This vintage real photo postcard features a view of the Jesse James Cafe in Northfield, Minnesota. Note the cafe’s sign below the three windows on the buildings second floor. There are also advertising signs evident for a chiropractor and for a barber shop. There is some interesting history attached to the cafe’s building. The building used to house the First Bank of Northfield which was involved in the historic “The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid”. In 1876, Northfield was a growing Southern Minnesota community. That same year, First Bank of Northfield, became of interest to the notorious gang of bank and train robbers, The James-Younger Gang consisted of Jesse and Frank James; Bob, Jim and Cole Younger, and three others. The robbers rode into Northfield and three of the gang members entered the bank and began the hold-up. Bank employees told them that the safe was locked and could not be opened. When a merchant witnessed the robbery in progress, he warned fellow citizens to arm themselves and fight to stave off the robbers. Gang members outside the bank began to fire their pistols and told the citizens to leave the area. After the ensuing gun fight, two robbers were killed and two were wounded. In addition, the bank cashier was killed when he refused to open the vault. Six of the robbers fled after the failed raid. After some time, the three Younger brothers were captured and another robber was killed in a gun battle. Ultimately, Jesse James (1842-1882) was killed by one of his new recruit gang members. He was killed while standing on a chair dusting off a picture. James was unarmed. His killer was motivated by a reward offered by the Governor of Missouri. This vintage postcard has a 1939 postmark from Northfield, Minnesota. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 