Description

1892 “Death Of BOB FORD” Outlaw killer of JESSE JAMES Creede, Colorado Reproduction photo from original photo. Matted. 11” x 14” matted 8” x 10” without matte. Notorious outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed in this house on April 3, 1882. He was killed by Bob Ford, a member of the James gang, to collect a $10,000 reward offered by Governor Tom Crittenden. Bob was seen by the public as a coward and traitor for killing James. For a period, Ford earned money by posing for photographs as "the man who killed Jesse James" in dime museums. He also appeared on stage with his brother Charles, reenacting the murder in a touring stage show. Ten years after James's death, when silver was found in Creede, CO, Ford opened a saloon there. After a fire burned down his saloon, he erected a tent saloon. Three days after the fire, on June 8, 1892, Edward O'Kelley entered Ford's tent saloon with a shotgun. According to witnesses, Ford's back was turned. O'Kelley said, "Hello, Bob." As Ford turned to see who it was, O'Kelley fired both barrels, killing Ford instantly. He became "the man who killed the man who killed Jesse James". He never explained his motive for the murder. Ford was only 30 years old when he died. While initially buried in Creede, his remains were later exhumed and reinterred in his hometown of Richmond, Missouri. This photo depicts Bob Ford’s casket on a wagon with men posing around it.