Original subtitles

Now listen, friend.

The railroad's gonna come right smack through your land

and there ain't a thing in the world that you can do to stop it.

But, mister, a dollar a acre? Why, I paid $15 a acre for it.

And then there's my home and the barn and the crop.

Well, take it or leave it, friend.

But if you won't sell, all we gotta do is call in the government.

They'll confiscate your land, and then you won't get nothin'.

But if that's the way you want it.

- What'll I do? - I don't know.

- Mister! Mister! - Here he comes.

- Mister! - Well?

I reckon if that's the way they're gonna do it...

Now you're talkin' sense. Can you write?

- No, sir. - Here.

Put your mark right there.

I'm telling you like a friend, lady.

If you won't sell, the government will take it from you.

You can save yourself a lot of trouble by just signing now.

It's... It's so little, two dollars a acre.

But... Well, if that's the way...

Don't sign it, Ma. Please don't.

- Let's see a lawyer first. - Oh, you're wasting your time.

Let's see one anyway, Ma.

We can go to town this evening and see Judge Harvey.

He'll tell you what to do. Wait till you see him, please.

Oh, what's the use? Right here.

Oh, please, Ma!

Well, I suppose it can't hurt to talk to somebody first.

You don't mind waitin' till tomorrow, do ya?

Well, it won't do you any good, but whatever you say, ma'am.

No hard feelings, son.

Why, no, sir.

- [ Screaming ] - Trying to hold us up, huh?

- Leave him alone! - Tryin' to jack up the price, are ya?

No, no, please! Leave him alone! Don't hurt him! I'll sign!

- I will right now. - Don't sign it, Ma!

- I will. - My arm. Please let go.

- Right there, ma'am. - Ma!

Whoa.

Howdy, bud.

- Sir? - I just said howdy.

Oh. Howdy.

- What's your name? - James. Jesse James.

Do you own this farm?

No, but my ma does.

- Where is she? - Up at the house.

Thanks, bud.

- [ Carriage Approaching ] - Whoa.

[ Door Opens ]

[ Woman ] Mornin'.

Oh, good mornin', ma'am.

[ Roosters Crowing ]

Are you the lady that owns this farm?

- Yes, I am. - My name's Barshee.

I'm with the railroad. Now, we're comin' through this way, you know?

Yes, I heard so.

I wanna get this deed signed up.

Now, if you'll just put your name right there.

- For nothing? - [ Laughs ] No, no.

We're payin' a dollar an acre, just like everybody else.

That's the law. Everybody's gettin' the same thing, dollar an acre.

Seems mighty little, don't it?

I can't help that, lady, but that's all you're gonna get.

- So you might as well sign up now as later. - You mean right this minute?

Now look, lady. We ain't got all day to hang around here.

Now, you either take what I'm offering everybody else, or you'll get nothin'.

We'll get your land just the same.

I wouldn't dream of signing a thing like that till I talk to some lawyer about it.

Are you gonna waste my time with some jackleg lawyer?

Your land ain't any different than anybody else's.

Well, there's no use talkin'. I'm not gonna sign that thing right now.

Now look, lady. I don't wanna have any trouble with you.

Didn't you hear her say no? She said she wasn't gonna sign.

- Who are you? - That's my son, Frank.

Ah, well, if you're so smart, how'd you like

for the government to condemn this land and take it for nothin'?

- Wouldn't like it. - Then you better understand

that I'm doin' you folks a favor when I offer you a dollar an acre.

I don't want no favors.

Well, maybe you'd like to go to court about it.

I might at that.

Well, you folks have it your own way.

[ Laughs ]

All right, son. No hard feelings.

Frank!

Kinda tricky, ain't ya?

Yeah.

- Get him, boys. - Frank! Frank!

- I ain't a-scared. - [ Gunshot ]

Ya ain't gonna all jump on him, are ya?

Back against the wall, you fellas. Keep your hands out of your pockets.

- Wanna fight him, Frank? - Please, Frank, don't.

Keep them others from runnin' up my back.

They ain't gonna do anything. Are ya, fellas?

- Jesse, stop him! Stop him! - Sorry, Ma. He started it.

Oh, please, Jesse, don't let him.

[ Whimpering ] Frank!

Oh, Jesse, stop him. Stop him!

He's gonna get hurt.

[ Jesse ] Looks to me like he's got enough.

Who's next?

[ Jesse ] Think you can lick 'em all?

I'll fight 'em or wrestle 'em if they'll come at me and pile 'em up under the tree.

You'll do nothin' of the kind. You men, get away from here!

Jess!

Well, if he ain't the tricky one.

Now, get off this land. All of you! Move along!

And jump!

But we're still gonna get this land just the same.

[ Frank ] Jesse!

- I'm all right, son. - What happened?

Well, I don't know. It went black.

- What's happened, Ma? - She fainted.

- No, I didn't. I just gotta lay down. - You better get Doc Hall.

Pinkie!

- Pinkie! - Yes, sir?

Get on your mule and go after Doc Hall.

- Tell him to hurry. - Yes, sir.

- And, Pinkie? - Yes, sir?

After you get him started

get to all the farmers this side of Liberty...

Mr. Crump, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Thompson, all of them.

Tell 'em we're gonna have an important meeting here tonight.

Tell 'em to come as soon as they knock off work.

Yes, sir.

And furthermore,

if the St. Louis Midland

don't know the way its agents

are swindlin' the farmers

it's high time they found out.

Uh, comma.

Because it's the goldangedest,

dag-blastedest, "consangulest" outrage

ever perpetrated on a law-abiding citizenry

in the whole history of the world.

Paragraph.

Uh-oh.

Trouble, by gravy.

- Uncle Rufe. - Huh?

You want me to take those cuss words out, don't you?

Oh, I guess so.

You mean you want to swear out warrants for their arrest?

I'm charging both Frank and Jesse James with assault with attempt to murder.

- [ Man ] Too bad they didn't finish it. - Jesse?

Yes. While my back was turned.

Nice shootin'.

If you'll swear in me and my men as deputies,

we won't bother you anymore.

We'll bring in these buckaroos ourselves, tonight.

It's Jesse. He's in trouble.

No! What did he do? Uncle Rufe!

You know them cuss words I told you to take out? Put 'em back in!

Uncle Rufe! Uncle Rufe!

What we gotta do is chip in some money, whatever we can afford

and send down to St. Louis for a lawyer.

We bought our land, built out homes and raised our crops.

If we have to give 'em up, we got a right to a fair price.

- You're right. - I'm glad somebody done something.

- We don't want any trouble, Jesse. - Not unless they start it, Ma.

What we need is somebody that knows the law

to tell us our rights and how to protect 'em.

- Jesse's right. We need a lawyer. - [ Rufus ] Jesse! Frank!

Jesse! Frank!

Jesse! Frank! You boys gotta get outta here.

They already got a warrant for you, and they're headed here now.

So you gotta skip out, both of you. I told Pinkie to get your horses ready.

- Ain't nobody gonna arrest me. - I ain't gonna run.

