Scams, Money, & Murder

True Crime This Week: Infamous Heists

Hosts: Vanessa Richardson, with Carter Roy (referenced)
Date: November 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of True Crime This Week focuses on two iconic historical heists: the Nazi art looting (and the courageous reclamation work of Rose Vallon) centered around the painting “Portrait of a Woman Half Length,” and the final daring robbery by Old West outlaw Black Bart. Through these stories, host Vanessa Richardson explores how greed, cunning, and heroism intertwine in the annals of infamous theft.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nazi Art Heist and Rose Vallon’s Resistance

[04:36 – 24:08]

Background on the Painting

• “Portrait of a Woman Half Length” by Nicolas de Largilliere, painted c. 1700, sold at Christie's in Paris (Nov 2024) for more than €500,000.
• The painting was stolen by Nazis from the Rothschild family during WWII, then recovered after years of secret resistance by a French art curator.

Rose Vallon: Early Life and Barriers

• Born 1898 in rural France, passionate about art despite social barriers for women.
• Rejected by the Louvre because she was a woman; took volunteer curating jobs and side hustles in art history.

The Nazi Occupation

• Nazis began seizing French art for Hitler’s personal collection and inner circle.
• “Jeu de Paume” museum in Paris turned into a massive warehouse for looted art, run by Nazi task force ERR.

Notable Quote ([07:58]):

“Rose's determination paid off. The Nazis needed Somebody who knew their way around the building. And Von Bear knew nothing about art history... So Rose helped Von Bear organize and store truckloads of paintings, antique furniture, statues, and rugs...” — Vanessa Richardson

Rose’s Espionage

• Used her knowledge of German (learned from her partner, Dr. Joyce Heer) to eavesdrop.
• Secretly catalogued hundreds of stolen art pieces, at great personal risk.
• Watched in horror as Nazis destroyed “degenerate” art by Klee, Miró, and Picasso, but focused on gathering intelligence rather than confrontation.

Liberation and Recovery

• As Allies liberated Paris (Aug 1944), Rose tipped off the French Resistance, which reclaimed a train full of art before it could leave France.
• Collaborated with U.S. Army Captain James Rorimer (Monuments Men) to recover artworks from across Germany post-war.
• Major stashes found in Bavarian monasteries, Neuschwanstein Castle, and the Altausee salt mine.

Notable Quote ([16:54]):

“Among the many treasures crowding the ballroom and halls of Neuschwanstein Castle was Nicolas de la Gilliere's Portrait of a Woman... After Rose and James discovered the painting... the snapshot became one of the most famous images of the Monuments Men at work.” — Vanessa Richardson

Rose Vallon’s Legacy

• Her meticulous records enabled the return of tens of thousands of artworks.
• Honored as one of France’s greatest cultural defenders; received the Legion of Honor and U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Memorable Moment ([23:49]):

“When Rose Vallon first came to Paris in the 1920s, no museum would hire her because she was a woman. But by the time she died in 1980 at the age of 82, she'd done more to preserve and protect fine art than any man in France.” — Vanessa Richardson

2. Black Bart: The Gentleman Stagecoach Robber

[25:38 – End]

The Final Heist

• On Nov 3, 1883, Charles Bowles (“Black Bart”) holds up a Wells Fargo coach outside Copperopolis, CA.
• Noted for his politeness and never firing his gun (which he claimed was never loaded).
• Shot in the hand by a young hunter (Jimmy Rolleri), flees, leaving behind blood and clues.

Black Bart’s Origins

• English immigrant who moved to New York as a child, failed gold prospector, Civil War veteran.
• His motive: revenge against Wells Fargo, whom he blamed for sabotaging his mining venture.

The Legend Grows

• Initiated a string of elaborate coach robberies, using sticks posed as rifles to create the illusion of a gang.
• Became infamous for leaving witty, taunting poems at the scene (hence, "the stagecoach-robbing poet").

