Author Archives: nancyleek

About nancyleek

Nancy is a retired librarian who lives in Chico, California. She is the author of John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer.

The Last Years of Black Bart

Posted on October 12, 2022 by nancyleek

All Charles E. Bolton (aka Black Bart) wanted was to disappear. He was the most famous stagecoach robber in California but he had served his time in prison. Now he didn’t want to be pestered by reporters or pointed out … Continue reading →

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The Disappearance of Black Bart

Posted on October 11, 2022 by nancyleek

Charles E. Bolton was released from San Quentin State Prison on January 21, 1888. What next? Not “a bad sort of man, for a highway robber,” was the opinion of one lawman, who went on to describe him as “an … Continue reading →

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Black Bart the Boulevardier

Posted on October 10, 2022 by nancyleek

Charles E. Bolton, as he was known in San Francisco, was a man about town. In the summer and fall he would leave the City to inspect his mining interests in the goldfields, or so he said. During the winter … Continue reading →

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Black Bart in San Quentin

Posted on October 8, 2022 by nancyleek

Charles E. Bolton, aka Black Bart, entered San Quentin State Prison on November 21, 1883. It had only been eighteen days since his arrest. Justice was swift in those day. While in prison Bart wrote letters to his family in … Continue reading →

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FX07

Posted on October 6, 2022 by nancyleek

FX07 was the code that brought down Black Bart. It was a laundry mark. In the day when men had their shirts, detachable collars and cuffs, handkerchiefs, and other items of clothing cleaned at a laundry, the items were marked … Continue reading →

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Black Bart: The Search is Over

Posted on October 5, 2022 by nancyleek

Law enforcement lost track of Charles E. Boles, the gentleman bandit known as Black Bart, after his release from San Quentin Prison on January 21, 1888. During March he was seen in Stockton, Oakdale, and Modesto. He was last spotted … Continue reading →

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Invitation to a Hanging

Posted on October 2, 2022 by nancyleek

Not the sort of invitation you are likely to get in the mail today— This invitation to a hanging resides in the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Oroville. It was donated by Viola Pacheco of Redding, California. I can’t make out … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Butte County Pioneer Museum

Posted on September 19, 2022 by nancyleek

Yesterday I visited the Butte County Pioneer Museum in Oroville. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:15 to 2:15, it’s worth visiting to get a flavor of old-time life in a town that gained its wealth from gold-mining. The stone … Continue reading →

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Three Handsome Gentleman from Helltown

Posted on September 13, 2022 by nancyleek

Who are these three gentlemen? The photograph was taken at the Chico photography studio of H.H. Frye, but the three men are not identified. The photo was brought to a committee meeting of the Association for Northern California Historical Research … Continue reading →

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Slavery in Butte County

Posted on September 5, 2022 by nancyleek

Even though California was a free state, slavery certainly existed here. Slaveholders brought their slaves with them from the South, and they did everything they could to hold on to their “property.” But were slaves bought and sold in California?* … Continue reading →

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