Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-04-24

achievements were secured, and the par
ty returned to the scene of the outrage
with the laudable intention OF decorating
the highest branch of the highest tree in
the vicinity with the person of the high
wayman. The country was secured for
two DAYS but the only trace left by the
gentleman whose company was in such
urgent request were the. following lines,
evidently written in a disguised hand,
with the exception of the signature:
The POETRY OF THE ROAD.
Now lay down to sleep
Not caring for the morrow,
Perhaps good luck, perhaps defeat
And jail fare to my sorrow.
Then come what will. I'll try my luck.
I'm sure il can't be worse,
For if there's money in that pouch,
It's money in my purse.
BLACK BART, THE Pc s..
This unique production was found
scrawled upon torn newspaper lying upon
one of the rifed mail bags. That was the
first time the name of Black Bart was
heard. but it was not the last, for one stage
line after another in rapid succession paid
heavy tribute to him. Wells. Fargo. &
Co. were large losers. and after trying
guards without avail offered $500 reward
for the capture of the highwayman. The
State officials bestrred themselves, and
even the U. S. government awakened to
the frequent complaints of losses of valua-
BILE mails, put in motion its ponderous
machinery and offered a reward of 5000
in addition to the $500 offered by Wells.
Fargo & Co. The extent to which private
enterprise was stimulated thereby may be
Judged by the story of Dan Shealy. a dri
yer of stage running out of Copperopolis.
- 80 kn 1ata
. Il got a notion into my head that I'd
like to earn that pile. but didn't quite
see my way clear. Black Bart had been
heard from about week back Of the day
I'm talking about in neat little affair
over to the westward of Copporopolis,
and that darned mean piece of poetry he
hitched onto the mailbag Cike kicking a
man when he's DOWN kinder made me
think he was going over on the Yuba route
next. I'd almost fixed it up to take a
week off, 90 over there and Law for him.
Was going to hang on behind the stage,
you see, and have try at him under the
wheels if played in luck. Old Yankee
Daniels. at Copperopolis. told me was
darned fool. and that the Pc 8 would be
long my way soon enough, but wasn't
discouraged, and kept thinking it over.
Next trip I'd gotten about five miles out of
old Cop. when somebody sung out halt.
and heard two sharp clicks Seemed as if
the critters knew what's the proper thing
for they stopped as quick as if they'd
struck stable. Then somebody in the
bushes axed me pleasant-like to hold my
hat on with both hands for some buck-shot
might blow it off, along with some hair
and skull, if didn't allus was reason
able and | dropped that express chest with
81 100 of Wells, Fargo's coin and drove
off Just like twas the regular thing.
When the posse got back there they found
an old axe that he'd used to bust the box,
and on the cover he'd stuck this yer:
Once toed for gold in bitches
Now with ease amass riches,
Daniel; now I'm on this lay,
III come again another day.
Well. sir, that riled me. There I'd been
laying off to catch my man and he'd carried
me into camp like lamb. and now he'd
the cheek to tell me he's going to come it
over me again. put months wages in
a gun, filled her full of slugs and GOT ready
for a iracas. Old Yank offered to buy my
life insurance policy; the old cuss I'd
taken to carrying my arsenal cross my
knees when | struck the lonesome places.
.
There's pretty steep hill about two miles
out of town and the critters are bout
winded when they strike the level above
One Friday I'd heavy load. mail, express
and passengers. including three gals, and
let the cattle crawl up the hill. I'd allus
been s'picious of that place and I'd
dropped the lines onto the foot-board and
taken up my shooting iron half speeding
L levrsy hn -.<~lA Il
Just as we struck the crest something flew
out'en the bush like catamount. lit under
the neck of the nigh leader. and fore
could say Jack Robinson / was looking
into couple of holes in chunk of iron.
Stop Vas; stopped. He'd the drop on
me agin. Couldn't blaze away 'thout kill
ing the lead horse. and wouldn't have
faxed the cuss, for couldn't see nothin'
sides one eve. He was dressed in long
! linen buster and had flour bag over his
head. SEED he'd taken a fancy to my gun
that trip. and let him have it. But
darned il he didn't shove a fifty onto the
box TO pay me when he'd gotten through
the matinee. He never would bother the
women folks, but was mighty polite to
them. The boys got onto that racket, and
I've known a single poor Irish lass going
over my route to carry the nuggets of halt
| dozen miners. Yes; | remember the
poetry he left that time. 1t was like this ::
Daniel, it grieves me to say it.
Next time yeu attempt TO play if,
Buy an overcoat of pine,
And III send the corpse in time.
Iquit the line after that; didn't think it
was healthy"
He ELUDEs CAPTURE.
The records show that the government
put forth every effort, through its trained
inspectors. to capture the audaoious mail
depredator. Wells. Fargo Il Co. through
their agents. kept the local authorities up
to their work. while the standing rewards
melted individual enterprise. But the rob-
berries continued. and the tantalizing
rhymes left at the scene OF each new ex.
plot showed that the ..Po 81 was aware
of the efforts that had been made to secure
his capture. Nobody had ever seen his
face, and the inspectors reports stated
that all evidence was to the effect that he
never slept over night within fifteen or