Born Lane Buchanan English in 1855 to Benjamin Franklin English Sr. and his wife Pauline Lillian Durbin. He changed his name to Lawrence, but went by "Buck" to family and friends. Buck and several of his brothers became outlaws in Lake and Napa Counties of California, with Buck being the most notorious of the bunch. They robbed stages and travelers. They were known to steal horses and rustle cattle.
He served several prison sentences with his last being life in prison. However he was paroled in 1912, just three years before his death.∼
-----
Buck English, was an American Old West outlaw, and one of Lake County, California's most notorious thief and stagecoach robber toward the end of the 19th century.
The English family feuded with the Durbin family for years, which led to three of Buck's brothers dying. When Buck was thirteen he became obligated to take revenge on the Durbin family. ** see below
Unlike Black Bart, Lake County's other notorious thief, Buck was rash and openly flaunted his overconfident capacity. He was only 22 years old when he and a companion held up the Lower Lake stage coach and took the Wells Fargo strongbox from the driver. Instead of the usual gold or silver for the miners, the box yielded only two brass castings.
The local newspaper later said, "Shortly before this robbery, he and his companion met four Chinese miners coming down from the Great Western Mine (near Middletown), and robbed them of their watches and money." The infamous life of the criminal, known as "Buck English", had begun.
Buck walked the streets of Middletown with a six-shooter strapped to his side, daring any who insulted his authority to a contest. One day he ran into Captain Good on the main street, and there were harsh words shared between the two men. Later in the day, they met again, and this time it was a shooting affair, with Buck coming out of the exchange unscathed.
The captain was seriously wounded in the arm and legs. In another unrelated incident, Buck shot and killed a man in the Middletown skating rink, turning the arena into a scene of pandemonium.
After his release from San Quentin in 1882, Buck returned to Middletown, his prison term having done him little good. It was soon after his arrival that the Lebree store in town was robbed of some watches and jewelry.
Buck left Middletown for a few years, but upon his return, he showed he had not changed, for it was not long until he had held up the stage at the foot of Mt. St Helena, near the summer home of the mayor of San Francisco. The six passengers were ordered out of the stage, and stripped of their possessions.
Buck made no effort to hide his identity. He greeted the driver of a passing wagon who quickly drove on when he realized a robbery was in progress.This occurred on May 7, 1895.
A posse was formed and they set off to capture Buck. They discovered him on a coach going from Berryessa to Napa, and a wild chase ensued. From the San Francisco Examiner of the next day, we read:
"One of the robbers jumped to the horses ahead and leveled his guns. He waved weapons and spouted profanity, all the while threatening to 'blow' the driver off of the seat. The two robbers were armed with old style Colt revolvers, and he cursed at everyone, especially the Chinamen".
The capture of Buck by Sheriff Bell reads like a Wild West novel. He was so badly wounded, and had lost so much blood that many thought he would not survive the ordeal. He did recover, however, and returned to San Quentin to serve yet another sentence.
Buck ended up living long enough to enjoy freedom again after his release from prison. He eventually died of natural causes, unlike his brothers who all died violent deaths. The lawmen who protected the citizens of Middletown breathed more easily thereafter, because law and order were easier to maintain after the passing of Buck.
**It is believed feud began with a murder:
-----------------------
A noted incident occurred at the voting polls at Bridgeport, California, leaving one man dead and three wounded. A man named English and his two sons were cutting wood on Perry Durbin’s (a.k.a. Derbin) land. Durbin and the elder English were brothers-in-law. Durbin stopped them from cutting wood with an injunction.
In retaliation, Charles English made an official complaint to the military authorities charging Durbin and others with treason in rejoicing over Lincoln’s assignation. This led to Durbin’s arrest.
Some months later at the polls, Charles English and Durbin were seen talking and Durbin made a motion as if to draw a weapon. Charles pulled a revolver and shot Durbin, hitting him in the chest and shoulder. In an attempt to escape, Charles stumbled and fell, whereupon Durbin lunged and cut his throat. When Perry English ran to assist his brother, he was fatally shot by Frank Grady. When the elder English saw what was happening, he went to his sons’ aid, whereupon Durbin stabbed him.
Grady hastily fled on horseback. Charles English also fled. Durbin went home, was soon arrested and released on $2,000 bail. Charles English was captured in Santa Rosa. Grady was eventually caught. He paid his $5,000 bail. Grady was tried twice and was acquitted.