- Now, listen, Jesse! - Oh, listen to the major, Frank.

Don't you understand you ain't got a chance?

The St. Louis Midland's got this whole state hog-tied.

They got the police. They got the courts. They got everything.

A trial right now would be a joke.

The railroad's got too much at stake to let two farmer boys bollix things up.

- We got a right to defend ourselves. - Jesse!

- Well, sure, Ma. - Do what the major says. He's right.

All you gotta do is hide out till I can get the governor to give you a fair trial.

- But if we run away... - Jesse, please go like the major says.

If you don't, it'll mean trouble. I know it will.

I couldn't stand it. I'm not well enough.

- [ Pinkie ] Massa Frank. - Please go.

The horses are ready at the back gate.

All right, Ma, if it'll make you feel any better.

Oh, be awful careful, Son.

- Don't worry, Ma. - Take care of him, Frank.

- Yes, Ma. - Bye, Jesse.

- Good-bye, Ma. - Major, Pinkie'll know where we are.

Pinkie. [ Whispers ]

Yes, sir. I knows where it is.

Be careful, boys. Be careful.

( Women Chattering ]

Now, ladies, you all go down the road a piece and wait.

There's apt to be a fracas here, and just let us men handle it.

Go on. Step along now. Just get right down there.

[ Chattering Continues ]

Now, men, listen to me. Let me do all the talkin'.

Yes, Major.

- [ Carriage Approaching ] - Here they come.

Evenin', gentlemen.

- Where's the James boys? - We got a warrant for them, Major.

They ain't here. They're gone. And if you wanna know who got 'em away, 'twas me.

- Easy, Major. - Get outta the way!

Just a minute, Mr. Barshee.

You have my word for it. The boys are gone.

Your word. [ Scoffs ]

Come out, Frank and Jesse James!

Come out, or we'll come in and pull you out!

Their mother's that sick in bed,

and her heart won't stand you stompin' through the house.

Are you gonna let this old goat make a fool out of you?

- He says they ain't there. - They ain't!

Well, I got a way to find that out. Lynch, bring me that mush melon.

- Major! - The major's tellin' the truth.

If you ain't outta there in one minute, I'm gonna blow you out.

- You think I'm lyin'? - Major! Major!

They can come in! Let 'em!

Look! There's somebody in there! What'd I tell you?

It's the mother, I tell ya!

[ All Shouting ]

[ Women Screaming ]

[ Shouting Continues ]

There's no use. She's dead.

This is bad. Mighty bad.

I'm sure sorry.

Well, I'm sorry too.

Oh, I wasn't talkin' about her. She's gone.

It's you I'm sorry for.

Whoa. Whoa.

[ Imitates Bird Call ]

Zee!

Frank.

- Frank! - Yeah?

- It's Zee! - Zee?

- I couldn't hardly believe my eyes. - Zee!

- Frank. - How are you, Zee?

I've worried so about y'all.

- About us? - How's everybody?

How's everything at home? How's Ma?

- Jesse. - Ma?

- What happened? - Barshee...

You mean she's dead?

Oh, Jesse.

Well, let's go.

Bye, honey.

Oh, Jesse, don't you go.

- I've got to. - Oh, no, Jesse! Please!

I can't help it, Zee. I've just got to.

- Let Frank. - Sorry, honey.

- Frank, make him! - Take care of her.

- What about me? - I'm the one he did it to, 'cause I shot him.

Go ahead. If you don't get him, I will.

It might be a long time before I see you again, Zee.

- I can wait. - Bye, honey.

Bye, Jesse.

Just keep anybody from bothering me. That's all.

[ Distant Shouting ]

[ Chattering ]

[ Men Laughing ]

[ Laughing Stops ]

Keep your hands in sight.

Bartender, count three and duck.

- Yes, sir. - Now, wait a minute, Jesse.

It was an accident. I swear it was.

- Count. - No, no. I can explain it.

I didn't know she was there. I swear it.

Keep your hands in sight. One!

- No. No! Jesse! - Two.

[ Band Playing "The Battle Cry Of Freedom" ]

[ Continues ]

Now, stand still.

One, two, three, four, five.

- Thank you, gentlemen. - [ Conductor ] All aboard!

- [ Bell Ringing ] - Thank you, Mayor.

- All aboard! - [ Bell Continues Ringing ]

[ Train Chugging ]

[ Crowd Cheering ]

[ Whistle Blowing ]

[ Whistle Continues Blowing ]

Hands up!

Keep right on driving until I tell you to stop.

What you aimin' to do, partner?

I ain't aimin' to do nothin'. I'm doin' it. I'm holding up this train.

- The whole train? - Slack up at this next curve.

Stop her just this side of that clump of trees around the bend.

It's your funeral, partner.

[ Brakes Squealing ]

Unhitch it!

[ Nervous Chattering ]

If you don't know what this is, folks, it's a holdup.

[ Woman Screams ]

Stay in your seats! Keep your hands in sight.

The gent who just throwed his pocketbook in the spittoon

will kindly take it out and wipe it clean before we get to him.

- No jewelry, folks. Just cash. - That's every cent I've got in the world.

This'll teach you not to ride on the St. Louis Midland Railroad. Thank you, sir.

No, ma'am. No jewelry. Thank you just the same.

That's very nice of you, sir. That's a fine-lookin' pocketbook.

Thank you very much, lady.

Don't forget to sue the railroad for everything you give us.

It's responsible. Thank you very kindly, sir.

Just drop it in the sack, and nobody'll get hurt. Thank you, brother.

Have your wallets ready by the time the gentleman gets to you.

- Don't take all day. Thank you, brother. - Sit down.

Thank you, sir. Thank you kindly.

[ Gunshots ]

You'll hear about this!

No back talk. Thank you, brother. Thank you, brother.

- [ Imitates Bird Call ] - Everybody sit quiet, and nobody'll get hurt.

All right. Let's go. Lights out.

[ Woman Screams ]

- [ Whistle Blowing ] - [ Horses Neighing ]

[ Chattering, Shouting ]

And then he stuck a pistol as big as a cannon right there and says,

"Brother, we want that mail safe."

Where was the protection we're entitled to? Where was the law?

Just a minute, cap. I'm just the law in Liberty.

I don't cover the whole United States.

If you wanna give me a description of these men...

You know as well as I do who it was. Jesse James!

Who else picks on my road? Who else would have the nerve?

Sure, it was. But you don't have to yell about it.

I'm not deaf.

[ Gunshots ]

[ Bird Call ]

[ Bird Call Continues ]

What's that?

[ Rufus ] Look! It's him!

- Well, you crazy son of a gun. - How are you, Major?

Oh, Jesse, you're just asking to be caught.

Don't you know they're looking all over the county for you?

Sure. How about a cup of coffee?

The marshall's got 30 men out lookin' for you, son.

- In all this rain too. Tsk, tsk. Poor boys. - [ Laughs ]

It's no joke, Jesse.

Oh, it's all right, honey. I ain't gonna stay long.

