The Northfield Bank Raid
Fiftieth Anniversary Finds Interest Undimmed in Oft'told Tale of Repulse of James-Younger Gang
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Reprinted from THE NORTHFIELD NEWS of August 27, September 3,10 and 17, 1926
10 Cents a Copy THE SCENE OF THE BATTLE IN 1876 -•
m... .;,•..•>..>.<-, ••.,.. . "1 X ^ XI ^£^5^^S ^^^^^^^^BB II^^BI ^^^^^mymmXMA^:^^AyAAX^ iii-: iftsw^li^lllijils?; m^^^M HIH^^^ ^ ^^^^^^^|^pM| ilipii^i^ ; The top picture shows the actual scene of the bank robbery, the corner of the Scriver building which housed the bank, showing at the right. To the left is the Dampier House from which Dr. Wheeler shot at the bandits as they rode wildly up and down the street below. In the lower picture is an interesting view of Bridge 'Square from the west side of the river. THE LESSON ENDURES. HE fiftieth anniversary of the famous raid of the James-Younger Tgang of robbers on the First National bank of Northfield, an event which brought to a close the murderous careers of some of the most notorious bandits in the history of the frontier in that un settled decade after the Civil War, is made the occasion of re-telling the story that has occupied so much space in the public prints. In a day when robbing of banks and crimes of violence are virtually every-day occurrences, it may be a source of wonder to some that this story con tinues to hold interest. But there is a reason why it endures. It is the same aspect of the event that caught the imagination of a nation and brought fame to Northfield fifty years ago that now gives it its lasting quality. In the preface of his admirable book, ''Robber and Hero," beloved Professor Huntington puts it in these words: "Account; of bank-robberies and other exploits of outlaws and despera does are usually supposed to belong to the criminal-news columns of the daily paper and to the writer of sensational literature. When the robber is the only or the principal .actor in the scene, and his prowess or brutality the only feature worth mentioning, the less said of it the better. But when a great crime is the occasion of great heroism, courage, fidelity, intrepid resistance and the triumph of virtue over violence, then there is a story worth telling, and a lesson worth learning." When circumstances arose in Northfield necessitating the utmost fidelity, courage and quick thinking, the ordinary townsmen of a quiet Minnesota community were found ready-made for heroic stature. Quiet, cultured Joseph Lee Heywood chose death rather than betray his trust to the institution employing him and the public it served. It never occurred to Young Collegian Wheeler or Merchants Manning and Al len and their comrades that stopping the robbers was somebody else's business. They made it theirs,—with telling results. And the captors at Madelia—not to mention countless other ordinary folks who did their share on the side of good citizenship—did not stop to weigh the fine points of duty, but in support of the common interest faced death to bring to justice those who had plundered and murdered their neighbors. Mankind has always extolled those heroic souls who have waived their own rights in meeting a common danger. The lesson of the deeds of such men as these citizens of half a century ago—the fast-disappear ing race of pioneers—was never more potent than today when indiffer ence, selfishness, and a lack of common interest predominate in most of the relationships of life. *-
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a P o N p: \o P OH !< U i>ki^J \X H HE NORTHFIELD SAGA Fiftieth Anniversary Finds Interest Undimmed in Oft-told Tale of T Bank Raid of September 7, 1876 "Robber and Hero," the story of the filling many columns of newspaper Northfield bank raid written by Pro fessor George Hunting-ton, the source space, not only in Northfield, but ev book of much of what has been writ erywhere thruout the Northwest. ten subsequently, furnished most of Among all these Prof. George Hunting the data for this story, corrections in a few details and additions being made ton's accurately-written book, "Robber from other sources believed authentic. and Hero," remains probably the The illustrations are from The News most authentic story of the raid. files or from Sumner's Studio, one of the oldest photographic establish There has been some dispute as to ments in Southern Minnesota. whether or not the James brothers were members of the gang who at It was fifty years on September tacked Northfield, but Professor Hunt 7, 1926, since the James-Younger gang ington says that the band consisted of of robbers were repulsed in their at the following men: Jesse James and tempt to raid the First National bank his brothe-r, Frank, Thomas C. Young er (commonly known as Cole Young of Northfield. In a battle that lasted er) and his brothers, James and Rob but seven minutes the resolute citi ert, Clel Miller, William Stiles, alias zens of a quiet Minnesota community Chadwell, and Charles Pitts, alias Geo. put an end to the depredations of a Wells. notorious band of outlaws. Their courage and the heroic death of Northfield was Joseph Lee Heywood, acting cashier of the bank, who refused to turn over Second Choice the bank's money to the robbers, In the late summer of 1876 these thrilled a nation and brought fame to men, who were already notorious for Northfield. their record elsewhere, came into the The story has been often told. The state in detachments, and studied the events of that September day of 1876 situation thoroly, going as far north are a vivid memory to some sco>re of as St. Paul and Minneapolis, and as persons still surviving who can recall far east as Red Wing. Bill Stiles, one some features of it, altho only two of of the gang, was a former resident of the chief actors are living today. These Rice county, and really instigated the two are Dr. H. M. Wheeler of Grand raid in this state. Forks, N. D., who is now living at Mankato was finally selected, with Spring Lake, Minn., and A. E. Bunker Northfield as second choice. But on of Los Angeles. Scarcely a day passes Monday, Sept. 4, when the plans were but visitors ask about the robbe.ry, ready for the attack on Mankato, the want to know the location of the scene presence of a large number of citizens of the battle, or inspect the bronze on the streets near the bank, who, un tablet on the Scriver building which known to the robbers, we-re but watch housed the bank at