Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-12
STAGE COACH WITH A HISTORY
). Sterling Morton Buys n Relic of
Old Days I'm Nebraskn


Old Days I'm Nebraska
Correspondence of The Evening Star
kEARNE1, Neb.. July 9.-The citizens
OF kearney will miss this year the old
overland stage coach, formerly owned
by Mayor Hubert, but now the property
OF j. Sterling Merton. his son. Carl Nor
ton. having bought it few days ago. This
o-d landmark has played a more or less I'M
Iortant part in all Fourth of July celebra-
lions and other appropriate occasions ever
since kearney was first settled, and 1t
trousht feeling of regret and disappoint-
nent TO many when they saw the relice of
Dygone days loaded on the train for its
new nome 1t had been hoped that the city
would buy IT and keep 1t here for all future
time. but Mayor Hubert sold 1t before any
one else was aware of It, and then it was
too late. ~
Inc old vehicle has an interesting history.
given by Mr.. Hubert as follows: 1t Is
what used to be known as the Concord ton
passenger coach, and was first run on the
overland route" which, from Kearney
west. was almost the same route now.
.raseieo by the Union Pacific railroad. 1t
was nrst put into service in 1867, and 1t
run from St Joseph. Mo-, to Kearney
Neb.. but 1t was transferred from one dis.
ti1ct to another, so that it has Travelled the
S SnHg Instance from st. Joseph. Mo-, to
Sait Lake City. Utah. several times.
After the Union Pacific was completed in
lAD. the coach was sold to the Pioneer
stage company and run from Red Cloud to
Riverton, Franklin. Republican City. Alma
aho orleans 1t was purchased by Mr.
hubert In 1915. and used by him in his
contracts with the government over var
ious routes running out of Kearney. but
kearney has been his home for the mast
iwenty-one years. An effort will be mad..
10 induce Secretary Morton to place the
coach in the transportation exhibit of the
transmississippi exposition.
While the old coach was always fortu-
nate In It's trips. none of it's passengers or
drivers ever having been injured it met
with one mighty exciting experience. II
happened In the month of July, 1865 about
month before the great Indian massacre
on the Little Blue. which was August &
'Old Bod Emory was driving. and had
Just got into what was commonly called by
the drivers The Devils Gap" which was a
dry creek bed near the Little Blue river.
Win hlSh banks on either side and thickIy
covered with sage brush and small trees
lust the kind of place the Indians de-
nshted II md and lie in ambush, when
pSf e! Gang. went several rifles. The driver
/, gave the horses cut with his whip and
turning cn from the main, road succeeded
IN escaping without injury but 1t was a
ciose call. as one OF the horses got a bul-
let through one of his ears. The coach
was carrying at the time nine passenpers-
ol "hom -FOUR or hve were men and the
rest women. but aside from an exciting
ride. they were none the worse for the All
venture. ~
among the noted passengers who have
occupied this particular coach are Brigham
Young, "Artemus Ward and Josh RiII-
n!ss. IL mas seen long and hard usage.
anu II Is entitled to the good care and ad-
miration ii will now receive for the service
| IL mas seen and the part it played in sef
'iis up This magnificent state.