Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-02-09
THE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

STAGE-DRIVER'S STORY.
In '6T Jake Pool was staging the route
from Gallatin to Helena, in Montana, driv-
ing four-horse coach in summer and a
'jerky" in winter, seventy miles day
through the widest region and over one
Of the most dangerous routes in the Unit
ed States. The country through which
his trail ran-for it was was little else
than a trail-was totally uninhabited,
but for three stage stations where horses
were changed, and which were dug-outs,
or log-huts, twenty miles apart. The In
dams, though generally friendly, were IL
able to become enemies at moments
warning; road agents and outlaws were
thicker upon the Gallatin route than any
other north of the Union Pacific Railroad,
and the route itself ran through gullies
and canons, and along the verge of dizzy
precipices, as though originally laid out
by mountain sheep. Notwithstanding all
this Jake was a successful driver, made
better time, lost fewer mails and express
safes, and ran his coach at smaller ex-
pense to the company than any other man
in their employ. But when misfortune
did overtake him, it was no light hand
that the genius of evil laid upon him,
which the following adventure goes to
prove:
One muggy morning in early May as
Jake hauled up in front Of the stage Office
and prepared to receive mails, express
and messenger, and passengers, if any
there should be for Helena, the Wells,
Fargo agent called to him from Within
Throwing the reins over the foot brake,
Pool descended from his perch and entered
the office.
The agent shut the door behind him;
then, drawing near, he said, in half
whisper:
"There's fifteen thousand in currency
in the safe to take over to-day"
"All right" responded Jake. "Tve
carried more before now, and carried it
safely"
"But," said the agent, drawing still
nearer, "Dick's sick, and there's no mes
senger."
"Ahw said the driver meditatively;
then, touching the revolver which hung
at his belt; an be messenger and coach
man both, then"
"But," still continued the other, "there's
one thing more" and he leaned forward
SO that his lips touched his companions
ear "Copper Tom and his pal, Old
Jim,' are on the road. A man from Cross
Trees was robbed by them last night"
Pool whistled long and low, and his
hand fell from his pistol butt. Copper
Tom" was the worst road agent in Mon
tana-a desperate, with both courage and
brains.
"DOn't send the rags"
II mustw said the. expressman, anx-
iously. "The order is peremptory; the
money must 60 to day, messenger or no
messenger. Now. will you take it and
carry it throughl"
Jack laughed.
"I'll take it; that's part of my business.
Throw the safe under the seat and give
me yonr pistol; may want two" And
he took the others revolver from the desk
where it lay and thrust it into his boot
top. GAS to carrying it through, that's
another matter. with those fellows to stop
it. But I'll promise you this-if I 60
through, the safe shallw
The agent grasped his hand and shook
It warmly. The door was thrown open,
The driver mounted his seat, the iron box
was slowed beneath his feet, the single
passenger IAN old woman, to be left at the
first station) got in, the whip cracked,
The horses plunged, the coach lurched
heavily forward, and amid a shower of
mud disappeared down the steep noun
tain road.
Although it was May the morning was
cold, and it was not until the sun had
climbed well up the eastern sky that the
chill thawed out of the air, and by that
hour Pool was more than twenty miles
upon his journey, with fresh horses in
The traces and an empty coach behind
him. He began to brighten up with the
sun.
"After I get through the Devils Pass"
said he to himself, Cooper Tom or any
other man may whistle for me, for from
hat to Dickson's is as handsome a road
rs ever horse struck foot upon, and
tries to stop me there, unless he
shoots first, will go under the leaders
ieet. l intend to make that little seven
niles in just twenty eight minutes with
,ut brakes"
And hegathered his reigns with firm
N hand, as if already whirling at that
mad pace down the mountain side.
"Let's see," he continued, IF nothing
,oes wrong and the roads all right I
,ught to make my last change by five
'clock and reach the pass before six. 1t
will then be broad daylight, so l can rat
lie right along, and then, after the spin
lown the 'causeway,' I'll strike Dickson's
,efore seven, certain. Beyond that the
oad is too open and too much travelled
nto Helena to be dangerous. By Jovsw
le concluded, his heart warming as he
truck his heels against the safe beneath