Astounding Facts About Robert Ford, The Cowardly Outlaw

The Dirty Little Coward

Whether you’re a fan of the Wild West or not, Jesse James is a name you’ve heard of. His legend grew so big following his passing that it is still written about today. Robert Ford’s life and fate are irrevocably tied to that of James—yet his name is almost forgotten. Who was Robert Ford? And why was he forever remembered as a "dirty little coward"?

1. He Was Born In Conflict

Robert Ford, commonly called Bob by his friends and family, was born in 1861 in Ray County, Missouri. Ford was born only eight months after the start of the American Civil War. For the first four years of his life, this highly volatile and gruesome conflict raged—Ford only knew this version of America, and it affected his goals. Therefore, it would also determine his fate.

 Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons

2. He Idolized Heroics

This famous American conflict also determined the fate of another man. Jesse James also grew up in Missouri, calling Clay County his home. In 1861, as civil conflict began to tear the states apart, James was 14 years old. As a border state, Missouri saw particularly savage battle tactics; it would not be long until the bloodshed drew James in. It would be the start of these stories that would put stars in the eye of a young Ford.

 Laddo, Wikimedia Commons

3. He Grew Up On Stories

Although the conflict ended in 1865, the tensions it created remained throughout the United States. In Missouri, in particular, there was a sharp divide between those who had supported the North and those who had supported the South. In this tension, James and those he had served with continued to cause trouble for the authorities. Ford grew up on the stories of these famous outlaws.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

4. He Wanted Glory

Over time, the stories of Jesse James and his gang of outlaws would continue to grow. They would become known as the famous James-Younger Gang (made up of the two James brothers and the four Younger brothers), and Jesse James would become a folk hero. It’s not surprising that as a young man also from Missouri, born of conflict, Robert Ford idolized Jesse James. He wanted to be like him; he wanted the glory.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

5. He Met His Hero

It would take nearly two decades, but “Bob” Ford would eventually get the opportunity to meet his hero. The exact details of how it came about are lost to time. However, in 1880, at the age of 18, Ford crossed paths with the famous Jesse James, and his dreams came true—James gave Ford, and his brother, Charley, the chance to be bonafide outlaws.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

6. His Hero Didn’t Meet Expectations

They say that you shouldn’t meet your heroes. As time went on, this became the case for Robert Ford and Jesse James. Although James allowed the Ford brothers into his gang, history tells a story that is less than favorable to them. Most historians agree that James welcomed the Ford brothers because he had a lack of manpower. It seemed that any body was better than nobody, and the Fords at least counted as bodies.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

7. He Got An Opportunity

A few years earlier, Jesse James had gotten himself into trouble. An attempt to rob the First National Bank of Northfield Minnesota in 1876 went disastrously. By the time the dust settled, only James and his brother, Frank, remained, all the rest involved had either been caught or were no longer alive. The famed outlaw needed new men; Ford’s opportunity was coming around.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

8. He Was Needed

Both James and his brother fled from the scene and went underground. When they appeared again, they had taken on aliases. James went by Thomas Howard. While Frank seemed to be more comfortable with the quiet life, James couldn’t settle down. He was an outlaw. He needed a mission. He needed a new gang—the Fords were in. Or, at least, Charley was.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

9. He Wasn’t Trusted

Robert Ford just couldn’t catch a break. He may have believed that he could be an outlaw, but Jesse James didn’t seem to agree. While sources suggest that Charley Ford participated in the train heist James organized with his new gang, no records mention Ford’s involvement. Historians believe that Ford was little more than a fringe player, a “hanger-on” that James didn’t trust. Maybe he had good reason.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

10. He Went Along

James' new gang didn’t have the fortitude that his original gang had. Battle hadn’t hardened and bonded them as it had his last gang. They were common criminals looking for fame, wealth, or glory. The gang quickly fell apart, forcing James to make a decision. He moved his family to St Joseph, Missouri. He claimed to be giving up his outlaw ways. He also brought the Ford brothers with him—his first mistake.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

11. His Fate Changed

It’s hard to say when exactly Ford began to plot against James. At what point did his idolization of his former hero turn into resentment? Without access to Ford’s inner thoughts, we can never say. However, the opportunity to change his fate originated on a perfectly normal morning in January 1882.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

12. He Was In The Right Place

Among those that Ford had become connected with since joining up with Jesse James were James Liddil and James’s cousin, Wood Hite. That day, Hite, Liddil, and Ford were all staying with Ford’s sister, the widowed Martha Bolton. James was reportedly fond of Bolton and used her home often to shelter. None gathered that day realized that it would have such a lasting impact on history.

