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Jesse James Must Have Taken PartIn the Northfield BankRobbery of Sixty-three Years AgoReading the book of the lives of Frank and Jesse James no part of. It definitely states that Frank and Jesse James took part in the North j field bank robbery, although the general belief is that both had a hand in it.Now ronies a story from the Red Wing Republican of yesterday’s issue as told by Mrs Ed Wenz, of B*»ar that city. Here's the story:In the latter part of the I9th century even the mention of his name struck terror in the hearts of all peace-lovH.;::. law -abiding citizens.Yet one clear, frosty September morning, Sept. T, 1876, to- he exact. n few hours before he and his gang raided the Northfield bank and left two of their members dying in the street, the most colorful desperado in American history ate breakfast with a quiet homeloving family and gently patted a tiny, curly haired girl on the head.The scene was the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. George Siers, located two miles this side of Northfield. and the little golden haired child was their daughter, Sophia, now Mrs. Ed Wenz of R ED. 2, Welch, who formerly lived in Red Wing. Mrs. Wenz stated she was too young at the time to remember all the incidents but relates them as told by her parents.“My father was outside splitting! wood,” relates Mrs. Wenz, when she! detailed the incidents of that eventful day w hen interv iew ed this morn ing “Suddenly, he heard a step behind hint, and turning, saw a man dressed in a long linen duster, a large-brimmed, slouch hat and high leather boots.“ ‘Do you suppose you could spare me some breakfast?’ asked the stranger, and m father unhesitant-Jy replied, ‘Why, of course.’“Mother had just finished putting breakfast on the table, and was about to call father, when he en-6lad I m Alive! .. life is pleasantIf you arc trrling good and ‘peppy.’ That’s what I)r. Pierce’s Golden Medical Discovery did for me. It gave me a better appetite, increased the flow of gastric juice and thus tm-proved my digestion. It’smmiatonic that helps build lt;^j*fN.'^pn..?jrou up.” It relieves stom-tBsW. A-xvh upsets due to excess , acidity and you feel better in many ways. Buy now at any drug store. (IU. S. Has 750In Commoditytered, accompanied by the stranger. Places had only been laid for my parents, my sister and myself, but mother quickly fixed another place at the table for the man and he lost no time beginning to eat.“Although he took off his large black bat. he did not remove the duster he was wearing. As he .sat with us at the table, he asked a good many questions about the roads around and into Northfield, During the period he was with | us, he seemed at ease and as he left,; although he did not offer to pay fori his meal, he thanked my father, and as he passed me, he PATTED ME I ON THE HEAD and lt;aid, ‘You’re; quite a cUrly top I *“My father accompanied the stranger outside and was surprised I when the man started off at a rapid pace across the open field, toward some nearby woods, instead ot heading toward the road which ran near our house. My father was an observing person and he told us he didn’t like the looks of the man and when he saw the stranger dart off across the field, my father became suspicious and followed him.“The ground was still soft and my father easily followed his footprints. The foot tracks -stopped when he reached a tree in the woods -and there in the soft earth were the deep hoof-marks of a horse, or horses, which had been tied to the tfee and had evidently been stamping around impatiently awaiting their riders’ return.“In the afternoon, my mother anti . grandmother were walking along the road, en route’to a quilting bee,! w hen a man came galloping by, cry-; ing at them as he passed to ‘Get in j j houses. A group of men are shoot-1 ing everybody in Northfield and ! ihey’re headed this way.’ My moth-i er and grandmother didn’t believe him but later in the day my uncle. Ed Mattocks, came to the house and , told us the details of the robbery at Northfield. Two of the bandits, Charles Pitts and Bill Chadwell, had been shot and killed and posses | were hunting down the rest of the gang that made their get-away.’ News traveled slow ly in those1 days, but a short while later we saw-pictures of the bandits who were ■ being sought, members of the James and Younger gangs, and we imme-; diately recognized the picture of' Jesse James as that of the man who had eaten breakfast with us!Fo- Bargains, read the Classified Ads. i
Newspaper Details
Albert Lea Evening Tribune
Albert Lea, Minnesota, US
Thu, Feb 23, 1939
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Joplin P.
MO, USA 27 Sep 2024
Other Publications Near Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea the Evening Tribune Farm Tab
Albert Lea Evening Tribune Farm Tab
Farm and Home Magazine
Albert Lea Sunday Tribune
Standard
