Cave News

Devil’s Gulch in Garretson, South Dakota and the outlaw Jesse James story

The most famous thing that ever happened in Garretson, South Dakota, was a meeting of the outlaw Jesse James and a ravine named Devil's Gulch.

But did it really happen?

According to Garretson lore, Jesse evaded capture just outside of town by spurring his horse to leap the ravine -- a feat that everyone agrees is nearly impossible.

Most historians believe that it is impossible. The town thinks that its impossibility only makes its reality more wonderful. Signs and plaques at the site, now named Devil's Gulch Park, are written with the pro-jump position in mind.

The Story

Jesse found himself in out-of-the-way Garretson in September 1876 after his gang had tried and failed to rob a bank in Northfield, Minnesota. For the next two weeks he fled west, staying ahead of his pursuers by stealing horses.

Only Devil's Gulch stood between him and freedom. As a sign at the Gulch breathlessly describes it, Jesse "spun his horse and sprinted towards the chasm. With the lawmen watching with mouths agape Jesse's horse hurled itself across the 20-foot gorge."

The reality

There are more holes in this story than would eventually be in Jesse James. The posse was reportedly just a group of about 20 poorly armed local farmers, probably in no mood to get too close to a crack shot like Jesse. His horse was not Pegasus, but a half-broken-down farm nag, probably incapable of jumping even a fence. And Devil's Gulch is only a half-mile long. Jesse could have simply ridden around it, which is probably what he did -- but we'll never know for sure.

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I grew up in Sioux Falls just 30 miles south of Devils Gulch. I never once talked to anyone who believed the story that Jesse James actually jumped the gulch.

The Pepperdine Unicersity Waves of Flags 9/11 Memorial returns for 13th year

Pepperdine University’s striking 9/11 memorial installation, the Waves of Flags, is on display along Pacific Coast Highway once again this year, despite campus being closed to students due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. However, this year, the popular display will be closed to visitors, meaning members of the public may not park their cars and wander through the flags, a popular activity for many in the LA area to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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Biden claimed the number of Military Service Members Dead From Covid was 6,114. The actual number was only 7. Biden was off by 6,107

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (pictured) inflated the number of U.S. military service members who have died from coronavirus by a factor of approximately 1,000.

"Military COVID infected: 118,984. Military COVID deaths: 6,114. Folks, every one of these lives mattered," Biden said at a rally in Warren, Mich.

He did not cite a source for the 6,114 number, but it is off by 6,107, according to the Department of Defense's website. The number of military deaths is seven and the number of combined deaths between military, civilian, dependent, and contractor Department of Defense employees is 90.

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Remember 911

How soon before these black lives matter?

Discount retailer Century 21 files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy closing all of its 13 stores after nearly 60 years in business

Century 21 Stores — a destination for bargain hunters looking for fat deals on designer dresses and shoes, cosmetics and housewares for nearly 60 years — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is winding down its business, shutting all 13 stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Century 21 joins more than two dozen retailers who have filed for bankruptcy since the pandemic which forced non-essential stores to temporarily close.

Century 21 store in Lincoln Square, Manhattan, NY ___________________________________

Sob story by Century 21 co-CEO Raymond Gind: “We now have no viable alternative but to begin the closure of our beloved family business because our insurers, to whom we have paid significant premiums every year for protection against unforeseen circumstances like we are experiencing today, have turned their backs on us at this most critical time."

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Among the companies that have filed for bankruptcy during the pandemic are J.C. Penney, Loft owner Ascena Retail Group, True Religion and Lucky Brand.

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A new media demand

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make list of appearance demands

From a report at the link below:

They really are royal pains.

Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured above) have issued a long list of demands involving their speaking appearances — including an upfront guarantee of the exact amount of money they will be paid and the ability to choose who introduces them and moderates the event, a report said Tuesday.

Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle — who last week inked a multimillion-dollar production deal with Netflix — recently signed on with the New York-based powerhouse Harry Walker Agency to rep them for speaking engagements.

According to a four-page “Virtual Event Request Form” devised by HWA for the royal duo, the pair will have the say-so on every detail of their online appearances, said London’s Telegraph, which obtained a copy of the conditions.

For example, “The choice of Introducer and Moderator will be at the final discretion of the Speaker,” the form states.

In addition, “The Fee will need to be paid directly from the contracting organization’s account.”

As this report began: They really are royal pains.

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The obscure 1934 Raleigh Safety Seven Tourer three-wheeled car

This 1934 Raleigh Safety Seven Tourer automobile was made by The Raleigh Cycle Co. of Nottingham England.

Raleigh introduced their first three-wheeler car, the Raleigh Safety Seven in 1932. Powered by a twin-cylinder 742cc engine, the Safety Seven featured an aluminum body fastened onto an ash framework and was available either as a four-seater sedan or an open top car.

The car had a top speed of about 55mph and a fuel consumption of 60mpg.

Raleigh returned to bicycle production in1935.

He's not too sure about his latest bonus

"In lieu of a bonus I will LIKE and SHARE everything you put on FACEBOOK for the next 30 days."