The Capture of Black Bart

September 1, 2018
Stagecoach robbers were common in the late 1800s, but Black Bart's fame as a bandit derived from his gentlemanly ways. In northern California, between 1875 and 1883, Black Bart robbed nearly 30 Wells Fargo stagecoaches without ever firing his gun. In fact, Black Bart never even loaded his gun for fear of hurting someone. He was almost unfailingly polite to those he robbed, had a sense of humor, and even left the occasional poem behind, signed "Black Bart the Po8." Newspaper stories about the gentleman bandit's exploits and about Jim Hume, the Wells Fargo chief detective who doggedly pursued him, made Black Bart a folk hero and provide grist for Finkelstein's narrative. Black Bart enjoyed the chase and genially taunted his pursuer, asking one driver he robbed to give his regards to Hume. The detective used scientific methods to track down robbers, identifying patterns, using sophisticated interrogation techniques, and introducing ballistics to prove guilt, all of which is recounted in a lively narrative punctuated by archival illustrations (reinforcing the mistaken image of an all-white West) and the occasional sidebar to add further context. In addition to the colorful story of this bandit's exploits and his pursuit, Finkelstein offers interesting insight into the importance of stagecoaches in communication and transportation and tells what it was like to be both a driver and passenger.An engaging account of an uncommon outlaw. (source notes, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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Gr 4-7-Black Bart was one of the most legendary bandits of the 1800s as he robbed Wells Fargo stagecoaches for more than a decade before he was caught. He plundered 30 stagecoaches without ever firing his gun, was always polite and well-spoken, and occasionally left poetry at the scene of his crimes. While exploring the folk hero aspects of Black Bart, this title primarily focuses on the efforts of Jim Hume, the chief detective to Wells Fargo, and his methodical approach to pursuing Black Bart. The text features illustrations from the time period and sidebars that occasionally interrupt the flow of the narrative. Back matter includes a list of robberies attributed to Black Bart, notes, a bibliography, and image credits. VERDICT An intriguing though occasionally stilted account of the Old West's most famous stagecoach robber, this is an additional purchase for most collections.-Cidney Mayes, Memorial Middle School Library, South Portland, ME

December 15, 2018
Grades 4-8 Before modern technology, stagecoaches carried passengers and mail to isolated mining towns in the Old West. Stowed under the driver's seat was the treasure box with passengers' valuables, making stagecoaches prime targets for robberies. Following an introduction to how mining boomtowns led to the development of stagecoach companies, most notably Wells Fargo, the author centers on one of the Old West's most notorious stagecoach bandits and the man driven to capture him. A polite robber who never harmed any passengers, Black Bart soon became a local folk hero, reinforcing his reputation by taking the contents of the treasure box and leaving behind a poem signed Black Bart the Po8. His nemesis was James Hume, a former sheriff turned lawman devoted to tracking down robbers and their loot for Wells Fargo. Suspense heightens as Hume narrows his search for Black Bart and the surprising true identity of the legendary bandit is revealed. A plethora of photos and reproductions from the time period add a visual context to this remarkable account of overlooked figures from history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)