There are some things I’ve yet to do such as skydiving, bungee jumping off a bridge, see a production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater, see the rock band U2 in concert, visit Europe or visit New York City.
This past weekend, I did one thing I’ve never done before, although not from the above list. I went to the Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield. Some people may find that surprising with how long I’ve lived in the area. The simple reason is I’ve usually had other events planned at the same time as the annual festival.
For those who don’t know, the festival commemorates how Northfield residents prevented the James-Younger gang from robbing the bank in Northfield of $15,000 Sept. 7, 1876. It was due to the bravery of the townspeople, the gang had two members killed in the failed robbery. Six members of the gang escaped with a sum of $26.70. At least two of the townspeople were killed in the bank raid, Nicholas Gustafson and Joseph Lee Heywood, a bank employee who refused to open the vault. Jesse and Frank James were the only members of the gang to escape. Apparently there’s been some discussion of whether the James brothers were actually there that fateful day. (My opinion is who has said the James brother weren’t there and where did they get this information?)
The three Younger members were captured two weeks later after a shootout with a posse. Another member of the gang, Charlie Pitts, died in the gun battle. The Younger brothers were sentenced to life in prison at Stillwater.
One of the major aspects of the festival is a reenactment of the failed bank robbery and the gun battle. The reenactment portrays what happened outside in front of the bank. The bank is still there and has been renovated as it was more than a century ago. There were eight reenactments done between Friday and Sunday. I went to two of the reenactments Saturday. The second reenactment I saw gave me a much better view down Division Street and a better view of the action. Both reenactments were incredible and exciting, especially since the reenactors were using historically accurate fire arms, shooting blanks.
Going to the event reminded me of how as a child I had heard and read stories and saw movies about Jesse James. As a child, he was one of those people from the Old West who was legendary. I remember he was presented as someone who, some days, was like a version of Robin Hood, as he would rob from the rich and give to the poor, and other days he was a true outlaw. He and his gang stole only for themselves. It wasn’t until I was older I found out the outlaw had a connection to Minnesota, specifically in Northfield.
The decision to go to the festival grew out of a text from a friend who lives near Northfield. He suggested his family and I could just get together for a meal and a movie at their house or go to Defeat of Jesse James Days. I replied I had never been to the festival. So we decided to meet at the festival where we had some food and fun. My friend told me how several people have been part of the reenactments since they were teens or younger. A program from the festival includes the names of reenactors, with a quite a few people sharing last names. Among them were DeMann, Dudley, Hellerud, Medin, Quie, Radtke and Transburg.
After the festival, I met my friend and his family back at their house and we still watched a movie.
I went to the festival Sunday also, mainly for the parade. It was one of the longer parades I’ve seen as it was about two hours long. It had a lot of entries that ranged from local businesses to organizations and clubs from the area to those from the Twin Cities Metro Area.
Going to the festival was a fun way to spend two days, although I realize there was quite a bit I didn’t see. Perhaps next year I can get there earlier both days and see more.