The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-28
STAGE COACHING.
How the Road lrom New York to Phila-
delphia Was Formerly Travelled.
! PETER COOPER'S RECOLLECTIONS.
Luo;crous Scenes and Incidents OF the
Olden Time.
AvETERAN STAGE OWNERS STORY.

The Forthcoming drive OF tho Tally-Ho from
New York to Philadelphia Is emnentiy calculated 10
awaken memories Of stage travelling between the
two cities in former times, aud 20 call up rcminis-
cences life halt century ago, which are still
fresh In the minds of few venerable citizons.
Nothing could be more striking than the
contrast between the rude appliances at one
period uuizcd for communicating between the
places mentioned and the magnificent turnout
that will dash the same ground next Saturday.
For the purpose OF illustration 1t viii be necessary
only advert to the sccno OF an oidasboned, lum-
boring stage coach immersed mud TO the hubs, at
midnight on q lonely road, while the long sui
ierng passengers, order to continue their weari-
some Journey, demoishing adjacent fence
10 secure its stoutest rails with which to lift the
stage by main strength terra nrma again. Tho
other side OF this picture Will at once present itself
vvidy to the imag natons OF those who have at any
witnessed the splendid sight Afforded by parade
OF The Coaching Club from the Hotel Brunswick 10
Jerome Park.
COACHING
During the early part OF tho last century II would
appear that the sCty Fa'hers' OF New York
became alive the importance OF adopting some
means tor facilitating social and commercial inter-
course between their municipality anu Philadelphia.
Accordingly about the year 1880 and soon after the
erection OF the Middle Dutch Church. q
hcal historian states that "a line OF stages
established between New York and Philadelphia,
10 n fortnight during the winter months,
and proposals were issued Tor loot post to Albany"
Less than quarter OF acentury later another effort
was made toward giving the people OF the former
titles an improved mode OF travelling, and one that
doubtless regarded 'rapd transit" at that Pc
Rod The scheme alluded to is foresbadowed in the
following advertisement OF January, 1883
This Is to acqusiut gentlemen others who have a
mind to transport themselves wares or merchandise
from New York Philadelphia, or IRON Philadc iph IN
10 New York. that there Is how stage boat well lifted,
kept by William Vandr,s, VINO proposes wind nnd
weather permitting, TO sail from New York to Amboy
every Monday ana thursday and thence by wagon TO
Burlington and thence take passage 10 PhiiadelphiA
Thus matters renamed until l766 when the sub
Joined announcement, under the caption OF 'stagc
wagons TO Philadelphia printed aud circulated
In this city -
Persons may now 60 from New York to Philadelphia
and back in i've days and remain III phaacphia two
nights and doy 10 90 their business In fare 20
snIlngs through; there VIII be two wagons and two
drivers and Tour sets OF horses John Mercereau pro-
pretor at Biazine Star. the company TO go over 70
Pauus Hook terry the evening before, aud 10 start
lheuce the next morning early.
The wagons mentioned above were constructed al
most similar the ordinary Jersey wagon ~ was
until about the year 1870 daily line Of stages
rnn between the two cities and, connecting with
another stage limo al Philadelphia, projected TO
Washington. thus bringing the national capital
INTERVIEW WITH COOPER.
While endeavoring TO OBTAIN Information regarding
the vehicles indicated the HERALD representative
called at Tho residence OF Mr. Peter Cooper, Who
learning The nature OF the visit, repiied:-
..on that Is an old, exhausted subject; those days
have passed. wonder who could be interested in
readng anything abou, those stage coaches now.'
s.But, Mr.. Cooper, the HERALD intends publishing
nm article the subject that tho proposed drive
OF the Tally Ho to Philadelphia is occupying . large
share OF public attention, ana any particulars you
can give from recollection about stage travelling
Caunot ,ail TO prove intcresiin "
.weil, l can toll you something about them, al
,nSusA d0n' An'" mat any one would care to road
Have you ever travelled by stage from this city TO
pERILs or STAGE TRAVELLING.
