Tracking the James Gang across Goodhue County to their ill-fated raid on the Northfield Bank.

Tracking the James Gang...

The high spirited horses and their gentlemen riders might catch your attention as you take a moment from your chores and watch the dust floating up along the road in the rolling hills of Goodhue County back in 1876.

Some of the stories handed down through the years have been compiled by local historian, Bob Rohl of Kenyon.  And Loren Evenrud of Cannon Falls organized a bus tour to track the Jesse James gang as they traveled to their ill-fated raid of the Northfield Bank on September 7 of that year.  Recently twenty area residents climbed aboard the bus to take part in the historic event.  It was sponsored by the Shepherd's Center of Cannon Falls.

  The finale was a tour of the bank museum and watching the "shoot out" replicating the original robbery attempt.

Interest began... 

Bob first got interested in the outlaw route when he moved to his farm back in 1975. He recalls an older member of the community, Vince Benson, tellling him: “You know, Jesse James camped on your property.”

Bob thought suspiciously... “Ya right!”  But the suggestion put a seed of thought into his mind to find out if it could be so... and he discovered it could! 

Build a case...

What Bob wanted to do was “build a case.” And the result is this tour.  So hop on the bus, watch the rolling fields go by, let your imagination take you back to that time period and listen to Bob describe the possible movements of the James Gang as they traveled across the countryside.

It’s possible that the gang previously considered robbing a bank in Red Wing.  But there were not many escape routes because of the Mississippi River.

And a Mankato bank robbery was possibly foiled but another option is that they were there just scoping out escape routes.  

Their interest in the Northfield Bank might have been triggered by information that some of the bank officials had been involved in southern politics after the Civil War and rumor had it that they had left just ahead of a “tar and feather” posse.

Cannon Falls connection...

Also, a member of the gang, Bill Stiles, had been living in Cannon Falls with his sister, said to be a teacher here.  Stiles would have been able to get good information as to the layout of the area.

Stiles was one of the gang members shot and killed in the Northfield robbery.

Tracking the James Gang Tour...

The tour route began at the G. Anderson farm off Hwy 19 on County 6 Boulevard where the gang is reported to have stopped to ask directions.  Only a steel windmill remains today.  

Then on to White Rock where sources indicate that the gang watered their horses and may have had them shod at a local blacksmith.

Next stop was at what is considered to be the oldest standing residential sturcture in Goodhue County dating back to 1853... the Chandler House on County 8 Boulevard.  The gang may have stabled their horses in the barn.

The tiny town of Hader on Highway 52  was a major crossroad for travel in the mid 1800’s with a major stage coach route passing through.

The James gang was thought to have purchased grain at the Gjemse farm on 90th Avenue.    This was the great great grandfather of Rod Johnson of Cannon Falls.  It was also rumored that the gang bought horses here.  But Bob explained that this is doubtful because most farmers had work horses, not the high powered mounts the gang was riding.

Probably before Aspelund - at County 8 Boulevard and County 30 Boulevard -  it is believed that the gang split up so as not to attract too much attention.

More sites...

They may have gone through other sites including the old village of Norway, no longer there.  And here, the story goes, “a young lad with the name of Brandvold” was stopped by the horsemen and asked where the Brekke Bridge was. They also asked him the way to Northfield.  He told them and they tossed him a quarter - a good sum in those days.

In Northfield they met up with other members arriving from Mankato. 

That fateful day...

   On September 7, 1876 a total of eight gang members entered Northfield and in a period of seven minutes attempted to rob the Northfield Bank , with disastrous results.

Bill Stiles and Clell Miller were killed.  The Younger brothers: Cole , Jim, and Bob were all wounded and later captured at Madelia where Charlie Pitts was killed. Jesse and Frank James escaped to Missouri.

Other memories were given on the bus tour by Meg Judge, Don Reynolds and Don Anderson.

Photos by Loren Evenrud, Cannon Falls Cable Channel, and Rosie Schluter.

  See video on www.paulrosie.com or Tracking the Jesse James gang across Goodhue county on Youtube.

Or click on the links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1lBz2nNfxY&list=UUBvLkbzOU_gzz8kp5MFt59g

https://vimeo.com/107381746

Helping is key to enjoying life...

