The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1911-08-31
MANY ADVENTURES
Last of Overland Stage Drivers
Tells of Some Rides

blaze the trail for mail and ex-
press 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
company will be found the report
of this trip of the 100. Organized
in 1855, it was their duty to COW
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 followed at their
heels.
Few forts then were on the
plains and while they stopped at
each one for supplies and friend
ly chat between these widely sep
arated 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
nations of redskins, filed slowly
through the dreaded Apache Pass
and forded turbulent streams in
the midst of the frenzied enc
mics
The route laid out led them in
almost 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 Com
manches, they were forced to throw
up Notifications hastily to with
stand the fierce attacks of the bar
barous hordes. They pulled out
of that country safely to encounter
worse - the land of little water
alkali and dusty sagebrush. Yet
with the cry of the coyote ringing
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 monument to work of the band.
For two years they had struggled,
and while their achievement was
OF wonderful value to east and
west, few came out of the scath
ing we'll and sound. However, Bill
ly Hodges was young and fortunate.
He had made a record as a driver;
ne had the opportunity thrust up
on him and he grasped it. He un-
dertook to drive the mail and ex-
press route from Tucson to Pima
village.
The run was about 100 miles
but was extremely hazardous. Ban
dts were born of the rapid devel-
opment of civilization and hostile
Indians were everywhere. Danger
was plentifully distributed and six
shooters barked at silent arrows.
On arriving at Pima village he re-
ieased the reinS to another driver,
who drove to Fort Yuma and
thence to Los Angles. At Pima
village Hodges received the coast
mali and took it back to Tucson,
Whele he was met by another driv-
er, 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 delay driver was long over
due. Fearing trouble, he followed
the custom of driving into the 9TH
er mans territory until the shad-
ows of Apache Pass Foomed before
him. With him on the box was Il
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 and instant a horde of
them were riding circles arvund
the coach.
1t was the duty of the gun
messengers to shoot. and they
shot: 1t was the duty
Lashing out with his whip he
sent the leaders down the incline
and successfully brought them to a
stand close under the shelter Of
a government fort.
Even there 1t was precarious
The handful of soldiers were un-
able to cope with the swaTms of
redskins lowering around. The
relay coach had taken shelter there,
not daring to move through hos
tile country. The Indians sur
rounded the pass, blocking all out
lets, and for eight days the small
band held out and fought.
On the eighth day Hodges real
1z1ng that If no help came soon it
would mean their death said, I'll
go to Tucson
There was a protest from his as
associates, but before his insist
ence the others gave way. To get
to Tucson for aid meant his pass
ing 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 along?"
1t was during a lull in the inter
mittent firing and Hodges had al
most proclaimed himself ready.
The horses were harnessed to the
coach, but his hand haulted in the
act Of taking the rein. II looked
down at the pleading face of
young woman, the sole passenger
of the relay coach which had been
delayed, a nd was even now de-
tained at this fort, the driver not
being daring enough to venture.
why, Mary" exclaimed Billy,
cit is impossible. might take
the responsibility of the mails and