DJJD: James-Younger Gang, Royalty Visit Bridgewater Elementary

students and staff donned pink, black, blue, and even silver-sequined cowboy hats Friday in honor of the .

A small delegation brought the message of the celebration to them at an all-school assembly at 10:30 a.m. The group, including the five members of this year’s royalty, four James-Younger Gang members and emcee Wayne Eddy, also visited the other elementary schools and senior facilities throughout the day.

Eddy told an abbreviated story of the raid on the on Sept. 7, 1876, and actors portraying Cole and Bob Younger and Frank and Jesse James each added a bit about their lives. DJJD Queen , princesses and , and junior royalty members Kylie Kokatvy and Taylor Joseph also introduced themselves and invited students and their families out to the weekend’s festivities. Joseph Lee Heywood also said a few words.

Eddy took a handful of questions from the audience before a special presentation began. Students asked about topics ranging from what happened to the James brothers to why the re-enactments are performed each year.

Asked one little boy, “How are (the gang members) still alive today?” One actor smiled while explaining, adding, “I live in town.”

A performance from Jerry Wayne Olson, a trick roper visiting with the rodeo this weekend, rounded off the half-hour program, eliciting plenty of applause and cheers.