The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-08-24
MANY ADVENTURES.
Last of Overland Stage Drivers Tells
of Some Rides.

the trail for mail and express coaches
from the western terminus of the
railways at Fort Smith, Ark, into the
unconquered west, is now running an
elevator.
In the records of the express COM
pany will be found the report of this
trip of the 100. Organized in 1855,
it was their duty to cover so much
ground daily; to record the distance
travelled and to establish. stations,
stocking them and thus paving the
way for the civilization which fol-
lowed at their heels.
Few forts then were on the plains
and while they stopped at each one
for supplies and friendly chat be-
tween these widely separated Federal
depots, they drove and fought and
builded. They prodded on their half
famished beasts while showers Of
Cherokee arrows whizzed above their
heads and sometimes into them. They
cut their way through the various
nations" of the redskins, filed slow
ly through the dreaded Apache Pass
and forded turbulent streams in the
midst of their frenzied enemies.
The route laid out led them in al
most a 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 has
tily to Withstand the fierce attacks
of the barbarous hordes. They pull
ed out of that country safely to en-
counter worse-the land of little
water, alkali and dusty sagebrush.
Yet with the cry of the coyote ring
ing in their ears they sang as they
went, ending with the accomplish
ment of their purpose.
In 1857 the completed route, well
stationed and equipped, stood a mon
ument 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
a record as a driver; he had the op-
portunity thrust upon him and he
grasped it. He undertook to drive
the mail and express route from Tue
son to Pima village.
The run was about 100 miles, but
was extremely hazardous. Bandits
were born of the rapid development
of civilization and hostile Indians
were everywhere. Danger was plen-
tifully distributed 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 it back to Tue
son, where he was met by another
driver, who carried it further east to
the station near the Apache Pass.
On a day early in 1885 Billy ar
rived at Pima village to discover that
the relay driver was long overdue.
Fearing trouble, he followed the Gus
tom of driving into the other mans
territory until the shadows of Apache
Pass loomed before him. With him
on the box was gun messenger, and
in the coach sitting with the other
passengers were other guards. From
the pass there came the yell OF the
Apaches, and in an instant a horde
of them were riding circles around
the coach.
It 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 the leaders down an incline
and successfully brought them to a
stand close under the shelter of a
government fort.
Even there it was precarious. The
handful of soldiers were unable. to
cope with the swarms Of redskins
lowering around. The relay coach
had taken shelter there, not daring
to move through so hostile country.
The Indians surrounded the pass,
blocking all outlets, and for eight
days the small band held out and
fought.
On the eighth day Hodges realiz-
ing that if no help came soon 1t
would mean their death said, "I'll 90
to Tucson
There was a protest from his as.
sociates, but before his insistence the