Horseshoe Hunt Clue Explanation from Tim Freeland and Ali Feldman (Co-Chairs of the event):

2025 Horseshoe Hunt Clue Explanation

Horseshoe Hunt Clue Explanation from Tim Freeland and Ali Feldman (Co-Chairs of the event):

Chad Beumer found the Horseshoe around 4:40pm on Saturday (08/30/2025). This was after 4 of 5 clues. This is the first year there are 5 clues instead of 6. We did this to eliminate the possible Labor Day finale. People need that day off to enjoy after many days of intense hunting. Chad registered his button and will receive the full $2000 payout! Chad has hunted for around 15 years and would even take off work to hunt with his son Ross. He was off Thurs and Friday this year, out many hours each day, including all day today, raking through grass until he finally hit gold.

We (Ali Feldman and myself, Tim Freeland, co-chairs of the hunt) want to thank all that played along with our game this year. We hope you enjoyed your time this week getting out into Northfield with friends and family to learn some history and to explore new areas of Northfield you may not have known about.

This piece of land where we hid the horseshoe was behind Godfather’s Pizza for a long time we recall it being used for different things. It was where the City had extra maintenance equipment, street signs, gravel and sand. Many used to fish back there. It also happens to be the very spot written about in the explanation to the 2022 hunt when it was hidden in Babcock Park. This bit of land used to house small cabins that people could rent in the 50’s when traveling about the US with their new automobiles. This was the era of pre-motels and hotel before mass rollout. Dr. Fager Babcock built and tended to his “Tourist Park” on this spot of land where guests would stay as they passed through town.

Please check out Clue #5 below as the final tribute to Chip DeMann. Also look at the map of the area below in the photo gallery.

Clue #1 – Aug 27th, 2025 – Wednesday.
Now gather ’round, you seekers true, for tales of yore, I’ll spin for you.
A man once rode with fire and pride, where Jesse’s gang came to collide.
A quiet soul, a friend to men, this hunt begins about Chip DeMann.
He volunteered his spirit, for truth and history’s plea, a guardian of the past, for all the world to see.

EXPLANATION CLUE 1.
Long time James-Younger Gang reenactor leader Chip DeMann passed shortly after last year’s Defeat Days on Sept 13th 2024. He was considered by many to be the founder of the modern day “Gang” around 1973.

Chips Obituatry Link here. 

This is nothing more than a poem setting the scene for the rest of the clues. There are 3 references to the mini-roundabout that sits right in front of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel. “Round”, “Spin” and “About”.

Clue #2 – Aug 28th, 2025 – Thursday.
Time moseyed on, and Chip found his part, playin’ Bob Younger with grit in his heart.
He’d ride into town in a cloud full o’ smoke, such a beacon to us all, while the crowd whooped and joked.
When Labor Day had faded, and autumn air grew keen, Chip shed his quiet demeanor, for a more daring scene.
Into the First National Bank, a robber’s desperate plight, he’d reenact the chaos of that legendary fight.

EXPLANATION CLUE 2.
Line 2. The big line! “Ride into” is literally in reference to the path the gang takes before ever raid reenactment as they leave the private property they camp on during “Defeat Week”. They ride behind the Crossings and the Fairfield Inn on City-owned land on a path, mowed for people to walk on. It can be hard knowing what property is public and private. Using the Rice County Tax record website “Beacon” or (http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/) you can use the map to click around and see what’s private and what is public. While you’re at it, you can also see (on the map) where the gang stages at the Kopp’s back yard next door (private property of course).

Clue #3 – Aug 29th, 2025 – Friday.
A tale he told of a trail so wide, the hooves still echo near the riverside.
The crowd would cheer, the rifles cracked, as Chip brought Northfield’s past right back.
A second of three generations, in a lineage so grand, the DeManns and reenactment, go hand and hand.
Not for gold, nor for glory, nor fame on the run, but to show how the townsfolk had stood with their guns.

EXPLANATION CLUE 3.
Line 1. “(near the) riverside” is the name of the restaurant in the Fairfield Inn and telling people it’s by the Cannons’ riverside. The “trail” that runs the whole way behind the Crossing and the Fairfield leads the Gang from their weekend home during Defeat Week to 2nd street where they ride down Division Street before each raid. This trail is mowed for people to walk on too. This line actually describes the spot to the “T”! Being right outside the Hotel’s restaurant. Along the wide path that the Gang rides back and forth on. (see photo). Of course it’s also “near the [Cannon] riverside” literally. But not within 15’, which was a new rule silently added this year. Ali and I decided not to point this out, while we did point out the other big change, which was changing this from a 6 to a 5 day event. In fact, it was placed as far away from water as possible, on the west side of the trail.
Line 2. “crowd would cheer” is a reference to Laird Stadium across the river on the Carleton campus.
Line 3. This points to 2nd street and Highway 3. Chip’s father Chuck played Henry Wheeler in the first 1948 reenactment. Chuck was a raider and defender in reenactments for many years. Currently, Chip’s son Trip is the leader of the James and Younger Gang Reenactors, his daughter Molly is the Raid Reenactment Coordinator and son Gus is a frequent reenactor.
Line 4. Nothing here. But, it’s just an awesome line.

Clue #4 – Aug 30th, 2025 – Saturday.
He taught his 3 Kin, how the brave made a stand, and baked Jesse’s tale, into Northfield’s brand.
The bank raid re-enactment, a spectacle so grand, thanks to Chip DeMann’s efforts, across Northfield land.
BOB Younger’s role was gritty, a tough One to portray, he’d have to mount with brother Cole, before getting-away.
Down Division Street they’d gallop, for an action-Packed ride, Chip brought that history to life, with Passion deep inside.

EXPLANATION CLUE 4.
Line 1. #3 for Highway 3. Stand= Laird. “Baked” references the Brick Over Bakery (BOB).

NOTE: We are spelling out Kopp with oddly placed capital letters, to give homage to the Kopp’s for allowing the “Gang” to use their private property along the river as base camp for the Raiders each year. Using the Rice county website and looking at properties through the Beacon interface, you can click around the public information about property, including owner names. You can see the Kopp’s are adjacent to the City of Northfield property along with the Northfield Crossing LLC. that owns the Crossings Condominiums and the Fairfield Inn, owned by Northfield Hotel Properties LLC.

Line 2. “Bank” is a reference to the Premiere bank. “across”…The Crossing (condos on the river). Also “Northfield” saying its in Northfield and “Land” indicating its on the ground. And that is “City owned property”.
Line 3. BOB is the acronym for “Brick Over Bakery”. Bob Younger’s roll requires the reenactor to fire with both hands and mount behind another rider and ride double out of town. (just some history).
Line 4. Envisioning them riding from camp towards the reenactment down Division street.

Clue #5 – Aug 31st, 2025 – Sunday.
But time, like a river, don’t slow for no man, and the saddle grew heavy, for ol’ Chip DeMann.
He hung up his hat, with a tear and a grin, knowin’ the tale would keep ridin’, through the gang and his kin.
The town tipped its hat, as he faded from view, still hearin’ his boots, as the dust upward blew.
On a crisp autumn morn, with the leaves burnin’ red, the news spread through town: “Ol’ Chip’s gone ahead”.