Near Forbestown in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Black Bart, the PO8

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 7, 2013

1. Black Bart, the PO8 Marker

Inscription. Attacked La Port [sic] – Oroville stage here, July 13, 1888. Frank N. Morse, driver, was repulsed by George Hackett, armed messenger for Wells Fargo Express. Twenty eight stage hold-ups in California 1875-1883 are credited to Black Bart, lone and genial bandit poet, who always traveled on foot. Black Bart posed in San Francisco as a mining man, roomed at the Webb House on Second Street and was captured by evidence of a laundry mark and sent to San Quentin for six years where he was released by reason of good behavior January 23, 1888.

Erected 1935 by Butte County Road Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is January 23, 1888.

Location. 39° 29.247′ N, 121° 22.295′ W. Marker is near Forbestown, California, in Butte County. Marker is at the intersection of Black Bart Road and Sandra Lane on Black Bart Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 260 Black Bart Road, Forbestown CA 95941, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dunstone Memorial Hall (approx. 5.3 miles away); Bidwell Bar Bridge and Tollhouse (approx. 5.6 miles away); Forbestown Lodge No. 50 F.& A.M (approx. 5.6

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miles away); Bidwell's Bar (approx. 5.6 miles away); The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County (approx. 5.6 miles away); Autumn Harvest (approx. 6 miles away); Braselton Home Site (approx. 7.2 miles away); Northern California's Oldest Citrus Tree (approx. 7.3 miles away).

Regarding Black Bart, the PO8. Other sources give the date of Black Bart's Forbestown stage robbery as June, 21, 1879, which is more probably correct, as the dates on the marker do not make sense.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers related to Black Bart, the PO8

Also see . . . Black Bart, California's Infamous Stage Robber. When Bart was arrested he was using the name Charles E. Bolton, the name under which he had been living for years in San Francisco. When he was booked, he gave his name as T. Z. Spalding. However, Bart's real name was Charles E. Boles. Bart was tried, convicted and sentenced to San Quentin prison. He served his time, was released early, then disappeared without a trace. (Submitted on June 11, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional keywords.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 7, 2013

2. Black Bart, the PO8 Marker

Outlaws

Charles E. Boles aka Charles E. Bolton alias Black Bart image. Click for full size.

Unknown photographer, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1888

3. Charles E. Boles aka Charles E. Bolton alias Black Bart

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,574 times since then and 93 times this year. Last updated on May 28, 2019, by A Dale Johnson of Nevada City, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on June 22, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.