Bill Stiles claims that the original idea was his. He knew Minnesota and would act as the guide through that country. Jesse James was all for it. A daring robbery in a place where the gang had never operated and would not be expected. What Jesse liked especially was that heading north to rob Minnesota banks would allow the gang to steal bona-fide Yankee money for a change. They would have to scout the area carefully, make sure they picked the right bank. Who would recognise any of them in Minnesota? Clell Miller had come of age riding with Blood Bill Anderson. That was where he had first met Jesse. Ma James doesn't trust Bill Stiles. She is the one who tells Clell Miller to watch out for Jesse and Frank on this daring raid.
