N. David Smith

Past President

left to right: Phillip W. Steele, N. David Smith, Gary Chilcote, Wilbur Zink.
Photo by St. John Photography

N. David Smith

N. David Smith is a sixth generation Missourian fro Liberty, Missouri, born and raised just eight miles from the old James family farmstead in Kearney, Missouri. Dave attended Liberty, Mo. public schools and graduated with a degree in History from William Jewell College in Liberty, where the father of Jesse and Frank, the Rev. Robert Sallee James, served on the founding board of directors. He also holds a Master's Degree from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo., where he was a distinguished member of Phi Kappa Phi, the national scholastic honor fraternity. While in high school, Dave began working at the James Farm museum under the guidance of then director, and world-noted James authority, the late Milton F. Perry, and it is from him that Dave credits his love of history and his interest in the James legend. This association lasted thirteen years, ending with Mr. Perry's early death in 1991.

Dave has appeared on national television in "Outlaws, Rebels, and Rouges" (1993, Turner Network Television), "The Search for Jesse James" (1996, Arts and Entertainment Network in conjunction with Golden Gate Productions), and the acclaimed Arts and Entertainment series, "The Justice Files" (1997). He has also served as technical advisor on several other television documentaries and programs. Not claiming to be an actor, Dave's interest lies in research and writing.

Currently, Dave teaches courses in Psychology, American History, and Criminal Justice for a local college, and spends his spare time farming. He has served two terms as President of the National James - Younger Gang Historical Association, and Vice- President of The Friends of the James Farm. He starred as Jesse James in the up- comming Mock Trial of Frank and Jesse James, presented at the Grand in Northfield, Minnesota, on July 19, 1997. In October of 1997 he was awarded the title of Kentucky Colonel.

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Thank you for visiting the James - Younger Gang. For information regarding membership and activities in our orginization, please contact Marcia Smith at nottabadvue@earthlink.net.
For historical and geneological information, please contact Donna Rose and Wilma Hillman.