the time of the ing the progress of repair work on an raid. adjoining building, twice deterred them Books have been written about the from their purpose, and they aban event, and it has been the cause of doned Mankato. The robbers now THE NORTHFIELD SAGA moved upon Northfield. Monday night whose store was located west of the found them in Janesville, eighteen building which was occupied by the miles east of Mankato; Tuesday night bank, attempted to follow the three in Cordova; and Wednesday night in men into the bank, but was instantly Millersburg. Ten o-r twelve days be seized by Miller and ordered to stand fore the final attempt upon the bank, back. Allen jerked away from the two members of the band had visited grasp of the robber and ran toward Northfield for a preliminary survey, the store, around the corner, shouting, but nobody seems to have questioned "Get your guns, boys. They are rob their motives when they made inquir bing the bank!" ies about the bank and the lay of the About the same time, H. M. Wheeler, land. then a young medical student, at home Early on the morning of Thursday, on a vacation from the University of Sept. 7, the various detachments of Michigan, and who was sitting in the band, (they travelled in pairs front of his father's drug store on the and trios) met in the woods five miles east side of the street, became suspi west of town, and in the course of the cious and moved down the street op forenoon some of them appeared on posite the bank. When he saw Allen's the streets and in the stores, and five encounter with Miller, he shouted, of them ate their noon-day meal in a ''Robbery! Robbery!" restaurant on the west side. All wore Upon this outcry. Miller and Young linen dusters, which served to conceal er sprang into their saddles and began their weapons and cartridge belts. riding up and down the street at the utmost speed of their horses. They Allen First to were joined by the three men who had been left as a rear guard, and who Suspect Robbery took up the same tactics. In this con It was about 2:00 o'clock in the aft stant fusilade the first person was ernoon that the first trio, consisting of shot and killed, Nicholas Gustavson, a Pitts, Bob Younger and, it is believed, Scandinavian, who did not understand Jesse James, came over the bridge, English and remained on the streets and crossing Bridge Square, dismount after the robbers had ordered him ed in front of the bank. They threw away. their bridle reins over some hitching posts, and then walked leisurely to the Employes Refuse corner and sat down upon some dry- to Open Vault goods boxes in front of Lee & Hitch cock's store, assuming an air of in Meanwhile, a very different scene difference. Presently two other horse was enacted within the bank, where men. Cole Younger and Clel Miller, the fi«rst trio of robbers were dealing rode up Division street from the south. with a trio of bank employes, A. E. Upon their approach the three men at Bunker, teller, J. L. Heywood, book the corner walked back to the door of keeper, and F. J. Wilcox, assistant the bank and went in. Thereupon Mil bookkeeper. The cashier, G. M. Phil ler dismounted, and going to the bank lips, being out of the state at the cen closed the front door, while Younger tennial exposition at Philadelphia, Mr. dismounted in the middle of the Heywood was acting cashier. street, and pretended to tighten his When the three robbers entered the saddle girth. This conduct attracted bank the employes were busy at their the attention of several citizens. tasks. Mr. Bunker immediately J. S. Allen, a hardware merchant, stepped to the counter, supposing THE NORTHFIELD SAGA they were customers, when three re His Memory Revered volvers were pointed at him and he was ordered to throw up his hands. The three robbers then climbed over the counter and covered the other em ployes with their revolvers. One of them said, "We're going to rob this bank. Don't any of you holler; we've got forty men outside." Pointing his revolver at Heywood, he then asked him, "Are you the cashier?" "I am not," replied Heywood. The same question was asked the other employes, each of them making the same reply. The robber turned back to Heywood, who was sitting at the cashier's desk. "I know you're the cashier," he said angrily. "Now open up the safe damn quick or I'll blow your head off." A second robber, Pitts, then ran to the vault and stepped inside. Hey wood, ignoring the flourishing wea pons of the robbers, arose and at tempted to close the door. He was in JOSEPH LEE HEYWOOD stantly dragged back and two of the was thirty-nine years old when he robbers, thrusting their revolvers in fearlessly met deata at the hands of his face said, "Open that safe, now, or armed bandits while defending his you haven't a minute to live." trust as an officer of the First Na "There is a time lock on," Haywood tional bank. replied, "and it cannot be opened "His memory," wrote Professor now." Huntington "has ever been cherished with peculiar reverence by the people Bunker Shot as of Northfield, especially by the col lege of w^hich he was an officer; and He Makes Escape his heroic character was admired The robbers then dragged Heywood wherever the story was known. The roughly about the room, and realizing banks of the United States and Can ada contributed to a fund of over the desperate situation, he shouted, $12,000 for the benefit of his family, "Murder! Murder!" whereupon he was and as a tribute to his heroism. The struck on the head with a revolver, Grand Army Post in Northfield is and fell to the floor. The robbers still named for him, and his portrait hangs insisted that Heywood should open in their hall. The college has a fund the safe, and occasionally turned from of $2,500 called the Heywood library him to Bunker and Wilcox, calling fund, founded in his honor; his por upon them to unlock the safe. To trait and a memorial tablet in com these demands the young men answer memoration of him hang in the col lege library; and a memorial window ed that they could not unlock the safe. in the First Congregational church of This was true as it was already un Northfield bears hie name and the in locked; the door being closed, the scription 'Fidelitas'." bolts were shot into place, but the 8 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA THE SCENE OF THE BATTLE
