Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-02-27
ENeLANo's QUEEN OF THE ROAD
A Remarkable Woman's Triumphs in
the staae-Coachina DAYS


the stage-coaching Days.
Woman's entry into many profes-
sons formerly occupied exclusively by
men is comparatively recent. yet indi-
yidual instances in the more remote
past of women of irrepressible native
ability who pushed their way in the
world are not wholly lacking. Such a
woman was Ann Nelson, hostess of
the Bull inn. Aldgate. London, known
| all over England as a proprietress of
| coaches-the queen of the road OF
so years ago. Coaching rivalries were
at that time as intense, and were
| fought out as fiercely, as are the con-
mercial battles between rival rail-
roads in our own time. Mrs. Nelson
| threw herself heart and soul into the
exciting effort to surpass all compel
ing lines, and she succeeded. There
were no better-horsed, swifter or
more punctual coaches than her IA
nous Quicksilver" Phenomenon, .
Courier" Red Rover" and DE
| ance."
But great risks were taken to
| achieve success, and tranquility of
mind and safety of body for her pas
sengers could not fairly have been
| included among the inducements Of
fered them. Everything was sacri-
feed to making time. On the Ipswich
road, where the rivalry was specially
acute. her coaches covered their 20
miles in 51a hours, and sometimes
less. Only thoroughbred horses were
used; pairs of leaders were stationed
at every steep hill, with boys in the
| saddles and men to hook on the lead
er traces, even before the coach
stopped. Both lines had stables ev.
iery six miles.
AT the changes, fresh horses were
out and ready as soon as the coach
was sighted; when it stopped four
men sprang to take out the exhausted
| team, and four more to put in the new
one. The reins were thrown to the
driver. who was not permitted to
leave the box. A minute and a halt
was allowed for the change-then
away again went the galloping, lurch-
ing Blue on it's mad career.
| Overcautious drivers who allowed
themselves to be distanced or delayed
were met at the doorway of the "Bull''
on their arrival more than once by a
towering figure with flashing black
eyes that saw through evasion and
brooked no excuse. Extending the
pay held ready In one hand, she would
put out the other with the brief de
mand, Hand over that whip!" and
the long-lashed scepter of the road
passed from the culprit's dishonored
grasp forever.
Mrs. Nelson" said recently a man
who remembered her. was one of the
stateliest and handsomest women
ever met. dressed In the fashion Of
! fully 100 years ago-the red high
heeled shoes with massive silver
buckles, the snowwhite mobcap ane
Indian muslin kerchief."
Little wonder that she made a sen
sation in court when she appeared
there as a witness on the occasion Of
one of her coachmeh being arrested
for reckless and dangerous driving.
81 understand, madam" said the mag
istrate, with severity, that You give
your coachman orders to race the
rival COACH Not exactly an.
swered Ann Nelson. my orders are
| that they are to get the road. keep It
and let nothing pass them"
She was never vanquished but once
She hated, distrusted and opposed the
railroads, but she liveu long enough
to behold the victory of the iron
horse. Youths Companion.