It was more often than not that stagecoach robbers were not caught. Unless there was a great deal of money or gold involved, the robberies were soon forgotten
The robbery could have been the work of the notorious "Black Bart". Charles E. Boles (Bolles, Bowles, etc.) moved to Montana in 1867. He was living in Silver Bow in 1871. He may have been an employee of Wells Fargo for a short time, as he carried a grudge against the company for "what they owed him." Wells Fargo discontinued their stagecoach service in Montana in 1869. The railroad line across the country was just completed, and other companies were providing stagecoach service between the town. Boles moved back to California where he continued the robberies of Wells Fargo stages until 1883 when he was caught. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison, but he got out after 4 years for good behavior.