When tourists, especially those from Missouri, arrive in Northfield, they in variably ask to be shown the bank that the Younger Brothers and James boys tried to rob in 1876. Here is the building just as it looked in the seventies, altho an outside stairway adorning the east side was omitted by the engraver when this wood cut was made. The building still stands, altho it has undergone some changes in architecture, and a bronze tablet now adorns the wall near the en trance to the bank. combination dial was not turned. ly, when Younger's face was turned, Finally, as a last resort to coerce dashed thru the directors' room to the Heywood, who was lying on the floor, rear door of the bank and, throwing Pitts placed his revolver close to Hey- himself against the closed blinds wood's head and fired. This was the which were fastened on the inside, suc first shot fired in the bank, and the ceeded in gaining an outside fiight of bullet passed into the vault, and thru stairs. His escape was noticed by a tin box containing jewelry and pap Pitts, who fired at him, the ball whiz ers left by some customer for safe zing past Bunker's ear. As he reached keeping. the rear entrance of the next building The special custodian of Bunker and Pitts fired again, and Bunker was Wilcox was Bob Younger, who com struck near the joint of ' the right pelled them both to get down on their shoulder, the missile coming out just knees under the counter. From this below his collar bone. Pitts then gave position Bunker made several at up the chase, and, on returning to his tempts to extricate himself, and final companions heard one of them on the THE NORTHFIELD SAGA 9 outside shout, *'The game is up! Bet who flnally put the robbers to flight. ter get out boys; they are killing all Manning came running from his store, our men." The three robbers in the and, stepping into the open street, saw bank, hearing this, rushed into the over the backs of the ho-rses the heads street. The last one (believed to have of the two robbers. Manning, lower been Jesse James) as he climbed over ing his gun, changed his aim and shot the counter, cowardly and deliberately the nearest horse. He then dropped shot Heywood thru the head as he was back, around the corner, and reloaded, on his feet and was staggering to and, returning, seeing Cole Younger wards his desk. between the horses and the bank door, flred, wounding him badly, but not Manning, Wheeler fatally. Again Manning dropped back to reload, and looking cautiously Rout the Bandits around the corner, he saw Stiles sitting The conflict in the street was at its on his horse, some seventy or eighty height. Dr. Wheeler had hastened to yards away. Taking deliberate aim, the Dampier Hotel when the citizens he shot the brigand thru the heart, had been driven from the streets by and he fell dead from his saddle. the robbers, and securing an old army carbine had stationed himself at a Battle Lasted second story chamber window. Mean time, Mr. Allen, whc had flrst sounded But Seven Minutes the alarm, had proceeded to his hard At the same time, Wheeler, from his ware store and distributed guns and vantage point in the second story of ammunition to his neighbors. A. R. the hotel, fired his first shot at James Manning, the other hardware mer Younger, who was riding by; the gun chant, armed himself with a breech- carrying high the ball struck the loading rifle. The people had desert ground beyond the brigand. His next ed the streets; the stores and offices shot was at Clel Miller, and the bullet were hastily closed, and the flve passed thru his body, severing the mounted robbers were riding back and sub-clavian artery and killing him in forth, up one side of the street and stantly. It was at this time, when down the other, doing their utmost Cole Younger rode to the door of the with voice and arms to intensify the bank, that the band moui;ted their state of terror. horses, but there was no horse for Bob The scene of the actual conflict was Younger, his steed having been killed that part of Division street on which by Manning. In the meantime, Man the bank faced, and scarcely a full ning and Wheeler had both reloaded, block in length. Capt. H. S. French, and as the former showed himself the postmaster, having hastily locked ready to renew the fight. Bob came the oflice. Justice Streater and Elias running towards him down the side Hobbs started throwing rocks. walk. Manning raised his rifie to As Clel Miller was mounting his shoot, while Younger drew his revol horse, Elias Stacy, who had been ver. They both dodged, placing an armed with a fowling piece by Allen, outside stairway between them, and confronted him and flred at his head; kept up a game of hide and seek. the flne buckshot marked the robber's Wheeler, tho he could but imperfectly face, but inflicted no serious wound. see Younger's body from his position, Later in the battle, Ross C. Phillips, took a shot at the brigand; the ball J. B. Hyde and James Gregg also did struck the robber's elbow, shattering their best with similar weapons. the bone; he cooly changed his pistol Manning and Wheeler were the ones to his left hand, and continued his ef- 10 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA forts to shoot Manning. Philip Empey's span of gray horses, While Wheeler was reloading his and "borrowed" a saddle from another gun, and Manning changing his posi farmer for the use of Bob Younger, tion. Bob Younger sprang from his whose wounded arm was causing him hiding place, mounted behind his much suffering. About 4:30 p.m. the brother Cole, and the entire band, or band reached Millersburg, where some what was left of it, turned and fled. of them spent the previous night. The battle was over. From its open Here they were recognized, but they ing to its close, it had occupied but were still in advance of the news of seven minutes. their crime, and far ahead of their The funds of the bank were intact. pursuers. Six of the robbers were in flight, and The robbers were scarcely out of at least two of them badly wounded. sight before the Northfield men were In front of the bank lay the dead running for their guns and horses to horse; nearby was the body of Clel join in the chase of the robbers. The Miller, and a half block away, on the state capital was telegraphed to for other side of the street, that of Stiles, aid, and as soon as practicable a small and further on that of Gustavson. In army of pursuers was organized. Three the bank was the dead body of Hey times in the afternoon of the day of wood. the