Update Dated December 4, 1999 - Titled, " To: Phil Stewart From: Betty Duke"
thru David Hedgepeth, Dallas Texas - [email protected]
Subject: To: Phil Stewart From:Betty Duke
Date: December 4, 1999
From: Betty Duke (thru David Hedgpeth)
To: Mailing list members
Posted on Courtney and James Genforum December 4, 1999.
To: Phil Stewart
From: Betty Duke
Date: December 4, 1999
The purpose of this letter is to re-exam the basics. I think there are
sound reasons for me to conclude that there is significant and relevant
evidence to support my belief that Jesse Woodson James and my
great-grandfather James Lafayette Courtney was one in the same. Since my
book, Jesse James Lived and Died in Texas, was published in 1998, there
has been a variety of resulting emotional reactions, including my own.
Try to imagine being told as you grew up that your great-grandfather was
Jesse James. Visualize my excitement as an adult when I began to study
and found more and more evidences to support what I had been told as a
child. I knew if I shared my findings with the world, in part it would
generate a reaction of controversy and discredit. I have never welcomed
any of these results but the inner push to go on has been a stronger urge
than avoiding the strife. I have not been motivated by any illusions of
fame, for it would not be worth it. I have a need to share a piece of
important history that I feel has been hidden to protect my
great-grandfather and that reason is no longer valid. Now it is time to
uncover the mystery.
I think that no truth revealed from my work would hurt the Courtney
family, the James Farm, or "old west historians". It might disappoint
some and cause some genealogical adjustments, but wouldn't it be better
to know the truth than to stubbornly hold to something less?
I know Phil that you have strong feeling and firm reasons why you take
your position. Yet I think with what you know that you too could defend
my position. I am not asking that of you, but I am asking you to digest
what I am saying and give it fair consideration.
History is often made up of bits and pieces of information that someone
concludes is true opinion. Yes, I have also done that. Often the earliest
account or conclusion, regardless of its accuracy, is considered most
valid. That becomes the bedrock of opinion, and when conflicting evidence
is presented, then it is usually rejected just because it does not seem
to jive with the original. What is fact, is often in the eye of the
beholder, for two people can observe the same event and come to opposite
conclusions.
Keep in mind that Jesse James was a clever outlaw who moved around a lot
and took on other identities to protect himself. Deception was his method
of survival. The problem is that some of that deception has been blended
with truth and now traditionalists are left believing a hybrid history.
We must have the courage and patience to sort out the facts and consider
everything. If certain pieces of the puzzle are ignored or rejected
because they disagree with a predetermined position, then we are still
victims of the original deception.
Currently I am researching for my next book. It has taken a lot of
concentration as I have much to cover. Meanwhile I have worked closely
and continually with David Hedgpeth. As needed he has served as my
Internet spokesperson, and he has also shared his personal views on the
Genforum in the Jesse James/James L. Courtney debate. I have been proud
to see an Internet site provided by Sharon Ivy, created to forward this
work by displaying the growing correspondence.
(http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ivyplace/hedgpethg.html)
If I did all this myself I could not focus on the work I am now doing. I
want to thank everyone most sincerely both pro and con for your interest
and input.
Phil, I want to acknowledge that you did offer certain assistance and
support of the exhumation effort. I thank you. I know that some of this
discussion has seemed to test your last nerve. That is not my intention
for anyone. To explore is my goal.
I am going to request three things:
A. I encourage you and other historians to respond with an open mind to
what I am saying. I realize that the commonly considered history is often
in a clash with my claims. Let's put that aside for a moment and consider
all the facts, the unknowns, and the assumptions. If you were trying to
prove my point, what would you find in support and in non-support of what
I am proposing?
B. I am asking descendants of the James Gang members and other James
family to share any clues, stories, or information about gang or family
contacts in Texas with Jesse James.
C. Please give careful consideration to these 10 basic facts and
evidences that support my position about James L. Courtney (JLC). I could
have written more but these are the main points presented up to now in
the book and after. More will come later. |
1. If JLC was a Yankee soldier, as is commonly claimed, the why did he
name his horses "John" and "Reb"?
2. Why does the description of JLC on the Union records not match that of
JLC who lived and died in Blevins, Texas?
3. Why did JLC sign his dairy as "J. James"? (Note: The "J" has been
confirmed to be a "J" and not an "I".)
4. If JLC was an ordinary farmer, then how come he rode into Texas with
his saddlebags heavily laden with gold?
5. Why do the faces in the old family photos of JLC and his family match
the faces of the James Samuel family in historically accepted photos?
6. Why was JLC so cautious that when someone would ride up at night that
he would blow out all the coal oil lanterns and lay on the floor across
the doorway with his pistol cocked?
7. Why did JLC write in code?
8. Why did Bill Wilkerson, a known James Gang member, visit the home of
JLC?
9. If JLC was not Jesse James then why did the alleged assassins, Bob and
Charlie Ford say that JLC and JJ was one in the same? (This story was
related by Willie Ford of Oklahoma, a grandson of Charlie Ford, along
with a photo of JLC with Charlie Ford. Willie first contacted me after my
book was published.)
10. Why did John B. Barritt, Jr. of Oklahoma (John and Willie do not know
each other.) produce a picture of JLC with a notation written at the
bottom, "Jesse James Alive"? (John inherited the picture from his
great-grandfather and after seeing an article in the Dallas Morning News
contacted me after my book was published.) |
You may contact me through David Hedgpeth at [email protected]. He will
respond to replies after my input. Thanks again, Phil and I would
appreciate any feedback from you and your cohorts, as well as anyone
else.
Sincerely,
Betty Duke
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
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