William James "Joe" Boot – Robbing With Pearl Hart – Legends of America
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, but few pairings are as intriguing and unconventional as that of William James "Joe" Boot and Pearl Hart. Their brief but notorious alliance in the Arizona Territory at the turn of the 20th century cemented their place in the legends of the Wild West. Joe Boot, the lesser-known half of this duo, played a pivotal role in the escapade that catapulted Pearl Hart to infamy.
Early Life and Background of Joe Boot
Born in the rugged landscape of Mammoth, Arizona, little is definitively known about the early years of William James "Joe" Boot. The details of his childhood and formative experiences remain shrouded in the mists of history, pieced together from fragmented accounts and local lore. What is known, however, is that Boot carved out a living in the demanding trades of farming and mining, common occupations in the burgeoning Arizona Territory.
Boot’s life took a significant turn when he found himself in Globe, Arizona, a bustling mining town that served as a melting pot for fortune seekers and individuals drawn to the promise of the West. It was here, in 1899, that destiny intervened and brought Joe Boot into the orbit of Pearl Hart, a woman whose own story was as captivating as the Western landscape itself.
Pearl Hart: From Canada to the Arizona Territory
Pearl Hart, born Pearl Taylor in Canada, was a woman of restless spirit and a yearning for adventure. Dissatisfied with the conventional expectations placed upon women of her time, Hart became enamored with the romanticized allure of the "Wild West." She ventured south, seeking to make her mark in the rugged and untamed territories of the United States.
Hart drifted through various mining camps in Arizona, taking on odd jobs to sustain herself. Her path was one of constant movement and a quest for purpose, until she crossed paths with Joe Boot in Globe. Their meeting would prove to be a fateful encounter, setting in motion a chain of events that would forever link their names in the chronicles of Western outlaws.
A Partnership Forged in Desperation
The initial bond between Joe Boot and Pearl Hart was rooted in shared circumstances and a mutual desire for financial stability. Together, they decided to try their luck at mining, staking a small claim in the hopes of striking it rich. However, their dreams were quickly dashed when the ore they extracted proved to be worthless, leaving them in a precarious financial position.
Adding to their woes, Pearl received distressing news from her brother: their mother was gravely ill and in need of money for medical treatment. Driven by a sense of filial duty and a desire to alleviate her mother’s suffering, Pearl turned to Joe Boot for advice and assistance.
Boot, harboring his own aspirations for quick wealth, saw an opportunity in Pearl’s predicament. He had long contemplated robbing a train, a daring scheme that could potentially solve their financial problems at once. With Pearl’s need for money as a catalyst, Boot began to formulate a plan, suggesting various ways for Pearl to acquire the necessary funds.
The First Scam and the Decision to Rob a Stagecoach
Initially, Joe and Pearl engaged in a low-level scam, preying on unsuspecting men who were lured by the prospect of romance. Pearl would entice men into their room, leading them to believe that their advances would be reciprocated. However, once the men were inside, Joe would knock them unconscious, and the pair would steal their money.
While this scheme provided some income, it was far from lucrative enough to meet their needs, especially with Pearl’s mother’s medical expenses looming. Recognizing the limitations of their current operation, Joe and Pearl began to consider more audacious alternatives.
It was then that the idea of robbing a stagecoach took shape. Joe had previously considered robbing a train, but the logistics and risks involved seemed daunting. A stagecoach, on the other hand, presented a more manageable target, with fewer potential complications.
After careful deliberation and planning, Joe and Pearl decided to target the stagecoach route between Florence and Globe, Arizona. They meticulously studied the route, the schedule, and the potential vulnerabilities of the stagecoach. To prepare for the heist, Pearl cut off her hair and donned Joe’s clothing, disguising herself as a man to avoid easy identification.
The Stagecoach Robbery
On May 30, 1899, Joe Boot and Pearl Hart put their plan into action. They positioned themselves along the stagecoach route, lying in wait for their target to approach. As the stagecoach came into view, Joe and Pearl sprang into action, stepping out onto the road with their guns drawn.
With a commanding presence, they ordered the driver to halt the stagecoach. Joe kept his gun trained on the driver, ensuring his compliance, while Pearl ushered the passengers out of the coach. With swift efficiency, they emptied the passengers’ pockets and wallets, collecting their valuables.
In total, Joe and Pearl managed to acquire approximately $450, along with a revolver. Satisfied with their haul, they ordered the passengers back into the stagecoach. Joe fired a shot into the air as a signal, and the driver was instructed to depart.
The Aftermath and Capture
Despite their meticulous planning, Joe and Pearl had failed to account for the challenges of navigating the unfamiliar desert hills. As they attempted to make their escape on horseback, they quickly became disoriented and lost. After several days of wandering, they set up camp in a grove of trees, building a campfire to provide warmth and comfort. Exhausted from their ordeal, they soon fell asleep.
Unbeknownst to them, Pinal County Sheriff W. E. Truman was hot on their trail. The sheriff and his posse had been diligently tracking the outlaws, following their trail through the desert. Their pursuit led them to a schoolhouse located 20 miles north of Benson, where they discovered that Joe and Pearl had made camp nearby.
As the couple slept, the sheriff and his posse stealthily surrounded their camp. They approached cautiously, weapons drawn, and swiftly apprehended Joe and Pearl. According to accounts from the time, Pearl put up a fight, while Joe offered no resistance.
Imprisonment and Escape
Following their capture, Joe and Pearl were taken to the Globe jail. Pearl, capitalizing on her notoriety as a "lady bandit," embraced her role, signing autographs and entertaining those who came to catch a glimpse of the infamous "Bandit Queen."
However, Pearl’s incarceration was short-lived. On October 12, 1899, she orchestrated an escape from the jail, along with another prisoner named Ed Hogan. Their escape further fueled Pearl’s legend, captivating the public imagination throughout the West. However, their freedom was short-lived, as law enforcement officers soon tracked them down and returned them to jail.
Trials and Sentencing
Pearl’s trial took place in Florence in November 1899. During the proceedings, she asserted that the court had no right to try her under laws in which women had no voice. Her case drew nationwide attention, with newspapers from across the country covering the sensational trial.
Despite admitting her guilt, Pearl was acquitted by the all-male jury, likely due to her compelling story of robbing the stagecoach to help her ailing mother. Her lawyer also emphasized that it was her first offense and that she had always abided by the law in the past.
However, the trial magistrate, Judge Fletcher Doan, was outraged by the verdict, believing that Pearl had manipulated the jury with her charm. He replaced the jury and had Pearl retried for unlawfully carrying a gun. This time, her charms failed to sway the jury, and she was convicted and sentenced to five years in the Yuma Territorial Prison.
Joe Boot, tried separately, was not as fortunate. He received a sentence of 30 years for his role in the stagecoach robbery and was also sent to the Yuma prison.
Joe Boot’s Disappearance
While serving his sentence, Joe Boot exhibited good behavior and became a trusty, assigned to drive food and materials to inmate crews working outside the prison walls. In 1901, he seized an opportunity and drove his wagon through the gate, disappearing without a trace.
It was widely believed that Joe Boot fled to Mexico, where he remained for the rest of his life. His fate after his escape remains a mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to the story of Joe Boot and Pearl Hart, the unlikely duo who dared to challenge the conventions of the Wild West.