Millersburg in Rice County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Millersburg & the Northfield Bank Robbery
September 6-7, 1876
Thirteen Swedish families lived in the Millersburg area in 1876, including Peter Gustafson who was recently joined by his brother Nicolaus and nephew Ernst from Sweden. West of Millersburg that morning, Peter Youngquist and four Swedish neighbors harnessed his mules and headed for Northfield to sell farm produce. Riding with the Youngquist party was 30 year-old Nicolaus Gustafson. It was Thursday, September 7, 1876.
The Swedes arrived in Northfield around 1:00 pm and set up their vegetable wagon along the Cannon River near 5th Street. About 2:00 pm, they heard gunshots. Nicolaus Gustafson ran to the intersection of Division and 5th a block away, where he was shot in the head by Cole Younger as the bank was being robbed. Gustafson died four days later. A Swede named John Olson was an eyewitness to the Gustafson shooting and testified against Cole Younger.
The bank robbery failed because of the bravery of several local citizens and uncharacteristic behavior of some gang members. Jesse James did not drink alcohol and never permitted his gang members to drink on the job, but witnesses stated that three of the Northfield bank robbers had been drinking whiskey shortly before the robbery. For this and other reasons, authorities questioned whether Jesse James was in Northfield on September 7, 1876.
During the attempted robbery, Nicolaus Gustafson and acting bank cashier Joseph Heywood were murdered; two gang members were killed by Northfield residents; six escaped. The surviving gang members left Northfield by the Dundas road and headed west for Millersburg. Three were badly wounded.
Erected by Christdala Church Preservation Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Jesse James series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 6, 1876.
Location. 44° 25.641′ N, 93° 19.67′ W. Marker is in Millersburg, Minnesota, in Rice County. Marker is on Millersburg Blvd (County Route 1), on the right when traveling east. Adjacent to Millersburg School Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Northfield MN 55057, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Christdala Swedish Lutheran Church 1877 (approx. 1˝ miles away); Nicolaus Gustafson (approx. 1˝ miles away); A Flour Milling Revolution (approx. 2˝ miles away); Sesquicentennial Legacy Plaza (approx. 8.4 miles away); Civil War Monument (approx. 8˝ miles away); The Big Woods (approx. 8.6 miles away); Bishop Henry B. Whipple (approx. 9˝ miles away); The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour (approx. 9˝ miles away).
Also see . . . Northfield, Minnesota Bank Robbery - Angelfire.com. (Submitted on April 5, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2016, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 1,030 times since then and 78 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 4, 2016, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.