Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-09


tain you much longer, as know you
are anxious to reach Milton. trust
this old gentleman" pointing TO the
rent in the coloners clothing. won't
take cold. He must be careful: gallant
men are scarce nowadays Now you
will all kindly stand as you are until
/ give the word. There are a few
friends of mine watching you from
those rocks, and really wouldn't
move II ! was you. Their guns have
all hair triggers and are very liable to
90 on suddenly. You won't move. will
your"
The passengers would not. wild
horses could not have dragged them
from that spot. for up in the rocks
they fancied they saw two shining
barrels covering them. and they were
genuinely anxious TO remain quiet.
The two road agents vanished in the
dusk, and an instant later clear
voice rang out in tones OF stern com
mand:
Into the coach now. and get away.
all OF youi"
The passengers obeyed with wonder
ful promptitude. Outside they could
hear Slammons swearing strange and
forcible oaths at himself, the company.
the horses, coach and road agents.
Inside not word was spoken until
Cactus Bin. STOPPING down. lifted into
view the black skirt and veil that the
former widow had worn. A weary
smile lit up his features and he re-
marked plaintvely:
Boys. the next time l trysto do the
polite TO any manner OF female l hopes
my best friend shoots me plum
through the head"
The colonel gazing upon the tat
tered expanse, OF his shirt-front. gave
utterance to mOurnful assent, which
was re-echoed by his detected compan-
ions in misfortune.
IL was in 1880 that luck turned for
the first time against this outlaw who
appeared to bear a charmed life.
Shortly after Black Bart had held I'D
stage in his usual manner. oficers
who inspected the scene OF the rob
berry found a white cum bearing the mi
tails ~ c." which had evidently been
dropped by the road agent 10 his
flight Close at hand they found
traces OF where his horse had been
tethered. while the owner awaited the
arrival OF the coach. II was the first
absolute clue to the identity OF the au-
dScious robber that had ever fallen
into the hands OF tbs authorities, and,
slight as it was. they proceeded to
make the most of 1t. The gloss on the
Gun showed plainly that it had been
washed In some city laundry. care
ful search was made Of every laundry
in Stockton, but with no results. Then
the detectives turned their attention
TO San Francisco, and went from one
laundry to another in me hope of find
Ing some one who could recognize the
important piece of linen. At last their
efforts were crowned with success and,
much to the establishment OF the
sleuths. the cuff turned out to be the
property NJ one James Clarkson, a
member OF the stock exchange, and a
man possessing the entree to the best
society of the Golden Gate.
Following up their investigation the
officers discovered that Clarkson was
In the habit OF disappearing from his
usual haunts in the city at stated
periods, and on comparing notes IL be-
came evident that the dates Of his
trips into the country corresponded
With those upon which ali the stage
hold-ups had occurred. Clarkson was
placed under arrest and under a Sc
we're grilling broke down and con-
fessed that he was none other than
Black Bart who for four years had en-
riched himself at the expense OF the
public and express companies.
At the time of his capture Clarkson
was in poor health. but had managed
TO stow away comfortable fortune.
He consented TO plead guilty. with the
understanding that he should be shown
mercy by the court when brought to
trial; and accordingly he was SEN
fenced to eight Years in the San