robbery small advance detach The grief and indignation over the ments of the force came nearly upon death of Mr. Heywood was intense. the fugitives. Just when they were He was a man greatly respected in seizing Mr. Empey's horse on the Dun the community, was prominent in das road; again at Shieldsville, fifteen church and business life and at the miles west of Northfield, a squad of time of his death was the city treas Faribault men had arrived in advance urer and also treasurer of Carleton of the pursued by taking a shorter college. road. They had, however, gone within On Sunday, Sept. 10, two funeral doors, leaving their guns outside, services were held in Northfleld in his when the robbers suddenly appeared honor. One in the morning was held before the door and held their un in the high school at which Rev. D. L. armed pursuers in check while they Leonard, pastor of the Congregational watered their horses at an adjacent church, preached the funeral sermon, pump. On the departure of the rob and the other in the afternoon when bers, the pursuers regained their services were conducted by President guns, and being reinforced by a dozen Strong. Mr. Heywood was buried in local recruits, hastened after the rob Northfleld cemetery. bers. The band was overtaken in a While the excitement over the ravine four miles west of Shieldsville, tragedy was at its height, and the in where shots were exchanged at long quests and the funeral services over range, without effect on either side, the dead were in progress, the and the robbers escaped into the thick escaped robbers were not forgotten. woods beyond. In the meantime, a more systematic company was in Six Escape augurated and organized. On the night After Conflict of the robbery there were 200 citizens The robbers left Northfleld by the in the field; on the following day 500, Dundas road. They rode abreast, tak and later the number was swelled to ing the whole road, and compelling ev at least 1000. Many of these, however, eryone they met to take the ditch. were a source of weakness to the They helped themselves to one of force, their services being tendered THE NORTHFIELD SAGA 11 solely from mercenary motives, as this very moderate rate they had large rewards for the capture of the distanced their pursuers, who, on robbers were offered by the bank, the Tuesday morning discovered their governor, and the railroad companies. half-starved horses and the deserted camp they had left the preceding Sat Robbers Distance urday, and this was regarded as a sign of the hopelessness of the chase. Their Pursuers Thereupon a large proportion of the There were two objects to be ac pursuers returned to their homes. complished, the retreat of the fugi On Wednesday morning, however, tives was to be cut off, and they were news was conveyed to Mankato of the to be hunted down and captured. To appearance of the robbers near that secure the first result, picket lines city. A new campaign was organized, were thrown out in advance of them, under the direction of Gen. E. M. Pope. covering every route which they could Again patrols and searching parties possibly take. To secure the second, were sent out, and every possible ave scouting parties were put upon their nue of escape was guarded, night and trail, to follow them from place to day. Policemen and police officers place, and to explore the country in came down from Minneapolis and St. search of them. The robbers were in Paul and took part in the hunt. But the vast forest and tract known as again the fugitives escaped. Part of the **Big Woods." The brigands on them crossed the railroad bridge over the night of the robbery were left in a the Blue Earth river near Mankato, hiding place beyond Shieldsville. The while two, mounted on a stolen horse, following day they moved first west passed the picket line near Lake Crys ward, then southwestward, in the di tal, and were fired upon by a picket rection of Waterville. They forded guard. the Cannon river, and disappeared in the forest beyond. They pushed on James Brothers into the township of Elysian, in Le- Sueur county, camping that night be Make Their Escape tween the village of Elysian and Ger These two men were believed to be man lake. On the following morning the James brothers, who were both they abandoned their horses and con thrown from the horse when the guard tinued their journey on foot. fired, and the animal then cantered They went no farther that day than back to its owner's pasture. The pair to find a hiding place on an island in escaped in the darkness, and continu the middle of a swamp, where they ing their flight, stole a span of gray encamped for the remainder of the horses, which they mounted bareback. day. Continuing their journey after This allowed them to make rapid dark, they marched slowly all night in progress, and they assumed the role LeSueur county, and at dayligh! halt of officers in pursuit of criminals. By ed near the village of Marysburg. Pass traveling day and night, and taking a ing around the village, they made a due west course, in two days they camp four miles south of it. Nine made eighty miles, and, on Sunday, miles west of this camp, and within Sept. 17, they crossed the Minnesota two or three miles of Mankato, they line into Dakota. Here they made a found a deserted farmhouse in the prisoner of Dr. Sidney Moshier, Sr., a woods, and here they remained two Sioux City, la., physician, from whom days and nights, having advanced less they obtained medical and surgical aid than fifty miles in five days. Even at for the wounds of Frank James, whose 12 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA left leg had been badly injured at whom he believed to be the robbers. Northfleld, and with whom they ex Riding rapidly to Madelia, seven or changed clothes. Pursuing their eight miles away, he alarmed the citi course thru southeastern Dakota, zens, seven of whom, including James they crossed the Missouri river at Glispin, the sheriff of Watonwan coun Springfield, and went as far south and ty, lost no time in reaching the refuge west as Columbus, Neb. At this point of the robbers. The band of fugitives they sold their horses, took the cars was soon descried makinig their way for Omaha, and made their way back on foot thru what is known as Hanska to their old home in Clay county. slough, connected with Lake Hanska, Mo. Rumors were circulated that they or Long lake. They crossed the lake were enroute for