's to Phil Stewart posted January 6, 2000 on the Courtney Genforum under "Re: Still in the Discussion."
January 22, 2000

To Phil,

It's been a long time since we talked, I quasi we've both been pretty busy. I hope you're enjoying your new job. Too bad I can't pick up your station from Texas, I'd like to hear your radio show some time.

Phil, I'm aware that you believe "traditional history" in the matter of Jesse James. It's obvious that you have done your homework, and I believe you'll agree that I have too. Only people who have done the amount of research that we both have will understand my next statement. Surely you have noticed the undeniable decscrepencies in the "traditional version," doesn't that put up a red flag?

Concerning the Wood Hite issue, you mentioned that you believe Wood Hite may be pictured in the "Barrel Factory" photo. I've seen that photo, George Warfel sent a copy to me. Wood Hite may be in that photo, but Jesse James isn't. As soon as you have verified that the man you believe may be Wood Hite , is actually Wood Hite, I'd love to know. By the way, what photo will you use to compare the "Barrel Factory" photo to in order to prove your point? Is there another known photo of Wood Hite?

Your comment on the article in The Omaha Bee," April 6, 1882; You said that "Hites body was found " last evening"… not buried. It would have be clearer if the writer had said: The remains of Wood Hite were found last evening on their (The Ford boys) farm where they were buried. Poor wording nothing more."

Answer; This is Exactly what the article stated:

"Kansas City, MO., April 6 -
The remains of Wood Hite, one of the James gang, killed in a quarrel at the house of a sister of the Ford boys, the slayers of Jesse James, was found on their farm, where they we buried last evening," (Buried last eveing) and an inquest was begun by the coroner of Ray County." Guess What? That's the very night that an autopsy was done on the head of "Jesse James." HMMMMMM…how convenient. I'm not really in to playing GOTCHA, but I just couldn't restrain myself.

Hey I've got a great ideal! Why don't we test some of James Ross' DNA against the DNA of a patrilineal descendant of Wood Hite?

Your Comment: "Lots of people knew Jesse James. The arrogant little cuss rode right down the main street of Kearney to get married. He had several friends in Jackson County, mostly old war buddies, who sheltered and protected him, and knew him on site. Sheriff Timberlake knew him on sight. Many of the neighbors had grown up with him."

Answer: Phil, I purchased , Goodbye, Jesse James, (a compilation of six of the best news stories first printed in the Kansas City Journal in 1882) at the Jesse James Bank Museum in Liberty, MO., where you used to work. I'll quote from page 120: "Now, since his features have been closely inspected, it is positively known that Jesse was often seen upon the streets of Kearney and not EVEN RECOGNIZED by members of his old bushwhacking bank, who claimed they would know him on sight. But years had wrought a change in appearance of Jesse James, and he passed as a stranger among intimate friends and officers who searched for him." I don't believe the years "had wrought a change" in Jesse James, I believe the man they closely inspected in death was Wood Hite, or perhaps someone else, and that's why none of the aforementioned recognized him - it simply wasn't Jesse James that lay dead in the coffin.

Your Comment: "Two guys with exactly the same wounds? Oh Come On!!!!!!"

Answer: Phil I believe you have misunderstood. I did not say that two guys had the exact same wounds. Heck, I don't even think there were two guys that were killed on, or around, April 3, 1882. I believe there was only ONE guy and that guy was NOT Jesse James. The dead guy was passed off as Jesse James, and this time the scheme worked!!!! (We must not forget that George Shepard reported that he had shot Jesse dead in Joplin, MO., in 1879. Of course the sheriff didn't buy it because there was no corpse!) When the authorities were finally convinced by ex-Confederate guerillas and James Gang members (don't you just know they were tellin the truth) that the dead man was Jesse James, they understandably noted all of the wounds on the corpse, including his description, and voila, there you have it - "Jesse James." And that is exactly why there is so much confusion to this very day about Jesse James. The authorities were tricked into believeing the corpse was Jesse James by some very intelligent men and we have had a false description of Jesse James ever since that fateful day. But you know what? I'm awfully glad the hoax was a success, because if I am right about my great-grandfathers true identity, I probably wouldn't be sitting here right now. He would have eventually been caught.

Your comment on the Charlie Ford suicide issue: You asked if I would like a copy of the newspaper article and doctors statement as to the suicide? Answer: Yeah, I'd like to have copies even though you stated earlier in your letter," you don't consider the newspapers exactly reliable or accurate." But I guess we have to make do with what we have, don't we Phil?

I am currently researching Charlie Ford and I have made many interesting finds. Finds that back up Willie Ford's Claim. Wait until you see the photos he has to verify his story! They're amazing. Willie has absolutely nothing to gain by lying. Phil, there are things that I can't go into right now, but a true descendant of Charlie Ford would know about Jesse James, a.k.a. James Courtney. I do believe Willie Ford.

Phil, I'm having a real good time, and I think you are too. Controversy spices things up a little doesn't it? I wish you the best of luck with your new job and I sincerely thank you for all of your interest and help in this matter.

As Ever,

Betty Dorsett Duke


Your comments, information and support would be greatly appreciated.

David Hedgpeth- E-mail: [email protected]

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David Hedgpeth
Dallas, TX
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 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

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Disclaimer and Message from David Hedgpeth:


Dear Reader,

The purpose of the letters and responses I have written on the Jesse James-James L. Courtney controversy is to fully and fairly examine all sides of the issue. It is a good possibility that my family in Texas is linked to Jesse James and James L. Courtney, so I have a driving personal interest to know the truth. For future generation and our peace of mind I feel moved to see this process to the end. My opinions and viewpoints today will modify as new information comes forth. Likewise, I hope all can say and mean that. Sometimes I may be wrong. If I make a statement in error, let me know and I will gladly correct it. If though it is a difference of opinion, then all are entitled to their own. I try to be careful in criticizing only the issues and not individuals. It may seem at times I am getting close to that but that is not my intent because doing so would be unproductive. I do try to engage everyone to broaden their perspective and work together for a common good to find the whole truth on this important family and historical issue.

I invite your input pro or con on the Genforum or to me directly. If you have an interest, then your help is needed.

Thanks to all,

David Hedgpeth
Dallas, TX
Send Regular E-mail to: [email protected]
Send Attachments to: [email protected]

 


Don't make up your mind before reading
"Jesse James Lived and Died in Texas," by Betty Duke

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Publisher details of book

"Jesse James Lived & Died in Texas",
by Betty Dorsett Duke, Melissa Roberts
Hardcover - 208 pages 1 edition (December 1998)
Eakin Publications; ISBN: 1571682872

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For Mills County, TX Residents the Jennie Trent Dew Libarary Goldthwaite, Texas has added this book to their list of future purchases, Check with Jan them to see when it will be availible.

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