New-York tribune., 1922-08-20
Greeley and Hank Monk
Gold Watch Commentaries the Ride
That Mark Twain Doubted

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: For over sixty years travellers
about Nevada and California have en-
joyed being told how Horace Greeley
in 1859 was driven across the noun
tains by the redoubtabie Hank Monk.
and of the swift and terrifying western
descent to Placerville. The Cali.
fornians, aware of Greeley's coming,
had arranged for an official delegation
from Sacramento to come out to
Placerville to welcome Greeley, not
only as a noted journalist, but as an
earnest and influential advocate of the
construction of the Pacific Railroad.
The successful record drive became a
familiar story to all passengers on the
Overland Mail. Writing in 1872, Mark
Twain, with characteristic exaggera-
tion, very gravely related:
Within period of six years I
have crossed and recrossed the
Sierras, between Nevada and Cali
fornia thirteen times, and listened to
that deathless incident 481 or eighty
two times. / have the list some-
where" ~
But at the end of that chapter comes
this footnote, incomprehensible, un-
less as waggish attempt to arouse
heated feeling among the Californians:
"And what makes that worn anec-
dote the more aggravating is that
the adventure it celebrates never
occurred. II it were a good anec-
dote, that seeming demerit would be
its chiefest virtue; for creative
power belongs to greatness; but
what ought to be done to man who
would wantonly contrive so fat a one
as this?'
/ find no basis for any skepticisrn.
Greeley, as the recipient of special at
tention, would have no less a whip as
signed him than the great Hank Monk.
Going up the long and tedious ascents,
Greeley may have thought that he
would be late at Placerviile. A. noun
tain driver. with the right horses ON
the descent, carrying famous guest,
would no doubt show off his skill and
sureress Of eye. Mr.. Greeley, not
hardened to such feAss, and 4lxswn
about as the coach careened from side
to side down those steep inclines,
would demonstrate and soon disavow
any haste to reach Placerville.
To question the truth Of this incl
dent thirteen years later, in 1872, was
one of Mark Twain's audacities. Above
all, to condemn it as "das'' seems to
mo to miss the adventurous spirit of
the overland drivers, who even in these
later days enjoy such driving stunts,
especially with the Eastern "fare."
However, there is corroboration.
This incident so pleased the California
friends that they gave the indomitable
Hank gold watch, suitably inscribed,
to commemorate this ride. From a
correspondent lately at Lake Tahoe I
iSoIh thhe thiS W6ICuy WHICH 2lgeT
Hanks death passed into many hands,
is now on sale, and it ought to find a
place In Greeley museum. 1t should
be kept as memorial Of Greeley's eff
forts and success in fastening the
building Of the Pacific Railroad, the
main incentive to this journey. Be-
sides, it is q souvenir of the gallant
days of the Overland Mail. There is
a fine humor in Hanks saying, as
Greeley was jounced up and down and
from side to side, "Keep your seat, Mr.
Greeley. / will get you there on time!1
1t is Western classic, more racy than
John Gilpin's ride. Why should not
this watch be in our Metropolitan Mu-
scum? HARRINGTON PUTNAM.
Brooklyn, Aug. 16, 1922.