Texas, and officers and made several unsuccessful at were sent to that state to arrest them. tempts to obtain horses. However, after a short time at their The robbers were at last hemmed in former home, they went to Tennessee, a rude triangle of ground, some five where they lived in retirement a acres in extent, covered with an im short time. They later returned to penetrable growth of willow, box Missouri where Jesse was killed in elders, wild plums and grapevines, and 1882, but Frank was tried and acquit lying between the Watonwan river ted for various crimes and survived and along a steep bluff. They were his brother by many years. driven to cover in these thickets, and The disappointment and mortifica,- a strong picket line surrounded them. tion of the pursuers was intense; a Captain W. W. Murphy then asked for thousand men had failed to capture volunteers to go into the brush and six. The campaign had proved an rout out the bandits. Six men re utter failure, and the "robber hunt" sponded to his call, namely: Sheriff was the great joke of the season. It James Glispin, Col. T. L. Vought, B. was supposed that the entire band had M. Rice, G. A. Bradford, C. A. Pome- escaped from the state, when, on Sep roy and S. J. Severson. The captain tember 21, news was received that formed his men into line five paces four of them had been located in the apart, and ordered the men to ad neighborhood of Madelia. They were vance rapidly. They advanced some the three Youngers and Pitts. The fifty or sixty yards, when the robbers band had divided on account of the were discovered, and one of them fir wounds of Bob Younger; his injuries ing gave the signal for a general caused him so much pain that he fusillade on both sides. The two could not travel, and rather than de forces were not more than thirty feet sert their brother in his misfortune, apart; the fight was sharp and brief. the two older brothers and Pitts had Bradford and Severson were grazed decided to stay with him, altho there by bullets,, while Captain Murphy was by forfeiting all their chances of struck in the side; the ball glanced on escape. a briar root pipe in his pocket and Youth Recognizes lodged in his pistol belt. The robbers suffered severely. Bob Younger was Two Brigands wounded in the breast; his brother The news of the presence of the James had five wounds; Cole had band in the state was brought to Ma eleven, and Pitts was killed, having delia by A. O. Sorbel, a Norwegian been hit five times. On being called lad, about seventeen years old, who upon to surrender. Bob Younger re had been accosted on the morning of sponded, "I surrender; they are all September 21 by two strange men. down but me." THE NORTHFIELD SAGA 13 Youngers Enter July 14, 1901, the Youngers were released from piison on parole, with Plea of Guilty certain conditions: They could not On September 23 the prisoners were leave the state; they were not allowed delivered to Sheriff Ara Barton, of to appear in any part or feature of a Rice county, and taken to the county public show or exhibition of any char jail at Faribault, to await indictment acter. They went to the twin cities, and arraignment for their crimes. and for some time were in regular em They were strongly guarded by a force ployment as salesmen. James Young of picked men, armed with state er, during his parole, committed sui muskets, to prevent a possible lynch cide in the Reardon hotel, St. Paul, be ing. On the night of October 2 an ex cause the Board of Pardons would not cited guard shot and killed a town allow him to marry. policeman, who was approaching the The board of pardons on February jail. The unfortunate officer's name j 4, 1903, granted Cole Younger a par was Henry Kapanick, and he was in don on condition that he should leave directly the third victim of the raid I the state and never return, and that of the Missouri bandits. I he would promise never to appear on On November 9, the Youngers were I the stage or exhibit himself or capi arraigned in the Rice county district talize his notoriety. He went to his court. Four indictments had been old home in Missouri, and later en found against the prisoners by the gaged with his old partner, Frank grand jury. The first charged them James, in the conduct of a "Wild with being accessory to the murder of West" show which exhibited thruout Heywood, the second with attacking several states. He died in 1915. Bunker with deadly weapons, the third with robbing the First National bank, Were the James and the fourth charging Cole Younger Boys at Northfield? as principal, and his brothers as ac An autobiography written by Cole cessories, with the murder of Gustav Younger in 1903 contains the informa son. To these indictments they plead tion that the James boys were not ed guilty, and were sentenced to the members of the band which took part state penitentiary for life, the state in the Northfield raid. "Every blood- laws being that if a murderer pleaded and-thunder history of the Younger guilty, capital punishment could not brothers declares that Frank and be infiicted upon him. Jesse James were the two members Robert died in prison September 16, of the band that entered Northfield 1889. Many attempts were made to who escaped arrest or death," he secure pardons for the others, who wrote. "They were not, however. were regarded model prisoners, but no One of these two men was killed after governor would issue the pardon. ward in Arizona and the other died Finally in 1901 the state legislature from fever some years afterward. enacted, practically for their sole bene There were reasons why the James fit, a law providing that life convicts and the Younger brothers could not might be released from imprisonment take part in any such project as that when they had served thirty-five years, at Northfield," These reasons, he goes less the time allowed by law for good on to explain, were differences that conduct. The passage of this law was arose between them, and he adds, stoutly resisted by Representative A. "Jesse and I were not on friendly B. Kelly who had the strong backing terms at any time after the Shepherd of his constituents. affair, and never were associated in 14 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA I COLE YOUNGER'S HANDWRITING 4 Below is the concluding paragraph, in Cole Younger's own handwriting, of his statement of the Northfield robbery, made in 1897 in one of the Young ers' appeals for pardons.
