Arizona republican., 1892-07-12
A HISTORIC RIDE.
RIVAL EXPRESS COMPANIES RACE
 THEIR MESSENGERS.

Bill Lowden Tells the Story of m Even
 That Thirty-seven Years Ago Stirre, Up the People of the Pacific States A Great Hundred Mile Run.
 All over California and perhaps il every one of the Pacific states men arC living today who remember the wonder ful feat of horsemanship known a: "Bill Lowdon's Ride" which was per, formed thirty-seven years ago, Tehama on the Sacramento river, was the start ing point; Weaverville, in Trinity coun, ty, the terminal one. The distance was a good 100 miles, most of the last forty being made in the night over mountain trails and through heavy timber. The distance was accomplished in five hours and thirteen minutes-unexampled time for ride of 100 consecutive miles un- der existing circumstances. We let Mir, Lowden tell the story of his wild ride.
 "In the latter part of the year 1851 Adams &5 Co. and Wells, Fargo 6e Co.,, the rival express companies, with Cram, Rodgers 6S Co. and Rhodes & Whitney, the connecting companies between DDSSld anu "tdNClNAllt, " COullueuCtU racing their expresses with horseback messengers. After many hard races had been run, first one and then the other winning, in December, 1854, it seemed to have been arranged by the chief companies that they would run the presidents message from San Fran cisco to Portland on the arrival of the mail steamer and then stop racing.
 "Great preparations were made for the race, and all the fast horses along the road were pressed into service, As high as $l00 was paid to owners of horses for the privilege of riding them from three to five miles. Everything was in readiness about the 2Sth of December. Horses were placed about four miles apart by each company, every horse hay ing a man to care for him, with an extra horse to ride himself At least that is the way had my stock arranged. Both relays of horses were under saddle from the 2Sth day of December, 1851, until the 2d day of January, 1855, on which date l made my part of the race. l rode for Adams 6 Co.
 "The race was very close. one from San Francisco to Tehama. Wells, Fargo 6 Co. led to Marysville. BetYeen Marys- vile and Tehama Lusk, Adams 6 Co. s messenger passed Wells, Fargo & Co. s rider, and the Mexican who took the bags from Lusk reached Tehama first and crossed to the Tehama side of the river just as Wells, Fargo & Co.'S mes senger arrived at the opposite bank and jumped into the boat.
 "Now my race commenced. sprany into the saddle, with saddlebags weigh ing fifty-four pounds, and rode nineteen horses to Shasta without touching the ground but once during that part of the race. That was at the Prairie House, where Tom Finn, the man in charge of my horse, had got into fight with the man who kept Wells, Fargo & Co.,. horse, and had let my horse (Tom Me Turks gravy get loose. saw the situa. tion, and riding my tired horse little past where the fight was going on sprang to the ground, caught the fresh horse by the tail as he was running away from me and went into the saddle over his rump. l turned to the horse l had just left with the express bags, pulled them over to my fresh horse and went on. lost about one minute here. Al other changes made while the horses were running, the keeper leading thC horse l was to ride and riding his extra one. could make my coming knowI with a whistle about one-half mile be fore reaching the change, giving ample time to tighten the cinch and start thu fresh horse on the road, and by the timt l overlook him the keeper would hav' my horse in gallop
 'Ireached Shasta sixty miles-in tw hours and thirty-seven minutes. wa detained there about two minutes to di vide the express matter, taking tn Weaverville portion and Jack Horsel! the through pouch for Portland. l hat nine change of horses between Shasti and Weaveryille and reached the latte place in five hours and thirteen minute from the time l left Tehama. Fror Shasta to Weaverville, forty miles, tn ride was made after dark, with ligh snow falling but when l reached tn mountains and had my faithful horses t ride-Wildcat, Comanche, Greyhound Pompey, Jack and the Bill Xix hsrse- little snow did not make much differ ence in speed But was myself in ba condition at the end of this ride. ha lost my cap and my hair was soli mass of ice. l wore no clothing excep flannel drawers, undershirt and boots unless my belt, with pistol and knife might be considered clothing. The col first seemed to penetrate me when
 threw the express bags into the office q Weaverville. had not felt it before.
 'I was so far ahead of Wells, Farg 6 Co.'S messenger at Shasta that the stopped the race so far as that compan was concerned. It was well that the stopped, for Jack Horsely made
 splendid ride to Yreka, and was hal way to that place when Wells, Fargo Co.'S messenger reached Shasta. M stock and help for this race cost Adam & Co. about 2,200. made other race long and short, but considering th weight l carried, the weather and th time of day that 1 made it, l have a ways believed this to be my best one"
 More may be said in regard to Il narrator's condition on arriving { Weaverville. The five hours strain c nerve, mind and muscle had produce complete exhaustion, and it was alwa! related that when Mir. Lowden sprani or rather slid, from his horse he droppC to the sidewalk, and had to be assistC to bed. But a thorough rubbing, an o
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