2021 Defeat of Jesse James Days Horseshoe Hunt

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The 24th Annual, 2021 Hunt Dates: Sept 1 – 6

Clues are posted to this sites, on the KYMN Radio and Northfield News sites along with on the DJJD Facebook pages. Clues go live at 7am each day. 

REGISTER BUTTON FOR FULL PRIZE (Click Here)

 Horseshoe Hunt Rules and Guidelines

  • (IMPORTANT – REGISTER FIRST) Buttons need to be registered before the start of the hunt to receive the full grand prize.  If you did not register and do find the horseshoe, the payout is $300.
  • We ask that you follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.
  • Northfield public school grounds are NOT city-owned and exempt from this contest.  Please stay off all school property, including the colleges.
  • Members of the DJJD Committee (per prior years official brochure) and their immediate family are not eligible to participate.
  • Clues are posted online on this site, the Northfield News and the KYMN Radio sites each day no earlier than 7am.
  • When the horseshoe is found and finder eligibility confirmed, the announcement will be officially posted on this site and Facebook. A full explanation of clues will be posted shortly after.
  • The winner must be 18 years old or older.  In past years, families & groups join together to work out the clues and search for the horseshoe.  This is acceptable as long as a legal adult is supervising the search and able to represent the family/group if found.
  • The horseshoe will be located on public property within Northfield or Dundas and will not be buried. NO digging will be needed in the retrieval of the horseshoe and it will not require the use of a ladder. PRIVATE property is excluded and we ask you are respectful as you search public areas. Be sure you research whether a spot is public or not before looking there.  Should damage to any property occur, or any rule be broken while searching for the horseshoe, the participant(s) become disqualified, forfeit prize money and may be ban from future contests.
  • While the police are notified in advance of this contest and made aware of the possibility that people may be walking around aimlessly, private property owners have the right to contact authorities if you are on their property.
  • The DJJD Committee is not responsible for any personal injury or accident incurred hunting for or retrieving the horseshoe.  The horseshoe is placed with safety in mind. Closely monitor children in your party. Please hunt responsibly.
  • When the horseshoe is found, the winner must immediately notify Tim Freeland (507-581-5038). Tim will confirm the shoe authenticity. There is only 1 horseshoe like this one in the world. Only past winners are aware of the markings on its backside used for verification. You must be present at the DJJD Committee meeting the Tuesday following the event to receive your check.  (Usually held around 6:30pm at the Northfield Eagles Club location). The horseshoe is a historical artifact and must be returned to the committee. Tim will take the horseshoe from you upon verification or shortly after.
  • There is no cost for this event but you do need to register this years DJJD button in advance to claim the FULL prize.
  • If you win, you must agree to be publicly named along with the possibility of an on-air radio interview, your photo and name(s) on various local websites and a picture and write up in the paper (possible but not guaranteed).
  • If the horseshoe goes unfound by midnight on Tuesday, the week of DJJD, the hunt will officially end for the year and prize money will be returned to the donors. The purse does not grow into the next hunting year.
  • The use of metal detectors are prohibited. If you see someone using one, please alert Tim (Text 507-581-5038). The use of magnets are allowed.

 A Note From The Event Chairman

 Hunting for the horseshoe can be frustrating, but very much rewarding. My goal is to get people out in the community to enjoy our great city, the public areas and to be with friends, families and neighbors. I want you to learn about our public areas and history. Clues have been interpreted in many different ways each year. If you think you’ve come up with a clever connection relating to your hunt experience, please email me with details.  I love to hear about it. Tell me your story.  And if you find anything that resembles a horseshoe, as many people do amazingly, take a photo of it and send to me. 

I do my best to be fair to all hunters and to give everyone an even playing field. Remember that our committee is an all-volunteer organization and we do what we do because we love the event, the City, and the people. While my clues often involve the use of technology, I do not ever make it so those who are not tech-savvy are at a disadvantage. 

Once the game is over, I will publish an explanation of all clues that reveal what I had in mind when writing them.  Thank you for hunting! 

