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Robert Ford Tintype- Man Who Killed Jesse James Robert Ford Ferrotype. The Man Who Killed Jesse Jame

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Photographic Images Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Robert Ford Tintype- Man Who Killed Jesse James Robert Ford Ferrotype. The Man Who Killed Jesse Jame
<B>Robert Ford Ferrotype. The Man Who Killed Jesse James</B></I> is shown in this formal 1/6th plate portrait with Billy Smith, a U.S. Deputy Marshal. To many people, Bob Ford's name is synonymous with the word traitor. He was a member of the James Gang from 1879, participating in a number of robberies with them, often being the one who took care of the horses during their raids. In 1881, Missouri Governor Thomas T. Crittenden offered a $10,000 reward for the capture of the James brothers, dead or alive. On April 3, 1882, while at his home at St. Joseph (and with his wife and children in the house), the unarmed Jesse James was adjusting a picture on the wall when he was shot in the back of the head and instantly killed by Ford, who ran into the street shouting "I killed him! I shot Jesse James!" Robert Ford was arrested for murder but eventually pardoned by Crittenden and paid a reward. Ford spent the next (and last) ten years of his life trying to capitalize on his (in)famous deed, even joining P. T. Barnum's freak show for a time, telling his story across the country. <BR><BR>Billy Smith was a trail driver, then a range detective, later becoming a U.S. Deputy Marshal. He was one of a group of men who helped patrol more than 70,000 square miles of Indian Territory (Oklahoma), bringing hundreds of desperadoes to justice in the court of "Hanging Judge" Isaac Charles Parker at Fort Smith, Arkansas. In one oft-published photo of these Deputies, Smith is shown holding a gun very similar to the one in this photo. <BR><BR>Bob Ford's killing of the popular bank robber made him a marked man. He was jeered everywhere he went and threats were made on his life. He has been villianized in countless stories, movies, and songs such as Elton John's "I Fell Like A Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)" with the lyrics "I'm low as a paid assassin is, You know I'm cold as a hired sword." Even Jesse James' tombstone reads "Murdered By A Traitor and a Coward Whose Name Is Not Worthy To Appear Here." Because of the threats, Ford had his gun with him and ready to fire at all times. Looking at this photo, you'll notice the position of Ford's hat, covering his hand and his knee. It is believed that Ford had his gun in his hand while this photo was being taken. This incredibly rare and desirable photo was likely taken at or near Creede, Colorado near the end of his life which came on June 8, 1892 when Ed O. Kelly shot him with both barrels of his shotgun, killing him. Kelly was arrested and imprisoned but became a legend as the "man who killed the man who killed Jesse James." This tintype is in very fine condition save for a small area of lost emulsion in the lower left corner, affecting neither man's portrait and a few minor scratches as expected, 2.5" x 3.5". Included in this lot will be a binder full of research material about this photo and the lives of these two men. <BR><BR>By the way, a major motion picture, <I>The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,</B></I> is in production for a 2006 release. It will star Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford.