The GGma Chronicles, Part 21: Unmarked Grave and Rattling Bones
Black Bart Killed in Holdup and Life in the Ozarks in the early 1900s
This was written by my maternal grandmother, Alice Green-Kollenborn (1911-2005). The first is some notes made half a century ago of a day’s outing she enjoyed with her two older daughters (my mother and one of my aunts); the second is a portion of something she wrote about her childhood (the first page or pages is/are missing). Thomas and Belle are her parents (my maternal great-grandparents).
BLACK BART KILLED IN HOLDUP
Sept 13 – 1972
Beautiful fall day — still [?] at Moke[lumne] Hill. Sharon, Rosalie and I went to San Andreas today. Took in old court house and jail sights. Went in old 5-cell jail where Black Bart spent time switching from cell to cell before his trial in Courtroom adjacent. Sentenced on misdemeanor charge — sent to San Francisco — sentenced to 6 years — served 4 San Quentin.
Paroled back in Calaveras County. Allowed parole as long as he left the county. Left on stage for Missouri. Stage held up — one man killed, fit Black Bart’s description. Buried along stage road in Nevada. Nothing has been heard from B. Bart since. Nobody knows where his grave is.
Saw old solitary cell — dark as dungeon — no lights whatever — one small wood heater for warmth — cell 4 had chain in corner to lock prisoner to when they became uncontrollable — were told to do anything they wanted to while tied to chair.
Small runway in back used for pitching horse shoes — for trustees only.
Sheriff Ben Thorn — house in San Andreas.
Jail used as recently as 9 years ago. Hole carved in cell 3 where prisoner tried to escape.
LIFE IN THE OZARKS in the Early 1900s
... fireplace made of native stone. Also, a two-story evaporator and a big log granary. “Not much to look at,” mused Thomas, as he surveyed the grounds. “But great potential.”
Thomas, being a good carpenter as well as a knowledgeable farmer, soon had plenty of shelter for the animals. He also built a wood smoke- and wash house and a stone spring house roofed with shake shingles. He hollowed out a big oak log for a trough that constantly filled with fresh water from an underground spring.
He sowed alfalfa seed in the bottom land below the red clay road, now highway 71, that ran parallel to Sugar Creek. Thomas built a long swinging bridge over the creek, anchored it to huge sycamore trees with heavy cables.
He raised clover and timothy hay. Also, he grew wheat, corn, oats, and various other grains to feed the many horses, cows, hogs, and chickens.
Belle raised dozens of chickens so there was always plenty of fried chicken for Sunday dinners. She raised a big vegetable garden for fresh summer vegetables, and for canning, drying and storing.
Thomas kept several hives of bees for pollinating the peach, apple, and pear orchards, also for honey.
Some of the hills were wooded, lush with wild berries, grapes and nuts. Wild persimmons and black walnuts were abundant.
By 1915, Thomas and Belle had seven children, two boys and five girls, Effie, Lill, Ruth Man, Mary, Alice [GGma herself] and Andy. In 1915, Baby Chas. was born and died at 4 months.
Thomas loved people and enjoyed singing and speaking in public. He often invited neighbors in to sing with him. He often sang to the family and played his harmonica, and rattled a pair of bones while the younger children promenaded across the worn wood floors.