The border vidette., 1934-02-03
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA NEWS

Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 24.-An
old letter, containing what is ap
parently an authentic history of
the ".Modoc" staRecoach which
is on exhibition in the Arizona
Pioneers Historical Museum,
University OF Arizona, has re
Gently come into the possession
of the Socisty. according 10 NJ re-.
George Kit, secretary. The
writer of the manuscript is not
known. but it was given to the
Society through the provisions
Of the will of tba late Richard
L1sk of Tucson, who acquired it
from his sister. the late Harriet
Lusk of Ton bstone.
According to the text OF the
letter, the exact date Of which
is not known. the "Modoc" stage
was built in new Hampshire and
sent by chip around Cape Horn
to Modoc county, California,
whence it derives its name. This
The cost was said to be $25OO
not including freight and ship
ping charges. About 1873 this
coach ran on regular schedule
between Sacramento, California,
and Virginia City. Nevada, and
at later date was brought to
Tombstone where it was used
for transportation between Tomb
stone and the nearest railroad
station, which was first Benson
and later Fairbank.
The coach carried twelve peo
pie on the inside and twelve on
the outside, according to tha
manuscript, but was frequently
overcrowded, transporting thirty
or more passengers. Ia addition
to the driver, it always carried
carried shotgun messenger"
to defend 1t against bandits and
desperados.. It was, freq neutly
held up, despite all precautions.
and ou st least one occasion, the
driver waa killed and several
passengers ioinred by a gronp
uf highWaymer.
Agosto Bosso, Royal Italian
Ambassador to the United States,
has accepted an invitation from
the University Of Arizona, the
Kino Memorial Association, and
the City Of Tucson. TO speak here
on March IS, Known as 'Klno
Day." on this subject "Chinl as
40 Italian"
Each year the Kino Memorial
Association, of which Dr.. Frank
@. Lock wood. professor of EGG,
lish at the University of Ari
2ona, is president, sponsors a
"Kioo Day" Program on March
Is, the anniversary of the death
OF Padre Eusebio Kino, early
Arizona pioneer and builder Of
the string OF missions which
stretches through Arizona and
Sonora. In past years, speakers
and programs have devoted most
Of their time to the Spanish set
tiers and the role carried by
Spain in t b e expeditions of
Father K;uo. This year. how
ever, emphasis will be placed on
the Italian part OF the story. for
Eusebio K.no was native Itali
an. and once spelled his name
"Chini."
Ambassador Rosso received
special Invitations from Presl.
dent Homer LsRoy Shants, re
presenting the University OF Ari
zona, Professor Lock wood. in
behalf Of the K,no Memorial As
sociatioa. aud Henry O. Jaasted
Mayor OF Tucson.
Ia accepting the invitation, A %
bassador R osso stated 10 letter
to Dr.. Lock wood that he was
happy not only Of the opportun
ity of honoring bis famous coun
tryman, but also of visiting Ari
zona, which had long been one
of his am billions. He stated that,
barring unforeseen obstacles, be
would be present in Tucson for
the celebration on March Is.
1884.
Mrs. George Kit, secretary of
the Arizona STATE Pioneer and
Historical Society at the Univer
sity of Arizona, announced re
caips OF number Of old and
valuable relics during the past
week. Donations Include tire
arms. dremen's badges, books,
keys, and photographs.
One acquisition is g very old
styla French six shooter. date
7 o~~;~rr a 1a1 froC, tho ,Conk