Saturday, July 23, 2011

Elderly But Active...!


Sometimes I find a story about some elderly folks that prove themselves to be extremely active.

I have to admit that even though this old guy was active enough, he probably would have done better in another activity! Still, if nothing else you have to admire the old guy's gumption!

Actually, his poetry isn't all that bad, either!

Jul 23, 1878:

Black Bart strikes again

Black Bart robs a Wells Fargo stagecoach in California. Wearing a flour sack over his head, the armed robber stole the small safe box with less than $400 and a passenger's diamond ring and watch. When the empty box was recovered, a taunting poem signed "Black Bart" was found inside:

Here I lay me down to sleep
to wait the coming morrow,
Perhaps success, perhaps defeat
And everlasting sorrow,

Yet come what will, I'll try it once,
My conditions can't be worse,
And if there's money in that box,
'Tis money in my purse.

This wasn't the first time that Black Bart had robbed a stagecoach and left a poem for the police; however, it was the last time he got away with it. His next stagecoach robbery secured a lot more cash, $4,800. At yet another robbery, on November 3, 1888, though, he left behind a handkerchief at the scene. Through a laundry mark, Pinkerton detectives traced the handkerchief back to Charles Bolton, an elderly man in San Francisco.

Bolton later confessed to being Black Bart but bitterly disputed his reputation as an outlaw. "I am a gentleman," he told detectives with great dignity. How Bolton became Black Bart is unclear. What is known is that Bolton had tried to hit it big in the Gold Rush, but had ended up with a lifestyle beyond his means.

Black Bart ended up serving only a short stretch in prison and spent the rest of his days in Nevada.

The old guy probably did pretty well in Nevada signing autographs! Heck, look at how
many movies used the feller's name! I just wonder if he got any residual payments for that?

Hey, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside before it gets too hot!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I´m not sure I would call him a gentleman :-)

It´s strange but after reading Your post yesterday a bomb exploded in Oslo, Norway, and after that a shooting happened on a youth summer camp on an island not far from Oslo (the summer camp is an annual one arranged the norwegian labour party). 7 people died directly in Oslo and 84 kids on the island.

They have captured a right wing extremist that they believe is responsible for both deeds.

As You wrote yesterday it´s never right to kill innocent people just because they don´t agree with You.

Take care my friend!
Christer.

Ben in Texas said...

Good info. I thought Black Bart was just a Disney cartoon charter and a bad guy from Blazing Saddles.:-)

Old Jules said...

When older guys survive having been younger guys sometimes they improve with age. Cole Younger comes to mind.

On the other hand, if there were a volume of younger Bart's poems it might be worth the read.

No stagecoaches around to stick up these days, banks and convenience stores all have about the same amount of money inside to be hauled off, and the trains don't carry anything but Chinese toasters.

Gotta wonder what the next round of Youngers, Daltons, Bonnie and Clyde, Babyface Dillengers are going to devote their energies to.

Judging by what's happened to those 401K accounts I think they might have to turn to banking.

Nice post. Thanks. I don't recall ever having come across Black Bart in my meanderings through history.

BigBadSis@gmail.com said...

Already too hot here for coffee outside so I will join you. Black Bart must have been quite a character! He certainly seemed to have a sense of humor. He might not have been a great poet but he was definetly better than I! As usual, interesting read. Thanks. Love you.

Ben in Texas said...

OK, C ain't resist ;-)

Charles Bolton dug for gold,
None he found within the ground
He changed his garb and mounted a horse
Robbing stages became his choice.

He did quite well, and fair he was,
Even bragged about his haul and thanked
The folks he took wealth from

Alas, like the barnyard rooster
He bragged about his conquest with
Rhythms and prose.
And signed his name.. Black Bart!!

As a robber he weren’t much good
Should of have stuck with his gold pan
When caught he confessed to his dastardly heeds
Said he weren’t no outlaw just a misunderstood poet

JoJo said...

Very Interesting, I bet he was a real ladies man to.

Christer, what a sad in it was there.

Can I have my coffee iced please.

Ken said...

...holy cheese and rice there really was a 'Black Bart'...good find Jim

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
Ice in your coffee? Must be a yankee thing!

Just kidding, sweetie! You can have some iced coffee if you want!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Ken...
Somethings just boggle the mind, don't they?

I was surprised when I found this story myself!

Appreciate the visit, buddy!

Bob Mc said...

Black Bart is said to have robbed a stage coach very close to where I am living today.

HermitJim said...

Hey Christer...
I'm saddened by the events in Norway! Guess we just never know where the crazy people are going to show up next!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Ben...
Always interesting to find out about these guys! I love it that he was a real person.

Not bad for an old guy!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!


Hey Old Jules...
Probably more of the bad guys made it to an old age than we know! Just kept their heads down and played it safe.

Sort of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Many thanks for coming by today!


Hey Sis...
Pretty hot here as well!

Gotta give the old boy credit for having some brass!

Thanks for coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Bob...
That's pretty cool, isn't it?

Probably a lot of history in that part of the country!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

chinasyndrome said...

Jim,I dont like truly bad people! But Black Bart,The Gentleman bandit of recent times and my all time favorite D.B Cooper.I truly hope ol D.B made it,the odds are against it but I hope so!As kids in our cap gun shoot outs one of us was always Black Bart an the other was the Sheriff! Thanks for all the Great story's and memories.

China
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