 Amodelcastillo.blogspot.com, Wikimedia Commons

13. He Witnessed A Fight

What started as an ordinary breakfast, quickly turned into pandemonium. Hite and Liddil began to argue. According to some sources, they argued over Bolton, though that detail is not definitive. The topic doesn’t matter; what matters is that Liddil and Hite felt so passionately that revolvers were drawn. It all fell apart from there.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

14. He Got Involved

Initially, Ford was nothing more than a bystander to this feud. He remained off to the side, watching as the argument escalated. According to one source, Hite was the first to fire, letting loose four rounds, one of which hit Liddil in the leg. Liddil returned the favor, hitting Hite in the arm. Everything may have been different if it had only ended there.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

15. He Got In Trouble

Although nearly all sources indicate that Ford had nothing to do with this argument, he too took out his firearm as the conflict started. Having a stronger connection to Liddil than he did to Hite, Ford took Liddil’s side. Ford only fired once, far less compared to the others. However, it was Ford’s shot that was true. He hit Hite in the head and sealed his fate.

16. He Hid His Actions

Initially, it seemed that Ford was willing to handle the situation. He supposedly covered the body with a blanket and took it outside. With the help of a mule, Ford reportedly took the body into the woods where he left Hite in a shallow unmarked grave. He may 

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

17. He Was In A Bad Spot

Ford had fired one single shot. However, he had two very big problems. First of all, the rule of the land prohibited his actions. The authorities would be after him. Secondly, Hite had been Jesse James’ cousin. James expected loyalty within his gang; rumor was he’d already removed a couple of gang members for disloyalty. What would stop him from doing the same to Ford? In the end, being charged may have been the most favorable of Ford’s two options.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

18. He Used James To His Advantage

Jesse James may have been able to hide from the authorities, but Robert Ford was not Jesse James, no matter how much he might have wanted to be. It was not long until the local authorities came around asking questions about Hite. This should have terrified Ford, who’d likely face the noose for his actions—but he had an ace in his pocket: Jesse James.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

19. He Had Valuable Knowledge

Some sources claim that during this period, Jesse James was considering “going straight” AKA giving up his life as an outlaw. However, whether it was true or not, the authorities did not care. None wanted to capture James more than Governor Thomas Crittenden, who’d just recently been elected and was determined to curb James’ influence in Missouri. Ford was very aware of this fact when the authorities took him in.

 Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

20. He Struck A Deal

As no records of Ford’s state of mind exist, it’s hard to say if he went into his bargain looking for revenge or if he was just attempting to save himself. However, regardless of motivation, Ford did not hesitate to use James to his advantage. The moment that he was alone with local authorities, he informed them that he could get them James. They were very interested.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

21. He Agreed To Betrayal

Once Ford had mentioned James’s name, his wrongdoing was completely forgotten. The authorities dropped any discussion of that incident. Instead, they brought in Crittenden. They agreed that if Ford could deliver James’s body, then Crittenden would not only pardon Ford for both murders but give Ford the reward money: $10,000 (equivalent to $300,000 today). Ford didn’t hesitate. He even brought his brother, Charley, in on the plan.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

22. He Was In The Gang

Around the same time that all of this was happening behind his back, Jesse James had started planning for another heist. He had his eye on the Platte City Bank. However, he lacked manpower. His original gang was still locked up or in the afterlife. His second gang had fled and were turning on each other. Whether he liked it or not, he had to trust the Ford brothers or forgo the plan altogether. Unfortunately, he trusted the Fords.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

23. He Waited

As has already been said, James had invited the Ford brothers to stay with him and his family. On the morning of April 3, 1882, the three men were in the middle of planning their heist. They had eaten breakfast and moved to the living room in order to discuss their plans. Some sources claim that they were intending to leave for Platte City that day. They never got there.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

24. He Was Almost Caught

The exact details of what followed vary slightly depending on the source, as often happens when so much time has passed. The most interesting version of events states that James read the newspaper when something caught his eye. A report stated that Liddil had confessed to participating in Hite’s passing, something that the Fords should have mentioned, but never did. That’s when something interesting happened.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

