California's Infamous Stage Robber
BLACK BART PLAQUE
In 1988 the Black Bart plaque was erected in Copperopolis, California.
It was moved from its original location to the current location
at Copper Park at a later date. Copper Park is located on Main Street
between Mineral and Baker Street in Copperopolis.
When the plaque was originally dedicated, it was set in a vertical
position but when it was moved, it was repositioned horizontally at
a slight angle.
Originally known as Copper Canyon, Copperopolis was established in 1861 when
copper was discovered there. Known as "Copper" to the locals, Copperopolis was a
thriving copper mining town during the Civil War, and provided most of the metal
needs for the Union Army.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Black Bart at Funk Hill Copperopolis
July, 1875. At Funk Hill 4 miles due east Black Bart, alias Charles E. Bolton or Boles. Wearing a flour sack mask and a linen duster. Waving a double-barrelled shotgun held up the Wells Fargo Sonora to Milton Stage. The first successful stage robbery in California. For eight years he was the "Scourge and terror of California roads." Often leaving a few lines of doggerel at the scene:
I've labored long and hard for bread,
for honor and for riches,
But on my corns too long you've tred,
You find haired sons of b------
Twenty-eight robberies later Bart again struck at Funk Hill only to be wounded and leave clues leading to his capture in San Francisco. Released from San Quentin January 23, 1888, he would disappear after getting off the train in Visalia.
MATUCA CHAPTER 1849 -- TUTLEBURGH CHAPTER 69
E CLAMPUS VITUS
April 9, 1988
CREDO QUIA ABSURDUM
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