Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-11-10
The OLD SANTA FE STAGE ROAD.
"reminiscences Of the Days Before the Ad.
vent of the Railroad,
(Kansas City Starr

(Kansas City Starr
A. L. Carpenter Of this city, saw much
of life on the frontier in the early days,
and had many thrilling experiences
with the Indians and outlaws. For
years he had charge of the express de-
partment of the overland mail and eX-
press company, There was scarcely a
plainsman whom he did not know
unany of whom have since become men
of prominence); he is well known in
Mexico and is a personal friend of
President Diaz.
In days gone by. when the trade of
the west and southwest was carried
over the old Santa Fe trail, the overland
mail and express company had head
quarters in Kansas City, down on the
l,vea, on what was Their known as Del
aware and Commercial alley, just back
OF he old Gillis house. The stage line
was operated by j. l.. Sanderson and
bradley Barlow, and vas managed by
}. Il. Griffin. The line extended from
Kansas City to Santa Fe, N. M. thence
south to Tucson, A. Il.
There were Il number of relay sta
ticns west of Kansas City, the princi-
pal ones being INT Hundred and Ten
Mile Creek, Black Jack, Council Grove,
Fort Zarah, Fort Dodge, Old Fort Lyon,
Bent's old fort, Iron Spring, Cucharas,
Trinidad, Old Dick Wooton's ranch, on
top of the Ration mountains. in Colora-
do; Red River Station, Cimarron, Fort
Union, Las Vegas and Santa Fe. AT
Fort Zarah the line branched into what
was known as the long route. This line
extended nearly 100 miles and was made
without change of horses till Fort
Dodge was reached. There were no sta
tions between Fort Zarah and Dodge,
and it was necessary to take provis-
ions for the passengers and driver, also
feed and water for the stock, as moth
ing vas to be obtained while on this
part of the route. A wagon drawn by
two mules followed each coach, loaded
with the necessary articles. Along this
part of the route a sharp watch was al
ways kept, as the country around Fort
Zarah and Fort Dodge swarmed with
hostile Indians. On many occasions
the men had to battle for their lives
with the C~heyennes. Arapahoes and
Comanches.
THE Indians would swoop down on
the coach" said Mr.. Carpenter, land
rtytnIr 1t-N,1r 81, ln l@rz s, n.lo, -
get the horses corraled. This was a
difficult thing, as the Indians. mounted
on their wiry little ponies, circled
around the coach at a distance, pour
ing a rain of shot and arrows at the de-
tenders. On several occasions the In
dams captured some of the coaches,
killed the drivers and passengers and,
getting the booty they could, ended
their bloody work by burning the
coach.
"In spite of the hardships suffered
along the trail, our business was very
great. and hundreds of people travel
ed on the coaches to and from Santa
Fe. The fare for each passenger was
SITS in gold, including forty pounds of
baggage and a pair of blankets. Extra
baggage and express matter were
charged for at the rate of 81 per pound.
Money rates We're $25 for carrying
81, 900 in currency by express. Gold and
silver were carried for 81 per pound and
$25 per S 1000, making a total cost of $50
per $1,000 to Santa Fe for silver it
weighing sixty pounds per $1,000. Vast
amounts of money We're carried by the
stages, and I have seen as much as