Nothing piques my interest quite like outlaw legends, and there is something about the polite outlaw and his misguided morals that truly tugs at the heartstrings 
When that legend is local—even better! Black Bart (Charles E. Boles) was one of the most unusual stagecoach robbers in American history. There is no record of Bart every firing a shot in any of his 29 robberies.
On July 26, 1875 the Sonora to Milton stage in Calaveras County was robbed by a man wearing a flour sack over his head with two holes cut out for the eyes. The stage driver said he carried a double-barreled shotgun and wore a long linen duster and sacks on his boots as well, to hide his garb. His voice was resonant and deep and he only said, “Please throw down the box!” He was polite and used no foul language. These became the trademarks of Black Bart, who went on to stage 29 robberies. He never robbed the passengers—only taking Well’s Fargo strong boxes.
Why is he called the Poetic bandit? He would leave behind poems for the authorities to find while searching the area. The first poem was left tacked on a tree in 1875:
“I’ve labored long and hard for bread
for honor and for riches
But on my corns too long youve tred
You fine haired sons of Bitches
Black Bart
the PO 8
Driver, give my respects to our friend, the other driver;
but I really had a notion to hang my old disguise hat on his weather eye.
Respectfully, B.B.”
Some interesting facts: He wrote to his wife from Silver Bow, Montana in August of 1871 about a bad experience with men who worked for Wells, Fargo & Co. and swore to get back what was his…. He headed for the gold fields of California. Not much for horses he walked almost everywhere he went. Having marched 20+ miles a day with the Union army and living in the open air, California suited him nicely. Some legends have him teaching school. His wife assumed him dead when he stopped writing. Four years later he staged his first “polite” robbery. The item that led to his capture was a handkerchief accidentally left behind at his 29th robbery. Authorities traced 91 San Francisco laundries to find that the handkerchief belonged to Charles E. Bolton, a respectable mine engineer who was staying at Room 40, 37 2nd Street, San Francisco. Hume had him arrested and in his report recorded that Black Bart was, “A person of great endurance. Exhibited genuine wit under most trying circumstances (THAT is something to be admired in anyone ). Extremely proper and polite in behavior, eschews profanity.”
Bart was sentenced to six years in San Quentin Prison. He was released after serving four on account of his good behavior 
**Added Info: Black Bart’s last robbery was November 3, 1883, on the very same mountain pass as his first heist. After eight successful years as the “polite bandit”, Black Bart was fifty-four years old at the time of his capture. After his release from prison he lived in San Francisco for about a year and then disappeared. In the last letter to his wife he said he was tired of being demoralized by Wells Fargo and he wanted to get away from everyone. Wells Fargo officials traced him to a hotel in Visalia and found his valise in his room–but no Black Bart. His valise contained a can of corned beef, crackers and a hankerchief - I believe there’s a poetic messesge delivered in that
Butch Cassidy is another outlaw legend who fascinates me–I believe Elizabeth did a post on him not long ago. Doc Holiday is another favorite romantic legend that comes to mind. Did you know that both of Doc Holiday’s parents died at age 37–his mother dying of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis took Doc at the age of 36. After proclaiming he would not die in bed….he died in bed. His last words: “Now isn’t this funny…” His tombstone reads “He died in bed.”
How about the rest of y’all? Have any favorite western or outlaw legends?
Ah Black Bart. It is a legend close to my heart. When I was growing up we had a cabin in Calaveras county and I remember going around to see various things …including the old jail at Angels Camp. I think Murphy’s might have had some connection with him. Thanks for bringing back the memory.
The town where I went to university — Northfield MN, has Jesse James days in honour of the man who tried to rob the bank. The bank is now a museum. And the days in early september well attended. I have always felt sorry for the people who were killed in that raid, including the then treasurer of Carleton.
My favorite outlaw was Jesse James, but that is just because he has a local connection…with the Meramec Caverns hide-a-away and all
I’m gonna have to go with Butch Cassidy for my outlaw however I read a book not long ago called Outlaw by Susan Johnson and he was quite intriging!!!
We’re going to Writesville Beach today and will be back on the 25th unless we buy a laptop when we’re gone I’ll miss visiting you ladies. Stacey I do love your Hot book Covers!! I have a couple of reviews to turn in and Maverick Wild has been waiting for me which I haven’t minded looking at him on my shelf He looks quite nice waiting for me lol!!
Black Bart would have to be at the top of my list Stacey…any outlaw who didnt use bad language and wrote poetry…well..how could you not love them?
Jesse James would be another…dont know why, but he has always been one of those “bad men you love to hate” for me!!
Hmm, I agree you must love those polite outlaws, there’s just something…hugable about them.
But, Jesse James would have to be on my list–there’s a ‘family story’ about how he and his brother met up with some ancestor or another and shared an evening fire with them. In the morning they all went their separate ways. Okay, so it’s not a real exciting story… But still, it was talked about how considerate the men were.
Some western legends that I find fascinating are Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Pat Garrett.
I love the outlaw legends. Billy the Kid-was Brushy Bill Roberts really him? Did he leave behind a son? (I think so, just looking at the photographs). Butch and Sundance-did they really die in South America? And how different the ending might have been if Butch would have waited five minutes longer in that line shack.
But my favorite outlaw is Henry Berry Lowrie, a Civil War era outlaw. He was a Lumbee Indian from Robeson County, NC. After seeing his father and older killed by the Home Guard, he started a gang that struck from the security of the swamps of Robeson County. Henry was 17 when it started. And ultimately, it is believed that Henry’s last heist was to steal the reward money Robeson County had put in a safe at the local general store for his capture.