Notable Quote ([32:50]):

“I've labored long and hard for bread, for honor and for riches, but on my corns too long you've tread, you fleet, fine haired sons of bitches.” — Black Bart's poem, read by Vanessa Richardson

The Outlaw’s Methods

• Robbed 27–28 Wells Fargo coaches over 8 years; never injured anyone or used foul language.
• Private Wells Fargo bounty hunters repeatedly failed to apprehend him, assuming he had a horse (he didn’t; he was afraid of horses).

Downfall and Capture

• Injured during final heist, leaves a distinctive handkerchief with a laundromat number at the scene.
• Investigators canvas 91 laundromats before catching him in San Francisco, under the alias “Charlie Bolton.”

Notable Moment ([41:15]):

“After years running rings around Wells Fargo operatives in the hills of California, Black Bart was arrested when his favorite shopkeeper pointed him out to the detectives.” — Vanessa Richardson

Aftermath

• Confessed, remained cheerful and polite.
• Only tried for his final stagecoach robbery (possibly due to Wells Fargo’s PR concerns), sentenced to 6 years but released after 4 for good behavior.
• Disappears from public record after release; his legend as the gentleman robber endures.

Memorable Quote ([49:23]):

“[Asked if he’ll rob more stagecoaches] No, gentlemen, I'm through with crime. [Asked if he’ll write more poetry] Now, didn’t you hear me say that I’m through with crime?” — Black Bart (Charles Bowles), as recounted by Vanessa Richardson

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:55] Episode theme and overview of the two heist stories
• [04:36 – 24:08] Rose Vallon and the Nazi art theft investigation/rescue
• [16:11] The recovery efforts with the Monuments Men
• [23:49] Rose Vallon’s legacy and impact on cultural heritage recovery
• [25:38] Black Bart’s final heist and the tale of his career
• [32:50] Recital of Black Bart’s original poem
• [41:15] The laundromat clue and Black Bart’s arrest
• [49:23] Black Bart’s memorable final words and the end of the legend

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution

• Vanessa Richardson ([07:58]):
  “Rose's determination paid off. The Nazis needed Somebody who knew their way around the building... So Rose helped Von Bear organize and store truckloads of paintings, antique furniture, statues, and rugs...”

• Vanessa Richardson ([16:54]):
  “Among the many treasures crowding the ballroom and halls of Neuschwanstein Castle was Nicolas de la Gilliere's Portrait of a Woman... the snapshot became one of the most famous images of the Monuments Men at work.”

• Vanessa Richardson ([23:49]):
  “When Rose Vallon first came to Paris in the 1920s, no museum would hire her because she was a woman. But by the time she died in 1980... she'd done more to preserve and protect fine art than any man in France.”

• Black Bart’s poem, read by Vanessa Richardson ([32:50]):
  “I've labored long and hard for bread, for honor and for riches, but on my corns too long you've tread, you fleet, fine haired sons of bitches.”

• Vanessa Richardson ([41:15]):
  “After years running rings around Wells Fargo operatives... Black Bart was arrested when his favorite shopkeeper pointed him out to the detectives.”

• Vanessa Richardson quoting Black Bart ([49:23]):
  “[Asked if he’ll rob more stagecoaches] No, gentlemen, I'm through with crime. [Asked if he’ll write more poetry] Now, didn’t you hear me say that I’m through with crime?”

Episode Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is narrative-driven, lively, and rich in detail, with Vanessa Richardson bringing historical figures to life using dramatic tension and well-chosen anecdotes. The tone is respectful yet vibrant, balancing admiration for under-recognized heroes (like Rose Vallon) and a almost folkloric, wry amusement with the gentlemanly criminal antics of Black Bart.

Summary Takeaway

By juxtaposing the Nazi art thefts with Black Bart’s stagecoach exploits, the episode draws a sharp contrast between crimes motivated by oppression and those by revenge or desperation. Both, ultimately, show that charismatic crime doesn’t go unpunished — and that remarkable individuals, whether a stealthy French curator or an eloquent outlaw, leave lasting marks on the shape of crime and justice.