Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-02-12

legs of drawers pulled down over
the face and with two holes cut in
them for eyes, and was disposed to
parley. The ominous lingering of
the two triggers and the knowledge
that his little gun was inaccessible
very nearly decided him, while q
pistol barrel inserted In the near
leaders off ear afforded him con.
vincing proof that for once discre.
ton was the better part of valor.
The box was dropped but with it
Parkhurst gave the robbers warning
that be would not let the matter
stop there, and that some time or
other the same gentlemen, or any
of the Kind should hear from him in
a less pleasant way. After that
Parkhurst was not only forever on
his guard, but was always on the
lookout for chance to get even
with the road agents. The chance
was not long in coming There
was at the time l0ted desperate
named Sugar Foot. Going here
and there, terrorizing the passen-
gers on dozen routes. Sugar Foot
at last decided to change the base
of his operations to the Oalaveras
road. 1t is probable that he had
heard of Parkhurst's threat, for he
associated with himself for the en-.
terprise quite posse of highway
men. The moment of attack was
chosen, the choice being infiuer ced
by the report of heavy booty to
be obtained, and while Parkhurst
was one day driving back home
from Mar posa to Stockton, Sugar
Foot and his band leaped into the
road. There was the usual demand,
the usual tactics of wicked muzzes
pointed at the driver, and rough
hand at tbs .eader's heads. But
there was change from the usual
programme when Parkhurst, draw.
ing pistol, let fly right and left,
and with o pull on the reins and a
call to the horses sent them flying
through the discounted robbers.
Charley had aimed at the man who
appeared to head the gang, and had
the pleasure of seeing him clap his
hand to his breast and tumble back
ward
THE SHOT WAS FATAL
to Sugar Foot's predatory excur.
sious, for while his companions fed
he crawled into miners cabin and
gave up his sinful ghost. There are
other stories told of Parkhurst to
show the daring conduct of the man
in the face of difficulties end dan
gers. 1t is told that once, while
driving a fractions four.i had from
Oakland to San Jose, the team ran
away so suddenly as to throw Park
hurst from the box Still retaining
his grasp on The lines he was
dragged along uotil be succeeded in
turning the runaways into the chap
paral. where they caught among
the bushes and stopped. To chow
their admiration of the drivers
pluck, the passengers made up and
presented him with a purse Of $40.
Again, when drivers were scarce, he
did double drty by driving both
ways over the road, keeping on the
box night and day, and earning
double pay for months During his
career as stage driver he was kicked
by risky horse in the left eye so
violently as to destroy the sight. 1t
was from the loss of this organ that
he received the nickname zone.
Eyed Charley" by which he was
commonly called. Leaving the Cal.
averas road, he took the position of
boss driver on the Oakland and San
Jose stage road, where as on the
Calaveras line, he made himself q
favorlte with all who travelled with
him by bis pleasant, quiet behavior
and cool resolution. He added to
this reputation on the San Juan and
Santa Cruz road, where he was
known as one of the crack drivers
and best whips in California. Alto.
gether he sat on the stage coach for
fifteen years, and only abandoned
his petty throne when the steam
horse invaded his province, and he
saw that Ichabod was written over
the palmy days of staging. Even
while driving, Parkhurst had occa-
sionally in winter time varied his
employment 10y following the trade
of lumberman. In the woods as be.
hind his six. in. hand, be gained the
name of being expert and thorough
ly reliable. The heaviest work was
never Stunned. He welded the ak
with such vigor and skill that he
was reckoned
AS NO. wooDMAN.
Farming, too, was calling which
he seemed at home 10, 80 when be
stepped down from the stage coach
for the last time, it was
not to be shiftless and idle
for want of any other employment.
About the year 1858 be dropped the
whip and reins, and opened stage
station and saloon on the road be-
tween Watsonville and Santa Cruz.
at point about halfway between
the Aptos Laguna and the first
heavy sandhills as you go toward
jacksonville. At this place he fur
nished the Hay and grain for the
stage horses on contract, got al1o
fair wages per month for taking
care of the teams, ETC., and kept his
bar and stopping. place beside. He
smoked, chewed tobacco. drank
moderately. played social game of
cards or dice for the drinks, and was
ZONE of the boys" Parkhurst, how
avar uas navar addiatad ~ iaoaa