Dick Liddil
Encyclopedia
James Andrew "Dick" Liddil (September 15, 1852 – July 13, 1901) was an American
outlaw
who was one of the last surviving members of the James-Younger Gang
. Liddil is the name that appears on his tombstone, but his surname is often misspelled as Liddel, Liddell, or Liddle.
in 1852. In the mid-1850, Liddil was arrested for horse stealing in Vernon County, Missouri.
in 1879. Liddel joined the James Gang that year and was later described by Frank James
as a "good industrious young chap."
Liddil rode with the James Gang in October 1879 when they raided a depot in Glendale, 15 miles east of Kansas City
. After capturing the telegraph operator, the gang signaled a train to stop, stealing the money from the safe in the express car. Liddil later said he received slightly over $1,000 for his part in the raid.
According to Liddil's later account, he became engaged to Mattie Collins the day after the Glendale raid. Liddil had met Collins in 1878 while she was on trial for murdering her employer. After Collins was acquitted on grounds of emotional insanity, Liddil introduced himself.
By some accounts, Liddil served as the lookout in September 1880 when the James Gang robbed the John Dovey Coal Mine payroll in Mercer County, Kentucky. Liddil reportedly had a love of horses and attended the horse races with Jesse James at Nashville's Blood Horse Race Course in October 1880.
Liddil was also part of the James Gang during its 1881 robberies of a paymaster delivering money to workers on the Muscle Schoals
Canal project in Alabama, and a July 1881 robbery of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at Winston, Missouri.
In November 1881, Liddil and Wood Hite
, a first cousin of the James brothers, became engaged in a shootout outside Adairville, Kentucky
, though neither man was shot. Liddil and Bob Ford
killed Hite later that year, and Liddil was wounded in the fight. After killing Hite, Liddil hid, worrying that Jesse James would seek revenge for the death of his cousin. Liddil later recalled, “I mistrusted [him, and believed] Jesse wanted to kill me.”
In January 1882, Liddil turned himself in at Kansas City, reportedly out of fear of what Jesse James would do to him for killing Hite. Liddil told the law what he knew about the criminal activities of the James Gang, and his capture and confession were kept secret until March 1882.
Shortly after Liddil turned himself in, Jesse James was shot by Bob Ford in April 1882. That summer, Liddil was taken to Alabama where he stood trial for the Muscle Shoals robbery. He was found guilty but pardoned, as part of a deal requiring him to testify against Frank James
. Despite Liddil's testimony, Frank James was acquitted, reportedly because the jury concluded that Liddil, who had turned on his associates, was not a reliable witness.
during the mid-1880s, and later leased the saloon/billiard room at the Las Vegas Plaza Hotel.
Liddil returned to Missouri in the 1890s and became a regular on the Midwest racehorse circuit. In 1891, Liddil was arrested for the murder of Wood Hite. The New York Times reported on the arrest as follows:
Liddil worked as a horse trainer at Kentucky's Newport Park from 1896-1901. In 1901, the Cincinnati Post reported that Liddil owned several of the area's finest thoroughbreds and was one of the best-known horsemen in the West.
Liddil died of heart trouble while attending the Queen City Races at the race track in Latonia, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, on July 13, 1901.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
who was one of the last surviving members of the James-Younger Gang
James-Younger gang
The James-Younger Gang was a notable 19th-century gang of American outlaws that included Jesse James.The gang was centered in the state of Missouri. Membership fluctuated from robbery to robbery, as the outlaws' raids were usually separated by many months...
. Liddil is the name that appears on his tombstone, but his surname is often misspelled as Liddel, Liddell, or Liddle.
Early years
Dick Liddil was born to James Milton Liddil and Elizabeth Forsby in Jackson County, MissouriJackson County, Missouri
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan...
in 1852. In the mid-1850, Liddil was arrested for horse stealing in Vernon County, Missouri.
James Gang
After being pardoned by the Governor of Missouri, Liddil was introduced to Jesse JamesJesse James
Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...
in 1879. Liddel joined the James Gang that year and was later described by Frank James
Frank James
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James was a famous American outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.-Childhood:...
as a "good industrious young chap."
Liddil rode with the James Gang in October 1879 when they raided a depot in Glendale, 15 miles east of Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. After capturing the telegraph operator, the gang signaled a train to stop, stealing the money from the safe in the express car. Liddil later said he received slightly over $1,000 for his part in the raid.
According to Liddil's later account, he became engaged to Mattie Collins the day after the Glendale raid. Liddil had met Collins in 1878 while she was on trial for murdering her employer. After Collins was acquitted on grounds of emotional insanity, Liddil introduced himself.
By some accounts, Liddil served as the lookout in September 1880 when the James Gang robbed the John Dovey Coal Mine payroll in Mercer County, Kentucky. Liddil reportedly had a love of horses and attended the horse races with Jesse James at Nashville's Blood Horse Race Course in October 1880.
Liddil was also part of the James Gang during its 1881 robberies of a paymaster delivering money to workers on the Muscle Schoals
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
Canal project in Alabama, and a July 1881 robbery of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at Winston, Missouri.
