Connecticut western news., 1880-02-04
The Stage Driver.

The Stage Driver. i A STORY. OF A CALIFORNIAN WHO WON A
 = WORLDWIDE RENOWN. .-..-
 The story Of Charley Purkhurst, the noted California stage driver, reads more like romance than it does like verified tale 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 Maripoga, and again from San Juan to Santa Cruz. The stout, compact figure of about five feet six, broader across the hips than across the shoulders the un-browned face, beardless save for few struggling downy hairs i; the bluish gray eyes, and sharp, high-pitehed voice; the. set but not unpleasant features moved now and then with a rare smile, the deliberate movement 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 California in the first days of the gold mining fever is not exactly known, for in that time of hurry, hustle and strug- gle the ordinary 'unassuming man was very likely to be overlooked. His true name even, in the light of present cir cumstances, has become a matter of conjecture. The generally accepted story of the late Charles Parkhurst is, however, as follows: He was born, it is stated, in New Hampshire, and work ed on farm with his uncle until quar- rel arose between the two, when Char ley moved to Providence R. I. There he remained for some time as coachman in the employ of M-. Ohilds, From Providence he went to Georgia, and became 8 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. What ever question there may be about this story there is none as to his efficiency on the drivers perch, nor as to the un- failing nerve. that lay beneath his ordi- nary exterior. An incident in his early career as otage-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 a stray wayfarer and told that the bridge across the Tuolumne River was in a shaky condition, and that it would be wise not to risk driving over it. z. Park hurst answered never a word, but gath ering up the lines with one hand, hecut the swings and wheelers across othe launches with the other, and pushed on. g. 70 .'I .-'z -.' ,ss ... ....r
 Soon the swollen stream came in sight
 It was swashing and roaring like mill race. T, 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 it's founda- tion. The solitary passenger begged of Parkhurst not to venture on the creak- ing structure, but Charley, setting his teeth together, and gathering the reins with g firm grip, sent the long whip lash curling about the leaders, ears and eyes with so vicious swing that, giving wild leap, they plunged forward on to the bridge. The blanks trembled under the horses hoofs and rocked beneath the wheels, but with a final; effort, a cheering cry from Parkhurst and g .hy- ing 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 a moment end then go tumbling into the waters. There were other dangers on this Stockton and Mariposa road than those of food, for highwaymen abound ed, and one could never tell where pro gress might be stopped by leveled shot gun, masked man grabbing the leaders headstan and the hoarse command to throw out the treasure-box. cParkhurst had not long been running when such an interruption occurred. The choice was offered him in the cleaning of a certain evening between receiving the contents of two double-barreled shot guns and delivering up the contents of a strong chest. Parkhurst looked at the figures disguised with hideous-looking caps and masks made out of legs of drawers pulled down over the face, with two holes cut in them for the eyes and was disposed to barley. The ominous