Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-11
CALIFORNIA.
The Experiences OF Border Claude
Duval In Colorado.


Now that Billy Miner, alias s'Califor-
MIA Bill" has been arrested and is serv-
ing life.term sentence in the Califor-
mia state penitentiary, at Sacramento
many points in his life may be made
known to the public which were kept
dark during the noted stage robbers
freedom. Col. Carpenter, postoffice
Inspector at Denver, thus tells of him:
"The life of California Bill" has
been full of eventful episodes, which
would fill volume of no little dimen-
sions. Stage-robbing seemed to be his
principle pleasure, and he always did
his work with reckless bravery that is
only equaled by the notorious Burton,
who, single-handed, robbed thirteen
people in an Alamoso, Del Norte stage
coach. Miner performed his robberies
generally with single assistant, and
was always successful.
"How did he acquire the name of
California Bill" was asked.
Because he has been known as
California desperate for number of
years, and the euphonious name was
given him as q mark of distinction.
He was borne in Michigan, and is about
35 years of age. He left his native
state in 1854, and went direct to Cali
fornia, and with the exception of one
year passed in Colorado, he is not known
to have been out of the state. He had
been in the Golden state less than three
years when he robbed his first stage.
Up to that time he had been common
laborer. A reckless abandon seemed
to have overtaken him at this point
which made grand turning point in
his life. From an industrious farm
hand he turned into modern Claude
Duval.
"The first stage robbery for which he
was tried and convicted occurred or
April 5, 1866 in San Joaquin county,
California. He was sentenced for q
term of three years, but, after serving
about two months, he was released by
an order of the court, some flaw having
been found in the proceedings. He
was about 10 years old then. His sec.
ond robbery was committed within
three months after his release from the
penitentiary, and he was. arrested again.
He was aided by another party, who
escaped. At his second robbery the
mail was left untouched, the passengers
alone being stripped of their valuables.
This robbery took place in Placer
county, California. Not having robbed
the mail, he was tried for grand lar
ceny, and received five years sem
tence, which term he served. Shortly
after his release he committed his third
robbery, holding up the passengers in a
coach in Calaveras county. For this
he was sent up for ten years in the
same penitentiary in which he had
been previously confined. He served
five years of his sentence, and was then
pardoned by the governor. Within a
month after his release he robbed
another coach in the same county,
and, being found guilty, was sentenced
for six years.. He served this time,
and was discharged July IA, 1880. He
then thought the state too hot for him,
and Immediately after his release came
across the range, and after time found
his way to the Colorado frontier.
1880, California Bill met Billy LIE Roy
near Pitkin. Billy was then unknown
to crime, and was then working in a
saw-mill.
"1he first work together was on the
night of Sept. "a, when they stopped the
coach between Pitkin and Ohio City,
on which Harry White, then connected
with the Union Pacific road, was the
only passenger. A very heavy haul
was made--not to exceed $50. On Oct.
2 following they committed their Sec
ond robbery together, near Bedford
postofiice, at which time they obtained
very little money. A week later they
prepetrated their third robbery, and
secured good haul The Lake City
stage was robbed of $4,000, which loss
was sustained by the Finst National
bank and the Pueblo bank.
Three months later LIE Roy was
caught in Denver, but escaped. Gal
ifornla Bill hung around Colorado I'M
til the return of Billy lie Roy after the
escape from the United States mar
shall. We traced him to Pueblo, Col
orado Springs, Manitou. and various
other places. He met Billy lie Roy
near the scene of their former crimes,
and three more stages were robbed IN
quick succession. The population
Of the whole country was licensed, and
strong posses of men hunted the high
waymen day and night. The story of
the capture of Billy LIE Roy and his
brother after hard fight, and their
lynthing at Del Norte, will be readily
remembered. California Bill escap-
ed. There is no doubt of his treach-
cry. He sacrificed the lives Of the LIE
Roys in order to save himself, and it
has since come to light that he was
present at the lynching of his brothers
in crime.
"The officers renewed their vigilance,
but it WAS fully two months before he
was heard of again, when he was ar
rested, in company with an unknown
man, near Wagon Wheel gap, by
Sheriff Bruno, of Rio Grande county,
and q deputy. The matter was kept
very quiet, because the arrest Of an
other party depended upon secrecy.
They were captured in the mountains