In History: Rattlesnake Dick of Placer and El Dorado County

Jun 28, 2016 04:52PM ● By Jerrie Beard

Photo courtesy of rockcreeklake.com

Few who came to California during the Gold Rush found instant riches. Most found long days of hard labor and barely enough gold to cover living expenses. For many, survival necessitated finding another business; others became thieves. One of the most notorious bandits in Placer and El Dorado Counties was Richard Barter, aka Rattlesnake Dick.

Born in 1833 in Quebec, he moved with his sister, brother and cousin to Oregon around 1850, but

Photo courtesy of thechive.com

stories of gold in California enticed the men to head south. They settled in Rattlesnake Bar on the North Fork of the American River, which had seemingly inexhaustible gold. As all the claims were taken, they found themselves working for others.

Richard’s brother and cousin soon headed back to Oregon, but Richard was certain he would strike it rich. His tenacity earned him the moniker of “Rattlesnake Dick.”

In 1853, he was falsely accused of stealing. His lawyer convinced the jury of his innocence, but later that year, he was accused and convicted of stealing a mule. The real thief was caught and confessed while Rattlesnake was serving time, and he was set free.

The stigma of these incidents haunted Rattlesnake. He moved to Shasta County, changed his name to Dick Woods, and made a modest living prospecting. Eventually, someone visiting from Folsom recognized him and spread stories of his past. Rattlesnake gave up. If he was to be labeled an outlaw, he figured he might as well be one. He robbed a lonely traveler, told him he had been robbed by the Pirate of the Placers, and returned to Rattlesnake Bar.

Rattlesnake was known to work with Tom Bell’s gang, which was one of the largest gangs in the area. Here he met a handful of thieves whom he handpicked for his own gang—George Skinner and his brother Cyrus, “Big Dolph” Newton, an Italian named Romero and Bill Carter. He was planning one of the biggest robberies in California.

Rattlesnake learned that gold bullion from Yreka was shipped south via mule train. He figured a few armed men could surprise the guards, tie them up and take the gold. He sent his men to steal the gold while he and Cyrus headed to Auburn to steal mules to transport the loot. The robbery was successful, and the gang took the bullion to a mountain rendezvous. Days passed and Rattlesnake didn’t return. He had been caught and jailed.

For the gang, the chance of discovery so close to the scene of the crime was too great. George decided to bury $40,000 worth of the bullion, divide the rest amongst his men, and head to Auburn.

Photo courtesy of

americancowboychronicles

.com.

Just outside of Auburn, the gang ran into a posse. George was killed and the others were arrested. When Rattlesnake and Cyrus escaped from jail, they learned of George’s death and searched for the buried bullion, which to this day has not been found.

Rattlesnake assembled a new gang, continued to prey upon travelers, and was doggedly pursued by Auburn’s Sheriff John Boggs. In 1859, John and undersheriff George Johnston captured Rattlesnake outside of Nevada City. He was jailed, but escaped. John and a deputy rode off in pursuit in one direction, while George, William Crutcher and George Martin headed off in the opposite direction. The undersheriff and his men came upon two riders, and called for the men to halt. They were answered with gunfire. George was killed, the undersheriff badly wounded, and the lawmen only got off two shots before the outlaws were out of range.

The following day, the Iowa Hill stage came upon a body by the road. It was Rattlesnake Dick. He had received two gunshot wounds the previous day and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His body was taken to Auburn and buried in the Old Auburn Cemetery.