The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-10-16

4 - 4 railways at Fort Smitl
Nm into the unconquere,
\ l4lWl- G(ll west, is now running al
4 SSsssSS=szSs elevator, writes R. Eli
Wales In the New Yorl
World. In the records Of the express.
company will he found the report G.
this trip Of the 100" 1t was theii
duty to cover so much ground daily. tc
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 a direct line for FL 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 fortifications 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 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
It. He undertook to drive the mail
and express route from Tucson 20
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-
tlon and hostile Indians were every
where Danger was plentifully distrib-
uted and six-shooters barkcd 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 II
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 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 a horde Of them
were riding circles around the coach.
1t 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 it was precarious. Tke
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 a country. The IN.
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 I
mean their death, said, 'T'I 90 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, "will you
take me aIong7''
With One Passenger.
why. Mary" exclaimed Billy. 1T Is
impossible ! might take the responsi.
bility Of the mails and treasure. but
you-no."
Il must 60 said the girl. her voice
vibrating, 4 cannot stand this any
longer. Let me 60. 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-
Iure husband at Los Angeles, was tax.
en- IN that memorable ride. That she
Is living today is due 70 the skilled
driving and nerve Of Billy Hodges.
q got through" said Hodges, with
gleam in his eye a. he told the story.
but"
THE gifi?"
Memory Not Cherished
"Oh. she was landed in Los An
seles ell right and married unfortu.
aatslyl- said the old man, to whom