The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27

stood over six feet high, was strong and
muscular, with raven hair and swarthy COM
plexion. To see "Pison" bring in the over
land was one of the principal occupations
of the day for the loungers, and everybody
enjoyed the opportunity when they could.
He usually drove six coal-black or dapple
gray horses, and the way he handled the
ribbons was wonderful. The postotiice was
then located on the corner of Main and
Wall streets. and it was usual for most driv
ers to run up beside the building on Wall
street and after dumping out the. mail sacks
to drive off to the stable without further cere-
mony. But it was not so with 'Pison." The
desire to exhibit his team and his skill as a
After depositing his passengers and treasure
box he drove gaily up Main street to Bridge
and there made as pretty turn as a man
ever saw. returning to the postottice to de-
post his mail. But :Pison' passed over
the range about the same time the Northern
Pacific hove in sight, thus anticipating
little while the end of staging in Montana.
"Pison's was an ideal stage driver, brave
and generous, kind and true.
Among the many lines centering in Hell
ena the Overland was the most prominent.
The Deer Lodge line was also of very great
Importance, being really continuation of
the Overland west. At one time the traffic
in passengers and freight was SO great that
rival line was started in opposition to
Gilmer L. Salisbury, who controlled nearly
I'LL Uuo principal llnG6 III Ul0 WcSG, OWlAlk W
the fact that they had the government con-
tract for carrying the mails. The carrying
capacity of both lines was fully occupied
for some time, but the opposition finally
| drew off, leaving the mail contractors
in possession. Besides the above named lines
| were the Helena Il Benton, Diamond City,
Bohemian, Marysvhle, Butte, Lincoln. OF
all these but two are now in operation, they
| having been succeeded by railroads. The
only lines now centering here are the Jay
Gould and Diamond stages, or rather jer-
keys, from which one can hardly form a
could carry twenty-five passengers and a
ton of freight. Many of the old stage
drivers and managers have gone into the
stock business, which they are now success
fully conducting Gov. Pollinger, who had
charge of Gilmer d Salisbury's lines in
Montana for many years, owns fine ranch
in Madison county, near the jefferson river.
| In early days Gov. was one of the best known
men in Montana, and was continually on
the stage looking after the interests of the
line. II. N. Galen is another success
full driver and manager who has
become wealthy in stock and lands.
and real estate in Helena, where he now
lives. p. b. Clark, one of the best drivers
| who ever sat coach entrusted with the
custody of Uncle SANS mails, has been in
the stock business fer a number of years
with 5. S. Huntley, successful mail con-
tractor and stage manager. John Rohr-
| baugh, the genial clerk who presides at the
| desk of the Grand Central, at one time
| handled the ribbons ON a stage coach and
owned a line of his own. James H. Nc
Farland has also done great deal of stag
ing and is reckoned one of the best drivers
in the state. His love for good horses is
undimlnished. and he keeps good string
of roadsters in his stable on Clore street for
the accommodation of the public. John
Zeicler is another old plainsman and stage
driver, who has had many striking advent
ures during career of more than a quar-.
ter of century in the west. But il
has been long time since John drove
stage. He is now in the livery business il
| Helena.
Chris Vassube is probably the oldes
stage-dfiver in the country. He drove OF
the overland many years ago, and Is still
} hale and rugged old man. Ira Mott viii
be remembered by all old-timers. HI
drove the stage between Helena and Dia
mond for years, and is probably at thi:
moment seated on the coach, spinning
, yarn to some passenger travelling between
White Sulphur Springs and Martinsdale
fair way to make stake now. He bought
; good block of Yellowstone stock at /;
cents. and it is now worth TO cents. When
, | 1t gets up to 81 Mr.. Mott proposes to retire
from the staging business.
There were. up to the past few days, a
3 large number of old Concord coaches in
9 Helena that had been permanently retired
some years ago. But nearly all have beer
, knocked to pieces for the wood and iron
they contained. Only last week the Weis
senhorn Carriage Manufacturing compan
:. broke up six or eight. There WAS but on
left at the shop and 1t bore evidence Of har