The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-11-01
PONY BOB.


Lively Western Experiences.
While "Our Bob (Mr. Robert l.. Downing> was
in New Orleans lately, Mr.. A. b. Anderson, the
"wlde-awake manager OF "Tally -IIo,' heard Of
" Pony Bob," who was acquainted with the king OF
stage .drlvers, Hank Monk" when that individual
was handling the ribbons In the f" Great west"
"Pony Bob " was Introduced as MIR. IIasla,n, and
on being acquainted with the actors desire to hear
something OF his recollectlons OF early lite on the
great Western plains, and OF Hank Monk, the
famous stage-drvcr, Mr.. Haslam professei will
ingness to gratify his curiosity.
"Pony Bob " was born In London nfy years ago.
He landed in this country when only fifteen years
OF age, and the stories OF the new III Dorado
drew him westward. March, 1860, found him In the
service OF the Pony Express Company, with which
he was connected to the time OF Its close lie was
the man who carried the message announcing the
election OF Lincoln In 1860 from Carson City
to Placervllle, the extreme eastern tele-
graph station at that time, riding 1ld
miles in little more than eight hours
I'll, name OF Pony Bob" was obtained IN the fol.
lowing manner: One day while his rOnte he came
up with traveller, mounted on fine mule. In re.
ply to the question as to where he was going, he
answered: "TO Fridays Station tonight" The
stranger was surprised, and doubted his ability
make the distance 1t being about thirty miles, but
| determined to remain with him. Bob was mounted
on gray mustang, and 1t so happened that the two
first animals he got at the stations were OF the same
| color He managed to give his companion the slip
| and change his mount. The stranger was charmed
at the freshness and bottom of " Bobs" pony while
his mule was tagging from the rapid gait at which
| they were going. But, do what he would, he could
not keep up to "P Pony Bob," who reached his dcsti
nation, delivered his packages and was on his way
when he met his late companion. The man inquired
Of some one who the little rider was "Bcb the pony
express rlder," was the reply. "Pony Bob, Is he -
said the stranger, and the name has cluug to him
| ever since.
The first time he met Hank Monk was in s6s
He was Of medium height, abont thirty years OF age
| and weighed about one hundred anu seventy n "
pounds. lie had short black hair anu blue eyes
| Monk never dressed as q cowboy or carried ar
arsenal strapped around his waist but as soon as ht
got down from the box he would go TO his room ant
| put on suit Of handsome clothes. He was greal
story.teler, and the seat beside him the box was
| In such demand that as much as twenty dollars ex
| ira has been paid for It, He was very fond of q
watch that Horace Greeley had given him, AMI wore
1t attached TO long gold chain, which passed around
| his neck. Who has not heard of "Mark TwaIn's ,
| laughable account of '"Greeleys Ride with Hank
Monk" but many doubt Its happening a all? Here
| Is Pony Bobs account of IL
"The stage had left Virginia City four hours
ahead Of me, but being mounted on a swift pony
and travelling at the rate of over ten miles an hour
overlook 1t at Pxey's Lake House, place then
kept by the father of Annie Pxley, where the stage
stopped to water the team. As I rode up I cried
| out. You are moving them, Monkv
"'You bet I'll get thar on tiInc,' he answered
and then for seven miles we rode side by side
There were two gentlemen In the coach with Mr.
Greeley, bu. do not know If they went through &c
Placerville or not 1t was at this point Mr. Greeley
was due to attend grand dinner, and Hank put him
| through 'on time.' 'On time was great WORD
among the express-riders and coach drvers in those
| days.
"Monk was only robbed once, and that time foul
men had the 'drop' on him with shotguns They
| got about twenty-five thousand dollars in money
and jewels. One Of them was the foreman OF ths
company's stable, and put the others on to the Job
Although the robbers were four to one the robbery
was Always sore subject to Monk"
Mr. Haslam says that Mr. Downing has little trick.
OF carrying his arms and body that wildly recalls
his mind that prince of stage-drivers, Hank Monk
who was hearty, jovlal fellow, exceedingly fond
| good company.