Connecticut western news., 1880-02-04

of two triggers and the knowl- edge that his little gun was inaccessible very nearly decided him, whilst pistol barrel inserted in the near leaders, off ear afforded him convincing proof that for the inonce, discretion would be, the better part of valor. The box was drop ped, but with it Parkhurst gave the robbers warning that he wollM not let matters stop there, and that some time or other the same gentlemen or any of the kind should hear from him in less pleasant way. '. Alter 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 that time noted desperate known as Sugar Foot. Going here and there, terrorizing the passengers on dozen routes, Sugar Foot at last decided to change his base of operations to the Oalaveras road. It is probable that he had heard of Parkhurst's threat, for he associated with himself for the enter prise quite posse of highwaymen.
 The moment of attack was chosen, the. choice being influenced by the report of a heavy booty to be obtained, and whilst Parkhurst was one day driving back home from Mariposa to Stockton, Sugar Foot and his band leaped into the road There was the usual demand, the usual tactics of wicked muAzles pointing at the driver and rough hand at the leaders heads. But there was a change from the usual programme when Park hurst, drawing pistol, let fly right and left, and with pull on the reins and 8 call to the, horses sent them flying through the discounted robbers. Char ley had aimed at the man who appeared to head :he gang, and had the pleasure of seeing him clap his hand to his breast and tumble backward. The shot was fa- tai to Sugar Foot's predatory excursions, for whilst his companions fled he crawled into a miners cabin and gave up his sinful ghost. There are oth CT stories told of Parkhurst to show the daring conduct of the man in the face of diff. culties and dangers. It is told that once, while driving 8 fractious foar-in- hand from Oakland to San Jose, the team ran away so suddenly as to throw Parkhurst from the box. Still retaining his grasp on the lines he was dragged along until he succeeded in turning the runaways in to the chaparral, where they caught among the bushes and stopped. To show their admiration of the drivers pluck the passengers made up and pre- sented him with purse of $40. Again, when drivers were scarce he did double duty 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 frisky horse in the left eye so violently as to destroy the sight. It was from the loss of this organ that he received the nickname cone. Eyed Charley" by which he was commonly called. Leaving the Calaveras road he took the position of boss driver on the Oakland and San Jose stage road, where as on the Oalaveras line, he made him. self favorite with all who travelled with him by his pleasant, quiet behavior and cool resolution. He added to this rep utation on the San Juan and Santa Cruz road, where he was known as one of the crack drivers and best whips in California. Altogether he sat on the stagecoach seat 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 balmy days of staging. Even whilst driving Parkhurst had occasionally in winter time varied his employment by follow ing the trade of lumberman. In the woods, as behind his six in hand, he gained the name of being expert and thoroughly reliable. The heaviest work was never summed. He yielded tbe ax with such vigor and skill that he was reckoned an A Mo- 1 woodman. Farm ing, too, was calling which he seemed at home in, so when he 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 he dropped the whip and relns and opened stage sta
 tion and saloon on the road between Watsonville and Santa Cruz, at point about halfway between the Aptos La guna and the first heavy sand-hill as you go toward Watsonville. At this place
 he furnished the hay and grain for the stage horses on contract, got also fair
 wages per month for taking care of the teams, etc., and kept his bar and stop- ping-place beside. He smoked, chewed
 tobacco, drank moderately, played a social game of cards or dice for the
 drinks, and was "one of the boys. 9
 Parkhurst, however, was never addicted to loose life. Though always cheery and agreeable with those into whose so-
 ciety he was thrown, he was always in-
 clined to be reticent about his affairs.
 That is, he was social, but never com Imunicative a pleasant but never a joy ful companion. He had no particular
 friends either on the roads or in the
 fields, and was not disposed to be what
 is known as ohummy. Especially was
 he not a love maker; and petticoats,
 even when surmounted by trim bodice
 and pretty face were without special
 attractions. There was, however, at one
 time an owner of both petticoat and face
 who seemed to have made a little deeper
 impression than tha rest of her sax