“Three Days in Dakota”

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, join us at 2:00pm as Russ Swanson documents the 1876 escape of the James/Younger gang as they tried to evade the largest manhunt in US history of its time. Admission is free with a reception to follow.

After the Northfield bank robbery, the James/Younger gang fled across southern Minnesota. Frank and Jesse eventually escaped into Dakota Territory before heading south past Sioux City, en route to their home in Missouri.  Detailed maps resulting from years of research will document the gang’s various stops along the way, including the hunt by Woodbury County Sheriff John McDonald.

Russ Swanson grew up and still lives north of Canton, SD along the banks of the Big Sioux River on the land his great, great grandfather homesteaded in 1870.  Having taught high school Ag Education and Engineering for 27 years, he also has a passion for researching and sharing local history.  His two biggest projects so far have been tracking down the escape route of the James/Younger gang following the Northfield robbery in 1876 and researching the old Military and Stagecoach road that followed the Big Sioux River from Sioux City to Sioux Falls in the late 1800s.