The way I figure it out, as long as they keep runnin' around out there

in here is the safest place for me.

- Go on. Set down. Leave the man alone. - But he's taking chances!

If I could just think of some way to let you know how wrong you are.

It's no use, honey. It's just like I always told you.

I hate the railroads. When I hate, I've gotta do something about it.

- That's the stuff. - Can I get you anything?

People ain't hatin' like they used to. They're gettin' soft.

I've got to admit that I like a man that hauls off and hates good and hard.

It's the lawyers are messin' up the whole world.

Ten years ago here in Liberty,

we didn't have no lawyers and got along fine.

A man killed somebody, then somebody killed him.

The marshall shot 'em all, and that was the end of it.

But look at it today. Right here in Liberty, we got hundreds of lawyers,

thousands of 'em, as far as the eye can see, nothin' but lawyers.

Uncle Rufe, there are only two lawyers in Liberty.

Huh? Two? Is that all? Then they run around too much.

Goldang it, I'm gonna write me an editorial about that.

- Roy! - Yes, sir?

Take an editorial on lawyers.

- "Liars"? - That'll do. We'll begin easy.

Paragraph.

If we are ever to have law and order in the West

the first thing we gotta do is take out all the lawyers

and shoot 'em down like dogs.

Paragraph.

They're bound to get you someday, Jesse.

That's why I hate to see you go out that door

because I keep thinking of you all the time out there in the hills

just going on and on to nowhere,

just trying to keep alive.

And everybody after you, wanting to kill you to get that money.

And, Jesse, sometimes at night when it's cold and rainy,

I wake up crying

because in a dream I saw you lying dead in the mud.

Oh, Jesse, I'm so scared.

You're the only one that it matters to, Zee, one way or the other.

You're the only one that means anything to me.

I know it was a fool thing to come here, but

I never knew how much I did want to see you

until I saw you.

The dag-blamedest outrage ever...

- Hi, Horace Greeley. - Oh, hello, Will.

- I thought you was... - I was.

Is, uh, Zee inside?

Well, she's...

- Evenin', Zee. - Evening, Will.

I thought you went out with the posse.

I did. I just got back.

Did you catch him?

Uh, this is Mr. Howard, Will.

Mr. Thomas Howard, an old friend of ours.

This is a United States Marshall, Mr. Wright.

- How do you do, Mr. Howard? - How do you do?

- Uh, Mr. Howard's from St. Louis. - Yes?

I used to live in St. Louis.

Uh, what business are you in, Mr. Howard?

Guns. Guns and horses.

Guns and horses, eh? No, we didn't catch him.

You couldn't find a white elephant on a night like this.

Zee used to know Jesse James. Did she ever tell you?

They kinda grew up together. She's told me so much, I almost feel I know him myself.

- You do? - Good biscuits. You make 'em, Zee?

Uh, uh-huh.

Try one, Mr. Howard.

I don't mean that we ain't after him, understand.

I'm still a peace officer. If we ever come on each other,

in the right place, it's just gonna be me or him, one or the other.

Yes, I... I understand.

What I'm hoping is, either he'll stop messing around my district

or else keep out of my way.

'Cause it'll save Zee some hurt either way.

You know your job, I guess.

I know it, and I'm good at it.

I'm just as good at my job as he is at his.

That's why next time, I'm either gonna blow his head off,

or he's gonna blow mine.

I, uh, got a little business up the road a piece.

Take me about an hour. Maybe I'll drop in again later if your light's on.

- All right, Will. - Good night, Horace Greeley.

Uh, huh? Oh, good night, Will.

I, uh, don't expect I'll be seeing you again.

No, I don't expect so.

Take care of yourself.

[ Whistles ] You got a better grade of law than it used to be.

Don't waste time, Jesse. Go now.

I think I'd better go that way.

Will you blow out that light? I don't want to be a target.

Yes.

Zee.

Is that why you won't marry me?

I can't help it, Will.

Well, let's load him on a horse and take him to town.

Hey, one of you fellas come here and give me a hand.

Get outta the way, you young 'uns. This ain't no place for you.

Get over on the other side.

- Is... That... - No, ma'am.

- We didn't get the jackpot this time. - [ Men Laughing ]

They keep on running up that price

one of Jesse's own men's liable to take a shot at him.

[ Man ] Yeah. Some of them fellas would scalp their own ma

- for a lot less than $5,000. - [ Men Laughing ]

[ Man ] Let him down on this side.

Are you really as pretty as I think you are?

Oh, Jesse, read this. Read it!

Will arranged it. I asked him to.

- I can't do that, Zee. - Why not?

I...trust Will, but...

He's given his word. He's promised. He'll see that it works out all right.

Jesse, listen. It isn't only now,

although that's bad enough.

It's what's going to happen to you.

Inside of you. You understand?

I mean, right now you're a hero

to yourself and a lot of other people too.

It's a fight you're in, and it's the railroad that started it.

But that's not gonna last, Jesse.

The more luck you have, the worse you'll get.

Shooting and robbing. It'll get in your blood, Jesse.

You'll get like a wolf, just doing it because it's your nature.

It'll be your appetite for shooting and robbing

until something happens to you.

And if anything ever happened to you, Jesse,

it'd be like it was happening to me too.

Oh, darling, there's only one way out.

Come in. Give up.

Let me draw a free breath again.

I can't, Zee. I'd go crazy in prison.

I... I couldn't do it.

But if we went away now...

That's all there is to it, Jesse.

Good-bye.

- But, Zee, please! - Good luck.

Zee, you said you'd wait.

However long it took.

Well, would you marry me now, before?

Today, if you want me to.

Then that's the way, I guess.

The only way.

And then the Prodigal Son

come home to his ma and pa.

[ Door Opens ]

Welcome, brothers and sister.

Thank you, sir.

Sit down.

Just find a seat anywhere.

Could we get hitched?

- Huh? - Uh, married.

You ain't eloping, are you?

- How's that? - Oh, no, sir. I'm grown.

We're in a kinda hurry, if you don't mind.

- Oh, uh, your brothers? - I have no brothers.

- Sorry. What's your name, sister? - Zerelda Cobb.

- And yours, son? - Jesse Woodson James.

Jesse Wood... Jesse James!

- Thank the Lord! - Sit down.

Yes, sir, and we don't want no trouble.

Trouble? Why, son,

you're as welcome as rain to the flowers.

Do you realize, boy, that I had a farm giving 900 bushels of corn

until that railroad had taken it from me?

Why, I'd given up preaching and was making an honest living off the land

until that dag-swinged railroad swindled me out of my own home.

- [ Man ] Us too, Mr. James. - By golly, son,

do you know I had a big house,

two barns, three outhouses

until that goldanged railroad "honswoggled" me?

[ Congregation ] Amen. Amen.

All right. We're gathered here

to join Zerelda Cobb and Jesse Woodson James

in the bonds of holy matrimony.

- Howdy, Jesse. - Howdy, Will.

I, uh, guess Zee explained things.

She said they're willing to go light.