Eyes. remember very well oiien gong from Now
York 10 Wash ton, by way oil Phliadel pha, the
old stage coaches, also rccollect that
CASTOR came very near having q sad accdent IL
happened IN THIS way lit was Just alter a stormy
tune ana a great deal rain had lallen that tho
river ncar-whats The name OF that place near Wash.
lngton they used to 10 light dues -ob. yes,
IladcnsDurg Well, the river ut Bladensburg was
swollen that the rails on tho sides OF the bridge
the only guides tho driver Of the stage had 10
cross by Tho coicn that was IN got over safe, but
the that coming right Deand Us, and which
nlled with ladies' got OF tDe bridge and was ed
Gown the stream some d,stance the ladies' narrowly
pscapng oy being taken out oi tho side windows OF
the stage while ~ was Ia tie stream Al another time
when was passing from New York 10 Baltimore in
tae fashioned Stage coach singular incident hap
pened mad charter Oh coach AT Jersey City TO take
myself vile one or Two OF our children and 81
want, 10 baltimore, w way Of Irenton had
WIN me $4,000 IN thver, anu you know
~fa. clumsy load that amount Of SILVER
would make. Well portlon OF ~ had packed Ia a
ten gallon reg. winch was fastened on Tue ba. part
the stage, aad Inc remainder took INSIDE WIN
az small koss. We passed from New York 10 Trenton
mud took steamer from rrenion TO Philadelphia, ana
then took another tagc from Phllndepaa 10 Baii-
more. Wnilc going on board the steamer at Trenton
had a accident. IL was IN this way la taking
the kcg from the back the stage the let aii
and tho head OF u was knocsed out causing the silver
10 he scattered all around on the sand"
"YUu PROBABLY lost some oil the money thenf'
on, no; II was all picked up ~ our part, except
ing about 81 Oh
=. unders land you to say that you frequently went
by stage IRON New York 70 Washington, by way OF
pniadelphia but h we YOU ever maao the "Trip IRON
here 10 Phiadeiph aud back again in OF those
oia fashioned coachesy'
II nave travelled from New York to Philadelphia
many times the old stage; u Was a nno drivc
through beautiful couotry, aud wc used 10 ride very
Comfortably tho coaches alter they had suspended
Tue bOdcs long leather braces, whic allowed them
10 roll about very easily During Jackson's admin
istraiion went many times 10 Washington by way OF
PnIadelpnIa, anu recolect on Que occasion We got
NJ uck tho mud, bsd 10 get out aud pun fcnce
down that might uso The rails TO pry the stage out
oil the mud with.
A BRIDAL IsclDssr.
III remember one funny tang That occurred when
was coming itom Washington by stage about MY
years Among tue passeusers wore young couple
WHO had Just been married IA Washington aud were ON
a bridal tour East You must kno~ that ~ that time
was customary TO Pile up trunks, bandboxes nd
other hgnt baggage on top oi tnc co4on IL 30 hap
pcncd tnat the Joug Of the stage opened the cover
OF one OF the Drlda's truhks, anu tho consc quence
was that tho articles oil cIothing which 10
contained drop ped by Que and were scattered
Iuna tbe r0aa Tor come dtstanc. before the accident
was discovered. mai HE nnery OF tho bride was
yearly all OUT on the highway. VI course. while sym
psthixing with The Iady's eastward procurement, we
I'll tUulu not help lugning, anu ths made the bus-
band ui tie oride qaito angry AZ Us, anu he began
10 abuse tie urlvcf accusing him OF carcics snrs..
lie had better nave taken the inisuap good hu-
norvdiy. Don't you tnbk sog"
"why, yea lac made "a 1901 Of himself by getting
apgry. He should have laughed II OIL Inc urivsr W
not blanc ne had enough 10 do IN taking OF
bis Iour horses"
,.was that tue usual number Of horses attached to
the sagcsW
.Yes rncy were always drawn b. four horses"
CHOW much timo occupied in gong from New
YORK 70 Philadelphia BY staEep
~ can,t now rccviect how long ~ TOOK. but when
we Ieft Jersey CITY Ia tue morning We got 10 Phlli.
uephia some time during tue same day. There Was
a break al Trenton. Tue stage stopped there Ia tue
Kummc time, and little steamboat took the passen.
gtrs from there 10 Philadelphia La winter, when
navigation closed, tDc stages went clear through
to Philadelphia Wy lama"
s'Did tho stages have accommodations Tor many pas
scDgersr go.