In the Aug. 25 Northfield News: Did Jesse James carve his initials while in Northfield? by Carol Roecklein. The article begins:
While ordering a cup of joe at the Jesse James Coffeehouse and Eatery, it’s easy to miss the plank of wood prominently displayed on a wall above the counter. Once the coffee is in hand, a sip taken and the eyes awaken, however, the primitive and plain words burned into the wood become clear: J.W.J. Sep. 5, 1847. And so it goes, the folklore of outlaw Jesse James continues. Owners Jim and Joan Spaulding have displayed the piece of wood given to them by Bob Jacobsen, a longtime Northfield resident and owner of the former Jacobsen Family Store. Beside the plank of wood, a framed white piece of paper recounts the events that led to the engraving.
Read the rest of the article for more. And see our July 26 blog post on the plank.