From the way they talk, they're so glad to get rid of you

they're liable to make you a conductor on the road.

- What do you think I'll get? - Two, three years.

Maybe five. It won't be much. All they're charging you with

is that little old depot at Pine Hills that you knocked over last April.

That one they got proof on.

I'm much obliged for all you've done.

Don't mention it.

Shall we go?

- [ Chattering, Shouting ] - Is it all right, Jesse?

Jesse!

[ Chattering Continues ]

- Howdy, Jesse. - Howdy.

- Howdy, Jesse. - Judge. Major.

Jesse.

You ain't got no more guns on you, have you?

- No. - All right.

- You're doing the wise thing, son. - Am I?

Judge Mathews here is gonna try your case, son. You can trust him, all right.

I'm aiming to go as light as the law allows.

When you come out, the slate will be clean.

- The past will all be forgotten. - Thank you, Judge.

- Well, Jesse, if you're ready. - Well, I...

All right, Jesse. Go ahead.

You ain't worried, are you, kid?

- I could do it on my head. - Good boy.

[ Door Closes ]

Oh, my darling. My wife.

My husband.

Oh, I'm proud of you, dear. Proud of you.

Bye, Zee. Good-bye.

I'll be waiting.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Yes, sir. You can go right in.

Mr. James?

Oh.

I'm Mr. McCoy, president of the railroad.

Ah, yes. I know who you are, Mr. McCoy.

I just want to welcome you and tell you how glad I am to see you here in jail.

- [ Chuckling ] - [ Shoes Squeaking ]

[ Door Closes ]

- From this point... - What's all this soldier business?

Oh, this is Mr. Wright, peace officer here.

- Mr. Clarke, the state prosecutor. - How do you do? Well?

Well, we're gonna try to hang our lawless friend, of course.

Before or after the trial?

- Well, the penalty for murder is death. - That wasn't the idea.

The idea?

That wasn't the idea you gave me, James or the girl.

Now get this straight, Wright.

When you're dealing with a criminal, anything goes,

anything that'll trap him.

James is a thief and a murderer,

the most notorious bandit and outlaw in America.

He has burned my property, robbed my trains

and scared people out of riding in my cars.

Three years ago, I swore he'd hang for what he done

and by the Almighty he is going to hang.

That still ain't the way things are done around here.

- You're a peace officer, aren't you? - But not a skunk.

Did you explain all this to Judge Mathews?

It won't be necessary, my boy.

He's been superseded by Judge Rankin of St. Louis

who's not so sentimental about train robbers.

He arrives tonight. The trial's tomorrow morning.

- Anything else? - A nice frame, eh?

And while we're about it, Marshall,

it might be better for you if you dropped this role of attorney for the defense

and confined yourself to the duties of your office.

- Who, me? - Any interference on your part...

- It ain't me you gotta worry about. - What do you mean?

Suppose Jesse don't wanna be hanged.

[ All Laughing ]

Roy, stop the press.

Take a new editorial on railroad presidents.

- Yes, sir. - Paragraph.

If we are ever to have law and order in the West,

the first thing we gotta do is take out all the railroad presidents

and shoot 'em down like dogs.

- Paragraph. - Where's Zee?

- Where've you been? - Up to Pine Ridge. Where's Zee?

- Zee? She's out. - Out where?

Well, she set out...

I wouldn't want this to go any further, you understand?

- I understand. - Well, she set out for the hills.

- Alone? - Not exactly alone.

She was being guided by a darky named Pinkie on a mule named Stinky.

I see.

Whoa.

- Halt! Who goes there? - It's me... Pinkie.

All right, Pinkie. What do you want?

- I got a letter here for Mr. McCoy. - Give me.

- A letter for Mr. McCoy! - Is you sure he'll get it, sir?

- He'll get it. - Yes, sir.

- For Mr. McCoy. - Mr. McCoy.

For Mr. McCoy.

We want the trial to get started as early as possible.

[ Laughs ] Judge, read this.

[ All Laughing ]

Listen. [ Laughs ]

"Mr. McCoy, if Jesse ain't out of jail by midnight,

"I'm a-comin' in and get him. Frank James."

[ All Laughing ]

Well, that gives us an hour and a half.

- [ McCoy ] The nerve of him! - [ Groans ]

What ails you?

- It's this note. - What about it?

I don't know if you gents know it or not, but, well,

both these James boys does things.

- What are you driving at? - I've known Frank James a long time.

When he says he aims to do somethin', he's liable to come good near doin' it.

Now, what on earth do you think he can do?

He says he's gonna take Jesse outta here.

I wish he'd try it. We'd grab him too.

Of course we would. You're crazy.

He's a mighty set man, Frank is.

[ Clock Ticking ]

Hello.

Have you heard about this ridiculous note?

- The word's got around. - You mean everybody knows about it?

Everybody I met. They all regard it as a very interesting situation.

Interesting? Why, it's preposterous.

What do they think a few ragged-pants bandits can do?

Don't they know this is a brick jail

surrounded and guarded by United States soldiers?

Don't they know we could hold this jail against an army of outlaws?

They do. That's what makes it so interesting.

But they know, too, that both the James boys

are mighty set in their ways.

- Mighty set. - That's what I told him.

Didn't I tell you to shut up? How many deputies have you got?

Six on call, but I could swear in as many more as you want.

That's it. That's what we'll do.

We won't wait for the rascal. We'll go out and get him.

- We could try. - Do you think he'll really come?

Well, don't you?

Oh, sure. He wouldn't fool around about a thing like this.

- He's probably on his way now. - Well, let's not waste time.

Swear in some good men and surround the town.

Tell them to take him dead or alive.

Tell them to shoot first and ask questions later.

- Tell them... - Am I telling you how to run your railroad?

- What do you mean? - Don't try to tell me how to take a man.

Just a minute, Marshall. Where are you going?

- I'm going to swear in some good men. - Wait. I'll go with you.

I'm not a bad hand at picking men myself.

Whatever you say, cap, is exactly what I'm going to do.

Turn out all your men. Cover the whole town.

It's an utterly ridiculous situation

but by crikey I'm not gonna take any chances.

Mighty, mighty set.

[ Man ] Five dollars. One-to-three he will.

Ten dollars he won't. Twelve dollars even money either way.

I've got $10, one-to-five

that Frank James will bite Mr. McCoy in the leg.

[ Raucous Laughter ]

- Bartender! - [ Shouting ]

[ Pounding On Bar ]

Gentlemen! I want some deputies,

some volunteer deputies,

who've gotta be able to shoot straight the first time... Or else.

- For Frank? - For whoever I say.

But if anybody has got a mercenary streak,

Mr. McCoy here is talking about doubling the pot for whoever rings the bell.

- Ten thousand dollars? - All right, boys.

Line up at the bar so we can get a look at you.

You and you. Ed, you're all right. Bill, get over there.

You and you and you and you.

- Charlie, you're a good man with a gun. - I don't like him.

- What's the matter with the big fella? - Nothing that I know of.