25. He Got Lucky

Nearly all sources agree upon one thing: Jesse James suspected the Ford brothers of having betrayed him moments before tragedy unraveled. It should have been Robert Ford’s worst nightmare. The famed outlaw suspected him of the ultimate betrayal. Yet, James didn’t confront the Fords at that moment. Instead, he gave Ford the very opening he needed.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

26. He Had His Opening

Upon discovering Liddil’s involvement in the disappearance of Hite and surely suspecting that the Fords were also involved in something nefarious, Jesse James didn’t react. He instead laid his revolvers down on the sofa. He then decided to do a bit of light housekeeping. Noticing a dusty picture, he went to clean it—turning his back on the very men he suspected of betraying him.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

27. He Took Aim

If there had been a time when Ford had conflicted feelings about what he had to do, it was long gone now. The moment that James turned his back to him, Ford took the opportunity. Raising his revolver—one some sources state James gave him—Ford took the shot. 

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

28. He Ended A Legend

Perhaps Jesse James regretted his strange actions in his final moment. Perhaps he just wanted to look Ford in the eye as he pulled the trigger. Either way, he turned towards Ford slightly at the last moment. Ford hit James just below the right ear. He never stood a chance. Robert Ford killed Jesse James. Though if he expected fame, he had another thing coming.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

29. He Fled

Having taken James’s life in cold blood, the Ford brothers fled the house, making a beeline for the local telegraph office. One source claims that Ford was yelling what he’d just done the whole way. However, when the news reached the authorities, the brothers were in for a nasty surprise. They weren’t greeted with the reward money—the authorities charged them.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

30. He Was Tricked

Ford was the one who pulled the trigger. However, they charged both Ford and his brother. Their trial was a whirlwind. Within a day of having committed the act, the authorities indicted them, and they pleaded guilty to the wrongdoing. The tribunal sentenced them to hanging. With no communication from Crittenden at this point, Ford likely felt as if he’d been left hung out to dry. Where was his deal? Where was Crittenden?

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

31. He Got His Deal—Almost

Ford and his brother would be left to sit for another two hours before intervention would come his way. Crittenden was good to his word… for the most part. Not long after the authorities gave them their sentences, Crittenden pardoned both Ford brothers for James, as well as Robert for his involvement with Hite. It was the money that the Fords wouldn’t see.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

32. He Was Betrayed

Jesse James had been worth $10,000. Greed was undoubtedly as much a motivator for Robert Ford as saving his hide had been. However, neither Ford nor his brother would see that $10,000. Once Crittenden pardoned them, they received some of the money. However, it was nowhere near what they’d been promised. And they were about to come under fire publicly as well.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

33. He Became The Villain

The answer to what Ford expected to get out of removing Jesse James will remain a mystery forever. While many factors likely went into the decision, one of them was almost definitely fame. After all, if you off the greatest outlaw to ever live, surely, that must make you an even greater outlaw. Unfortunately, public opinion did not agree, and if Ford sought fame, he was about to be sorely disappointed.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

34. He Couldn’t Beat James

The truth is that Jesse James had good marketing. He wasn’t a hero. He was an outlaw in every sense of the word. However, over the years, the media had portrayed him as a “Robin Hood” figure. To the public, betraying him as Ford did was not heroic. It was cowardly, and they let him know it.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

35. He Tried To Profit

Although Ford did not receive the reward money that he thought he would get, he still attempted to capitalize on his actions. He posed for photos, often with his famed revolver, and he traveled with shows, reenacting James' last moments. However, neither of these ventures ended up being very popular. The public reviled Ford, taking any opportunity to heckle him. People would remember Ford, but not how he’d hoped.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

36. He Became Legend

Robert Ford has been remembered for his connection with Jesse James. However, over the centuries, he has become the villain of the story. The most famous line about Ford comes from a contemporary “street ballad” that originated from an unknown source. The ballad referred to Ford as “the dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard”. Howard was James’s alias at the time of his passing. That song, and James, would haunt Ford for the rest of his life.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

37. He Played By The Rules

If there is any saving grace for Ford, it has come from modern historians. One thing that has often followed Ford negatively is the fact that he surprised James from behind. It doesn’t fit with the image America holds of the “honorable West”. However, the truth is most of the famed outlaws were taken down from behind or in surprise attacks. These were outlaws in every sense of the word and everyone knows there is no honor among thieves.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

38. He Was Hunted

To say that life was difficult for Ford and his brother would be an understatement. Rather than becoming heroes, the public scorned and taunted them. Even returning to their hometown was not enough to save them. To add to the tension, a rumor began to go around stating that James’s brother, Frank, was out for revenge. Ford held up under the pressure, but his brother, Charley, didn’t.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

39. He Stayed Strong

Ford did not seem overly concerned about the rumor of revenge from Frank James. Charley, however, did, despite having no real blood on his hands. Charley began moving from town to town to evade Frank’s wrath. During this time, his health was also deteriorating. He had developed a morphine addiction and contracted tuberculosis. In the end, it was too many things to run from.

