Daniel Askew 1828 – 1875

Biography

Western Frontier Figure. He was the neighbor to the east of the Jesse James family farm near Kearney, Missouri.  He had a man that worked for him, Jack Ladd, that was believed to have been a Pinkerton spy.  In January 1875, Pinkerton agents raided the James family farm, and threw a bomb in a window.  The resulting explosion killed Archie Samuel. Zerelda Samuel, mother of Jesse and Frank James, lost an arm as a result of injuries sustained in the bombing. Frank and Jesse James reportedly were not at the farm at the time.  William Westfall was a train conductor believed to have been on the train transporting Pinkerton agents on their way to the farm.  Daniel Askew, Jack Ladd, and William Westfall all three were believed to have died as a result of revenge killings because of this Pinkerton raid on the James farm. (bio by: Bill Walker)  Family links:  Spouse:  Adaline Harris Swearenger (1835 – 1900)* *Calculated relationship