- Then him. - All right. And you.

- And these two. - All right. You're the doctor.

All right, men. Face me, raise your right hands and take the oath.

Up a little higher. One, two, three, four, five, six...

seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13...

[ Clock Ticking ]

[ Shoes Squeaking ]

Wild goose chase.

I don't care how many he brings.

He won't be able to get into town, much less this building.

- The whole thing's a bluff. - Well, it's 12:00.

- Nothing's happened... - You!

You...

I couldn't help it. I'm just nervous. That's all.

Frank said he was gonna give you till 12:00 to let Jesse out

- and if he wasn't out by then... - [ Harmonica ]

- That's Jesse. - Well, stop him!

I'll stop him, but it won't do no good.

It's dead certain Frank's comin' now.

And Jesse feels it. That's the way them boys is.

[ Harmonica Continues ]

No matter what happens tonight, fire or flood,

I'm gonna have that man fired tomorrow.

Major! Zee! They got him!

- Frank? - Yeah. They jumped him in the woods.

- Who? Who got him? - Two of them deputies.

Oh, them goldanged, dag-blasted, gol-burned deputies!

- Roy! - Yes, sir.

Ah, I just want to thank the young men for simplifying one of our worst problems.

Take him in there.

I sure am sorry, Frank. Any guns on you?

I got it.

I sure wasn't lookin' for this. Come on, son.

Frank.

- Sorry. - That's all right, Marshall.

You understand this ain't any of my doing.

I just want you and Jesse to know

that all the honor and credit for this victory of law and order goes to Mr. McCoy.

- We understand. - Is that all, Marshall?

That's all. Thank you.

- [ Shoes Squeaking ] - Get outta here.

Get out and stay out.

For a peace officer, your attitude has been incredible

and make no doubt it'll be reported to the governor tomorrow.

You mean, you won't want me anymore tonight?

Neither tonight or any other day or night.

- Is that official? - It is.

Sorry, Will. We didn't aim to get you over a barrel.

Forget it, son. The way I figure

that barrel's gonna be mighty crowded before this night's over.

Good night, everybody.

Good night, Marshall.

Pretty smart, aren't you?

You ought not to have done this, Mr. McCoy.

No?

You ought not to have tried to trick Jesse and me when we were trustin' you.

- You ought to have kept your word. - The way you're gonna keep yours?

Sir?

You said you were gonna take Jesse out of here.

But I am.

- Hey, Jesse. - Is that you, Frank?

It's me. You all right?

You're a cool one.

Gettin' along just fine, Frank.

[ McCoy ] He'll be glad to see you too.

Lock the door, Tom.

- [ McCoy ] Soldiers! - Take it easy, boys.

Now untie me. No noise, understand?

We don't aim to kill a soul if we can help it, but the first man that hollers...

All you gotta do is to keep your hands up and your mouth shut.

Everything's gonna be all right.

You'll never get away with this in the world.

I knowed it, and I told you.

Lay down.

Lay down or be shot down.

What happened?

Mr. McCoy was kind enough to deputize Tom and Hank.

On purpose?

Guess he just didn't have any better sense.

What is this? A game?

Grown men playing on the floor like children.

- Ain't it the truth? - They wouldn't have it any other way.

Remember that?

Remember it?

Don't... Don't kill me.

I ain't. Not with a gun.

But, brother, I'm gonna worry you to death.

Now, chew.

- See how it tastes. And swallow. - [ Gasping ]

Chew!

You look like a man that's got good sense.

Just name it, friend, and I'll do it.

You'll do it if you don't want your pants full of lead.

All you gotta do is name it.

Give him a glass of water as soon as we're gone to wash it down.

Everybody set? All you gotta do is throw that door open and then step back.

- You don't have to tell me to step back. - Don't hurt nobody.

Don't forget to throw a few rounds down the street just for the fun of it.

Ready? Open it.

[ Gunshots ]

Stop them! Stop them! Hurry! Hurry!

Get over there! Get after them!

Get after them! Come on! Everybody!

- Good-bye, Uncle Rufe. - Good-bye, honey.

I don't blame you.

Jesse played fair. He did everything he promised.

So you gotta keep your part of the bargain.

And stick to him, honey, 'cause you're the only hope there is for him.

- I'll stick all right. - Miss Zee?

Is we got everything?

Oh, I...

- I... I think so, Pinkie. - Yes'm.

- Good-bye, Uncle Rufus. - Good-bye, honey.

[ Sniffles ] Let's go.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Frank ] Come on, son. Play Pony Express.

[ Gunshot ]

Well, I guess they'll be busy there for a while.

[ Bird Call ]

- Darling! - Oh, Zee.

Oh, darling!

Darling.

Just let me look at you.

- [ Humming ] - [ Zee ] You like the curtains?

Why, they're just as pretty as they can be.

I made them.

Oh, my goodness, Zee. I...

I never expected ever to have a house as nice as this one.

- I made that too. - "God bless our home."

That's better than you can get in a store, Zee.

- That's a mighty pretty frame too. - Oh, Pinkie made that.

- Oh? Good work, Pinkie. - Thank you, Mr. Jesse.

Oh, it sure is fine, Zee. The whole place.

I'm just as proud of you as I can be.

Git. [ Clicks Tongue ]

[ Wagon Creaking ]

[ Man ] Whoa. Hello!

Hello.

- Uh, evening, ma'am. - Good evening.

I'm lookin' for the Wilsons. Do you know where they live?

About a mile on up the road.

Thank you, ma'am. [ Clicks Tongue ] Giddyap.

[ Horse Snorts ]

- Pack. - Yes'r.

- Jesse. - Pack. We're getting out of here.

- But it was only a farmer. - How do you know?

[ Birds Chirping ]

[ Baby Crying ]

How is she, Doc?

She's weak, of course, which is only...

You're a friend of Mr. Howard's, aren't you?

You might say so.

- Have you any idea where he is? - He travels a lot.

- Salesman? - Uh, something like that.

You can tell him for me,

any husband who would stay away from a wife at a time like this...

I can't say I've got any use for him.

- There's a lot in what you say. - You can go up, but don't stay long.

[ Murmurs, Chuckles ]

Ain't he the dag-blamedest

cutest little cuss that ever...

[ Chuckles, Stammers ]

Now, honey, you mustn't blame Jesse for not gettin' here.

Maybe he just couldn't get away, and...

- It doesn't matter. - Well, you...

You shouldn't feel that way about it.

I can't help it.

[ Sighing ] I'm too tired to care.

[ Breath Quavers ]

This is the way it always is.

We live like animals, scared animals.

We move. We hide.

We don't dare go out.

All day and all night, we just sit.

Scared of a shadow on a window.

Scared of a footstep on a porch.

Scared of a door opening.

And when he's away, it's worse.

All I can think of is, is he dead?

- Is he lying dead in the mud in the woods? - Shh. Shh, shh, honey.

[ Sniffles ]

- Maybe he's dead now. - [ Shushing Softly ]

Oh, Uncle Rufe, I wanna go home.

