James Ford (1775-1833), also known as James/Jim Wilson was a historic American river pirate. He maintained the persona of a civil leader and businessman of the community, while secretly operating Ford's Ferry Gang which hijacked boats on the river.
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Rivers of America[]
Along the Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom is "Wilson's Cave Inn", this is a reference to the river-pirate and his real-world headquarters of Cave-in-Rock in Hardin County, Illinois. It is unknown if the River Pirates on the Rivers of America were actually associated with James Ford, or simply using a base named for him incidentally/as an easter-egg.
Liberty Belle Riverboat[]
The Rivers of America's river pirates are alluded to in Sam Clemens' safety spiel where he mentions river pirates operating out of the vicinity.