Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-10-09
FAMOUS RIDE
Mo- Hank Monk, the Famous Whlp,
Got Into PlacervllIs on~sSaks.

WARDS story OF "HOarce Greeiey'f
Ride to Placerville." Is now revived
by the announcement that the yer,
coach IN which the famous ride was
made will be the central figure In al
exhibit or rare interest at the Nevada
building at the worlds fair.
MI. J. A. Yerington, Ncvada's exc
cutiye commissioner. has secured thu
famous old coach which on the mem
orabie occasion, was driven BY Hanl
Monk. The most intrepid jehn who
ever drove six horses over the Rock,
mountains, and win make It Neyada's
coach of state during the worlds fair
Hank Monk was presented with a gold
watch for making the record breaking
Greeley trip. and this with other relies
Of the famous stage driver, may be
seen BY visitors to the bungalow that
will BIO Neyada's state building at the
Louisiana purchase exposition.
Mark Twain and Artemus Ward
made Hank Monk the subject Of stories
that were years ago read the world
over. They idealized the intrepid
jheu and emphasized the Importance
Of the stage driver in the perilons
time Of his reign.
Hank Monk Is dead. A plain sand
stone slab marks his grave In the
Carson City cemetery. In a niche re-
poses a tintype portrait OF the man
who drove Horace Greeley Into Placer
vile In time to keep an important IN
gagement.
Mark Twain. In "Roughing It." his
first famous book, devoted one chap
ter to telling Of the importance OF
stage drivers In general, and another
To Hank Monk, and particularly Of the
famous Greedy ride.
Artemus Ward early got hold VI his
story and his version Of 1t became as
famous as The incident itself. His de-
scription, under the eaptoin, H3race
Greely's Ride TO Placerville.o follows:
When Mr.. Greedy was In California
pyations awaited him In every town.
He had written powerful leaders In
the Tribune In favor Of the Pacific
railroad. which had greatly endearei
him To tho citizens Of the Golden
state. And Therefore they made much
Of him when he went to see them.
AT one town the enthusiastic pop.
ulace tore his celebrated white coat
TO pieces. and carried the pieces home
A>ysemsmtcr him BY.
The citizens Of Placervllle prepared
10 fete the great journalist. md an
extra coach, with extra relays u
horses, was chartered Of the California
Stage company 10 carry him from Fol
SON TO P~lacerville. d distance OF forty
miles. Mr.. Greedy was to be feted nj
Z o'clock that evening by the citizens
or placerville. and II was altogether
necessary that ne should DO there AT
that hour. So the stage company sail
to Hank Monk. the driver OF the ex.
ira, Hank. this great man must he
there by z tonight" And Hunk ans
wercd. "Thc great man shall be
there.
The roads were In nm awful state.
and during the first few miles out Of
Folsom slow progress was made.
"Sir..' said Mr.. Greedy, "are you
aware that ] must be ut Placerville At
Z O'Clock tonight"
Again came the answer, 1--WE got
my orders!"
Hut the speed was not Increased.
and Mr.. Greedy chafed away another
half hour when: as he was again
about TO demonstrate with the driver,
the horses suddenly started into a
furious run, andAll sorts or encourag.
Ing yells flled the air from the throat
OF Hank Monk.
THAT IL right, my good fellow!"
cried Mr.. Greeley. I'm give you ten
dollars when we get 10 Placcrville.
Now We are going"
They were indeed, and at a terrible
rate.
Crack, crack! went the whip, and
again that voice split the air. cit
up! HI VI! Giongl yLyip!.
And on they tore over stones and
rnts, up hill and down, at a rate Of
speed never before achieved by stage
horses.
Mr.. Greeley, who had been bouncing
from n end Of the coach to the other
like an India rubber ball. managed TO.
get his head out Of the window. when
he said:
"Doon't-on't you-u-nu think we.e.e
shall get there by seven II we do-on't-