James W. (James William) Buel
The Border Bandits
An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Noted Outlaws, Jesse and Frank James
"The Border Bandits" by James W. Buel is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work details the lives and infamous exploits of the notorious outlaws Jesse and Frank James, along with their band of highwaymen, presenting a narrative steeped in the wild history of America. The book aims to separate fact from fiction surrounding the outlaws, addressing the sensationalism that often obscured their true stories. The opening of the text introduces the background of Jesse and Frank James, including their early life and familial influences. This section reveals their troubling childhood, marked by cruelty and a longing for violence that would later define their lives as outlaws. As the narrative unfolds, it discusses the circumstances that led them to become guerrillas during the Civil War, ultimately setting the stage for their later ventures in robbery and violence that became legendary in American folklore.