Today, we're riding into one of the most infamous events in the history of the American Old West—the robbery of the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri. This event marks one of the earliest bank heists in American history and set the stage for the legend of Jesse James, a man once called "the worst man without any exception in America."

On February 13, 1866, the quiet town of Liberty, Missouri, was forever changed when the Clay County Savings Association became the target of what is believed to be the first successful daylight bank robbery in American history. With military precision, a gang—suspected to be led by Jesse and Frank James—executed the heist, making off with a staggering $60,000.

In this episode, we dive into the details of this audacious crime, the tragic killing of a young student during the getaway, and the rise of Jesse James from Confederate guerrilla to notorious outlaw. We also explore Ron Hansen’s portrayal of Jesse James in his novel "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which captures the dual nature of James as both a charismatic leader and a ruthless criminal.

Join us as we unravel the facts, myths, and legacy of Jesse James, the complex figure whose exploits continue to captivate and divide opinions even today. Whether seen as a Robin Hood-like figure or a cold-blooded killer, the tale of Jesse James is inseparable from America's outlaw history. Get all the details (including the cocktail recipe) from our website: www.killingcitypod.com

Thanks to this month's sponsor, West Bottoms Whiskey!

We're back for season 2! Our summer hiatus was great and we are so excited for the following announcements: This episode is sponsored and supplied by J. Rieger & Co. !

We are also excited to say we are working with a local tour provider to put together a tour of some of our most memorable episodes. email us at: killingcitypod@gmail.com if you're interested.

All our show notes can be found on our website: https://killingcitypod.com/

It's our one year anniversary and we delve into what is arguably the most famous murders in the city's history. When a routine prison transfer turns into a gun battle of epic proportions at one the city's biggest landmarks, Union Station. Go to our website for more information on the case and for the killer cocktail recipe: https://killingcitypod.com/

We are taking June and July off, but feel free to email us at: killingcitypod@gmail.com. We are discussing doing a mini-bus tour of some of these historic landmarks described in our podcasts if we get enough interest.