Okolona messenger., 1906-01-17
~" W =
"BLAcK HART's" cAPToR.
New Yorker Who Went to California
and Became Renowned for
Bravery.


Former Sheriff Ben X. Thorne, Of
Calaveras county, renowned for 40
years for deeds of daring and courage,
is dead, says the San Francisco Chron-
icle. AS sheriff, Thorne, among many
other acts which marked him In the
early period Of California's history,
hunted the bandit, Joaquin Murietta,
out Of his district and effected the cap
ture OF the desperate and finished stage
robber, Black Bart.
Thorne was born in New York 70
years ago. He was a nephew Of United
States Senator Thomas 9. Platt, Of
New York, He came to California in
September, 1849, and so soon distin-
guished himself by GOODNESS and un-
flinching courage that he was quickly
picked out as the man to maintain or
der in the lawless camps Of Calaveras
county. Almost Immediately he gained
reputation he never lost by arTesting
Sam Brown, professional bad man, "
who killed four men before Sheriff
Thorne walked up in the face Of a level
ed six-shooter and took not only him
but his companion to jail.
From that time until four years ago
Mr.. Thorne was continuously connect
ed with the sheriff's Office. In 1901 he
was stricken with paralysis and never
recovered his strength.
The capture OF Black Bart, the as
sumed name of G. e. Boles, the most
famous and daring stage robber known
to frontier history, was due to Sheriff
Thorne's relentless pursuit and dogged
following Of what seemed vain at
tempt.
Black Bart first commenced opera
tions as stage robber in 1875, and in
eight years successfully held up no
less than ~ stages, with a gain to
himself of thousands of dollars. He
always worked alone, confded in no
one, and when not engaged in this was
known in San Francisco as quiet
well-dressed mining man with but few
friends and plenty Of money. In fact,
his methods Of ooncealment were SO
perfect that his arrest for the crimes
placed to the credit Of "Black Bart"
came as staggering surprise to all
but the officers.
His inal capture followed an attempt
to rob the Copperopolis stage in 1883.
A boy passenger had dismounted quite
q way back of the spot where the stage
was stopped by the highwayman, and
his sudden appearance with his gun
gave the express messenger chance,
which he seized. The shot struck
Black Bart in the head, but he escaped.
Some time afterward, near the scene.
was found cuH stained with blood.
A laundry mark ON this was traced to
a laundry where Boles, known as @.
%. Barton, had his washing done and
at last the officers had evidence enough
to confront Barton with the crime. He
was tried, convicted and sentenced to
serve i've years in San Quentin. After
his release he disappeared, and while
q series of daring stage robberies not
long afterward gave rise to the sus-
picioin that he had resumed his old
life, nothing definite was proved
against him.
Black Bart in all his hold-ups never
took q life or insulted a woman. He
worked quietly and swiftly, with the
manner of a gentleman. His particu.
lar prey was the Wells-Fargo express
boxes, and he celebrated the capture OF
each treasure chest by verse Of dog
gerel inscribed on the rified box. These
verses he signed: BLACK Bart, p.
o. S."