The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-02
AN OLD STORY REToLD.
Horace Greeley's Famous Stage Ride with
Hank Monk Driver.


Chicago Times.
The death of Hank Monk will recall 10
many minds the amusing story told by John
Phoenix, descriptive of the ride the cele-
brated driver once gave to the late Horace
Greeley in a trip from Carson City to Placer
vile, New. The philosopher of the Tribune
on this occasion was anxious to fulfill lee
ture engagement at Placerville, and had but
a very short time in which to reach that
place at the appointed hours o'clock in the
evening. He enlisted the services of Hank,
and endeavored in his most serious way to
impress that individual with the great ne
cessity of being alert and doing all in his
power to get him to Placerville on time.
Hank took in the situation at once and the
two started off on the journey. They had not
proceeded far when the philosopher bed9ne
FESTIVE. His usually placid countenance
wore an expression of anxiety, and he re-
marked to Hank that he would feel under
lasting obligations to him if he would quick
en- the pace OF the steeds Hank replied.
"All right Mr.. Greeley. Keep cool I'll
get you there on time,h and whipping up
the beasts, they ratified along at a merry
mood. The road was not of the smoothesr,
and Horace Greeieys anxiety to reach his
destination was succeeded by quaking fear
that his life was imperilled by the terrible
shaking up he was now subjected to. His
position in the stage was not in keeping with
his digniied department. The distinguished
editor bounded from one side of the coach
to the other In his frantic efforts to argue
with Hank that his situation was becoming
intolerable, his white hat fell off, and was
sat down on by the philosopher Hanks
only reply to Mr.. Greeley's entreaties to ease
up little was:
Keep your seat Mr. Greeley; I'll get you
there on time"
Hank piled his whip and the steeds re-
sponded by doing their best. A brass band
n 4 haan pIaparyilla IN
the expected editor, and do him such honor
as was becoming the occasion. As they APP
preached within two miles of Placer
vile Mr.. Greeley heard the strains
of music Believing that he had
nearly reached his destination, he made
strenuous efforts to check the driver and con-
vince him that little checking up of their
speed would be appropriate. The coach rat
tied along the road, Horace swayed to and
fro like an -prohibitionist his head
having been protruded forcibly through
the roof of the coach and as they approached
the band the philosopher attempted to get
the ear of Hank, and appealed to him to
come to halt.
''Keep cool, Mr. Greeley" said Hank as he
laid the whip over the backs of the animals.
"Pll get you there on time
The band stood in the middle of the road,
and large procession OF citizens that had ac-
companied it filled up both sides of the thor
oughfare. Along sped the stage with its dis
tinguished traveller, who chung to the frame
work of the vehicle. stop STOP" said Mr..
Greeley, but Hank dashed on perfectly OBJ
livious of the fact that brass band and
procession were in existence, remarking:
Keep COOL Mr.. Greeley; we are bound to
get there on time"
The stage rolled up to the crowd at break
neck pace, scattering it in every direction,
and coming in contact with the man with
the brass drum. 1t knocked him down, and
punched hole clear through the sheep
skin. The crowd gazed with wonderment at
the stage as it went by them faster than ever,
Hank plying the whip vigorously, the
philosophers bare, bald head being in full
view, and he himself appearing to the crowd
as if engaged in executing lively jig The
band returned to Placerville, disconsolate
and disappointed, but Hank, as he opened
the stage door for Mr. Greeley to alight re-
marked with pride: 81 got you here on time,
didn't [, Mr.. Greeley"
Mark Twain in his "Roughing IT, based
chapter on this incident, and absorbed a
great deal of the humor of the account given
by John Phoenix, but assumed to treat the
incident as literally untrue.