Note: The 'elder' English in story is Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr. The brother-in-law was her brother Warren Perry Durbin. The two sons of the 'elder' English were: Charles English b. 1840 and Warren Perry English b. 1843. The one who died was Warren Perry English. The one stabbed was Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr.
He served several prison sentences with his last being life in prison. However he was paroled in 1912, just three years before his death.∼
-----
Buck English, was an American Old West outlaw, and one of Lake County, California's most notorious thief and stagecoach robber toward the end of the 19th century.
The English family feuded with the Durbin family for years, which led to three of Buck's brothers dying. When Buck was thirteen he became obligated to take revenge on the Durbin family. ** see below
Unlike Black Bart, Lake County's other notorious thief, Buck was rash and openly flaunted his overconfident capacity. He was only 22 years old when he and a companion held up the Lower Lake stage coach and took the Wells Fargo strongbox from the driver. Instead of the usual gold or silver for the miners, the box yielded only two brass castings.
The local newspaper later said, "Shortly before this robbery, he and his companion met four Chinese miners coming down from the Great Western Mine (near Middletown), and robbed them of their watches and money." The infamous life of the criminal, known as "Buck English", had begun.
Buck walked the streets of Middletown with a six-shooter strapped to his side, daring any who insulted his authority to a contest. One day he ran into Captain Good on the main street, and there were harsh words shared between the two men. Later in the day, they met again, and this time it was a shooting affair, with Buck coming out of the exchange unscathed.
The captain was seriously wounded in the arm and legs. In another unrelated incident, Buck shot and killed a man in the Middletown skating rink, turning the arena into a scene of pandemonium.
After his release from San Quentin in 1882, Buck returned to Middletown, his prison term having done him little good. It was soon after his arrival that the Lebree store in town was robbed of some watches and jewelry.
Buck left Middletown for a few years, but upon his return, he showed he had not changed, for it was not long until he had held up the stage at the foot of Mt. St Helena, near the summer home of the mayor of San Francisco. The six passengers were ordered out of the stage, and stripped of their possessions.
Buck made no effort to hide his identity. He greeted the driver of a passing wagon who quickly drove on when he realized a robbery was in progress.This occurred on May 7, 1895.
A posse was formed and they set off to capture Buck. They discovered him on a coach going from Berryessa to Napa, and a wild chase ensued. From the San Francisco Examiner of the next day, we read:
"One of the robbers jumped to the horses ahead and leveled his guns. He waved weapons and spouted profanity, all the while threatening to 'blow' the driver off of the seat. The two robbers were armed with old style Colt revolvers, and he cursed at everyone, especially the Chinamen".
The capture of Buck by Sheriff Bell reads like a Wild West novel. He was so badly wounded, and had lost so much blood that many thought he would not survive the ordeal. He did recover, however, and returned to San Quentin to serve yet another sentence.
Buck ended up living long enough to enjoy freedom again after his release from prison. He eventually died of natural causes, unlike his brothers who all died violent deaths. The lawmen who protected the citizens of Middletown breathed more easily thereafter, because law and order were easier to maintain after the passing of Buck.
**It is believed feud began with a murder:
-----------------------
A noted incident occurred at the voting polls at Bridgeport, California, leaving one man dead and three wounded. A man named English and his two sons were cutting wood on Perry Durbin’s (a.k.a. Derbin) land. Durbin and the elder English were brothers-in-law. Durbin stopped them from cutting wood with an injunction.
In retaliation, Charles English made an official complaint to the military authorities charging Durbin and others with treason in rejoicing over Lincoln’s assignation. This led to Durbin’s arrest.
Some months later at the polls, Charles English and Durbin were seen talking and Durbin made a motion as if to draw a weapon. Charles pulled a revolver and shot Durbin, hitting him in the chest and shoulder. In an attempt to escape, Charles stumbled and fell, whereupon Durbin lunged and cut his throat. When Perry English ran to assist his brother, he was fatally shot by Frank Grady. When the elder English saw what was happening, he went to his sons’ aid, whereupon Durbin stabbed him.
Grady hastily fled on horseback. Charles English also fled. Durbin went home, was soon arrested and released on $2,000 bail. Charles English was captured in Santa Rosa. Grady was eventually caught. He paid his $5,000 bail. Grady was tried twice and was acquitted.
Note: The 'elder' English in story is Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr. The brother-in-law was her brother Warren Perry Durbin. The two sons of the 'elder' English were: Charles English b. 1840 and Warren Perry English b. 1843. The one who died was Warren Perry English. The one stabbed was Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr.
