The Princeton union., 1880-06-24
CHARLEY PARKHURST.

The story of Charley Parkhurst, the
loted California stage driver, reads more
ike romance than it does like verified |
ale Of real life. San Francisco papers
give us very interesting sketches of |
Charley. He first appeared on the box
seat of the stage-coach running from
Oakland to San Jose; after that, driving
from Stockton to Mariposa, and again
from San Juan to Santa Cruz. The stout,
figure Of about five feet six
inches, broader across the hips than
across the shoulders, the sunbrowned
face, beardless save a few struggling,
downy hairs, the bluish-gray eyes and
sharp, high-pitched voice, the set but
not unpleasant features, moved now and
then with rare smile, the deliberate
which seems to be fashion
of the fraternity, were as familiar to the
passengers on these routes as the chuck
holes in summer. How he drifted to Cali
fornia in the first days of the gold-min-
ing 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 circumstan-
The generally accepted story Of the late
Charles Parkhurst is, however, as fol-
lows:
He was born, it is stated, in New
Hampshire, and worked on farm with
his uncle until quarrel arose between
the two, when Charley moved to Provi-
dence, r. I. There he remained for
some time as coachman 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 capabil-
tiles as driver, brought him to Califor-
MIA 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 eff
cheney on the drivers perch, nor as to
the unfaiiing nerve that lay beneath his
ordinary exterior. An incident in his
early career as stage-driver will illus
trate 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 Tuolumne river
was in shaky condition, and that it
would not be wise to risk driving over it.
Parkhurst answered never 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. It was swashing and roaring like
mill-race. The bridge was next seen,
and Parkhurst. clearing the rain from
his eyes, perceived that, In very short
time, there would no longer be any
bridge, for it was already shaking on its
foundation. The solitary passenger
begged of Parkhurst not to venture ON
the creaking structure, but Charley,
setting his teeth together and gathering
the reins with firm grip, sent the long
whiplash curling about the leaders ears
and eyes with so vicious swing that,
giving a wild leap, they plunged for
ward on to the bridge. The planks
trembled under the horses hoofs and
rocked beneath the wheels, but, with a
final effort, a cheering cry from Park
hurst 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 go tum-
bling into the waters.
There were other dangers on this
Stockton and Mariposa road than those
of flood, for highwaymen abounded, and
one could never tell where progress
might be stopped by leveled shotgun,
masked man grabbing the leaders
headstall, and the hoarse command te
throw out the treasure-boE. Parkhurs'
had not long been running when such
an interruption occurred The choice
was offered him, in the cleaning Of 8
certain evening, between receiving the
contents of two double -barreled shot
guns and delivering up the contents Of {
strong chest. Parkhurst looked at tht
figures disguised with hideous- looking
caps, and masks made out of legs o
drawers, pulled down over the face, will
two holes cut in them for the eyes, on,
was disposed to parley. The ominou
lingering of two triggers, and the knowl
edge that his little gun was inaccessible
very nearly decided him. while a pistol
barrel inserted in the near leaders o.
ear afforded him convincing proof that
for the nonce, discretion would be til
better part Of valor. The box wa
dropped, but with it Parkhu1st gave th
warning that he would not let matter
stop there, and that some time or othe
the same gentleman, or any Of the kine
should hear from him in a less pleasar
way.
After that Parkhurst was not only TO
ever on his guard, but was always on. ii
lookout for chance to geteven with tt
road-agents. The chance was not Ion
in coming. There was at that time
noted desperate known as Sugar Foo
Going here and there, terrorizing Il
passengers on o dozen routes, Sug'
Foot at last decided to change his ba'
OF operations to the Calayeras road.
is probable that he had heard of Par
hurst's threat, for he associated wi
himself for the enterprise quite pos
OF highwaymen.
The moment of attack was chosen, Il