dP (IAIAAAU yiACLAAj tuA Itdd {UwAxiM (jAyAAyfyAAA, c^^.^
Qy^juj^ ^ /Kyo cnyiAyA^iy^^ [(yky yy-^ytAZdA^ kUAAyyC/ (^^^AtLyLAO^ U AkyiA^ ddpUzy (y^^^diX Oixf^^^^ ^aytiy/, d^y ^^^i^ (lyyvyy^' ^y Hyky cy^Ay^ ^ycyiAxu^^^ ^y^-^ALx- p^^yy^ (\x\/Ji (ty\Ao{K (Ly^ 6~^lXLA7 CyiiMyy^ /t^M AUKAA^ CAUAX^^ y^-Ajyt~ Tyyiyy i^y^ o^.^ xy^^/A) /LiJiAyy jxyixy PLAT" d^/- JyAJAyy^J^M^ I QIAL( Axi-(Al^ Ay> ^. JUxt^y/ /Z/UAUA^^<^ A^ /^ /LiAjt COO \J Cyi'-y^ (QAJyA.jJ) Ajy^Afh^-^ li^.Xyvx^LyO-^ y^^ Afi^y^^y^AuyjcJ^-^ /(/iMU? ([/Ic^ Vf />>M f y^a He Fought Bandits DR. H. M. WHEELER, seventy-two-year-old Grand Forks, N. been spending the summer. Perhaps D., physician, who is one of the two he showed them his gold watch, the survivors among the chief actors in back of which bears the inscription: the famous Northfield bank raid, the "H. M. Wheeler, From the First Na fiftieth anniversary of which occurred tional Bank of Northfield, September Tuesday. At the request of The News, 7, 1876." (This watch he hopes to Dr. Wheeler tells the story of his part leave his only son—as a concrete les in the affair, but he does it with ex son in history.) treme modesty. Were one to visit his office at Grand Doubtless he observed the fiftieth Forks, he might be pursuaded to show anniversary of the event by telling the skeleton of Clel Miller, the bandit some of its details to those at his home whom he shot in the street battle of at Spring Lake, Minn., where he has fifty years ago. THE NORTHFIELD SAGA 17 Interest Is Still Keen In Bank Raid Story Northfielders Mark Anniversary Things went on pretty much as usu By Re-telling Event Which al on the anniversary day, but folks did talk about it and newspapers Brought City Fame. printed stories about it. Out at Long Beach Ross Phillips, veteran fireman, While Tuesday, Sept. 7, the fiftieth was probably coaxed into telling some anniversary of the frustrated raid of thing about his part in the affair. At the James-Younger bandits on the Los Angeles is A. E. Bunker, while First National bank of Northfield, was at Spring Lake is Dr. H. M. Wheeler, not marked by any "observance," the only ones still living who played Northfield folks indulged in talking important roles. Letters and messages; over the event while the half dozen from others indicate that the story is or more who remember the actual oc an enduring one. casion were called on to relate the oft- told story. Officials of the First Nation Mrs. Hitchcock al bank have frowned on any plan to dramatize the event because of its ef Recalls Event fect on the youth of a day when Mrs. E. M. Hitchcock whose hus bank robberies are not so infrequent. band was a member of the firm of Lee All citizens, young and old, can & Hitchcock in the store in the Scriv point to the scene of the raid, the old er building adjoining the bank, writes Scriver building upon which is a as follows from their home in Cler bronze plate with this inscription: "In mont, Fla.: this room Joseph Lee Heywood, refus ing to betray his trust, was shot by "Will you please send me copies of bank robbers, Sept. 7, 1876. Faithful The News for August 27 and Septem unto death." Scarcely a day passes, ber 3. I would like to keep 'The despite the fifty years that have elaps Northfield Saga' for reference as our ed since the raiders came into town copy of 'Robber and Hero' was burned and were driven out, that some visitor when our Minnetonka cottage went up does not ask about the event which in flames. first brought Northfield into the lime "We well remember that 7th of Sep light. tember, 1876. Mr. Lee was Bast on Donaldson & Hall, who now occupy business. Mr. Hitchcock returning to the room in which the bank was locat the store from his dinner (not 'lunch' ed, were open for business as usual in those days) was met on Union Tuesday; at Sumner's studio pioneer street by a man running at top speed, photographic establishment, pictures who cried 'Run and get your gun; of the characters and scenes of his there's a raid on the bank.' But be toric event were displayed; while at fore Mr. Hitchcock could get to Divi the First National bank, oldest busi sion street wtih his gun, the robbers ness institution in Northfield which were riding out at the end of the numbers among its traditions "The street. Northfield Saga," there are some of the "You see by the picture of the old relics of the event. building that the back door of the Lee 18 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA & Hitchcock store was very near the your office a copy of the Northfield bank door. An eighteen-year-old Nor News recently and this morning your wegian clerk was alone in the store. request for a late picture and some He crawled on hands and knees past sort of review of the bank raid of the open door—with bullets flying pro fifty years ago. miscuously—closed the door and the "Mr. Bunker has been ill for some combination of the -safe. Possibly as weeks past and requests me to reply brave a thing to do as to have used a to your letter, as he does not feel able gun. to comply, especially as he has so of "Those were certainly exciting days ten told the story both for publica and if the 'raid' put Northfield on the tion and to personal friends. You also map 'Cows, Colleges and Conteniment' have his complete statement in Pro are helping to keep it there." fessor Huntington's story 'Robber and Hero,' and he thinks it difficult to add