Born Lane Buchanan English in 1855 to Benjamin Franklin English Sr. and his wife Pauline Lillian Durbin. He changed his name to Lawrence, but went by "Buck" to family and friends. Buck and several of his brothers became outlaws in Lake and Napa Counties of California, with Buck being the most notorious of the bunch. They robbed stages and travelers. They were known to steal horses and rustle cattle.
He served several prison sentences with his last being life in prison. However he was paroled in 1912, just three years before his death.∼
-----
Buck English, was an American Old West outlaw, and one of Lake County, California's most notorious thief and stagecoach robber toward the end of the 19th century.
The English family feuded with the Durbin family for years, which led to three of Buck's brothers dying. When Buck was thirteen he became obligated to take revenge on the Durbin family. ** see below
Unlike Black Bart, Lake County's other notorious thief, Buck was rash and openly flaunted his overconfident capacity. He was only 22 years old when he and a companion held up the Lower Lake stage coach and took the Wells Fargo strongbox from the driver. Instead of the usual gold or silver for the miners, the box yielded only two brass castings.
The local newspaper later said, "Shortly before this robbery, he and his companion met four Chinese miners coming down from the Great Western Mine (near Middletown), and robbed them of their watches and money." The infamous life of the criminal, known as "Buck English", had begun.
Buck walked the streets of Middletown with a six-shooter strapped to his side, daring any who insulted his authority to a contest. One day he ran into Captain Good on the main street, and there were harsh words shared between the two men. Later in the day, they met again, and this time it was a shooting affair, with Buck coming out of the exchange unscathed.
The captain was seriously wounded in the arm and legs. In another unrelated incident, Buck shot and killed a man in the Middletown skating rink, turning the arena into a scene of pandemonium.
After his release from San Quentin in 1882, Buck returned to Middletown, his prison term having done him little good. It was soon after his arrival that the Lebree store in town was robbed of some watches and jewelry.
Buck left Middletown for a few years, but upon his return, he showed he had not changed, for it was not long until he had held up the stage at the foot of Mt. St Helena, near the summer home of the mayor of San Francisco. The six passengers were ordered out of the stage, and stripped of their possessions.
Buck made no effort to hide his identity. He greeted the driver of a passing wagon who quickly drove on when he realized a robbery was in progress.This occurred on May 7, 1895.
A posse was formed and they set off to capture Buck. They discovered him on a coach going from Berryessa to Napa, and a wild chase ensued. From the San Francisco Examiner of the next day, we read:
"One of the robbers jumped to the horses ahead and leveled his guns. He waved weapons and spouted profanity, all the while threatening to 'blow' the driver off of the seat. The two robbers were armed with old style Colt revolvers, and he cursed at everyone, especially the Chinamen".
The capture of Buck by Sheriff Bell reads like a Wild West novel. He was so badly wounded, and had lost so much blood that many thought he would not survive the ordeal. He did recover, however, and returned to San Quentin to serve yet another sentence.
Buck ended up living long enough to enjoy freedom again after his release from prison. He eventually died of natural causes, unlike his brothers who all died violent deaths. The lawmen who protected the citizens of Middletown breathed more easily thereafter, because law and order were easier to maintain after the passing of Buck.
**It is believed feud began with a murder:
-----------------------
A noted incident occurred at the voting polls at Bridgeport, California, leaving one man dead and three wounded. A man named English and his two sons were cutting wood on Perry Durbin’s (a.k.a. Derbin) land. Durbin and the elder English were brothers-in-law. Durbin stopped them from cutting wood with an injunction.
In retaliation, Charles English made an official complaint to the military authorities charging Durbin and others with treason in rejoicing over Lincoln’s assignation. This led to Durbin’s arrest.
Some months later at the polls, Charles English and Durbin were seen talking and Durbin made a motion as if to draw a weapon. Charles pulled a revolver and shot Durbin, hitting him in the chest and shoulder. In an attempt to escape, Charles stumbled and fell, whereupon Durbin lunged and cut his throat. When Perry English ran to assist his brother, he was fatally shot by Frank Grady. When the elder English saw what was happening, he went to his sons’ aid, whereupon Durbin stabbed him.
Grady hastily fled on horseback. Charles English also fled. Durbin went home, was soon arrested and released on $2,000 bail. Charles English was captured in Santa Rosa. Grady was eventually caught. He paid his $5,000 bail. Grady was tried twice and was acquitted.
