View single post by ole
 Posted: Fri May 4th, 2007 01:39 pm
PM Quote Reply Full Topic
ole
Member


Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2006
Location:  
Posts: 2027
Status: 
Offline
Mana: 
 On the subject of Jesse James' Caves and local lore, there is a significant location in southeastern South Dakota, in and around the hamlet of Garretson. Fleeing from the abortive effort at Northfield, Minnesota, Jesse is said to have traversed the area staying in at lease one "cave" in the quartzite palisades that border the nearby river. (In this rock, caves were more overhangs than what first comes to mind when thinking of them.)

Local legend also has it that Jesse once eluded his pursuers by jumping his horse over a chasm.  The chasm is, of course, still there and a locally popular tourist attraction. Had Jesse not made that jump (and perhaps he didn't) he'd have been quite dead, not to mention his horse. The exposed rock on both sides gives no purchase to a leaping or landing horse. On the other hand, there simply is no way across without miles of detour.

Has any fan of the Jesse James legend heard of this tiny part of it?

Ole