You're home, Zee. This is your home, yours and Jesse's.

I mean home with you, back to Liberty.

- Will you take me? - But, honey...

Doggone it, I... But Jesse promised.

Oh. Yes, I know.

And I used to believe him.

But he'd never change.

Jesse will be an outlaw as long as he lives.

I know it now.

He's wild, Will.

He's like a horse you can't break.

He's crazy with wildness, and there's nothing

either you or me or him or anybody else can do about it.

That's why all last night I wanted to die.

I prayed and prayed that I'd die.

[ Gasps ] And my baby. I...

I prayed that he'd die too and end it all!

[ Baby Crying ]

[ Whimpering ] Oh.

My darling.

Mommy didn't mean that, honey! [ Crying ]

[ Crying ] Oh, my precious baby!

Mommy didn't mean that, honey.

- [ Sobbing ] - [ Shushing Softly ] That's...

That's... That's all right, honey.

I'll...

- I'll take you home. - [ Whimpers ]

- [ Crying ] - I'll...

[ Blows Nose ]

[ Bird Call ]

- Hi, Pinkie. Zee! - Howdy, Mr. Jesse.

- Oh, Mr. Jesse. - Yes?

- She's gone. - Gone? Gone where?

- Her and the baby, they've gone... - The baby?

- Yes'r. - Was she... Were they all right?

Oh, yes'r. They's all right, both of 'em.

But she gone now.

The major come and took 'em away back to Liberty.

This here's a letter she gimme to give to you, sir.

[ Exhales ] Poor kid.

I tried to get here, Pinkie, but I... I just couldn't.

They got after me, and... Did you see him?

Mr. Jesse, he's the cutest little ol' thing I ever did see.

Just yellin' and a-hollerin' so it'd nearly bust your ears.

[ Chuckling ] I bet he's the loudest-yellin' baby that ever was born.

- What color eyes he got, Pinkie? - Blue.

Great big ol' blue eyes, big as a saucer. Lookin' right at you, sir.

- [ Laughing ] - Does he look like Zee?

- Like you. - Naw!

He's the spittin' image of you, Mr. Jesse.

[ Laughing ] Well, I'll be doggoned.

'Ceptin' he's bald. He's bald as a peeled egg.

But, my goodness, Mr. Jesse, that sure is one cute little ol' baby.

Well, I'll be doggoned.

Just yellin', wavin' his little ol' arm.

Doggone.

Yes'r, we was all mighty proud of that baby.

- [ Chuckling ] - Lord, Lord.

I guess we'd better go after them, Pinkie. When did they leave?

- They left Monday. - On the train?

No, sir. In the major's buggy.

Oh, I don't like that.

We'll have some supper, and then we'll go after them.

- But, Mr. Jesse. - Yes?

- I don't know if I'd go after 'em right now. - No? Why not?

They got that Mr. Wright with 'em.

- Wright? - Yes'r, the police marshall. He come too.

I see.

Never mind the supper, Pinkie. We'll start right now.

- You mean after 'em? - [ Blows ] Yes. Right now.

What did she say about being unhappy?

It was just like I told you, Mr. Jesse.

She said she's scared all the time, and I know she cried a lot.

She said she don't know how she could stand it.

I see.

- I guess I can't blame her. - That's just what she says.

I guess it was pretty bad for her.

Yes, sir, I guess it was.

Pinkie, I'm not going any further.

You mean you ain't goin' after 'em?

I've changed my mind.

She's right. There ain't any happiness to be found with me.

If she can find it at all, it's, it's without me.

- Yes'r. - Tell her that.

Tell her I ain't gonna bother her anymore.

If she can be happy now, I'm... I'm glad.

Tell her that... too.

Yes, sir.

- And, Pinkie, tell her... - Yes, sir?

Tell her not to let the baby know anything about me. I won't mind.

[ Explosion ]

- Roy! - Yes, sir.

Take an editorial on dentists!

Yes, sir.

Paragraph.

If we are ever to have law and order in the West

the first thing we've got to do

is take out all the dentists...

- [ Object Clattering ] - [ Child ] Choo-choo! Choo!

Clang! Clang! Choo! Choo!

[ Shouts, Indistinct ] Choo! Choo!

- Help! Help! Save me! Save my life! - [ Child Laughing ]

...and shoot 'em down like dogs.

[ Playing, Shouting Continue ]

Save me! Save me! Don't let him get hold of me!

- [ Shouting, Indistinct ] - Help! Help!

Stop it! Both of you!

- Stop it. Stop it. - [ Stammering ]

- Stop it. - [ Panting ]

- He's worse than the child. - Ah, but they're great fun.

[ Chuckling ] How old is he?

- Just five. - You don't say? Mine's going on three.

Wait a minute. Here.

- Can he have a piece? - Uh, yes.

- Ah. Say, "Thank you, sir." - Thank you, sir.

Ah, you're welcome. Wonderful child.

- Thank you. - Are you the editor, sir?

I am, sir. What can I do for you, my friend?

- I want to run this card in your next issue. - Eh?

"George Remington. Remington Bluing Company, Philadelphia."

- "Now at Dixie Belle Hotel." - Mm-hmm.

- How much, sir? - Oh, I guess about a dollar will cover it...

- Mr. Remington. - There you are.

- Thank you, sir. - And thank you very much.

- Good-bye. Good-bye. - Good-bye. Roy! Set this...

By the way, didn't that fella Jesse James come from somewheres around here?

He did. Why?

Then I suppose you're protesting against

this amnesty offer by the governor, aren't you?

- What amnesty offer? - Haven't you heard?

Well, sir, it's an outrage.

In Jefferson City the other day, a friend of mine, a banker, was telling me about it.

The governor has promised amnesty, a clean pardon,

to any member of the James gang that will kill Jesse.

And that's in addition to the reward.

- Are you sure of that? - Positive, sir.

But that makes the state a party to murder!

- Exactly what I said. - Why, the dirty rotten things they...

- Thank you, sir. Thank you for the news. - Not at all, sir. Not at all.

I'll just have time to get it into this week's edition.

Zee.

- And an editorial! - Please.

That don't prove anything. He might've got it all wrong.

It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter to me.

- That's all over now. - Roy!

You got that editorial on dentists started yet?

Yes, sir.

Well, change it from dentists to governors

and finish it like the one I did last week on horse thieves.

Except this time, it's governors.

Whoa.

Morning.

[ Hoe Clattering ]

- Nice day, isn't it? - I don't wanna buy nothin'.

[ Laughing ]

I'm not selling anything.

You're Mrs. Bob Ford, aren't you?

I'm Mrs. Ford, all right, but if'n it's about my husband, I don't know anythin'.

I ain't see'd him in months.

He rid off with them James boys

and I ain't see'd hair nor hide of 'im since.

It's not him I was looking for, Mrs. Ford. It's you.

I got this here Liberty paper yesterday

and it's got some news in it that might interest you.

And, uh, here's my card.

That's all. [ Clicks Tongue ]

- Here. - What is it?