anything to your splendid review in Shot By Robbers The News of August 27." Robbers Stole Phil Empey's Horse Another interesting letter was the following received from Mrs. Nellie Empey Odell of Sioux Falls, S. D.: "I spent a great many years of my life near Northfield. My brother, Phil Empey, was at the Centennial expo sition at the time of the bank robbery. Our farm was between Northfield and Dundas; my brother still owns it al tho he lives at Janesville. The man we had at that time came to the house leading one horse, with his head all cut open. He said some gentlemen came along while he was working in the field near the road, and commenced to strip the harness from one horse. He told them the horse was not his, and they hit him a blow on the head and took the horse. "It was Bob Younger who took our horse. Some people recognized the animal as the robbers were going A. E. BUNKER, over the Dundas bridge and shouted the last survivor of those who were at them, 'What are you doing with Phil in the bank at the time of the raid Empey's horse?' They rode right on, 'September 7, 1876, who is now living and soon we all knew who they were, at 3808 Ingraham street, Los Angeles. and there surely was great excitement. Mr. Bunker was wounded when he We got our horse back after a few tried to make his escape from the weeks but he was never the same. bandits and give the alarm. "I have always had much sympathy Mrs. Bunker writes The News as for the family of Nicholas Gustavson, follows: "Mr. Bunker received from if he had one. What about that, I THE NORTHFIELD SAGA 19 wonder. Did he have a wife and chil of the robbers fell first, he says, one dren?" in front of a building where Hauer's Mrs. Odell sends a clipping of the jewelry is now located, and the other poem, "On a Faithful Bank Cashier," on the corner north of the. bank. Gus written for the New York Tribune by tavson was killed last on the corner G. P. Lathrop of Cambridge, Mass., of Fifth and Division streets, just op shortly after the event occurred in posite the store where Mr Rice was which Joseph Lee Heywood gave up standing. his life. Mr. Rice was ninety-two years old September 8, 1926. F. O. Rice Was Eye Witness Opened Store Three F. O. Rice, whose birthday anniver Months Before Raid sary is the day after the date of the Wm. Ebel, who celebrated his fifti bank raid, was an eye witness to it. eth anniversary in business in North- He stood inside the doorway of the field on June 16, tells interestingly of Converse & Fuller drug store (G. H. his recollections of the event which occurred three months after he opened his store. "I remember," Mr. Ebel began, "on the morning of the day—Sept. 7, 1876 •—my father and Ferdinand Berke (Ro man's father) were sitting out in front of the store on some salt barrels when all eight members of the gang rode by on horses. "Mr. Berke said, 'My! How those fellows can ride. Just like Prussian soldiers.' "I shouted out the door, 'Huh you're always talking about your old Prus sian soldiers.' "With that he jumped off the barrel and chased me into the store, 'You young rascal,' he yelled, 'you're always joshing me.' "In the meantime the robbers had stopped on the corner and gotten di rections from a man as to the road to Millersburg. Later when I went after the mail I saw them carousing around in a saloon that was located where F. O. RICE. Albers' shoe shine parlor is now. The postofflce was in the building now oc Scofield's grocery store is located cupied by the Ideal restaurant. there now) but being unarmed could "Early in the afternoon while I was not go into the street. sitting in the back of the store read Mr. Rice corrects the statement that ing, I heard a shot across the river. Nicholas Gustavson, who could not un I started out the door, but was only derstand the robbers* orders to get off half way across the bridge when I the street, was the first man shot. Two met Pete Moes running this way. 'Stay 20 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA away from there, will' h h"! fi«y years a °'''^^«h happen- 'have ynZrlTZyy''- ^^^^^ robberies in MZLTJ V^"" °^ '^^'^k yearbeenforgoLn~nSr^T.^""^s there have v. ® P^®*^ 'i'^zen' holdups in tie Stat?t,,"^"*"""^ '^^^k the Northfleld affni^^i^' '" ^^"P^^d Obtained. But TA T '^^'''^^ ^'^'i l«°t ten. *^^5^ have been forgot- The Northfield raid of half <, tury ago lives nn v,„ ^ ^en- the Indian massacre? tr^' "'""^^ ^"^ -ourge and o he'r e^^^^'o^f^'f ^'°'^^^^ Minnesota. One rea?n^ . ^ ®^''"^'' the survival of thi!:,°^ °°"^^^' *or WM. EBEL notorious band o. ^LyA\lZH falr":rouUtVnVto?,r^ - tinct in MinLsoIa'' T "'^"'^^^ ^^• y^oy:^'^T ^--ary of flashes out in onlf; ^''^^^i^^ally it Northfleld'ban'lheTthe'b? .".'