Tim Freeland – Event Chairman 

Tim at DJJD dot org. Please Text questions to 507-581-5038. 

Please support these Official Event Sponsors! They pay for the prize

 

 

 

 

A dedication to a hero!

At Heywood’s 3rd street house, at the funeral on September 12, 1876, the Reverend Delavan Levant Leonard gave the following funeral discourse on Joseph Lee Heywood:

“In God’s good providence we are permitted to gaze upon the charming spectacle, alas, too seldom seen, and when seen, too seldom considered, of the walk and conversation of a good man. Here was one thoroughly Christian in all his instincts and ambitions and practices – one of the pure in heart, with a vision for unseen things, and who walked by faith; who lived not for himself, but for others; who knew not how to be base, or dishonorable, or mean; knew not how to slight his work, or leave it half undone, or leave it for others to do; knew not how to prove false to his truth, or to flee from his post of duty; but who did know how to be faithful and true, utterly careless of the cost.

Mr. Heywood was beyond most men modest and timid. He did not even seem to know that he was lovable and well-beloved, and was held in high esteem by all. He courted no praise, and sought no reward. Honors must come to him unsought if they were to come at all. He would be easily content to toil on, out of sight and with services unrecognized, but in every transaction must be conscientious through and through, and do each hour to the full duties of the hour.

Yes, something such a one as this walked our streets, entered our homes, worshiped in our assemblies, and bore his share of our public burdens. And so dull is human appreciation, that had he ended his days after the ordinary fashion of humanity, it is much to be feared his worth had never been widely known.

We shall reread the record he has made with sharpened vision. Besides, some of the virtues in which he excelled, such as integrity, moral courage, unflinching steadfastness in pursuing the right, in the tragic circumstances surrounding the close of his life, found not only their supreme test, but their sublime climax as well. The charm lies in the perfect harmony existing between the acts of the last hour and the conduct of all the years that went before.”

The Reverend Delavan Levant Leonard

I’ve always held extreme admiration for Heywood.  He was asked just weeks before the bank was robbed if he would turn over the money if found at gunpoint.  He said, “I believe I should not”. He didn’t. He protected the entire town’s savings that day. I often ponder just what the “butterfly effect” would have been on Northfield if the funding were stolen in 1876.  Meaning, what would the trickle-down, real-world impacts have been on the early settlers that build this town.  Would some have left?  Would the colleges have survived without their savings intact?

There was significant drama in the years following the murder of Heywood about whether one should give up his life for an employer.  About whether or not the widow and children of Mr. Heywood were given proper financial assistance. I believe Heywood knew the significance of what the savings of its townspeople meant to the future of the city. He didn’t have to protect that vault like he did. All other banks had given into the James-Younger pressure and shiny revolvers that were pointed at their heads. Somehow Joseph Lee Heywood did not. 

Congratulation to Ed Brodie, Josh Ellingson and to Matt Littlefield. They will collect the full $1800 prize purse. These guys are very good at hunting for medallions! Ed has been down for years and years, spending a massive amount of time learning Northfield. He frequents many hunts around the state and has told me that this is one of his favorite and has learned to thoroughly love our city. I guess that’s the point of the game, to teach people about our history and to help show off many of our beautiful highlights.


Ed Brodie & John Ellingson in Heywood Park Sept 5th 2021. (submitted)

Hunt information
Dates:
First Clue:Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Found on:Sunday, September 5, 2021
Finders:
NameHometown
Ed Brodie West Saint Paul
Matt Littledield Apple Valley
Josh Ellingson Apple Valley
Prize:
Maximum Prize:$1800
Awarded Prize:$1800
Location:
General Location:Heywood Park
Exact Location:The Northeast corner of the park
Concealer:Under a pine tree
Clues
Published on Wednesday, September 1, 2021
The first thing you need to do is register your button.
Also, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a flyer.
You’ll want to brush up on your Northfield history.
And remember the colleges and schools are off-limits.
Oh, it also might help if you say a prayer.
Explanation:
In 2021, the horseshoe was hidden in Heywood park under a pine tree along the walking path on the east side of the park. All 5 line-items in today’s clue/tip refer to a sighting of Joseph Lee Heywood (JLH) in some form, featured in Northfield. The DJJD official 2021 button and flyer include Heywood’s face on the front (lines 1 and 2). You’ll also find a photo of this year’s Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Ray Ozmun, who gets referenced a few times in the clues. There are 3 locations in Northfield where memorials to Heywood are located: One in the bank museum at the Northfield Historical Society (line 3), at Severence Hall on the Carleton campus (line 4), and in a stained glass window at the United Church of Christ, the church JLH attended and was treasurer (line 5).



