Jesse James' Great Grandson to speak

MEET & MINGLE WITH JAMES-YOUNGER HISTORIANS . . .
. . . including Judge Ross, Jesse James’ Grandson!

You are cordially invited to meet with three of the finest authors ever to ride with the James-Younger Gang at a reception Thursday, September 8, 6-8 p.m., at the Northfield Historical Society. The front and center outlaw in the photo on the left is Judge Ross.

Renowned author and historian DIETMAR KUEGLER of Wyk auf Foehr, Germany, will be in Northfield to play Clel Miller during the Defeat of Jesse James Days reenactments Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday evening he will give an update on the 2006 James-Younger Gang’s tour of Northern Germany.

World-famous author and antiquarian R.L. WILSON of San Francisco will portray Henry Wheeler through the DJJD weekend reenactments, for which he’s secured a 50-caliber Smith Carbine. The rifle was a gift to the Historical Society from Tammy Loy and Taylor’s Co. NHS was the benefactor last year of a 45-70 Remington Rolling Block rifle through Wilson’s friend, Val Forget, III at the Navy Arm Co.

Judge JAMES R. ROSS, great-grandson of Jesse James, will be in Northfield to sign his book I Jesse James, a definitive collaboration of several generations of James family members that depicts James as a Civil War hero turned outlaw.

Raised by his grandfather, Jesse, Jr., Ross served in the Coast Guard during WWII, then followed his grandfather’s example and studied law. After three decades of successful private practice, he was appointed to the bench in 1983. He recently retired as a Superior Court judge in Orange County, California.

Ross will speak briefly at Thursday night’s presentation about the effect of the failed Northfield raid on the James family. He will autograph his book, which may be purchased at the reception. Author R. L. Wilson also will sign books for anyone who brings copies that evening.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Historical Society at 645-6321 or Chip DeMann at 645-6321.