The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-03

From scribner's Magazine for November.
1sA HE palmy days of the Boston
lCD stage began, when in conjunc-
ton with the early sound steam
boats, 1t brought New York and Boston
within less than 30 hours of each other.
The country was then well established
and prosperous and looking forward to
a brighter future. In 1929 largely under
the control of the Eastern Stage com
pany. II lines radiated from Boston in
different directions. Over 1900 stages
rolled in and out over its streets every
week. In 1892 three years later, this
number had increased to 106 lines run
ming regularly; and % steamboats, were
running from New York to nearby points.
trip from Boston to Savannah, Ca, or
even farther could be timed and planned
before starting through Badger and Por-
ter's Stage Register" a publication APP
nearing monthly from the printing estab-
lishment of Jonathan Parmenter in Bos-
ton This publication was the Baedeker
of stage travel 1t was said 'taverns
were thick as fddlers in hell" Com
modious barns were built, countless black
smith and farriers FORCES glowed along
the lines, keeping in repair and running
order the vehicles of traffic Lumber
ing "Conestogas," like ancient arks,
dotted the highway. and at night could be
seen anchored at the roadside near the
village or tavern which formed their
source of supply Tethered to their
wheels, or grazing along the road, were
the horses, whose only protection from
the summer or winters storms was the
lee side of the wagon and a covering
of oilcloth or rough blanket and the
warmth of their own rugged bodies, The
team drivers also carried their own ac-
commodations a straw mattress and
blankets, in which they slept under the
tunnel-lil1e canvas tops.
During the war of 1872, when Aneri-
can shipping lay locked in port, the hap
less victim of the embargo act, or of
British blockade, these Conestogas fur
nished the only means of freight trans
portation, and crept over the highways
from Maine to Georgia, in great caravans,
scores at time, often under military
escort. Like treasure-laden ships from
afar they were enveloped in an entic-
ing air of mystery. Their great canvas
tops did not reveal their identity, whence
they hailed, nor with what riches they
came burdened; but the ponderous roll
and creak of the wheels spoke of their
bulk and weight and an unsociable dog
trotting beneath kept away the curious.
With the light musical jingle of Snany
bells and chains as an accompaniment
and each wagon drawn by eight or more
horses incased in heavy harness, gayly
decorated with many plumes and ribbons,
these retinues passed through village and
township.
To eye enhancing as the glittering train
OF some sun-smitten pageant of old Spain.
With what a dash and flourish did the
fast mail coaches, well named THE
Thoroughbred or 'srhe Thunderbolt"
pass these freight trains of other days
For them fair days journey was 25
or 30 miles, while the mail coaches, with
frequent relays, covered - miles or more
an hour over the hard turnpikes.
The inn was the center of the business
social and at one time even the civic
life of the community, for court once
held its regular sessions there. 1t re-
manned the headquarters for all sales and
''yandues," for the opponents of differ
ent political creeds to solve the intricacies
Of self government, and it was often the
postoffice. Many taverns provided rooms
with polished floors for dancing, and gay
coaching parties came from Boston or
Providence and mingled in the sinuous
web Of the quadrille and contra dance.