Northfield Minnesota: A bank too far
By Bob Ford Special to
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Jesse James is known far and wide because he robbed places far and wide. It’s estimated the James-Younger Gang extracted money and valuables from people in 12 different states, from Iowa to Texas and West Virginia to Mississippi. But the boldest and costliest venture took place in Northfield, Minnesota.
Years ago when entering Northfield, the first thing I saw was the enormous Malt-O-Meal plant. The second was the pristine 1880s-looking block where the First National Bank is located. This predominantly-Swedish town is still proud of the day they “destroyed the James Gang.”
Jesse and the boys rode 300-plus miles to get to Northfield, hearing that the banks were full of Yankee money. The James and Younger brothers had met and rode together with Quantrill during the Civil War, both sets were ruthless and justified their continued thieving ways because of that war.
As the eight men rode into town, it was a sunny afternoon on Sept. 7, 1876, our country’s centennial year and the same summer of Custer’s Little Bighorn disaster. The gang was in for their own catastrophe.
After entering the bank where the clerk refused to open the vault, he was summarily killed, but even before that shot was heard, a merchant had figured out what was happening and sounded the verbal alarm. Citizens quickly armed themselves and let the gang have it as they tried to make their unsuccessful getaway.
Two locals were killed in the exchange but so were two of the gang members now lying dead in the street. Jesse was hit in the leg but the Younger clan was in worse shape …”all shot-up.” The gang split up because of the wounded.
The following pursuit of both groups triggered the largest manhunt to date in U.S. history. Exhausted after weeks on the run, the Youngers were finally cornered in Madelia, Minnesota. Following a furious gun battle, two more gang members were killed. The Youngers surrendered and were promptly tried and convicted. All three brothers were sentenced to life in prison for murder.
Jesse and Frank rode hundreds of miles West to evade capture, limping their way back to Missouri. With the gang now obliterated, the James boys took time off to heal and plan for the future.
After a couple years, the boys got back in the saddle, it wouldn’t be the same. They had been so successful with the old gang, to bring in new members meant trusting in people they didn’t know well. The decision to press on would spell their demise.
Following a few more “jobs,” Jesse decided to take even more time off and move to St. Joseph under an alias, Mr. Howard.
“Now seeking to blend into the city, Jesse and his son would come down to the old Patee House Hotel to read the Sunday paper,” professes Gary Chilcote, volunteer director of the Patee House Museum and Jesse James Home.
Jesse was a drinking man, lore has it he had a friendship with future mayor Pet Clayton and others, not knowing who this new fellow was, the now incognito and notorious Jesse James.
Mr. Howard lived in St. Joseph for 100 days. Wanting to put together another gang, he recruited the Ford brothers, who were known but not trusted. Bob and Charlie Ford had other plans. Wanting to become famous and get the reward, it was Bob Ford, “the dirty little coward,” who shot Jesse in the back of the head killing him instantly in his own home with his family in the next room.
The life, times and death of Jesse James is full of legend and lore. Hollywood took note of Jesse’s popularity, producing 59 mostly “B” movies including, “Alias Jesse James” starring Bob Hope, “The Outlaws is Coming” featuring the Three Stooges and my favorite, “Jesse James meets Frankenstein’s Daughter.” I can’t wait for “Jesse James on Mars!”
Because of the James Gangs continued popularity there are several worthwhile museums catering to those who can’t get enough, take a visit and enjoy if you’re one of them:
Jesse James Birthplace Museum in Kearney, Missouri, check out all the movie posters, and ask for Beth.
Patee House Museum and Jesse James Home, St Joseph, Missouri, where Jesse was killed, Gary would be glad to fill you full of stories.
Northfield Historical Society, Northfield, Minnesota, where the original Gang was destroyed.
Jesse James Historical Site, Adair, Iowa, the location of the first train robbery in the United States.
Heaton Bowman Smith Sidenfaden Funeral Home, St. Joseph, Missouri, has Jesse’s casket. Cowboy will tell you all about it.
The name Jesse James has been prolific in Civil War and Wild West lore for decades. As history fades you wonder what staying power Jesse has on generations to come?
I was having lunch in Columbia last week with a young friend who asked me what I was working on.
“Wrapping up a series on Jesse James,” I replied.
“Oh this guy,” with that he rolled up his short sleeve to show me a fantastic tattoo on his tricep of none other than the man himself, Jesse James.
“I wanted to have images of places I’ve lived that influenced my life and St. Jo was one of them,” Aaron explained.
Not sure I’d choose Jesse to rep St. Jo but maybe Joseph Robidoux is too ugly, M. Jeff Thompson was on the wrong side, Walter Cronkite a little better but ah yes, I’m thinking Lizzie King, there you go!
Maybe the tech savvy, social media frenzied younger generation do care about history, they just have a unique permanent way of showing it.
