A most interesting 19th century American large Texas steer h...

Hammer

£800

A most interesting 19th century American large Texas steer horn flask, overall scrimshaw decorated with male portraits of gun slinger type figures, appearing to relate to Jesse James. The horn with military style leather cover bearing brass tab '102' overall 46cm across. Together with a letter from Mary B Morrow, dated March 1971, referring to such a flask that had been mentioned by her father Ben Morrow, who rode with the James Boys during the 'War between the States', she recalled her father saying that some of the Hudspeth's had said that such a horn was given to Quantril by Bill Haller, his first recruit and also mentioned another one that could be blown, but one that was carved after the war down in Texas by Dave Poole. Together with a hand written letter from Margaret Shepherd dated 1977 to the same gentleman, also making reference to the horn and the history of the so called James Boys. Jesse James from Wikipedia, Jesse Woodson James (1847-1842), was an American outlaw, bank and train robber guerrilla and leader of the James-Younger gang. He was raised in Western Missouri and had strong Southern sympathies. He and his brother Frank James joined pro-confederate guerrillas known as 'Bush Wackers' operating in Missouri and Kansas during the American Civil War. As followers of William Quantril and 'Bloody' Bill Anderson, they were accused of committing various atrocities against Union soldiers and civilian abolitionists. After the War, as members of various gangs of outlaws, Jesse and Frank James robbed banks, stage coaches and trains across the mid west and were particularly known for gaining National fame and often popular sympathy despite the brutality of their crimes. On April 3rd 1882, Jesse James was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a new recruit to the gang who hoped to collect a reward on James's life and be promised an amnesty for his pervious crimes. Already a celebrity in life James became a legendary figure of the Wild West after his Death. Jesse married his cousin Zee in 1874 and had two children who survived into adulthood. (B.P. 21% + VAT)

More Information

Appearing in good original condition, the provenance appearing genuine but unfortunately the Auctioneers have no further information to reinforce this suggestion.