Devils Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Squishy

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Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Hello all!
About an hour from my home is a little town called Garretson, SD. Garretson is the home of "Devil's Gulch" which is where Jesse James jumped his horse across the gulch to escape a posse that was chasing him. Here are a couple pictures of the spot where he jumped.

View from above
IMG_9719.jpg


View from below (He jumped the narrow spot where the bridge is)
IMG_9748.jpg


-Mike-
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Not that I'm doubting you... but, really? A horse (with a rider) jumped that?? Wowzers!
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

All I'm gonna say about that is.... That's one BAD ASS horse!
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

CanadianTrout said:
Not that I'm doubting you... but, really? A horse (with a rider) jumped that?? Wowzers!

Yep! Probably the most famous thing to ever happen around here. I suppose it was jump or get caught and be hung. Lots on the internet about it if you do a search.

Well... I guess the other famous thing around here is that Laura Ingalls Wilder lived around here. Walnut Grove is just down the road. As far as I know, she never jumped a horse over anything, though. :)

-Mike-
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

As far s jumping goes..I remember from my junior high history that Simon Girty was reported to have jumped 22 feet I believe while running from Indians and reloading his muzzle loading rifle...it's supposed to be true...it's probably googleable....

Mike
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

...and Geronimo jumped his horse off Medicine Bluff near Ft. Sill to elude soldiers! Sorry, that one's not true. Doesn't matter, I like legends about Jesse James and it enhances the site, but from your pics it don't need too much enhancing.
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Joecoin:
Thanks for thhe correction...I knew it was one of the "Simon's" ...there was a Simon Girty also...seems that part of the story may not have been true about him reloading while running....but again thanks for the correction!!!


Mike

P.S. I live around 35 miles from that site...I think I'll visit it this summer. I also am in the Philippines now...15 hours in the tube from Newark, NJ alone...not good w/ Restless Leg Syndrome..... ::)
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Thats a great pic! And the story. That got my attention! :icon_thumright:
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

SeaninNH said:
All I'm gonna say about that is.... That's one BAD ASS horse!
I second that. I think that is a great legend needing a little more research
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Here's another picture from the top. Doesn't look quite as wide from this angle.

IMG_9707.jpg
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

marinemike72 said:
As far s jumping goes..I remember from my junior high history that Simon Girty was reported to have jumped 22 feet I believe while running from Indians and reloading his muzzle loading rifle...it's supposed to be true...it's probably googleable....

Mike
I read that in 1 of the Allen Eckert books, great reading ! The indians chased him time and time again and I think they called him the man who's gun was always loaded or something similar. the guy was amazing
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

I've done some pretty wild things on horseback since I was a small child . If someone (or group of
someones) were going to shoot me I would try it .
If I was doing the chasing .......... not so much . Always another day ......................
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

Thats a long way to the bottom.
 

Re: Devil's Gulch - Where Jesse James jumped to escape posse

not only is that great history, but what a beautiful place!! is it a swimming hole, or off limits? & I agree one bada- - horse for a bad- - man
 

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