Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-06-28


Wales in the New York
World. In the records of the express
company will be found the report of
this trip of the 100" 1t was their
duty to cover so much ground daily, to
record the distance travelled and to es-
tablish stations. stocking them and
thus paving the way for the civiliza-
ton which followed at their heels.
The route laid out led them in al
most direct line for Ell Paso, through
the rough Usage country, and crossed
the Arkansas river where it divides
the old Pawnee nation from the land
OF the Usage. Skirting the territory
OF the Comanches they were forced to
throw up Notifications hastily to with
stand the fierce attacks of the barbar-
GUS hordes. They pulled out of that
country safely to encounter worse
the land Of little water and alkali and
dusty sagebrush. Yet with the cry
OF the coyote ringing in their ears they
sang as they went, ending with the &C.
complishment of their purpose.
In 1857 the completed route, well
stationed and equipped, stood monu-
ment to the work of that band. For
two years they had struggled and,
while their achievement was of won
derful value to east and west, few
came out of the scathing well and
sound. However, Billy Hodges was
young and fortunate. He had made
record as driver; he had the oppor-
tuntty thrust upon him and he grasped
it. He undertook to drive the mail
and express route from Tucson to
Pima village.
Run One Of Wild Excitement.
The run was about 100 miles, but ex-
tremely hazardous. Bandits were born
Of the rapid development of civiliza-
ton and hostile Indians were every
where. Danger was plentifully distrib-
uted and six-shooters barked at silent
arrows. On arriving at Pima village
he released the reins to another driver,
who drove to Fort Yuma and thence
to Los Angeles. At Pima village
Hodges received the coast mail and
took 1t back to Tucson, where he was
met by another driver, who carried 1t
further east to the station near the
Apache pass.
On day early in 1858 Billy arrived
at Pima village to discover that the
relay driver was long overdue. Fear
ing trouble, he followed the custom Of
driving into the other mans territory
until the shadows of Apache pass
doomed before him. With him on the
box was gun messenger, and in the
coach, sitting with the other passen-
gers. were other guards. From the
pass there came the yell of the Apa-
ches and in.an instant horde Of them
were riding circles around the coach.
1t was the duty of gun messengers
to shoot. and they shot. 1t was the
duty Of Hodges to drive and he drove.
Lashing out with his whip he sent his
leaders down an incline and success
fully brought them to stand close
under the shelter of government fort.
Even there it was precarlous. The
handful of soldiers were unable to
cope with the swarms Of redskins how
ering round. The relay coach had TAX
en- shelter there, not daring to move
through so hostile country. The In
dams surrounded the pass, blocking
all outlets, and for eight days the
small band held out and fought.
On the eighth day Hodges, realizing
that if no help came soon It would
mean their death, said, iii go on to
Tucson"
There was protest from his asso-
ciates. but before his insistence the
others gave way. To go to Tucson for
aid meant his passing through the
zone Of fire. There was scarcely any
hope of getting away without being
seen and the moon was bright and
clear. The only chance lay in dash.
Then there came one to him in the
dead of night and the young driver
heard soft voice murmur, "Will you
take me along?"
With Ono Passenger.
why, Mary" exclaimed Billy, at is
impossible. might take the response
bility of the mails and treasure, but
you-no."
Il must co." said the girl, her voice
vibrating. 81 cannot stand this any
longer. Let me go. beg of you"
Time was running short. and young
Hodges was not proof against the girls
insistence. The result was that Mary
Androes. setting west to Join her fu-
ture husband at Los Angeles, was TAX
en- on that memorable ride. That she
is living today is due to the skilled
driving and nerve of Billy Hodges.
II got through" said Hodges. with a
CLEAN in his eye as he told the story.
but"
THE girl?"
Memory Not Cherished.
"Oh, she was landed in Los An
geles all right and married-unfortu-
nately!" said the old man. to whom