Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1911-07-14

INV AhSO ~ oANSAA4oSAS0
jO~ Wi west, is now running an
l@SSS1 elevator, writes r. Ellis
Wales in the New York
World. In the records of the express
company will be found the report of
his 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 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 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.
III LOU liz COhplSICo lOutCI WSLA
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 vas
young and fortunate. He had nae 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 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 a 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 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 a horde of them
were riding circles around the coach
1t was the duty of gun messenger.
to shoot, and they shot. 1t was thu
duty of Hodges to drive and he drove
Lashing out with his whip he sent hi
leaders down an incline and success
fully brought them to a stand clos
under the shelter of a government fort
Even there it was precarious. TIL
handful of soldiers were unable t.
cope with the swarms of redskins hoy
ering round. The relay coach had tax
en- shelter there, not daring to NOV
through so hostile a country. The In
adians surrounded the pass, blockin
all outlets, and for eight days tn
small band held out and fought.
On the eighth day Hodges, ~realizin
that if no help came soon it woul
mean their death, said, 'IIl go on t
Tucson"
There was a protest from his ass
.ciates, but before his insistence TIL
uothers gave way To go to Tucson fc
aid meant his passing through tn
zone of fire. There was scarcely an
hope of getting away without bein
seen and the moo was bright an
clear. The only chance lay in a dasl
Then there came one to him in til
dead of night and the young drive
heard a soft voice murmur, Twill yc
take me along?"
With One Passenger.
why, Mary" exclaimed Billy, "ft
= impossible. might take the respons
Ebility of. the mails and treasure, b.
you-no."
81 must CO." said the girl, her vol,
vibrating, Il cannot stand this al
longer. Let me go, / beg of YOU"
Time was running short, and youl
Hodges wassnot proof against the cir,
insistence. The result was that Ma
Androes, setting west to Join her 1
ture husband at Los Angeles. was ia
en- on that memorable ride. That 81
ia living today Is due to the skill
driving and nerve of Billy Hodges.