Middletown transcript., 1883-03-16
HORACE GREELEY's RIDE.
DEATH OF THE MAN WHO "TooK THE
GREAT EDITOR THROUGH
BY SEWING"

OlSOm 10 1ldc6rVlll6 uuTlIlS HIS N1olO
to California, years ago, died at Car
son, Nevada, last week. For years he
was noted character on the Pacific
coast, and his death brings to mind
the story that made his name familiar
to newspaper readers all over the coun-
try nearly decade ago. There never
was a more popular story in California
and Nevada, and for time it made
Henry, or Hank'' Monk, as he was
familiarly called, one of the leading Gu
riosities of that land. No tourist to
the Golden State was satisfied until he
had ridden with Hank. Mark Twain
in his +" Roughing IT, has a chapter
about this famous stage-driver and tells
in his inimitable way how almost every
body he met on the Overland Route
cornered him up and told him the story
Of "Horace Greeley's Ride" This
story has been told by many writers but
never so well as by Artemus Ward,
who enjoyed a ride with Hank, J"
during his lecturing tour in California
and Nevada in 1866. We append the
story, as told by Artemus, believing
that it will be new at least to the
younger readers of the TRANSCRIPT
When Mr.. Greeley was in California
ovations awaited him in every town.
He had written powerful leaders in the
Tribune in favor of the Pacific railroad,
which had generally endeared him to
the citizens of the Golden State. And
therefore they made much of him when
he went to see them. At one time the
enthusiastic populace tore his cele-
brated white coat to pieces, and carried
the pieces home to remember him by.
The citizens Of Placerville prepared
to fete the great journalist, and an
extra coach, with extra relays of horses,
was chartered of the California Stage
Company to carry him from Folsom to
Placerville, = distance, forty miles,
The extra was in some way delayed and
did not leave Folsom until late in the
afternoon. Mr.. Greeley was to be feted
at seven o'clock that evening by the
citizens of Placerville, and it was alto
gether necessary that he should be there
by that hour. So the stage company
said to Henry Monk, the driver of the
extra, Henry, this great man must be
there by seven tonight" !" And Henry
answered, " the great man shall be
there.''
The roads were in an awful state,
and during the first few miles out of
Folsom slow progress was made.
"Sir,' said Mr.. Greeley, are you
aware that 1 must be at Placerville at
seven O'Clock tonight ?''
I've got my orders, !" laconically re-
turned Henry Monk. Still the coach
dragged slowly forward.
Sir" said Mr.. Greeley, this is
not a trifing matter. I mast be there
at seven"
Again came the answer, GIVE got
my orders"
But the speed was not increased, and
Mr.. Greeley chafed away another half
hour; when, as he was again about to
with the driver, the horses
suddenly started into furious run, and
all sorts of encouraging yells filed the
air from the throat of Henry Monk.
That is right, No good fellow"
cried Mr.. Greeley. "I'n give you ten
dollars when we get to Placerville.
Now we are going"
They were indeed, and at a terrible
speed.
Crack, crack went the whip, and
again that voice split the air Git up,
hi vi, g'lang, yip-yip!'
And on they tore over stones and
ruts, up hill and down, at a rate of
speed never before achieved by stage
horses.
Mr.. Greeley, who had been bouncing
from one end of the stage to the other
ike an India-rubber ball, managed to
get his head out of the window, when
he said:
"Do-on't-on't you-u-u think
shall get there by seven if
we do-on't-on't go so fast ?''
"I've got my orders p that was all
Henry Monk said. And on tore the
coach.
1t was becoming serious. Already
he journalist was extremely sore from |
he terrible jolting, and again his head
might have been seen" at the window.
Sir" he said, 1 don't care-care {
are if we don't get there by seven. -
II have got my orders - fresh horses; '
,orward again, faster than before over I
'ocks and stumps, on one Of which the
coach narrowly escaped turning SOM
.rsault.
"See here," shrieked Mr.. Greeley,
: I don't care if we don't get there =,
It all.
"I've got my orders. work for the !
California Stage Company, do. That's +
Vot I work for. They said, Cit this !;
nan through by sewing An this man
$ gOin' through, you bet. Gerlong
yhoo-ep l'' :
Another frightful jolt, and Mr.. Gree .
ey's bald head suddenly found its way :,
through the roof of the coach, amid the !
rash of small timbers and the ripping
# canvas. =
"Stop, you-maniac," roared Mr.. 7
Ereeley. =
Again answered Henry Monk GIVE :,
.ot my orders Keep your seat, Hor- !
ICE l'' p
At Mud Springs, a village a few q
niles from Placerville, they met a large 4
delegation of the citizens of Placer .
lille, who had come out to meet the =
celebrated editor, and escort him into I
UyI-z