The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-04-12
AWAY BACK IN 40.
"reminiscences of an Old Time
Citizen.
A Ride From Canton to Pittsburg in a
Stage Coach, and One of the Incl
dents of the Frip---A Rumpus
at Paris.

1t was in the forties that my friend
engaged passage in the stage coach a.
Canton for Pittsburgh, The route was
through New Lisbon to Smiths Ferry
on the Ohio river, thence by steamboat
to Pittsburg. Thirty-six hours was re
quired to make the trip, which was then
considered fast travelling. Fare, five
dollars.
AT the time the incident occurred
which am about to relate, the stag,
left Canton at four in the afternoon
When 1t arrived from the west ther,
was but one vacant seat, and that was
taken by my informant. 1t was in the
spring OF the year, the roads muddy
ana Jne LraVenng slow and laborIUus
But, that the narrative may be bette,
understood: III let my informant tell II
in his own language.
IL was uueh Dy TIE time we reached
Osnaburg, There the driver stopped
and watered the horses. l should men
tion that l Nnew but one of my fellow
paSSeL gerS-a merchant from Navarro
whose name would have you with.
hold from the public as well as my
own, but shall call him Navarro
He and L, and commission merchan,
from New York, did about all the talk
ing that was carried on between til,
passengers. When we reached ShulPs
tavern, halfway between Osnaburg
and Paris, the driver again stopped t.
water the horses. sAS we drove up, a
man came out Of the house with Ian
tern, and following him, two othel
nIIGtnnDnrQ
up to the coach, looked i'll and inquired
whether there was any room. When
told that every seat was occupied one
made an expression of disappoint-
ment. One of the men mounted the
box and the other climbed on the top OF
the coach, allowing his feet to hang
over the side, to the annoyance of the
passengers.
1t was after bed time when we got to
Paris. where we changed horses. The
passengers all got out of the stage and
went into the bar-room where there
was fire. The landlord came out of a
back room, rubbing his eyes and blink
ing, as though he had just been awak
ened from a sound Sleep The driver
came in and handed him the Way-bill.
just then one of the drovers said to the
landlord that he wanted to engage
passage to New Lisbon. At this, my
friend from Navarro remarked to the
landlord:
You had better look over the way
bill and see how many passengers are
on. The coach is full"
You keep your mouth shut" replied
the driver.
81 wasn't speaking to you," rejoined
Navarro.
No sooner said, than the drOver drew
back and struck Navarro square in the
face, staggering him back against the
wall Navarro Strengthened up and
at it they went, pell nell, knocking
each other right and left. Then New
York put his foot on the seat of heavy
arm chair standing by, and taking hold
of an arm with both hands, wrenched
it off, and with this commenced on the
second drover who had hold of Navarro.
The other passengers run from the room
In the melee, the stove and pipe were
knocked down, then the counter on
which the candle stood, and then all
was darkness, but the fight continued
1t was a rap and a kick and a curse
ttuu WHSh OLO ullfClo CllllO AlOLh Gl.O
stable with lantern, New York was
dragging the landlord over the floor by
the hair, and he believing at the top Ol
his voice, What have / done that
should be so abused?' The drovers
were no where to be seen. Finding
they were likely to get the worst of the
fight, they took advantage of the dark
ness and slipped out; nor were they
again seen, although for miles ON the
way we anticipated an attack from
them.
81 should have pitched in, but the
fact was, being on my way to the city
to purchase goods, and having on my
best clothes, disliked the idea of hav-
ing my appearance spoiled. Navarro
was much mortified that he should
have black eye, but we did our best
to console him. New York came out
of the fight without mark.
"We reached New Lisbon in time for
next NOR ling, and Smiths
Ferry for dinner. Here we took pas
sage in a stern-wheel boat for Pitts
burg, secured berths and when we
awoke in the morning found the boat
tied up at the wharf. l shall never
forget the fight in Paris. 1t excited
talk in the neighborhood,
and, as l afterward learned, the two
drovers were young men from Tusca-
rawas township, who afterward at
tained some prominence, but are now
both dead"