Note: The 'elder' English in story is Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr. The brother-in-law was her brother Warren Perry Durbin. The two sons of the 'elder' English were: Charles English b. 1840 and Warren Perry English b. 1843. The one who died was Warren Perry English. The one stabbed was Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr.
He served several prison sentences with his last being life in prison. However he was paroled in 1912, just three years before his death.∼
-----
Buck English, was an American Old West outlaw, and one of Lake County, California's most notorious thief and stagecoach robber toward the end of the 19th century.
The English family feuded with the Durbin family for years, which led to three of Buck's brothers dying. When Buck was thirteen he became obligated to take revenge on the Durbin family. ** see below
Unlike Black Bart, Lake County's other notorious thief, Buck was rash and openly flaunted his overconfident capacity. He was only 22 years old when he and a companion held up the Lower Lake stage coach and took the Wells Fargo strongbox from the driver. Instead of the usual gold or silver for the miners, the box yielded only two brass castings.
The local newspaper later said, "Shortly before this robbery, he and his companion met four Chinese miners coming down from the Great Western Mine (near Middletown), and robbed them of their watches and money." The infamous life of the criminal, known as "Buck English", had begun.
Buck walked the streets of Middletown with a six-shooter strapped to his side, daring any who insulted his authority to a contest. One day he ran into Captain Good on the main street, and there were harsh words shared between the two men. Later in the day, they met again, and this time it was a shooting affair, with Buck coming out of the exchange unscathed.
The captain was seriously wounded in the arm and legs. In another unrelated incident, Buck shot and killed a man in the Middletown skating rink, turning the arena into a scene of pandemonium.
After his release from San Quentin in 1882, Buck returned to Middletown, his prison term having done him little good. It was soon after his arrival that the Lebree store in town was robbed of some watches and jewelry.
Buck left Middletown for a few years, but upon his return, he showed he had not changed, for it was not long until he had held up the stage at the foot of Mt. St Helena, near the summer home of the mayor of San Francisco. The six passengers were ordered out of the stage, and stripped of their possessions.
Buck made no effort to hide his identity. He greeted the driver of a passing wagon who quickly drove on when he realized a robbery was in progress.This occurred on May 7, 1895.
A posse was formed and they set off to capture Buck. They discovered him on a coach going from Berryessa to Napa, and a wild chase ensued. From the San Francisco Examiner of the next day, we read:
"One of the robbers jumped to the horses ahead and leveled his guns. He waved weapons and spouted profanity, all the while threatening to 'blow' the driver off of the seat. The two robbers were armed with old style Colt revolvers, and he cursed at everyone, especially the Chinamen".
The capture of Buck by Sheriff Bell reads like a Wild West novel. He was so badly wounded, and had lost so much blood that many thought he would not survive the ordeal. He did recover, however, and returned to San Quentin to serve yet another sentence.
Buck ended up living long enough to enjoy freedom again after his release from prison. He eventually died of natural causes, unlike his brothers who all died violent deaths. The lawmen who protected the citizens of Middletown breathed more easily thereafter, because law and order were easier to maintain after the passing of Buck.
**It is believed feud began with a murder:
-----------------------
A noted incident occurred at the voting polls at Bridgeport, California, leaving one man dead and three wounded. A man named English and his two sons were cutting wood on Perry Durbin’s (a.k.a. Derbin) land. Durbin and the elder English were brothers-in-law. Durbin stopped them from cutting wood with an injunction.
In retaliation, Charles English made an official complaint to the military authorities charging Durbin and others with treason in rejoicing over Lincoln’s assignation. This led to Durbin’s arrest.
Some months later at the polls, Charles English and Durbin were seen talking and Durbin made a motion as if to draw a weapon. Charles pulled a revolver and shot Durbin, hitting him in the chest and shoulder. In an attempt to escape, Charles stumbled and fell, whereupon Durbin lunged and cut his throat. When Perry English ran to assist his brother, he was fatally shot by Frank Grady. When the elder English saw what was happening, he went to his sons’ aid, whereupon Durbin stabbed him.
Grady hastily fled on horseback. Charles English also fled. Durbin went home, was soon arrested and released on $2,000 bail. Charles English was captured in Santa Rosa. Grady was eventually caught. He paid his $5,000 bail. Grady was tried twice and was acquitted.
Note: The 'elder' English in story is Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr. The brother-in-law was her brother Warren Perry Durbin. The two sons of the 'elder' English were: Charles English b. 1840 and Warren Perry English b. 1843. The one who died was Warren Perry English. The one stabbed was Pauline's husband Benjamin Franklin English Sr.
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