^ *^ np against a fighting, t ""^'^^ ""an , always to the credU^o"? th' '7?'' '""^ I" is just as well7o call «r'! '• ^"* and then to the snnnv" ^"^ntion now «hip Of Noxthfl^l^^irntr"^"^'"- THE NORTHFIELD SAGA 21 dinner. We got our supply of ice from the icehouse of Captain Ames, Revier Writes who lived where John Ellingboe lives now. Mrs. Ames also requested me to of Bank Raid hitch her horse to the carriage as she wanted to go downtown after dinner. Having done this I hitched my team Recalls Events of Memorable to the wagon and started to get the Day in September, 1876 As ice. I was on my way back with the ice and just as I was crossing Division Gang Met Waterloo. street on Woodley, I heard the first shot and stopping my team, looked By W. H. REVIER. down the street and saw several men Mrs. Nellie Empey Odell's letter re on horseback, riding back and forth, calls to my mind the role that I just shooting and commanding everyone missed playing in the escape from who dared to show their face to "Get Northfield of the James and Younger back." And they did not say "please" brothers. Had I not been so near either, but every command was pre town, no doubt one of the horses out ceded with an oath. of the team I was driving would have W. P. VanAmberg was that day en been taken instead of Phil Empey's. gaged in building a chimney on the During the years of 1876 and 1877, I house that still stands on the corner was working for John T. Ames, who of Woodley and Division streets, and was then owner and occupying the which was built that summer and oc farm known at that time as the Thorp cupied by the late Judge C. W. Pye. farm, but now owned and occupied by Mr. Van Amberg called to me, "What R. C. Hollis. in the world is going on, Willie?" (He always called me Willie.) Prom On that memorable September 7, where he was at work on the house, 1876, I was plowing just south of the the view was, I think, obstructed by house and across the road, now known the trees and he could not see the as the Jefferson Highway. At about men in action but could hear the 11:00 o'clock in the forenoon of that shooting. Mr. Van Amberg finally said day I saw four men approaching from that it must be some political doings the west, all on horseback riding fine and he added, "You know. Governor horses, and all of the men were wear Ames is here." ing long linen dusters as has been so often described in former articles. As Gang Noticed His Horses. I was about twenty-five or thirty rods Leaving him, I drove on toward from the road, I did not get a very home—and not too slow. On the hill good view of them, but as to connec- where the sandpit is now, there stood ing them with a band of bank robbers, a small house occupied at that time the thought never occurred to me. I by a man by the name of Foster, who thought nothing more of the matter seeing me approaching, came to the as it was not an unusual sight to see door to ask me if I knew what all the men on horseback in those days. shooting was about. It was then that we saw six of the gang riding toward Robbers Cleared Streets. us, two of them riding double^hence I unhitched at noon, fed my team, their need for another horse. They and while eating dinner, was told by came toward us, their horses on a slow Mrs. Ames that the ice was out and canter and they were reloading their that I would have to go for some after revolvers as they rode. 22 THE NORTHFIELD SAGA As they neared me, I heard one of ed me a revolver and put one in his them say, "Let's take a horse here," own pocket. I asked Mr. Ames if we while another said, "No, no. Go on would ride and he said, "No, we will further." This takes me back to why walk." During the afternoon after the they took Phil Empey's horse instead attack on the bank, Mr. Ames had of mine. I was too near town and wired police headquarters in St. Paul they knew that they would be pursued. for help to give chase, and he wanted I was driving a good team. One of the to see if they had come. We got down horses out of the team and its mate in time to find that they had sent four were sold by Mr. Ames to Governor men, armed to the teeth, and we saw John S. Pillsbury the following sum them leave the Davis livery barn mer for |450 to be used as a driving about 8:00 o'clock headed for the big team. timber. But getting back to my story. A Bodies Lay In Street. few minutes later, two more men on We also found the bodies of the two horseback appeared, carrying rifies. I dead robbers still lying in the street recognized them as Dwight W. Davis where they had fallen when shot. The and Ja^ck Hays, and from them I talk was that they were waiting for learned what had happened. the coroner to come from Faribault. Believe me, I lost no more time in Later the bodies were carried to the getting home, and on arriving was met building occupied so many years by at the door by Miss Jennie Hunter the late John Morton. While I was (now Mrs. W. H. Riddell). She was viewing the bodies of the two robbers visiting Miss Mattie Ames who was after they had been removed to the ill. Downtown, the bells were ringing, vacant store. Dr. Henry Hutchinson and the girls wanted to know the came in, examined them, and said, cause. Not wanting to alarm them, I "Both shot thru the heart." told them that there must be a fire. About 9:30, Mr. Ames and I left for In a short time, Mr. Ames and the home, and arriving found a carriage Captain arrived and with them were at the front door the driver holding a George Mosier and one other man (I lantern. In the carriage had come don't recall now who) but both were G. M. Phillips wh) had just arrived on armed with revolvers. Mr. Ames in a late train from attending the Cen structed me to load the gun and re tennial and who had come purposely main in the front yard on guard the to inquire after Mrs. Ames, who had remainder of the afternoon which I been reported to him as having been did until chore time. badly shaken up by her experience of After supper, Mr. Ames said, "Bill, the afternoon, her horse taking fright we are going downtown," and he hand by the shooting.