20 Most Notorious Outlaws in Missouri History

There are more than a few of us who are enthralled with the part of Missouri history that involves outlaws like Jesse James and his gang. If you dig deep enough, you'll learn that there were many notorious characters from that era who rivaled even some of Jesse's wildest exploits and he wasn't Missouri's first real outlaw either.

Jesse James

Missouri's most famous outlaw; bank, train and stagecoach robber and leader of the James-Younger Gang.

Frank James

Jesse's older brother and longtime partner who participated in the gang's robberies before eventually surrendering.

Cole Younger

One of Jesse James' most famous partners and leader of the Younger brothers.

“Bloody Bill” Anderson

One of Missouri's most feared Civil War guerrillas; notorious for the Centralia Massacre.

William Quantrill

Guerrilla leader whose followers included future outlaws such as Jesse James and Cole Younger.

Archie Clement

Former Anderson guerrilla who continued violent activities after the Civil War and became a major figure in early postwar Missouri robberies.

Jim Younger

Cole's brother and James-Younger Gang member who was captured after the infamous Northfield robbery.

Bob Younger

Youngest of the famous Younger brothers; also captured after Northfield and died in prison.

John Younger

Another Younger brother and gunman associated with the outlaw world surrounding the James-Younger Gang.

Robert “Bob” Ford

Jesse James' killer—and himself a former member of the James gang. He killed Jesse for the reward.

Charlie Ford

Bob Ford's brother and Jesse James associate who helped carry out the plot against Jesse.

John Jarrette

Cole Younger's brother-in-law and a Quantrill associate who became part of Missouri's postwar outlaw network.

George Todd

Quantrill guerrilla and one of the more notorious bushwhackers operating in Missouri during the Civil War.

John McCorkle

Quantrill guerrilla whose firsthand account helped preserve the history of Missouri's bushwhacker era.

Clell Miller

Former guerrilla who became associated with the James-Younger Gang and later died during the Northfield robbery.

Dick Liddil

James-Younger Gang associate who became a key figure during the gang's final years.

Bill Chadwell

Outlaw involved with the James-Younger Gang's disastrous 1876 Northfield, Minnesota, robbery.

Charlie Pitts

James-Younger Gang member who participated in the gang's robberies and was killed during the Northfield shootout.

Jim Cummins

Missouri-born outlaw and former guerrilla who became associated with Jesse James and the postwar outlaw network.

John W. “Jack” Ketchum

Later-generation Western outlaw with Missouri connections who became notorious for train robbery and murder.

Of all the Missouri outlaws, Jesse James is by far the most well-known, but it might be his brother Frank who is the most interesting. Frank was the older brother—and arguably the more cautious one. He fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek and rode with both Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson. Frank actually wanted to quit the outlaw life. He also was not present when Jesse was murdered by the coward Robert Ford. After his outlaw days were over, Frank James became a theater doorman and livestock trader before returning to farming.