The gang seems to have gone through three distinct phases. (1) In the first year following the war, the robberies were largely guerrilla-style events. My belief is that Arch Clement led the Liberty robbery -- as Bill Anderson's successor he would have still had a following, and it was reported that some of those involved were identified as Anderson's men. It is widely believed that the two men that entered the bank were Frank James and Cole Younger, which would indicate a degree of leadership. (2) From 1868 through 1876 (the heyday of the James-Younger Gang), the core was comprised of Frank & Jesse James and Cole & Bob Younger. Nearly all of those who participated during this phase were either ex-guerrillas or brothers or sons of guerrillas. (3) From the 1879 train robbery until his death, Jesse was definitely the leader of what I refer to as the "Bottom of the Barrel Gang." He recruited a motley assortment of green kids and losers, such as "Whiskeyhead" Ryan, Dick Liddil, the Ford brothers and his cousins, Wood & Clarence Hite. With such a following, Jesse's downfall was assured.