 Guerin, St. Louis, Wikimedia Commons

40. He Lost His Family

Robert Ford may have been the one who pulled the trigger on Jesse James. However, it seemed that it was his brother who felt the weight of it more. In May 1884, Charles Ford took his own life. It’s hard to say his reasons. Legend claims the fear of Frank James did him in. However, tuberculosis was going to take his life regardless. Whatever the reason, Robert Ford was now left to make his way alone.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

41. He Continued To Seek Glory

Ford may have lost his brother, but he still had the companionship of Liddil. Together with Liddil, Ford relocated to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where the pair opened a saloon. It seemed Ford was starting again. However, his bad luck continued to follow him. He continued to reach for glory and continued to fall flat.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

42. He Couldn’t Compete

The legends state that yet again, Ford got himself into trouble. As the story goes, Ford got into a revolver contest with a compatriot of Billy the Kid, Jose Chavez y Chavez. Ford couldn’t keep up. He lost the contest and fled town when talks of a duel started coming around. Misfortune would continue to follow him.

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

43. He Was Marked

Once Ford had fled from Vegas, he struggled to find a place to settle down. Ford found it difficult when songs of James’s heroics and Ford’s cowardice followed him wherever he went. In December 1889, he found himself in Kansas City. He was enjoying time in a gambling house when suddenly, the bartender approached with a dark intent.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

44. He Almost Lost It All

Robert Ford faced adversity for his involvement in the loss of Jesse James for the rest of his life. It was likely the source of the animosity that arose in Kansas City in 1889. The bartender of the gambling house, known as "Fat", attempted to slit Ford's throat. Ford survived—but this wouldn't be the last attempt on his life.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

45. He Started Again

After several years of wandering from town to town, constantly chased by jeers and insults, Ford attempted to settle down. He first landed in Walsenburg, Colorado where he opened a saloon and gambling house. However, it wouldn’t be long until something else caught his eye. Silver found in Creede made that village far more appealing than Walsenburg.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

46. He Chased Silver

Ford was nothing if not determined. Chasing the promise of silver (and, therefore, prospectors and profits), Ford closed up his Walsenburg establishment and moved to Creede. May 29, 1892, saw the opening of “Ford’s Exchange”, a dance hall. Unfortunately, Ford’s fortunes didn’t change because he’d moved town; Ford’s Exchange was doomed, as was Ford himself.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

47. He Was Cursed

If Ford moved to Creede with dreams of finally finding success, then Creede left him with great disappointments. Ford opened his dance hall at the end of May 1892. Six days later, fire ravaged the businesses of Creede. Everything, including the dance hall, burnt down. Ford didn’t let that stop him—though perhaps he should have.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

48. He Kept Trying

Unwilling to let adversity get him down, Ford simply changed tactics. He intended to rebuild his establishment; in the meantime, he ran a saloon out of a tent. On June 8, 1892, three days after the fire and only 10 days after opening the dance hall, Edward O’Kelley entered the tent saloon, and Ford would never leave it.

 Warner Bros., The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

49. He Met His Fate

The story goes that Ford had his back turned when O’Kelley entered with his intentions plain, similar to Ford and Jesse James 10 years earlier. However, unlike Ford, O’Kelley announced his presence, greeting Ford with “Hello, Bob”. As Ford turned around, O’Kelley fired. Ford was hit in the neck and perished immediately.

 U.S. National Archives, Wikimedia Commons

50. He Shot Jesse James

Although those in power charged O’Kelley and he served nine years of an 18-year sentence, he never gave a reason for his act. Rumors have circled, but no one can confirm their validity. In the end, he was merely “the man who killed the man who killed Jesse James” and Robert Ford, for all his dreams of glory, was laid to rest with the words “the man who shot Jesse James” on his grave.

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 Popsiclecrawfish, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11