Oops-that should read “after seeing his father and older BROTHER killed”.
My fingers move faster than my brain.
Wow, I didn’t know that about Black Bart, Stacey. Was very glad he only got six years instead of a hanging!
And your stories were great, too, Terry. I didn’t know about Lowrie either.
I did do Butch Cassidy a while back, Stacey. According to his sister he survived the shootout in Bolivia and lived into the 1930s.
Aren’t these bad boys fascinating?
I know, he’s not a bad guy, but this made me think of the Wyatt Earp movie with Kurt Russell. I love Kurt Russell by the way. I think he disappears into a part better than any other living actor.
I mean lets face it. Jack Nicholson is always Jack Nicholson. Al Pacino is always Al Pacino (unless he’s Robert DeNiro-but that’s another story) But Kurt Russell is Wyatt Earp in Tombstone.
And have you seen Overboard? He’s a good natured working stiff country boy.
And Escape from New York where he’s that crazy macho machine gun toting Snake.
And Captain Ron where he’s that cursing, long haired, drunken captain driving Martin Short crazy?
And have you seen Breakdown where he’s the desperate ‘regular guy’ hunting for his missing wife.
And Executive Decision, remember that? He’s a brainy, bespectacled government official who had to climb on an inflight airplane, rise to the occasion and kill the terrorists? And he did the whole action movie in a tuxedo.
These are all just completely different characters, which to me is great acting.
Anyway, my point is, in the movie Tombstone, the ending said Wyatt Earp got to be a celebrity and he ran around with a sort-of Hollywood crowd and lived until about 1930. This was one of those moments when the past and modern times just collided for me. My mother was born in 1929, my mother-in-law 1919. So they were living at the same time Wyatt Earp was.
A lot of history and present mingle when you’re researching.
Wow, Stacey, only 10 days?? Yippee!
And what a neat story about Black Bart–I agree that a poetic outlaw is quite unusual! I don’t actually know many outlaw legends–I didn’t read up on too many growing up, and am still relatively new to the whole realm of Westerns
But what a fascinating world this is!
Hi Michelle! How great to see you here
How strange that a town would honor the outlaw who TRIED to rob their bank 
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Kathleen! Aren’t local legends tne best! We have quite a few around here, the Dalton Gang homestead not far from my ranch. The outlaw family in THE GUNSLINGER’S UNTAMED BRIDE is very loosely based on the Dalton Gang
I grew watching so many of the western movies, I never really read and books on the outlaws though. I loved Maverick wild, and can’t wait to read The Gunslinger’s Untamed Bride. I’m so glad to know that it is coming out in 10 days. Yay!!!!
Have fun at the beach Lori–we’ll miss you too
Butch Cassidy is one of my all-time faves–I have a big file on him *lol*. The Gentleman Outlaw, liked by many!
MAVERICK WILD can sure purty up a bookshelf, huh, Lori ;-D Thanks!!
Hi Melissa! It’s that western justice thing, I think. The common folk being overrrun by banks and railroads and those who stood up to fight back. Heroes for the common people
Thanks for posting!
This is so cool. I really like this man. And poetry too. He looks more like a banker than a bandit.
I bet Wells Fargo wasn’t too pleased at such a short sentence. I guess he never went back to robbery after that.
Hi Lizzie ~ you are right. It’s the loyalty they had for their friends and family that warms my heart to them
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Crystal ~ oooh…great list!!
Hi Terry ~ I’ve read up on Henry Berry Lowrie–a very interesting fellow. So many of these vigilante bad boys were shaped by such tragic events in their lives.
Thank you for sharing
Hi Elizabeth! I believe the Bolivia legend was a set up and that he did indeed go abroad for a few years and then came back to the states to live out his life
It was said that there wasn’t a man who met Butch that didn’t like him…unless he was a railroad man *ggg*
It’s it amazing how close the past really is once you start reading up on it, Mary? I think that aspect is what really sucked me into Historicals. It all started with my college history courses…I was so intrigued by how CLOSE that Old West history really is
Hi Fedora! I’m so glad we’ve got you here in our realm
Funy thing about Bart–the law officials were just as stunned by his “dandy” demeanor *ggg* I failed to mention he wore a bowler hat over his flour sack
One of the reasons he was so successful was the timespan between his robberies…sometimes nine months. He only made those Wells Fargo withdrawls when his coffers ran low *G*
Hi Rebekah ~ I’m so glad you enjoyed MAVERICK WILD!! I’m working to finish the sequel to that book right now–due in a week! Ack!!!!
Thanks for posting
Hi Stacey, Thanks for this piece on Black Bart. I recently read a book, “Myths and Mysteries of the Old West” by Michael Rutter. Very interesting tales and truths about some of these popular old west heroes, things I never learned about in school.
Please don’t enter me in the drawing but know that:
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED GUNSLINGER!!! Juniper and Lily are now two of my all time favorite characters. (EVER!!!)
Please tell me that you will be writing more Bride books???
Thanks again for the wonderful books and for the info today on P&P. I learn so much from all of the P&P authors.
Have a great weekend!
Hi Michele Ann ~ I failed to mention that his last robbery was November 3, 1883, the very same mountain pass as his first heist. After eight successful years as the “polite bandit”, Black Bart was fifty-four years old at the time of his capture. He lived in San Francisco after his release then disappeared. In the last letter to his wife said he was tired of being demoralized by Wells Fargo and he wanted to get away from everyone. They traced him to a hotel in Visalia and found his valise in his room–but no Black Bart. His valise contained corned beef, crackers and a hankerchief