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Northfield, Minnesota, Bank Robbery Aftermath, photos

The dead and captured members of the James-Younger Gang after the attempted robbery of the First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota

The dead and captured members of the James-Younger Gang after the attempted robbery of the First National Bank building in Northfield, Minnesota, on September 7, 1876. The gang of eight (possibly nine) consisted of Jesse James, Frank James, Cole Younger, Jim Younger, Bob Younger, Clell Miller, Bill Chadwell and Charlie Pitts. The photos are identified as follows: Top row: Clell Miller (left) Bill Chadwell (right); middle row: Charlie Pitts (left) Cole Younger (right); bottom row: Jim Younger (left) and Bob Younger (right). Clell Miller and Bill Chadwell were killed during the robbery.

The two James brothers, the three Younger brothers (all three of which sustained gunshot wounds during the battle) and Charlie Pitts escaped from the scene with the six men riding on five horses. A massive manhunt began in search of the escaped robbers. At some point, the James brothers separated from the rest and escaped back to Missouri. On September 21, two weeks after the robbery, the Younger Brothers and Charlie Pitts were discovered and surrounded. Choosing to at first fight it out rather than surrender, the gang members came under heavy fire resulting in Charlie Pitts being killed and the Youngers again receiving gunshot wounds. The Youngers finally surrendered, pleaded guilty to escape the death penalty, and were given life sentences in the Minnesota State Prison. Bob Younger died in prison of tuberculosis in 1889. Cole and Jim Younger served twenty-five year terms and were paroled in 1901. Just one year later, Jim Younger committed suicide in 1902. Cole Younger later received a pardon and formed a traveling Wild West Show in partnership with Frank James. While the Younger's were serving time in prison, Jesse James was assassinated on April 3, 1882. Frank James died at the age of 72 of natural causes on February 8, 1915. Cole Younger died one year later on March 21, 1916, also at the age of 72.

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