Why did jesse james...?

Question

let robert ford kill him?

he seemed like such a fighter! it was a bizarre ending to his life!

Answer 1

First of all Jesse didn't know he was even there second frank snuck up on him third Jesse laid his gun belt down to hang the picture.

Answer 2

Bob Ford was part of Jesse Jame's gang.  Bob Ford shot Jesse in the back of the head, so that Jesse would not see it coming.

Answer 3

He didn't let him. Bob Ford had a cousin that rode with Jesse and his gang. Jesse felt that he was giving information to the local law, and the Governor of Missouri for clemency. So one night, he and Jesse went for a ride to plan their next hold up, and the cousin didn't come back. Bob Ford knew Jesse shot him. Bob also gave information to the Governor, hoping for clemency. Jesse found out about it, and told Bob they too needed to go for a "night ride' to plan a robbery. Bob knew what that meant, and seen the opportunity to kill Jesse when he adjusted a picture on the wall. If Bob Ford hadn't killed him then and there, Jesse would have killed him that night.

Answer 4

He trusted Ford, and turned his back to straighten a picture on the wall.  Ford shot him in the back.  Jesse was using the alias "Mr. Howard" and a song was written about it.

"That dirty llittle coward

Who shot Mr. Howard

And laid poor Jesse in his grave"