Near La Salle in Watonwan County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Site of Capture of the Younger Brothers

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 28, 2016

1. Site of Capture of the Younger Brothers Marker

Inscription. On the morning of September 21, 1876, sixteen days after the Northfield bank robbery, the Younger brothers and Charley Pitts stopped at the Sorbel farm home on the north shore of Linden Lake in Brown County. They asked for food and received it, but were recognized by 16-year-old Oscar Sorbel who fled on his horse to Madelia and spread the alarm. A posse was quickly formed to join in the search. The robbers managed to escape on foot but were surrounded by 40 men in the Watonwan River bottom just to the east of this site.

One of the posse, Captain William Wallace Murphy, called for volunteers. Six men stepped forward -- Sheriff Glispin, Colonel T.L. Vought, B.M. Rice, G.A. Bradford, C.A. Pomeroy, and S.J. Severson. Forming a line twelve feet apart, they charged and started firing. Pitts was killed and the Younger bothers were captured, taken to Madelia, placed in the Flanders Hotel under guard until they were transferred to Faribault in Rice County. They were tried and sentenced to prison for life. Bob Younger died in prison, Cole and Jim were paroled after about twenty years.

Erected 1976 by Watonwan County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is September 21, 1876.

Location. 44° 3.694′

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N, 94° 34.156′ W. Marker is near La Salle, Minnesota, in Watonwan County. Marker is on Township Rd. 108, 0.3 miles Minnesota State Hwy 3., on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Salle MN 56056, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lake Hanska (approx. 4.3 miles away); Lake Hanska Pioneer / Lake Hanska County Park (approx. 4.3 miles away); Omsrud Thordson – Torgrimson Log Cabin (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Godahl Store (approx. 4.8 miles away); Rosendale Church (approx. 5 miles away); Ole Boxrud (approx. 5.4 miles away); Norwegian Stabbur (approx. 6.9 miles away); Truss Bridge #6527 (approx. 6.9 miles away).

Regarding Site of Capture of the Younger Brothers. The Northfield raid occured on September 7, 1876, 14 days prior to their capture, not 16 days as mentioned on the marker.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Millersburg marker about the Northfield Bank Robbery.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 28, 2016

2. Site of Capture of the Younger Brothers Marker

Younger Brothers Captured (Original Marker) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 28, 2016

3. Younger Brothers Captured (Original Marker)

Younger Brothers
Captured
at this location Sept 21 1876
by the following volunteers
James Glispin
W.W. Murphy
C.A. Pomeroy
Geo A. Bradford
S.J. Severson
B.M. Rice
T.L. Vought

Pictures of Volunteers of Posse which captured the Younger Brothers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 28, 2016

4. Pictures of Volunteers of Posse which captured the Younger Brothers

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 2,999 times since then and 256 times this year. Last updated on January 24, 2019. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2017, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.