The robbers are familiar with Mankato having cased it out earlier. Their first choice may very well have been to rob a bank here but they were discouraged by a large presence at the bank. It was a board meeting which they mistook as defenders who had been alerted to their intentions. Thus Mankato avoided the ignomity of having their restaurants, coffee shops, bowling alley and high school teams named after a bunch of robbers and murderers.
The gang knew they had obstacles: the city, railroads and rivers. Furthermore, although they didn't know it, Mankato was the headquarters for the posse. But, as the gang hadn't been seen for several days, the posse was dwindling.
Just a couple of miles northeast of town, on Wednesday morning (the 13th), they emerged from their hideout at an abandoned farmhouse and encountered a farmboy, Jeffrey Dunning, whom they kidnap. (See the additional waypoint below.) They threaten him and get him to reveal what he knows about where they are and how they might get through the city. Some of the villains wanted to murder Dunning; but after a mile or so they released him with his oath not to rat on them. He was faithful to this promise .. at least for a while. By the time he revealed to his folks where he had been and what was bothering him, it didn't make much difference.
Using Dunning's directions the gang approached two bridges over the Blue Earth River - a highway bridge and a railroad trestle nearby. Picketers were on the highway bridge. Throwing stones around the trestle the outlaws were able to determine that it was unguarded and they limped across about 2:00 AM on Thursday morning. The cache is at the listed coordinates and is above the remaining abutment of the trestle. Caution: you do not need to descend the river bank to reach the cache. For a better view of the site go across the river.
This hybrid is also a letterbox. So bring your stamp and pad if you have them; and use the letterboxing clues if you need additional hints.
Previous stop: Marysburg.
Next stop: Rush Lake.