Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-05-22


distance was Il miles and Is horses
were used on each trip. The change
was effected every mile and a half
or two miles. There was no fixed
station ard the rider had to be
ready to swing off and on whenever
and wherever he caught the relay.
1t was a race of the most exhaustive
character and men and horses
were all in at the end of the
journey. The express companies
brought into the field a bunch of
American horses with fine Kentucky
strains Uf blood US the pace was too
hot for the wiry bronchos used
across the plains where stations
were at regular distances and n
durance was a greater requirement
than speed. On the Geiger grade it
was a mile dash for each animal
and quirt and spur were used IN
sparipgly to keep ahead. Some idea
of the burst Of speed may be gain
ed from the knowledge that the 81
miles were covered in an hour or
an hour and 10 minutes, and when
the riders were hurting up tire
grade on the outskirts of Virg MIA
City the greatest excitement pre-
vailed. The entire population lined
G street in front of the Iuterna-
tional hotel and betting vas as
active as at any rae track when
the horses got the flag Tor the
start. 1t was nothing unusual for
sums ranging from $4,000 to SlO,-
600 to change hanis on the result
and the riders were amply reward
ed for their daring work. The act
ual pay of the riders was $40 for
the trip from Reno, but it is esti-
mated tina. chc successful riders
easily cleared $50 for each journey.
Frequently it happened where the
contest was keen that the winner
would be showered with gold.
At Reno the mail sack was al
ready made by the train messengers
on the Central Pacific. AS the
dusty coaches doomed up the en-
press riders were in tho saddle with
two men holding the heads Of the
horses that were keyed up to the
highest pitch and fully as expectant
as their riders. The train mes
sengers swung the sacks Of mail
for Virginia City to the pony car
ricrs, the bundle encased in a lea
Their knapsack was C ught on the
fly, the horses were released and
away they few with each rider
struggling to adjust his precious
bundle TO his shoulders. The pace
was SO swift that it often happened
that the haVersack was not adjust
ed until after the first relay was
met and the first change was made.
After that, il was nothing, it rest
cd with the rider to coax the best
out of his horse. Where kindness
failed whip and spur were used re-
morselessly, for there was too much
at stake to induce the riders TO in
dulge in thoughts of mercy. The
one dominant idea to get there,
and get there ahead of the rival
rider. who Frequently happened
riding neck and neck for a great
part Of the distance. Such was
the strenuous life Of Jack Lynch
for the two weeks that the opposi-
ton lasted. He was a short, red.
haired hoy weighing in the saddle
100 pounds and as light as n fna-
Their on his feet. As n change artist
he could teach the boys of the mod
ern wild vests anil their level
ground and staged performances,
as he was es agile ms a eat and
seldom touched the ground in max
ing the lightning change. From
saddle to saddle he sprang like an
acrobat and the q~uickness of his
movements won the approval of
the miners, who always backed him
to arrive first.
From Virginia City L.yrch moved
to Benton, where he engag I'd in
business with lIia mother who ran
the hot" where the cooking had q
reputation all over the southern
country. He marie a Mss DALI
on, daughter Of the owner Of the
Dalton ranch, near Benton, a rcd
haired girl who proved a true HELM.
mate but Jack could not stand tn.
lazy life and drifted into MINING