Scope and Contents note
Conditions Governing Access note
Conditions Governing Use note
Preferred Citation note
Donor
Biographical note
Existence and Location of Originals note
Title: Black Bart Letters
Identifier/Call Number: C058347
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
(I handwritten transcription, 36 pages)
Date: 1884
Abstract: A handwritten transcription, dated 1884 in San Andreas, California, of a series of letters between Harry A. Morse of San Francisco
and Sheriff B.K. Thorn of Calavaras County, California concerning a dispute between the two men as to who actually arrested
Black Bart after his final crime in November of 1883. The letters begin with a request for a clarification as to who should
receive the award for his capture, and quickly escalates in a nasty exchange of accusations, insults and threats. Other people
involved in the capture are mentioned, as are details of the search and capture - discussed back and forth between the two
men. The name "P.O.8" is noted, which was another alias of Black Bart as is a physical description of him and his clothing.
Scope and Contents note
This is a handwritten (1884) transcription of correspondence between Harry A. Morse (San Francisco) and Sheriff B.K. Thorn,
Calavaras County, California pertaining to the arrest of C.E. Bolton, alias "Black Bart." This series of letters between the
two men begins with a request for clarification as to who is entitled to the reward - $300 - for the capture of Black Bart
and quickly escalates into a very nasty exchange of letters filled with accusations, insults, threats and invectives. The
robbery, search and final capture of "BB" is discussed back and forth by both men, and Thorn describes his delivery of him
to San Quention prison. Various details are mentioned: Black Bart's handkerchief, his hat, and places details of robbery and
arrest, as well as other people involved - one being a Mr. Thacker. The name "P.O.8" is also mentioned, which was another
alias of Black Bart. It ends apparently with Harry Morse's letter (transcription) to Sheriff Thorn advising him that if he
wishes to pursue this matter, to do it through the newspapers after getting some much needed help. The transcription is handwritten
on legal size lined paper and is paged by the first page of a two page grouping of paper - the pages are attached at the top,
and writing continues on the back of each page. There are a total of 36 pages of transcribed letters. The first page is headed:
San Andreas, Cal. 1884. It is addressed with the following: Harry A. Morse, of Harry A. Morse's Bankers Merchants Manufacturer
Police and Fire Patrol, San Franicsco, Cal. Even though it is dated 1884 at the top, (this appears to be the date the transcription
was made), the beginning of the first letter is dated, 14th day of December 1883. It seems from sources that Black Bart's
last crime was November 3, 1883 in Calaveras County, robbing the stage from Sonora to Milton. There is no indication of who
made this transcription.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research.
Conditions Governing Use note
There are no restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation note
Black Bart Letters. The Society of California Pioneers.
Donor
Gift of Louise C. Juda, November 12, 1970.
Biographical note
Black Bart, born 1829 and died sometime after 1888, was born in Norfolk, England as Charles Earl Bowles. Also known as Charles
Bolton and C.E. Bolton , he was a gentleman bandit, and was one of the more famous stagecoach robbers to work in and around
Northern California and southern Oregon during the 1870s and 1880s. One of 10 siblings, he came to American at the age of
two when his parents emigrated to Jefferson County New York. In late 1849, Bowles and two of his brothers went to California
and began mining on the North Fork of the American River in California. Bowles returned to New York in 1852, but returned
to California one more time, continuing to mine another two years. In 1854, in Illinois, he married Mary Elizabeth Johnson.
They had four children, and in 1860 they were living in Decatur, Illinois. He participated in the Civil War, and was discharged
in 1865. He went back to prospecting in 1867 - in Idaho and Montana - but his last letter to his wife was in 1871 noting an
unpleasant incident with some Wells, Fargo & Company employees. Bowles, who changed the spelling to Boles, committed 28 robberies
of Wells Fargo stagecoaches as Black Bart between 1875 and 1883. He was quite successful, and made several thousands of dollars
every year. Oddly enough, his robberies were always on foot because he was terrified of horses - and he never fired a gunshot.
He was always courteous, and never used foul language. After his final robbery, he was caught, convicted and sentenced to
five or six years in San Quentin Prison - shortened to four years for good behavior. He was released in January of 1888 and
the last time anyone saw him was on February 28, 1888.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94107.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Black Bart, b.1829
Morse, Harry A.
Thorn, B.K., Sheriff
Bank robberies - California