The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-22
A HrSrUnIC NiDE.
RIVAL EXPRESS COMPANIES RACE
THEIR MESSENGERS.


That Thirty-seven Years Ago stirred
Up the People of the Pacific states.
A Great Hundred Mile Run.
All over California and perhaps in
every one of the Pacific states men are
living today who remember the wonder
full feat of horsemanship known rs
"Bill Lowden'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 Mr..
Lowden tell the story of his wild ride.
I'm the latter part of the year 1851
Adams & Co. and Wells, Fargo e. Co.,
the rival express companies, with Cram.
Rodgers & Co. and Rhodes g. Whitney,
the connecting companies between
Shasta and Weaverville, commenced
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 800 was paid TO owners of horses
for the privilege of riding them from
three to five miles. Everything was in
readiness about the 29th of December
Horses were placed about four miles
apart by each company, every horse hav-
ing 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 28th day of December. 1854, until
the I'd day of January, 1855, on which
date made my part of the race. rode
for Adams & Co.
"The race was very close one from
San Francisco to Tehama. Wells, Fargo
g. Co. led to Marysville. Between Marys-
vile and Tehama Lusk, Adams & Co. S
messenger passed Wells, Fargo d 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. IS mes
senger arrived at tho opposite bank and
jumped into the boat.
"Now my race commenced. sprang
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. s
horse, and had let my horse (Tom Nc
Turks gray get loose. l saw the situa-
ton, and riding my tired horse littlo
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. / turned to the horse / had
just left with the express bags, pulled
them over to my fresh horse and went
on. lost about one minute here. All
other changes made while the horses
were running, the keeper leading the
horse was to ride and riding his extra
one. could make my coming known
with whistle about one-half mile be-
fore reaching the change, giving ample
time to tighten the cinch and start the
fresh horse on the road, and by the time
I overlook him the keeper would have
my horse in gallop.
"Ireached Shasta-sixty miles-in two
hours and thirty-seven minutes. was
detained there about two minutes to di-
vide the express matter, taking the
Weaverville portion and Jack Horsely
the through pouch for Portland. I had
nine changes Of horses between Shasta
and Weaverville and reached the latter
place in five hours and thirteen minutes
from the time I left Tehama. From
Shasta to Weaverville, forty miles, the
ride was made after dark, with light
snow falling, but when I reached the
mountains and had my faithful horses to
nde-Wildcat, Comanche, Greyhound,
Pompey, Jack and the Bill Xix horse
q little snow did not make much differ
ence in speed. But was myself in bad
condition at the end of this ride. had
lost my cap and my hair was a solid
mass Of ice. wore no clothing except
flannel drawers, undershirt and boots,
unless my belt, with pistol and knife,
might be considered clothing. The cold
first seemed to penetrate me when
threw the express bags into the Office at
Weaverville. / had not felt it before.
II was so far ahead of Wells, Fargo
& Co.'s messenger at Shasta that they
stopped the race so far as that company
was concerned. 1t was well that they
stopped, for Jack Horsely made a
splendid ride to Yreka, and was hall
way to that place when Wells, Fargo &
Co.'s messenger reached Shasta. My
stock and help for this race cost Adams
& Co. about 1900. I made other races,
long and short, but considering the