Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Jesse James killer n.

[? Robert Ford, killer of the outlaw Jesse James, was a former member of his gang; thus a traitor and a ‘slimy’ figure]

(US black) any heavy, sticky hair pomade, usu. with a distinctive smell.

[US]D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive 53: When you’ve mowed your lawn righteously with that Jesse James Killer, lay your mellow roof into the sack.