Posted in Missouri
August 13, 2015
These 6 Evil People Born in Missouri Left a Dark Stain on History
The first four listed here were all in some way connected to the James-Younger gang, an infamous band of outlaws which included Jesse and Frank James and the Younger gang. The other two are associated with organized crime. What do they have in common? They were all born in Missouri.
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This notorious outlaw was born in Kearney, MO in 1847. He was the leader of the James-Younger gang, who were known for robbing banks and trains and were responsible for several deaths. He was killed by our #2, Robert Ford in 1882 at the age of 34.

The member of the James-Younger gang who ended up killing Jesse James for the reward money. He himself was gunned down at the age of 30. He was born in Ray County.

Born in Lee's Summit in 1854, was briefly a member of the James-Younger gang and an outlaw and murderer who was killed at the age of 22.

Born as Myra Maybelle Shirley, Belle Starr was a notorious American outlaw who grew up with the James brothers, and was involved in crime herself along with her many husbands. She was born in Carthage.

Born in St. Louis, "Dint" Colbeck was at one time boss of a bootlegging gang in the 1920's, and was involved in corruption and politics, as well as tax evasion.

Another crime boss, but Tom Pendergast's roost was Kansas City. He "ruled" Kansas City from around 1925-1939. He was born in St. Joseph.
And here are two more Missouri-related criminals (or rather, three)…

Guilty of the murder of five drifters at their Missouri farm. At the ages of 76 and 69, they were the oldest couple ever to receive the death penalty.

The notorious killer of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. He was raised in Missouri from the age of 6.
Do you know of any other criminals who were born in, lived in, or caught in Missouri? Share them in the comments below.