The Louisiana author challenges the mainstream historical account of the life of Jesse James. The controversial book is a presentation of facts and true stories in the form of a historical novel about the disputed death of Jesse James and J. Frank Dalton. Dalton is a claimant to being the real Missouri outlaw.

Photo from National Archives

Author's Remarks:

Who was J. Frank Dalton? Many believe he was the real Jesse James. I fall in that same category. I also believe there was another Jesse James and the two men were related. Jesse was a family name. My Grandmother’s uncle (by marriage) born in 1860, was also a “Jesse James”. I am not trying to prove Jesse is a long lost relative. Having a degree in Criminal Justice, I have tried to approach this mystery with a sound gathering of evidence, both pictorial and oral accounts from people who interacted with Frank Dalton when he was still alive in the 1940s and early 1950s.

J. Frank Dalton, 1873, Louisiana
From Personal Collection

As a writer, I try to approach every new story about this controversy with an open mind. It is my personal option that so much good information existed that J. Frank Dalton was who he claimed to be that it is negligent by some historians not to have explored the possibility long before he announced in 1948 that he was the really Jesse James. Was he the outlaw legend or a very good liar? Read the book before you decide. The first printing, limited edition book of the trilogy is available now. See above to click and order by mail only.

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