Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-07
OLD STAGE DAYS.
Former Driver Tells of Mode OF Travel
60 Years Ago.

VIM. II. ToOthaker of Richmond,
who is visiting at the home OF y. II.
Small in this city, recently gave the
Journal man some interesting notes on
the manner in which travellers were
obliged TO make their way from
Massachusetts, in the days before rail-
roads were known. Mr.. Toothaker is
81 years OF age, though he does not
look over 60, and when young man
he passed several years as a driver on
the stage coaches which then carried
travellers from Portland to Augusta.
In those days the old Gardiner House,
which was located on the site where
the Evans House stood until 4 few
years age, and was one of the stopping
places on the stage line.
Peacock's Tavern i'll Richmond was
one of the points where the horses
were changed, for a fresh team. and
here Mr.. Toothaker was employed. go
ing out as Il special driver. when there
was vacancy among the regulars.
The relays were made every 10 miles,
and the 10 4-horse coaches were well
patronized. the regular carrying ca
pacity being 10 passengers each. These
oughbrace pattern. and i'll addition to
the passengers would carry all kinds of
baggage. and having no brakes. the
speed down the steep hills may be bet
ter imagined than described.
Speaking of baggage, it is related Of
Bill Mason, one of the star drivers.
that one morning he hauled up his
horses at the signal of a lady who
wished to journey from Freeport to
Augusta. The would-bc passenger
showed with a wave of her hand a
feather bed, bedstead. and several
other articles of furniture which she
wished TO take along. Mason viewed
the collection and shook his head as
he courteously but frmly,-"No
madam. ] can't possibly take EN-, I've
got a sawmill to take on. down here to
Cathance landin', and there amt no
room for bedstids."
The heavy travel came especially
during the legislative sessions. and on
one occasion when there was d big deal
III land speculation i'll the northern part
| Of the State which brought q small
| army of Massachusetts monied men.
The roads i'll winter were kept open
y
OK teams which were put on the road
as soon as big snow storm began and
were kept at work to keep the snow
cleared sufficiently for the mails to
pass.
The drivers We're proud Of their
adaptncss with the whip which was
composed oc an oak staff with a 20-foot
lash. 1t was regarded as no extraordi-
| nary feat To snap the ears Of the lead
erS on a SiX-horSe team and 1t was q
favorite trick to pin a butterfly to a
post and then snap it off with the whip
lash. 1t is related of "Jabe" Swain that
on one occasion q saucy gander ap-
preached his coach kissing threatening
ly. Jabe made graceful throw of the
whip and the proud and doughty gam
der was minus an under jaw.
Only one other of these old drivers
is now living, John Marshall of Rock
land. MIR. Toothaker also drove the
team which brought the first load of
cotton from Portland to the mill which
was started in HallowelI. After the
train was running as far as Brunswick.
Mr.. Ioothaker had the contract for
transporting the mail to Augusta. Al
though not In active work, Mr.. Tooth
aker is apparently in the best of health
and i'll spite of his trying experiences
| looks as though he was good for many
| years to come.