Jesse James and the First Missouri Train Robbery

Some people's true calling in life is obvious even at a young age. This was the case for Missouri-born Ronald Beights. Beights always had a love for art. Throughout his life he continued to draw, aspiring to have a syndicated comic strip. During college, he found himself drawing and helping to write a nationally syndicated comic strip for children with the Chicago Sun-Times. This was the first of many opportunities for him to use his unique artistic abilities. After attending the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, Ronald Beights drew and sold a number of magazine cartoons. He served in the United States Army as an illustrator for Fifth Army Training Aids at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for two years. He continued his artistic career by working as an art director and production manager for Edward F. Ruder Associates, an advertising and public relations firm. Since 1979, Beights has been a successful freelance artist/illustrator, serving many well-known clients such as Southern Bell, Great American Life, and Rexall. Mr. Beights enjoys hunting, fishing, and collecting Indian artifacts. He also enjoys participating in historical reenactments and playing in an old-time music band called the