Middletown transcript., 1880-02-21
CHARLEY PARKHURsT.
A Story Of 4 Californian Who Won World
Wide Renown.


noted California stage driver, read
more like a romance than it does lik
q verified tale Of real life. San Fran
cisco papers give US very interesting
sketches Of Charley He first ap
peared on the box-seat Of the stage
coach running from Oakland to Sal
Jose; after that driving from Stock
ton to Mariposa, and again from Sal
Juan to Santa Cruz. The stout, com
pact figure Of about five feet six
broader across the hi ps than across tht
shoulders; the sun-browned face
beardIess save for a few struggling
downy hairs; the blush gray eyes, ano
sharp, bigh-p pitched voice the set but
not unpleasant features moved now
and then with rare smile. the dellber
ate movement which seems to be Q
fashion Of the fraternity, we're az ia
miliar to the passengers on these routes
as the chuck-holes in summer. How
be drifted to California in the first days
Of the goldmining fever is not exactly
known, for in that time Of hurry, hustle
and struggle the ordinary unassuming
man was very likely to be overlooked
His true name even, in the light Of
present circumstances, has become a
matter Of conjecture The generally
accepted story Of the late Charles
Parkhurst il, however, as follows: He
was born, it is stated, in New Hamp-
shire, and worked on farm with his
uncle until quarrel arose between
the two, when Charley moved to Provi-
dence r. /. There he remained for
some time as coachman in the employ
Of a Mr.. Childs From Providence
he went to Georgia, and became a
stage-driver, continuing in that State
and occupation for two years. He
used further to state that one Jim
Birch, noticing his capabilities as a
driver, brought him to California and
placed him upon an opposition line to
drive from Oakland 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 unfailing nerve that lay beneath
his ordinary exterior. An incident in
his early career as stage-driver will
illustrate this. Once in winter when
The rain was coming. down in sheets,
as it had been for three days past, and
the coach was laboring along through
mud almost to the hubs, Parkhurst
was hailed by stray wayfarer and
told that the bridge across the Tuo-
lumne River was in a shaky condition,
and that it would be wise not to risk
driving over it. Parkhurst answered
never a word, but gathering up the
lines with one hand, he cut the swings
and wheelers across the launches with
the other, and pushed on.
Soon the swollen stream came in
sight. 1t was swashing and roaring
like milI-race. The bridge was next
seen, and Parkhurst, clearing the rain
from his eyes, perceived that in a very
short time there would no longer be
any bridge, for it was already shaking
On its Foundation. The solitary pass
enger begged Of ParkhuFst not to ven
ture on the creaking structure, but
Charley, setting his teeth together, and
the reins with a firm grip,
sent the long whiplash about the lead
ers' ears and eyes with 60 vicious a
swing thai, giving a wild leap, they
plunged forward On 10 the bridge
The planks trembled under the horses
hoofs and rocked beneath the wheels,
but with final effort, cheering cry
from Parkhurst and a flying lash, the |
opposite shore was gained in safety
gained only just in time though, for
looking back at the turn Of the road |
the further end Of the bridge was seen
to sway over the stream for moment
and then 60 tumbling into the waters.
There we're other dangers Oh this
Stockton and Mariposa road than
those Of food, for highwaymen abound
ed, and one could never tell where
progress might be stopped by a level
ed shot gun, masked man grabbing
the leaders headstall and the hoarse
to throw out the treasure
box. Parkhurst had not long been
running when such an interruption &C.
Cured. The choice was offered him
ID the cleaning Of a certain evening
between receiving the contents Of two
1ouble-barreled shot-guns and deliver
IN up the contents Of strong chest.
Parkhurst looked at the figures dis
guised with hedious-looking caps and
masks made out Of legs Of drawers
pulled down over the face, with two
loles cut in them for the eyes and was
M sposed to parley. The ominous ing-
ng Of two triggers and the knowl-
y that his little gun was inaccessi-
very nearly decided him, whilst a
,stol-barrel inserted in the near lead
IRIS off ear afforded him convincing
proof that for the nonce, discretion
would be the better part Of yaIor. The
1ox was dropped, but with it Park
hurst gave the robbers warning that
le would not let matters stop there
md that some time or other the same
gentlemen or any Of the kind should
lear from him in a less pleasant wav
After that Parkhurst was not only for.
'ver on his guard, but was always On
he lookout for a chance to Get even
With the road-agents. The chance
vas not long il coming. There was
It that time noted desperado known
g Sugar Foot. Going here and there
errorizing the passengers On a dozen
outes, Sugar Foot at last decided n
hange his base of operations to III
jalaveras road. It is probable thai
le had heard Of Parkhurst's threat
Or he associated with himself for.tbe
nterprise quite posse Of highway.
nen. +,
The moment Of attack was chosen
he choice being influenced by the 81
ort Of heavy booty to be obtained
nd whilst Parkhurst was one day
irving back home from Mariposa Il ,
tockton, Sugar Foot and bis hand J
eaped into the road. There wos IL /.