You know I can't read.

What's it say?

Well?

The bank at Northfield, Minnesota, is the strongest bank in the Northwest.

It's wide open for us.

They've got $50,000 in gold in the safe

and all we gotta do is walk in with a shovel and help ourselves.

So that's what we're gonna do.

Well?

Well, uh, as a matter of fact, Jesse...

- Well? - Well...

Say, what is this anyhow?

For more than a month, there's been something funny goin' on. Now, what is it?

Well, to tell you the truth, Jesse,

we don't exactly know if we like this idea or not.

For one thing, that's a mighty strong bank at Northfield

and it's a long ways away.

- And for another... - Yeah, go on.

Well, I been talkin' it over with some of the boys, and,

and, uh...

Well, you're taking chances, Jesse, that we don't like.

Now, I ain't no coward, and you know it,

but some of the things you've got us into, it...

It scared the livin' daylights outta me.

- You're takin' too many chances. - Shut up!

- Go on. - We all know you got your troubles.

Forget that.

Maybe you don't care if you get shot full of buckshot or not.

But the way we feel about it...

We got a lot of respect for you, Jesse, and you know it.

But the way you're goin' on is just like you was tryin' to commit suicide.

- And just who do you think you are? - Now, listen, Jesse...

[ Jesse ] Go on! Reach!

So you talked things over, did you?

And who are you, the captain of this band?

Who's handling these jobs, you or me or somebody else?

Well, I'll tell you if you don't know. It's me!

I'm doin' it, see. And I'll ride up the capitol steps if I feel like it.

So you talked it over, huh? Without me.

Well, I don't like it, and it ain't the way I aim to have things.

If that's the way you want it, I give you leave now,

all of you, to talk it over again.

Now. Outside. Go on! Get out!

Now listen here, Jesse.

Yes, and you too.

You talked it over with 'em.

You think I need you, any of you?

You think I can't get a thousand men

to come in tomorrow morning with Jesse James?

Well, if you don't, you're crazy. Now get out!

He acts like he's going crazy.

Ah, he gets worse every day.

I'll kill him for that, if it's my last act.

Wait for me down at the creek. I wanna talk to him.

Well?

In the first place, Jesse, I just want you to understand

I ain't a-scared of you and I ain't a-scared of your guns.

So if you get to feelin' like shootin',

you just start drawin', and I'll start drawin' too.

- Is that what you came back to tell me? - No.

That's to clear your conscience if you get to feelin' ornery.

I'll remember.

What I come back to tell you was, you're a skunk.

- Wanna draw? - Go on.

You're mean, Jesse, and you're gettin' meaner every day.

I don't know if you're goin' crazy or not, but sometimes it looks like it.

Ever since you come back from St. Joe, it's been lookin' like it.

For one thing, there ain't enough money in the world to take the chances

you been makin' us take the last year or two.

And for another, you wouldn't be slappin' an old friend like Tom,

and him a slow draw, if you was in your right mind.

So you're either crazy or you're a skunk.

Go on. Draw if you feel like it.

You go on.

You're my brother, Jesse. You're my kid brother, and I reckon I love you.

But it ain't provin' anything to let you get my head blowed off

or your own.

I know how you feel about what happened after the baby was born.

And I know you don't like to get talked to this way

but it's either this or see you get "blammed" right outta your pants.

Somebody had to tell you before it was too late.

So, what do you figure you wanna do about it?

I'm sorry, Frank.

- Want me to fetch 'em back? - Can you?

Sure, I can.

- Frank. - Hmm?

- Much obliged. - You're welcome, kid.

- Jesse. - Bob?

- It's me. - Come in.

- Where is everybody? - They'll be back after a while.

- What's the matter with you? - Nothing.

- Sit down. - Nothing's the matter.

- I been to see my wife. - I know.

- [ Frank ] Hi, Bob. - Hiya, fellas.

- I'm sorry. - It's all right, Jesse. I understand.

Northfield's all right with us.

Good. We'll get going at daylight.

Northfield's 450 miles from here. We oughta make it by Friday.

We'll hole up just outside of town overnight

and jump the bank about noon on Saturday.

If it's as rich as they say it is, why, maybe we can all retire then.

- Sound all right to everyone? - [ Men Chattering Agreement ]

That's fine. Very fine.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

- Mr. Layworth? - Right over there, sir.

Thank you.

Come in.

- Mr. Layworth? - Yes.

My card.

I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Runyan.

- What can I do for you? - First, read this.

- What does it mean? - It's the James gang.

- They're on their way here. - Here? The James gang?

- Mm-hmm. - The James gang!

- To rob my bank? - That's it.

Great thunderin' hallelujah! That's ruin!

They'll take everything! I've got $50,000!

Shh. Easy, easy. There's no danger.

Don't you see? I'm here.

Yeah, but, but, but...

Why, Cousin Bushrod!

- Well, if it ain't Cousin Beauregard. - Howdy, Cousin. How are you?

Well, I'll be doggone.

Beauregard, I ain't seen you in a coon's age.

Come on in the bank with me. I gotta change some money.

How's Aunt Marylou? How's the twins?

[ Bell Tolling ]

[ Tolling Continues ]

Change this for me, colonel?

I'll have to get the money from the safe. Will you wait, please?

[ Gunfire ]

- Holy smoke. - Come on!

- Tom. Come on, Tom. - It's no use.

[ Frank ] Come on, Jesse!

[ Gunfire Continues ]

We gotta keep goin', son. Hold on.

Hold tight, Jesse, 'cause there's only one way outta here.

Are ya holdin' on?

Giddyap!

[ Gunfire ]

Jesse! Jesse!

Hurry up, boys. Hurry up. He's in here somewhere.

[ Frogs Croaking ]

"Of the eight bandits who attempted the raid on the Northfield bank,

"two are dead and four are prisoners.

"But of the two leaders, there is less definite news.

"Reports yesterday indicated

"that Frank James had made good his escape.

"But of Jesse James, there is no news at all.

"The belief is that he was drowned.

"But if he escaped, he is thought to be badly wounded

"and unable to travel far."

Holy dag-blasted

goldang city police!

- Roy! - Yes, sir?

I'm gonna write me an editorial!

"If he escaped."

- You gotta stop it, Zee. You got to. - I know it.

He ain't the Jesse you knew and loved.

That fella's gone, gone a long time ago.

I kinda liked him too. But not this fella. Not this bad one.

This one, I could... Well, if I ever come on him again...

- If he escaped... - Can't you understand, Zee? He's no good.

It's like I told you that time.

Once you let yourself go, the way he did, you can't stop.

He ain't a knight anymore fightin' a bad railroad. He's a wild animal.

You can't love him. Nobody can.

Why, everybody that liked him, he's done wrong to.

And with his men gone, he hasn't a friend left...

not a friend in the world.

That's right too, isn't it?

[ Gasps ]

Not a friend in the world.

Ho.

- Hey. Hey, you. You. We're here. - [ Coughs ]

Thank you.

