California Newspaper Transcriptions
Crimes and Criminals (pre 1924)
TOMMIE BROWN & BROTHER

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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TOMMIE BROWN & BROTHER

            In October, 1876, Tommie Brown and his brother, who had been 
terrorizing all the northern part of the State, robbed the stage near the 
toll-house, one mile west of the Oregon House, the brother going to the head of 
the horses and Tom leveling his gun on the driver.  E. Scammond, a banker from 
Downieville, was on the stage with $18,000 in dust, and leveled his gun on 
Brown, who also changed his aim to Scammond.  Both fired at the same time.  
Scammond fell in the stage with several buckshot wounds, and after a little 
difficulty in securing the horses, which were frightened by the firing, the 
passengers, mail and express were robbed, and the stage was allowed to proceed.  
The $18,000 was not secured, as the dust was hidden in the gun case, valise and 
trunk, which Scammond recovered.  A party pursued the Browns, and coming upon 
their camp, fired upon them and mortally wounded the brother.  Tom gave himself 
up and was sentenced to San Quentin for a term of ten years.  When brought back 
as a witness in another case, he managed to escape from the Marysville city 
jail, April 26, 1877.  Rearrested in Oregon after robbing the Shasta stage, he 
pleaded guilty when arraigned, and had seven years added to his prison term.  
Photographs of Tommie Brown and his brother are in the archives of the sheriff’s 
office in Marysville.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles
“BLACK BART”

            In later years “Black Bart,” another noted stage robber, figured in 
outrages up and down the State.  After he was captured and exposed, he told the 
officers he frequently visited Marysville without being recognized.  He was 
known during his career as “Black Bart, the Po 8,” because of the rhymes he left 
at the scene of his crimes.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles