A Violent Visit to Columbia or 8202 Miles From Botswana

In 1872, Jesse James paid a violent visit to Columbia, Kentucky. Thus begins the narrative chronicling his misadventures.

Thankfully, my visit was non-violent and did not involve law enforcement. Since I was filming the outside of a bank, I was a bit concerned. Although it is technically legal to film (photographers' rights) on public property, I know plenty of photographers who have been harassed and forced to delete their images. I was standing in the center square of a roundabout, which made hiding difficult. A few cop cars passed and I pretended to be intensely studying the historic markers.

side view of the bank

From the robbery account, "R. A. C. Martin liked his job as cashier fo the Deposit Bank of Columbia. ...often remarking that he would die to defend the money entrusted in his care." 

And die he did.

"Not many people were astir in the small town when five men rode into the square that morning." Frank James shot Martin and the robbers dragged him bleeding and unconscious to the safe. "A trail of blood led from the cashier's desk to the safe, where people found Martin's body after the robbery. Out on the street, the three robbers jumped on their horses and headed out of town amid a fusillade of gunfire."

Original desk in the bank during the robbery.
Plaque commemorates R.A.C. Martin for his courage in
refusing to open the bank's safe.

me hiding in the irises avoiding law enforcement

Did you know that Columbia, KY is 8202 miles from Botswana?
me intensely studying signs avoiding law enforcement

Around the corner from the bank, across from the
abandoned movie theater 

lock of hair buried in the bank's planter