Bisbee daily review., 1911-09-20

!
 western terminus of the 7 railways at Fort Smith Iloii7 into the unconQuered kfN Snl west, is now running an Sy-SS. elevator, writes R. Ellis
 Wales in the New York World. In the records of the express company will be found the report of this trip of the 100" It 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 ciyiliza- ton which followed at their heels.
 The route laid out led them in al most direct line for Fl Paso, through the rough Osage country, and crossed the Arkansas river where it divides the old Pawnee nation from the land of the Osage. Skirtiug the territory of the Comanches they were forced to throw up Notifications hastily to with. stand the fierce attacks of the barbar- ous 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 ac- complishment of their purpose.
 In 1857 the completed route, well stationed and equipped, stood a 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 a record as a driver; he had the oppor- tunity thrust upon him and he grasped t. 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 eiviliza- ton and hostile Indians were every where. Danger was plentifully distrib- uted and six-shooters parked 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 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 loomed before him. With him on the box was a 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.
 It was the duty of gun messengers to shoot, and they shot It 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 a stand close under the shelter of a government fort
 Even there 1t was precarious. The handful of soldiers were unable to cope with the swarms of redskins hoy ering round The relay coach had talk en shelter there, net daring to move through so hostile country. The h. dians 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, I'll 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 a dash.
 Then there came one to him in the dead of night and the young driver heard soft voice murmur, '~win you take me along7"
 With One Passenger.
 Why. Mary" exclaimed Billy, it is impossible. I might take the responsi- bility of the mails and treasure, but you-no."
 T must go," said the girl, her voice vibrating. T 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 talk ca on that memorable ride. That she is living today is due to the skilled driving and nerve of Billy Hodges.
 q got through" said Hodges, with gleam in his eye as he told the story, but"
 'The giri?"
 Memory Not Cherished.
 'oh, she was landed in Los An geles all right and married-unfortu- nateIyi" said the old man, to whom