Paul Schluter

Helping is key to enjoying life

by Sue Sullivan 

Paul Schluter discussed safety issues and the new highway roundabouts with a MnDOT representative at a recent TRIAD meeting.

Although he misses the camaraderie of the folks on the Stanton Planning Commission, Paul Schluter stepped down in 2013 after approximately 17 years due to a time conflict.

In retirement as an electrical engineer since the 1990s, Schluter has not slowed down much.

“I found a Bible College that I was interested in attending (which was) opening a branch in Minneapolis. Attending classes part time included the night of the planning commission meetings. Things appeared to be going well in the township so I wasn’t leaving under duress,” explained Schluter. “There are good people who carry on.”

Schluter said he likes the way of life he and his wife Rosie have enjoyed in their rural home and has always liked being a part of government at its lowest level, trying to follow the township ordinance.

“One resident told me that they appreciated being informed personally when I thought a project might affect them. I liked to keep people informed on what was going on in the township. We worked to accommodate people when they wanted building permits,” he said clarifying, “The problem is that you’re not going to be able to please everyone.”

While he calmed the nerves of people impacted by township matters, his continuing passion is helping people.

On the Library Foundation since 1998, and the board of the Shepherd’s Center of the Cannon Valley since it began 20 years ago, Schluter still found time to help people file their taxes with the free program sponsored by AARP/IRS for 15 years.

Another opportunity arose when Schluter was in extended care at Angels Care Center following back surgery. He developed friendships and now goes back to visit those new friends. “I take some of them out to our farm for a golf cart ride on the trails,” he shrugged, minimizing his kindness.

Now, following balloon angioplasty and insertion of a stent to his heart, Schluter is adding Meals on Wheels to his community involvement, and is facilitating the group of citizens and law enforcement professionals in the TRIAD organization which is working to promote a safer community. He just returned from their state convention and plans to help host that conference in Goodhue County next year.

To the community he advises, “There are lots of opportunities around here. I think you get more enjoyment out of life by helping people. I encourage people to get involved.”

"Amazing moments"… 

part of TV family's life

In the background the music flowed from the radio and 18 year old Matthew Nelson, one of the identical twin sons of 1980’s teen idol Ricky Nelson, was at home where he was living with his dad, his “best friend”.

But on this night his dad wasn’t there.  He was on a concert tour.

And then Matthew's attention was drawn to the radio when heard the disk jockey announce that Teen Idol singer Ricky Nelson had just been killed in a plane crash.  Matthew passed out. 

He explained, “Usually in a tragic death the names are withheld from the media until the family is notified.”  But, Matthew continued, “when you’re in the public, those rules go out the window.”

Conversation a month earlier…

It was just a month earlier that Ricky - who would come to Matthew and Gunnar's concerts but “hide in the background” -  would share how much he loved them.  

Matthew continued, his dad also said, “‘I admire you as my peers in music.’  And we all kind of cried.  It was one of those amazing moments.” 

“It was nice to get that kind of validation from my musical and personal hero.”

 A month later, Ricky Nelson was dead.

Matthew added, “The fact is that if you choose to be in entertainment you open yourself up to scrutiny and I’m okay with it... it toughens you up a little bit.

“But I must say that I enjoy being who I am.”

What was it like growing up?

Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky

In a recent interview with Matthew in respect to the twins’ upcoming concert in Cannon Falls on October 18 as a fundraiser for the Shepherd’s Center, he recalled some moments being the son of Ricky Nelson and the grandson of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson - who had one of the longest running sitcoms on television...  “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” which involved their whole family.

Matthew felt he got a good upbringing by being in the Nelson family.  He explained, Grandma and Grandpa always took time to relate to people.  They never acted like they were above anyone.

They were very humble about it and my Dad was the same way.  We were taught that we were fortunate to be able to do what we love to do.”

Matthew was about ten years old when Grandpa Ozzie died.  But Grandma Harriet would come to his sports activities.  And, he recalled, while she was in the grandstand she spent a lot of time talking to people.

Harriet had been a singer with the big bands before they started their show, Matthew continued, and actually took a little step back to be in her husband’s radio show.  And then the TV show ended up being one of the longest running sitcoms on TV.

