As soon as the thief was out of sight, Shine returned to the scene. After looking closely he noticed that what he thought were guns were actually tree limbs carefully placed to look like guns. He then hastened on to Copperopolis, where he quickly reported the theft. He described the bandit as tall and wiry. He wore a duster coat and a white flour sack over his head. He wore socks over his shoes to mask his footprints. And he was exceedingly polite. The law went out after him immediately, but the thief was long gone.
The furor had died down when Black Bart struck again in December. He waited another six months before robbing another stage. His robbery of the stage on August 3, 1877 was notable for the scrap of paper he left behind. The stage had been bound for Duncan Mills. After breaking open the treasure box and stealing $300, he left behind this note:
I've labored long and heard for bread
For honor and for riches
But on my corns too long you've tread
You fine-haired sons of bitches.
It was signed Black Bart - The PO8.
Wells Fargo detective James B. Hume led the hunt to find Black Bart. He had posters printed and widely distributed. He followed up every clue. He interviewed people in the countryside. But he found no promising leads.
