Northfield Honors Heroes in History
The Northfield community today commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the James -Younger gang's attempt to rob the First National Bank of Northfield.
At 2:00 p.m. on September 7, 1876 three members of the gang entered the bank and announced that this was a holdup. They ordered the three bank employees to open the safe, but ere told the door was locked and could not be opened by any of them.
Outside the bank which now houses the Northfield history Center a large crowd gathered to hear leaders talk about the many heroes on that fateful day.
The word hero gets used a lot these days. Often times in a way that could be up for debate.
2026 Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award Recipient Earl Weinmann has been a tour guide for the event and school groups for over three decades.
Weinman said bank clerk Joseph Lee Heywood did not intend to lose his life that day.
He concluded.
Alison Byerly, President of Carleton College in Northfield appreciated being asked to contribute to the event and told the crowd not only was Heywood the bank clerk but he was also the treasurer for Carleton.
Byerly added the college has not forgotten Heywood either/
Northfield Mayor Erica Zweifel was asked to say a few words.
She added the raiders underestimated Northfield.
The Northfield Mayor concluded.
There is no official count of the number of bank, stagecoach and train robberies the James-Younger gang executed.
According to historians they pulled off 13 robberies before attempting the Northfield heist.
The Younger brothers were all sent to Federal Prison in Stillwater after the seven minute event.
Two of the robbers lay dead on the street. Two more were badly wounded.
The largest manhunt in the history of the United States was organized. A thousand people participated.
Gang member Charlie Pitts was killed after a gun battle near Madellia, Mn, two weeks later.
Minnesota's largest all-volunteer event, Defeat of Jesse James Days starts Wednesday with a poignant memorial service at the gravesite of Heywood in Northfield Cemetery, South Division across from Northfield High School.
It begins Noon.
Wednesday night at the Northfield Ballroom is the Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Awards Banquet.
One of the most attended events is the bank raid re-enactments which are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
There is a PRCA Rodeo Friday and Saturday at Jesse James Arena.
Scores of activities around the community including a bike tour, Soapbox Derby, 5K/15K Run-Walk, car show, art show, and more.
The event is capped off with the Grand Parade, 2:00 p.m. Sunday . Buttons are needed for many events and are $5 each available throughout Northfield.
Details are at www.djjd.org.
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