Introduction
Jesse James was one of the most famous outlaws of his time. By the time Jesse was 17 he was riding with a gang that robbed nothernerns during the cilvil war. Jesse and his gang robbed trains and banks in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Kentucky and one bank in Minnesota. In 1878 two years after the NorthField Raid Frank James left the gang. Jesse didn't want to give up his outlaw life so he started another gang. Robert Ford and his brother joined that gang. Jesse had started and been in many gangs. One of Jesse was betrayed by one of his friends and was killed. Jesse had stood up to dust a picture and was shot.
How and Why Did This Event Occur
Jesse James and his gang planned to rob a bank in Minnesota. They rode around Minnesota trying to find a good bank to rob. They decided on robbing a bank in Mankato, Minnesota. When they arrived in Mankato MN there was a big group of people in the city that day so they headed down to NorthField, MN on the same day. A man named Ben Stiles had once lived in Monticello Minnesota. Ben helped them look for a good bank to rob. Ben talked about the rich banks and easy trains to rob. They searched all over for the right bank to rob. They went through Red Wing, St.Paul, Lakeville and Mankato, Minnesota.
Major Events
At two o'clock Jesse James, Charlie Pitts and Bob Younger rode over the bridge and into NorthField Minnesota. Citizens shot two of the robbers and captured Charlie Pitts and the Younger brothers, the rest spread out through country side. During the robbery A man ran home to grab his rifle, he was credited for killing one of the robbers. Inside the bank they shot and wounded the bank teller Alonzo Bunker. Alonzo was interviewed by "The Minneapolis Newspaper" While being interviewed he told them that Cole Younger said he "saved lives by not shooting" during the robbery.
What was the End Result
Cole, James and Jim Younger along with Charlie Pitts ended their carrers on September 7th, 1876. Coel, Bob and Jim Younger and Frank were injured but managed to escape with his brother Jesse. The Younger brothers and Charlie Pitts made it all the way to Madelia, Minnesota before a posse found them. The Younger brothers and Charlie Pitts did not consider surredering so they had a shoot out. Bob had already had his right elbow shattered from a bullet and cole had been shot in the thigh. In the shoot out with the posse they were all shot again and Charlie Pitts died. they had ran for 86.8 miles.
How is the NorthField Raid Remembered
Each year the weekend after Labor Day people in NorthField "The Defeat of Jesse James Days". To celebrate they have a 5 and 15k run, you can sqaure dance or sit back and relax and enjoy an area theater performance or watch a tractor pull. They also have a steak fry and they do an reanactment of the robbery at the time of the robbery. The reanactment of the robbery features real horses, gun shots and brave townspeople standing up to the gang. They call it "The defeat of Jesse James Days" because the robbery had failed.
How the Event Ended
The gang was nearly destroyed during the NorthField Raid. All the members spread out through countryside. Frank and Jesse James stayed together and so did the Younger brothers along with Charlie Pitts. Frank and Jesse were not heard of until 1879 when they robbed a train. The governer of Missouri Thomas T finally had enough of the killing, robbing and bloodshed.Thomas issued a warrent for Jesse james for $10,000 dead or alive. Robert Younger died in prison of tuburulasas Jim commited sucide in 1902 and Cole wrote an autobiography and when he got out of prison he played in wild west shows for a few years before retiring to his hometown. Jesse wanted to continue his outlaw life but Frank didnt. Jesse started another gang inwhich Robert Ford Joined. Robert betrayed Jesse and killed Jesse to get his record cleared. Robert later killed himself a couple years later.
What Was the Time Period Like
People had hard lives in the 1870's. It had been over a decade after the cilvil war. People were still mad even though the war was over. Jesse was some what a Robin Hood. Sometimes he would rob banks and help the poor. After Jesse had a $10,000 reward over his head him and his family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. They rented a house for $14 a month. Jesse once gave a girl $3000 to save her farm. Jesse waited till she gave the bank the money. When she did he robbed the bank and got the same amount back.
Who Were Some of the Important People Involed
Some of the important people were Cole, Jim and Robert Younger, Andy McGuire, Wood and Clarence Hite, George and Oliver Shepherd, Tom Little and Frank and Jesse James. Out of everyone in the gang, Jesse was knowen the best. There was four Younger Brothers but in 1872 John was shot and killed in a shoot out with a dective. Charlie Pitts helped robb the bank and and then later died in a shoot out with a posse. There is believed to be a ninth man named Bill Stiles. They believe he rode to NorthField But didn't help with the robbery.
Where and When Did it Take Place
Before The Jesse/Younger gang robbed NorthField they talked about robbing other cities. They tried Mankato but when they got there, there was a huge crowd of people in the center of town. NorthField was second on their list to rob. Jesse and his gang planned to rob the bank on September 7, 1876. At 2:00 pm three people from the Jesse/Younger gang rode into town. The robbery took seven minutes. At 2:07 they were out of town. It ended so fast because guns were going off through out the town.
What Did People Think Of the event
People were suspicious of the three men coming into town. When the gang rode through Lakeville, MN, people were scared that they would ride north instead of south. A guy named J.S. Allen owned a gun store along with Henry M. Wheeler who was 19 and a medical student. Outside the bank Cole Younger and Clell looked suspicious while standing and waiting. Allen approached the bank and Clell stopped him by grabbing his wrist. Allen saw through a window what was going on. He saw that they were robbing the bank. Allen ran back and yelled "Get your guns boys there robbing the bank!" Henry ran around corners yelling "Robbery Robbery!"