Ricky’s surprise!

Although Ricky Nelson was on the road entertaining a lot, he came back for a special birthday party for the boys when they were 12 years old.  But he had planned a “twist” to the story!

You see, Ricky had told the boys they had dentist appointments that day!  (Bummer!)  Their mom (Kristen Harmon) was in on the deception and picked them up at school and dropped them off at the “dentist’s office”.  She told them she would park the car but they were late and had to get in the chair and get their fillings.

But as they walked into the building, Matthew noticed his brother’s drum set was there!  And then his guitar!  And the boys found out that it was really a recording studio!

Their dad had set up a recording session for them!  

Matthew and Gunnar had started playing instruments when we were about seven  years old.  And now they recorded one of the songs they had written.

The Pointer Sisters sang back-up vocals!

Then more family members showed up and they had cake in the control room!

Matthew recalled, “Only my dad could put something together like that!”

 What would you like to know?

  I had asked Facebook friends for questions so here are some of Matthew’s answers.

Wisdom from a teen idol?

Practical advice from his father, Ricky and his Grandma Harriet.  He was made to understand that because of their name, he and his brother would be given a “listen” as to their breaking into the music industry.  

But, they added,  “your talent will bring you in.”  

Also, “people will be more critical of you.” And Matthew recalled, “So we had to work harder”.  

                           Advice from Dad

They had their father’s experience to learn from.  Ricky had had to “re-invent” himself during his career.  After the teen-idol phase he went into a country-rock sound.  Ricky explained to the boys: “A career is a series of comebacks.”

He also advised, “Do what you feel is right and keep doing what you’re doing... and believe in what you’re doing.”  It’s persistence and integrity.

And... after five years of trying for a record deal they got their first one.  

What is important to you?

Matthew quickly responded, “My family and friends.  I enjoy being on stage... and making new friends...and to provide for my family and friends. Nothing else means anything... at the end of our lives the question is: did I make a difference to someone else’s life?

Living in the spotlight…

Living in the spotlight of the Nelson family Matthew revealed,  “There were far more blessings than curses.  My father would love to play live concerts and my brother and I are the same way.  

      I kind of feel him around when we do the show.”

He confidently predicted, “You’ll see.”

(Video interview on www.paulrosie.com) 

"To the good times…"

Ricky Nelson Remembered

Here’s to the good times!

It was with nervousness that I awaited the call from singer/composer Matthew Nelson... one of the twin sons of “Teen Idol” Ricky Nelson, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer whose music has touched millions.

I had contacted his publicity agent and asked if I could take some pictures at their concert on October 18 in Cannon Falls - “Ricky Nelson Remembered” - a fundraiser for the Shepherd’s Center.

But first they wanted to interview me.

I guess that went OK because I was told I had three choices of times that I could interview one of the Nelson twins, stars of the show.  

I hadn’t expected to talk to anyone!

And I don’t know why I began to panic.  I’ve done interviews for years.  

I’ve always been hyped up for them.  And I still struggle to get over the advice from my junior high school adviser who warned me that I was too shy to be a journalist.

And lately I prefer to just hang around and pick up the story as it unfolds.  Like taking pictures behind the scenes.

No pressure if I think it’s not going to turn out all right.

Except for the pressure I put on myself.

That can be brutal.

Any stupid questions?

What if I asked some really stupid questions?

Well, to solve that I got on my Facebook page and asked friends what they would like to know about the musicians.

Got some great questions, like one from former “Cannonnite” Kari Pohl LeVan.  She suggested:  How did your dad influence/inspire your path from glam rock and beyond?  

Keep in mind that I don’t even know what “glam rock” is!    But when I asked Matthew the question, he answered as if I would know just what he was talking about!

I had to admit to him that I didn’t have a clue. I’m more of a country melody person.

A “Minnesota Nice” question!

Then I explained that I was from Minnesota and so I had to ask: “How’s the family and how’s the weather?”  I also suggested that he could say: “Fine” because being “Minnesota Nice” I didn’t want to pry!  (Not a very good interviewer I guess!)  

Also keep in mind that in my research I had “googled” the name... Ricky Nelson.  I later decided that wasn’t such a good idea.  