- Keep your mouth shut. - Thank you. Thank you very kindly.

- Do you think you can make it? - Yeah.

- Do you need some help? - No. I'm all right.

- You go ahead. - Giddyap.

[ Sighs ]

[ Quiet Groan ]

[ Door Opens ]

[ Gasps ]

Oh, my poor, poor darling.

My poor, hurt darling.

Zee? Is it really you?

I knew, if you could, you'd come here.

[ Voice Breaking ] That's why I came.

I knew you'd come.

What's left of me.

But... I'll get you well.

Wait.

[ Calling Softly ] Jesse.

Hurry, Pinkie. Hurry.

Well, I'll be doggone.

It's Daddy, dear.

My son.

- [ Kiss ] - Oh, Mommy.

Daddy's been hurt, dear, but he'll be all right.

Well, I'll be doggone.

Doggone.

Don't you think he's big for five?

Does he... Does he know anything about me yet?

No, not yet.

Oh, Zee.

Is it... Is it too late?

Could we... Could we still go away?

To California?

No, it isn't too late.

We'll go just as soon as you get well.

Pinkie's gone to get the doctor now.

Oh, Jesse, I do love you so.

[ Gasps ] Jesse.

- You mustn't do that. - Oh, go on. I'm all right.

But Pinkie will take care of all that, darling.

Ah, Zee. Kinda happy, ain't ya?

Aren't you?

Oh, Jesse, if we were just leaving today, this very hour.

- Nothing's gonna stop us, honey. - Oh, I hope not.

But I'm scared, Jesse.

I'll be scared every second until we're on our way...

maybe until we get to California.

Well, we... We won't have any money, remember.

That money I hid in the hills...

I don't want you to talk about that anymore.

We'll make money... Money we won't be ashamed of.

- I wasn't ashamed of that mon... - Stop it, I say.

- [ Knocking ] - [ Pinkie ] Mr. Howard.

- Yes? - There's two gentlemen to see you, sir.

- What do they want? - You knows 'em, sir.

Oh. All right.

- He's human, ain't he? - [ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Footsteps On Stairs ]

Well, hello, Bob. How are ya?

I'm all right, I reckon. How are you, Jesse?

I'm still totin' some lead around inside of me, but it doesn't bother me any.

- This here's my brother, Charlie. - Hello, Charlie.

Oh, Pinkie, get us some coffee.

- Yes, sir. - Sit down, Bob.

[ Jesse ] Looks like you come a long way. It's hot.

I escaped. They couldn't hold me.

Me and two fellas you don't know jumped over a wall.

How'd you know where I was?

We seen Frank. He sent us.

That's what we come to see you about.

How's Frank? Where is he?

He's fine. He's up in the hills.

He's aimin' to come down pretty soon.

That's what he wanted us to see you about.

Jesse.

- Are you going to be long? - You remember Bob Ford, honey.

- That's his brother, Charlie. - Howdy, Miss Zee.

- Are you going to be long? - Go on now. Stop your frettin'.

I'll be up in just a minute.

What Frank wanted us to tell ya is if you feel strong enough,

he wants you to meet him.

- He's at the Platte Bank. - No. I'm going to California.

- Frank's mighty anxious. - Sorry. My mind's made up.

There ain't even a marshall in town. There's a farm payroll there on the seventh.

Frank's got three men that know their business.

He don't figure it'll be any trouble at all. Just walk in and take it.

No.

If you got plenty of money to get a start in California...

you don't even need to think about it.

But if you was to need a bankroll, why...

[ Murmurs ]

I haven't got much money, hardly any money at all.

[ Children Playing Outside, Shouting, Indistinct ]

[ Children Continue Playing ]

What else did Frank say?

He says it's the easiest job he ever seen.

He says it won't take more than a day to look it over.

And then if you're set on goin' to the coast, you got some money.

We sure could use some money.

The way this is, it's just like pickin' it up off the ground.

- When did he wanna meet me? - He says right away.

[ Jesse Jr. ] Daddy! Daddy!

I wanna come in! I wanna come in!

[ Boy ] He can't go in. He'll spoil the game!

All right. Come in, but stop that hollerin'.

Frank figures we oughta clear about 2,000 apiece.

[ Clicks Tongue ]

Sure could use $2,000.

- Daddy! Daddy! - Oh, those kids. Just a minute.

- Oh, excuse me, Mr. James. - Howard.

Are you gonna walk around outside with them guns?

- [ Children Continue Yelling ] - No. You're right.

[ Children Shouting ] Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bring him down!

[ Children Yelling, Shouting, Indistinct ]

We didn't hurt him, Mr. Howard.

We just killed him. That's part of the game.

He's such a little fella. You shouldn't play so rough with him.

- That's the way you gotta play outlaw. - He's Jesse James.

- He's gotta die. - I'll die, but they stick me with sticks.

- Just shoot me. Don't stick me. - [ Kids ] Bang! Bang!

- Bang! Bang! - You're Jesse James. You're dead.

I'm dead.

Go home, boys.

Get him ready. We're catching the afternoon train.

Pinkie can follow with whatever we can't carry.

That suit you?

Oh, thank goodness, Jesse.

I'm sorry Bob. Tell Frank I'm sorry. I'll write to him from California.

- You mean you ain't gonna come with us? - That's it.

What'll Frank say to that?

It can't make much difference what he says.

I ain't goin' to him, and that's all there is to it.

Bye, Charlie. Nice to meet ya.

Bye, Bob. I'm sorry you had to come all the way up here for nothing.

What'll we tell Frank?

Tell him he'd better come join me while the joining's still good.

[ Zee ] Oh, Mr. Howard We've got to run

- For we're going to California... - With a banjo on our knee

[ Both Laughing ]

Ah, Zee.

- Honey, what can I do to help? - Oh, Jesse, that.

Oh, you can bet your life. Zee.

'Cause we're going to California

On a train this afternoon [ Laughing ]

[ Humming Tune ]

[ Continues Humming ]

- [ Gunshots ] - [ Groans ]

[ Zee ] Jesse!

[ Gasping ] Pinkie!

Oh, Jesse. Jesse.

[ Crying ] Oh, Jesse!

There ain't no question about it.

Jesse was an outlaw, a bandit, a criminal.

Even those that loved him ain't got no answer to that.

But we ain't ashamed of him. I don't know why...

but I don't think even America is ashamed of Jesse James.

Maybe it's because he was bold and lawless...

like we, all of us, like to be sometimes.

Maybe it's because we understand a little...

that he wasn't altogether to blame...

for what his times made him.

Maybe it's because for 10 years...

he licked the tar outta five states.

Or maybe it's because he was so good at what he was doin'.

I don't know. All I do know is...

he was one of the doggonedest, goldangedest...

dag-blamedest buckaroos...

that ever rode across these United States of America!

[ Rufus ] "In loving remembrance...

"Jesse W. James...

"died April 3, 1 882.

"Aged 34 years, 6 months, 28 days.

"Murdered by a traitor and coward...

"whose name is not worthy to appear here."