Black Bart's last stagecoach robbery and the laundry-mark trail (1883)

Charles Bolles, known as Black Bart, committed his final stagecoach robbery on November 3, 1883, in Calaveras County, California. The incident occurred near Copperopolis, the site of his first holdup. A handkerchief dropped during the robbery contained a laundry mark that investigators traced to a specific business, leading to Bolles' identification and subsequent conviction in 1884.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Charles Bolles, an English-born outlaw active in Northern California during the 1870s and 1880s, was known for leaving poetic messages after robberies. He operated as a 'gentleman bandit' and was notorious for stagecoach holdups. His final robbery in 1883 took place in Calaveras County, specifically at Funk Hill, southeast of Copperopolis, which was also the location of his first crime in 1875.

Investigation. Following the November 1883 robbery, investigators focused on a handkerchief found at the scene. The item bore a laundry mark that was traced through approximately 90 laundries. The mark ultimately identified Ferguson & Bigg's California Laundry on Bush Street. This connection revealed that the handkerchief belonged to a man residing in a modest boarding house, providing a crucial lead for the capture.

Legal Outcome. Charles Bolles was convicted in 1884 and sentenced to six years in San Quentin Prison. He served his sentence until January 1888, when he was released on good behavior. After his release, he remained in California for two years before returning East, ending his period of activity in the region.

People involved

Sources

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