I’ve done it before - to find out about some favorite singers of mine.  But I usually found out too much.  Most of it was bad. Didn’t even want to listen to their music again.

Same thing happened when I looked up Ricky.

So how was I going to interview one of his sons?  How did they survive in a situation that appeared chaotic and painful?

“More blessings than curses.”

But talking to Matthew Nelson changed my mind.  He explained: “There were far more blessings than curses.”

He told me about the fantastic surprise their dad planned for the boys’ 12th birthday.  He told me about the integrity that his dad and grandparents, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, had taught them.  And their humbleness and concern for people.  

Matthew’s love and compassion for his father came through.

That interview is coming next week.

And I’m looking forward to the Nelson twins’ concert of memories.

And so now I will toast:  “To the Good Times!"

.

Garden moods...

"Self pity" grumbling…

Can be a "bummer".

 

  There’s enough folks in the Cannon Valley who show me that I don’t have any excuse to grumble.

That’s kind of a bummer.

There’s nothing like the captivating feeling of self-pity to cling to.

The only problem is that it seems to suck the life out of you too.

Folks like these:

You see we’ve got people like Kenyon’s police chief, Lee Sjolander, who as an 11 year old tried to protect his siblings when his mother and her boyfriend (after her 4 husbands) got “high”, drunk and was fighting.

And there’s my neighbor, Ray Wynne, who lost both his legs in an accident and while in his ’80’s he can still out-do me with his many projects.  And his wife, Mariellen, who keeps up with Ray.

And young ones like Tess Pfohl learning to make a life after surgery for cancer and losing the use of her legs.

And like the man I wrote about in a column who was dying but still taught others with his philosophy of no self pity... just the recognition of these little words... “What is... is.”   And so you just go on and try to make things  better.

Here’s another one…

So today is my turn to tell you about another example.  It’s Audrey McKeag out west of town.  For years she has spent her summers caring for her beautiful flower gardens.

I’ve wanted to see these gardens but never made it in time.

Now was the time.

She has lived on the farm for a long time - including back in 1988 when a tornado hit it.  She and her visiting grandchildren were nestled in the basement for safety.

Nowadays Audrey has had to cut back her enthusiasm for growing things because of health issues and surgery.

But she has found some ways to work around this.

To “smell the roses...”

And so a couple of weeks ago, a few gals and I headed out to her farm to “smell the roses” - so to speak.

Audrey can’t bend over to plant the little seedlings any more so she explains that she just “pokes a hole and drops the plant in!”

And a lot of the flowers are in pots and planters to be easier to care for.

Here are some of her other ideas.

She has outfoxed the deer who had been devouring her hosta plants by hanging a bar of Irish Spring deodorant soap near them!

And did you know that a parsley plant attracts the larvae stage of Monarch butterflies?

And by letting the flowers dry on some of the annuals who won’t come up again - you can save seeds to plant next year.

Her gardens exhibit old farm equipment that has been turned into use as flower containers.  The deep one was used in past times to heat water and scald hogs. (I didn’t need to know that!)  

Some of the visitors recalled that over the years they had felt “guilty” when taking a break to look at flowers... to just enjoy their presence... but they were all glad they did.

And when Audrey takes a break and rests in her garden she likes to remember a favorite verse - Psalm 46:10  “Be still and know that I am God.”

You know... as I recall the people in this valley... and in the world... I think they have taught me something good to hold on to.

Video available at www.paulrosie.com or www.cannonfallstv.org or Youtube: Along the way with Rosie.

Wisdom learned… by Rosie

Wisdom learned... 

 

when dealing with “crud”!

Wisdom learned when doing messy farm chores...  (well, you gotta think about something so I tend to philosophize a bit.)

“Dive bombing” birds - chattering and swirling around me as I headed through the horse shed finally got my attention.  “Get out of my face!”   Then my lightning-swift mind told me... something is amiss here!

Are the baby swallows leaving their nest?

You stand still and look around.  They must have.  But there is one tiny baby on the ground... well... actually on a pile of horse dung!  

And as I stood quietly watching, I hoped he would be O.K.  With horses milling around inside the shed he didn’t pick the safest place to land.   

