Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-10-02
Those Early-Day Stage Coach Trips
Were Tough for Greenhorns to Take

In the days Of the pioneers, when
one OF their number wished to make
q quick trip for a long distance. he
had the choice Of q stage journey. o.
going on horseback and packing his
provisions. It was the old comparison
between two evils. In order to render
q horseback trip even tolerable. with
no question Of enjoyment to be taken
into consideration, two things were ne
cessary, the traveller must be accus-
toned to riding, and the weather
should be fine weather neither too
warm nor too cold. In the summer the
hail storms and high winds were quite
as objectionable as excessive heat; and
In winter sometimes billiards ragged,
or the glare Of sunshine or snow caus-
ed the torture Of snowblindness.
There being no weather reports at
that time, those who chose to ride
must needs trust to luck that they
would have q pleasant trip. while those
who went by stage were no surer that
the way would be made straight for
them.
To pay for a stage passage did not
insure the traveller q ride the whole
distance in a coach; 1t simply meant
that the stage company would under
take to convey the passenger someway,
and at some time, to his destination.
He might ride in a sledge. a coach, a
jerky, or a lumber wagon; and some
times. when the going was difficult.
he was likely to walk There was al
travel by stage.
The stages were run primarily to
carry mail and express matter. They
ran at a profit whether they carried
passengers or not. There was no rea-
son why their owners should concern
themselves greatly about catering to
the comfort of their human freight,
and it is fair to say that they did not.
The traveller once aboard the stage,
put his trust in Providence and the
driver and resigned himself to the
inscrutable decisions Of fate. His not
to reason why, but to remain quies-
cent and II not die. at least suffer. In
that period Of our history. when hold
ups were common, there was posi-
bility Of his doing both. There was
likewise danger to limb as well as to
life. It is little wonder that men tried
to become oblivious to these discom-
forts and dangers through drink.
The Easiest Seats
In the large coaches, the easiest
seats inside were those at the front
and back, and with three on q seat,
the man who sandwiched between the
others was the most uncomfortable. In
fair weather the curtains were raised,
admitting air and dust. and afford
ing the passengers an opportunity to
view the landscape which was
denied them on stormy days. Then the
curtains were fastened down, and
there was all the sensation experien-
ced OF being on shipboard in rough
over the truly rugged road. swaying
and pitching in the most unaccount-
able manner.
Travel by night was none too agree
able. Overcome by sleep. the passenger
would rest his head momentarily
against the curtain, only to be rudely
awakened by jolt that might bring
him into collision with the roof Of
the coach. Whatever happened, his
agonized groans never caused the
driver to halt his horses and inquire
what was the matter within. He knew,
and undoubtedly was sympathetic; but
the mail was due at a certain time,
and his duty was to the mall and not
to the passengers. Sleep never seemed
so sweet as when an accident of some
kind compelled a driver to remain
over night at a station. What If there
were no bed there but the floor? That
at least, was quiet, not being subject
to violent upheavals.
These stations were generally of
rooms, with very little furniture aside
from benches and tables, all home
made, with view to utility and not
beauty. One never saw tablecloth
at a station, and it was not missed.
The long hours between meals. to-
gether with the involuntary exercise
the coach afforded gave one the ap-
petite of a wolf. The Apostles admon-
ition whatever is set before you, eat,
asking no questions for conscience
sake" was unnecessary for the ira
veler by stage coach; he ate without
question for ravenous hunger's sake;
and there was always an abundance
of food, but little variety either at a
meal or in that served at different
stations.
Bacon, ham, or beef was the main
dish, supplemented by the invariable