Jesse Woodson James ( September 5 , 1847 -- April 3 , 1882 ) was an American outlaw . He was the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang in 1875 . Jesse Woodson James ( September 5 , 1847 â `` April 3 , 1882 ) 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 .