The Jesse James - Younger gang fled from Northfield, Minnesota after a failed bank robbery. Young Sorbel recognized the gang as they passed his Hanska farm. Bob, Cole and Jim Younger would eventually surrender to this seven-man posse 8 miles west of Madelia on the banks of the Watonwan River. Charlie Pitts died in the shootout.
Left to Right: Bob Younger; Cole Younger; and Jim Younger; portraits of the three notorious Younger . The Younger Brothers were captured by a local posse on September 21, 1876, on the bank of the Watonwan River.
An aerial view of St. James in 1897 from the standpipe. Note: a standpipe is a water source positioned at a Railroad station for the use of steam locomotives.
Ashippun Post Office was the first in Watonwan County. It was built in 1857 and was located on Watonwan River's south branch in Rosedale Township. In 1925 it was moved to the City Park in Madelia by the local chapter of the D.A.R.
Noonan Hotel kitchen and staff. Pictured left to right: Mary Sague, Agnes Harrison, unknown, Mrs. Wagner, unknown, Mrs. (Cliff) Margaret Harrison Thompson (twin to Agnes Harrison), and Josie Haug.