That's Judge Roy Bean's next door
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Silver Bullet Queue in the background
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This stagecoach was built in Stockton, California about 1859 and saw a great deal of active service back in the Gold Rush Days. About 1878 between Marysville and La Porte this same coach was robbed of the Wells Fargo strong box by the then public enemy #1 the daring and notorious Black Bart.
His Strategy
In staging the hold up he used his favorite method, a spectacular bluff copied later by others, which he pulled off 28 times in 7 years.
His victims being none the wiser, Black Bart would deploy his "gang" behind conspicuous boulders, some slouch hats & black muzzles of murderous shotguns were the only visible evidence of the hopeless odds against them should the passengers or armed guards try to resist. And resist no one did, as the speed with which the guards would throw down the money box at the bandits command was a remarkable example of cooperation.
Black Bart never shot anyone, as he never carried a loaded pistol, neither did his "gang" since they were only hats & broomsticks.
The Fatal Clue
His shirt cuff dropped at a hold up scene provided the laundry mark clue that traced him to a San Francisco hotel and lead to his capture.
He served 6 years in San Quentin and at the expiration of his term, Wells Fargo paid him $225.00 a month on condition he rob no more stages.
His Ghost Returns
It is reported that Black Bart had a curious and intense liking for this particular coach and though he has been dead these 90 odd years there are those who say that his spirit often returns here.
Sky Cabin in the background
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