• HERO OR VILLAIN • Though Robert Ford was the better-known of the two Ford brothers, Charles had his own claim to fame by participating in the Blue Cut Train Robbery, with none other than Jesse James himself. This train robbery, occurring on September 7, 1881, was nothing exceptional by any means. The money gained was minimal (around $3,000), and the robbers even had to steal from the passengers to make up the difference. However, this somewhat unremarkable robbery was a turning point in the lives of most of the outlaws involved. The James brothers broke up soon after with Frank retiring from a life of crime. Jesse James was shot dead by Robert Ford, and Charley, never achieving top-tier outlaw status, died by suicide just a few years after.…
