The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-09
THE STAGE-DRIVEEt.
A Story OF q Californian who
WON a World Wide HEenown.

The story ef Charley Parkhust, the nj
red California stage-driyer, reads more lil'
romance than it docs like a verified tai
Of real life. San Francisco papers give |
very interesting sketches Of Charley. Fl
first appeared on the box-seat of the stage
coach running from Oakland to San Jose
after that, driving from Stockton to Mar
posa. and again from San Juan to SAINT
| Cruz. The stout, compact figure of abor
five feet six, broader across the hips tina
across the shoulders, the sunbrowned face
' beardless save for few struggling down
| hairs, the bluish-gray eyes and SHARP
hgh-pitched voice, the set but not un
pleasant features, moved now and the
with rare smile, the deliberate move
| ment which seems to be 4 fashion with til
| fraternity, were as familiar to the passen
gers on these routes as the chuck-holes il
J summer. How he drifted to California il
The first days of the goldmining fever i
not exactly known, for in that time o
| hurry, hustle and struggle the ordinary
massuming man was very likely to bC
overlooked. His true name, even, in the
LIGHT 0f present circumstances, has become
matter Of conjecture. The generally.
accepted story of the late Charles Park.
hurst is, however, as follows:
lie was born, it is stated, in New Hamp-
sbire, and worked on farm with his uncle
until quarrel arose between the two.
when Charley removed to Providence, r.
l. There he remained for some time as
coachnan in the employ of Mr.. Childs.
From Providence he went to Georgia, and
became stage-driver, continuing in that
State and occupation for two years. He
used further to state that one Jim Birch,
noticing his capabilities as driver,
brought him to California and placed him
upon an opposition line to drive from Oak
land to San Jose. .....
Whatever question there may be about
this story, there is none as to his efficiency
on the drivers perch, nor as to the unfail-
ing nerve that lay beneath his ordinary ex-
WIiUi. AL llillGCAG Ill HIS tdIlI CAREER uS
Stage-driyer will illustrate this. Once in
winter, when the rain was coming down
lin sheets, as it had been for three DAYS
past, and the coach was laboring along
Through mud almost to the hubs, Park
hurst was hailed by a stray wayfarer, and
told that the bridge across the Tuolumne
river was in u shally condition, and that it
world be wise not to risk driving over it,
Parkhmst answered never a word but
gathering UP the lines with one hand he
cpt the swings and wheelers across the
launches with the other, and pushed on.
Soon the swollen stream came in sight.
Itwas swashing and roaring like mill
Race. The bridge was next seen, and Park
burst, clearing the rain from his eyes, per-
keived thatin very short time there would
bolonger be any bridge, for it was already
khaking on its foundation. The solitary
passenger begged Of Parkhurst not to ven
Eme on the creaking structure, but Char
ley, setting his teeth together, and gather
hg the reins with firm grip, sent the
Eong whip-lash curling about the leaders,
E&rs and eyes with so vicious swing that,
giving wild leap, they plunged forward
Pn to the bridge. The pIanks trenbled
bndCr the horses hoofs and rocked beneath
lhC wheels, but with final effort, cheer
Ing cry from Parkhurst and a flying lash,
he opposite shore was gained in safety !
gained only just i'll time, though, for, look
hg back at the turn of the road, the fur
per end Of the bridge was seen to sway
yer the stream for moment and then 20
pmbling into the waters.
There were other dangers on this Stock
Pnand Mariposa road than those of flood, |
Pr Mghwaymen abounded, and one could |
Iever tell where progress might be stop
eaby leYelled shotgun, a masked man
grabbing the leaders, headstall, and the
parse command to throw out the treasure
oG' Parkhurst had not long been run
ing when such an interruption occurred.
ne choice was offered him, in the gloam-
Of certain evening, between receiv.
Bhe contents Of two double barrelled
fVtgunS and delivering up the contents
strong chest. Parkhurst looked at
Hhgures disguised with hideous-looking
as' and masks made out of legs Of draw
pulled down over their faces, with two
leS cut in them for the eyes, and was
fSpoSed to parley. The ominous finger
ol TWO triggers, and the knowledge
t"'ias little gun was inaccessible, very
p"ty decided him, whilst Il pistol-barrel
Sst'ed IN the near leaders, off ear afford.
"''h convincing proof that, for the nonce,
'V'euon would be the better part of valor.
rs OoA was dropped, but with it Park
ttS' gave the warning that he would not
matters stop there, ana that sometime
0slef the same gentiman, or.any Of the
NV should hear from him in less pleas
Ntway
A''er that Parkhurst was not only for
u oa his guard, but was always on the
s'0' lof chance to get even with the
~l,'seHtS, The chance was not long in
1'ug There was at that time a noted
r'iSuo known as Sugar Foot. Going
aua there, terrorizing the passengers
0o@eh routes, Sugar Foot at last de-
"to change his base Of operations to
Ialyaras road. 1t is probable thar he
" heard of Parkhurst's threat, for he
sNasea with himself for the enterprise
posse Of highwaymen.
T. moment of attack was chosen, the
gslhg influenced by the report Of a
i,El y o0oty to be obtained, and whilst
nu'St was one day driving back from
Ari, roSa 10 Stockton, Sugar Foot and his
ln.I |'ped into the road. There was the
,,,s ''iaIld, the usual tactics of wicked
D5 S' pointing at the driver, and rough Il
- Nie leaders, heads. But there was
A4bs ~ Hom the usual programme when 4
iiIan drawing 4 pistol, let fly right
@ Altoa a'la with pull On the reins and 4 j
disaa. uotse o sent them flying through
Avn ! sVhhtted robbers. Charley had II
psna 'ne man who appeared to head
n cl,s, o. atia had the pleasure Of seeing /,
b,s.p MS hands to his breast and ttl1n-
aos n@sfa. ns The shot was fatal to Sugar
a1aaios agi,saa.ory excursions, for whilst his
jn srs ,s'ts He'd, he craWled into a miners d
le,s raa gave up his sinful ghost. II
s6cg a sts other stories told of Parkhurst 3
tacs " Y daring conduct of the man in II
tb,t aitfculties and dangers. Itis II
t4a.h,na ee' while driving fractious
team III rom Oakland to San Jose, II
tEAUr.t \. I away % sosnddenly ID to throw \
gss Il tom che box Still retaining II
aguntil a 'ae lines, he was dragged H
Y succeeded ii turning the H