In November 1881, Liddil and Wood Hite
Wood Hite
Robert Woodson "Wood" Hite was an outlaw and cousin of Frank and Jesse James. He was born around 1850 in Logan, Kentucky to Major George Burns and Nancy Gardner Hite . His mother was the sister of Robert Sallee James, the father of Frank and Jesse James of the James-Younger Gang, making Wood a...
, a first cousin of the James brothers, became engaged in a shootout outside Adairville, Kentucky
Adairville, Kentucky
Adairville is a city in Logan County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 920 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Adairville is located at ....
, though neither man was shot. Liddil and Bob Ford
Robert Ford (outlaw)
Robert Newton "Bob" Ford was an American outlaw best known for killing his gang leader Jesse James in 1882. Ford was shot to death by Edward O'Kelley in his tent saloon with a shotgun blast to the front upper body...
killed Hite later that year, and Liddil was wounded in the fight. After killing Hite, Liddil hid, worrying that Jesse James would seek revenge for the death of his cousin. Liddil later recalled, “I mistrusted [him, and believed] Jesse wanted to kill me.”
In January 1882, Liddil turned himself in at Kansas City, reportedly out of fear of what Jesse James would do to him for killing Hite. Liddil told the law what he knew about the criminal activities of the James Gang, and his capture and confession were kept secret until March 1882.
Shortly after Liddil turned himself in, Jesse James was shot by Bob Ford in April 1882. That summer, Liddil was taken to Alabama where he stood trial for the Muscle Shoals robbery. He was found guilty but pardoned, as part of a deal requiring him to testify against Frank James
Frank James
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James was a famous American outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.-Childhood:...
. Despite Liddil's testimony, Frank James was acquitted, reportedly because the jury concluded that Liddil, who had turned on his associates, was not a reliable witness.
Later years
Liddil co-owned the Bank Saloon with Bob Ford in Las Vegas, New MexicoLas Vegas, New Mexico
Las Vegas is a city in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States. Once two separate municipalities both named Las Vegas, west Las Vegas and east Las Vegas , divided by the Gallinas River, retain distinct characters and separate, rival school districts. The population was 14,565 at the 2000...
during the mid-1880s, and later leased the saloon/billiard room at the Las Vegas Plaza Hotel.
Liddil returned to Missouri in the 1890s and became a regular on the Midwest racehorse circuit. In 1891, Liddil was arrested for the murder of Wood Hite. The New York Times reported on the arrest as follows:
"Dick Lidell, once a member of the famous James gang, now a wealthy horse owner on the Eastern tracks, was arrested and lodged in jail at Richmond yesterday. He is charged with the murder of Wood Hite, a cousin of Jesse James. The crime was committed in 1882 and was the outgrowth of a feud existing among several members of the gang. When the James gang was broken up, Liddell came East and raced horses at Brighton Beach, Clifton and Guttenberg."
Liddil worked as a horse trainer at Kentucky's Newport Park from 1896-1901. In 1901, the Cincinnati Post reported that Liddil owned several of the area's finest thoroughbreds and was one of the best-known horsemen in the West.
Liddil died of heart trouble while attending the Queen City Races at the race track in Latonia, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, on July 13, 1901.
Cultural references
Liddil has been a character in several motion pictures on the James-Younger Gang.- Liddil was portrayed by Paul SchneiderPaul Schneider (actor)Paul Andrew Schneider is an American film actor.-Early life and career:Schneider was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. He graduated from the North Carolina School of Arts...
in the 2007 film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert FordThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert FordThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a 2007 American Western drama film. The film is directed by Andrew Dominik, with Brad Pitt portraying Jesse James and Casey Affleck as his killer, Robert Ford.Filming took place in rural Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba...
. - In the 1986 made-for-television film, The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James, Liddil was portrayed by Andy Stahl.
- In 1957's The True Story of Jesse James, the part of Liddil was played by Adam Marshall.
- In The Great Missouri Raid (1951), Liddil was portrayed by Alan Wells.
See also
- Charley Ford
- Robert FordRobert Ford (outlaw)Robert Newton "Bob" Ford was an American outlaw best known for killing his gang leader Jesse James in 1882. Ford was shot to death by Edward O'Kelley in his tent saloon with a shotgun blast to the front upper body...
- Wood HiteWood HiteRobert Woodson "Wood" Hite was an outlaw and cousin of Frank and Jesse James. He was born around 1850 in Logan, Kentucky to Major George Burns and Nancy Gardner Hite . His mother was the sister of Robert Sallee James, the father of Frank and Jesse James of the James-Younger Gang, making Wood a...
- James-Younger GangJames-Younger gangThe James-Younger Gang was a notable 19th-century gang of American outlaws that included Jesse James.The gang was centered in the state of Missouri. Membership fluctuated from robbery to robbery, as the outlaws' raids were usually separated by many months...
- Jesse JamesJesse JamesJesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...