The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-17
MONKS FAMOUS DRIVE.
Horace Gresley's Stage Ride Recalled
by Worlds Fair Exhibit.

St Louis, Aug Thank Monk, the
stage driver of the pioneer days in the
far west, was iTnmortalized by Mark
Twain in his "Roughing tt The stage
coach in which Hank Monk got Horace
Greeley to Placerville ION time" and
the gold watch that was presented to
the intrepid Jehu because of his record
breaking trip, will be among the inter
esting curios at the worlds fair. St
Louis, in 1904
Mr. ]. A Warrington, of Carson City,
Nevada'S executive commissioner to the
worlds fair. was in St. Louis a few
days ago and told Charlie NJ Reeves,
secretary of the states and territorial
exhibits committee, that Nevada would
exhibit among other interesting things
these famous Hank Monk relics.
Hank Monk, as will be remembered
Dy everyone who has read Mark
Twain's first famous book, 'Roughing
1t, was the driver who was in charge
of the stage that carried Horace Gree
ley into PlacerviIle one evening in the
latter sixties. Mr.. Greeley was booked
to deliver an address in that mining
village at O'Clock The trip was
tedious and the great editor began to
fear that he would not reach Placer
vile in time to keep his enga cement.
He leaned out of the stage window and
asked the driver, Hank Monk. If he
could not entice a little more sDeed
from the horses. The imperturbable
driver leaned down and replied:
Keep your seat, Horace, I'll get you
there on time"
How Hank kept his word is graph-
ically recorded by Mr. Clemens. Prob
ably no trip over the mountains was
ever made at such break-neck speed.
The distinguished passenger was tossed
around in the bounding stage coach like
corn IN "copper", and there were those
who declared that Mr.. Greeleys head
was forced through the roof
The trip was the topic of the entire
coast company and some admirers of
the celebrated driver bought him a
handsome gold watch. Inside the case
appears this inscription:
Presented to Hank Monk in comment
Grafton of his celebrated drive in land
ing Horace Greeley on time Keep
your seat, Mr.. Greeley. I'll get you there
on time
At the time of the Greeley ride Hank
Monk was in the employ of DR. j. NJ.
Benton, of Carson City. Monk and
BeEton were close friends and when this
old stage driver died the famous watch
passed into the possession of DIR. Ben
ton Hank Monk was buried in the
cemetery at Carson City. A plain sand
stone slab marks the grave and in a
niche cut in the stone may be seen a
tlntype portrait of the man who got
Horace Greeley in ION time
Mr.. Warrington has secured the watch
from Dr. Benton and will have il on
exhibition in the Nevada building
The other Hank Monk relic which at
old stage coach in which Horace Gree
ley took the famous ride. Mr. Yerring-
ton was able to secure this and It will be
taken to the Worlds Fair and will be
used as the coach of the state by the
Nevada officials. When distinguished
guests reach st. Louis the old coach,
with a driver of the pioneer day In typ
ical costume. will be at Union station
and convey them to the official Nevada
home at the Worlds Fair grounds.
Then every day the old coach may be
seen dashing down the steep hill from
the plateau of states to the mining
gulch, where will be constructed a typ
zeal California mining camp of the for
ty-nine days This trip will be made
just as it was many years ago when the
gold dust was daily taken from the
mines to a place of safety.
Mr.. Warrington says that Mark Twain
is almost worshipped out In Carson
City. While he was known only by the
name of Sam Clemens the author was a
resident of Carson and was employed in
reportorial capacity on a paper in Car
son owned by Mr. YerringtoD's. father.
Much of the material for 'Roughing It.
was gathered in Nevada before fortune
smiled on the great humorist.