Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18

and one or two had started with OK teams
But Birch decided to do it right. He got horses
and put together sort Of imitation Of Com
cord coach His hrst route covered but so
miles. However, 1t was start. The fee was
Q dollar q mile, or $50 fer the trip. And he
prospered from the outset in his new business.
SVEARs later, Stevens Joined him, and to-
7 gether they developed the finest stage
beginning. Birch found competitors hot on his
trail Other western lines sprang up.
They did an amazing business, though their
prices were very stir. Some went for straight
express business and mail business: Birch stuck
to passengers and some freight. The income
grew to 1000 profit . day-and more. 4
.swen, to jump few years, the time came
when he had grown to the status where he was
understanding his competitors.
"And there was the girl back homel There
was the lovely Julia back in New England
His fortune was growing. He could now claim
her. So he started homeward.
"As he went, he began to realize the impor-
lance Of transportation from the new West to
lines scattered across the country, with stations
and equipment It merely needed tying mp
to bring about q vast network Of lines that
would spawn In every direction. -
"He returned home. found his sweetheart
waiting for him married her, stayed East for
q time and then returned to his dream. He did
not wish to take his cultures and lovely bride
into the primitive conditions Of the wild and
woolly mining camp atmosphere OF the West
60 ne left her behind. assured that he would
soon be able to see her at more frequent
intervals.
And so we come to the story Of the silver
cup.
with his old pal Stevens. as a partner and
vice president In the concern, the various and
scattered coach lines Of the Nation were merged
into the colossal California Stage Co. The
two youngsters from New England had mil
lion dollar corporation in their hands. And
they were not quite IS. In less than five years
they had achieved fortune and Q historic place
In the story of pioneering.
couple Of years passed. Birch now found
1t easier to travel back to see his bride. But
one day. via the very slow mails, he learned
that he was q father. He was now worth sew
erai millions, q truly fabulous sum in those
days. and he considered the possibility OF
trying to operate his affairs from point nearer
home.
However. there had arisen number Of busi-
ness complications competition and politics
and one thing and another had led to involve
ments In mail contracts.
Birch was now 20. In dozen days more
or less he would be 80. Full of worries and
DESTROYS of seeing his child and wife, he decided
to travel this time by water, taking the popular
Panama route
just before he left California, an old stage
hand Of whom Birch was particularly fond
handed him O little silver CUPID like TO
send this to the kid" said the old driver-or
some such words. At any rate, Birch found
himself aboard Panama-bound steamer, with
messages and trinkets for various friends and
kin left behind by the Forty Miners"
While ut sea, one Of the major problems
that worried him had been solved without his
kncwledge-the FIRST San Antonio mail had
come through! The pueblo Of san Diego had
declared fete day and there was celebration
up and down the coast. But Birch was riding
to his doom.
II youa look mp the old newspaper AaaA