The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27
MONTANA STAGE COACH.
The Overland and Other Lines That
Formerly Conferred in
Helena.
The Elegant Skim Hand That
Carried the Mails in Early
Days.
A Few of the Drivers and Managers Who
Conducted the Lines-A Relic of
Bygone Days.

Staging in Montana is rapidly closing out.
Of the many lines that formerly centered in
Helena but two small affairs are left. and
these can have little weight in forming
conjecture of the Concord coach of other
days. 1t was novel and interesting scene
when the overland arrived in town, crowded
with passengers and the front and hind
boots filed with mail sacks and express
freight. The driver was very important
parsonage, too: of much greater consequence
in the eyes of the public than passenger
conductor on any railroad line in the state.
The best drivers usually had the run in and
out of the cities, and to see them come gaily
in with six splendid horses was grand
sight.
The overland, originally applied to the
first line across the continent, was SO
termed in contradistinction to the water
route from New York and around
the Horn, or across the Isthmus
of Panama to California. 1t was estab-
lished by Ben Holiday, and ran from st.
Joe. Mo-, to Sacramento, CAL, until the
Union and Central Pacific railways were
established. The Montana division was
put on in 1868. making, the eastern termi-
nus being at st. Joe and the western at Ban
uaCA anu lTNlula SltV, ana ldter at 11el-
ena. On the completion of the Union Pa
citic railway the terminus of the stage line
was established at Corinne. In 1863, when
the placer mines surrounding Helena began
to pour out the precious metal and the pop
ulation increased SO that there was great
and profitable traffic i'll staging, two rival
lines were started between Helena and Vir-
ginia City. They were owned by Ben Hol-
laday. the veteran stager of the plains, and
Billy Oliver, and SO fierce was the rivalry
and competition that both parties We're in a
fair way to becoming bankrup', when Holla-
day sold out to the opposition. Both
parties owned herds of unbroken horses
which were harnessed and used as needed.
There was no care taken in breaking the
animals previous to putting them
on the coach. The drivers handled 81,
horses with skill and Judgment and the un.
broken ones were usually placed in the
middle, that is between the lead and vince
horses, which were broken and when the
team started there was no alternative fol
the wild and plunging animals but to NOV,
riget along with the procession. few trip,
and they were thoroughly broken. Til,
distance between stations was usually about
twelve miles, where the animals wer,
changed for fresh ones ready harnessed t,
be Immediately hitched on to the coach
The drivers on the overland. which rul
daily, year in and year out, made the tri]
to Boulder and back every ten hours, il
later years connecting with the Butte an,
Dillon stages at that point. The starting
from Helena was made early in the mornin
and attracted little attention. but in tn
evening crowd usually gathered near tn
postofhce to witness its incoming.
Probably the most attractive team an,
coach that ever entered Helena, with tn
most picturesque driver, was in 1883. Tn
driver was known by the euphoneous nam
of "Pison." acquired during the days whe
he was common mule-skinner on tn
plains, and it is doubtful if there is anyon
In Helena who knew any ether name fo
him, or that he had any other nam,
@Pissn" was an ideal stage-driyer. II