On May 09th, 2026, a group of metal detector enthusiasts converged on the site of the Jesse James 1873 train robbery in Adair Iowa. The train robbery site which is located along the famed "white Pole Road" is a very significant historic location because it marks the spot of the first train robbery in the American west, an event that would send shockwaves across the nation. This robbery also solidified the reputation of Jesse James as a controversial post-civil war figure, and feared outlaw whose escapades would lead to many large scale man-hunts to try to arrest the outlaw and his gang. The location is also important to railroad history because the Rock Island and Pacific railroad line that ran through here would pave the way west and the rails would contribute to the growth of small towns along the tracks leading to Omaha Nebraska.
The event was coordinated by historian, author and blogger Gene Stevens. The objective was to locate and recover any possible artifacts at the site to be given to local museums. Approximately thirty people from the Iowa Metal Detecting Group attended the event and assisted with the expedition. Many items were recovered that revealed the rich railroading history of Iowa in this region. Of particular interest was the presence of narrow gage railroad track and smaller railroad spikes which indicated the presence of a possible connected narrow gauge rail operation or spur in this location.
Flyer courtesy of the Adair County Conservation Board
An American Style engine of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Photo courtesy of Black Hawk Railway Historic Society
Railroad items recovered, railroad spikes, track bolts, track plates and one track rail anchor
Of particular interest was the large pin at the top of this photo. The pin is part of a "link and pin coupler" which dates between 1873 and 1900. The link and pin was the coupler of the day. Photo by the author
A close up of the pin, photo by the author
Historically, the Brakeman held the most dangerous job on the train. They had to walk atop moving cars and manually apply the brakes. The brakeman was also in charge of coupling the cars. He stood between the cars while holding the link in position to slide into the receiver of the car being coupled as it was pushed by an engine. The brakeman held the link in one hand an a second pin in the other while the next car is pushed into position. At exactly the right moment, he must let go of the link and insert the second pin into the pocket of the oncoming car. Early cars had no means of cushioning the impact so if the brakeman's timing was off, he could lose fingers, a hand, or even be crushed completely between the two cars. Links were kept short to reduce slack.
ref Tools from Our Collection: The Link and Pin Coupler
By Kristine Schmucker, Curator
Members of the group spread out across the area in search of artifacts. Photo by the author
Photo by the author
a part from a Caterpillar D8 tractor photo by the author
250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY
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