Jesse James, born on September 5, 1847, in Kearney, Missouri, was an iconic figure of the American Wild West. He became one of the most notorious outlaws in U.S. history, known for his daring robberies and exploits. Raised in a turbulent period marked by the Civil War, James joined the Confederate guerrilla fighters during his teenage years, honing his skills in guerilla warfare and marksmanship. After the war, James formed the James-Younger Gang, which embarked on a spree of bank and train robb