Murder. Theft. Gunfire. These words don't immediately pop into people's minds when they think of Northfield, MN, but in early September 1876, these words were used throughout the United States to refer to the town.

At approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 1876, a heavily armed gang rode into Northfield. Their intent was to rob the First National Bank of Northfield. The gang was called the James-Younger gang, and the leaders of the crew, Jesse and Frank James, were two of the most famous outlaws known to the American west.

The James brothers had long careers as robbers and murderers. Both brothers joined bands of guerrillas who made raids on anti-slavery towns and Union soldiers during the United States Civil War. The skills they learned during the war became their trademark tactics in banditry.

The gang rode into Northfield that hot September day with eight members, and rode out of the town with six members, killing two Northfield residents in the process. One of those residents, J. L. Heywood, was the hero of the day. Heywood was the acting cashier at the bank and refused to open the vault for the bandits.

Other Northfield residents also defended their town by shooting and killing two of the members of the gang, and chasing the James-Younger gang out of town on horseback. Three of the members were eventually caught and spent 25 years in the Stillwater prison, and one member was killed while being apprehended. The James brothers, though, escaped capture.

Where does St. Olaf fit in? St. Olaf was just getting its feet wet when the robbery occurred. On the day of the robbery, President Mohn called off school and sent the male students into town to help the residents.

One of the Ole students who worked part time in a shoe store happened to walk past and was surprised to recognize a boot on one of the dead men that he had patched a few days before.

Some of the boys went to President Mohn and asked if they might be permitted to join in the chase and capture of the robber gang, but "he didn't seem to think it necessary."

The Defeat of Jesse James Days Celebration is held annually the weekend after Labor Day. It began in 1948 after a group of citizens came together to honor the heroism of Northfield's townspeople. Since it began, it has become one of the largest celebrations in the state of Minnesota. The robbery is re-enacted each year in remembrance of Joseph Lee Heywood, a man "faithful unto death." Quotes from www.defeatofjessejames.com.