And as I contemplated his situation, these thoughts came to mind - that reflect not only on the bird - but on how many times the rest of us might be in a similar situation.  And wondering if we should do anything about it.

Philosophical Contemplation Number One:  Advice for baby bird (and me):  So you left the nest... and you landed on a pile of “sh#t”.  Suggestion: just try to fly... or hop... to get away and at least you might get to a safer pile!   And maybe find a better world!  

Next time I came out I saw him sitting on a pile next to the wall - well, safer anyway!

Chore time came again and now I know enough to look for any errent birdling on the ground.  Didn’t see any.

But as I headed out the next gate, swallows started “dive bombing” me again!  So I immediately stood still... and looked down at the ground.  A few inches from my boot was a baby bird sitting on another knob of horse dung.  I had just missed stepping on him.

Philosophical Contemplation Number Two:  Guess this reminds me that if we look closer at what looks like “crap”, we might see a little “blob” of beauty... like a tiny feathered baby bird.   

And as I looked even closer at the tiny birdling... I could see that he must not have moved for quite a while because behind him he had a pile of “droppings” of his own!

This led to Philosophical Contemplation Number Three:  That if we find outselves in a crummy situation or in someone else’s dung pile... and we don’t move away from it... we just add to it by ourselves!  

But there is hope... the next time I went out to do chores the little baby bird was no longer there.

I wonder if he learned as much as I did!

.

Old West cavalry-cowboys!

Fastest growing Equine Sport

Cowboy Mounted Shooting 

Father - Son Duo! 

 Rich Elias of Cannon Falls and Anthony Elias of Zumbrota

Director Dustin Lindahl

The Minnesota Mounted Shooters, part of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association held their event at Simon Arena last weekend drawying 41 “main match” pistol contestants, 6 rifle shooters, and 9 wranglers (children under 12 years old).  On Sunday there were 26 “main match” riders and 3 wranglers.  Plus many viewing the event.

The contestants recreate the combination of old time cavalry soldier and cowboy - competitive shooting while riding a horse.  Besides pistols, local Mounted Shooting also includes events such as Mounted Rifle and Mounted Shotgun.

 There are ten targets (balloons) and they use a variety of guns.  In the  races pictured they used two Old West single action .45 caliber revolvers with specially loaded black powder blank loads with a range of about 20 feet.

Results were:

Saturday:

Men's Champion: Jim Hanson from Sturgis, SD 

Reserve Men's Champion: Paul Duncombe, St. Michael, MN

Women's Champion: Kallie Hainline, Winthrop, IA

Reserve Women's Champion: Rachael Chilson, Princeton, MN

All won cash payouts

Jim Hanson also won the Rifle Class

Sunday: 

Men's Champion: Mark Brave, Arcadia, WI

   Reserve: Men's Champion: Dustin Lindahl, Red Wing, MN

Women's Champion: Andra Olson, Monticello, MN

    Reserve: Rachael Chilson

All won Cash payouts

Weekend Overall Cowboy: Kevin Gustafson, Stanchfield, MN won a $200 gift certificate for Red Wing Boots

Weekend Overall Cowgirl: Rachael Chilson: Won a gift certificate for a free horse trailer acid wash at Arena Trailer Sales.

Weekend Limited Cowboy: Dustin Lindahl: won a full set of Classic Equine boots from Little's Performance Horses

Weekend Limited Cowgirl: Kallie Hainline: won a headstall made by Graham Equine

Other prizes included cash drawings and horse products. 

Sponsors for the weekend were: Arena Trailer Sales (Gift Certificate for trailer wash)

Little’s Performance Horses (Classic Equine Splint Boots)

Runnings (Gift Cards)

Red Wing Boots (Gift Certificate)

Don & Mary Lindahl (Cash)

Cannon Falls Trailer Sales (Cash)

Ag Partners (Cash)

Rod’s Liquors in Cannon Falls (Cash)

Animal Health Center - Dr. Mike Peterson (Cash)

Subway of Cannon Falls (Food for balloon setters on Sunday)

Lindsay Fulton ran the food stand

The balloon setters for the weekend were the Cannon Falls Bomber's Trap Team, who earned enough money to provide two students a trap team scholarship. They are coached by Gregg Twedt.