Rattlesnake Dick Barter arrived in California from Quebec in 1851 hoping to strike it rich, but when he found Rattlesnake Bar’s claims already staked, he turned to crime instead. You’ll discover he orchestrated the Gold Rush era’s largest bullion theft—an $80,000 gold heist near Nevada City in the late 1850s—before his criminal career ended in a deadly shootout with Deputy George M. Martin near Auburn’s railroad station. His three-year reign of terror ultimately prompted significant law enforcement reforms that would reshape California’s justice system.
Key Takeaways
- Rattlesnake Dick arrived in California in 1851 seeking fortune but turned to crime after finding mining claims already staked.
- His gang executed an $80,000 gold heist near Nevada City, intercepting a mule train carrying bullion from northern mines.
- Wells Fargo posse recovered $40,600 after killing gang member George Skinner; remaining $40,000 was hidden in mountains.
- Dick targeted stagecoaches between Auburn and Fiddletown, using informants to identify valuable gold shipments for robbery.
- His criminal reign ended in 1859 during a fatal shootout with Deputy George Martin near Auburn railroad station.
From Quebec Miner to Notorious Outlaw
Around 1833, Richard H. Barter was born in Quebec, Lower Canada, eventually departing around 1850 with three family members via the Oregon Trail. You’ll find he arrived at Rattlesnake Bar in spring 1851, discovering all claims staked. He worked for other miners while his brother and cousin returned to Oregon after one year.
Despite his good-natured demeanor, his 1853 conviction for horse rustling and multiple theft charges created early reputation challenges that followed him relentlessly. After San Quentin‘s one-year sentence, he relocated to Shasta County under the alias Dick Woods, but a former miner’s recognition destroyed his fresh start. These strained relations with mining community left him unable to secure work, camping near Red Bluff—frustrated and rejected by the society he’d sought to join.
Failed Fortune and Turn to Crime
Despite arriving in California at seventeen with dreams of striking it rich, Richard Barter found Rattlesnake Bar’s mining claims already staked when he reached the American River’s Placer County settlement in 1850. You’ll see how his mining struggles forced him to labor for others rather than work his own claim. After a fruitless year, his brother and cousin abandoned the venture, but Barter persisted despite minimal returns.
Economic desperation drove him to horse rustling by 1853, earning him a San Quentin conviction. Following his release, Barter attempted legitimate work in Shasta County as “Dick Woods,” but a former miner exposed his criminal past. Employers refused to hire him, and repeated rejection eliminated any path back to lawful society—compelling his transformation into “Rattlesnake Dick.”
Leading California’s Most Feared Gang
His gang’s sophisticated operations included:
– George Skinner intercepting $80,600 in gold at Nevada City
- Strategic targeting of stagecoaches between Auburn and Fiddletown
- Reliance on informants like Jack Phillips for advance warnings
- Multiple successful jail escapes despite Deputy John Boggs’s arrests
- Killing Deputy George W. Martin during a July 1859 shootout
- Johnston suffered a severed finger from Barter’s first shot
- Martin fell dead from his horse during the exchange
- Barter’s body appeared next morning with self-inflicted head wound
- His horse wandered wounded near Grass Valley days later
- Remains relocated to Old Auburn Cemetery in 1893
This six-year reign earned him the moniker “Pirate of the Placers” in dime novels.
The $80,000 Gold Heist and Reign of Terror
In 1856, opportunity arrived when Barter overheard a drunken mining engineer discussing large gold shipments from the Yreka and Klamath River Mines. He dispatched George Skinner and three others to intercept the mule train outside Nevada City, planning to rendezvous at Folsom for the transfer.
The gang seized $80,000 in gold bullion ($2,799,704 in 2024 dollars) without firing shots, holding the muleskinners at gunpoint. You’ll find the weight proved problematic—they stashed loot worth $40,000 in the mountains, transporting only half to Folsom. A Wells Fargo posse intercepted them near Auburn, killing George Skinner and recovering $40,600. The remaining gold was never found.
Barter’s notorious reputation intensified through subsequent heists, including the Fiddletown Wells Fargo burglary and triple stagecoach robbery netting $30,000.
Final Confrontation and Legacy in Auburn
Barter’s criminal career reached its violent conclusion on July 11, 1859, when county tax collector and deputy sheriff George M. Martin led a posse near Auburn’s railroad station. Johnston recognized Barter and demanded surrender, triggering a deadly gunfight where bullets flew from both sides.
The confrontation’s aftermath revealed troubling realities:
This incident catalyzed law enforcement reforms through prisoner classification systems. Barter’s gravesite legacy at Old Auburn Cemetery marks where California’s three-year reign of terror ended, documenting an outlaw era that shaped frontier justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to the Stolen $80,600 in Gold From the Yreka Heist?
Like scattered seeds in wind, half the gold—$40,600—was recovered near Auburn. You’ll find the remaining $40,000’s treasure location remains unknown on Trinity Mountain, despite searches by potential accomplice identities including Rattlesnake Dick himself.
Did Rattlesnake Dick’s Family Ever Learn About His Criminal Activities?
No documented evidence shows Rattlesnake Dick’s family learned about his crimes or death. You won’t find records indicating whether his sister mourned his criminal activities or if he felt remorse before his 1859 death.
How Did Tom Bell Influence Rattlesnake Dick’s Criminal Career in Prison?
You’ll find Tom Bell mentored Barter in prison, teaching criminal methods that undermined any prison rehabilitation programs. Their 1854-1855 San Quentin connection proves early criminal justice reform failures, enabling organized crime networks rather than preventing recidivism through proper intervention.
Why Did Vigilantes Force His Gang to Relocate From San Francisco?
Vigilantes forced the gang’s relocation because their aggressive tactics targeted organized crime threatening San Francisco’s commerce and settlements. Public perception demanded swift justice beyond government capacity, making the city too dangerous for Barter’s operations to continue.
Was the Death Ruled Suicide or Murder Given the Bullet Wounds?
The official report ruled it suicide, yet authorities later charged his partner with murder. You’ll find no bullet trajectory analysis or medical examiner’s report existed—leaving the truth buried in conflicting 1859 testimonies and unresolved evidence.