Stained Glass Window at First United Church of Christ (Congregational Church)
 
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Published on Thursday, September 2, 2021
The humble hunter will search from farm to forest.
You will want to rely on your training using strategy and discipline.
Make extra sure all clues are accounted for with precision.
When out in the field be sure to remain calm.
And it wouldn’t hurt to hunt quietly.
Explanation:
On day two I started a metamorphosis to Heywood’s name, slowly changing hey and wood each day. After the first line, the entire clue describes the personality traits of Mr. Heywood according to a number of books and more.
 
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Published on Friday, September 3, 2021
The veteran hunter will search from field to trees.
Finding the right field will give you a glimmer of hope.
And finding the right street will make all the difference.
But every townie knows who’s on third.
Knowing this will put you in first.
Explanation:
The first line is today’s metamorphosis into “hey wood”. Also, Heywood was a civil war veteran.

The second line refers to Ray Ozmun, this years Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award recipient. “Glimmer” = Ray of hope.

The right street refers to Heywood Park being on yet another “Jefferson” in town. There are so many. Drive, Road, Parkway, Blvd. The 4th line refers to the location of Heywoods home, still standing, that sold this past year and mentioned Heywood in its marketing description of 517 3rd St W. There’s another memorial plaque on a stone in front of this house telling of its heroic occupant. This line also mentions “Townie” which is right in the headline of an article that came out in the last Northfield News about Ray Ozmun, our Heywood award recipient, tying in lines #5 to #4 using the old Abbot & Costello skit. If you realize who I’m talking about on 3rd, you’ll be the first person to head to the right park.



As seen at 517 3rd Street W.
 
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Published on Saturday, September 4, 2021
The brave hunter will search from pasture to woods.
If you’re confused just keep the faith.
You’ll find a ray of light when this all comes together.
You’ll want to turn over every possible hiding spot.
But stay away from any eternal resting spot.
Explanation:
Line 1. We’re getting closer to Hey-wood.

Keep the faith is “Faithful”. There’s a book “Faithful Unto Death” about the Northfield raid and its hero. “Ray” of light is drawing attention to Ray Ozmun again. “Turn” over every spot is Turnberry Lane. But stay away from the (Northfield) cemetery where Heywood is buried, this line hinting at someone buried locally.

After his death, Carleton College established a Heywood Library Fund and installed a memorial plaque on campus which reads: A man modest, true, gentle; diligent in business; conscientious in duty; a citizen benevolent and honorable; towards God reverent and loyal; who, while defending his trust as a bank officer, fearlessly met death at the hands of armed robbers, in Northfield, Sept. 7, 1876. This tablet is inscribed by his friends as a tribute to heroic fidelity. ESTO FIDELIS USQUE AD MORTEM. (Faithful unto Death.)
 
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Published on Sunday, September 5, 2021
The bearded hunter will search from Hay to lumber.
You’re looking for a road, a park, and a hero all in one.
But, be sure to go east.
Or you’ll be up a creek without a horseshoe.
And it wouldn’t hurt to book your tickets to the banquet.
Explanation:
Line 1. I am describing Heywood’s beard in this clues daily metamorphosis. Today we get to the ”Hay” of Heywood. This line points to there being a Heywood park and street next to each other and that the park is named after a hero. It is hidden on the east end of town near “Creek Lane”. They are currently booking tickets to the JLHDSA Banquet right now to honor Ray Ozmun. There was a write-up in this past week’s Northfield News on the banquet.

Enjoy this animation rendering of what JLH may have looked like in a motion video

 
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