Bones: Northfield Update
A few weeks ago the Northfield News ran a story called Bones: Northfield. The story was about a new forensic investigation into a skeleton located here at the Northfield Historical Society since the early 1980's. Dr. Kate Blue, a Forensic Anthropologist at Mankato State University (MSU) and Dr. James Bailey, a Political Science and Law Enforcement Professor at MSU came to NHS in early December to do a preliminary investigation on the skeleton. On January 31, 2008 the skeleton took a trip down to Mankato for a more in depth investigation into the skeleton. On February 8th the Mankato Free Press ran a story about the skeleton's journey to MSU.
Our goal for this investigation is to get a better understanding of this person. We would like to do a facial re-construction of the skull to put a face on the remains. If you would like to donate to NHS for this project please send a check to; Northfield Historical Society, 408 Division Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Or contact us by calling us at 507-645-9268 We will keep you posted on any further developments. Both photos courtesy Northfield News and The Mankato Free Press
BONES
MY GRANDFATHER'S GRANDFATHER WAS CHARLEY PITTS. HOW INTERESTING THAT AFTER ALL THIS TIME, OUR FAMILY SKELETONS ARE COMING OUT OF THE BASEMENT!! Our family had been told a med student had taken the body and used that his (Charley Pitts') skeltal remains were in a Dr's office. His ear used to be on display the museum in Dodge City Kansas. Following the Northfield Raid, Cole Younger went to prison and wrote a book about the adventures of the Younger brothers and the James' gang. Cole himself delivered a copy of this book to Charley's widow and my family still has possession of the book.
Judy Gesaman, Missouri