Henry B. Miller – Arizona Stage Robber Known as Black Bart the Second
About three and a half years earlier, Miller ran short of money and waited on the road between Florence and Casa Grande, Arizona, to rob Wells, Fargo & Co. [1][2]. Hurley and his coachman of $52, then compelled them to help hold up the stage [1][2]. A man named Saix drove up and contributed $25 before being treated the same way [1][2]. When the stage arrived, the driver threw out the mail pouch and express box without being told [1][2]. Miller released his victims, who reported at Florence, and a posse arrested him [1][3]. He was tried for robbing the express company and sentenced to twelve years in the Yuma jail [2][4]. While there, he made good the amount stolen from the mail bag and was pardoned by the territorial governor in January of that year [4][3]. He then went to Los Angeles and secured work, but in late February was rearrested, tried for robbing the U.S. mail, convicted, and sentenced to ten years in San Quentin [3][5]. While being escorted to prison, the deputy sheriff fell asleep and Miller escaped [6][5]. An accommodating blacksmith gave him a file to remove his shackles, and he crossed the desert, suffering severely for water [6][5]. He bit into his flesh and sucked his blood for strength, reached a water hole, and later crawled to a settlement for help [6][5]. Sheriff Paul placed him under restraint [6][5]. Miller claimed this was his first and last robbery, driven to crime to keep his wife from starving [6][5].
Sources
- Henry B… (1891)Henry B. Miller, the stage robber of Ari- zona, who has won the title of “Black Bart the Second,” was registered at the city prison at San Francisco, by Sheriff Paul, of Arizona, who is escorting his prisoner…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-06-19 (1891)ng his prisoner to San Quentin. About three and a half years ago Miller, according to his own story, ran short of money and went on the road between Florence and Casa Grande, Arizona, to await the coming …
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-06-19 (1891)told threw out the mail pouch and express box and started on his way. Miller released his unwilling assistants. They reported at Florence, and a posse went out to arrest Miller. He was tried for robbing th…
- Henry B… (1891)r stood in the road and ordered the driver to stop. The latter did so, and without waiting to be told threw out the mail pouch and express box and started on his way. Miller released his unwilling assistant…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-06-19 (1891)by the governor of the territory. went to Los Angeles and secured work but in the latter part of February was rearrested and taken to Florence and tried on a charge of rob- bing the United States mail, …
- In company with a deputy sheriff he started… (1891)In company with a deputy sheriff he started for prison, but while waiting for a train the deputy sheriff fell asleep and Miller escaped. An accommodating blacksmith furnished him a file with which to take his s…