The San Francisco call., 1896-05-10

running between San Jose and
Alviso is probably the most
ancient vehicle in use in Califor-
MIA to-day Just when it was made
or by whom is fact of which there is no
record Judging from careful examina-
ton, however, it is likely that it is the
identical American stagecoach exhibited
at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851, a
description of which was published in the
Art Journal at the time.
The old coach is battered and worn, but
not enough to obliterate the fine work that
was put on it. This work is of such
degree of excellence as to indicate that the
coach was intended for show purposes as
we'll as hard use. The way the paint and
varnish has lasted also indicates that an
extra quality of material was used.
All that is known of the old coach for
certain is that it came to San Francisco in
1854, having been brought around the
Horn in a sailing vessel. IL was sold at
once and for ten years did service Ill differ
ent parts of the State.
The present owner of the coach is Ed
Marlatt. He bought it about the year
1864 and put 1t on the road between San
Jose and Alviso, where it has been running
ever since without any repairs except to
the wheels. 1t made regular connections
with the steamers that ran between this
city and Alviso and transferred all of the
passengers to San Jose. In the early days
the coach returned a good income and the
driver, Ed Marlatt. did fine business. He
soon acquired considerable property about
Alviso, the most valuable of all being the
big brick warehouse in which the San
Jose freight was stored until Ed S teams
could transport it to its destination. Ed
was the king of that section of the coun-
try in those days and could have been
Senator had he wanted to.
The broad-gauge railroad made the first
cut at the business OF the old stage. and
Alviso began TO lose some of its import
ance. But when the narrow gauge went
directly through the little town that settled
it. The wharves began to rot away and
the Idle warehouses to fall to pieces. But
there was always little business until the
steam boat line put on its own stage to San
Jose.
But Ed never for q moment thought of
going away Not much. He and his old
coach had helped to make the town and
| he intended to stick to it even though he
didn't make cent. And he has stuck to
it, in spite of the fact that things kept get
| ting worse every day. As Ed had no use
| for the warehouse he concluded to use it
for stable instead of paying rent else
! where Somewhat later he decided to
move into the warehouse himself and save
| that much more. And there he has been
domiciled for several years.
! Eds business is at present confined al
most entirely to the transportation of
! ChiLese. He has corner on this busi-
ness, as he carries them between San Jose
and Alviso for 10 cents. On such days as
the boat makes cheap trips to San Fran
cisco Ed has all he can carry, and the
coacn certainly looks picturesque with its
motley load and tired horses Ed and his
old coach are inseperable. Even though
he wants to go to a certain place only a
few miles away he will "hitch up" and go
| in the coach all by himself.
People in San Jose have become so used
to the coach that they pay no attention to
it when it passes along the streets, but if
it should drop into any other city it would
be sure TO draw large crowds. There is
certainly no more picturesque vehicle In
existence. The forty years OF service have
told on it in more ways than one, but it is
Just as good for transportation PURPOSES as
ever. Every bit of wood in it is perfectly
sound, and if the broken windows were re-
placed and the paint given good washing
il would still be presentable.
The decorations on the outside of the old