Just in time for the Defeat of Jesse James Days, the Northfield History Collaborative invites you to learn more about the 1876 raid on the First National Bank through the words of eyewitnesses.
The July 10, 1897 edition of the Northfield News, published around the time the Younger brothers were first seeking pardon, included 16 eyewitness accounts of the bank raid.
- Frank Wilcox (inside the bank)
- Francis Howard (followed the gang over the bridge into the square)
- James Law (followed the gang over the bridge into the square)
- Norman Van Buskirk (saw the gang members on the west side of the river)
- Anselm Manning (owned the hardware store next to the bank)
- Mrs. E. P. Kingman (on Division Street, near the current Rocky Top store)
- Gilbert Onstad (lived in the block south of the bank, and his little boy was in the street)
- Ross C. Phillips (working in Manning’s shop)
- Steven Budd (across the street from the bank)
- W. H. Riddell (in a hardware store across the street from the bank)
- J. A. Hunt (at the jewelry store five doors south of the bank)
- John Olson (worked in the cellar of the building on the northwest corner of Fifth and Division)
- H. B. Gress (had a store across the street from the bank)
- Dr. D. J. Whiting (had a dentist’s office on the top floor of the Scriver Building)
- A. H. Bjoraker (had a store on Fifth Street)
- Miron W. Skinner (had a store opposite the bank)
The accounts begin on the first page of the edition, at the top of the fifth column; continue to the top of the second page; and jump to the fifth column on the fourth page.
You have to take into account that the newspaper editor does not note where the accounts came from: whether he sat down with the witnesses, or whether he transcribed accounts previously written. But aside from that, these are the stories the average Northfielder doesn’t hear a lot about the raid. This Defeat of Jesse James Days, honor the Northfielders of 1876 by expanding your knowledge of the event beyond the eight or nine gang members, bank employees, and best-known heroes of the day.
Is there anyone who saw Nicolaus Gustafson yes thats how it was spelled not Gustavson as Chip DeMann clams Phisically Drunk as they still portray in the raid reinactment? There were not even supposed to be Bars here at the time. Nicolauses Family is tired of the Slander. Please let me know as I can’not seem to read this paper. Thanks you
I figured out how to get this readable and I thank you from the Bottom of my Soul that you put this up. I will share it with the Gustafson Family. This sat. at the reinactment they said in front of hundreds of people Nicolaus came out of the Bar. even though they know its hurtfull language to the members of the gustafson family sitting there.If there was a temprance Billiard room here then this could proove there WAS a temprance movement that Jonh north placed upon the city. Two witnesses said Nicolaus was comming up the street not drunk or not the dumb Sweed as Gary Skuzacek said to me in front of many standing by me when I confronted him on their Portrail of Nicolaus Gustafson. His language was not of this century and if he and the others are going to represent Northfield this type of Language must stop. They all know our position and now its just being said to hurt the feelings of those of us trying to clear the stigma they have created. There is actually no proof what so ever that the James Boys were even here at all. Oh except for a pipe found south of town that says Tom Howard on it. Well that is easly found on Google Images and its a pipe manufacturer from Europe. This this is a total farce and I think you should keep this paper under lock and key for you have just blown the whole scam wide open. For this I thank you even more. I knew they were Hiding something and its that they have used false pretences to rob the people of the United states of america of their hard earned moneys by creating a falsity for their own Glory. I do think they should read this especiallt Tim Freeland who wrote the hurtful statement that was read. I have a youtube Song/video about Nicolaus written by Delbert Gustafson that has I think triggered some of this. I would like an E-mail so I can talk to the poster of this in person for my Petition I am starting to end this nonsence once and for all!!! Its a clear scam and someone needs to address it. As the son great grand son and great great grandson of S.S. Lewis of the Cannon Falls beacon I feel compelled to get to the bottom of this. I will find away to share this with KARE 11, WCCO, And any other news agency that actually do their jobs and not band together with the real raiders of this town. KYMN Northfield historial Society and the Jesse James commity.
Kent, I am glad that you were able to utilize the article that the Northfield Historical Society scanned for the Northfield History Collaborative. Just so you are aware, the Northfield History Collaborative is a project that is lead by the Northfield Historical Society. Ariel Butler is paid by the Northfield Historical Society and the position is funded by the Arts and Culture fund that is administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.
I would also like you to know that Jerry’s comments that were made to you do not represent the DJJD Committee or the Northfield Historical Society.
I would like to make one statement though. The Northfield Historical Society and the DJJD Committee have not hide anything about the robbery. Please re-read John Koblas’s book “Faithful Unto Death” to see the transcription of the Ellen Ames letter. If you would like to read her exact letter here is a link to it it is on page 17 of the document. You can also read all of the other letters of protest and support for the Younger Brothers parole here on the Minnesota Historical Society website. There are many letters in this collection that state they saw the “swede” (their comments not mine) come up out of a basement saloon or the basement. A few of the letters also indicate that he was intoxicated and some do not.
Thank you for your comment and for reading the Northfield History Collaborative website.
Hayes Scriven
Thank you hayes. We have evidence that Jesse was in Nashville Tn. When the raid happened. Even if which I dont think nicolaus was drunk. What is the pourpose of even saying that he was. Looked good in a hollywood production. It is just hurtful language at this point and I find it unnessary harrasment of the few of us that care about how he is portrayed. Although Jerry dosn’t reflect your views inwhich I am glad, he is still apart of the team And should be removed. This language dosn’t reflect the town then or now. No where in this link did I find support for the claims that Nicolaus was drunk from eye witness accounts. There was several mentions of a former slave throwing rocks at the bandits. I think you should get some one of color in this group.I will check out these links and share them with Wayne Quist as he finishes his book. As a professional historian Please keep your head about you in the clutter that is the history of northfield according to Chippy. My corispondance will be limmited as part of a deal I have made with the Gustafson family. And until you can prove to me that this will end yesterday I will no longer be participating in the event that my hometown and ancestors are so proud of. You have my # and E-mail if you want to chat Hayes, I am open to you anytime I think I need to stay away from the rest for a few decades.
I’ll bet it really burns y’all up that Jesse James will be remembered forever and your relatives are barely known. Jesse James is well liked to this day. How does that make y’all feel? I wish that Jesse and the boys showed the same mercy to your citizens as they had received. I think things would have turned out differently. Don’t you?
Chad I would rather be a noboby than known as a theif and killer. They showed us alright who won the War and the fight here after. Not you? Not them. Smilin’ all the way to the bank buddy!
the last reaanctment i was at in 1990 the great great grandson was there supposedly